Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: when an offloading rule is enabled to offload uplink data, a first access network device sends a first message to a core network element, the first message being used for instructing the first access network device to enable the offloading rule, so that the core network element can know that the first access network device performs uplink data offloading. Furthermore, the problems such as release of PDU session resources and inaccuracy of traffic statistics of the UPF network element on uplink data because the core network element does not know that the first access network device has enabled the offloading rule can be solved.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202411275762.2, filed on September 11, 2024, and entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0004] With the development of wireless technology, the concept of "service local splitting" is proposed. Service local splitting refers to that a first access network device can decide to send uplink data to a device other than a user plane function (UPF) network element. How to implement service local splitting and enable the core network to perceive that the first access device opens service local splitting is a research direction. SUMMARY

[0005] A communication method and apparatus are provided to enable a core network element to know that a first access network device opens a splitting rule.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. An execution subject of the method is a first access network device, or a module, unit or component (such as a chip, chip system, processor, circuit or other, etc.) applied in the first access network device, wherein the first access network device is directly connected to a first server, and the first access network device is connected to the first server through a first network element, the first network element is a network element with user plane function, and the method comprises: opening a splitting rule, the splitting rule is used for the first access network device to split uplink data; for example, the first access network device sends a part of uplink data directly to the first server according to the splitting rule, and / or sends another part of uplink data to the first server through the first network element; and sending a first message to a second network element, the second network element is a network element with session management function, and the first message is used to indicate that the first access network device opens the splitting rule.

[0007] By the above design, when the first access network device opens the split rule to split the uplink data, the first access network device sends a first message to the core network element, the first message being used to indicate that the first access network device opens the split rule, so that the core network element can know that the first access network device splits the uplink data. Further, the problems such as that the PDU session resource is released due to the fact that the core network element does not know that the first access network device opens the split rule, and that the traffic statistics of the uplink data by the UPF element are inaccurate, can be solved.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the first message comprises: first indication information and / or an identifier of the split rule, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first access network device opens the split rule.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the opening of the split rule comprises: receiving a second message from the second network element, the second message being used to indicate that the first access network device opens the split rule; and opening the split rule according to the indication of the second message.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the second message comprises: second indication information and / or an identifier of the split rule, the second indication information being used to indicate that the first access network device opens the split rule.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the method further comprises: determining a data volume of first uplink data directly sent to the first server; and sending a third message to the second network element, the third message being used to indicate the data volume of the first uplink data.

[0012] By the above design, the first access network device self-determines the data volume of the uplink data directly sent to the first server, and reports the determined data volume of the uplink data to the second network element; further, the first network element (such as the UPF network element) can determine the data volume of the uplink data sent by the first access network device to the first server through the first network element, and report the data volume to the second network element. The second network element takes the sum of the above two data volumes as the data volume of the data sent by the first access network device to the first server, and the second network element can accurately obtain the data volume of the data sent by the first access network device to the first server.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the method further comprises: copying first uplink data, the first uplink data being uplink data sent by the first access network device to the first server; and sending the copied first uplink data to the first network element, the copied first uplink data being used for the first network element to determine the data volume of the uplink data sent by the first access network device to the first server, or for the first network element to determine that a connection resource corresponding to the uplink data is in an active state.

[0014] By the above design, the first access network device copies the first uplink data, which is uplink data directly sent by the first access network device to the first server; the first access network device sends the copied first uplink data to the first network element, and the copied first uplink data is used for the first network element to determine the data volume of uplink data sent by the first access network device to the first server or to determine that the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data is in an active state, thereby avoiding mis-release of the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending third indication information to the first network element, the third indication information being used to indicate that the copied first uplink data is used to determine the data volume of uplink data sent by the first access network device to the first server.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a fourth message to the first network element, the fourth message being used to indicate that the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data is in an active state.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a fifth message from the first network element, the fourth message being used to inquire whether the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data is in an active state.

[0018] The second aspect is a method for a peer of the first aspect, and beneficial effects can be referred to the description of the first aspect. A communication method is provided, and an execution subject of the method is a second network element, or a module, unit or component (for example, a chip, a chip system, a circuit, a processor, or other etc.) applied in the second network element. The second network element is a network element with a session management function. The method includes: receiving a first message from a first access network device, the first message being used to indicate that the first access network device starts a split rule.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the first message includes: first indication information and / or an identifier of the split rule, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first access network device starts the split rule.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a second message to the first access network device, the second message being used to indicate that the first access network device starts the split rule.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the second message includes: second indication information and / or an identifier of the split rule, the second indication information being used to indicate that the first access network device starts the split rule.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a third message from the first access network device, the third message being used to indicate a data volume of first uplink data, the first uplink data being uplink data sent by the first access network device to a first server directly.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a sixth message to the first network element, the sixth message being used to instruct the first network element to stop timing of an inactivity time of a connection resource corresponding to the uplink data.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a seventh message from the first network element, the seventh message being used to notify the second network element of inactivity of the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data.

[0025] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, an execution subject of the method is a second network element, or a module, unit or component (for example, a chip, a chip system, a circuit, a processor, or other etc.) applied in the second network element, the second network element is a network element with a session management function, and the method includes: receiving an eighth message from a fourth network element, the fourth network element being a network element with an edge application server discovery function, the eighth message including an address of a first server, the first server being directly connected with a first access network device; and determining that the first access network device starts a split rule, the split rule being used for splitting uplink data.

[0026] Through the above design, the second network element (for example, an SMF network element) can perceive that the first access network device starts the split rule, and can solve the problems of missing traffic statistics and user plane inactivity caused by the fact that the core network side does not know the split behavior of the first access network device side. For example, before sending uplink data, a terminal queries an IP address of a destination node to a DNS server, and when the destination node returned by the DNS server is directly connected with the first access network device, the second network element can perceive that the first access network device starts the split rule, so that the release of the PDU session or the Qos flow is not triggered.

[0027] In a fourth aspect, an apparatus is provided, and the apparatus can implement the method in the first aspect. For example, the apparatus includes a module, unit or component corresponding to the method described in the first aspect. The module, unit or component can be implemented by hardware, or by software, or by a combination of hardware and software.

[0028] In one design, the apparatus includes a unit that performs the method in the first aspect.

[0029] In one design, the apparatus includes a processor configured to implement the method of the first aspect. Optionally, the apparatus further includes a memory coupled with the processor, and the processor is configured to execute computer program or instructions stored in the memory to cause the apparatus to implement the method of the first aspect.

[0030] In one design, the apparatus includes a processor and an interface circuit configured to receive signals from other apparatuses outside the apparatus and transmit the signals to the processor or send signals from the processor to the other apparatuses outside the apparatus, and the processor is configured to implement the method of the first aspect by logic circuit or executing code instructions.

[0031] In one design, the apparatus can be the first apparatus, or a module, unit or component (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit or processor, etc.) in the first apparatus that implements the method / operation / step / action described in the first aspect one-to-one, or can be used in matching with the first apparatus.

[0032] In the fifth aspect, an apparatus is provided, which can implement the method of the second aspect or the third aspect. For example, the apparatus includes a module, unit or component that implements the method described in the second aspect or the third aspect. The module, unit or component can be implemented by hardware, or by software, or by a combination of hardware and software.

[0033] In one design, the apparatus includes a unit that implements the method of the second aspect or the third aspect.

[0034] In one design, the apparatus includes a processor configured to implement the method of the second aspect or the third aspect. Optionally, the apparatus further includes a memory coupled with the processor, and the processor is configured to execute computer program or instructions stored in the memory to cause the apparatus to implement the method of the second aspect or the third aspect.

[0035] In one design, the apparatus includes a processor and an interface circuit configured to receive signals from other apparatuses outside the apparatus and transmit the signals to the processor or send signals from the processor to the other apparatuses outside the apparatus, and the processor is configured to implement the method of the second aspect or the third aspect by logic circuit or executing code instructions.

[0036] In one design, the apparatus can be the second apparatus, or a module, unit or component (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit or processor, etc.) in the second apparatus that implements the method / operation / step / action described in the second aspect or the third aspect one-to-one, or can be used in matching with the second apparatus.

[0037] In a sixth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instructions, when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, the computer is caused to implement the method of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0038] In a seventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes a computer program or instructions, when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, the method of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect is executed.

[0039] In an eighth aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a processor, and is configured to implement the method of any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect. Optionally, the chip further includes a memory, and the processor is coupled to the memory, and is configured to execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory, so that the chip implements the method of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0040] In a ninth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes a first communication device and a second communication device, wherein the first communication device is configured to implement the method of the first aspect, and the second communication device is configured to implement the method of the second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a service-oriented architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process in which a UPF network element triggers release of a UPF session, according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] FIGS. 4 to 9 are flowcharts of processes provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0045] FIGS. 10 and 11 are schematic diagrams of structures of devices provided by embodiments of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] In order to make the purposes, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The specific operation methods, function descriptions, etc. in the method embodiments can also be applied to the device embodiments or system embodiments.

[0047] It can be understood that, in the embodiments of the present application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, represents "a singular noun or a plural noun", that is, "one or more". "At least one" refers to one or more, and "multiple" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, wherein A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of the present application, the character " / ", generally represents that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship; in the formula of the present application, the character " / ", represents that the associated objects before and after are in a "division" relationship. "Including at least one of A, B or C", or similar expressions can represent: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B and C, wherein A, B, C can be singular or plural.

[0048] The various numerical numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are distinguished for the convenience of description, and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the serial number of each process does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined according to its function and inherent logic. And in each flow below, more or less steps than those shown in the text or figure can be included without limitation. The ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish a plurality of objects, and do not limit the size, order, time sequence, priority or importance of the plurality of objects.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 1, the embodiments of the present application provide a schematic diagram of a communication system 1000, which includes a terminal, a radio access network (RAN), a core network (CN) and a data network (DN).

[0050] 1. Terminal

[0051] A terminal is a device with specific wireless transceiver capabilities. A terminal can also be called a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart homes, smart offices, smart wearables, intelligent transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal.

