Communication method, apparatus and system

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method, apparatus and system, which are applied to the technical field of communications. The communication method provided in the present application can reduce the duration for realizing a computing power request. To achieve the aim, the embodiments of the present application use the following technical solution: a first network element acquiring identification information of at least one computing power node, wherein a computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node includes at least one computing power type to which a terminal device subscribes; the first network element sending a first request message to a second network element, wherein the first request message is used for requesting the allocation of a connection resource to the at least one computing power node, and the connection resource is used for transmitting application data; the first network element receiving first information from the second network element, wherein the first information indicates at least one connection resource and a computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource, and the computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource is the computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node; and the first network element sending the first information to the terminal device.

Description

Communication method, apparatus and system

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411125496.5, filed on August 15, 2024, and entitled "Communication method, apparatus and system", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, in particular to a communication method, apparatus and system. BACKGROUND

[0003] In order to meet the needs of emerging services such as vehicle networking, collaborative robots, unmanned aerial vehicles, etc., computing power resources are deeply integrated with mobile networks, and computing power sessions are introduced in the core network. After the core network establishes a computing power session for a terminal device, it can schedule computing power nodes to provide computing power services for the terminal device.

[0004] Currently, the computing power session and the computing power request process are independent of each other. After the terminal device applies to establish a computing power session, it can perceive the computing power nodes. After the terminal device triggers a computing power demand, it applies to the control plane of the core network for a computing power node through the computing power session. After the core network control plane returns the selected computing power node, the terminal device submits a computing power request to the computing power node.

[0005] However, based on the current computing power request process, each computing power request needs to apply for a computing power node once, and the overall cycle is long. For time-sensitive computing power demands, it is difficult to meet the demands of the business. SUMMARY

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, apparatus and system, which can reduce the time length of implementing computing power request.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the embodiments of the present application adopt the following technical solutions:

[0008] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be performed by a first network element or a module (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system) applied to the first network element. The method performed by the first network element includes: obtaining identification information of at least one computing power node, wherein the computing power types supported by the at least one computing power node include at least one computing power type to which a terminal device subscribes; sending, to a second network element, a first request message, wherein the first request message is used to request allocation of connection resources for the at least one computing power node, and the connection resources are used to transmit application data; receiving, from the second network element, first information, wherein the first information indicates at least one connection resource and a computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource, and the computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource is a computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node; and sending, to the terminal device, the first information.

[0009] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the correspondence between the connection resources and the computing power types can be established based on the computing power types supported by the computing power nodes associated with the connection resources, and the terminal device can obtain the correspondence, so that after the terminal device triggers a computing power request, the terminal device can select corresponding connection resources to transmit service data based on the type of the computing power request, without applying for a computing power node each time, thereby saving time delay and improving efficiency.

[0010] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible design, the first network element sends the first request message to the second network element, including: in a case where a PDU session creation request message is received, the first network element sends the first request message to the second network element; the PDU session creation request message includes first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that a computing power session is established for the terminal device. Alternatively, in a case where a PDU session update request message is received, the first network element sends the first request message to the second network element; the PDU session update request message includes identification information of the terminal device and information of a target network.

[0011] The present solution can be applied in a scenario of PDU session establishment or update.

[0012] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: the first network element allocates a computing power type identifier to each computing power node, wherein the computing power type identifier is used to indicate a computing power type supported by the computing power node; and the first request message includes the identification information of the at least one computing power node and the computing power type identifier.

[0013] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: the first network element sends, to the second network element, second information, wherein the second information indicates at least one service level agreement, the at least one service level agreement is a service level agreement corresponding to a computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node, and the at least one connection resource supports the at least one service level agreement.

[0014] With reference to the first aspect above, in a possible design, the first network element obtaining the identification information of the at least one computing power node includes: the first network element sending a second request message to the computing power control network element, the second request message including information indicating the computing power demand, the second request message being used to request the computing power node matching the computing power demand; the computing power demand including at least one computing power type to which the terminal device is subscribed. The first network element receives the identification information of the at least one computing power node and information of the computing power type supported by each computing power node from the computing power control network element.

[0015] With reference to the first aspect above, in a possible design, the method further includes: the first network element selecting the computing power control network element according to location information of the terminal device.

[0016] With reference to the first aspect above, in a possible design, the method further includes: the first network element obtaining information of a service level agreement corresponding to each computing power type to which the terminal device is subscribed; and each connection resource supporting a service level agreement corresponding to the corresponding computing power type.

[0017] With reference to the first aspect above, in a possible design, the service level agreement includes at least one of the following information: a quality of service parameter of a service flow, a bandwidth, a delay, or a packet loss rate.

[0018] The second aspect provides a communication method, which can be executed by a terminal device or a module (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system) applied to the terminal device. The communication method is described below by taking the terminal device as an example. The method includes: the terminal device receiving first information, the first information indicating at least one connection resource and a computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource. The terminal device obtains first application data. The terminal device determines a target connection resource from the at least one connection resource; the computing power type corresponding to the target connection resource is the same as a computing power type of a computing power service requested by the first application data. The terminal device sends the first application data to a second network element through the target connection resource, the first application data carrying a task identifier, the task identifier being used to indicate the computing power type of the computing power service requested by the first application data, and the task identifier being used to select a target computing power node, the target computing power node being used to provide the computing power service for the first application data.

[0019] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can select a target connection resource to transmit application data according to the type of computing power service requested by the application data and the type of computing power corresponding to the obtained connection resource, so that the second network element can select a target computing power node capable of providing computing power service for the application data. It can be seen that in this process, the terminal device can transmit the application data to the target computing power node by selecting the connection resource, without applying for the computing power node every time and without perceiving the computing power node and the path, so as to reduce the time delay and improve the efficiency. When the terminal device has a computing power request each time, the network can select a more suitable computing power node for the terminal device according to the actual position of the terminal device and the dynamic situation of the computing power resource, so as to improve the use efficiency of the resource and the experience of the terminal device.

[0020] With reference to the second aspect, in a possible design, the task identifier further includes information indicating a sequence number corresponding to the first application data; and the historical application data corresponding to the historical computing power service provided by the target computing power node corresponds to a sequence number identical to the sequence number corresponding to the first application data.

[0021] With reference to the second aspect, in a possible design, before the terminal device obtains the first application data, the method further includes: the terminal device receives second application data from an application server, the second application data including the first application data; the terminal device allocates a task identifier for the second application data according to an API corresponding to the second application data; and the terminal device sends the task identifier to the application server.

[0022] With reference to the second aspect, in a possible design, the task identifier is carried in an extension header of the first application data; and the extension header adopts a first protocol, the first protocol being an Internet Protocol (IP) version 6 (IPV6) protocol with a version number of 6, or the first protocol being a protocol adopted by a tunnel between the terminal device and the second network element.

[0023] The present solution provides two ways of carrying the task identifier.

[0024] With reference to the second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: the terminal device receives a calculation result from the second network element, the calculation result being obtained by the target computing power node according to the first application data.

[0025] With reference to the second aspect, in a possible design, each connection resource in the at least one connection resource is associated with at least one computing power node, and the type of computing power corresponding to each connection resource includes a type of computing power supported by the at least one computing power node associated with each connection resource.

[0026] With the second aspect above, in a possible design, the method further includes: the terminal device sends a PDU session establishment request message to the third network element, the PDU session establishment request message including the second indication information, the second indication information indicating establishment of the computing power session.

[0027] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a second network element, or a module (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system) applied to the second network element. The following takes the second network element as an example to illustrate the communication method, which includes: the second network element receives first application data from a terminal device; the first application data carries a task identifier, and the task identifier includes information indicating a computing power type of a computing power service requested by the first application data. The second network element selects a target computing power node supporting the same computing power type as that indicated by the task identifier according to the task identifier. The second network element sends the first application data to the target computing power node.

[0028] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the second network element can determine a target computing power node for processing application data according to a task identifier of the application data, in which process, the terminal device does not need to perceive the computing power node and the path, and can transmit the application data to the target computing power node, thereby reducing the time delay and improving the efficiency. Each time the terminal device has a computing power request, the network can select a more suitable computing power node for the terminal device according to the actual location of the terminal device and the dynamic situation of the computing power resource, thereby improving the use efficiency of the resource and the experience of the terminal device.

[0029] With the third aspect above, in a possible design, the method further includes: the second network element receives a first request message from the first network element, the first request message including identification information of at least one computing power node, and the first request message being used to request allocation of connection resources for the at least one computing power node, the connection resources being used to transmit application data. The second network element allocates at least one connection resource for the at least one computing power node. The second network element saves a mapping relationship between the identification information of the at least one computing power node and identification information of the at least one connection resource.

[0030] With the third aspect above, in a possible design, the first request message further includes information indicating a computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node; and the method further includes: the second network element sends first information to the first network element, the first information indicating the at least one connection resource and a computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource, the computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource being the computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node.

[0031] Based on the present solution, a corresponding relationship between the computing power type and the connection resource can be established, so that the corresponding connection resource can be selected through the computing power type.

[0032] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for implementing the method implemented by the first network element in the first aspect.

[0033] The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-described method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-described functions.

[0034] With reference to the fourth aspect above, in a possible design, the communication apparatus includes a transceiver module and a processing module, where the processing module, in combination with the transceiver module, is configured to obtain identification information of at least one computing power node, and the computing power types supported by the at least one computing power node include at least one computing power type to which a terminal device is subscribed. The transceiver module is further configured to send, to a second network element, a first request message, where the first request message is used to request allocation of connection resources for the at least one computing power node, and the connection resources are used to transmit application data. The transceiver module is further configured to receive first information from the second network element, where the first information indicates at least one connection resource and a computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource, and the computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource is a computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node. The transceiver module is further configured to send the first information to the terminal device.

[0035] With reference to the fourth aspect above, in a possible design, the transceiver module is configured to send, to the second network element, the first request message in a case where a PDU session creation request message is received, and the PDU session creation request message includes first indication information, where the first indication information indicates establishment of a computing power session for the terminal device. Alternatively, the transceiver module is configured to send, to the second network element, the first request message in a case where a PDU session update request message is received, and the PDU session update request message includes identification information of the terminal device and information of a target network.

[0036] With reference to the fourth aspect above, in a possible design, the processing module is further configured to allocate a computing power type identifier to each computing power node, where the computing power type identifier is used to indicate a computing power type supported by the computing power node. The first request message includes identification information of the at least one computing power node and the computing power type identifier.

[0037] With reference to the fourth aspect above, in a possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to send, to the second network element, second information, where the second information indicates at least one service level agreement, and the at least one service level agreement is a service level agreement corresponding to a computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node; and the at least one connection resource supports the at least one service level agreement.

[0038] With reference to the fourth aspect above, in a possible design, the processing module is further configured to select a computing power control network element according to location information of the terminal device.

[0039] With reference to the fourth aspect above, in a possible design, the processing module is further configured to acquire, through the transceiver module, information of a service level agreement corresponding to each of the at least one type of computing power to which the terminal device subscribes; and each of the connection resources supports the service level agreement corresponding to the corresponding type of computing power.

[0040] With reference to the fourth aspect above, in a possible design, the service level agreement includes at least one of the following pieces of information: a quality of service parameter of a service flow, a bandwidth, a time delay, or a packet loss rate.

[0041] The fifth aspect provides a communication apparatus for implementing the method implemented by the terminal device in the second aspect.

[0042] The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-described method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-described functions.

[0043] With reference to the fifth aspect above, in a possible design, the communication apparatus includes a transceiver module and a processing module, where the transceiver module is configured to receive first information, the first information indicating at least one connection resource and a type of computing power corresponding to the at least one connection resource; and the terminal device acquires first application data. The processing module is configured to determine a target connection resource from the at least one connection resource, and the type of computing power corresponding to the target connection resource is the same as a type of computing power requested by the first application data for computing power service. The transceiver module is further configured to send, through the target connection resource, the first application data to a second network element, the first application data carrying a task identifier, the task identifier being used to indicate the type of computing power requested by the first application data for computing power service, and the task identifier being used to select a target computing power node, the target computing power node being used to provide computing power service for the first application data.

[0044] With reference to the fifth aspect above, in a possible design, the task identifier further includes information indicating a sequence number corresponding to the first application data; and a sequence number corresponding to historical application data corresponding to historical computing power service provided by the target computing power node is the same as the sequence number corresponding to the first application data.

