Communication method and apparatus, network device, storage medium, and program product

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method and apparatus, a network device, a storage medium, and a program product, applied to the technical field of core networks. The method comprises: sending, to a first device, a first message corresponding to a first event of an Internet of Things terminal, wherein the first event comprises one or more of network access registration, update, deregistration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching, and session logout.

Description

Communication method, apparatus, network device, storage medium and program product

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] The present disclosure claims priority from Chinese Patent Application No. 202411248712.5 filed on September 6, 2024 in China, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of core network, in particular to a communication method, apparatus, network device, storage medium and program product. BACKGROUND

[0004] For the sixth generation mobile communication technology (6G) network, terminal types are becoming more and more diverse, and the Internet of Things has been widely applied and needs to be integrated with communication networks. However, there is a big difference between the capabilities of environmental Internet of Things devices and ordinary user equipment (UE), and the registration, session management of ordinary UE in the related art is not applicable to environmental Internet of Things devices. SUMMARY

[0005] The technical solution of the present disclosure aims to provide a communication method, apparatus, network device, storage medium and program product for realizing the access and session management of Internet of Things terminals in passive Internet of Things.

[0006] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, wherein the method is performed by a first function, and the method comprises:

[0007] sending, to a first device, a first message of a first event of a corresponding Internet of Things terminal; wherein the first event comprises one or more of network registration, update, deregistration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching and session logout.

[0008] Optionally, the communication method, wherein the method further comprises:

[0009] receiving a first request sent by a second device, the first request being used to request the first event.

[0010] Optionally, the communication method, wherein the first request and / or the first message comprises one or more of the following:

[0011] terminal identification;

[0012] device type identification;

[0013] group identification;

[0014] sensor information;

[0015] location information.

[0016] Optionally, the communication method, wherein, in the case that the first event comprises network registration, the method further comprises:

[0017] performing network authentication on the Internet of Things terminal;

[0018] wherein, sending the first message to the first device comprises:

[0019] sending the first message to the first device after the network authentication is successful.

[0020] Optionally, the communication method, wherein, in the case that the first event comprises network registration, the first device comprises a user data management (UDM) function and / or a radio access network (RAN);

[0021] wherein, the first message comprises a registration request message sent to the UDM function, and / or comprises a registration response message sent to the RAN.

[0022] Optionally, the communication method, wherein, in the case that the first event comprises updating, the first request and / or the first message comprises information of the requested updating.

[0023] Optionally, the communication method, wherein, in the case that the first event comprises updating, the first device comprises a user data management (UDM) function and / or a radio access network (RAN);

[0024] wherein, the first message comprises an updating request message sent to the UDM function, and / or comprises an updating response message sent to the RAN.

[0025] Optionally, the communication method, wherein, in the case that the first event comprises deregistration, the first device comprises a UDM function and / or a radio access network (RAN);

[0026] wherein, the first message comprises a deregistration request message sent to the UDM function, and / or comprises a deregistration response message or a deregistration completion notification message sent to the RAN.

[0027] Optionally, the communication method, wherein the method further comprises:

[0028] the first function sends a second message to a second device, the second message being used to instruct the second device to perform network registration broadcast.

[0029] Optionally, the communication method, wherein, in a case that the first event comprises session establishment, the first device comprises a user data management (UDM) function and / or a radio access network (RAN);

[0030] The first message comprises one or more of the following:

[0031] sending a second request to the UDM function, the second request being used to request subscription data of the Internet of Things terminal;

[0032] sending a third request to the RAN, the third request being used to request session tunnel establishment, and the third request comprising a network function profile (NF profile) of the UPF selected by the first device;

[0033] sending a session establishment completion message to the RAN, wherein the session establishment completion message comprises a session identifier corresponding to the Internet of Things terminal.

[0034] Optionally, the communication method, wherein, in a case that the first event comprises session handover, the method further comprises:

[0035] The first function selects a user plane function (UPF) after session handover of the Internet of Things terminal according to motion state information of the Internet of Things terminal, in a case that session handover of the Internet of Things terminal is needed.

[0036] The first message comprises a tunnel establishment request sent to a UDM function, and the tunnel establishment request comprises a network function profile (NF profile) of the UPF.

[0037] Optionally, the communication method, wherein, in a case that the first event comprises session deregistration, the first message comprises a tunnel release indication sent to a RAN, wherein the tunnel release indication comprises a session identifier of the deregistered session and a corresponding UPF identifier.

[0038] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a communication method, wherein the method is performed by a first device, and the method comprises:

[0039] receiving a first message of a first event corresponding to an Internet of Things terminal sent by a first function, wherein the first event comprises one or more of the following: network access registration, network access update, network access deregistration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session handover, and session deregistration.

[0040] Optionally, the communication method, wherein the method further comprises:

[0041] sending a first request to the first function, the first request being used to request the first event.

[0042] Optionally, the communication method, wherein the method further comprises:

[0043] receiving a fourth request sent by the Internet of Things terminal, the fourth request being used to request the first event.

[0044] Optionally, the communication method, wherein at least one of the first request, the fourth request and the first message comprises one or more of the following:

[0045] terminal identification;

[0046] device type identification;

[0047] group identification;

[0048] sensor information;

[0049] location information.

[0050] Optionally, the communication method, wherein in a case where the first event comprises network registration, the first device comprises a user data management (UDM) function or a radio access network (RAN);

[0051] wherein the first message comprises a registration request message received by the UDM function, or comprises a registration response message received by the RAN.

[0052] Optionally, the communication method, wherein the method further comprises:

[0053] selecting the first function corresponding to the Internet of Things terminal according to location information and / or group identification of the Internet of Things terminal.

[0054] Optionally, the communication method, wherein in a case where the first event comprises update, information of the requested update is comprised in the first request and / or the first message.

[0055] Optionally, the communication method, wherein in a case where the first event comprises update, the first device comprises a user data management (UDM) function or a radio access network (RAN);

[0056] wherein the first message comprises an update request message received by the UDM function, or comprises an update response message received by the RAN.

[0057] Optionally, the communication method, wherein in a case where the first event comprises deregistration, the first device comprises a UDM function or a radio access network (RAN);

[0058] The first message includes a deregistration request message received by the UDM function, or includes a deregistration response message or a deregistration completion notification message received by the RAN.

[0059] Optionally, the communication method further comprises:

[0060] receiving a second message sent by the first function, the second message being used to instruct the second device to perform network registration broadcast;

[0061] performing network registration broadcast according to the second message.

[0062] Optionally, in a case where the first event includes session establishment, the first device includes a user data management (UDM) function or a radio access network (RAN).

[0063] The first message includes one of the following:

[0064] a second request received by the UDM function, the second request being used to request subscription data of the Internet of Things terminal;

[0065] a third request received by the RAN, the third request being used to request session tunnel establishment, and the third request including a network function profile (NF profile) of the UPF selected by the first device;

[0066] a session establishment completion message received by the RAN, wherein the session establishment completion message includes a session identifier corresponding to the Internet of Things terminal.

[0067] Optionally, the communication method further comprises:

[0068] performing, by the RAN, a session tunnel establishment process with the UPF according to the third request;

[0069] after the session tunnel establishment is completed, sending a tunnel establishment completion notification message to the first function.

[0070] Optionally, in a case where the first event includes session handover, the first message includes a tunnel establishment request, and the tunnel establishment request includes a network function profile (NF profile) of a user plane function (UPF) after session handover of the Internet of Things terminal.

[0071] Optionally, the communication method further comprises:

[0072] sending, according to the network function profile (NF profile), a tunnel establishment request to the UPF after session handover.

[0073] after the tunnel establishment is completed, sending a tunnel establishment completion notification message to the first function;

[0074] sending a tunnel release request to the UPF before session switching.

[0075] Optionally, the communication method, wherein the method further comprises:

[0076] sending a tunnel release request to the UPF before session switching;

[0077] sending a tunnel establishment request to the UPF after session switching according to the network function attribute NF profile;

[0078] after the tunnel establishment is completed, sending a tunnel establishment completion notification message to the first function.