[0052] 2. Radio Access Network (RAN)

[0053] The Radio Access Network (RAN) is primarily responsible for air interface-side functions such as radio resource management, Quality of Service (QoS) management, data compression, and encryption. The RAN includes at least one RAN node; the RAN node, as part of the communication system, assists terminals in achieving radio access. Terminals connect to the RAN node wirelessly. The RAN node connects to the core network wirelessly or via a wired connection. Core network equipment in the core network and RAN nodes in the RAN can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

[0054] RAN can be used for cellular systems related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4th generation (4G). th generation, 4G), fifth generation (5 th RAN can be a generation (5G) mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system (such as future communication networks). RAN can also be an open access network (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. RAN can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0055] In a possible scenario, the RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future communication network, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc. The RAN node can be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. Alternatively, the RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. For example, an access network device in vehicle to everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the RAN node in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualized functions instantiated on a platform such as a cloud platform. The RAN node in the embodiments of the present application can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the RAN node.

[0056] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes cooperate to assist a terminal to implement wireless access, and different RAN nodes respectively implement part of the functions of a base station. For example, the RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna processing unit (AAU) or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0057] It can be understood that the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names in different systems, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an open CU (O-CU), the DU can also be referred to as an open DU (O-DU), the CU-CP can also be referred to as an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), the CU-UP can also be referred to as an open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and the RU can also be referred to as an open RU (O-RU). For the convenience of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU are taken as examples for description in the present application. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0058] It can be understood that the RAN node is used to help the terminal to implement wireless access, and it can also have other different descriptions, such as RAN entity, ORAN device, access node, access network device, etc.; in the subsequent description of the embodiments of the present application, if there is no special description, the node or device that helps the terminal to implement wireless access is referred to as “access network device” for description.

[0059] 3, core network CN

[0060] The core network can implement user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication, and charging functions. The core network includes user plane (UP) network elements and control plane (CP) network elements. For example, the UP network element can include a user plane function (UPF); the CP network element can include: an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), a policy control function (PCF), a unified data management (UDM), an application function (AF), and a network exposure function (NEF) network element, etc.

[0061] The UPF network element is mainly responsible for user data processing (such as forwarding, receiving, charging, etc.). For example, in downlink transmission, the UPF network element can receive user data from the DN and forward the user data to the terminal through the access network device. In uplink transmission, the UPF can receive user data from the terminal through the access network device and forward the user data to the DN. In a protocol data unit (PDU) session, the UPF network element directly connected to the DN through the N6 interface is also called a protocol data unit session anchor (PSA). In a possible implementation manner, the UPF network element can be inserted into an uplink classifier (ULCL), and the UPF network element can be called a ULCL UPF. In uplink transmission, the ULCL UPF network element can perform shunting on uplink data. For example, according to a configured shunting rule, a part of the uplink data is sent to a remote server through the anchor UPF network element, and another part of the uplink data is sent to a local server.

[0062] The AMF network element is mainly responsible for registration, connection, reachability and mobility management, and provides a session management message transmission channel for a terminal device and an SMF network element, and provides an authentication and authorization function for terminal access. It is an access point of the terminal and a control plane of the wireless core network.

[0063] The SMF network element is responsible for processing user services such as session establishment, modification and release, and interaction with user plane functions. Specific functions such as allocating an internet protocol (IP) address for a user and selecting a UPF network element providing packet forwarding functions.

[0064] The PCF network element is responsible for generating terminal access policies and QoS flow control policies.

[0065] The UDM network element manages user subscription, access authorization, and generates authentication information.

[0066] The AF network element mainly supports interaction with the core network to provide services, such as influencing data routing decisions, policy control functions, or providing third-party services to the network side. For a trusted AF network element, it can directly access each network element inside the core network, and for a non-trusted AF network element (such as a third-party AF network element), it can access each network element inside the core network through the NEF network element.

[0067] In a possible implementation, the CP network elements in the core network are connected to the service bus, and each CP network element has a corresponding interface with the service bus. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the CP network elements include a UDM network element, a PCF network element, an AMF network element, an SMF network element, and an AF network element, and the like. Each of the above network elements can be connected to the service bus. Each of the above network elements has a corresponding interface with the service bus, and the names of the interfaces are shown in FIG. 2. For example, the interface of the AMF network element with the service bus is the Namf interface.

[0068] It can be understood that the names of the network elements in the core network are not limited. As the technology and / or standards evolve, the names of the network elements can change. For example, in a 5G communication system, the network element that implements the signaling processing part is called an AMF network element. In a 6G communication system, the network element that implements the above functions can also be called other names, and the like, which are not limited. In the subsequent description, the names of the network elements in 5G are mainly taken as examples to describe the schemes of the embodiments of the present application.

[0069] 4. DN

[0070] The DN refers to an operator network that provides data transmission services for users. For example, an internet protocol (IP) multi-media service (IMS), an internet, and the like. The DN can be an operator external network or an operator controlled network, and is used to provide service services to terminals. Servers can be deployed in the DN, which implement corresponding functions.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 1, the DN can be divided into a local DN and a remote DN. Among them, the local DN is deployed with a local server, which can also be called a near-end server; the remote DN is deployed with a remote server. Among them, the local server is close to the terminal, for example, the local server and the terminal can be located in the same park. The remote server is far away from the terminal, for example, the remote server is located in the center.

[0072] It can be understood that the terminal, the access network device, and the network element in the core network, and the like, can be called a communication apparatus. For example, the terminal can be understood as a communication apparatus with terminal functions, the access network device can be understood as a communication apparatus with base station functions, and the network element in the core network can be understood as a device with core network element functions, for example, the SMF can be understood as a communication apparatus with SMF functions.

[0073] In the network architecture shown in FIG. 1, the access network device can be directly connected to the local server, and the access network device is also connected to the local server through the first network element. The local server can also be described as a computing power board or a network node with certain special service functions (such as computing power functions), without limitation.

[0074] Among them, the first network element can be a network element that implements user plane functions, for example, the first network element is a UPF network element. The UPF network element includes an uplink classifier (ULCL), which can be referred to as a ULCL UPF network element. That is, the access network device can be connected to the local service through the ULCL UPF network element. Alternatively, the access network device can also be connected to the remote server through the first network element and the UPF network element (also known as anchor UPF).

[0075] In one understanding, the terminal, the access network device, the UPF network element, and the DN can be generally referred to as user plane functions and entities. The data flow of the user can be transmitted through the protocol data unit (PDU) session established between the terminal and the DN. The user plane is used for service data bearing. Other network elements in the communication system 1000, such as the SMF network element and the AMF network element, can be referred to as control plane functions and entities. The connection mode of the control plane CP and the user plane UP includes:

[0076] 1. The AMF network element has a direct interface with the access network device, and the SMF network element and the UPF network element have a direct interface. Alternatively,

[0077] 2. The AMF network element and the SMF network element both have a direct interface with the access network device, and the SMF network element and the UPF network element have a direct interface. Alternatively,

[0078] 3. The AMF network element has a direct interface with the UPF network element and the access network device, and the SMF network element has a direct interface with the UPF network element and the access network device.

[0079] In the current scheme, the core network element such as the SMF network element will deactivate the session to release the session user plane connection, but keep the control plane connection to facilitate the rapid recovery of the session user plane connection. In one scheme, when the UPF network element does not detect data transmission of a PDU session for a long time, the UPF network element can report an inactivity report of the PDU session to the SMF network element, and the SMF network element can deactivate the PDU session based on the inactivity report reported by the UPF network element. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a flowchart is provided, which includes:

[0080] Step 1: The UPF network element triggers a report event.

[0081] For example, in the process of establishing a PDU session, the SMF network element can configure an inactivity timer for the PDU session. If the UPF network element detects that there is no data transmission for the PDU session during the running time of the timer, it triggers the SMF network element to report the inactivity of the PDU session.

[0082] Step 2: The UPF network element sends an N4 session report to the SMF network element.

[0083] In one understanding, the interface between the UPF network element and the SMF network element is an N4 interface, and the N4 session report includes the identifier of the N4 session and the identifier of the inactive user plane.

[0084] Step 3: The SMF network element replies to the UPF network element with an N4 session report ACK.

[0085] In one understanding, the SMF network element obtains the N4 session context according to the identifier of the N4 session included in the N4 session report, and determines the corresponding PDU session according to the N4 session context. According to the above-mentioned inactive user plane report, the resources of the PDU session are deactivated and / or released. For example, the UP connection of the PDU session is deactivated, the air interface resources are released, the connection between the UPF network element and the access network device, and the connection between the SMF and the UPF are released, etc.

[0086] In the network architecture shown in FIG. 1, the access network device (hereinafter referred to as the first access network device) can receive uplink data from the terminal; the first access network device can send the uplink data to the local server through two paths. That is, the first access network device can split the uplink data from the terminal, send a part of the uplink data directly to the local server (which can be considered as one path), and send another part of the uplink data to the local server through the first network element (which can be considered as another path). In one possible implementation, the first access network device can start a splitting rule, and split the uplink data based on the splitting rule, for example, based on the splitting rule, a part of the uplink data is sent directly to the local server, and another part of the uplink data is sent to the local server through the first network element. If the core network cannot perceive whether the first access network device starts the splitting rule to split the uplink data, the following problems can exist:

[0087] Problem 1: In the current solution, referring to FIG. 3, when the UPF network element detects that a certain PDU session has no data transmission for a period of time, the UPF network element reports to the SMF network element that the PDU session is inactive. When the SMF network element receives the above report, the SMF network element can deactivate and / or release the PDU session. In the scenario where the first access network device uses a split rule to split uplink data: the first access network device can receive uplink data using the air interface resources of the PDU session, and the first access network device can directly send the uplink data to the local server. At this time, according to the current solution, if the core network cannot perceive that the first access network device uses the split rule to split the uplink data, when the UPF network element detects that the PDU session meets the above condition, the UPF network element will report to the SMF network element that the PDU session is inactive, which may cause the air interface connection resources of the PDU session to still be in use while the session is deactivated.

[0088] Problem 2: In the current solution, the UPF network element counts the traffic of the terminal and reports it. In the scenario where the first access network device enables the split rule to split uplink data, if the first access network device directly sends the uplink data to the local server, the UPF network element cannot count the traffic corresponding to this part of uplink data, resulting in inaccurate traffic statistics of the UPF network element on the uplink data.

[0089] In view of the above, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and device, in which: when the first access network device enables the split rule to split uplink data, the first access network device sends a first message to the core network element, the first message being used to indicate that the first access network device enables the split rule, so that the core network element can know that the first access network device splits uplink data. Further, the problems of PDU session resources being released and inaccurate traffic statistics of the UPF network element on uplink data due to the core network element not knowing that the first access network device enables the split rule can be solved.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 4, a flowchart is provided, including:

[0091] Step 510: The first access network device enables a split rule, which is used to split uplink data.

