Communication method, device and system, and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a communication method, device and system, and a storage medium. The method comprises: receiving a first message and a first identifier sent by a terminal, wherein the first identifier is used for indicating a core network device; and sending the first message to the core network device on the basis of the first identifier. The present disclosure shortens the delay of signaling interaction between a terminal and a core network device, improves the availability of a service-oriented radio access network architecture, and improves the flexibility, scalability and degree of automation of network deployment.

Description

Communication method and device, system, and storage medium TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a communication method and device, system, and storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] Currently, a terminal and a core network device can interact through a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message.

[0003] SUMMARY

[0004] To improve the flexibility of network deployment, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method and device, system, and storage medium.

[0005] According to a first aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method being performed by a first access network device, and comprising:

[0006] receiving a first message and a first identifier sent by a terminal; wherein the first identifier is used to indicate a core network device;

[0007] sending the first message to the core network device according to the first identifier.

[0008] According to a second aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method being performed by a core network device, and comprising:

[0009] receiving a first message sent by a first access network device according to a first identifier; wherein the first message is sent by a terminal to the first access network device, and the first identifier is used to indicate the core network device.

[0010] According to a third aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method being performed by a first access network device, and comprising:

[0011] receiving a third message sent by a core network device;

[0012] sending the third message and a first identifier to a terminal; wherein the first identifier is used to indicate the core network device.

[0013] According to a fourth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method being performed by a core network device, and comprising:

[0014] sending a third message to a first access network device; wherein the second message is sent by the first access network device to a terminal.

[0015] According to a fifth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a first access network device is provided, comprising:

[0016] a transceiver configured to receive a first message and a first identifier sent by a terminal; the first identifier is used to indicate the core network device;

[0017] The transceiver is further configured to send the first message to the core network device according to the first identifier.

[0018] According to a sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a core network device is provided, comprising:

[0019] a transceiver configured to receive a first message sent by a first access network device according to a first identifier; the first message is sent by a terminal to the first access network device, and the first identifier is used to indicate the core network device.

[0020] According to a seventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first access network device is provided, comprising:

[0021] a transceiver configured to receive a third message sent by a core network device;

[0022] The transceiver is further configured to send the third message and a first identifier to a terminal; the first identifier is used to indicate the core network device.

[0023] According to an eighth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a core network device is provided, comprising:

[0024] a transceiver configured to send a third message to a first access network device; the third message is sent by the first access network device to a terminal.

[0025] According to a ninth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first access network device is provided, comprising:

[0026] one or more processors;

[0027] The processor is configured to perform the communication method in any one of the first aspect or the third aspect.

[0028] According to a tenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a core network device is provided, comprising:

[0029] one or more processors;

[0030] The processor is configured to perform the communication method in any one of the second aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0031] According to an eleventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, which performs the communication method in any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0032] According to a twelfth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising:

[0033] a terminal;

[0034] a first access network device, the first device being configured to implement the communication method of any one of the first aspect or the third aspect;

[0035] a core network device, the second device being configured to implement the communication method of any one of the second aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0036] According to a thirteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, the storage medium storing instructions which, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method of any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0037] According to a fourteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer program is provided, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the communication method of any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0038] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first access network device can forward the first message sent by the terminal to the core network device directly according to the first identifier, without forwarding through the AMF, thereby reducing the signaling interaction delay between the terminal and the core network device, improving the availability of the service-based radio access network architecture, and improving the flexibility, scalability and automation degree of network deployment.

[0039] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory, and cannot limit the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0040] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into the specification and constitute part of the specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 1A is one exemplary schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 1B is one exemplary schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 1C is one exemplary diagram of a protocol stack between a terminal and an AMF according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 1D is one of the exemplary diagrams of a service-based RAN architecture according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 1E is an example diagram 2 of a service-based RAN architecture, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 2A is an example interaction diagram 1 of a communication method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 2B is an example interaction diagram 2 of a communication method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 3A is an example flow diagram 1 of a communication method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 3B is an example flow diagram 2 of a communication method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] FIG. 3C is an example flow diagram 3 of a communication method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] FIG. 3D is an example flow diagram 4 of a communication method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] FIG. 4A is an example flow diagram 5 of a communication method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] FIG. 4B is an example flow diagram 6 of a communication method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] FIG. 4C is an example flow diagram 7 of a communication method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] FIG. 4D is an example flow diagram 8 of a communication method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 5A is an example interaction diagram 3 of a communication method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] FIG. 5B is an example interaction diagram 4 of a communication method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] FIG. 6A is an example block diagram of a first access network device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] FIG. 6B is an example block diagram of a core network device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] FIG. 7A is an example structure diagram of a communication device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] FIG. 7B is an example structure diagram of a chip, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method and device, a system and a storage medium.

[0063] In a first aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, which is performed by a first access network device, and the method comprises:

[0064] receiving a first message and a first identifier sent by a terminal; wherein the first identifier is used to indicate a core network device; and sending the first message to the core network device according to the first identifier.