[0079] Optionally, the communication method, wherein in the case that the first event comprises session logout, the first message comprises a tunnel release indication; wherein the tunnel release indication comprises a session identifier of the logged-out session and a corresponding UPF identifier.

[0080] Optionally, the communication method, wherein the method further comprises:

[0081] sending a tunnel release request to the corresponding UPF according to the session identifier and the UPF identifier;

[0082] after the tunnel release is completed, sending a tunnel release completion notification message to the first function.

[0083] One embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a network device, comprising a transceiver, configured to:

[0084] sending a first message of a first event of a corresponding Internet of Things terminal to a first device; wherein the first event comprises one or more of network entry registration, update, deregistration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching and session logout.

[0085] One embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a network device, comprising a transceiver, configured to:

[0086] receiving a first message of a first event of a corresponding Internet of Things terminal sent by a first function; wherein the first event comprises one or more of network entry registration, update, deregistration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching and session logout.

[0087] One embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a communication device, applied to a first function, comprising:

[0088] The first sending module is configured to send, to the first device, a first message corresponding to a first event of the Internet of Things terminal; the first event comprises one or more of the following: network registration, update, de-registration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching, and session logout.

[0089] The present disclosure also provides a communication device, which is applied to a first device, and comprises:

[0090] The first receiving module is configured to receive, from a first function, a first message corresponding to a first event of the Internet of Things terminal; the first event comprises one or more of the following: network registration, update, de-registration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching, and session logout.

[0091] The present disclosure also provides a network device, which comprises a processor, a memory, and a program stored in the memory and executable on the processor; when the program is executed by the processor, the communication method according to any one of the preceding embodiments is implemented.

[0092] The present disclosure also provides a readable storage medium, which stores a program; when the program is executed by a processor, the steps of the communication method according to any one of the preceding embodiments are implemented.

[0093] The present disclosure also provides a computer program product, which comprises computer instructions; when the computer instructions are executed by a processor, the steps of the communication method according to any one of the preceding embodiments are implemented.

[0094] At least one of the above technical solutions of the present disclosure has the following beneficial effects:

[0095] The communication method according to the present disclosure is used to send, by a first function, a first message corresponding to one or more of the following: network registration, update, de-registration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching, and session logout of the Internet of Things terminal to a first device, so that the first device performs one or more of the following: network registration, update, de-registration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching, and session logout of the Internet of Things terminal, and manages one or more of the following: network registration, update, de-registration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching, and session logout of the Internet of Things terminal, so as to realize the access and session management of the Internet of Things terminal in the passive Internet of Things. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0096] FIG. 1 is a flowchart of the communication method according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0097] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the implementation of the method according to the present disclosure;

[0098] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an embodiment two of the method according to the present disclosure;

[0099] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an embodiment three of the method according to the present disclosure;

[0100] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an embodiment four of the method according to the present disclosure;

[0101] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an embodiment five of the method according to the present disclosure;

[0102] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of an embodiment six of the method according to the present disclosure;

[0103] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an embodiment seven of the method according to the present disclosure;

[0104] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an embodiment eight of the method according to the present disclosure;

[0105] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an embodiment nine of the method according to the present disclosure;

[0106] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of the communication method according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0107] FIG. 12 is a structural diagram of the network device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0108] FIG. 13 is a structural diagram of the network device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0109] FIG. 14 is a structural diagram of the communication apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0110] FIG. 15 is a structural diagram of the communication apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0111] To make the technical problems to be solved by the present disclosure, technical solutions and advantages clearer, the following will be described in detail with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0112] The terms "first", "second" and the like in the specification and claims of the present disclosure are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the terms used in this way can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances, so that the embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described here, and the objects distinguished by "first", "second" are usually a category, and are not limited to the number of objects, for example, the first object can be one or more. In addition, "and / or" in the specification and claims means at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally represents a "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0113] To realize the access and session management of the Internet of Things terminal in the ambient Internet of Things, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, a first message corresponding to an Internet of Things terminal is sent to a first device through a first function of a core network, triggering the first device to perform one or more of the following operations: network registration, update, de-registration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching and session deregistration of the Internet of Things terminal, so as to realize the access and session management of the Internet of Things terminal in the ambient Internet of Things.

[0114] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method executed by a first function, as shown in FIG. 1, the method comprises:

[0115] S110, a first message corresponding to a first event of an Internet of Things terminal is sent to a first device; wherein the first event comprises one or more of the following: network registration, update, de-registration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching and session deregistration.

[0116] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the Internet of Things terminal can also be referred to as an ambient Internet of Things or ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT or Ambient IoT) terminal, the first function can be referred to as an ambient Internet of Things or ambient Internet of Things Ambient IoT function, and the Ambient IoT function can be any network element in the network architecture of the core network or a newly added network element in the network architecture of the core network.

[0117] By using the communication method described in the embodiment, the first function sends a first message corresponding to one or more of the following operations: network registration, update, de-registration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching and session deregistration of the Internet of Things terminal to the first device, so that the first device performs one or more of the following operations: network registration, update, de-registration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching and session deregistration of the Internet of Things terminal, and realizes the management of one or more of the following operations: network registration, update, de-registration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching and session deregistration of the Internet of Things terminal, so as to realize the access and session management of the Internet of Things terminal in the ambient Internet of Things.

[0118] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first device comprises one or more of the following: a wireless access network (Wireless Access Network, RAN), a user data management (User Data Management, UDM) and a user plane function (User Plane Function, UPF).

[0119] In an embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0120] receiving a first request sent by the second device, the first request being used to request the first event.

[0121] With this embodiment, the first function sends a first message corresponding to the first event to the first device according to the first request sent by the second device.

[0122] Optionally, the second device comprises one or more of a RAN and an Internet of Things terminal.

[0123] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, optionally, the first request and / or the first message comprises one or more of the following:

[0124] terminal identification;

[0125] device type identification;

[0126] group identification;

[0127] sensor information;

[0128] location information.

[0129] The terminal identification is the identification of the Internet of Things terminal; the device type identification is used to indicate the device type to which the Internet of Things terminal belongs, which can be any one of Type A, Type B and Type C, etc.; the group identification is used to indicate the Internet of Things subnet or Internet of Things group to which the Internet of Things terminal belongs; the sensor information is used to indicate the information of the sensor used by the Internet of Things terminal, which optionally comprises but is not limited to only one or more of the sensor type and information reporting period; the sensor type comprises but is not limited to only one or more of smart home, smoke alarm and smart meter; the information reporting period comprises but is not limited to only one or more of periodic reporting, event-triggered reporting and passive information reading; optionally, the location information is used to indicate the location of the Internet of Things terminal.

[0130] The following describes the specific implementation process of the communication method in the embodiments of the present disclosure in combination with the network entry registration, update, deregistration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching and session deregistration of the Internet of Things network side.

[0131] Embodiment one

[0132] In this embodiment one, the Internet of Things terminal performs network entry registration to the 5GC, and in combination with FIG. 2, the network entry registration process comprises the following steps:

[0133] S201, the Internet of Things terminal (i.e. Ambient IoT device) sends a network entry registration request to the RAN; optionally, the network entry registration request comprises one or more of terminal identification, device type identification, group identification, sensor information and location information.

[0134] S202, the RAN can determine that the terminal is an Ambient IoT device based on the terminal identifier in the network registration request, and select a first function for the network registration of the IoT terminal according to the location information and / or group identifier in the network registration request, that is, select the corresponding ambient IoT-F instead of the access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0135] Optionally, the first function corresponding to the IoT terminal can be determined according to the location information according to the principle of proximity, and / or the first function belonging to the same subnet as the IoT terminal can also be selected according to the group identifier.