[0092] In a possible implementation, the split rule is a predefined split rule, for example, a split rule generated by the first access network device based on its own implementation or based on the configuration of the local server (such as the first server). The first access network device can enable the predefined split rule. In one description, “enable” can also be replaced by: use. For example, the first access network device can use the split rule.

[0093] Alternatively, the second network element can instruct the first access network device to turn on the split rule. For example, the second network element sends a second message to the first access network device, the first access network device receives the second message from the second network element, the second message is used to instruct the first access network device to turn on the split rule; the first access network device turns on the split rule according to the instruction of the second message. For example, the name of the second message can implicitly instruct the first access network device to turn on the split rule. Alternatively, the second message includes second indication information and / or an identifier of the split rule, the second indication information is used to instruct the first access network device to turn on the split rule, and the identifier of the split rule is used to implicitly instruct the first access network device to turn on the split rule.

[0094] In a possible implementation, the first access network device receives uplink data from the terminal device, and the first access device can split the uplink data based on the split rule. For example, the first access network device directly sends a part of the uplink data to the first server and sends another part of the uplink data to the first server through the first network element; or the first access network device directly sends all of the uplink data to the first server; or the first access network device sends all of the uplink data to the first server through the first network element. It can be understood that the first server can be a local server in the network architecture shown in FIG. 1, and the first network element can be a network element implementing a user plane function, for example, a UPF network element. Further, optionally, the UPF network element can be a ULCL UPF network element. In one understanding, the ULCL UPF network element refers to a UPF network element inserted into the ULCL.

[0095] The following is an example of the process of the first access network device splitting the uplink data based on the splitting rule: the first access network device receives the uplink data from the terminal. The first access network device can split the uplink data according to the information (such as at least one of the destination media access control (MAC) address, application (APP) ID, and / or port number, etc.) carried in the uplink data. For example, the first access network device can determine the corresponding port according to the destination MAC address and virtual local area network (VLAN) ID carried in the uplink data; for example, the determined port is the first port, and the first access network device sends the uplink data through the first port. For example, the first access network device is directly connected to the first server through the first port, and at this time it is considered that the first access network device directly sends the uplink data to the first server. Alternatively, the determined port is the second port, and the first access network device sends the uplink data through the second port. For example, the first access network device can be directly connected to the first network element through the second port, and when the first network element receives the uplink data, the first network element sends the uplink data to the first server; at this time, it is considered that the first access network device sends the uplink data to the first server through the first network element.

[0096] It can be understood that the first access network device can split the uplink data based on the splitting rule for one PDU session. For example, the first access network device receives the uplink data from the terminal device through the PDU session, directly sends part of the uplink data of the PDU session to the first server, and sends another part of the uplink data of the PDU session to the first server through the first network element. Alternatively, the uplink data is split based on the splitting rule for one quality of service (Qos) flow. For example, the first access network device receives the uplink data from the terminal device through one quality of service flow, directly sends part of the uplink data of the quality of service flow to the first server, and sends another part of the uplink data of the quality of service flow to the first server through the first network element, etc. Alternatively, the first message and the second message in the following also include the identifier of the PDU session, or the identifier of the quality of service flow.

[0097] Step 520: The first access network device sends the first message to the second network element, and the second network element receives the first message from the first access network device.

[0098] The second network element is a network element with a session management function, for example, the second network element is an SMF network element. The first message is used to instruct the first access network device to start the splitting rule, specifically, the splitting rule can be started for a certain PDU session, or the splitting rule can be started for a certain QoS flow, which is not limited by the present application. The second network element is a network element in the core network. When the second network element receives the first message, it can determine that the first access network device starts the splitting rule, so that the core network can perceive the splitting of the uplink data by the first access network device, further solving various problems caused by the core network not perceiving the splitting of the first access network device.

[0099] The first message includes first indication information and / or a splitting rule identifier. The first indication information is used to instruct the first access network device to start the splitting rule, or to instruct the first access network device to start the splitting rule successfully. The first indication information can have multiple implementation manners, which are not limited by the present application. In one possible implementation manner, the first indication information is bit indication information. When the value of the bit is 1, it indicates that the first access network device starts the splitting rule or starts the splitting rule successfully. When the value of the bit is 0, it indicates that the first access network device does not start / close the splitting rule or fails to start the splitting rule. In another possible implementation manner, the first indication information is byte indication information, for example, on indicates starting, off indicates closing, or success indicates success and failure indicates failure. In another possible implementation manner, the first indication information is the name of the first message.

[0100] The following examples illustrate the process of the first access network device sending the first message to the second network element: there is a direct interface between the first access network device and the second network element, the first access network device can directly send the first message to the second network element, or there is a direct interface between the first access network device and the AMF network element, and there is a direct interface between the AMF network element and the second network element, so the first access network device can send the first message to the second network element through the AMF network element. In one understanding, the first access network device sends the first message to the AMF network element, and the AMF network element forwards the first message to the second network element, and of course the first message includes the first indication information and / or the identifier of the offloading rule. Alternatively, in another understanding, the first access network device sends a message X to the AMF network element, which includes the first indication information and / or the identifier of the offloading rule. When the AMF network element receives the message X, it obtains the first indication information and / or the identifier of the offloading rule in the message X. The AMF network element sends a message Y to the second network element, which includes the first indication information and / or the identifier of the offloading rule. At this time, the first message can be understood as the message X and / or the message Y. It can be understood that the name of the AMF network element is not limited. For example, the AMF network element can be replaced by a third network element, which is a network element with access and mobility management function. Similarly, the second network element in the above can directly send a second message to the first access network device. Alternatively, the second network element can send a second message to the first access network device through the AMF network element, without limitation.

[0101] In one example, the first access network device can decide whether to use the offloading rule to offload the uplink data, so the core network does not know whether the first access network device offloads. In the embodiments of the present application, when the first access network device uses the offloading rule to offload the uplink data, the first message is sent to the core network element (the second network element), so that the core network element (the second network element) can know that the first access network device uses the offloading rule to offload the uplink data. For details, please refer to the description of scheme a in embodiment one below.

[0102] In another example, the second network element can instruct the first access network device to enable the offloading rule. For example, the PCF network element or the second network element discovers that the terminal subscribes to offload services through the subscription information of the terminal, and then instructs the first access network device to enable the offloading rule through the second network element. The first access network device can enable the offloading rule according to the instruction of the second network element. For details, please refer to the description of schemes b and c in embodiment one below, and the description of embodiment three below.

[0103] It can be understood that after the first access network device enables the split rule, the first access network device can split the uplink data based on the split rule. For example, the first access network device can receive the uplink data from the terminal device, and split the uplink data based on the split rule. For example, the first access network device directly sends a part of the uplink data to the first server, and sends another part of the uplink data to the first server through the first network element. At this time, the first network element (such as the UPF network element) can only count the traffic of the uplink data transmitted through it, thereby causing the problem that the traffic of the uplink data counted by the UPF network element is inaccurate. In order to solve the above problem, the embodiments of the present application provide the following two solutions:

[0104] One solution: the first access network device self-counts the data amount of the uplink data directly sent to the first server, and reports the counted data amount of the uplink data to the second network element; further, the first network element (such as the UPF network element) can count the data amount of the uplink data sent by the first access network device to the first server through the first network element, and report it to the second network element. The second network element takes the sum of the above two data amounts as the data amount of the data sent by the first access network device to the first server, and the second network element can accurately obtain the data amount of the data sent by the first access network device to the first server. For example:

[0105] The first access network device determines (or counts) the data amount of the uplink data (which can be referred to as first uplink data) directly sent to the first server, and sends a third message to the second network element, wherein the third message includes indication information of the data amount of the first uplink data. Optionally, the name of the third message can be a traffic measurement message. It can be understood that the first access network device can directly send the third message to the second network element, or the first access network device can send the third message to the second network element through a third network element (such as an AMF network element), without limitation. For this solution, please refer to the description in Embodiment One.

[0106] Another solution: the first access network device replicates the first uplink data, the first uplink data being uplink data directly sent by the first access network device to the first server; the first access network device sends the replicated first uplink data to the first network element, the replicated first uplink data being used by the first network element to determine the data volume of the uplink data sent by the first access network device to the first server or to determine that the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data is in an active state; optionally, the first access network device sends third indication information to the first network element, the third indication information being used to indicate that the replicated first uplink data is used to determine the data volume of the uplink data sent to the first server. Optionally, the replicated first uplink data and the third indication information can be carried in one message or in different messages, without limitation, or the third indication information can be carried in the replicated first uplink data, such as by extending the packet header to represent the third indication information. For this solution, refer to the description in Embodiment 2.

[0107] In the current solution, as described in the foregoing description of FIG. 3, there is a corresponding inactivity timer for each PDU session; if there is no data transmission for a PDU session during the running of the inactivity timer, the UPF network element reports an N4 session report to the SMF network element, and the SMF network element deactivates the PDU session according to the N4 session report, for example, releases the user plane resources corresponding to the PDU session, such as air interface resources and connection resources between the access network device and the UPF. In the scenario where the first access network device enables the split rule, although there is no data transmission between the access network device and the UPF network element for the PDU session, the first access network device is likely to directly transmit data to the first server using the PDU session, that is, the air interface resources of the PDU session are still used, and the above solution may cause the SMF network element to release the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data, that is, release the air interface resources used to transmit the uplink data. To solve the above problem, the embodiments of the present application provide the following solutions:

[0108] One solution: the first access network device actively sends a fourth message to the first network element, the fourth message being used to indicate that the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data is in an active state, and the first network element no longer sends request information (such as an N4 session report) for releasing the connection resource to the second network element upon receiving the indication. For example, the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data can refer to the PDU session resource or the quality of service flow resource used to transmit the uplink data.

[0109] In one description, the fourth message is used to indicate that the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data is in an active state, which can be alternatively described as: the fourth message is used to instruct the first network element not to / inhibit requesting to release the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data. After the first access network device directly sends the uplink data to the first server based on the split rule, the first access network device can periodically or when a certain condition is met, send the fourth message to the first network element, which can be an empty packet, or forwarded uplink data, or a message for inhibiting release of the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data, etc. The present application does not limit the specific implementation manner, and the fourth message is used to implicitly indicate that the UPF does not request to release the connection resource.