[0045] With reference to the fifth aspect above, in a possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to receive second application data from an application server, the second application data including the first application data. The terminal device allocates a task identifier to the second application data according to an API corresponding to the second application data, and sends the task identifier to the application server.

[0046] With reference to the fifth aspect above, in a possible design, the task identifier is carried in an extension header of the first application data; and the extension header adopts a first protocol, the first protocol being an Internet Protocol (IP) version 6 (IPV6) protocol with a version number of 6, or the first protocol being a protocol adopted by a tunnel between the terminal device and the second network element.

[0047] With reference to the fifth aspect above, in a possible design, the transceiver is further configured to receive a calculation result from the second network element, the calculation result being obtained by the target computing power node according to the first application data.

[0048] With reference to the fifth aspect above, in a possible design, each of the at least one connection resource is associated with the at least one computing power node, and the computing power type corresponding to each connection resource includes a computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node associated with each connection resource.

[0049] With reference to the fifth aspect above, in a possible design, the transceiver is further configured to send, to the third network element, a PDU session establishment request message, where the PDU session establishment request message includes second indication information, and the second indication information indicates establishment of the computing power session.

[0050] A sixth aspect provides a communication apparatus for implementing the method implemented by the second network element in the third aspect above.

[0051] The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-described method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-described functions.

[0052] With reference to the sixth aspect above, in a possible design, the communication apparatus includes a transceiver and a processing module, where the transceiver is configured to receive first application data from a terminal device, where the first application data carries a task identifier, and the task identifier includes information indicating a computing power type of a computing power service requested by the first application data; and the processing module is configured to select, according to the task identifier, a target computing power node that supports a computing power type same as the computing power type indicated by the task identifier. The transceiver is further configured to send the first application data to the target computing power node.

[0053] With reference to the sixth aspect above, in a possible design, the communication apparatus further includes a storage module; the transceiver is further configured to receive a first request message from the first network element, the first request message including identification information of the at least one computing power node, the first request message being used to request allocation of connection resources for the at least one computing power node, the connection resources being used to transmit application data; the processor is further configured to allocate at least one connection resource for the at least one computing power node; and the storage module is configured to store a mapping relationship between the identification information of the at least one computing power node and identification information of the at least one connection resource.

[0054] With reference to the sixth aspect above, in a possible design, the first request message further includes information indicating a computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node; and the transceiver is further configured to send, to the first network element, first information indicating the at least one connection resource and a computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource, the computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource being the computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node.

[0055] According to a seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, including a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a memory, when the processor executes the instructions, to cause the communication apparatus to perform the method in any of the aspects above. The communication apparatus can be the first network element in the first aspect or any of the possible designs of the first aspect, or a module (for example, a chip) applied to the first network element. Alternatively, the communication apparatus can be the terminal device in the second aspect or any of the possible designs of the second aspect, or a module (for example, a chip) applied to the terminal device. Alternatively, the communication apparatus can be the second network element in the third aspect or any of the possible designs of the third aspect, or a module (for example, a chip) applied to the second network element.

[0056] In a possible design, the communication apparatus further includes a memory configured to store computer instructions. Optionally, the processor and the memory are integrated together, or the processor and the memory are separately arranged.

[0057] In a possible design, the memory is coupled with the processor, and is outside the communication apparatus.

[0058] In an eighth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises: a processor and an interface circuit for communicating with modules outside the communication apparatus; the processor is configured to implement the method in any of the preceding aspects by means of a logic circuit, or by running a computer program or instructions. The communication apparatus can be the first network element in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or a module (for example, a chip) applied to the first network element. Alternatively, the communication apparatus can be the terminal device in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or a module (for example, a chip) applied to the terminal device. Alternatively, the communication apparatus can be the second network element in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or a module (for example, a chip) applied to the second network element.

[0059] Alternatively, the interface circuit can be a code / data read-write interface circuit, which is configured to receive computer-executed instructions (the computer-executed instructions are stored in a memory, which can be read directly from the memory or can pass through other devices) and transmit the computer-executed instructions to the processor, so that the processor runs the computer-executed instructions to implement the method in any of the preceding aspects.

[0060] In a possible design, the communication apparatus further includes a memory configured to store the computer program or instructions. Optionally, the processor and the memory are integrated together, or the processor and the memory are separately arranged.

[0061] In a possible design, the memory is coupled to the processor and is outside the communication apparatus.

[0062] In some possible designs, the communication apparatus can be a chip or a chip system.

[0063] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores instructions, when the instructions are run on a computer, the computer can execute the method in the first aspect to the third aspect, or any possible implementation of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0064] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product containing instructions, when the instructions are run on a computer, the computer can execute the method in the first aspect to the third aspect, or any possible implementation of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0065] In an eleventh aspect, a communication apparatus (e.g., the communication apparatus can be a chip or a chip system) is provided. The communication apparatus includes a processor configured to implement functions of the first aspect to the third aspect or any possible design of the first aspect to the third aspect. In one possible design, the communication apparatus further includes a memory configured to store instructions and data necessary for the processor. When the communication apparatus is a chip system, the communication apparatus can be composed of a chip or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0066] In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided. The communication system includes a first network element and a second network element. In one possible design, the first network element is configured to implement the method in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, and the second network element is configured to implement the method in the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect.

[0067] In one possible design, the communication system further includes a terminal device configured to implement the method in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect.

[0068] The technical effects brought by any of the designs of the fourth aspect to the twelfth aspect can be referred to the technical effects brought by different designs of the first aspect to the third aspect, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0069] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a logical architecture of a mobile computing power network;

[0070] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a process of accessing a computing power node;

[0071] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an extension header according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a data header according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a chip system according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0085] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, first, a brief introduction of the related technologies of the present application is given as follows.

[0086] 1. Mobile computing power network

[0087] The mobile computing power network is a network obtained by fusing the computing power resources of a mobile network and the mobile network. The computing power can be understood as the computing capability of a device. In the mobile computing power network, a node providing computing power resources can be referred to as a computing power node, and the computing power node can provide computing power services. The core network (CN) can introduce a computing power control network element for unified scheduling of computing power and the network.

[0088] The computing power control network element is an exemplary name provided in the present document for a network element for scheduling computing power. In actual applications, it can also be other names, for example, it can also be referred to as a computing power management and scheduling network element.

[0089] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a logical architecture of a mobile computing power network. As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile computing power network can be logically divided into three parts: an infrastructure layer, a computing network management and orchestration layer, and an application enablement layer. The three parts are briefly introduced as follows.

[0090] Infrastructure layer: The infrastructure layer is divided into three parts: physical infrastructure, computing network execution, and computing network control.

[0091] Physical infrastructure, i.e., the physical infrastructure for building a mobile network. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the physical infrastructure can include a base station. The mobile computing power network can provide services for user equipment (UE) through the base station.

[0092] The computing network execution includes the forwarding routing capability of the traditional core network user plane and the computing resource and computing service capability extended by the mobile computing network. In the computing network execution, the computing nodes can provide distributed computing resource and computing service capability for applications (such as end, cloud applications). The computing nodes can cooperate with the computing network management and arrangement layer to report the computing resource type and usage of the nodes, which are used for the unified arrangement of the computing network resources. The computing nodes can also cooperate with the application enabling layer to register and open the computing services that can be provided by the nodes.

[0093] The computing network control includes the core network control plane introducing the computing session, the computing control network element and the computing network experience guarantee function. The computing control network element mainly realizes the state perception, task scheduling and distribution of the computing resource and the registration management of the computing nodes. The control plane needs to realize the dynamic mobile session management for a large number of distributed computing nodes and dynamic computing task scheduling. The computing network experience guarantee function is responsible for the end-to-end service running state experience guarantee, mainly realizes the real-time monitoring, scheduling and control of the computing resource, computing service, network resource and service instance, and achieves the end-to-end quality of service (QoS) guarantee.

[0094] The computing network management and arrangement layer: the computing network resource unified arrangement function in the computing network management and arrangement layer mainly maintains the overall resource view of the mobile computing network, realizes the mapping and arrangement among the network function, computing task and computing resource, and realizes the rational use of the overall resource. In addition, this layer also needs to consider the unified operation and control and security control to ensure the controllability and trustworthiness of the system.

[0095] The application enabling layer: the application enabling layer can provide computing network capability opening service and unified tenant service. Among them, the computing network capability opening service can provide mobile computing network service to the outside through the computing network integrated opening interface, including the computing, storage, network, terminal user group and other resource types and functions required by the user, and according to the user level, different user operation permissions of the tenant computing network resource are opened for different users. The unified tenant service can match different computing network services for various users (personal users, vertical industry users, etc.).

[0096] In the mobile computing network, the core network also introduces the computing session. The core network can provide the computing nodes for the terminal device through the computing session, establish the data transmission path between the terminal device and the computing node, and thus realize the demand of the terminal device for the computing network service.

[0097] In the following, if "computing network" or "computing network" appears, it can be considered as the abbreviation of the mobile computing network without special instructions.

[0098] At present, in the mobile computing network, the process of realizing the demand of the terminal device for the computing network service is shown in FIG. 2, which includes the following steps:

[0099] Step 1, the computing power node of the computing power network registers with the computing power control network element, so as to be managed, discovered and invoked by the network. The registration content includes the identity, address, capability and computing power resource of the computing power node and the like.

[0100] Step 2, the computing power control network element subscribes to the real-time state of the registered computing power node, such as available computing power resource, capability, deployment situation and the like, so as to realize real-time sensing and management of the state of each computing power node.

[0101] Step 3, computing power session establishment. The computing power session is established between the terminal device and the control plane of the core network. When the computing power session is established, the control plane of the core network selects the computing power control network element for the session, so that the session can sense the computing power node.

[0102] Step 4, when the computing power network service needs to be accessed, the terminal device can send the computing power network service demand to the core network through the computing power session. The computing power network service demand can be related to the computing power network service, for example, the demand of the computing power network service can be expressed by the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the service, or the demand of the computing power resource of the service.

[0103] Step 5, the control plane of the core network senses the computing power network service demand and requests the computing power control network element for the computing power node that can meet the required computing power resource. If the computing power network service demand received by the control plane of the core network in step 4 does not include the specific demand of the computing power resource, such as floating point operations per second (FLOPS) / tera operations per second (TOPS) and the like, the control plane of the core network also needs to determine the specific computing power demand according to the computing power network service.

[0104] Step 6, the computing power control network element returns the response message including the information of at least one computing power node to the control plane according to the registration condition and real-time state of the computing power node, including the address, capability, real-time computing power resource and the like of the computing power node.

[0105] Step 7, the control plane of the core network selects the computing power node and path according to the information of the computing power node returned by the computing power control network element, for example, selects at least one local user plane function (UPF) network element.

[0106] Step 8, the core network control plane returns the selected computing power node and path to the terminal device. The computing power node and path can be sent to the terminal device through the user plane (for example, through a domain name system (DNS) message) or the control plane (for example, through a non-access stratum (NAS) message).

[0107] Step 9, the terminal device accesses the computing power node according to the computing power node and path, thereby realizing the demand of the computing network service.

[0108] So far, the computing power session and the computing power request process in the mobile computing power network are independent of each other. After the terminal device applies to establish a computing power network session, the information of the computing power node is obtained, so that the computing power node is perceived. After the terminal device triggers the computing power request, the computing power node is applied to the core network control plane through the computing power session (control plane or user plane), and the core network control plane returns the selected computing power node. After the terminal device submits the computing power demand to the computing power node.

[0109] However, based on the current process, the terminal device needs to apply for a computing power node every time the computing power demand is triggered, and the overall cycle is relatively long. In addition, since the path of the computing power node is notified to the terminal device, when the terminal device moves and needs to select a computing power node again, the terminal device needs to update the path of the computing power node, and the switching time required is relatively long. As can be seen from the above, for time-sensitive computing power demand, the current process of realizing computing power demand is difficult to meet the demand of the service.

[0110] Based on the above problems, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, device and system to provide a new method of realizing computing power request, and reduce the length of the overall cycle.

[0111] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " represents a "or" relationship between the objects associated in front and behind, for example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" in the embodiments of the present application is only a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, where A, B can be singular or plural. And in the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions means any combination of these items, including any combination of single item or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c, can represent: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, or a-b-c, where a, b, c can be single or multiple. In addition, in order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, "first", "second" and the like are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with basically the same function and role. The skilled in the art can understand that "first", "second" and the like do not limit the quantity and execution order, and "first", "second" and the like do not necessarily mean different. At the same time, in the embodiments of the present application, "exemplary" or "for example" means to present relevant concepts in a specific way for understanding.