[0136] S203, the RAN (second device) sends a first request to the first function, the first request being used to request the network registration of the IoT terminal; optionally, the first request includes one or more of the terminal identifier, the device type identifier, the group identifier, the sensor information and the location information.

[0137] S204, the first function performs network authentication on the IoT terminal; optionally, the first function compares the terminal identifier and / or the group identifier in the first request with the terminal identifiers and group identifiers of a plurality of terminals preconfigured in the subnet, and in the case of successful comparison, determines that the IoT terminal can enter the network, and the network authentication of the IoT terminal is successful.

[0138] S205, in the case of successful network authentication, the first function sends a registration request message (first message) to the UDM function (first device) to request the network registration of the IoT terminal; optionally, the registration request message includes one or more of the terminal identifier, the device type identifier, the group identifier, the sensor information and the location information of the IoT terminal;

[0139] S206, the UDM function stores the terminal identifier, the device type identifier, the group identifier, the sensor information and the location information of the IoT terminal, and returns a registration response message to the first function;

[0140] S207, the first function sends the registration response message (first message) to the RAN to indicate that the network registration of the IoT terminal is successful.

[0141] S208, the RAN forwards the registration response message to the IoT terminal.

[0142] According to the communication method in the first embodiment, the network access registration request sent by the Internet of Things terminal can be sent to the first function by the RAN, the network access registration request of the Internet of Things terminal is authenticated by the first function, and the registration request message is sent to the UDM function, and the UDM performs information storage related to the network access registration of the Internet of Things terminal.

[0143] According to the above, in the first embodiment, in combination with step S110, the first device can include a UDM function, and the first message sent by the first function to the UDM includes a registration request message sent to the UDM function; optionally, the first device can also include a RAN, and the first message sent by the first function to the RAN includes a registration response message sent to the RAN.

[0144] Second embodiment

[0145] In the second embodiment, the Internet of Things terminal updates the 5GC, in combination with FIG. 3, the information update process includes the following steps:

[0146] S301, the Internet of Things terminal (also known as Ambient IoT device) sends an information update request to the RAN; optionally, the information update request includes the terminal identifier and / or device type identifier of the Internet of Things terminal, and optionally can also include the requested updated information, the requested updated information including the requested updated group identifier and / or the requested updated sensor information;

[0147] S302, the RAN (second device) sends the information update request (first request) to the first function, and the information update request includes the terminal identifier and / or device type identifier of the Internet of Things terminal, and optionally can also include the requested updated group identifier and / or the requested updated sensor information;

[0148] S303, the first function sends the information update request (first message) to the UDM function, and writes the requested updated information of the Internet of Things terminal into the storage information corresponding to the Internet of Things terminal in the UDM;

[0149] S304, after updating the information of the Internet of Things terminal, the UDM function sends an update success response message to the first function;

[0150] S305, the first function sends the update success response message (first message) to the RAN, indicating that the information update of the Internet of Things terminal is successful;

[0151] S306, the RAN forwards the update success response message to the Internet of Things terminal.

[0152] In the second implementation, the information update request sent by the IoT terminal can be sent by the RAN to the first function, and the first function sends the information update request to the UDM function, for updating the stored information corresponding to the IoT terminal in the core network.

[0153] According to the above, in the implementation, in combination with step S110, the first device can include the UDM function, and the first message sent by the first function to the UDM includes an update request message sent to the UDM function; optionally, the first device can also include the RAN, and the first message sent by the first function to the RAN device can include an update response message sent to the RAN.

[0154] Third implementation

[0155] In the third implementation, the IoT terminal performs de-registration with the 5GC, in combination with FIG. 4, the de-registration process includes the following steps:

[0156] S401, the IoT terminal (i.e., Ambient IoT device) sends a de-registration request to the RAN; optionally, the de-registration request includes one or more of the terminal identifier, the device type identifier, and the group identifier;

[0157] S402, the RAN (second device) sends a de-registration request (first request) of the IoT terminal to the first function, for requesting de-registration of the IoT terminal; optionally, the sent de-registration request includes one or more of the terminal identifier, the device type identifier, and the group identifier;

[0158] S403, the first function sends a de-registration request (first message) of the IoT terminal to the UDM function (first device), optionally, the de-registration request includes one or more of the terminal identifier, the device type identifier, and the group identifier;

[0159] S404, the UDM function (first device) releases the stored device information of the IoT terminal according to the de-registration request;

[0160] S405, the UDM function sends a de-registration response message or a de-registration completion notification message to the first function;

[0161] S406, the first function sends the de-registration response message or the de-registration completion notification message (first message) to the RAN, for indicating that the de-registration of the IoT terminal is completed;

[0162] S407, the RAN forwards the de-registration response message or the de-registration completion notification message to the IoT terminal.

[0163] In the third implementation, the de-registration request sent by the IoT terminal can be sent to the first function by the RAN, and the first function sends the de-registration request to the UDM to release the stored device information of the IoT terminal.

[0164] According to the above, in the implementation, in combination with step S110, the first device can include a UDM function, and the first message sent by the first function to the UDM includes a de-registration request sent to the UDM function; optionally, the first device can also include a RAN, and the first message sent by the first function to the RAN can include a de-registration response message or a de-registration completion notification message sent to the RAN.

[0165] Fourth implementation

[0166] In the fourth implementation, the onboarding registration of the IoT terminal is triggered by the core network 5GC, as shown in FIG. 5, the registration process includes the following steps:

[0167] S501, the first function sends a second message to the RAN (second device) to trigger or instruct the RAN to initiate an onboarding registration broadcast; optionally, the first function triggers the RAN within the service range to initiate an onboarding registration broadcast in the IoT device frequency band to inquire whether there is an IoT device that needs to be onboarded;

[0168] S502, the RAN (second device) initiates the onboarding registration broadcast;

[0169] S503, the ambient onboarding IoT terminal is woken up according to the onboarding registration broadcast, and sends an onboarding registration request to the RAN; optionally, the onboarding registration request includes one or more of the terminal identifier, the device type identifier, the group identifier, the sensor information and the location information.

[0170] S504, based on the terminal identifier in the onboarding registration request, the RAN can determine that the terminal is an Ambient IoT device, and then selects the first function for the onboarding registration of the IoT terminal according to the location information and / or the group identifier in the onboarding registration request, that is, selects the corresponding ambient IoT-F instead of the access and mobility management function (Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF).

[0171] S505, the RAN (second device) sends a first request to the selected first function, and the first request is used to request the onboarding registration of the IoT terminal; optionally, the first request includes one or more of the terminal identifier, the device type identifier, the group identifier, the sensor information and the location information.

[0172] S506, the first function performs network access authentication on the Internet of Things terminal; optionally, the first function compares the terminal identifier and / or group identifier in the first request with the terminal identifiers and group identifiers of the plurality of terminals preconfigured in the subnet respectively, and determines that the Internet of Things terminal can access the network in the case of successful comparison, and the network access authentication of the Internet of Things terminal is successful;

[0173] S507, in the case of successful network access authentication, the first function sends a registration request message (first message) to the UDM function (first device) to request the network registration of the Internet of Things terminal; optionally, the registration request message includes one or more of the terminal identifier, device type identifier, group identifier, sensor information and location information of the Internet of Things terminal;

[0174] S508, the UDM function stores the terminal identifier, device type identifier, group identifier, sensor information and location information of the Internet of Things terminal, and returns a registration response message to the first function;

[0175] S509, the first function sends the registration response message (first message) to the RAN to indicate that the network registration of the Internet of Things terminal is successful;

[0176] S510, the RAN forwards the registration response message to the Internet of Things terminal.

[0177] In the fourth embodiment, the first function can trigger or instruct the RAN to initiate the network registration broadcast, so that the RAN in the service range initiates the network registration broadcast in the IoT device frequency band to inquire whether there is an IoT device that needs to access the network, so that the Internet of Things terminal is woken up according to the network registration broadcast and sends a network registration request to the RAN.