[0110] Another solution: Before requesting to release the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data (such as before sending the N4 session report), the first network element sends a fifth message to the first access network device, and the fifth message is used to inquire whether the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data is in an active state. When the first access network device receives the inquiry of the fifth message, the first access network device sends a fourth message to the first network element in response to the fifth message, and the fourth message is used to indicate that the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data is in an active state. In one description, the fourth message is used to indicate that the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data is in an active state, which can also be described as: the fourth message is used to instruct not to / inhibit requesting to release the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data, which is specifically described in the following embodiment one.

[0111] For example, the above solution can be triggered by the first network element actively. The first network element can periodically send a fifth message to the first access network device, and the fifth message inquires whether the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data can be released. For example, the fifth message can be encapsulated by using a GPRS tunneling protocol-user plane (GPRS tunneling protocol-user plane, GTP-U) protocol, and an enhanced design can be used for a header (which can be referred to as a GTP-U header) of the fifth message. For example, an identification bit is added in an extension bit of the GTP-U header, and the identification bit is used to indicate that the fifth message is a release request message or a connection activity detection message, or the identification bit is used to inquire whether the connection resource can be released. Alternatively, an identification bit is added in a reserved sequence number of a message type field of the GTP-U header, and the identification bit is used to indicate that the fifth message corresponding to the identification bit is a release request message or a connection activity detection message, or the identification bit is used to inquire whether the connection resource can be released. If the first access network device starts the split rule, the first access network device sends a fourth message to the first network element, and the fourth message is used to indicate that the first access network device is performing the split or to indicate that the first network element does not request to release the connection resource. For example, the fourth message can be encapsulated by using the GTP-U protocol, and an enhanced design can be used for a header (which can be referred to as a GTP-U header) of the fourth message. For example, an identification bit is added in an extension bit of the GTP-U header, and the identification bit is used to indicate that the first access network device starts the split rule or to indicate that the first network element does not request to release the corresponding connection resource. In a possible implementation manner, the name of the fourth message can be release request, and the name of the fifth message can be release response. For details, refer to the description in Embodiment 1.

[0112] In a possible implementation manner, the solution provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a PDU session establishment process. In order to facilitate understanding, the PDU session establishment process is described, and it can be understood that the process does not limit the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5, a flowchart for establishing a PDU session is provided, including the following steps.

[0113] Step 1: A terminal sends a PDU session establishment request to an AMF network element.

[0114] The specific transmission path of the PDU session establishment request is: terminal -> access network device -> AMF network element. For example, the terminal sends a message to the AMF network element, and the message includes: S-NSSAI (s), DNN, PDU session identity (ID), type of request, and N1 SM container and other information. The N1 SM container contains a PDU session establishment request (PDU Session Estabilishment Request), which contains: PDU session identity, requested PDU session type, and requested SSC type and other information.

[0115] Step 2: The AMF network element selects an SMF network element.

[0116] For example, the AMF network element queries the network repository function (NRF) according to the S-NSSAI and the DNN to select a suitable SMF network element

[0117] Step 3: The AMF network element sends a PDU session creation SM context request (Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request) message to the SMF network element.

[0118] For example, the PDU session creation SM context request includes: SUPI, DNN, S-NSSAI (s), PDU session ID, AMF ID, type of request, N1 SM container, user location and other information. The N1 SM container includes a PDU session establishment request (PDU Session Establishment Request).

[0119] Step 4: The SMF network element initiates PDU session registration and obtains subscription information from the UDM network element.

[0120] The SMF network element obtains session-related subscription data, and the UDM network element sends a registration response to the SMF network element, which includes: DNN, S-NSSAI, allowed PDU session type (Allowed PDU Session Type), allowed SSC type (Allowed SSC mode), 5QI, ARP, session Session AM, whether secondary authentication is required and secondary authentication related information such as authentication server address.

[0121] Step 5: The SMF network element generates a session context and sends a PDU session creation SM context response (Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Response) message to the AMF network element, which is used to indicate the session establishment result. If the establishment is successful, the ID information of the session context (including the SM Context ID) is returned to the AMF. If the session establishment fails, a rejection reason is returned.

[0122] Step 6: Optionally, secondary authentication of PDU session establishment is performed.

[0123] Step 7a: Optionally, the SMF network element performs PCF network element selection. If dynamic PCC is deployed, the SMF network element selects a PCF network element for policy control.

[0124] Step 7b: Optionally, the SMF network element and the PCF network element perform a session policy establishment process (SMF obtains PCC rules from PC). The PCF issues relevant QoS control policies, charging control policies, UPF selection policies, and the like.

[0125] Step 8: The SMF network element performs UPF network element selection.

[0126] For example, the SMF network element performs UPF selection according to terminal location, DNN, S-NSSAI, and the like. The SMF network element allocates an IP address for the terminal according to the terminal's subscription information in the UDM, or the UPF network element allocates an IP address for the terminal according to a local address pool. If the SMF network element allocates the IP address of the terminal, the SMF triggers the PCF to update the policy, and if the UPF network element allocates the IP address, the UPF network element triggers the PCF to update the policy after allocating the IP address.

[0127] Step 9: Optionally, the SMF network element initiates a session policy update process to the PCF network element.

[0128] For example, the SMF network element sends a policy update request to the PCF network element, which carries information such as the selected UPF and the IP address allocated to the terminal, and the PCF network element provides the updated policy and QoS parameters to the SMF network element.

[0129] Step 10a. The SMF network element sends an N4 session establishment request to the selected UPF network element.

[0130] The N4 session establishment request includes: core network tunnel information (CN Tunnel Info)

【contains TEID (used to uniquely identify an endpoint of a tunnel), IP address, packet detection rule (Packet Detection Rule, PDR).

[0131] Step 10b: The UPF network element sends an N4 session establishment response to the SMF network element, which includes an N4 session establishment result.

[0132] Step 11: The SMF network element sends a communication N1N2 message transfer (Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer) message to the AMF network element.

[0133] For example, the above-mentioned message includes: PDU session identification, access type, N1 SM container, and N2 SM information. Among them, the N1 SM container is the session establishment result sent by the SMF network element to the terminal, which contains the PDU session establishment acceptance (PDU Session Establishment Accept), which includes allowed IPv4 address, QoS rule, S-NAASI, selected SSC mode and other information, and informs the access network device and the terminal that the PDU session needs to be established. The N2 SM information is the resource establishment request sent by the SMF network element to the access network device, which contains QFI(s), CN tunnel information (CN Tunnel Info) and other information. Then, the AMF network element sends a Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer response message to the SMF network element.

[0134] Step 12: The AMF network element sends an N2 PDU session request (N2 PDU session request) to the access network device, which includes a NAS message and N2 SM information.

[0135] Step 13: The access network device forwards the NAS message to the terminal.

[0136] Among them, the access network device and the terminal initiate signaling interaction, and forward the NAS message of step 12 to the terminal.

[0137] Step 14: The access network device sends an N2 PDU session response message to the AMF network element, carrying downlink media plane tunnel endpoint information. At this time, the uplink data channel of the UE is established. The PDU session response message of the access network device->AMF network element includes: PDU session Session ID, cause, N2 SM information Info (PDU session ID).

[0138] Step 15: The AMF network element sends a PDU session update SM context request (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request) message to the SMF network element, carrying information such as an SM context ID, a requested type, N2 SM information (for example, access network tunnel information AN Tunnel Info), and the like.

[0139] Step 16a: The SMF network element sends an N4 session modification request (N4 Session Modification Request) message to the UPF network element.

[0140] Step 16b: The UPF network element sends an N4 session modification response (N4 Session Modification Reponse) message to the SMF network element. At this time, the downlink data channel is established.

[0141] Step 16c: The SMF registers with the UDM, carrying information such as a SUPI, a DNN, an S-NSSAI, a PDU session ID, and the like, and the UDM saves relevant data.

[0142] Step 17: The SMF sends a PDU session update SM context response (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response) message to the AMF, completing the SM context update.

[0143] Step 18: The SMF sends a PDU session SM context status notification (Nsmf_PDUSession_SMContextStatusNotify) message to the AMF, indicating that the session establishment is complete.

[0144] Step 19: If the terminal requests to establish a PDU session of the IPv6 type, the SMF also needs to configure an IPv6 address for the terminal.

[0145] Step 20: If the terminal supports sending port management information containers, the SMF network element needs to notify the PCF network element that 5G system (5GS) bridge information is available.

[0146] Step 21: If the session establishment fails after step 4, the SMF network element needs to initiate a de-registration and unsubscription process with the UDM network element.

[0147] For the convenience of description and understanding, in the specific description of the following

Embodiment One

Embodiment Three

[0148]

Embodiment One

[0149] In the scheme of Embodiment One, when the first access network device opens the split rule, the first access network device reports the corresponding information to the core network element, which is used to indicate that the first access network device opens the split rule, so that the core network device can know that the first access network device opens the split rule. Specifically, the following three schemes are provided:

[0150] Scheme a: the first access network device opens the split rule by itself, and the first access network device reports the corresponding message to the SMF network element at the PDU session establishment, which is used to indicate that the first access network device opens the split rule.

[0151] Scheme b: at the PDU session establishment, the PCF network element or the SMF network element discovers that the terminal subscribes to the split service based on the subscription information of the terminal, and then the PCF network element or the SMF network element can instruct the first access network device to open the split rule. Based on the instruction, the first access network device opens the split rule and sends a response message to the SMF network element, which is used to indicate that the first access network device opens the split rule successfully.

[0152] Scheme c: after the PDU session is successfully established, the AF network element instructs the first access network device to open the split rule, such as the AF network element can instruct the first access network device to open the split rule through the NEF, UDR, PCF, SMF, etc. Based on the instruction, the first access network device opens the split rule and sends a corresponding message to the SMF network element, which is used to indicate that the first access network device opens the split rule successfully.

[0153] As shown in FIG. 6, a flowchart is provided, which includes:

[0154] Step 710: establishing an N4 tunnel.

[0155] In one possible implementation, the process of establishing an N4 tunnel can refer to steps 1 to 10b in FIG. 6. In one understanding, the interface between the UPF network element and the SMF network element is N4, and the transmission tunnel between the UPF network element and the SMF network element is referred to as N4 tunnel. The N4 tunnel is related to the currently established PDU session. In one understanding, the UP transmission path of a PDU session is: terminal - first access network device - UPF - DN (such as the first server). The N4 tunnel between the UPF network element and the SMF network element belongs to the CP connection of the PDU session.