[0112] In the embodiments of the present application, "indication" can include direct indication and indirect indication, and can also include explicit indication and implicit indication. The information indicated by a certain information is called to-be-indicated information, and there are many ways to indicate the to-be-indicated information in the specific implementation process, for example, but not limited to, the to-be-indicated information can be directly indicated, such as the to-be-indicated information itself or the index of the to-be-indicated information. The to-be-indicated information can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, where the other information and the to-be-indicated information have an association relationship. The to-be-indicated information can also be only indicated in part, and the other part of the to-be-indicated information is known or agreed in advance. For example, the indication of a specific information can also be achieved by means of the arrangement order of each information agreed in advance (for example, a protocol). Thus, to a certain extent, the indication overhead is reduced. At the same time, the common part of each information can be identified and uniformly indicated, so as to reduce the indication overhead caused by separately indicating the same information.

[0113] It should be understood that the to-be-indicated information can be sent together as a whole, or can be sent separately in multiple sub-information, and the sending period and / or sending occasion of the sub-information can be the same or different. The specific sending method is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The sending period and / or sending occasion of the sub-information can be predefined, for example, predefined according to a protocol, or configured by the sending end device to the receiving end device by sending configuration information.

[0114] In the embodiments of the present application, "predefined", "predefinition", "preconfigured", "preconfiguration" or "local configuration" can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables or other information indicating methods in the device, for example, burned in the device when the device is manufactured, or configured when the device accesses the network for the first time, and the specific implementation manner is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The "storage" can be stored in one or more memories. The one or more memories can be separately set, or integrated in the encoder or decoder, processor or communication device. The one or more memories can be partially separately set and partially integrated in the decoder, processor or communication device. The type of the memory can be any form of storage medium, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0115] In the embodiments of the present application, "when", "in the case of", "if" and the like all refer to that the device will make corresponding processing under certain objective conditions, and are not limited in time, and do not require the device to have a judgment action when implemented, and do not mean that there are other limitations.

[0116] In the embodiments of the present application, "sending information to … (for example, the first network element)" can be understood as that the destination of the information is the first network element. It can include directly or indirectly sending information to the first network element. "Receiving information from … (for example, the first network element)" can be understood as that the source of the information is the first network element, and can include directly or indirectly receiving information from the first network element. The information can be processed as necessary between the source and the destination, for example, format change, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in the embodiments of the present application can be understood similarly, and will not be repeated here.

[0117] The technical solutions provided in the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example, a long term evolution (LTE) system, a 4th generation (4G) mobile communication system, a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system and its evolution system, a 5th generation advanced (5GA), a non-terrestrial network (NTN) system, a vehicle to everything (V2X) system, a system of LTE and new radio (NR) hybrid networking, or a device-to-device (D2D) system, a machine to machine (M2M) communication system, an internet of things (IoT), and a future communication system, etc. In addition, the term "system" can be replaced by "network".

[0118] It should be noted that the network architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of network architecture and the appearance of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0119] It should be noted that the network elements appearing in the present application are only possible exemplary names. If the actual name of the network element in the subsequent communication network is different from the name appearing in the present application, it does not affect the application of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. For example, the computing power control network element in the present application can also be other names in actual application, such as computing power scheduling network element, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0120] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a possible, non-limiting communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable. As shown in FIG. 3, the communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable includes terminal devices, a core network, and a radio access network (RAN). Logically, the core network can be divided into a user plane and a control plane, and the control plane is responsible for the management of the mobile network, and the user plane is responsible for the transmission of service data. The terminal device can access the RAN. The RAN can be connected with the core network.

[0121] As shown in FIG. 3, optionally, the communication system can also include a data network (DN).

[0122] As shown in FIG. 3, optionally, an application (APP) or an operating system (OS) can be deployed on the terminal device.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device can communicate with a core network through the RAN. If the communication system includes a data network, the core network can communicate with the data network, and the terminal device can communicate with the data network through the RAN and the core network.

[0124] The terminal device can access the RAN through a RAN node. The RAN node, which can also be referred to as a RAN entity, an access node, or an access network device, etc., constitutes part of the communication system and helps the terminal device access the network. 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 wireless fidelity (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 cloud-radio access network (C-RAN) scenario. Optionally, the RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. For example, the RAN node in the V2X technology can be a road side unit (RSU).

[0125] In another possible scenario, a terminal device is assisted by multiple RAN nodes to implement 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, for example, in a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, for example, in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0126] 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 open radio access network (O-RAN), 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 the embodiments of the present application. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0127] The terminal device can also be referred to as a terminal, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile terminal, etc. The terminal device can be widely applied to various scenarios, such as D2D, V2X communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self driving, remote medical, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, or smart city, etc. The terminal device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a wearable device, a vehicle, a drone, a helicopter, an airplane, a ship, a robot, a mechanical arm, a smart home device, etc. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the device form of the terminal device.

[0128] The core network includes core network elements (or core network devices). Currently, some examples of core network elements are: access and mobility management function (AMF) entities, session management function (SMF) entities, user plane function (UPF) entities, and the like, which are not listed one by one here. Among them, the AMF entity can be responsible for access management and mobility management of the terminal device; the SMF entity can be responsible for session management, such as session establishment of a user, etc.; the UPF entity can be a functional entity of the user plane, mainly responsible for connecting external networks.

[0129] In embodiments of the present application, a network element can also be referred to as a function or a functional entity, for example, an AMF network element can also be referred to as an AMF entity or an AMF functional entity, and for example, an SMF network element can also be referred to as an SMF function or an SMF functional entity, etc.

[0130] The communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable can be applied to a mobile computing power network. Among them, the core network can include a computing power control network element, and the computing power control network element can manage computing power nodes in a computing power resource pool. Among them, the computing power nodes can be endogenous, or provided by an operator, or provided by a third party (such as the cloud). The computing power nodes can deploy computing power models, such as object detection and recognition, human pose estimation, or rendering computing power models. Based on the type of computing power model deployed on the computing power nodes, it can be considered that the computing power nodes can provide (or be referred to as support) different types of computing power services.

[0131] Exemplarily, the computing power control network element can be a computing management function (CMF).

[0132] Exemplarily, the mobile computing power network to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable can refer to the architecture shown in FIG. 1.

[0133] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a possible, non-limiting application scenario to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable. As shown in FIG. 4, in the application scenario, if data transmission is performed between a device and a computing power node, the data stream to be transmitted needs to meet certain indicators (for example, QoS parameters such as bandwidth, latency or packet loss rate), that is, the transmission of the computing power request sent by the terminal device and the computing result returned by the computing power node needs to meet certain requirements. The core network control plane (FIG. 4 takes the 5G / 5GA control plane as an example for illustration) can be templated, and the requirements to be met by the data stream to be transmitted between the device and the computing power model. And the core network can establish a general computing power session in the core network user plane (FIG. 4 takes the 5G / 5GA user plane as an example for illustration) based on the template corresponding to the computing power model, and the general computing power session can be used to transmit data corresponding to the computing power model. After the general computing power session is established, the core network can notify the terminal device that the connection resources of the general computing power session can be used to send a computing power request to the computing power node (FIG. 4 takes the sending of a computing power request to the recognition model computing power node / rendering model computing power node as an example for illustration). Wherein, after the terminal device sends the computing power request to the user plane, in one possible implementation, the user plane can send the computing power request to the computing power gateway, and the computing power gateway sends the computing power request to the computing power node. In another possible implementation, the user plane can directly send the computing power request to the computing power node. Exemplarily, FIG. 4 shows several exemplary computing power requests: object detection and recognition, human pose estimation, or rendering, and several exemplary computing power nodes: a computing power node deploying a recognition model (the recognition model computing power node in FIG. 4), a computing power node deploying a rendering model (the rendering model computing power node in FIG. 4).

[0134] Wherein, the general computing power session is an exemplary name provided by the embodiments of the present application, and can also be called other names, for example, a default computing power session. In the embodiments of the present application, “general” and “default” are two identical concepts that can be replaced with each other.

[0135] It can be understood that the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application can not only be applied to the application scenario shown in FIG. 4, but also be applied to other application scenarios, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenario.

[0136] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described below in combination with the architecture of the communication system shown in FIG. 3.

[0137] It can be understood that, in the following embodiments of the present application, the names of various network elements, the names of messages exchanged between various network elements, the names of various parameters, or the names of various information, etc. are only examples, and in other embodiments, other names can also be used, and the method provided by the present application does not specifically limit this.

[0138] It can be understood that, in the embodiments of the present application, various network elements or entities can perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application, and these steps or operations are only examples, and the embodiments of the present application can also perform other operations or variations of various operations. In addition, various steps can be performed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of the present application, and it is possible that not all operations in the embodiments of the present application are performed.

[0139] As shown in FIG. 5, a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. In FIG. 5, the first network element, the second network element and the terminal device are taken as an example to illustrate the execution subject of the flowchart, but the present application does not limit the execution subject of the flowchart. For example, the first network element in FIG. 5 can also be a module applied to the first network element, such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor, and can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the function of the first network element. The second network element in FIG. 5 can also be a module applied to the second network element, such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor, and can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the function of the second network element. The terminal device in FIG. 5 can also be a module applied to the second network element, such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor, and can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the function of the terminal device.

[0140] Referring to FIG. 5, the communication method includes steps S501-S504:

[0141] S501, the first network element obtains identification information of at least one computing power node, and the computing power types supported by the at least one computing power node include at least one computing power type subscribed by the terminal device.

[0142] S502, the first network element sends a first request message to the second network element, and the first request message is used to request to allocate connection resources for the at least one computing power node, and the connection resources are used to transmit application data. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the first request message.

[0143] S503, the second network element sends first information to the first network element, and correspondingly, the first network element receives the first information from the second network element. The first information indicates at least one connection resource and a computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource, and the computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource is a computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node.

[0144] S504, the first network element sends the first information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information.

[0145] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the correspondence between the connection resource and the computing power type can be established based on the computing power type supported by the computing power node associated with the connection resource, and the terminal device obtains the correspondence, so that after the terminal device triggers the computing power request, the corresponding connection resource can be selected based on the type of the computing power request to transmit the service data, and the computing power node does not need to be applied for each time, which can save the time delay and improve the efficiency.

[0146] The network element performing the method embodiments is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the first network element can be an SMF network element. The second network element can be a UPF network element. The third network element can be an AMF network element.

[0147] The S501 is introduced in detail below.

[0148] In S501, the identification information of the computing power node is used to uniquely identify the computing power node. For example, the identification information of the computing power node can be the computing example identification of the computing power node or the address of the computing power node.

[0149] In the embodiments of the present application, the computing power type can be classified based on the computing power service. The computing power type supported by the computing power node can be understood as the type of the computing power service that can be provided by the computing power node. One computing power node can support at least one computing power type. For example, assuming that the computing power node a deploys an object detection and recognition model and can provide an object detection and recognition service, and the computing power node b deploys a rendering model and can provide a rendering service, it can be considered that the computing power node a supports the computing power type: object detection and recognition, and the computing power node b supports the computing power type: rendering.

[0150] The computing power type is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the computing power type can be object detection and recognition, human pose estimation, computer vision, rendering, simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), or language translation.

[0151] In S501, the computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node includes at least one computing power type subscribed by the terminal device, which can be understood as that all the computing power types supported by the at least one computing power node include at least one computing power type subscribed by the terminal device. Each computing power node in the at least one computing power node can support one or more computing power types subscribed by the terminal device.

[0152] Optionally, all the computing power types supported by the at least one computing power node can include all the computing power types to which the terminal device subscribes. Alternatively, all the computing power types supported by the at least one computing power node can include part of the computing power types to which the terminal device subscribes, that is, another part of the computing power types to which the terminal device subscribes is not included in the computing power types supported by the at least one computing power node.

[0153] Optionally, all the computing power types supported by the at least one computing power node can include other computing power types in addition to the at least one computing power type to which the terminal device subscribes. For example, assuming that the computing power types to which the terminal device subscribes include a computing power type a, a computing power type b, and a computing power type c, in the at least one computing power node, a computing power node 1 supports the computing power type a and the computing power type b, and a computing power node 2 supports the computing power type c and a computing power type d.

[0154] In S501, one possible implementation of the first network element obtaining the identification of the at least one computing power node can include the following steps:

[0155] Step 1: The first network element obtains at least one computing power type to which the terminal device subscribes.