[0178] Fifth embodiment

[0179] In the fifth embodiment, the core network 5GC triggers the de-registration of the Internet of Things terminal, as shown in FIG. 6, the de-registration process includes the following steps:

[0180] S601, the first function sends a de-registration request (first message) to the UDM (first device) in the case of receiving the configuration requirement of the third-party application / enterprise subnet / home network to require the de-registration of a certain Ambient IoT device in the network, and optionally, the de-registration request includes one or more of the terminal identifier, device type identifier and group identifier;

[0181] S602, the UDM function (first device) releases the stored device information of the Internet of Things terminal according to the de-registration request;

[0182] S603, the UDM function sends a de-registration response message or a de-registration completion notification message to the first function;

[0183] S604, the first function sends the de-registration response message or the de-registration completion notification message (first message) to the RAN, to indicate that the de-registration of the IoT terminal is completed;

[0184] S605, the RAN forwards the de-registration response message or the de-registration completion notification message to the IoT terminal.

[0185] In this embodiment five, the first function can perform de-registration for one of the IoT terminals in the IoT, and the first function sends a de-registration request of the corresponding IoT terminal to the UDM, to release the stored device information of the IoT terminal.

[0186] Embodiment six

[0187] In this embodiment six, the IoT terminal requests session establishment to the 5GC, and in combination with FIG. 7, the session establishment process includes the following steps:

[0188] S701, the IoT terminal needs to report information, and sends a session establishment request to the RAN;

[0189] S702, the RAN (second device) sends the first function the session establishment request (first request); optionally, the session establishment request includes one or more of the terminal identifier and the group identifier;

[0190] S703, the first function sends a second request to the UDM function (first device), and the second request is used to request the subscription data of the IoT terminal; optionally, the subscription data includes one or more of the terminal identifier, the device type identifier, the group identifier, the sensor information and the location information;

[0191] S704, the UDM function returns a response message of the second request to the first function, and the response message includes the subscription data of the IoT terminal requested by the first function;

[0192] S705, the first function allocates a session identifier ID for the session requested by the IoT terminal, selects a corresponding session and service continuity (SSC) mode according to the device type and / or sensor information of the IoT terminal, and selects a corresponding UPF for the IoT terminal according to one or more of the terminal identifier, the type identifier, the group identifier and the location information of the IoT terminal.

[0193] S706, the first function sends a third request to the RAN, the third request is used for requesting session tunnel establishment, and the third request includes a network function attribute NF profile of the UPF selected by the first device; optionally, the NF profile includes one or more of an NF type, an NF instance name, an NF IP address, and an FQDN; in this implementation, the third request sent by the first function to the RAN can be used to instruct the RAN and the UPF to establish a session tunnel between the RAN and the UPF for the IoT terminal, so as to be able to transmit the downlink control signal and the uplink reporting information of the IoT terminal.

[0194] S707, the RAN performs a tunnel establishment process with the UPF based on the NF profile;

[0195] S708, after the tunnel establishment between the RAN and the UPF is completed, the RAN sends a tunnel establishment completion notification message to the first function;

[0196] S709, the first function sends a session establishment completion message to the RAN, the session establishment completion message includes a session ID of the session established for the IoT terminal;

[0197] S710, the RAN sends the session establishment completion message to the IoT terminal, the session establishment completion message includes the session ID.

[0198] In this implementation, when the IoT terminal performs session establishment, the first function can assign a session identifier ID to the session requested by the IoT terminal, and select a corresponding UPF, so that the RAN and the UPF establish a session tunnel between the RAN and the UPF for the IoT terminal.

[0199] In this implementation, in combination with FIG. 1, in the case that the first event includes session establishment, the first device includes a UDM function and / or a RAN;

[0200] The first message includes one or more of the following:

[0201] a second request sent to the UDM function, the second request is used for requesting subscription data of the IoT terminal;

[0202] a third request sent to the RAN, the third request is used for requesting session tunnel establishment, and the third request includes a network function attribute NF profile of the UPF selected by the first device;

[0203] a session establishment completion message sent to the RAN; wherein the session establishment completion message includes a session identifier corresponding to the IoT terminal.

[0204] Implementation seven

[0205] The seventh embodiment is a session switching process of the Internet of Things terminal. In order to maintain session continuity, the session switching process can first perform new session establishment and then perform a session disconnection process. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the implementation process includes the following steps:

[0206] S801, the Internet of Things terminal performs uplink and downlink data transmission by using a session tunnel established between the Internet of Things terminal and the UPF1;

[0207] S802, the first function determines, according to the moving track and speed of the Internet of Things terminal, that the Internet of Things terminal needs to perform UPF switching, and in order to maintain session continuity, selects the UPF2 after switching according to the moving track of the Internet of Things terminal;

[0208] S803, the first function sends a tunnel establishment request to the RAN, the tunnel establishment request including the network function attribute NF profile of the selected UPF2 after switching, instructing the RAN to establish a session tunnel between the RAN and the UPF2 for the Internet of Things terminal, for transmitting downlink control signals and uplink data reporting information of the Internet of Things terminal;

[0209] S804, the RAN performs a tunnel establishment process between the RAN and the UPF2 based on the NF profile;

[0210] S805, after the tunnel establishment between the RAN and the UPF2 is completed, the RAN sends a tunnel establishment completion notification message to the first function;

[0211] S806, the RAN sends a tunnel release request to the UPF1, for requesting to release the tunnel between the RAN and the UPF1;

[0212] S807, the Internet of Things terminal performs uplink and downlink data transmission by using a session tunnel established between the Internet of Things terminal and the UPF2.

[0213] In this embodiment, when performing session switching, the first function can first select the UPF to be switched, instruct the RAN to establish a session tunnel between the RAN and the UPF to be switched for the Internet of Things terminal, and then release the session tunnel before session switching by the RAN. The session switching mode of this embodiment can be applied to scenarios with high requirements for data reporting reliability and continuity.

[0214] Eighth Embodiment

[0215] The eighth embodiment is a session switching process of the Internet of Things terminal. The session switching process first performs a session disconnection process and then performs new session establishment. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the implementation process includes the following steps:

[0216] S901, the Internet of Things terminal performs uplink and downlink data transmission by using the session tunnel established between the Internet of Things terminal and the UPF1;

[0217] S902, the first function determines, according to the moving track and the speed of the Internet of Things terminal, that the Internet of Things terminal needs to perform UPF switching, and then selects the UPF2 after switching according to the moving track of the Internet of Things terminal in order to maintain session continuity;

[0218] S903, the first function sends a tunnel establishment request to the RAN, wherein the tunnel establishment request includes the network function attribute NF profile of the selected UPF2 after switching, instructing the RAN to establish a session tunnel between the RAN and the UPF2 for the Internet of Things terminal, and used for transmitting downlink control signals and uplink data reporting information of the Internet of Things terminal;

[0219] S904, the RAN sends a tunnel release request to the UPF1, for requesting to release the tunnel between the RAN and the UPF1;

[0220] S905, the RAN performs a tunnel establishment process between the RAN and the UPF2 based on the NF profile in the tunnel establishment request;

[0221] S906, after the tunnel between the RAN and the UPF2 is established, the RAN sends a tunnel establishment completion notification message to the first function;

[0222] S907, the Internet of Things terminal performs uplink and downlink data transmission by using the session tunnel established between the Internet of Things terminal and the UPF2.

[0223] In this embodiment, when performing session switching, the first function can select the UPF to be switched, and after the RAN releases the session tunnel before the session switching, the RAN establishes a session tunnel between the RAN and the UPF to be switched for the Internet of Things terminal, so as to realize the mode of cutting off the original session and then establishing a new session. This mode can be applied to a scenario in which the terminal reporting data has low reliability and continuity requirements.