[0156] Scheme a: in the establishment process of the PDU session, the first access network device initiates the split rule by itself and reports to the SMF network element.

[0157] Step 720a: the SMF network element can configure the first access network device to establish the PDU session, and the SMF network element sends a first request to the AMF network element.

[0158] In a possible implementation, the first request is used to request the AMF network element to inform the first access network device and the terminal to establish the PDU session. The first request includes a PDU session identifier, an N1 session management (SM) container (N1 SM container) and N2 SM information. The N1 SM container is sent to the terminal, which is used to inform the terminal of the establishment result of the PDU session; the N2 SM information is sent to the first access network device, which is used to request the first access network device to establish resources for the PDU session. Exemplarily, the first request can be a communication N1N2 message transfer (Namf_communication_N1N2 message transfer) message.

[0159] Step 730a: the AMF network element sends a second request to the first access network device.

[0160] In a possible implementation, the second request is used to request the first access network device to establish resources for the PDU session, and the second request includes a non-access stratum (NAS) message and the N2 SM information in step 720a. Exemplarily, the second request can be an N2 PDU session request (N2 PDU session request) message.

[0161] It can be understood that if there is a direct interface between the SMF network element and the first access network device, steps 720a and 730a can be combined into one step, for example, the SMF network element can directly send the second request to the first access network device.

[0162] Step 740a: the first access network device forwards a message used to represent the establishment result of the PDU session to the terminal.

[0163] For example, the message can be a NAS message, which includes a PDU session identifier and an N1 SM container. The N1 SM container includes a PDU session establishment accept (PDU session establishment accept).

[0164] Step 750a: The first access network device opens the split rule, and the first access network device sends a second response to the AMF network element, the second response being a response to the second request in step 730a.

[0165] For example, the second response is used to notify the core network of successful establishment of the uplink data path. For example, the name of the second response can be N2 PDU session response. The first indication information and / or the identifier of the split rule are included in the second response. For example, the first indication information is bit indication information, and when the value of the bit is 1, it indicates that the first access network device opens the split rule, and when the value of the bit is 0, it indicates that the first access network device does not open / close the split rule. In another possible implementation, the first indication information is byte indication information, such as on indicating opening and off indicating closing. In another possible implementation, the first indication information is the name of the message.

[0166] Step 760a: The AMF network element sends a first response to the SMF network element, and the first response can be a response to the first request in step 720a.

[0167] In the first response, the first indication information and / or the identifier of the split rule are included. For example, the first response can be a response message of the communication N1N2 message transfer (Namf_communication_N1N2 message transfer).

[0168] It can be understood that if there is a direct interface between the SMF network element and the first access network device, step 750a and step 760a can be combined into one step. For example, the first access network device directly sends a message (such as the first message) to the SMF network element, and the message includes the first indication information and / or the identifier of the split rule.

[0169] It can be understood that in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the following description is adopted: the first access network device sends a first message to the second network element (such as the SMF network element), and the first message includes the first indication information and / or the identifier of the split rule. In the above case a, the first message can be understood as including: the second response and the first response. That is, in the above case a, the first access network device sends the second response to the AMF network element, and the second response includes the first indication information and / or the identifier of the split rule. The AMF network element obtains the first indication information and / or the identifier of the split rule in the second response, and the AMF network element sends the first response to the SMF network element, and the first response includes the first indication information and / or the identifier of the split rule.

[0170] Scheme b: in the PDU session establishment process, the PCF network element or the SMF network element discovers that the terminal subscribes to the split service through the subscription information of the terminal, the SMF network element informs the first access network device to start the split rule, and the first access network device starts the split rule according to the indication of the SMF network element, splits the uplink data, and indicates the SMF network element that the split rule is started successfully.

[0171] For example, the PCF network element discovers that the terminal subscribes to the split service based on the subscription information of the terminal, and the PCF network element can send indication information to the SMF network element, the indication information being used to instruct the first access network device to start the split rule. It can be understood that a new message can be designed, which carries the above-mentioned indication, or the PCF network element carries the above-mentioned indication information in the message of sending the SM policy to the SMF in the PDU session establishment process. Alternatively, the SMF discovers that the terminal subscribes to the split service based on the subscription information of the terminal.

[0172] Step 720b: The SMF network element configures the first access network device to establish the PDU session, and the SMF network element sends a first request to the AMF network element.

[0173] The first request includes second indication information and / or an identifier of the split rule; wherein the second indication information is used to instruct the first access device to start the split rule. For example, the second indication information is bit indication information, when the value of the bit is 1, it indicates that the first access network device starts the split rule, and when the value of the bit is 0, it indicates that the first access network device does not start / close the split rule. Alternatively, the first indication information is byte indication information, such as on indicating starting and off indicating closing. Alternatively, the first indication information is the name of the first request. In a possible implementation manner, the first request includes a PDU session identifier, an N1 SM container and an N2 SM information, and the N2 SM information includes the second indication information and / or the identifier of the split rule.

[0174] Step 730b: The AMF network element sends a second request to the first access network device.

[0175] The second request includes second indication information and / or an identifier of the split rule. In a possible implementation manner, the second request includes an NAS message and an N2 SM information, and the N2 SM information includes the second indication information and / or the identifier of the split rule.

[0176] It can be understood that if there is a direct interface between the SMF network element and the first access network device, steps 720b and 730b can be combined into one step. For example, the SMF network element can directly send the second indication information and / or the identifier of the split rule to the SMF network element.

[0177] It can be understood that in the flow of the foregoing FIG. 5, the following description is adopted: the second network element (such as the SMF network element) sends a second message to the first access network device, and the second message includes the second indication information and / or the identifier of the splitting rule. In the foregoing description, the second message can be N2 SM information, and the N2 SM information includes the second indication information and / or the identifier of the splitting rule. That is, the SMF network element sends a first request to the AMF network element, and the first request includes the N2 SM information. The AMF network element obtains the N2 SM information in the first request. The AMF network element sends a second request to the first access network device, and the second request includes the N2 SM information. Subsequently, the first access network device starts the splitting rule according to the second indication information and / or the identifier of the splitting rule included in the N2 SM information, and sends an indication that the splitting rule is started successfully to the SMF network element.

[0178] Step 740b: The first access network device forwards, to the terminal, a message used to represent a PDU session establishment result.

[0179] Step 750b: The first access network device sends a second response to the AMF network element, and the second response is a response to the second request in step 730b.

[0180] For example, the second response includes first indication information and / or an identifier of a splitting rule, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first access network device successfully starts the splitting rule. For example, the second response includes a bit, and when a value of the bit is a first value, it indicates that the first access network device successfully starts the splitting rule; and when the value of the bit is a second value, it indicates that the first access network device fails to start the splitting rule; and the identifier of the splitting rule is used to implicitly indicate that the first access network device successfully starts the splitting rule.

[0181] Step 760b: The AMF network element sends a first response to the SMF network element in response to the first request, and the first response includes first indication information and / or an identifier of a splitting rule.

[0182] Step 770: Continue the PDU session establishment flow to establish a session between the terminal, the first access network device, and the UPF.

[0183] Scheme c: The AF network element indicates the first access network device to start the splitting rule through a NEF, a UDR, a PCF, an SMF, or the like, and the first access network device indicates the SMF network element that the first access network device successfully starts the splitting rule.

[0184] Step a: The AF network element sends a third request to the NEF network element.

[0185] The third request is used to request the first access network device to start the split rule. The third request message includes the identifier of the terminal (such as a generic public subscription identifier (GPSI)) and third indication information, and the third indication information is used to instruct the first access network device to start the split rule. In a possible implementation, the name of the third request can be a traffic influence create / update request (Nnef_TrafficInfluence_Create / Update Request) message.

[0186] Step b: The NEF network element updates the UDR information.

[0187] For example, the NEF network element stores the information in the third request sent by the AF network element in the UDR network element. The data structure of the information corresponding to the third request stored in the UDR network element is not limited. For example, the information can be stored in a data set = application data; a data subset, a data key = an AF internal identifier, a terminal identifier, and / or a DNN + S-NSSAI, which indicates that the first access network device needs to perform splitting based on the split rule under this AF network element in the terminal identifier.

[0188] Step c: The UDR network element sends a first notification message to the PCF network element, and the first communication message is used to communicate the PCF network element to perform SM policy update.

[0189] For example, the name of the first notification message can be a data management notification (Nudr_DM_Notify) message. The PCF judges that the request of the AF network element exists corresponding PDU session, and then triggers the SM policy update, and sends a second notification message to the SMF network element.

[0190] Step d: The PCF network element sends a second notification message to the SMF network element.

[0191] The second notification message is used to notify the SMF network element to perform policy update, and the second notification message includes third indication information, and the third indication information is used to instruct the first access network device to start the split rule. For example, the name of the second notification message can be a session management policy control update notification (Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify).

[0192] Step e: The SMF network element instructs the first access network device to start the split rule through the AMF network element, and the first access network device indicates the SMF network element that the split rule is successfully started through the AMF network element. For details, refer to the description of steps 720b to 760b in scheme b.

[0193] It can be understood that the above scheme a, the above scheme b and the above scheme c can exist alternatively. After the above scheme a or the above scheme b is executed and completed, step 770 can be executed without executing the step of scheme c. Alternatively, the steps corresponding to scheme a or scheme b do not need to be enhanced (that is, the first access network device does not need to be instructed to turn on the split rule in each step), for example, the specific steps can be described with reference to FIG. 5, and then scheme c is executed and the like.

[0194] Step 780: The terminal sends uplink data to the first access network device.

[0195] Step 790: The first access network device sends the uplink data to the first server based on the split rule.

[0196] Since the first access network device turns on the split rule, the first access network device can split the uplink data based on the split rule. For example, the first access network device directly sends a part of the uplink data to the first server, and sends another part of the uplink data to the first server through the UPF network element. It can be understood that the first access network device can split the uplink data based on the identifier of the PDU session or the identifier of the quality of service flow. That is, the uplink data belonging to the same PDU session or quality of service flow is split. For example, the first access network device receives the uplink data through a PDU session or a quality of service flow, and according to the split rule, directly sends the uplink data to the first server and / or sends the uplink data to the first server through the UPF network element.

[0197] Step 7010: The first access network device determines the data amount of the uplink data (which can be referred to as first uplink data) directly sent to the first server, and sends a third message to the SMF network element, wherein the third message includes indication information of the data amount of the first uplink data.