[0156] In step 1, the first network element can obtain the at least one computing power type to which the terminal device subscribes included in the subscription data of the terminal device. For example, the first network element can send a request message to a unified data management (UDM) network element / policy control function (PCF) network element, where the request message carries identification information of the terminal device and is used to request the computing power types to which the terminal device subscribes. The UDM / PCF network element feeds back, to the first network element, the at least one computing power type to which the terminal device subscribes based on the request of the first network element.

[0157] Optionally, in the embodiment of the application, the first network element obtains the computing power types to which the terminal device subscribes, which can also be referred to as that the first network element obtains a computing power session template of the terminal device, where the computing power session template includes the computing power types to which the terminal device subscribes. The computing power session template is an exemplary name of information related to computing power provided for the terminal device by the embodiment of the application, and other names can also be used in actual application, which is not limited in the embodiment of the application. For example, it can also be referred to as a computing power session subscription information, a general computing power session template, a default computing power session template, a general computing power session subscription information, or a default computing power session subscription information, and the like.

[0158] Optionally, the computing power session template of the terminal device can further include information of a service level agreement (SLA) corresponding to each computing power type to which the terminal device subscribes. The SLA is used to indicate a requirement for at least one performance parameter, for example, the SLA can include at least one of the following information: QoS parameter, bandwidth, delay, or packet loss rate of a service flow (uplink service flow and / or downlink service flow), and the like.

[0159] Optionally, the SLA corresponding to the computing power type can be replaced by other parameters that can represent a requirement for data transmission. For example, the SLA corresponding to the computing power type can be replaced by a QoS parameter corresponding to the computing power type, bandwidth, delay, or packet loss rate corresponding to the computing power type, and the like.

[0160] Optionally, the computing power session template of the terminal device can further include other information of the terminal device, such as a computing power rate, a computing power service time, and the like.

[0161] Step 2: The first network element sends a second request message to the computing power control network element, the second request message including information indicating a computing power requirement, and the second request message is used to request a computing power node matching the computing power requirement (or said to satisfy the computing power requirement). The computing power requirement includes at least one computing power type to which the terminal device subscribes.

[0162] Optionally, the computing power requirement can further include a feedback delay corresponding to the computing power type, and / or a computing power size requirement, and the like.

[0163] The feedback delay refers to a time delay of the computing power node feeding back a calculation result (or a processing result) of the data after receiving the data. For example, assuming that the feedback delay is 2s, if the computing power node can feed back the calculation result of the data within 2s after receiving the data, the computing power node satisfies the feedback delay. The first network element can determine the feedback delay corresponding to the computing power type based on the computing power type to which the terminal device subscribes. Optionally, the first network element can determine the feedback delay corresponding to the computing power type by itself, or the computing power session template of the terminal device can include the feedback delay corresponding to the computing power type. The feedback delays corresponding to different computing power types can be different or the same. For example, assuming that the terminal device subscribes to computing power types: rendering and SLAM; wherein the feedback delay corresponding to the rendering can be tens of milliseconds, and the feedback delay corresponding to the SLAM can be tens of milliseconds.

[0164] The computing power size requirement can be understood as a required computing power size for providing a computing power service corresponding to the computing power type. The first network element can convert the computing power type to obtain the corresponding computing power size requirement. The unit of the computing power size requirement is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the computing power size requirement can be FLOPS / TOPS.

[0165] The information based on the computing power requirement corresponds to the computing power type to which the terminal device subscribes. The computing power requirement can be considered to correspond to the computing power type. That is, the first network element can determine the corresponding computing power requirement according to each computing power type in the at least one computing power type to which the terminal device subscribes, and obtain at least one computing power requirement.

[0166] Optionally, before step 2, the first network element can select a computing power control network element. For example, the first network element can select a computing power control network element close to the terminal device according to the location information of the terminal device. For another example, the first network element can select a computing power control network element according to the computing power session template. For example, it is assumed that the computing power session template contains a requirement for the delay of a service flow, and the first network element is configured with the locations of at least one computing power control network element. The first network element can estimate the delay of data transmission between the terminal device and the computing power control network element according to the current location of the terminal device and the location of the computing power control network element, and then select the computing power control network element in combination with the requirement for the delay of the service flow in the computing power session template.

[0167] Optionally, the first network element can select the computing power control network element when establishing a computing power session (or establishing a general computing power session) for the terminal device for the first time. Here, establishing a computing power session (or establishing a general computing power session) for the terminal device for the first time refers to the first time for the terminal device to access a network.

[0168] For example, when the terminal device accesses network a, the first network element can select the computing power control network element when establishing a computing power session (or establishing a general computing power session) for the terminal device for the first time. After that, the terminal device accesses network b, and the first network element can select the computing power control network element when establishing a computing power session (or establishing a general computing power session) for the terminal device for the first time.

[0169] Optionally, if step 2 is performed in the process of establishing a computing power session (or establishing a general computing power session) for the terminal device for the first time by the first network element, the second request message can be a computing power session request (for requesting to establish a computing power session), or can be a general computing power session request (for requesting to establish a general computing power session).

[0170] In step 3, after receiving the second request message, the computing power control network element determines at least one computing power node that meets the computing power requirement.

[0171] Optionally, each computing power node determined by the computing power control network element can meet each computing power requirement. For example, it is assumed that the computing power requirement indicated by the second request message includes computing power requirement 1, computing power requirement 2, and computing power requirement 3. The computing power control network element can determine computing power node 1 and computing power node 2, and both computing power node 1 and computing power node 2 can meet computing power requirement 1, computing power requirement 2, and computing power requirement 3.

[0172] Optionally, one of the at least one computing power node determined by the computing power control network element can satisfy any one or more computing power demands. For example, assuming that the computing power demands indicated by the second request message include computing power demand 1, computing power demand 2 and computing power demand 3, the computing power control network element can determine computing power node 1 and computing power node 2, computing power node 1 satisfies computing power demand 1 and computing power demand 2, and computing power node satisfies computing power demand 3.

[0173] The specific implementation of the computing power control network element determining the at least one computing power node satisfying the computing power demand is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the computing power control network element can send a message to the plurality of computing power nodes in the computing power resource pool, the message including at least one computing power demand, if a computing power node supports one or more computing power demands in the at least one computing power demand, the computing power node can feed back a response message to the computing power control network element, indicating that the one or more computing power demands are supported.

[0174] For another example, the computing power control network element can determine the computing power node satisfying the computing power demand based on the information provided by the computing power node when registering to the computing power control network element (for example, information such as the computing power type supported by the computing power node) and / or the state information (for example, information such as the size of the idle computing power resource of the computing power node at present) fed back by the computing power node to the computing power control network element in real time. Wherein, the computing power node can periodically feed back the state information to the computing power control network element.

[0175] In addition, optionally, the computing power control network element can also fail to obtain the computing power node satisfying one or more computing power demands. For example, assuming that the computing power demands indicated by the second request message include computing power demand 1, computing power demand 2 and computing power demand 3, the computing power control network element can fail to obtain the computing power node satisfying computing power demand 3. Optionally, in this case, the computing power control network element can request the computing power node matching the computing power demand from other computing power control network elements.

[0176] Step 4, the computing power control network element sends the identification information of the at least one computing power node satisfying the computing power demand to the first network element.

[0177] Optionally, the computing power control network element can also send the information indicating the computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element receives the identification information of the at least one computing power node and the information indicating the computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node.

[0178] Optionally, the computing power control network element can send the information indicating the computing power type supported by each of the at least one computing power node to the first network element.

[0179] Optionally, the computing power control network element can send information indicating all computing power types supported by the computing power node to the first network element, or send information indicating the computing power type to which the terminal device subscribes among the computing power types supported by the computing power node to the first network element. For example, assuming that the computing power type to which the terminal device subscribes includes computing power type 1 and computing power type 2, and the computing power control network element determines that the computing power node 1 meets the computing power requirement, wherein the computing power node 1 supports computing power type 1, computing power type 2 and computing power type 3, the computing power control network element can send information to the first network element, which can indicate that the computing power node 1 supports computing power type 1 and computing power type 2, or indicate that the computing power node 1 supports computing power type 1, computing power type 2 and computing power type 3.

[0180] In S501, another possible implementation of the first network element obtaining the identifier of the at least one computing power node can be that the first network element is preconfigured with the identifier information of the at least one computing power node and the mapping relationship between the computing power types supported by the at least one computing power node. The first network element determines the identifier information of the at least one computing power node based on the computing power type to which the terminal device subscribes and the preconfigured mapping relationship.

[0181] In a possible case, the first network element can perform S501 in the process of establishing a protocol data unit (PDU) session. For example, the first network element can receive a PDU session creation request message from the third network element, obtain the computing power session template of the terminal device according to the first indication information and the identifier information of the terminal device carried in the PDU session creation request message, and further obtain the identifier information of the at least one computing power node. The first indication information can indicate that the computing power session is established for the terminal device. Alternatively, the first indication information can indicate that the general computing power session is established for the terminal device.

[0182] Optionally, the third network element can send the PDU session creation request message carrying the first indication information and the identifier information of the terminal device to the first network element in the case of receiving the PDU session establishment request message from the terminal device and the PDU session establishment request message carrying the second indication information. The second indication information can indicate the establishment of the computing power session, or the second indication information can indicate the establishment of the general computing power session. The identifier information of the terminal device can be carried in the PDU session establishment request message. For example, the second indication information can be a new field added in a request type field of the PDU session establishment request message, which is used to indicate a new type: general computing type.

[0183] In another possible scenario, the first network element can perform S501 in a PDU session update procedure of the terminal device. For example, the first network element can send a second request message to the computing power control network element to obtain the identification information of the at least one computing power node, in a case where a PDU session update request message is received from the third network element.

[0184] Optionally, the PDU session update procedure can occur in a scenario where a location of the terminal device moves from a source RAN to a target RAN (for example, from a source cell to a target cell). In this scenario, the PDU session update request message can carry location information after the terminal device moves and connection information of the target RAN. The connection information of the target RAN is used for the terminal device to access the target RAN, for example, information such as a channel, a frequency point, a QoS parameter, and a radio resource.

[0185] S502 is described below.

[0186] The first request message carries the identification information of the at least one computing power node. After receiving the first request message, the second network element allocates connection resources for each computing power node in the at least one computing power node, and establishes a mapping relationship between the identification information of the at least one computing power node and the identification information of the at least one allocated connection resource.

[0187] The connection resource can be connected between the terminal device and the second network element, for example, a session (for example, a PDU session) or a service flow. Exemplarily, the identification information of the connection resource can be a session ID or a flow ID.

[0188] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the mapping relationship between the at least one computing power node and the at least one allocated connection resource for the at least one computing power node. One computing power node can correspond to one or more connection resources, and one connection resource can correspond to one or more computing power nodes.

[0189] Optionally, the first request message can be an N4 session establishment request message.

[0190] Optionally, the second network element can save the mapping relationship between the identification information of the at least one computing power node and the identification information of the at least one connection resource in an N4 session context.

[0191] Optionally, the first request message can further carry a computing power type identifier corresponding to the at least one computing power node. The computing power type identifier is used to indicate a computing power type supported by the computing power node. For example, assuming that the computing power node 1 supports a computing power type a and a computing power type b, the computing power type identifier corresponding to the computing power node 1 can indicate the computing power type a and the computing power type b.

[0192] The computing power type identifier is an exemplary name provided by the embodiments of the present application, and can also be other names, such as a service identifier, in actual application, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0193] The computing power type identifier is assigned to the computing power node by the first network element according to the computing power type supported by the computing power node. For example, the first network element can encode the computing power type supported by the computing power node to obtain the computing power type identifier.

[0194] Optionally, the first network element can assign the corresponding computing power type identifier to the computing power node according to the computing power type signed by the terminal device among the computing power types supported by the computing power node. For example, assuming that the computing power types signed by the terminal device include computing power type 1 and computing power type 2, and the computing power node 1 supports computing power type 1, computing power type 2 and computing power type 3, the first network element can assign the computing power identifier indicating that the computing power node 1 supports computing power type 1 and computing power type 2 to the computing power node 1. Alternatively, the first network element can assign the corresponding computing power type identifier to the computing power node according to all computing power types supported by the computing power node.

[0195] In one possible implementation of assigning the computing power type identifier by the first network element, the first network element can assign the corresponding computing power type identifier to each computing power node according to the computing power type supported by each computing power node among the at least one computing power node. The computing power type identifiers corresponding to different computing power nodes can be the same or different. For example, assuming that the computing power node 1 supports computing power type a and computing power type b, and the computing power node 2 supports computing power type c, the first network element can encode the computing power type a and the computing power type b supported by the computing power node 1 to obtain the computing power type identifier 1 of the computing power node 1, and encode the computing power type c supported by the computing power node 2 to obtain the computing power type identifier 2 of the computing power node 2.