[0224] Ninth Embodiment

[0225] This ninth embodiment is a session logout process of a terminal. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the implementation process includes the following steps:

[0226] S1001, when the Internet of Things terminal needs to perform session logout, the Internet of Things terminal sends a session logout request to the RAN; optionally, the session logout request can also be referred to as a session release request; optionally, the session logout request includes one or more of the device identifier, the group identifier and the session identifier to be released of the Internet of Things terminal;

[0227] S1002, the RAN (second device) forwards the session logout request to the first function;

[0228] S1003, the first function receives the session logout request, sends a tunnel release indication (first message) to the RAN, and the tunnel release indication includes the session identifier of the logged-out session and the corresponding UPF identifier;

[0229] S1004, the RAN sends a tunnel release request to the corresponding UPF according to the tunnel release indication;

[0230] S1005, after the UPF releases the tunnel according to the tunnel release request, the UPF sends a tunnel release response message to the RAN;

[0231] S1006, the RAN sends a tunnel release notification message to the first function according to the tunnel release response message, to notify the first function that the tunnel release is completed.

[0232] With this embodiment, when the session is logged out, the first function can instruct the RAN to release the tunnel, to complete the tunnel release process.

[0233] With the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first function can trigger the first device to perform one or more of the following operations related to the network registration, update, deregistration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching, and session logout of the Internet of Things terminal, to realize the access and session management of the Internet of Things terminal in the passive Internet of Things.

[0234] An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a communication method, executed by a first device, as shown in FIG. 11, the method comprising:

[0235] S1101, receiving a first message of a first event of a corresponding Internet of Things terminal sent by a first function; wherein the first event includes one or more of the following: network registration, update, deregistration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching, and session logout.

[0236] With the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first function of the core network sends a first message to the first device, to trigger the first device to perform one or more of the following operations related to the network registration, update, deregistration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching, and session logout of the Internet of Things terminal, to realize the access and session management of the Internet of Things terminal in the passive Internet of Things.

[0237] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first device can include one or more of the following: a wireless access network (RAN), a user data management (UDM), and a user plane function (UPF).

[0238] Optionally, the first function can be referred to as an Ambient IoT function, which can be any network element in the network architecture of a general core network, or a newly added network element in the network architecture of a core network.

[0239] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further comprises:

[0240] According to the first message, performing an operation related to the first event, the operation comprising one or more of the following:

[0241] In the case where the first event comprises network registration, selecting the first function corresponding to the IoT terminal according to the location information and / or group identity of the IoT terminal;

[0242] In the case where the first event comprises session establishment, performing a session tunnel establishment process with the UPF;

[0243] In the case where the first event comprises session switching, sending a tunnel establishment request to the UPF after the session switching;

[0244] In the case where the first event comprises session switching, sending a tunnel release request to the UPF before the session switching;

[0245] In the case where the first event comprises session logout, sending a tunnel release request to the corresponding UPF.

[0246] Optionally, the communication method, wherein the method further comprises:

[0247] sending a first request to the first function, the first request being used to request the first event.

[0248] Optionally, the communication method, wherein the method further comprises:

[0249] receiving a fourth request sent by the IoT terminal, the fourth request being used to request the first event.

[0250] Optionally, the communication method, wherein at least one of the first request, the fourth request and the first message comprises one or more of the following:

[0251] terminal identity;

[0252] device type identity;

[0253] group identity;

[0254] sensor information;

[0255] location information.

[0256] Optionally, the communication method, wherein, in a case that the first event comprises network registration, the first device comprises a user data management (UDM) function or a radio access network (RAN);

[0257] The first message comprises one of the following:

[0258] Optionally, the communication method, wherein the method further comprises:

[0259] According to the location information and / or group identity of the Internet of Things terminal, the first function corresponding to the Internet of Things terminal is selected.

[0260] Optionally, the communication method, wherein, in a case that the first event comprises updating, the first request and / or the first message comprises information of the requested updating.

[0261] Optionally, the communication method, wherein, in a case that the first event comprises updating, the first device comprises a user data management (UDM) function or a radio access network (RAN);

[0262] The first message comprises one of the following:

[0263] Optionally, the communication method, wherein, in a case that the first event comprises deregistration, the first device comprises a UDM function or a radio access network (RAN);

[0264] The first message comprises one of the following:

[0265] Optionally, the communication method, wherein the method further comprises:

[0266] A second message sent by the first function is received, and the second message is used to instruct the second device to perform network registration broadcast;

[0267] According to the second message, network registration broadcast is performed.

[0268] Optionally, the communication method, wherein, in a case that the first event comprises session establishment, the first device comprises a user data management (UDM) function or a radio access network (RAN);

[0269] The first message comprises one of the following:

[0270] The second request received by the UDM function, the second request being used to request subscription data of the Internet of Things terminal;

[0271] The third request received by the RAN, the third request being used to request session tunnel establishment, and the third request including a network function profile of the UPF selected by the first device;

[0272] The session establishment completion message received by the RAN; wherein the session establishment completion message includes a session identifier corresponding to the Internet of Things terminal.

[0273] Optionally, the communication method, wherein the method further comprises:

[0274] The RAN performs a session tunnel process with the UPF according to the third request;

[0275] After the session tunnel establishment is completed, a tunnel establishment completion notification message is sent to the first function.

[0276] Optionally, the communication method, wherein in the case that the first event includes session switching, the first message includes a tunnel establishment request, and the tunnel establishment request includes a network function profile of a user plane function of the Internet of Things terminal after session switching.

[0277] Optionally, the communication method, wherein the method further comprises:

[0278] According to the network function profile, a tunnel establishment request is sent to the UPF after session switching;

[0279] After the tunnel establishment is completed, a tunnel establishment completion notification message is sent to the first function;

[0280] A tunnel release request is sent to the UPF before session switching.

[0281] Optionally, the communication method, wherein the method further comprises:

[0282] A tunnel release request is sent to the UPF before session switching;

[0283] According to the network function profile, a tunnel establishment request is sent to the UPF after session switching;

[0284] After the tunnel establishment is completed, a tunnel establishment completion notification message is sent to the first function.

[0285] Optionally, in the communication method, when the first event includes session cancellation, the first message includes a tunnel release indication; wherein the tunnel release indication includes the session identifier of the cancelled session and the corresponding UPF identifier.

[0286] Optionally, the communication method further includes:

[0287] Based on the session identifier and the UPF identifier, a tunnel release request is sent to the corresponding UPF;

[0288] After the tunnel release is complete, a tunnel release completion notification message is sent to the first function.

[0289] The communication method described in this embodiment, when executed by the first device, has specific implementation methods corresponding to the first events of network registration, update, deregistration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching, or session cancellation. These can be referred to in conjunction with Figures 1 to 10 for detailed descriptions of the specific implementation methods applied to the first function, and will not be repeated here.

[0290] This disclosure also provides a network device with a first function, as shown in FIG12. The first function 1200 includes a transceiver 1210 and a processor 1220, wherein the transceiver 1210 is used for:

[0291] Send a first message to the first device regarding the first event of the corresponding IoT terminal; wherein the first event includes one or more of the following: network registration, update, deregistration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching, and session cancellation.

[0292] Optionally, in the network device, the transceiver 1210 is further configured to:

[0293] Receive a first request sent by a second device, the first request being used to request the first event.

[0294] Optionally, the network device wherein the first request and / or the first message includes one or more of the following:

[0295] Terminal identifier;

[0296] Equipment type identification;

[0297] Group identifier;

[0298] Sensor information;

[0299] Location information.

[0300] Optionally, in the network device, the processor 1220 is configured to, in the case that the first event includes network registration:

[0301] performing network access authentication on the Internet of Things terminal;

[0302] The transceiver 1210 is configured to send the first message to the first device, including:

[0303] After the network access authentication is successful, the first message is sent to the first device.

[0304] Optionally, the network device, wherein, in the case that the first event includes network access registration, the first device includes a user data management (UDM) function and / or a radio access network (RAN);

[0305] The first message includes a registration request message sent to the UDM function, and / or a registration response message sent to the RAN.

[0306] Optionally, the network device, wherein, in the case that the first event includes updating, the first request and / or the first message includes information of the requested update.