[0065] In the above embodiments, the first access network device can directly forward the first message sent by the terminal to the core network device according to the first identifier, without forwarding through the AMF, thereby reducing the signaling interaction delay between the terminal and the core network device, improving the availability of the service-based radio access network architecture, and improving the flexibility, scalability and automation degree of network deployment.

[0066] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the sending the first message to the core network device according to the first identifier comprises: determining core network device information according to the first identifier, or determining core network device information according to the first identifier and first information; wherein the first information is used to determine the core network device information corresponding to the first identifier; and sending the first message to the core network device according to the core network device information.

[0067] In the above embodiments, the first access network device can at least determine the core network device information according to the first identifier, and then send the first message to the core network device according to the core network device information, thereby achieving the purpose of directly sending the first message from the terminal to the core network device by the first access network device, and improving the availability of the service-based radio access network architecture.

[0068] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate a mapping relationship between the first identifier and the core network device information.

[0069] In the above embodiments, the first information can indicate the mapping relationship, so that the first access network device can determine the corresponding core network device information after receiving the first identifier, thereby improving the reliability of the first message transmission.

[0070] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the core network device information comprises at least one of the following: a network function identifier of the core network device; a network function instance identifier of the core network device; a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the core network device; and an address of the core network device.

[0071] In the above embodiments, the core network device information can include but is not limited to at least one of the above, and the first access network device can directly forward the first message from the terminal to the corresponding core network device according to the core network device information, thereby improving the availability of the service-oriented wireless access network architecture.

[0072] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes at least one of the following: determining the first information according to second information sent by the terminal, wherein the second information is used for the first access network device to select the core network device for the terminal; receiving the first information sent by the core network device; and receiving the first information sent by a second access network device.

[0073] In the above embodiments, the first access network device can determine the first information in the above manner but is not limited thereto, thereby ensuring the reliability of the first access network device in forwarding messages between the terminal and the core network device, and improving the availability of the service-oriented wireless access network architecture.

[0074] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second information includes at least one of the following: the first identifier; a type of the first message; a type of the core network device; and a service type.

[0075] In the above embodiments, the first access network device can determine the first information based on at least one of the above, thereby ensuring the reliability of the first access network device in forwarding messages between the terminal and the core network device.

[0076] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first identifier includes at least one of the following: an identifier of the first message; a network function identifier of the core network device; a network function instance identifier of the core network device; and a type of the first message.

[0077] In the above embodiments, the first identifier can be at least one of the above, so that the first access network device can determine the corresponding core network device information, which is simple and has high availability.

[0078] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving a second message sent by the core network device according to the first message; and sending the second message and the first identifier to the terminal.

[0079] In the above embodiments, the first access network device can receive the second message sent by the core network device and forward it to the terminal. Thus, the core network device can send a message to the terminal without going through the AMF, thereby reducing the signaling interaction delay between the terminal and the core network device, improving the availability of the service-oriented wireless access network architecture, and improving the flexibility, scalability and automation degree of network deployment.

[0080] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, the method is performed by a core network device, and the method comprises the following steps: receiving a first message sent by a first access network device according to a first identifier; wherein the first message is sent by a terminal to the first access network device, and the first identifier is used to indicate the core network device.

[0081] In the above embodiments, the core network device can receive the first message sent by the first access network device according to the first identifier, and the first message is sent by the terminal to the first access network device without being forwarded through the AMF, thereby reducing the signaling interaction delay between the terminal and the core network device, improving the availability of the service-based radio access network architecture, and improving the flexibility, scalability and automation degree of network deployment.

[0082] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises the following step: sending first information to the first access network device; wherein the first information is used to determine the core network device information corresponding to the first identifier.

[0083] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate a mapping relationship between the first identifier and the core network device information.

[0084] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the core network device information comprises at least one of the following: a network function identifier of the core network device; a network function instance identifier of the core network device; a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the core network device; and an address of the core network device.

[0085] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first identifier comprises at least one of the following: an identifier of the first message; a network function identifier of the core network device; a network function instance identifier of the core network device; and a type of the first message.

[0086] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises the following step: sending a second message to the first access network device according to the first message; wherein the second message is sent by the first access network device to the terminal.

[0087] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, the method is performed by a first access network device, and the method comprises the following steps: receiving a third message sent by a core network device; sending the third message and a first identifier to a terminal; wherein the first identifier is used to indicate the core network device.

[0088] In the above embodiments, the first access network device can receive the third message sent by the core network device, and can send the third message and the first identifier to the terminal without forwarding through the AMF, thereby reducing the signaling interaction delay between the terminal and the core network device, improving the availability of the service-based radio access network architecture, and improving the flexibility, scalability and automation degree of network deployment.

[0089] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method comprises: receiving the first identifier sent by the core network device; and determining first information according to the core network device information and the first identifier, wherein the first information is used to determine the core network device information corresponding to the first identifier.

[0090] In the above embodiments, the first access network device can determine first information according to the core network device information of the core network device sending the third message and the first identifier provided by the core network device, so as to subsequently forward the message from the terminal to the core network device, thereby improving the reliability of the service-based radio access network architecture.