[0196] In another possible implementation of assigning the computing power type identifier by the first network element, the first network element can assign the corresponding computing power type identifier to the at least one computing power node according to the computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node. In this implementation, the at least one computing power node corresponds to the same computing power type identifier. Optionally, this implementation can be applied to the case where each computing power node in the at least one computing power node can meet each computing power demand. Optionally, in this implementation, the first network element can directly assign the computing power type signed by the terminal device as the computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node to assign the corresponding computing power type identifier to the at least one computing power node.

[0197] For example, assuming that the computing power types signed by the terminal device include computing power type a and computing power type b, and the computing power node 1 and the computing power node 2 both support computing power type a and computing power type b, the first network element can encode the computing power type a and the computing power type b to obtain the computing power type identifier 1 of the computing power node 1 and the computing power node 2.

[0198] Optionally, if the computing power session template of the terminal device obtained by the first network element further includes the SLA corresponding to the computing power type subscribed by the terminal device, the first request message can further carry information indicating the SLA corresponding to at least one computing power node.

[0199] The SLA corresponding to the computing power node is determined by the first network element according to the SLA corresponding to the computing power type subscribed by the terminal device and the computing power type subscribed by the terminal device among the computing power types supported by the computing power node. The SLA corresponding to the computing power node is the SLA corresponding to the computing power type subscribed by the terminal device among the computing power types supported by the computing power node.

[0200] For example, assuming that the computing power types subscribed by the terminal device include computing power type 1 and computing power type 2, the computing power type 1 corresponds to SLA1, and the computing power type 2 corresponds to SLA2. The first network element can determine that the computing power node 1 corresponds to SLA1 and the computing power node 2 corresponds to SLA2 according to that the computing power node 1 supports the computing power type 1 and the computing power node 2 supports the computing power type 2 and the computing power type 3.

[0201] If the first request message further includes information indicating the SLA corresponding to at least one computing power node, the second network element can allocate connection resources that can meet the SLA corresponding to the computing power node to the computing power node when allocating the connection resources to the computing power node.

[0202] Optionally, the related information of the computing power node included in the first request message can be collectively referred to as a computing power routing rule. For example, the computing power routing rule can include the identification information of the computing power node, the computing power type identifier of the computing power node, and the SLA of the computing power node.

[0203] In S502, after the second network element allocates at least one connection resource to at least one computing power node, the second network element can determine the computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource according to the computing power types supported by the at least one computing power node. The computing power type corresponding to the connection resource is the computing power type supported by the computing power node corresponding to the connection resource.

[0204] For example, assuming that the computing power node supports the computing power type a and the computing power type b, the second network element can consider that the computing power type corresponding to the connection resource includes the computing power type a and the computing power type b after allocating the connection resource 1 to the computing power node.

[0205] Optionally, the second network element can determine the computing power types supported by the computing power node according to the computing power type identifier of the computing power node. Alternatively, the second network element can send the identification of the computing power node to the computing power control network element to request the computing power control network element to feed back the computing power types supported by the computing power node.

[0206] In S503-S504, after the second network element determines the at least one connection resource and the computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource, the second network element sends first information to the first network element to indicate the at least one connection resource and the computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource. After the first network element receives the first information, the first network element sends the first information to the terminal device.

[0207] The first information is an example name provided by the embodiment of the application, and in actual application, can also be other names, for example, computing power session information, and the embodiment of the application does not limit this.

[0208] Optionally, the first network element can send the first information to the terminal device through forwarding of the intermediate network element. For example, the first network element can send the first information to the third network element, and the third network element sends the first information to the terminal device.

[0209] Optionally, if S502 is performed in the establishment process of the PDU session, the first information sent by the second network element to the first network element can be carried in the N4 session context.

[0210] Optionally, the first information sent by the first network element to the third network element can be carried in the PDU session creation response message. The first information sent by the third network element to the terminal device can be carried in the PDU session establishment response message.

[0211] Optionally, if S502 is performed in the update process of the PDU session, the first information sent by the first network element to the third network element can be carried in the PDU session update response message.

[0212] Optionally, the first network element can also send, to the terminal device, indication information indicating that the computing power request will be shunted to the corresponding connection resource in the future. Optionally, the indication information can be carried in the same message as the first information.

[0213] In addition, if the first network element and the second network element perform S501-S504 to establish the computing power session / general computing power session on the second network element, and subsequent switching of the computing power session / general computing power session is triggered (for example, in the cell switching process, switching of the computing power session / general computing power session is performed), the first network element can perform S501-S503 again with a new second network element to switch the computing power session / general computing power session to the new second network element. Optionally, the first network element can obtain the identification information of the new computing power node, or the computing power node can remain unchanged.

[0214] Optionally, when the new second network element allocates connection resources for the computing nodes, the original second network element can reuse the identification information allocated for the connection resources, and the newly allocated connection resources can reuse the identification information of the connection resources corresponding to the same computing type. For example, assuming that the UE subscribes to computing type 1 and computing type 2, the original UPF network element allocates connection resource 1 and connection resource 2 for the computing nodes, where connection resource 1 corresponds to computing type 1 and connection resource 2 corresponds to computing type 2. In the subsequent switching process of the computing session / general computing session, the new UPF network element allocates connection resource 3 and connection resource 4 for the computing nodes (which can be new computing nodes or original computing nodes), where connection resource 3 corresponds to computing type 1 and connection resource 4 corresponds to computing type 2. The new UPF network element can allocate the identification information of connection resource 1 for connection resource 3 and the identification information of connection resource 2 for connection resource 4.

[0215] Optionally, if the first network element and the second network element perform S501-S504, and subsequently trigger the update of the computing session / general computing session, the first network element can also perform S501-S503 again with the original second network element. For details, reference can be made to the description of the first network element and the new second network element performing S501-S503 again.

[0216] Further, if the first network element and the new second network element / original second network element perform S501-S503 again, the first network element can not need to send the new first information to the terminal device. If the terminal device sends a computing request to the network, the terminal device can use the original first information to select the connection resource for sending the computing request. Details are described below.

[0217] Based on the scheme, in the switching process, the terminal device can acquire the new first information without awareness, and when there is a computing request, the terminal device can switch from the original computing node to the new computing node without awareness, thereby obtaining better service experience and achieving balance of computing resources.

[0218] As shown in FIG. 6, another communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown. In FIG. 6, the computing power control network element, the first network element, the second network element, and the terminal device are taken as the execution subject of the flowchart to illustrate the method, but the present application does not limit the execution subject of the flowchart. For example, the computing power control network element in FIG. 6 can also be a module applied to the computing power control network element, such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor, and can also be a logical node, a logical module, or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the computing power control network element. The first network element in FIG. 6 can also be a module applied to the first network element, such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor, and can also be a logical node, a logical module, or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first network element. The second network element in FIG. 6 can also be a module applied to the second network element, such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor, and can also be a logical node, a logical module, or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the second network element. The terminal device in FIG. 6 can also be a module applied to the terminal device, such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor, and can also be a logical node, a logical module, or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the terminal device.

[0219] Referring to FIG. 6, the communication method includes steps S601-S605:

[0220] S601, the computing power control network element obtains identification information of at least one computing power node, and the computing power types supported by the at least one computing power node include at least one computing power type subscribed by the terminal device.

[0221] S602, the computing power control network element sends the identification information of the at least one computing power node to the first network element.

[0222] S603, the first network element sends a first request message to the second network element, and the first request message is used to request to allocate connection resources for the at least one computing power node, and the connection resources are used to transmit application data. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the first request message.

[0223] S604, the second network element sends first information to the computing power control network element, and correspondingly, the computing power control network element receives the first information from the second network element. The first information indicates at least one connection resource and the computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource, and the computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource is the computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node.

[0224] S605, the computing power control network element sends the first information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information.

[0225] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the correspondence between the connection resource and the computing power type can be established based on the computing power type supported by the computing power node associated with the connection resource, and the terminal device obtains the correspondence, so that after the terminal device triggers the computing power request, the corresponding connection resource can be selected based on the type of the computing power request to transmit the service data, and the computing power node does not need to be applied every time, which can save the time delay and improve the efficiency.

[0226] The S601 is described below.

[0227] In S601, the identifier information of the computing power node can refer to the description of S501 above.

[0228] In S601, one possible implementation of the computing power control network element obtaining the identifier of the at least one computing power node can include the following steps:

[0229] Step 1: The computing power control network element obtains the computing power session template subscribed by the terminal device, which includes the computing power type subscribed by the terminal device.

[0230] Step 1 can refer to the description of the first network element obtaining the at least one computing power type subscribed by the terminal device in S501 above.

[0231] In one possible case, the computing power control network element can perform S601 in the process of establishing the computing power session of the terminal device (or, in the process of establishing the general computing power session of the terminal device). For example, the computing power control network element can obtain the computing power session template of the terminal device and further obtain the identifier information of the at least one computing power node in the case of receiving a third request message. The third request message is used to request to establish the computing power session of the terminal device, or the third request message is used to request to establish the general computing power session of the terminal device, at this time, the third request message can also be called general computing power session establishment request. The third request message can carry the identifier information of the terminal device.

[0232] Optionally, the third request message received by the computing power control network element can be directly sent by the terminal device to the computing power control network element, or can be sent by the terminal device to the third network element and then forwarded to the computing power control network element by the third network element.

[0233] Step 2: The computing power control network element determines the corresponding computing power demand according to the computing power type subscribed by the terminal device. The computing power control network element determines the at least one computing power node matching the computing power demand and the identifier information of the at least one computing power node.

[0234] Step 2 can refer to the description of the first network element determining the computing power demand and the computing power control network element determining the at least one computing power node satisfying the computing power demand according to the computing power demand in S501 above.

[0235] The following introduces S602.

[0236] In S602, the computing power control network element can also send information indicating the computing power types supported by the at least one computing power node to the first network element. For details, refer to the foregoing introduction of the computing power control network element sending, to the first network element, information indicating the computing power types supported by the at least one computing power node in S501.

[0237] Optionally, after the first network element receives the identification information of the at least one computing power node, the first network element can assign a computing power type identifier to the at least one computing power node. For details, refer to the foregoing introduction of the first network element assigning a computing power type identifier to the at least one computing power node in S502.

[0238] Optionally, if the computing power session template of the terminal device further includes other information corresponding to the computing power type, for example, SLA, the computing power control network element can also send the other information included in the computing power session template of the terminal device to the first network element. That is, in one possible implementation, the computing power control network element can send the computing power session template of the terminal device to the first network element.

[0239] Optionally, the identification information of the at least one computing power node sent by the computing power control network element to the first network element can be carried in a request message requesting allocation of connection resources for the computing power node. Optionally, the request message can also include the computing power session template of the terminal device.

[0240] Optionally, before S602, the computing power control network element can select the first network element. The present application does not limit the specific implementation of the computing power control network element selecting the first network element. For example, the computing power control network element can pre-configure at least one SMF network element and select one SMF network element therefrom.

[0241] The following expands the introduction of S603.

[0242] In S603, the first request message can include the identification information of the at least one computing power node. After the second network element receives the first request message, the second network element allocates connection resources for each computing power node in the at least one computing power node and establishes a mapping relationship between the identification information of the at least one computing power node and the identification information of the allocated at least one connection resource. For details, refer to the foregoing introduction of S502.

[0243] Optionally, the first request message can also carry the computing power type identifier corresponding to the at least one computing power node.

[0244] Optionally, the first request message can also carry information indicating the SLA corresponding to the at least one computing power node. Correspondingly, the second network element can allocate connection resources capable of satisfying the SLA corresponding to the computing power node to the computing power node. For details, refer to the foregoing introduction of S502.

[0245] Optionally, the first request message can further include other information in the computing power session template of the terminal device.

[0246] After the second network element allocates at least one connection resource for at least one computing power node, the second network element can determine the computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource according to the computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node. For details, refer to the description of S502 above.

[0247] In S604-S605, after the second network element determines the at least one connection resource and the computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource, the second network element sends the first information to the computing power control network element to indicate the at least one connection resource and the computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource. After the computing power control network element receives the first information, the computing power control network element sends the first information to the terminal device.