[0307] Optionally, the network device, wherein, in the case that the first event includes updating, the first device includes a user data management (UDM) function and / or a radio access network (RAN);

[0308] The first message includes an update request message sent to the UDM function, and / or an update response message sent to the RAN.

[0309] Optionally, the network device, wherein, in the case that the first event includes deregistration, the first device includes a UDM function and / or a radio access network (RAN);

[0310] The first message includes a deregistration request message sent to the UDM function, and / or a deregistration response message or a deregistration completion notification message sent to the RAN.

[0311] Optionally, the network device, wherein the transceiver 1210 is further configured to:

[0312] send a second message to a second device, the second message being used to instruct the second device to perform network access registration broadcast.

[0313] Optionally, the network device, wherein, in the case that the first event includes session establishment, the first device includes a user data management (UDM) function and / or a radio access network (RAN);

[0314] The first message includes one or more of the following:

[0315] a second request sent to the UDM function, the second request being used to request subscription data of the Internet of Things terminal;

[0316] a third request sent to the RAN, the third request being used to request session tunnel establishment, and the third request including a network function profile of the UPF selected by the first device;

[0317] a session establishment completion message sent to the RAN, wherein the session establishment completion message includes a session identifier corresponding to the Internet of Things terminal.

[0318] Optionally, the network device, wherein the processor 1220 is configured to, in a case where the first event includes session switching:

[0319] select a user plane function (UPF) after session switching of the Internet of Things terminal according to the motion state information of the Internet of Things terminal, in a case where it is determined that session switching of the Internet of Things terminal is needed.

[0320] The first message includes a tunnel establishment request sent to a UDM function, and the tunnel establishment request includes a network function profile of the UPF.

[0321] Optionally, the network device, wherein in a case where the first event includes session deregistration, the first message includes a tunnel release indication sent to the RAN, and the tunnel release indication includes a session identifier of the deregistered session and a corresponding UPF identifier.

[0322] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a network device, as shown in FIG. 13, the network device being a first device 1300, which includes a transceiver 1310 and a processor 1320, the transceiver 1310 being configured to:

[0323] receive a first message of a first event of an Internet of Things terminal sent by a first function, wherein the first event includes one or more of the following: network access registration, update, deregistration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching, and session deregistration.

[0324] Optionally, the network device, wherein the transceiver 1310 is further configured to:

[0325] send a first request to the first function, the first request being used to request the first event.

[0326] Optionally, the network device, wherein the transceiver 1310 is further configured to:

[0327] receive a fourth request sent by the Internet of Things terminal, the fourth request being used to request the first event.

[0328] Optionally, the network device, wherein at least one of the first request, the fourth request and the first message comprises one or more of the following:

[0329] a terminal identifier;

[0330] a device type identifier;

[0331] a group identifier;

[0332] sensor information;

[0333] location information.

[0334] Optionally, the network device, wherein in a case where the first event comprises onboarding, the first device comprises a user data management (UDM) function or a radio access network (RAN);

[0335] wherein the first message comprises a registration request message received by the UDM function, or comprises a registration response message received by the RAN.

[0336] Optionally, the network device, wherein the processor 1320 is configured to:

[0337] select the first function corresponding to the Internet of Things terminal according to location information and / or a group identifier of the Internet of Things terminal.

[0338] Optionally, the network device, wherein in a case where the first event comprises updating, the first request and / or the first message comprises information of the requested update.

[0339] Optionally, the network device, wherein in a case where the first event comprises updating, the first device comprises a user data management (UDM) function or a radio access network (RAN);

[0340] wherein the first message comprises an update request message received by the UDM function, or comprises an update response message received by the RAN.

[0341] Optionally, the network device, wherein in a case where the first event comprises de-registration, the first device comprises a UDM function or a radio access network (RAN);

[0342] wherein the first message comprises a de-registration request message received by the UDM function, or comprises a de-registration response message or a de-registration completion notification message received by the RAN.

[0343] Optionally, the network device, wherein the method further comprises:

[0344] receiving a second message sent by the first function, the second message being used to instruct the second device to perform the onboarding broadcast;

[0345] performing the onboarding broadcast according to the second message.

[0346] Optionally, the network device, wherein, in a case where the first event comprises session establishment, the first device comprises a user data management (UDM) function or a radio access network (RAN);

[0347] the first message comprises one of the following:

[0348] a second request received by the UDM function, the second request being used to request subscription data of the Internet of Things terminal;

[0349] a third request received by the RAN, the third request being used to request session tunnel establishment, and the third request comprising a network function profile (NF profile) of the UPF selected by the first device;

[0350] a session establishment completion message received by the RAN, wherein the session establishment completion message comprises a session identifier corresponding to the Internet of Things terminal.

[0351] Optionally, the network device, wherein the transceiver 1310 is further configured to:

[0352] perform a session tunnel establishment procedure with the UPF according to the third request;

[0353] after the session tunnel establishment is completed, send a tunnel establishment completion notification message to the first function.

[0354] Optionally, the network device, wherein, in a case where the first event comprises session handover, the first message comprises a tunnel establishment request, and the tunnel establishment request comprises a network function profile (NF profile) of a user plane function (UPF) after the session handover of the Internet of Things terminal.

[0355] Optionally, the network device, wherein the transceiver 1310 is further configured to:

[0356] send a tunnel establishment request to the UPF after the session handover according to the network function profile (NF profile);

[0357] after the tunnel establishment is completed, send a tunnel establishment completion notification message to the first function;

[0358] sending a tunnel release request to a UPF before a session handover.

[0359] Optionally, the network device, wherein the transceiver 1310 is further configured to:

[0360] sending a tunnel release request to a UPF before a session handover;

[0361] sending a tunnel establishment request to a UPF after a session handover according to the network function attribute NF profile;

[0362] sending a tunnel establishment completion notification message to the first function after the tunnel establishment is completed.

[0363] Optionally, the network device, wherein in a case where the first event comprises a session logout, the first message comprises a tunnel release indication; wherein the tunnel release indication comprises a session identifier of the logged-out session and a corresponding UPF identifier.

[0364] Optionally, the network device, wherein the transceiver 1310 is further configured to:

[0365] sending a tunnel release request to a corresponding UPF according to the session identifier and the UPF identifier;

[0366] sending a tunnel release completion notification message to the first function after the tunnel release is completed.

[0367] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a communication device applied to a first function, as shown in FIG. 14, the device comprises:

[0368] a first sending module 1410 configured to send a first message of a first event of a corresponding Internet of Things terminal to a first device; wherein the first event comprises one or more of the following: network entry registration, update, de-registration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session handover and session logout.

[0369] Optionally, the communication device, wherein the device further comprises:

[0370] a second receiving module 1420 configured to receive a first request sent by a second device, the first request being used to request the first event.

[0371] Optionally, the communication device, wherein the first request and / or the first message comprises one or more of the following:

[0372] a terminal identifier;

[0373] a device type identifier;

[0374] a group identifier;

[0375] sensor information;

[0376] location information.

[0377] Optionally, the communication apparatus, wherein, in the case that the first event comprises network registration, the apparatus further comprises:

[0378] an authentication module 1430, configured to perform network authentication on the Internet of Things terminal;

[0379] The first sending module 1410 sends the first message to the first device, comprising:

[0380] After the network authentication succeeds, the first message is sent to the first device.

[0381] Optionally, the communication apparatus, wherein, in the case that the first event comprises network registration, the first device comprises a user data management (UDM) function and / or a radio access network (RAN);

[0382] The first message comprises a registration request message sent to the UDM function, and / or a registration response message sent to the RAN.

[0383] Optionally, the communication apparatus, wherein, in the case that the first event comprises updating, the first request and / or the first message comprises information of the requested updating.

[0384] Optionally, the communication apparatus, wherein, in the case that the first event comprises updating, the first device comprises a user data management (UDM) function and / or a radio access network (RAN);

[0385] The first message comprises an updating request message sent to the UDM function, and / or an updating response message sent to the RAN.