[0091] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises at least one of the following: determining first information according to second information sent by the terminal, wherein the second information is used for the first access network device to select the core network device for the terminal; and receiving the first information sent by the second access network device, wherein the first information is used to determine the core network device information corresponding to the first identifier.

[0092] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises: receiving a fourth message and the first identifier sent by the terminal; and sending the fourth message to the core network device according to the first identifier.

[0093] In the above embodiments, the first access network device can receive a fourth message and a first identifier sent by the terminal, and send the fourth message to the core network device according to the first identifier, so that the fourth message from the terminal can be directly sent to the corresponding core network device without forwarding through the AMF, thereby reducing the signaling interaction delay between the terminal and the core network device, improving the availability of the service-based radio access network architecture, and improving the flexibility, scalability and automation degree of network deployment.

[0094] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the sending, to the core network device, the third message according to the first identifier comprises: determining core network device information according to the first identifier, or determining core network device information according to the first identifier and first information, wherein the first information is used to determine the core network device information corresponding to the first identifier; and sending, to the core network device, the fourth message according to the core network device information.

[0095] In the above embodiments, the first access network device can determine core network device information according to at least the first identifier, and then send the fourth message to the core network device according to the core network device information, thereby achieving the purpose of directly sending the fourth message from the terminal to the core network device by the first access network device, and improving the availability of the service-based radio access network architecture.

[0096] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate a mapping relationship between the first identifier and the core network device information.

[0097] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the core network device information comprises at least one of the following: a network function identifier of the core network device; a network function instance identifier of the core network device; a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the core network device; and an address of the core network device.

[0098] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first identifier comprises at least one of the following: an identifier of the first message; a network function identifier of the core network device; a network function instance identifier of the core network device; and a type of the first message.

[0099] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, the method is performed by a core network device, and the method comprises: sending, to a first access network device, a third message; wherein the third message is sent by the first access network device to a terminal.

[0100] In the above embodiments, the core network device can send the third message to the first access network device, and the first access network device can send the third message and the first identifier to the terminal, without forwarding the third message through the AMF, thereby reducing the signaling interaction delay between the terminal and the core network device, improving the availability of the service-based radio access network architecture, and improving the flexibility, scalability and automation degree of network deployment.

[0101] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises: sending, to the first access network device, a first identifier; wherein the first identifier is used to indicate the core network device.

[0102] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving, by the first access network device, a fourth message sent by the terminal according to a first identifier; wherein the fourth message is sent by the terminal to the first access network device, and the first identifier is used to indicate the core network device.

[0103] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first identifier includes at least one of the following: an identifier of the first message; a network function identifier of the core network device; a network function instance identifier of the core network device; a type of the first message.

[0104] In a fifth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a first access network device, including: a transceiver module configured to receive a first message and a first identifier sent by a terminal; wherein the first identifier is used to indicate a core network device; and the transceiver module is further configured to send the first message to the core network device according to the first identifier.

[0105] In a sixth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a core network device, including: a transceiver module configured to receive a first message sent by a first access network device according to a first identifier; wherein the first message is sent by a terminal to the first access network device, and the first identifier is used to indicate the core network device.

[0106] In a seventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a first access network device, including: a transceiver module configured to receive a third message sent by a core network device; and the transceiver module is further configured to send the third message and a first identifier to a terminal; wherein the first identifier is used to indicate the core network device.

[0107] In an eighth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a core network device, including: a transceiver module configured to send a third message to a first access network device; wherein the third message is sent by the first access network device to a terminal.

[0108] In a ninth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a first access network device, including: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to perform the communication method of any one of the first aspect or the third aspect.

[0109] In a tenth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a core network device, including: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to perform the communication method of any one of the second aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0110] In an eleventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication device, which performs the communication method of any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0111] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication system, comprising: a terminal; a first access network device configured to implement the communication method of any one of the first aspect or the third aspect; and a core network device configured to implement the communication method of any one of the second aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0112] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method of any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or the fourth aspect.

[0113] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer program that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the communication method of any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or the fourth aspect.

[0114] In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a chip or a chip system. The chip or the chip system comprises processing circuitry configured to perform the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or the fourth aspect.

[0115] It can be understood that the first access network device, the core network device, the communication system, the storage medium, the program product, the computer program, the chip or the chip system are all used to perform the method proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method, which will not be described here.

[0116] The embodiments of the present disclosure propose a communication method, a first access network device, a core network device, and a system. In some embodiments, the terms of communication method, information processing method, and information transmission method can be replaced with each other, the terms of communication device, information processing device, and information transmission device can be replaced with each other, and the terms of information processing system, communication system, and information transmission system can be replaced with each other.

[0117] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive, but only illustrate some embodiments, and are not specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure. In the case of no contradiction, each step in an embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the scheme after removing some steps in an embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in an embodiment can be exchanged arbitrarily, in addition, the optional implementation in an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily; in addition, the embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the steps of different embodiments or some or all steps of different embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, an embodiment can be combined with the optional implementation of other embodiments.