[0248] Optionally, if S601 is performed in the process of establishing a computing power session or a general computing power session, the first information sent by the computing power control network element to the terminal device can be carried in a computing power session creation response message or a general computing power session creation response message.

[0249] Optionally, the computing power control network element can send the first information to the terminal device through forwarding by the third network element.

[0250] Optionally, S604-S605 can refer to the description of S503-S504 above.

[0251] As shown in FIG. 7, another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown. In FIG. 7, the terminal device and the second network element are taken as an example to illustrate the execution subject of the flowchart, but the present application does not limit the execution subject of the flowchart. For example, the second network element in FIG. 7 can also be a module applied to the second network element, such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor, and can also be a logic node, a logic module, or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the second network element. The terminal device in FIG. 7 can also be a module applied to the terminal device, such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor, and can also be a logic node, a logic module, or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the terminal device.

[0252] Referring to FIG. 7, the communication method includes steps S701-S704:

[0253] S701, the terminal device receives first information. The first information indicates at least one connection resource and a computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource.

[0254] In S701, the first information received by the terminal device can refer to the description of the first information above.

[0255] Exemplarily, the terminal device can receive the first information from the third network element or the computing power control network element.

[0256] Optionally, S701 can refer to the above description of S504 or S605.

[0257] S702, the terminal device obtains the first application data.

[0258] S703, the terminal device determines a target connection resource from the at least one connection resource, and the computing power type corresponding to the target connection resource is the same as the computing power type of the computing power service requested by the first application data.

[0259] S704, the terminal device sends the first application data to the second network element through the target connection resource, the first application data carries a task identifier, the task identifier indicates the computing power type of the computing power service requested by the first application data, and the task identifier is used to select a target computing power node used to provide the computing power service for the first application data.

[0260] Based on the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can select a target connection resource to transmit application data according to the computing power type of the computing power service requested by the application data and the computing power type corresponding to the obtained connection resource, so that the second network element can select a target computing power node capable of providing the computing power service for the application data. It can be seen that in this process, the terminal device can transmit the application data to the target computing power node by selecting the connection resource, without applying for the computing power node every time and without perceiving the computing power node and the path, so as to reduce the time delay and improve the efficiency. When the terminal device has a computing power request each time, the network can select a more suitable computing power node for the terminal device according to the actual position of the terminal device and the dynamic situation of the computing power resource, so as to improve the use efficiency of the resource and the experience of the terminal device.

[0261] The following describes S702-S704.

[0262] In S702, the terminal device can receive the first application data from the application server. Optionally, the application server can send the first application data to the terminal device by calling an application programming interface (API).

[0263] The first application data can be application data that needs computing power service (or requests computing power service).

[0264] The first application data can carry a task identifier, and the task identifier can include information indicating the computing power type of the computing power service requested by the first application data.

[0265] The task identifier is an example name provided by the embodiments of the present application, and in actual application, other names can also be used, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0266] Optionally, the task identifier can further include information indicating a sequence number corresponding to the first application data. The sequence number can be understood as a number of a computing task to which the first application data belongs.

[0267] Optionally, the task identifier can be carried in an extension header of the first application data.

[0268] In a possible implementation, the task identifier can be carried in an extension header of a version 6 (IPV6) of the first application data. For example, a mapping relationship between a type of the extension header and a computing power type can be defined, so that the computing power type of the computing power service requested by the first application data can be indicated through the type of the extension header. For another example, information indicating a sequence number corresponding to the first application data can be carried in content of the extension header.

[0269] In another possible implementation, the task identifier can be carried in an extension header of a first protocol of the first application data. The first protocol is a protocol used by a tunnel between the terminal device and the second network element. For example, assuming that a general packet radio service (GPRS) tunneling protocol (GTP) is used by the tunnel between the terminal device and the second network element, the task identifier can be carried in a GTP extension header of the first application data.

[0270] In S703, the terminal device can determine, according to the task identifier of the first application data, a computing power type of the computing power service requested by the first application data, and then select, from the at least one connection resource, a connection resource corresponding to the same computing power type as the computing power type of the computing power service requested by the first application data, as a target connection resource, according to the computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource.

[0271] In S704, the terminal device sends the first application data to the second network element through the target connection resource, which can also be understood as: the terminal device sends the first application data to the access network device through an air interface resource corresponding to the target connection resource, and the access network device forwards the first application data to the second network element.

[0272] On the second network element side, after the second network element receives the first application data through the target connection resource, the second network element can determine the computing power type of the computing power service requested by the first application data according to the task identifier carried by the first application data (for the convenience of introduction, the following is referred to as the computing power type corresponding to the first application data), and then select a computing power node whose supported computing power type includes the computing power type corresponding to the first application data as the target computing power node in at least one computing power node corresponding to the target connection resource.

[0273] After the second network element determines the target computing power node, the second network element can update the destination address of the first application data according to the address of the target computing power node, such as the IP address or the tunnel identifier, and forward the first application data to the target computing power node. Alternatively, the second network element can encapsulate a new data packet according to the address of the target computing power node, that is, encapsulate the first application data in the new data packet, and forward the new data packet to the target computing power node.

[0274] Optionally, how the second network element determines the computing power node corresponding to the connection resource and the computing power type supported by the computing power node can refer to the introduction of the second network element determining the first information in S503 or S603 above.

[0275] Optionally, if the task identifier of the first application data also includes information indicating the sequence number corresponding to the first application data, when selecting the target computing power node, the second network element can select, from the computing power nodes whose supported computing power type includes the computing power type corresponding to the first application data, a computing power node that has provided historical computing power service for historical application data and the sequence number corresponding to the historical application data is the same as the sequence number corresponding to the first application data as the target computing power node. If there is no computing power node that has provided historical computing power service for historical application data and the sequence number corresponding to the historical application data is the same as the sequence number corresponding to the first application data in the computing power nodes whose supported computing power type includes the computing power type corresponding to the first application data, the second network element can select any computing power node in the computing power nodes whose supported computing power type includes the computing power type corresponding to the first application data as the target computing power node.

[0276] Optionally, the second network element can determine the address of the target computing power node according to the mapping relationship between the identification information of the at least one connection resource and the identification information of the at least one computing power node in the N4 session context.

[0277] Optionally, the second network element can send the task identifier carried by the first application data to the first network element, for example, through N4 reporting to the first network element. Optionally, the second network element can send the correspondence between the task identifier and the identification information of the target computing power node to the first network element.

[0278] Optionally, the target computing power node receives the first application data, and after obtaining the corresponding calculation result according to the first application data, can feed back the calculation result to the second network element. After the second network element receives the calculation result, the second network element can send the calculation result to the terminal device through the target connection resource.

[0279] Optionally, the target computing power node can determine the type of computing power service requested by the first application data through the task identifier of the first application data, and then process the first application data.

[0280] In addition, optionally, before S702, the terminal device can receive second application data from the application server, wherein the second application data includes the first application data. For example, the second application data can be divided into multiple data packets, and one data packet is the first application data.

[0281] Optionally, in one possible implementation, the application server can send the second application data to the terminal device by calling the API.

[0282] Optionally, the application server can call the API to send the second application data to the terminal device in the case of needing to use the computing power service.

[0283] After the terminal device receives the second application data, the terminal device can allocate a task identifier for the second application data according to the API corresponding to the second application data. For example, the terminal device can determine that the task identifier includes information indicating the computing power type of the computing power service according to the type of the API corresponding to the second application data. For another example, the terminal device can determine that the task identifier includes information indicating the serial number according to how many times the application server calls the API of this type.

[0284] Optionally, the application data sent through the same API can be understood as belonging to the same calculation task. Based on this, the terminal device can also allocate a serial number for the second application data according to the API corresponding to the second application data.

[0285] For example, assuming that the application server calls API1 to send the second application data to the terminal device for the first time, API1 applies for rendering service. The terminal device can allocate a task identifier for the second application data according to API1, which can identify that the second application data requests rendering service, and the task identifier includes serial number 1.

[0286] The terminal device sends the task identifier to the application server. The task identifier allocated by the terminal device for the second application data is the task identifier of all data included in the second application data, that is, the task identifier carried by the first application data when the application server sends the first application data later is the task identifier allocated by the terminal device for the second application data.

[0287] The method embodiments can be independently applied or combined.

[0288] For example, assuming that the first network element is an SMF network element and the second network element is a routing node (for example, a UPF network element), FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a possible processing flow of a general computing power session in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 8, the flow includes the following steps:

[0289] S801. The terminal device sends a general computing power session request message to the SMF network element to request establishment of a general computing power session.

[0290] S802. The SMF network element responds to the request of the terminal device to obtain the computing power session template of the terminal device from the UDM / PCF network element, which includes the computing power type to which the terminal device subscribes. Optionally, the computing power session template also includes the SLA corresponding to the computing power type.

[0291] S803. The SMF network element determines the computing power requirement according to the computing power session template of the terminal device, and requests the computing power control network element for a computing power node satisfying the computing power requirement. The SMF network element obtains the identification information of the computing power node satisfying the computing power requirement from the computing power control network element.

[0292] S804. The SMF network element sends a computing power routing rule to the UPF network element to request the UPF network element to allocate connection resources (or, a session context can also be requested to be established) for the computing power node. The computing power routing rule includes the identification information of the computing power node. Optionally, the computing power routing rule also includes the SLA corresponding to the computing power node.

[0293] S805. The UPF network element allocates connection resources for the computing power node, and sends computing power session information to the SMF network element, including the identification information of the connection resources and the computing power type corresponding to the connection resources.

[0294] S806. The APP calls an API to send application data to the terminal device through the OS to request computing power service. The application data carries a task identifier, which indicates the computing power type corresponding to the application data. Optionally, the task identifier also indicates a sequence number corresponding to the application data.

[0295] S807. The terminal device determines a target connection resource according to the task identifier of the application data and the computing power type corresponding to the connection resources, and sends the application data to the UPF network element through the target connection resource.

[0296] S808. The UPF network element determines a target computing power node from the computing power node corresponding to the target connection resource, and sends the application data to the target computing power node.

[0297] S809. The UPF network element sends the task identifier of the application data to the SMF network element. The SMF network element saves the task identifier.

[0298] S801-S809, and reference can be made to the above description of S501-S504 and S701-S704.

[0299] The following is divided into different application scenarios to introduce several possible and non-limiting processes of the embodiments of the present application.

[0300] Suppose that the above method embodiments are applied in a PDU session establishment scenario, the first network element is an SMF network element, the second network element is a UPF network element, the third network element is an AMF network element, and the terminal device is a UE. A possible and exemplary process of the embodiments of the present application is shown in FIG. 9, which includes the following steps:

[0301] S901, the UE sends a PDU session establishment request message to the AMF network element to request establishment of a PDU session. The PDU session establishment request message includes second indication information, which is used to indicate establishment of a general computing power session.

[0302] S902, after receiving the PDU establishment request message, the AMF network element generates a PDU session creation request message, which carries first indication information, used to indicate establishment of a general computing power session.

[0303] S903, after receiving the PDU session creation request message, the SMF network element sends a subscription data request message to the UDM / PCF network element to request subscription data of the UE. The UDM / PCF network element sends the subscription data of the UE to the SMF network element, which includes a computing power session template of the UE. The computing power session template of the UE includes a computing power type subscribed by the terminal and an SLA corresponding to the computing power type.

[0304] S904, the SMF network element determines the computing power demand according to the computing power type in the computing power session template. The SMF network element selects a computing power control network element (for example, selects a computing power control network element according to the location information of the UE) and sends a general computing power session request message to the computing power control network element, which carries the computing power demand.

[0305] S905, the computing power control network element sends a resource request message to the computing power node according to the general computing power session request information. The resource request message is used to apply for reserving resources from the computing power node. The computing power node can determine whether it can meet the application for reserving resources from the computing power control network element according to the resource request message. Further, the computing power control network element can obtain at least one computing power node that matches the computing power demand from the computing power resource pool. For example, the resource request message can apply for reserving a certain FLOPs from the computing power node. For another example, the resource request message can apply for reserving a certain type of computing power service from the computing power node, and the computing power node can determine whether there are enough FLOPs according to the applied type.

[0306] S906, the computing power control network element returns the identification information of the at least one computing power node matching the computing power requirement to the SMF network element.

[0307] S907, the SMF network element sends a request message for creating an N4 session context to the UPF network element, wherein the request message contains a computing power routing rule, and the computing power routing rule includes identification information of a computing power node, service identification of the computing power node, and an SLA corresponding to the computing power node. The UPF network element records the computing power routing rule, and allocates connection resources corresponding to the SLA to the computing power node, such as at least one session or service flow supporting parameters such as bandwidth, delay, and packet loss rate in the SLA. The UPF network element sends computing power session information to the SMF network element, and the computing power session information includes information of a computing power type and corresponding connection resources.