[0386] Optionally, the communication apparatus, wherein, in the case that the first event comprises deregistration, the first device comprises a UDM function and / or a radio access network (RAN);

[0387] The first message comprises a deregistration request message sent to the UDM function, and / or a deregistration response message or a deregistration completion notification message sent to the RAN.

[0388] Optionally, the communication apparatus, wherein the first sending module 1410 is further configured to:

[0389] send a second message to a second device, the second message being used to instruct the second device to broadcast network registration.

[0390] Optionally, the communication apparatus, wherein, in the case that the first event comprises session establishment, the first device comprises a user data management (UDM) function and / or a radio access network (RAN);

[0391] The first message comprises one or more of the following:

[0392] a second request sent to the UDM function, the second request being used to request subscription data of the Internet of Things terminal;

[0393] a third request sent to the RAN, the third request being used to request session tunnel establishment, and the third request comprising a network function profile (NF profile) of the UPF selected by the first device;

[0394] a session establishment completion message sent to the RAN, wherein the session establishment completion message comprises a session identifier corresponding to the Internet of Things terminal.

[0395] Optionally, the communication apparatus, wherein, in the case that the first event comprises session handover, the apparatus further comprises:

[0396] a selection module 1440 configured to, in the case that it is determined that session handover of the Internet of Things terminal is needed according to the motion state information of the Internet of Things terminal, select a user plane function (UPF) after session handover of the Internet of Things terminal.

[0397] The first message comprises a tunnel establishment request sent to a UDM function, and the tunnel establishment request comprises a network function profile (NF profile) of the user plane function (UPF).

[0398] Optionally, the communication apparatus, wherein, in the case that the first event comprises session deregistration, the first message comprises a tunnel release indication sent to a RAN, and the tunnel release indication comprises a session identifier of the deregistered session and a corresponding UPF identifier.

[0399] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a communication apparatus applied to a first device, as shown in FIG. 15, the apparatus comprises:

[0400] a first receiving module 1510 configured to receive a first message of a first event of an Internet of Things terminal sent by a first function, wherein the first event comprises one or more of the following: network access registration, update, deregistration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session handover, and session deregistration.

[0401] Optionally, the communication apparatus, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

[0402] The second sending module 1520 is configured to send a first request to the first function, where the first request is used to request the first event.

[0403] Optionally, the communication apparatus, where the first receiving module 1510 is further configured to:

[0404] receive a fourth request sent by the Internet of Things terminal, where the fourth request is used to request the first event.

[0405] Optionally, the communication apparatus, where at least one of the first request, the fourth request and the first message comprises one or more of the following:

[0406] a terminal identifier;

[0407] a device type identifier;

[0408] a group identifier;

[0409] sensor information;

[0410] location information.

[0411] Optionally, the communication apparatus, where in a case where the first event comprises network entry registration, the first device comprises a user data management (UDM) function or a radio access network (RAN);

[0412] wherein the first message comprises a registration request message received by the UDM function, or comprises a registration response message received by the RAN.

[0413] Optionally, the communication apparatus, where the apparatus further comprises:

[0414] a selecting module 1530 configured to select the first function corresponding to the Internet of Things terminal according to location information and / or a group identifier of the Internet of Things terminal.

[0415] Optionally, the communication apparatus, where in a case where the first event comprises updating, the first request and / or the first message comprises information of the requested updating.

[0416] Optionally, the communication apparatus, where in a case where the first event comprises updating, the first device comprises a user data management (UDM) function or a radio access network (RAN);

[0417] wherein the first message comprises an updating request message received by the UDM function, or comprises an updating response message received by the RAN.

[0418] Optionally, the communication apparatus, wherein, in the case that the first event comprises deregistration, the first device comprises a UDM function or a radio access network (RAN);

[0419] The first message comprises one of the following:

[0420] Optionally, the communication apparatus, wherein the first receiving module 1510 is further configured to:

[0421] receive a second message sent by the first function, the second message being used to instruct the second device to perform network registration broadcast;

[0422] perform network registration broadcast according to the second message.

[0423] Optionally, the communication apparatus, wherein, in the case that the first event comprises session establishment, the first device comprises a user data management (UDM) function or a radio access network (RAN);

[0424] The first message comprises one of the following:

[0425] a second request received by the UDM function, the second request being used to request subscription data of the Internet of Things terminal;

[0426] a third request received by the RAN, the third request being used to request session tunnel establishment, and the third request comprising a network function profile (NF profile) of a UPF selected by the first device;

[0427] a session establishment completion message received by the RAN, wherein the session establishment completion message comprises a session identifier corresponding to the Internet of Things terminal.

[0428] Optionally, the communication apparatus, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

[0429] a session establishment module 1540, configured to perform a session tunnel establishment process with the UPF according to the third request, and send a tunnel establishment completion notification message to the first function after the session tunnel establishment is completed.

[0430] Optionally, the communication apparatus, wherein, in the case that the first event comprises session handover, the first message comprises a tunnel establishment request, and the tunnel establishment request comprises a network function profile (NF profile) of a user plane function (UPF) after session handover of the Internet of Things terminal.

[0431] Optionally, the communication apparatus, wherein the apparatus further includes a third sending module 1550, configured to:

[0432] sending a tunnel establishment request to a UPF after session switching according to the network function attribute NF profile;

[0433] sending a tunnel establishment completion notification message to the first function after tunnel establishment is completed;

[0434] sending a tunnel release request to a UPF before session switching.

[0435] Optionally, the communication apparatus, wherein the apparatus further includes a fourth sending module 1560, configured to:

[0436] sending a tunnel release request to a UPF before session switching;

[0437] sending a tunnel establishment request to a UPF after session switching according to the network function attribute NF profile;

[0438] sending a tunnel establishment completion notification message to the first function after tunnel establishment is completed.

[0439] Optionally, the communication apparatus, wherein in a case where the first event includes session logout, the first message includes a tunnel release indication; and wherein the tunnel release indication includes a session identifier of the logged-out session and a corresponding UPF identifier.

[0440] Optionally, the communication apparatus, wherein the apparatus further includes a fifth sending module 1570, configured to:

[0441] sending a tunnel release request to a corresponding UPF according to the session identifier and the UPF identifier; and

[0442] sending a tunnel release completion notification message to the first function after tunnel release is completed.

[0443] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a network device, including a processor, a memory, and a program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the program is executed by the processor to implement the communication method according to any one of the above.

[0444] The program executed on the processor of the network device to implement the communication method can refer to the detailed description of the communication method applied to the first function or the first device, and will not be described here again.

[0445] In addition, the embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a readable storage medium, which stores a computer program, and the program is executed by a processor to implement the steps in the communication method in any one of the above.

[0446] Specifically, the readable storage medium is applied to the first function or the first device, and when applied to the first function or the first device, the execution steps in the corresponding communication method are as described above, and details are not repeated here.

[0447] Another embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a computer program product, which includes computer instructions, and the computer instructions are executed by a processor to implement the steps in the communication method in any one of the above.

[0448] Optionally, the embodiment of the present disclosure can adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer usable storage media (including but not limited to disk memory, CD-ROM, optical memory, etc.) containing computer usable program codes.

[0449] The computer program product of the embodiment of the present disclosure includes computer instructions which are executed by a processor to implement various processes of the communication method embodiment shown above and can achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, details are not repeated here.

[0450] In several embodiments provided by the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed method and device can be implemented by other means. For example, the above-described device embodiment is only schematic, for example, the division of the unit is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the units shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0451] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present disclosure can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can be physically included separately, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in the form of hardware or in the form of hardware plus software functional unit.

[0452] The integrated unit in the form of software function unit can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. The software function unit is stored in a storage medium, and includes a plurality of instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform part of the steps of the transceiving method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. The aforementioned storage medium 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 storage medium capable of storing program codes.