[0118] In each of the disclosed embodiments, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0119] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0120] In this embodiment of the disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0121] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0122] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0123] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0124] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execution of A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execution of B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0125] The prefix words "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present disclosure are merely used to distinguish different description objects, and do not constitute limitation on the position, sequence, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. The description of the description objects should refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and should not constitute redundant limitation because of the use of the prefix words. For example, the description objects are "fields", and the ordinal words before "fields" in "first field" and "second field" do not limit the position or sequence between "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" modified thereby are in the same message, nor do they limit the sequence of "first field" and "second field". For another example, the description objects are "levels", and the ordinal words before "levels" in "first level" and "second level" do not limit the priority between "levels". For another example, the quantity of the description objects is not limited by the ordinal words, and can be one or more. For example, "first device", wherein the quantity of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefix words can be the same or different. For example, the description objects are "devices", and "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. For another example, the description objects are "information", and "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0126] In some embodiments, "including A", "containing A", "for indicating A", "carrying A" can be interpreted as directly carrying A, or indirectly indicating A.

[0127] In some embodiments, the terms "time / frequency", "time / frequency domain" and the like refer to the time domain and / or the frequency domain.

[0128] In some embodiments, the terms "in response to", "in response to determining", "in the case of", "when", "when", "if", "if" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0129] In some embodiments, the terms "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not lower than", "above" and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", "below" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0130] In some embodiments, an apparatus or the like can be interpreted as an entity, and can also be interpreted as virtual, and the name thereof is not limited to the name described in the embodiments, and the terms "apparatus", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0131] In some embodiments, a "network" can be interpreted as an apparatus (for example, an access network device, a core network device, and the like) included in the network.

[0132] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)", "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station", "fixed station", "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0133] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal," "terminal device," "user equipment (UE)," "user terminal," "mobile station (MS)," "mobile terminal (MT)," "subscriber station," "mobile unit," "subscriber unit," "wireless unit," "remote unit," "mobile device," "wireless device," "wireless communication device," "remote device," "mobile subscriber station," "access terminal," "mobile terminal," "wireless terminal," "remote terminal," "handset," "user agent," "mobile client," "client," and so on can be replaced with each other.

[0134] In some embodiments, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can be replaced with a terminal. For example, the embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a structure in which communication between the access network device, the core network device, or the network device and the terminal is replaced with communication between a plurality of terminals (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the terminal can also be configured to have all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, the terms "uplink," "downlink," and the like can also be replaced with terms corresponding to the inter-terminal communication (e.g., "side"). For example, the uplink channel, the downlink channel, and the like can be replaced with the side channel, and the uplink, the downlink, and the like can be replaced with the sidelink.

[0135] In some embodiments, the terminal can be replaced with the access network device, the core network device, or the network device. In this case, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can also be configured to have all or part of the functions of the terminal.

[0136] In some embodiments, the data, information, etc. can be obtained in compliance with the laws and regulations of the country in which the location is situated.

[0137] In some embodiments, the data, information, etc. can be obtained after obtaining the consent of the user.

[0138] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0139] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0140] As shown in FIG. 1A, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101, a first access network device 102-1, and a core network device 103.

[0141] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes at least one of a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a Pad, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in smart city, a wireless terminal device in smart home, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0142] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1, for example, is a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network, and the first access network device can include at least one of an evolved NodeB (eNB) in a 5G communication system, a next generation eNB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved node B (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an Open RAN, a Cloud RAN, a base station in other communication systems, an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0143] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of the present disclosure can be applicable to an Open RAN architecture, at this time, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can become internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be realized through software or programs.

[0144] In some embodiments, the first access network device can be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), wherein the CU can also be referred to as a control unit. The CU-DU structure can split the protocol layers of the access network device, and part of the functions of the protocol layers are controlled by the CU, and the remaining part or all of the functions of the protocol layers are distributed in the DU and controlled by the CU, but is not limited thereto.

[0145] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 can be one device including at least one of the first network element 1031, the second network element 1032, the third network element 1033, the fourth network element 1034, etc., or can be multiple devices or device groups including all or part of the first network element 1031, the second network element 1032, the third network element 1033, the fourth network element 1034, etc., respectively. The network element can be virtual or physical. The core network includes at least one of an evolved packet core (EPC), a 5G core network (5GCN), a next generation core (NGC), etc.

[0146] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 is, for example, an access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0147] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 is configured to perform terminal registration, terminal mobility management, terminal service flow supervision, etc., without limitation.

[0148] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 can be independent of the core network device 103.

[0149] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 can be part of the core network device 103.

[0150] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 is, for example, a policy control function (PCF).

[0151] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 is configured to perform access and mobility policy control and session management policy control, without limitation.

[0152] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 can be independent of the core network device 103.

[0153] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 can be part of the core network device 103.

[0154] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 is, for example, a session management function (SMF).

[0155] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 is configured to interact with the data plane, create, update and delete Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions, and manage the session environment with the User Plane Function (UPF), without limitation.