[0308] S908, the SMF network element returns a PDU session creation response message to the AMF network element, and carries computing power session information including information of a computing power type and corresponding connection resources, which is used to instruct the UE to distribute computing power requests to corresponding connection resources.

[0309] S909, the AMF network element returns a PDU session establishment response message to the UE, and carries computing power session information.

[0310] S910, when the APP needs to use computing power services, the APP calls a computing power API to send application data to the UE to apply for computing power services. The application data carries task identification, and the task identification includes information indicating a computing power type and information indicating a serial number. The UE selects a target connection resource with the same computing power type in the connection resources according to the computing power type indicated by the task identification, and sends the application data to the UPF network element through the target connection resource.

[0311] Optionally, the task identification of the application data can be allocated by the UE before S910.

[0312] S911, after the UPF network element receives the application data, the UPF network element selects a target computing power node with the same computing power type as the computing power type indicated by the task identification in the target connection resource associated computing power node according to the task identification carried by the application data. The UPF network element updates the target address of the application data according to the address information of the target computing power node in the N4 session context, such as an IP address or a tunnel identifier, or encapsulates a new data packet according to the address of the target computing power node, that is, encapsulates the application data in the new data packet, and forwards the data packet to the target computing power node.

[0313] S912, after the UPF network element receives the application data, the UPF network element submits the obtained task identification to the SMF network element for saving through N4 reporting. The task identification can be used for subsequent possible switching of the UPF network element / computing power node.

[0314] S901-S912, and details can be referred to the above description of S501-S504 and S701-S704.

[0315] Suppose that the above method embodiment is applied to the establishment scenario of a general computing power session, the first network element is an SMF network element, the second network element is a UPF network element, and the terminal device is a UE. Another possible and exemplary flow of the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 10, which includes the following steps:

[0316] S1001. The UE sends a general computing power session request to a computing power control network element, for requesting to establish a general computing power session. Optionally, the UE can send the general computing power session request to an AMF network element, and the AMF network element forwards the general computing power session request to the computing power control network element, or the UE can directly send the general computing power session request to the computing power control network element.

[0317] S1002. After receiving the general computing power session request, the computing power control network element sends a subscription data request message to a UDM / PCF network element, for requesting the subscription data of the UE. The UDM / PCF network element sends the subscription data of the UE to the computing power control network element, which includes the computing power session template of the UE. The computing power session template of the terminal device includes the computing power type subscribed by the UE and the SLA corresponding to the computing power type.

[0318] S1003. The computing power control network element determines the computing power demand according to the computing power type in the computing power session template. The computing power control network element sends a resource request message to a computing power node, and obtains at least one computing power node matching the computing power demand from a computing power resource pool.

[0319] S1004. The computing power control network element selects an SMF network element, and sends a request message to the SMF network element, which is used to request to allocate connection resources for the computing power node. The request message includes the identification information of at least one computing power node matching the computing power demand and the computing power session template of the UE.

[0320] S1005. The SMF network element sends a request message for creating an N4 session context to a UPF network element, which contains a computing power routing rule. The computing power routing rule includes the identification information of the computing power node, the service identification (allocated by the SMF network element) of the computing power node, and the SLA corresponding to the computing power node. The UPF network element records the computing power routing rule, and allocates connection resources corresponding to the SLA, such as at least one session or service flow supporting the parameters of bandwidth, delay and packet loss rate in the SLA, for the computing power node. The UPF network element sends a session creation result to the computing power control network element, which includes the information of the computing power type and the corresponding connection resources.

[0321] S1006, the computing power control network element returns a general computing power session creation response message to the UE, carrying computing power session information, including computing power type and corresponding connection resource information, for indicating the UE to distribute computing power requests to the corresponding connection resource.

[0322] S1007, when the APP needs to use computing power service, the APP calls the computing power API to send application data to the UE to apply for computing power service. The application data carries a task identifier, including information indicating the computing power type and information indicating the sequence number. The UE selects a target connection resource with the same computing power type in the connection resource according to the computing power type indicated by the task identifier, and sends the application data to the UPF network element through the target connection resource.

[0323] Optionally, the task identifier of the application data can be allocated by the UE before S1007.

[0324] S1008, after the UPF network element receives the application data, the UPF network element selects a target computing power node with the same computing power type as the computing power type indicated by the task identifier in the target connection resource associated computing power node according to the task identifier carried by the application data. The UPF network element updates the target address of the application data according to the address information of the target computing power node in the N4 session context, such as IP address or tunnel identifier, or encapsulates a new data packet according to the address of the target computing power node, that is, encapsulates the application data in the new data packet, and forwards the data packet to the target computing power node.

[0325] S1009, after the UPF network element receives the application data, the UPF network element submits the obtained task identifier to the SMF network element through N4 reporting for saving. The task identifier can be used for subsequent possible UPF network element / computing power node switching.

[0326] S1001-S1009, which can refer to the above description of S601-S605 and S701-S704.

[0327] Assuming that the above method embodiment is applied to a cell switching scenario, the first network element is an SMF network element, the second network element is a UPF network element, and the terminal device is a UE. Another possible and exemplary process of the present application embodiment is shown in FIG. 11, which includes the following steps:

[0328] S1101, after the location of the UE changes, the UE switches from a source cell to a target cell, which includes preparation and execution two stages. When the two stages are completed, the target base station (the base station managing the target cell) prepares new radio resources for the UE, and sends a path switching request to the AMF network element to request switching the downlink path to the target base station.

[0329] S1102, the AMF network element sends a PDU session update request to the SMF network element, carrying the new location information of the UE and the connection information of the target cell.

[0330] S1103, the SMF network element selects a computing power control network element (for example, according to the location information of the UE, the computing power control network element is selected), and sends a general computing power session request message to the computing power control network element, wherein the computing power demand is carried.

[0331] The computing power demand can be determined by the SMF network element according to the computing power session template of the UE before the cell switching, and the specific process can be referred to the introduction of S501 above.

[0332] S1104, after receiving the general computing power session request message, the computing power control network element sends a resource request message to the computing power node, and obtains at least one computing power node matching the computing power demand from the computing power resource pool.

[0333] S1105, the computing power control network element returns the identification information of at least one computing power node matching the computing power demand to the SMF network element.

[0334] S1106, the SMF network element selects a new UPF network element according to the target cell, and sends a request message to the UPF network element to request to create a PDU session, wherein the computing power routing rule is included, the computing power routing rule includes the identification information of the computing power node, the service identification of the computing power node and the SLA corresponding to the computing power node. The UPF network element records the computing power routing rule, and allocates connection resources corresponding to the SLA to the computing power node, such as at least one session or service flow supporting the parameters of bandwidth, delay and packet loss rate in the SLA.

[0335] Optionally, the SMF network element can also send the saved task identification to the new UPF network element. The task identification saved by the SMF network element can be sent by the UPF network element responsible for data routing in the source cell to the SMF network element before the cell switching.

[0336] S1107, the SMF network element returns a PDU session update response to the AMF network element.

[0337] S1108, the AMF network element returns a path switching response to the target base station.

[0338] S1109, when the APP needs to use the computing power service, the APP calls the computing power API to send application data to the UE and apply for the computing power service. The application data carries the task identification, and the task identification includes the information indicating the computing power type and the information indicating the serial number. The UE selects the target connection resource with the same computing power type in the connection resource according to the computing power type indicated by the task identification, and sends the application data to the UPF network element through the target connection resource.

[0339] Optionally, the task identifier of the application data can be allocated by the UE before S1109.

[0340] S1110, after the UPF network element receives the application data, according to the task identifier carried by the application data, in the computing power nodes associated with the target connection resource, the corresponding computing power type is selected, and the target computing power node with the same computing power type as the task identifier indicates. The UPF network element updates the target address of the application data according to the address information of the target computing power node in the N4 session context, such as IP address or tunnel identifier, or encapsulates a new data packet according to the address of the target computing power node, that is, encapsulates the application data in the new data packet, and forwards the data packet to the target computing power node.

[0341] S1111, after the UPF network element receives the application data, the task identifier obtained is submitted to the SMF network element through N4 reporting for storage. The task identifier can be used for subsequent possible switching of the UPF network element / computing power node.

[0342] S1101-S1111, which can be referred to the description of S501-S504 and S701-S704.

[0343] It can be understood that the flowchart provided by the embodiments of the present application, such as FIG. 5-FIG. 11, is only a logical flowchart provided for the convenience of understanding the embodiments of the present application, and does not represent the actual timing of the embodiments of the present application. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the timing between different steps in the flowchart.

[0344] In addition, the embodiments of the present application also provide two exemplary schematic diagrams of data extension header carrying task identifier.

[0345] For example, it is assumed that the task identifier is carried in the IPV6 extension header of the data. As shown in FIG. 12, the effective payload part of the data includes the load data and can include any one of the extension headers 1 to N. Among them, the extension header 1 corresponds to the computing power type 1, the extension header 2 corresponds to the computing power type 2, and so on, and the extension header N corresponds to the computing power type N. Optionally, the content in the extension header can carry information indicating the sequence number corresponding to the data. For example, if the data carries the extension header 1, it represents that the computing power service requested by the data corresponds to the computing power type 1, and the content in the extension header 1 includes the sequence number corresponding to the data.

[0346] As shown in FIG. 13, for example, the GTP header of the data can include the following fields: version number (Ver): used to determine the version of the GTP protocol, protocol type (payload type, PT): used to distinguish the GTP protocol, extension header flag (e): indicates whether there is a next extension header field, sequence number flag (s): indicates whether there is a sequence number field, network layer PDU (N-PDU) number flag (Pn): indicates whether there is an N-PDU number field, message type: indicates the type of the GTP message, length: indicates the length of the payload, tunnel end point identifier (TEID): used to identify the tunnel end point of the opposite end. The GTP header of the data can also include the following optional fields: sequence number: numbers the data transport PDU (T-PDU), N-PDU number: used in the routing area update process and some inter-system handover processes, the exact meaning depends on the use, next extension header type: this field defines the type of the extension header immediately following this field. Assuming that the task identifier is carried in the GTP extension header of the data, the next extension header type field can define that the extension header is the extension header corresponding to the computing power type. For example, it is predefined that extension header 1 corresponds to computing power type 1, and extension header 1 is immediately followed by the next extension header type field. The next extension header type field can define that extension header 1 is the extension header corresponding to the computing power type. Optionally, the content in the extension header can carry information indicating the sequence number corresponding to the data. For example, the content in extension header 1 can include the sequence number corresponding to the data.

[0347] The above mainly introduces the scheme provided by the embodiments of the application from the perspective of interaction between various network elements. Correspondingly, the embodiments of the application also provide a communication apparatus for implementing the above various methods. The communication apparatus can be various network elements (such as the first network element, the second network element or the terminal device) in the above method embodiments, or an apparatus containing the above various network elements, or a component that can be used for the above various network elements.

[0348] It should be noted that the communication apparatus includes hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to each function in order to realize the above functions. Those skilled in the art can easily understand that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is implemented in hardware or computer software driven hardware depends on a specific application and design constraint condition of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but it should not be considered that such implementation is beyond the scope of the present application.

[0349] The embodiments of the present application can divide the functional modules of the communication apparatus according to the method embodiments described above. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional module. It should be noted that the division of the modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical function division. There can be another division manner in actual implementation.

[0350] FIG. 14 shows a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 1400. The communication apparatus 1400 includes a transceiver module 1401 and a processing module 1402. The transceiver module 1401, which can also be referred to as a transceiver unit 1101, is used to realize the receiving and / or transmitting functions. The processing module 1402, which can also be referred to as a processing unit 1402, is used to realize the processing function.

[0351] Optionally, the communication apparatus 1400 can also include a storage module 1403.

[0352] All related contents of each step involved in the method embodiments described above can be cited to the function description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0353] Optionally, in the communication apparatus shown in FIG. 14, the names of each module can also be different from those shown in the figure. For example, the transceiver module can also be referred to as a communication module or a communication unit.

[0354] The various units in FIG. 14, if implemented in the form of software function modules and sold or used as independent products, can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application essentially or in other words the part that contributes to the prior art or the whole or part of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The storage medium storing the computer software product includes a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

[0355] In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device 1400 is presented in the form of dividing various function modules in an integrated manner. The "module" here can refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a circuit, a processor and a memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions.