[0453] The above is the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, and it should be pointed out that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and refinements without departing from the principles of the present disclosure, and these improvements and refinements should also be considered as the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A communication method performed by a first function, the method comprising: sending, to a first device, a first message of a first event of a corresponding Internet of Things terminal; wherein the first event comprises one or more of onboarding, update, de-registration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session handover, and session de-registration. 2.The communication method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a first request sent by a second device, the first request being for requesting the first event.

3. The communication method according to claim 2, wherein, one or more of the following are included in the first request and / or the first message: terminal identification; device type identification; group identification; sensor information; location information.

4. The communication method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in a case where the first event comprises onboarding, the method further comprising: performing onboarding authentication on the Internet of Things terminal; wherein sending, to the first device, the first message comprises: sending, to the first device, the first message after the onboarding authentication is successful.

5. The communication method according to claim 1 or 4, wherein, in a case where the first event comprises onboarding, the first device comprises a User Data Management (UDM) function and / or a Radio Access Network (RAN); wherein the first message comprises a registration request message sent to the UDM function, and / or comprises a registration response message sent to the RAN.

6. The communication method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in a case where the first event comprises update, information of the requested update is included in the first request and / or the first message.

7. The communication method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in a case where the first event comprises update, the first device comprises a User Data Management (UDM) function and / or a Radio Access Network (RAN); wherein the first message comprises an update request message sent to the UDM function, and / or comprises an update response message sent to the RAN.

8. The communication method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in a case where the first event comprises de-registration, the first device comprises a UDM function and / or a Radio Access Network (RAN); wherein the first message comprises a de-registration request message sent to the UDM function, and / or comprises a de-registration response message or a de-registration completion notification message sent to the RAN. 9.The communication method of claim 1, further comprising: sending, by the first function, a second message to a second device, the second message being for instructing the second device to perform onboarding broadcast.

10. The communication method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in a case where the first event comprises session establishment, the first device comprises a User Data Management (UDM) function and / or a Radio Access Network (RAN); the first message comprises one or more of: a second request sent to the UDM function, the second request being for requesting subscription data of the Internet of Things terminal; a third request sent to the RAN, the third request being for requesting session tunnel establishment, and the third request comprising a Network Function (NF) profile of a UPF selected by the first device; a session establishment completion message sent to the RAN, the session establishment completion message comprising a session identifier corresponding to the Internet of Things terminal.

11. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein in a case where the first event comprises session handover, the method further comprising: The first function selects a user plane function (UPF) after session switching of the IoT terminal according to motion state information of the IoT terminal when it is determined that session switching of the IoT terminal is required. The first message includes a tunnel establishment request sent to a UDM function, and the tunnel establishment request includes a network function profile (NF profile) of the UPF.

12. The communication method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When the first event includes session logout, the first message includes a tunnel release indication sent to a RAN, and the tunnel release indication includes a session identifier of the logged-out session and a corresponding UPF identifier.

13. A communication method performed by a first device, the method comprising: receiving a first message of a first event of a corresponding IoT terminal sent by a first function, wherein the first event includes one or more of network entry registration, update, de-registration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching, and session logout.

14. The communication method of claim 13, further comprising: sending a first request to the first function, wherein the first request is used to request the first event.

15. The communication method of claim 14, further comprising: receiving a fourth request sent by the IoT terminal, wherein the fourth request is used to request the first event.

16. The communication method according to claim 15, wherein, At least one of the first request, the fourth request, and the first message includes one or more of: a terminal identifier; a device type identifier; a group identifier; sensor information; location information.

17. The communication method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein When the first event includes network entry registration, the first device includes a user data management (UDM) function or a radio access network (RAN). The first message includes a registration request message received by the UDM function, or a registration response message received by the RAN.

18. The communication method of claim 14 or 15, further comprising: selecting the first function corresponding to the IoT terminal according to location information and / or a group identifier of the IoT terminal.

19. The communication method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein, When the first event includes update, the first request and / or the first message includes information of the requested update.

20. The communication method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein, When the first event includes update, the first device includes a user data management (UDM) function or a radio access network (RAN). The first message includes an update request message received by the UDM function, or an update response message received by the RAN.

21. The communication method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein, When the first event includes de-registration, the first device includes a UDM function or a radio access network (RAN). The first message includes a de-registration request message received by the UDM function, or a de-registration response message or a de-registration completion notification message received by the RAN.

22. The communication method of claim 13, further comprising: receiving a second message sent by the first function, wherein the second message is used to instruct a second device to perform network entry registration broadcast; performing network entry registration broadcast according to the second message.

23. The communication method according to claim 13, wherein in case that the first event comprises session establishment, the first device comprises a User Data Management, UDM, function or a Radio Access Network, RAN; the first message comprises one of: a second request received by the UDM function, the second request being for requesting subscription data of the IoT terminal; a third request received by the RAN, the third request being for requesting session tunnel establishment, and the third request comprising a network function profile, NF profile, of the UPF selected by the first device; a session establishment complete message received by the RAN, wherein the session establishment complete message comprises a session identity corresponding to the IoT terminal.

24. The communication method of claim 23, the method further comprising: performing, by the RAN, a session tunnel establishment procedure with the UPF according to the third request; sending, to the first function, a tunnel establishment complete notification message after the session tunnel establishment is completed.

25. The communication method according to claim 13, wherein in case that the first event comprises session handover, the first message comprises a tunnel establishment request, the tunnel establishment request comprising a network function profile, NF profile, of a User Plane Function, UPF, after the session handover of the IoT terminal.

26. The communication method of claim 25, the method further comprising: sending, to the UPF after the session handover, a tunnel establishment request according to the network function profile, NF profile; sending, to the first function, a tunnel establishment complete notification message after the tunnel establishment is completed; sending, to the UPF before the session handover, a tunnel release request.

27. The communication method of claim 25, the method further comprising: sending, to the UPF before the session handover, a tunnel release request; sending, to the UPF after the session handover, a tunnel establishment request according to the network function profile, NF profile; sending, to the first function, a tunnel establishment complete notification message after the tunnel establishment is completed.

28. The communication method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein in case that the first event comprises session deregistration, the first message comprises a tunnel release indication, wherein the tunnel release indication comprises a session identity of the deregistered session and a UPF identity corresponding to the deregistered session.

29. The communication method of claim 28, the method further comprising: sending, to the UPF corresponding to the session identity and the UPF identity, a tunnel release request; sending, to the first function, a tunnel release complete notification message after the tunnel release is completed.

30. A network device comprising a transceiver configured to: sending a first message to the first device for a first event of a corresponding Internet of Things terminal; wherein the first event comprises one or more of onboarding registration, onboarding update, onboarding deregistration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session handover, and session deregistration.

31. A network device comprising a transceiver configured to: receiving a first message of a first event of a corresponding Internet of Things terminal sent by the first function; wherein the first event comprises one or more of onboarding registration, onboarding update, onboarding deregistration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session handover, and session deregistration.

32. A communication apparatus applied to a first function, the apparatus comprising: the first event comprises one or more of onboarding registration, onboarding update, onboarding deregistration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session handover, and session deregistration. The first sending module is configured to send, to the first device, a first message of a first event of the Internet of Things terminal, wherein the first event comprises one or more of the following: network registration, update, de-registration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching, and session logout. 33.A communication apparatus applied to a first device, the apparatus comprising: The first receiving module is configured to receive, from a first function, a first message of a first event of the Internet of Things terminal, wherein the first event comprises one or more of the following: network registration, update, de-registration, terminal discovery, session establishment, session switching, and session logout. 34.A network device comprising a processor, a memory, and a program stored in the memory and executable in the processor, wherein the program, when executed by the processor, implements the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, or implements the communication method according to any one of claims 13 to 29.

35. A readable storage medium, wherein, The readable storage medium stores a program, wherein the program, when executed by the processor, implements the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, or implements the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 13 to 29. 36.A computer program product comprising computer instructions, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, or implement the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 13 to 29.

Images