[0156] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 can be independent of the core network device 103.

[0157] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 can be a part of the core network device 103.

[0158] In some embodiments, the fourth network element 1034 is, for example, a Sensing Function (SF).

[0159] In some embodiments, the fourth network element 1034 is configured to provide management of device sensing procedures, and provide related data and / or information, without limitation.

[0160] In some embodiments, the fourth network element 1034 can be independent of the core network device 103.

[0161] In some embodiments, the fourth network element 1034 can be a part of the core network device 103.

[0162] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed by the embodiments of the present disclosure. It can be known by those skilled in the art that, as the system architecture evolves and new business scenarios appear, the technical solutions proposed by the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0163] The following embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1A or part of the subject, but are not limited thereto. The subjects shown in FIG. 1A are exemplary, and the communication system can include all or part of the subjects in FIG. 1A, or other subjects other than those in FIG. 1A. The number and form of each subject is arbitrary, each subject can be real or virtual, the connection relationship between each subject is exemplary, each subject can not be connected or can be connected, and the connection can be in any way, can be direct connection or indirect connection, can be wired connection or wireless connection.

[0164] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (Bluetooth (registered trademark)), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, Device-to-Device (D2D) system, Machine to Machine (M2M) system, Internet of Things (IoT) system, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), system using other communication methods, next-generation system expanded based thereon, and the like. In addition, a plurality of systems can be combined (for example, combination of LTE or LTE-A and 5G, and the like).

[0165] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a 5G network architecture diagram is provided, for example, as shown in FIG. 1B.

[0166] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminal and the core network device (or core network node) can interact through NAS signaling (or NAS message), and the NAS signaling is transmitted between the AMF and the terminal, and the protocol stack is shown in FIG. 1C, for example.

[0167] In one example, the NAS signaling transmitted between the terminal and the AMF can be encapsulated by a radio resource control (RRC) message, wherein the access network device such as a base station does not need to read the NAS message, but the base station needs to support the NAS signaling transmission function, as follows:

[0168] The NAS signaling transmission function provides a method for transmitting or re-routing NAS messages (for example, for NAS mobility management), or reporting that a NAS message for a specific terminal is not delivered through the NG interface.

[0169] Among them, there are various types of NAS payload containers in the NAS signaling (NAS payload container type), and the AMF does not need to read the NAS payload container, but only needs to transmit the NAS payload to the corresponding core network node.

[0170] Exemplarily, the session management information (SM information) is the signaling between the terminal and the SMF.

[0171] Exemplarily, the long-term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) signaling and the sidelink positioning protocol (SLPP) signaling are the signaling between the terminal and the location management function (LMF).

[0172] The terminal policy container (UE policy container) is the signaling between the UE and the PCF.

[0173] In the research of 6G, the service-oriented radio access network (RAN) network architecture is a potential research direction. The service-oriented RAN refers to implementing the functions and services of the radio access network through software to improve the flexibility, scalability and automation level of the network. The service-oriented RAN includes but is not limited to the following advantages:

[0174] Flexibility and scalability: through software, the RAN can more easily adapt to different network requirements and configurations, and quickly deploy new services.

[0175] Cost-effective: Service-based RAN can reduce the dependence on dedicated hardware, lower capital expenditure (CapEx) and operating expense (OpEx).

[0176] Automation and intelligence: Higher-level automation functions such as automatic network optimization and fault recovery can be achieved, improving the reliability and efficiency of the network.

[0177] Fast innovation: Service-based RAN supports rapid development and deployment of new network functions and services, accelerating the innovation cycle.

[0178] Network slicing: Multiple network slices can be supported to provide customized network performance and characteristics for different services and user groups.

[0179] Cloud-native integration: Service-based RAN can better integrate with cloud infrastructure, enabling cloud-network convergence and improving resource utilization.

[0180] Security: Through software-defined means, security policy updates and deployments can be more easily implemented, improving network security.

[0181] Environmental adaptability: Service-based RAN can better adapt to different environments and conditions, such as urban, rural, indoor, etc., providing more optimized network coverage and performance.

[0182] Simplify operations: Through centralized management and automated tools, network operations can be simplified, reducing human error.

[0183] Promote standardization: Service-based RAN helps promote industry standardization and facilitates interoperability between different devices and solutions.

[0184] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the service-based RAN architecture can be, for example, as shown in FIG. 1D or FIG. 1E.

[0185] Under the service-based RAN architecture, NAS messages transmitted between the terminal and the core network device can not pass through the AMF, but can be directly forwarded by the base station. However, the base station currently supports forwarding NAS messages to the AMF and does not support directly forwarding to the corresponding core network device.

[0186] To improve the availability of the service-based RAN architecture and the flexibility of network deployment, the present disclosure provides the following communication methods and devices, systems and storage media.

[0187] FIG. 2A is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2A, the present embodiment relates to a communication method, which comprises:

[0188] In step S2101, the terminal 101 sends a first message and a first identifier to the first access network device 102-1.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 receives the first message and the first identifier.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first message can be a signaling message between the terminal 101 and the core network device 103.