[0198] It can be understood that the first access network device can directly send the third message to the SMF network element, or can send the third message to the SMF network element through the AMF network element, without limitation. In one description, the "data amount" can also be referred to as "traffic". For example, the data amount of the first uplink data can be described as the traffic of the first uplink data.

[0199] For the PDU session established above: in one understanding, during the running time of the inactivity timer of the PDU session, the UPF network element does not detect data transmission of the PDU session, and before the UPF network element requests the SMF network element to release the PDU session, the UPF network element sends a fifth message to the first access network device, or the UPF network element can periodically send the fifth message to the first access network device, and the fifth message is used to detect whether the PDU session is in an active state, etc. The above process can be triggered by the UPF network element, and specific operations can be referred to the descriptions of steps 7011 and 7012 below. Alternatively, the first access network device can actively report to the UPF network element whether the PDU session is in an active state, and specific operations can be referred to the description of step 7012 below.

[0200] Optionally, step 7011: The UPF network element sends a fifth message (such as a release request message) to the first access network device, and the fifth message is used to detect whether the PDU session is in an active state.

[0201] In one understanding, the PDU session is in an active state, which can be understood as that the PDU session has data transmission, for example, the first access network device directly sends uplink data of the PDU session to the first server. The PDU session is not in an active state, which can be understood as that the PDU session has no data transmission, for example, the first access network device does not directly send uplink data of the PDU session to the first server.

[0202] Step 7012: The first access network device sends a fourth message (such as a release response message) to the first network element, and the fourth message is used to indicate that the PDU session is in an active state, or is used to indicate not to release / inhibit the release of the PDU session.

[0203] In one possible implementation, if the first access network device starts the split rule, the first access network device will send a fourth message (such as a release response) to the first network element in a timing manner (such as periodically) or based on the fifth message, and the fourth message can be an empty packet, forwarded uplink data, or a message for inhibiting the release of connection resources, etc. The fourth message is used to indicate not to release / inhibit the release of the PDU session.

[0204] By the scheme of the above embodiment one, the problem of missing traffic statistics and user plane inactivation due to the core network side not knowing the splitting behavior of the first access network device side can be solved. In embodiment one, the core network can know that the first access network device opens the splitting rule; when the first access network device splits the uplink data based on the splitting rule, the first access network device self-counts the data volume of the first uplink data directly sent to the first server, and reports to the SMF network element, which can solve the problem of inaccurate data volume of the uplink data counted by the UPF. And before the UPF network element requests the SMF network element to release the PDU session, the UPF network element inquires the first access network device whether the uplink data of the PDU session is directly sent to the first access network device, thereby avoiding the PDU session from being released by mistake.

[0205]

Embodiment two

[0206] The difference between embodiment two and embodiment one is that in embodiment one, the first access network device counts the data volume of the first uplink data directly sent to the first server, and reports to the SMF network element. In embodiment two, the first access network device copies a copy of the first uplink data, and sends the copied first uplink data to the UPF network element, and the UPF network element counts the data volume of the first uplink data directly sent to the first server according to the copied first uplink data. As shown in FIG. 7, a flowchart is provided, which includes:

[0207] Step 810: The core network element perceives that the first access network device opens the splitting rule, and the specific process can refer to the description of scheme a, scheme b or scheme c in embodiment one.

[0208] Step 820: The terminal sends uplink data to the first access network device.

[0209] Step 830: The first access network device sends the uplink data to the first server based on the splitting rule.

[0210] For example, based on the splitting rule, the first access network device directly sends a part of the uplink data to the first server, and sends another part of the uplink data to the first server through the UPF network element. In order to facilitate description, the uplink data directly sent by the first access network device to the first server is referred to as first uplink data.

[0211] Step 840: The first access network device copies the first uplink data, and sends the copied first uplink data to the UPF network element.

[0212] It can be understood that the copied first uplink data is only used for data volume statistics, and does not need to be forwarded. In a possible implementation, when the UPF network element receives a data packet, the UPF network element discovers that the copied data packet cannot be forwarded according to an internet protocol (IP) address of the data packet, and therefore determines that the data packet is only used for data volume statistics and does not need to be forwarded. Alternatively, in another possible implementation, the first access network device can further send third indication information to the UPF network element, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the copied first uplink data is used to determine the data volume of the uplink data and does not need to be forwarded. The third indication information can be carried in the same message as the copied first uplink data, or carried in different messages, which is not limited, or the third indication information can be carried in the copied first uplink data. For example, the copied first uplink data can be encapsulated by using a GTP-U protocol, and a header of the GTP-U of the copied first uplink data can be designed in an enhanced manner, for example, an indication bit can be added to the GTP-U header, which is used to indicate that the uplink data is only used for traffic statistics. Further, if the above-mentioned statistical data volume is used for charging, the first access network device can further send fourth indication information to the UPF network element, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the copied first uplink data is uplink data directly sent to the first server, and a corresponding rate can be #1, such as a corresponding 6G rate.

[0213] Step 850: The UPF network element determines the data volume of the uplink data sent to the first server, and reports to the SMF network element.

[0214] For example, the UPF network element receives the data volume of the first uplink data from the first access network device; the UPF network element determines the data volume of the uplink data sent to the first server through the UPF network element; the sum of the above two data volumes is the data volume of the uplink data sent to the first server by the first access network device; and the UPF network element reports the data volume of the uplink data sent to the first server to the SMF network element.

[0215] In a possible implementation, when the UPF network element receives the copied first uplink data, the UPF network element can further determine that there is data transmission for the PDU session, and the UPF network element will not request the SMF network element to release the PUD session, thereby solving the problem of incorrect release of the PDU session.

[0216] Through the above design, the problem that the network side cannot trust the traffic statistics result reported by the first access network device is mainly solved. In the second embodiment, the first access network device copies the first uplink data directly sent to the first server to the UPF network element, so as to enable the UPF network element to perform traffic statistics, to solve the problem of inaccurate traffic statistics of the UPF network element, and at the same time, the traffic statistics is placed on the core network element UPF network element, which can enhance the credibility of the traffic statistics result.

[0217] Example Three

[0218] The core network can prevent the PDU session from being deactivated by mistake based on the core network control plane. Specifically, the following solutions can be used:

[0219] In the PDU session establishment or PDU session modification procedure, the second network element (such as the SMF network element) sends a second message to the first access network device, and the second message is used to instruct the first access network device to start the split rule. The first access network device sends a first message to the second network element (such as the SMF network element), and the first message is used to indicate that the first access network device starts the success rule successfully. This example three takes the PDU session modification procedure as an example for description, and the split rule is instructed to start in the PDU session establishment procedure. Please refer to the description of solution a and solution b in example one.

[0220] The SMF network element sends a sixth message to the UPF network element, and the sixth message is used to instruct the UPF network element to stop counting the inactivity time of the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data. Further, during the running of the inactivity timer, if the above connection resource has no data transmission, the UPF network element will not request the SMF network element to release the corresponding connection resource when the inactivity timer expires, thereby solving the problem of incorrect release of the connection resource. Please refer to the following solution a for details.

[0221] In another solution, when the SMF network element receives a seventh message from the UPF network element, the seventh message is used to notify the UPF network element that the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data is inactive. The SMF network element does not release the connection resource. Please refer to the following solution b. It can be understood that the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data can refer to the PDU session resource or the quality of service flow resource corresponding to the uplink data. It can be understood that in the above example one and example two, the PDU session resource is mainly taken as an example for description, and the PDU session resource used to transmit the uplink data can also be replaced by the quality of service flow resource.

[0222] It should be noted that the above solution a and solution b are alternative, that is, only one of solution a or solution b can be executed.

[0223] As shown in FIG. 8, a flowchart is provided, which includes:

[0224] For example, the SMF network element discovers that the uplink data sent by the terminal may need to be split according to the location of the terminal and a data network name (DNN), and sends a split rule to the first access network device through the AMF network element. The split rule is used to instruct the first access network device to start the split rule. When the first access network device receives the split rule, the first access network device starts the split rule, and sends a response message to the SMF network element through the AMF network element. The response message is used to indicate that starting the split rule is successful. For details, refer to the description of steps 910 to 930 below.

[0225] Step 910: The SMF network element discovers that the uplink data of the terminal may need to be split, and sends a notification message of the split rule to the AMF network element.

[0226] The notification message includes the split rule, and the split rule is used to instruct the first access network device to start the split rule. Optionally, the notification message also includes a traffic statistics rule, and the traffic statistics rule is used to instruct the first access network device to perform traffic statistics. In a possible implementation, the notification message can be a communication N1N2 information conversion (Namf_Communication_N1N2 message transfer) message. The split rule can be a packet detection rule (PDR), and the traffic statistics rule can be a usage reporting rule (URR), which can be included in the PDR.

[0227] Step 920: The AMF network element sends an N2 PDU session request to the first access network device.

[0228] The N2 PDU session request includes the split rule. When the first access network device receives the split rule, the first access network device starts the split rule. Further, the N2 PDU session request also includes the traffic statistics rule. When the first access network device receives the traffic statistics rule, the first access network device performs traffic statistics on the amount of uplink data directly sent to the first server.

[0229] In one understanding, in the flow of Fig. 5, the following description is adopted: the second network element (such as the SMF network element) sends a second message to the first access network device, and the second message is used to instruct the first access network device to start the split rule. In the embodiments of the application, the second message can be understood as the notification message of the split rule and the N2 PDU session request. It can be understood that in the above description, the second indication information and / or the identifier of the split rule included in the second message are mainly described, which are used to instruct the first access network device to start the split rule. In the flow of Fig. 9, the split rule can be included in the second message, which is used to implicitly instruct the first access network device to start the split rule successfully. It can be understood that in the above description: the first indication information and / or the identifier of the split rule included in the second message can be replaced by: the split rule included in the first message.

[0230] Step 930: In response to the N2 PDU session request, the first access network device sends an N2 PDU session response to the AMF network element.

[0231] In the N2 PDU session response, a result is included, for example, the result includes that the first access network device successfully starts the split rule. In one possible implementation, the N2 PDU session response includes second indication information and / or an identifier of the split rule, and the second indication information and / or the identifier of the split rule are used to instruct the first access network device to successfully start the split rule. Further, the result further includes that the first access network device successfully starts the traffic statistics rule.

[0232] Step 940: In response to the notification message, the AMF network element sends a response message to the SMF network element.

[0233] In the response message, indication information of the success of starting the split rule is included, for example, the second indication information and / or the identifier of the split rule are included in the response. Further, the response message further includes indication information of the success of starting the traffic statistics rule.