[0356] In a simple embodiment, those skilled in the art can conceive that the communication device 1400 can take the form of the communication device 1500 shown in FIG. 15.

[0357] As shown in FIG. 15, the communication device 1500 includes one or more processors 1501, a communication line 1502, and at least one communication interface (only exemplary to include the communication interface 1504 and one processor 1501 is illustrated), and optionally further includes a memory 1503.

[0358] The processor 1501 can be a general central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of programs of the present application.

[0359] The communication line 1502 can include a path for connecting different components.

[0360] The communication interface 1504 can be a transceiver module for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as an Ethernet, a RAN, a terminal, a wireless local area network (WLAN), and the like. For example, the transceiver module can be a transceiver, a transceiver module, or the like. Alternatively, the communication interface 1504 can also be a transceiver circuit or an input / output interface within the processor 1501, for realizing signal input and signal output of the processor.

[0361] The memory 1503 can be a device having a storage function. For example, the memory 1503 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to this. The memory can exist independently, and is connected to the processor through the communication line 1502. The memory can also be integrated with the processor.

[0362] The memory 1503 is configured to store computer-executed instructions for implementing the solutions of the present application, and the processor 1501 is configured to control execution of the computer-executed instructions. The processor 1501 is configured to execute the computer-executed instructions stored in the memory 1503, so as to implement the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0363] Alternatively, in the embodiments of the present application, the processor 1501 can execute the functions related to processing in the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, and the communication interface 1504 is responsible for communication with other devices or communication networks, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0364] Alternatively, in the embodiments of the present application, the computer-executed instructions can also be referred to as application program codes, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0365] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 1501 can include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG. 15.

[0366] In a particular implementation, as an example, the communication apparatus 1500 can include multiple processors, such as the processor 1501 and the processor 1507 in FIG. 15. Each of these processors can be a single-core processor or a multi-core processor. The processor herein can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a CPU, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), an artificial intelligence processor, and various computing devices running software, each of which can include one or more cores for executing software instructions to perform calculations or processing.

[0367] In a particular implementation, as an example, the communication apparatus 1500 can further include an output device 1505 and an input device 1506. The output device 1505 communicates with the processor 1501 and can display information in various ways. For example, the output device 1505 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector, etc. The input device 1506 communicates with the processor 1501 and can receive user input in various ways. For example, the input device 1506 can be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, a sensor device, etc.

[0368] The communication apparatus 1500 described above can also be referred to as a communication device, which can be a general-purpose device or a special-purpose device. For example, the communication apparatus 1500 can be the first network element, the second network element, the terminal device, or a device having a similar structure in FIG. 15 described above. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of the communication apparatus 1500.

[0369] In addition, the constituent structure shown in FIG. 15 does not constitute a limitation on the communication apparatus, and the communication apparatus 1500 can include more or fewer components than those shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or different component arrangements, in addition to the components shown in FIG. 15.

[0370] Optionally, the functions / implementation procedures of the transceiver module 1401 and the processing module 1402 in FIG. 14 can be implemented by invoking the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1503 by the processor 1501 in the communication apparatus 1500 shown in FIG. 15. Alternatively, the functions / implementation procedures of the processing module 1402 in FIG. 14 can be implemented by invoking the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1503 by the processor 1501 in the communication apparatus 1500 shown in FIG. 15, and the functions / implementation procedures of the transceiver module 1401 in FIG. 14 can be implemented by the communication interface 1504 in the communication apparatus 1500 shown in FIG. 15.

[0371] It should be understood that one or more of the above modules or units can be implemented in software, hardware or a combination of both. When any of the above modules or units is implemented in software, the software exists in the form of computer program instructions and is stored in a memory, and a processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method procedures. The processor can be built in a SoC or an ASIC, or be a separate semiconductor chip. The processor further includes a core for executing software instructions to perform operations or processing, and can further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as an FPGA, a programmable logic device (PLD), or a logic circuit for implementing special logic operations.

[0372] When any of the above modules or units is implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of a CPU, a microprocessor, a DSP chip, an MCU, an artificial intelligence processor, an ASIC, a SoC, an FPGA, a PLD, a special digital circuit, a hardware accelerator, or a non-integrated discrete device, which can execute necessary software or be independent of software to perform the above method procedures.

[0373] Optionally, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication apparatus (for example, the communication apparatus can be a chip or a chip system), which comprises a processor configured to implement the method in any of the above method embodiments. In a possible design, the communication apparatus further comprises a memory. The memory is configured to store necessary program instructions and data, and the processor can invoke the program instructions stored in the memory to instruct the communication apparatus to perform the method in any of the above method embodiments. Of course, the memory can also not be in the communication apparatus. When the communication apparatus is a chip system, the communication apparatus can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices, and the embodiments of the present application do not make a specific limitation in this regard.

[0374] For example, FIG. 16 shows a structural schematic diagram of a chip system. As shown in FIG. 16, the chip system includes a processor module, a storage module, a power module and a radio frequency / antenna module.

[0375] Among them, the processor module is used for various calculations, in which the CPU is responsible for executing various instructions, including the instructions of application programs, operating systems and other software; the graphic processing unit (GPU) is mainly responsible for graphic processing, but the CPU can also process some graphic tasks, such as rendering of application interfaces; the modem is used for modulating or demodulating signals, so that digital signals can be transmitted in space.

[0376] In the storage module, the RAM is a temporary storage space used for temporarily storing data in use, for example, if the chip system is in a mobile phone, the RAN can store opened web pages, messages of chat applications, game states, etc. The ROM is a read-only storage space, for example, if the chip system is in a mobile phone, the ROM can store system files, pre-installed application programs and firmware.

[0377] The power module is used to provide voltage and current to other modules to maintain the normal operation of the chip.

[0378] The radio frequency / antenna module is used to amplify signals and radiate them into space, or receive wireless signals in space.

[0379] Optionally, the embodiment of the present application further provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores computer programs or instructions, and when the computer programs or instructions are run on a communication device, the communication device can execute the method described in any of the method embodiments or any implementation manner thereof.

[0380] Optionally, the embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which stores computer programs or instructions, and when the computer programs or instructions are run on a communication device, the communication device can execute the method described in any of the method embodiments or any implementation manner thereof.

[0381] Optionally, the embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which includes the first network element described in the method embodiment and the second network element described in the method embodiment. Optionally, the communication system can further include the terminal device described in the method embodiment. Optionally, the communication system can further include the third network element described in the method embodiment.

[0382] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software programs, implementation can be, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the flow or function according to the embodiments of this application is generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device containing one or more servers, data centers, etc., that can be integrated with the medium. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state drives (SSDs)).

[0383] Although this application has been described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, those skilled in the art, by reviewing the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, will understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments in carrying out the claimed application. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple instances. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. While different dependent claims may recite certain measures, this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0384] Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the scope of this application. Accordingly, this specification and drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the application as defined by the appended claims, and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of this application. Clearly, those skilled in the art can make various alterations and modifications to this application without departing from its scope. Thus, if such modifications and modifications fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, this application is also intended to include such modifications and modifications.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: obtaining identification information of at least one computing power node, wherein the computing power types supported by the at least one computing power node comprise at least one computing power type to which a terminal device subscribes; sending a first request message to a second network element, wherein the first request message is used to request allocation of connection resources for the at least one computing power node, and the connection resources are used to transmit application data; receiving first information from the second network element, wherein the first information indicates at least one connection resource and a computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource, and the computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource is a computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node; sending the first information to the terminal device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The sending of the first request message to the second network element comprises: in a case where a protocol data unit (PDU) session creation request message is received, sending the first request message to the second network element, wherein the PDU session creation request message comprises first indication information, and the first indication information indicates establishment of a computing power session for the terminal device; or in a case where a PDU session update request message is received, sending the first request message to the second network element, wherein the PDU session update request message comprises identification information of the terminal device and information of a target network.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further comprises: allocating a computing power type identifier to each computing power node, wherein the computing power type identifier is used to indicate a computing power type supported by the computing power node; the first request message comprises the identification information of the at least one computing power node and the computing power type identifier.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending second information to the second network element, wherein the second information indicates at least one service level agreement, the at least one service level agreement is a service level agreement corresponding to a computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node, and the at least one connection resource supports the at least one service level agreement.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The obtaining of the identification information of the at least one computing power node comprises: sending a second request message to a computing power control network element, wherein the second request message comprises information indicating a computing power demand, and the second request message is used to request a computing power node matching the computing power demand; and the computing power demand comprises at least one computing power type to which the terminal device subscribes; receiving identification information of at least one computing power node from the computing power control network element and information of a computing power type supported by each computing power node.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The method further comprises: selecting the computing power control network element according to position information of the terminal device.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further comprises: obtaining information of a service level agreement corresponding to each computing power type in the at least one computing power type to which the terminal device subscribes; each connection resource supports a service level agreement corresponding to a corresponding computing power type.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The service level agreement comprises at least one of the following information: a quality of service parameter, a bandwidth, a time delay, or a packet loss rate of a service flow.

9. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: receiving first information, wherein the first information indicates at least one connection resource and a computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource; obtaining first application data; determining a target connection resource from the at least one connection resource; the target connection resource corresponds to a same type of computing power as the type of computing power service requested by the first application data; sending, to a second network element via the target connection resource, the first application data carrying a task identifier, the task identifier being used to indicate the type of computing power service requested by the first application data and to select a target computing power node for providing the computing power service for the first application data.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The task identifier further includes information indicating a sequence number corresponding to the first application data; a historical application data corresponding to a historical computing power service provided by the target computing power node corresponds to a same sequence number as the sequence number corresponding to the first application data.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, Before the terminal device obtains the first application data, the method further includes: receiving second application data from an application server, the second application data including the first application data; allocating the task identifier to the second application data according to an API corresponding to the second application data; sending the task identifier to the application server.

12. The method of any one of claims 9-11, wherein the task identifier is carried in an extension header of the first application data; the extension header adopts a first protocol, the first protocol being an Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPV6) protocol of version 6, or the first protocol being a protocol adopted by a tunnel between the terminal device and the second network element.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9-12, characterized in that, The method further includes: receiving a calculation result from the second network element, the calculation result being obtained by the target computing power node according to the first application data.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that, Each connection resource of the at least one connection resource is associated with at least one computing power node, and the type of computing power corresponding to each connection resource includes a type of computing power supported by the at least one computing power node associated with each connection resource.

15. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: sending, to a third network element, a PDU session establishment request message including second indication information indicating establishment of a computing power session.

16. A method of communication, comprising: The method includes: receiving first application data from a terminal device; the first application data carries a task identifier, the task identifier including information indicating a type of computing power service requested by the first application data; selecting, according to the task identifier, a target computing power node supporting a same type of computing power as the type of computing power indicated by the task identifier; sending, to the target computing power node, the first application data.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The method further includes: receiving a first request message from a first network element, the first request message including identification information of at least one computing power node, the first request message being used to request allocation of a connection resource to the at least one computing power node, the connection resource being used to transmit application data; allocating at least one connection resource to the at least one computing power node; storing a mapping relationship between the identification information of the at least one computing power node and the identification information of the at least one connection resource.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The first request message further includes information indicating a computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node; and the method further includes: sending first information to the first network element, the first information indicating at least one connection resource and a computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource, the computing power type corresponding to the at least one connection resource being the computing power type supported by the at least one computing power node.

19. A communications device, characterized by The communication apparatus includes modules or units for implementing the method of any of claims 1-18.

20. A chip, characterized by The chip includes a processor configured to execute a computer program, so that a device including the chip performs the method of any of claims 1-18.

21. A communications device, characterized by The communication apparatus includes a processor and an interface circuit configured to communicate with devices other than the communication apparatus, and the processor is configured to execute instructions stored in a memory; when the instructions are executed by the processor, the communication apparatus performs the method of any of claims 1-18.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein, The communication apparatus is a chip or a chip system.

23. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, An instruction is stored thereon, and when the instruction is executed by a computer, the method of any of claims 1-18 is executed.

24. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product includes instructions, and when the instructions are executed by a computer, the method of any of claims 1-18 is executed.

25. A communication system, characterized by The communication system includes a first network element and a second network element; wherein the first network element is configured to implement the method of any of claims 1-8, and the second network element is configured to implement the method of any of claims 16-18.

26. The communication system of claim 25, wherein, The communication system further includes a terminal device; and the terminal device is configured to implement the method of any of claims 9-15.

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