[0191] In some embodiments, the first message can be a NAS message.

[0192] In some embodiments, the first message can be included in an RRC message.

[0193] In some embodiments, the name of the first message is not limited, for example, “NAS message”, “NAS signaling message”, etc.

[0194] In some embodiments, the first identifier can be used to indicate the core network device 103.

[0195] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: AMF; SMF; SF; LMF; PCF.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first identifier can be an identifier of the core network device 103.

[0197] In some embodiments, when the first identifier is transmitted together with the first message, the first identifier can be used to indicate the core network device 103 receiving the first message.

[0198] In some embodiments, the first identifier includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: an identifier of the first message; a network function identifier of the core network device; a network function instance identifier of the core network device; a type of the first message.

[0199] In one example, the first message is a NAS message, and the identifier of the first message can be a NAS message identifier.

[0200] In one example, the network function (NF) identifier of the core network device 103 can include, but is not limited to: a universally unique identifier (UUID) of the core network device 103.

[0201] In an example, the network function instance of the core network device 103 can be a specific instance of an entity constituting the core network device at a functional level. The network function instance (instance) identifier of the core network device 103 can include, but is not limited to, an access point name (APN).

[0202] In an example, the type of the first message can include, but is not limited to, a NAS type, wherein the NAS type includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: access management; session management; positioning message; user policy; computing power management; communication awareness management; artificial intelligence (AI) function management, etc.

[0203] The above is only an example description, and the disclosure does not limit the content of the first identifier.

[0204] In some embodiments, the name of the first identifier is not limited, which is, for example, "core network device identifier", "NF identifier", "NF instance identifier", "message type identifier", "core network element identifier", etc.

[0205] In some embodiments, the first identifier can be included in the RRC message.

[0206] In some embodiments, the first message and the first identifier can be included in different RRC messages, for example, the terminal 101 sends the first message and the first identifier to the first access network device 102-1 through different RRC messages respectively.

[0207] In some embodiments, the first message and the first identifier can be included in the same RRC message, for example, the first message and the first identifier are respectively a container or an information unit of the same RRC message, and are carried in the RRC message.

[0208] In some embodiments, the first identifier can be included in the first message, and the first message including the first identifier can be included in the RRC message.

[0209] In some embodiments, the above RRC message can include, but is not limited to, any one of the following: RRC setup complete (RRCSetupComplete) message; RRC resume complete (RRCResumeComplete) message; uplink information transmission (ULInformationTransfer) message. In step S2102, the first access network device 102-1 determines the first information.

[0210] In some embodiments, the first information can be used to determine the core network device information corresponding to the first identifier.

[0211] In some embodiments, the first information can be used to indicate a mapping relationship between the first identifier and the core network device information.

[0212] For example, the first identifier of the first message is identifier 1, and the corresponding core network device information is AMF. The first identifier of the first message is identifier 2, and the corresponding core network device information can be LMF.

[0213] For example, the first identifier of the first message is identifier 1 or the NF identifier 1 of the core network device, and the corresponding core network device information is AMF#1. The first identifier of the first message is the NF instance identifier 2 of the core network device or the type 1 of the first message, and the corresponding core network device information can be AMF#2.

[0214] For example, the first identifier of the first message is identifier 1, and the corresponding core network device information is AMF#1. The first identifier of the first message is type 1, and the corresponding core network device information is LMF#1.

[0215] For example, the first identifier 1 corresponds to the core network device information AMF, and the first identifier 2 corresponds to the core network device information LMF.

[0216] The above is only an example, and the disclosure does not limit the specific content of the mapping relationship.

[0217] In some embodiments, the name of the first information is not limited, for example, “mapping relationship indication information”, “corresponding relationship indication information”, “indication information”, etc.

[0218] In some embodiments, the core network device information can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a network function identifier of the core network device 103; a network function instance identifier of the core network device 103; a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) of the core network device 103; an address of the core network device 103.

[0219] In one example, the network function identifier of the core network device 103 and the network function instance identifier of the core network device 103 have been introduced in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be described here.

[0220] In one example, the FQDN of the core network device 103 can include at least one of the hostname and the domain name of the core network device 103.

[0221] In an example, the address of the core network device 103 can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the core network device 103; a Medium Access Control (MAC) address of the core network device 103; and the like.

[0222] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 can determine the first information in at least one of the following manners, but is not limited thereto:

[0223] Manner 1: determining the first information according to second information sent by the terminal 101.

[0224] In an example, the second information can be used by the first access network device 102-1 to select a core network device 103 for the terminal 101.

[0225] In an example, the second information can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: the first identifier; a type of the first message; a type of the core network device; a service type.

[0226] By way of example, the content of the first identifier has been described in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0227] By way of example, the type of the first message can be a NAS type, including but not limited to at least one of the following: access management, session management, positioning message, perception message, user policy; computing power management; communication perception management; AI function management; and the like.