[0234] It can be understood that in the flow of Fig. 5, the following description is adopted: the first access network device sends a first message to the second network element (such as the SMF network element), and the first message is used to instruct the success of starting the split rule. In the embodiments of the application, the first message can be understood as the N2 PDU session response message.

[0235] Scheme a, step 950: The SMF network element learns that the first access device successfully starts the split rule, and sends a sixth message to the UPF network element.

[0236] The sixth message is used to instruct the UPF network element to close the timer. For example, the timer can be an inactivity timer. In a possible implementation, the sixth message includes indication information, and further includes an identifier of the PDU session or an identifier of the QoS flow. The indication information is used to instruct the UPF network element to close the timer of the PDU session or the QoS flow. Alternatively, the indication information is used to instruct the first access network device to start the split rule, and the UPF network element closes the timer upon receiving the indication information. Alternatively, the indication information is used to modify the type of the PDU session to always-on, for example, to modify the type of the PDU session to an always-on PDU session. Alternatively, the name of the sixth message can instruct the UPF network element to close the timer, and the like, without any limitation.

[0237] It can be understood that, when the UPF network element closes the inactivity timer of the PDU session or the QoS flow, the UPF network element will not request the SMF network element to release the connection resources such as the PDU session or the QoS flow when the inactivity timer expires, so as to avoid the erroneous release of the connection resources. Similarly, if the type of the connection resources such as the PDU session or the QoS flow is modified to always-on, the connection resources will not be released at all.

[0238] Step 960: Continue the PDU session modification process.

[0239] Step 970: The terminal sends uplink data to the first access network device.

[0240] Step 980: The first access network device sends the uplink data to the first server.

[0241] For example, the first access network device sends part of the uplink data directly to the first server and sends another part of the uplink data to the first server through the first network element based on the split rule.

[0242] Step 990: The first access network device determines the data volume of the uplink data (referred to as first uplink data) directly sent to the first server, and reports the data volume of the first uplink data to the SMF network element through the AMF network element.

[0243] Case b, step 9010: The UPF network element sends a seventh message to the SMF network element.

[0244] For example, the UPF network element sends a seventh message to the SMF network element when the inactivity timer corresponding to the PDU session or Qos expires, and no data is transmitted during the running of the inactivity timer. The seventh message is used to request release of the PDU session or Qos flow. For example, the seventh message can be a resource release request or an N4 session report in the foregoing process of FIG. 4. The PDU session or Qos flow identifier can be included in the seventh message. When the SMF network element receives the seventh message, it is determined that the PDU session or Qos flow opens the split rule, and the SMF network element can not release the PDU session or Qos flow.

[0245] Step 9011: The SMF network element does not release the connection resources such as the PDU session or Qos flow that opens the split rule.

[0246] Through the foregoing design, when the SMF network element finds that the uplink data of the terminal needs to be split, the first access network device is instructed to split the uplink data through the split rule, and the problem of missing traffic statistics and user plane inactivation caused by the fact that the core network side does not know the split behavior of the first access network device side can be solved. Further, since the core network can know that the first access network device opens the split rule, the PDU session or Qos flow that has not received uplink data for a long time will not trigger resource release. Specifically, the SMF network element can notify the UPF network element not to perform inactivity timer counting on the PDU session or Qos flow that opens the split rule, or the SMF network element does not release the connection resources of the PDU session or Qos flow that opens the split rule when receiving the release request of the UPF network element.

[0247] Embodiment Four

[0248] In the query process of the domain name server (DNS), the second network element (such as the SMF network element) can perceive that the first access network device opens the split rule. For example, before the terminal sends uplink data, the IP address of the destination node of the uplink data is queried in the DNS server. When the second network element (such as the SMF network element) receives the IP address of the destination node, it is found that the destination node is directly connected to the first access network device, and at this time, the second network element can determine that the first access network device opens the split rule.

[0249] It can be understood that in embodiment four, in the communication system 1000 shown in FIG. 1, the core network further includes an edge application server discovery function (EASDF) network element, and the DN further includes a DNS server. For example, in a possible implementation manner:

[0250] The fourth network element can send an eighth message to the second network element, the eighth message including an address of the first server, such as an IP address of the first server, the first server being directly connected to the first access network device; the second network element determines, based on the first server address and the first access network device, that the first access network device starts a splitting rule for splitting uplink data. It can be understood that the second network element is a network element with a session management function, such as an SMF network element; and the fourth network element is a network element with an edge application server discovery function, such as an EASDF network element.

[0251] Taking the first network element as a UPF network element, the second network element as an SMF network element, and the fourth network element as an EASDF network element as an example, a flowchart is provided as shown in FIG. 9, including the following steps:

[0252] Step 1001: The terminal sends a DNS query message to the EASDF network element.

[0253] For example, the DNS query message includes a full qualified domain name (FQDN) of a destination node in communication with the terminal and an IP address of the terminal.

[0254] Step 1002: The EASDF network element sends a DNS notification message to the SMF network element.

[0255] For example, the DNS notification message includes the FQDN of the destination node and the IP address of the terminal. In a possible implementation, the DNS notification message can be a DNS context notification (Neasdf_DNSContext_Notify) message.

[0256] Step 1003: The SMF network element sends a DNS update message to the EASDF network element.

[0257] For example, the SMF network element determines, upon receiving the DNS notification message, an IP address of the first access network device based on the FQDN of the destination node and the IP address of the terminal included in the DNS notification message; and the DNS update message includes the IP address of the first access network device. In a possible implementation, the DNS update message is a DNS context update (Neasdf_DNSContext_update) message, which includes a field, such as an edge configuration server (ECS) field (option), and the field includes the IP address of the first access network device.

[0258] Step 1004: The EASDF network element sends a DNS query message to the DNS server, wherein the DNS query message includes the FQDN and the IP address of the first access network device.

[0259] For example, the DNS server acquires the FQDN and the IP address of the first access network device in the DNS query message when receiving the DNS query message; and the DNS server determines the IP address of the destination node according to the FQDN and the IP address of the first access network device. For example, the DNS server queries the IP address corresponding to the FQDN close to the first access network device, and the IP address is the IP address of the destination node.

[0260] Step 1005: The DNS server sends a DNS response message to the EASDF network element, wherein the DNS response message includes the IP address of the destination node.

[0261] Step 1006: The EASDF network element sends a DNS notification message to the SMF network element, wherein the DNS notification message includes the IP address of the destination node.

[0262] In a possible implementation, the DNS notification message can be a DNS context query notification (Neasdf_DNSContext_Notify). When the SMF network element receives the DNS notification message, the IP address of the destination node is acquired. The SMF network element finds that the destination node is directly connected to the first access network device. At this time, the SMF network element senses that the first access network device exists splitting (or described as the first access network device opens the splitting rule). Alternatively, in a possible implementation, the DNS notification message includes a destination node list, and the destination node list includes the IP address of at least one destination node. The SMF network element selects an IP address of a destination node in the destination node list. The destination node selected by the SMF network element is directly connected to the first access network device. At this time, the SMF network element senses that the first access network device exists splitting (or described as the first access network device opens the splitting rule).

[0263] When the SMF network element senses that the first access network device opens the splitting rule, the SMF network element can adopt the following two schemes to avoid mis-releasing the connection resources corresponding to the PDU session or the quality of service flow. For example, in scheme a, the SMF network element can notify the UPF network element to close the inactivity timer of the UPF session or the quality of service flow, which can be referred to the description of step 1007. Alternatively, in scheme b, the SMF network element does not release the connection resources of the PDU session or the quality of service flow when receiving the request of the UPF network element to release the PDU session or the quality of service flow, which can be referred to the description of steps 1012 and 1013.

[0264] Step 1007: The SMF network element sends a sixth message to the UPF network element, and the sixth message is used to instruct the UPF network element to close the timer. For details, refer to the description of step 950 in FIG. 9.

[0265] Step 1008: Continue the edge application server (EAS) discovery process.

[0266] Step 1009: The terminal sends uplink data to the first access network device.

[0267] Step 1010: The first access network device sends the uplink data to the first server.

[0268] For example, the first access network device sends part of the uplink data directly to the first server and sends another part of the uplink data to the first server through the first network element based on the split rule.

[0269] Step 1011: The first access network device determines the data volume of the uplink data (referred to as first uplink data) directly sent to the first server and reports the data volume of the first uplink data to the SMF network element through the AMF network element.

[0270] Case b, step 1012: The UPF network element sends a seventh message to the SMF network element.

[0271] For example, the UPF network element does not transmit data during the running of the inactivity timer corresponding to the PDU session or Qos, and when the inactivity timer expires, the UPF network element sends a seventh message to the SMF network element to request to release the PDU session or Qos flow. For details, refer to the description of step 9010.

[0272] Step 1013: The SMF network element does not release the connection resources such as the split rule enabled PDU session or Qos flow.

[0273] Through the above design, the SMF network element can perceive that the first access network device enables the split rule, and can solve the problems of flow statistics omission and user plane inactivity caused by the fact that the core network side does not know the split behavior of the first access network device side. For example, before the terminal sends the uplink data, the terminal queries the IP address of the destination node to the DNS server, and when the destination node returned by the DNS server is directly connected to the first access network device, the SMF network element can perceive that the first access network device enables the split rule, so that the release of the PDU session or Qos flow is not triggered.

[0274] In the embodiments of the present application, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application is introduced from the perspective of interaction between the first access network device and the core network element. In order to realize the functions in the method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the first access network device or the core network element can include a hardware structure and / or a software module to realize the above-mentioned functions in the form of hardware structure, software module, or hardware structure plus software module. Whether a certain function in the above-mentioned functions is executed in the form of hardware structure, software module, or hardware structure plus software module depends on the design constraints of the specific application of the technical solution.

[0275] Based on the same concept as the above method embodiments, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are structural schematic diagrams of possible communication apparatuses provided by the embodiments of the present application. These communication apparatuses can realize the functions of the first access network device or the core network element in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and thus can realize the beneficial effects possessed by the above-mentioned method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication apparatus can be the first access network device or the core network element, or a unit, module or component applied to the first access network device or the core network element (such as a chip, chip system, circuit, processor or other etc.). In the following description, the "unit" is taken as an example for illustration. For example, in the following description, the communication apparatus includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The processing unit in the following description can also be replaced by: a processing module or a processing component, etc. The transceiver unit can also be replaced by: a transceiver unit or a transceiver component. For example, the transceiver component can refer to a communication module.