[0228] By way of example, the type of the core network device can also be referred to as an NF type, including but not limited to at least one of the following: AMF, SMF, LMF, SF, PCF, Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF), and the like.

[0229] By way of example, the service type can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: artificial intelligence; perception; Internet of Things; environmental Internet of Things; integrated sensing; and the like.

[0230] In an example, the name of the second information is not limited, which is, for example, “selection indication information”, “indication information”, and the like.

[0231] In an example, after the first access network device 102-1 receives the second information, the first access network device 102-1 can select a corresponding core network device 103 for the terminal 101, and determine a mapping relationship between the selected core network device information and the first identifier, i.e., determine the first information.

[0232] Exemplarily, after determining the first information, the first access network device can save the first information, so as to subsequently determine the corresponding core network device information according to the first identifier.

[0233] In a manner 2, the core network device 103 sends the first information to the first access network device 102-1.

[0234] In an example, the first access network device 102-1 receives the first information.

[0235] Exemplarily, the first access network device can save the first information, so as to subsequently determine the corresponding core network device information according to the first identifier.

[0236] In a manner 3, the second access network device 102-2 sends the first information to the first access network device 102-1.

[0237] In an example, the first access network device 102-1 receives the first information.

[0238] Exemplarily, the first access network device can save the first information, so as to subsequently determine the corresponding core network device information according to the first identifier.

[0239] Exemplarily, the second access network device 102-2 sends the first information to the first access network device 102-1 through an inter-base station interface.

[0240] Exemplarily, the second access network device 102-2 can send the first information to the first access network device 102-1 in a process of performing cell handover of the terminal 101 or acquiring terminal context of the first access network device 102-1.

[0241] In a manner 4, the first information is determined based on two or three of the manner 1, the manner 2 and the manner 3.

[0242] In an example, the first access network device 102-1 can jointly determine the first information by using the manner 1 and the manner 2.

[0243] In an example, the first access network device 102-1 can jointly determine the first information by using the manner 1 and the manner 3.

[0244] In an example, the first access network device 102-1 can jointly determine the first information by using the manner 2 and the manner 3.

[0245] In an example, the first access network device 102-1 can jointly determine the first information by using the manner 1, the manner 2 and the manner 3.

[0246] It can be understood that the first information determined by the combination of the above-mentioned multiple manners is compatible, for example, the first information determined by the first access network device 102-1 in the manner 1 includes that the LMF #1 corresponds to the first identifier #1, the first information determined in the manner 2 includes that the AMF #2 corresponds to the first identifier #2, and the first information determined in the manner 3 includes that the LMF #2 corresponds to the first identifier #3.

[0247] If the first information determined by the combination of the above-mentioned multiple manners conflicts, for example, the first information determined in the manner 1 includes that the LMF #1 corresponds to the first identifier #1, and the first information determined in the manner 3 includes that the LMF #1 corresponds to the first identifier #2, at this time, the first access network device 102-1 can determine the first information based on the time sequence in which the terminal 101, the core network device 103, and the second access network device 102-2 provide the first information.

[0248] Exemplarily, the first information provided by the terminal 101, the core network device 103, and the second access network device 102-2 closest to the current time can be determined as the final first information.

[0249] For example, the time when the terminal 101 provides the LMF #1 corresponding to the first identifier #1 is nine o'clock in the morning of the day, the time when the second access network device 102-2 provides the LMF #1 corresponding to the first identifier #2 is ten o'clock in the morning of the day, and the current time point is eleven o'clock, then the first access network device 102-1 can determine the first information as: the LMF #1 corresponds to the first identifier #2.

[0250] Or, the first information determined by the combination of the above-mentioned multiple manners conflicts, for example, the mapping relationship determined in the manner 1 includes that the LMF #1 corresponds to the first identifier #1, and the mapping relationship determined in the manner 3 includes that the LMF #1 corresponds to the first identifier #2, at this time, the first access network device 102-1 can determine the first information based on a pre-defined manner.

[0251] The pre-defined manner can include but is not limited to the priority order in which the terminal 101, the core network device 103, and the second access network device 102-2 respectively provide the first information, for example, the priority of the first information provided by the terminal 101 is the lowest, and the priority of the first information provided by the core network device 103 is the highest.

[0252] For example, the first information provided by the terminal 101 includes that the LMF #1 corresponds to the first identifier #1, and the first information provided by the second access network device 102-2 includes that the LMF #1 corresponds to the first identifier #2, then the first access network device 102-1 can determine the first information as: the LMF #1 corresponds to the first identifier #2.

[0253] For example, the first information provided by the terminal 101 includes that the LMF #1 corresponds to the first identity #1, the first information provided by the second access network device 102-2 includes that the LMF #1 corresponds to the first identity #2, and the first information provided by the core network device 103 includes that the LMF #1 corresponds to the first identity #3. The first access network device 102-1 can determine that the first information is that the LMF #1 corresponds to the first identity #3.

[0254] The above is only an example description, and the disclosure does not limit the manner in which the first access network device 102-1 determines the first information.

[0255] In step S2103, the first access network device 102-1 determines the core network device information.