[0276] As shown in FIG. 10, the communication apparatus 10000 includes a processing unit 10010 and a transceiver unit 10020. The communication apparatus 10000 is configured to realize the functions of the first access network device or the second network element in the above-mentioned method flow.

[0277] Optionally, the transceiver unit 10020 can also be referred to as an output unit, an interface unit, or a communication unit, etc. In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver unit 10020 includes at least one of a sending unit or a receiving unit. The sending unit and the receiving unit can be integrated together, or two independent units, etc.

[0278] In a possible implementation manner, the communication apparatus 10000 is configured to realize the functions in FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, for example:

[0279] When the communication apparatus 10000 is configured to implement the function of the first access network device in FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, specifically: the processing unit 10010 is configured to start a split rule, the split rule being used for splitting uplink data; and the transceiver unit 10020 is configured to send a first message to a second network element, the second network element being a network element with a session management function, the first message being used for instructing the first access network device to start the split rule.

[0280] In a possible implementation, the first message comprises: first indication information and / or an identifier of the split rule, the first indication information being used for instructing the first access network device to start the split rule.

[0281] In a possible implementation, the starting of the split rule comprises: receiving a second message from the second network element, the second message being used for instructing the first access network device to start the split rule; and starting the split rule according to the instruction of the second message.

[0282] In a possible implementation, the second message comprises: second indication information and / or an identifier of the split rule, the second indication information being used for instructing the first access network device to start the split rule.

[0283] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 10010 is further configured to determine a data volume of first uplink data directly sent to the first server; and the transceiver unit 10020 is further configured to send a third message to the second network element, the third message being used for instructing the data volume of the first uplink data.

[0284] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 10010 is further configured to copy first uplink data, the first uplink data being uplink data sent by the first access network device to the first server; and the transceiver unit 10020 is further configured to send the copied first uplink data to the first network element, the copied first uplink data being used for the first network element to determine a data volume of uplink data sent by the first access network device to the first server or for the first network element to determine that a connection resource corresponding to the uplink data is in an active state.

[0285] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit 10020 is further configured to send third indication information to the first network element, the third indication information being used for instructing that the copied first uplink data is used for determining the data volume of uplink data sent by the first access network device to the first server.

[0286] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 10020 is further configured to send a fourth message to the first network element, where the fourth message is used to indicate that the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data is in an active state.

[0287] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 10020 is further configured to receive a fifth message from the first network element, where the fourth message is used to inquire whether the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data is in an active state.

[0288] When the communication apparatus 10000 is configured to implement the function of the second network element (or SMF network element) in FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, or FIG. 8, specifically:

[0289] The transceiver 10020 is configured to receive a first message from the first access network device, where the first message is used to indicate that the first access network device starts the split rule.

[0290] In a possible implementation, the first message includes first indication information and / or an identifier of the split rule, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first access network device starts the split rule.

[0291] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 10020 is further configured to send a second message to the first access network device, where the second message is used to indicate that the first access network device starts the split rule.

[0292] In a possible implementation, the second message includes second indication information and / or an identifier of the split rule, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the first access network device starts the split rule.

[0293] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 10020 is further configured to receive a third message from the first access network device, where the third message is used to indicate a data volume of first uplink data, and the first uplink data is uplink data directly sent by the first access network device to a first server.

[0294] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 10020 is further configured to send a sixth message to the first network element, where the sixth message is used to instruct the first network element to stop timing of an inactivity time of the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data.

[0295] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 10020 is further configured to receive a seventh message from the first network element, where the seventh message is used to notify the second network element that the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data is inactive.

[0296] When the communication apparatus 10000 is used to implement the function of the second network element (such as the SMF network element) in FIG. 9, specifically:

[0297] The transceiver unit 10020 is configured to receive an eighth message from a fourth network element, the fourth network element being a network element with an edge application server discovery function, the eighth message including an address of a first server, the first server being directly connected to the first access network device; and the processing unit 10010 is configured to determine that the first access network device enables a splitting rule, the splitting rule being used for splitting uplink data.

[0298] As shown in FIG. 11, the communication apparatus 1100 includes a processor 1110 and an interface circuit 1120. The processor 1110 and the interface circuit 1120 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 1120 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication apparatus 1100 can further include a memory 1130, used for storing instructions executed by the processor 1110 or storing input data required by the processor 1110 to execute instructions or storing data generated after the processor 1110 executes instructions.

[0299] When the communication apparatus 1100 is used to implement the method shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 or FIG. 9, the processor 1110 is configured to implement the function of the processing unit 10010 described above, and the interface circuit 1120 is configured to implement the function of the transceiver unit 10020 described above.

[0300] When the above communication apparatus is a module applied to the first access network device, the module implements the function of the first access network device in the above method embodiments. Taking the first access network device as an example: the module receives information from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the first access network device, the information being sent by the second network element to the first access network device; or the module sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the first access network device, the information being sent by the first access network device to the second network element. The module of the first access network device can be a chip of the first access network device, or a DU or other modules. The DU can be a DU under the O-RAN architecture.

[0301] When the above communication apparatus is a chip applied to the second network element, the chip implements the function of the second network element in the above method embodiments. The chip receives information sent by the first access network device to the second network element through other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the second network element; or the chip sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the second network element, the information being sent by the second network element to the first access network device.

[0302] The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, which comprises a processor, and the processor is used to realize the functions of the first access network device or the second network element in the above-mentioned FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 or FIG. 9. Optionally, the communication device further comprises a memory, the processor and the memory are coupled, and the processor is used to execute the computer program or the instruction stored in the memory to realize the functions of the first access network device or the second network element in the above-mentioned FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 or FIG. 9. Optionally, the communication device can be a chip or a chip system.

[0303] The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, which comprises a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other devices outside the device and transmit the signals to the processor or send signals from the processor to other devices outside the device, and the processor is used to realize the functions of the first access network device or the second network element in the above-mentioned FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 or FIG. 9 through a logic circuit or an execution code instruction.

[0304] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer readable storage medium, and the computer readable storage medium stores instructions, and the instructions can also be referred to as a computer program, a computer program code and the like. The instructions run on a computer, so that the computer executes the functions of the first access network device or the second network element in the above-mentioned FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 or FIG. 9.

[0305] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which comprises a computer program or an instruction, and when the computer program or the instruction runs on a computer, the functions of the first access network device or the second network element in the above-mentioned FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 or FIG. 9 are realized.

[0306] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiment of the present application can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor.

[0307] The memory in the embodiments of the present application can be random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically EPROM (EEPROM), register, hard disk, mobile hard disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art.

[0308] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions executable by a processor. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically programmable read-only memory, register, hard disk, mobile hard disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC.

[0309] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable apparatus. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another, for example, the computer program or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center through wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disc; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state disk. The computer-readable storage medium can be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or can include both volatile and non-volatile storage media.

[0310] In various embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions among different embodiments have consistency and can be referred to each other if there is no special description and logical conflict, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a first access network device, the first access network device is directly connected to a first server, and the first access network device is connected to the first server through a first network element, the first network element is a network element with a user plane function, and the method comprises: Starting a split rule, the split rule is used for the first access network device to split uplink data; Sending a first message to a second network element, the second network element is a network element with a session management function, and the first message is used to instruct the first access network device to start the split rule.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first message comprises first indication information and / or an identifier of the split rule, and the first indication information is used to instruct the first access network device to start the split rule.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The starting of the split rule comprises: Receiving a second message from the second network element, the second message is used to instruct the first access network device to start the split rule; According to the instruction of the second message, the split rule is started.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The second message comprises second indication information and / or an identifier of the split rule, and the second indication information is used to instruct the first access network device to start the split rule.

5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, Further comprising: Determining a data volume of first uplink data directly sent to the first server; Sending a third message to the second network element, the third message is used to instruct the data volume of the first uplink data.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, Further comprising: Copying the first uplink data, the first uplink data is uplink data sent by the first access network device to the first server; Sending the copied first uplink data to the first network element, the copied first uplink data is used for the first network element to determine a data volume of uplink data sent by the first access network device to the first server or for the first network element to determine that a connection resource corresponding to the uplink data is in an active state.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, Further comprising: Sending third indication information to the first network element, the third indication information is used to instruct that the copied first uplink data is used to determine the data volume of uplink data sent by the first access network device to the first server.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, Further comprising: Sending a fourth message to the first network element, the fourth message is used to instruct that the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data is in the active state.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, Further comprising: Receiving a fifth message from the first network element, the fourth message is used to inquire whether the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data is in the active state.

10. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a second network element, the second network element is a network element with a session management function, and comprises: Receiving a first message from a first access network device, the first message is used to instruct the first access network device to start a split rule.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The first message comprises first indication information and / or an identifier of the split rule, and the first indication information is used to instruct the first access network device to start the split rule.

12. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein, Further comprising: Sending a second message to the first access network device, the second message is used to instruct the first access network device to start the split rule.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The second message comprises second indication information and / or an identifier of the offloading rule, the second indication information being used to instruct the first access network device to start the offloading rule.

14. The method of any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein, Further comprising: receiving a third message from the first access network device, the third message being used to indicate a data volume of first uplink data, the first uplink data being uplink data directly sent by the first access network device to a first server.

15. The method of any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein, Further comprising: sending a sixth message to the first network element, the sixth message being used to instruct the first network element to stop timing of an inactivity time of a connection resource corresponding to the uplink data.

16. The method of any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein, Further comprising: receiving a seventh message from the first network element, the seventh message being used to notify the second network element that the connection resource corresponding to the uplink data is inactive.

17. A method of communication, comprising: The method is applied to a second network element, the second network element being a network element with a session management function, comprising: receiving an eighth message from a fourth network element, the fourth network element being a network element with an edge application server discovery function, the eighth message comprising an address of a first server, the first server being directly connected to a first access network device; determining that the first access network device starts an offloading rule, the offloading rule being used to offload uplink data.

18. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises means for implementing the method of any one of claims 1 to 9.

19. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises a processor configured to cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 9.

20. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises means for implementing the method of any one of claims 10 to 17.

21. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises a processor configured to cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 10 to 17.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium has stored instructions which, when executed, cause a communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 9, or to perform the method of any one of claims 10 to 17.

23. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises instructions which, when executed, cause a communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 9, or to perform the method of any one of claims 10 to 17.

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