[0256] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 can select the core network device 103 for the terminal 101 directly according to the first identity, and determine the core network device information.

[0257] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 can determine the core network device information according to the first identity and the first information.

[0258] The first information can be used to determine the core network device information corresponding to the first identity.

[0259] For example, the first information is used to indicate a mapping relationship between the first identity and the core network device information, and the first access network device 102-1 can determine the core network device information corresponding to the first identity according to the mapping relationship.

[0260] In step S2104, the first access network device 102-1 sends a first message to the core network device 103.

[0261] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 receives the first message.

[0262] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 sends the first message to the core network device 103 according to the determined core network device information.

[0263] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 can send the third message to the core network device 103 directly without going through the AMF.

[0264] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 can send the first message in the RRC message to the core network device 103.

[0265] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 can send the first message to the core network device 103 by taking the IP address information corresponding to the first identity as the destination address of the transport layer IP header of the transmission layer IP packet forwarding the first message.

[0266] In step S2105, the core network device 103 sends a second message to the first access network device 102-1.

[0267] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 sends the second message to the first access network device 102-1 according to the first message.

[0268] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 receives the second message.

[0269] In some embodiments, the second message can be a signaling message between the terminal 101 and the core network device 103.

[0270] In some embodiments, the second message is a message fed back by the core network device 103 to the terminal 101 after the core network device 103 receives the first message from the terminal 101.

[0271] In some embodiments, the second message can be a NAS message.

[0272] In some embodiments, the name of the second message is not limited, which is, for example, a "NAS message", a "NAS signaling message", etc.

[0273] Optionally, the core network device 103 can send the first identity to the first access network device 102-1, where the first identity is used to identify the core network device 103, when the core network device 103 knows its own first identity. When the first identity is sent together with the second message, the first identity can be used to identify that the second message comes from the core network device 103.

[0274] In some embodiments, the specific content of the first identity has been introduced in the foregoing steps, which will not be repeated here. In some embodiments, the core network device 103 can directly send the second message to the first access network device 102-1.

[0275] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 sends the second message and the first identity to the first access network device 102-1 through different signaling respectively.

[0276] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 sends the second message and the first identity to the first access network device 102-1 through the same signaling respectively, where the second message and the first identity can be different containers or different information units of the signaling respectively.

[0277] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 can include the first identity in the second message, so as to send the second message carrying the first identity to the first receiving network device 102-1.

[0278] In step S2106, the first access network device 102-1 sends the second message and the first identity to the terminal 101.

[0279] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 receives the second message and the first identity.

[0280] In some embodiments, the terminal identity can be included in the second message, and the first access network device 102-1 sends the second message and the first identity to the terminal 101 according to the terminal identity.

[0281] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 receives the second message from the core network device 103 but does not receive the first identity, and the first access network device 102-1 can determine the first identity corresponding to the core network device information based on the previously determined first information, and send the second message and the first identity to the terminal 101, at this time the first identity can be used to indicate that the second message comes from the core network device 103.

[0282] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 receives the second message and the first identity from the core network device 103, at this time the first access network device 102-1 can send the second message and the first identity to the terminal 101, at this time the first identity can be used to indicate that the second message comes from the core network device 103.

[0283] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 provides the first identity to the terminal 101, and if the terminal 101 has other messages such as a fifth message (i.e. NAS message) to be sent to the core network device 103 later, the fifth message and the first identity can be sent to the first access network device 102-1, so that the first access network device 102-1 forwards the third message to the core network device 103 according to the first identity (or according to the first identity and the first information).

[0284] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 can send the second message and the first identity to the terminal 101 through the same RRC message.

[0285] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 can send the second message and the first identity to the terminal 101 through different RRC messages respectively.

[0286] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 can carry the first identity in the second message, and send the second message carrying the first identity to the terminal 101.

[0287] In some embodiments, the RRC message includes, but is not limited to, any one of the following: an RRCSetupComplete message; an RRCResumeComplete message; an ULInformationTransfer message.

[0288] In some embodiments, the name of information and the like is not limited to the name described in the embodiments, and the terms of "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codebook", "codeword", "code point", "bit", "data", "program", "chip", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0289] In some embodiments, the terms of "radio", "wireless", "radio access network (RAN)", "access network (AN)", "RAN-based", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0290] In some embodiments, "acquire", "obtain", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive", and the like can be replaced with each other, which can be interpreted as receiving from other subjects, acquiring from protocols, acquiring from higher layers, obtaining by oneself, and the like.

[0291] In some embodiments, the terms of "send", "transmit", "report", "issue", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0292] In some embodiments, the terms “certain”, “preseted”, “pre-set”, “set”, “indicated”, “any”, “first” and the like can be replaced with each other, “certain A”, “preseted A”, “pre-set A”, “set A”, “indicated A”, “any A”, “first A” can be interpreted as A predetermined in a protocol and the like, or A obtained by setting, configuration, or indication and the like, or certain A, any A, or first A and the like, but are not limited thereto.

[0293] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S2101-S2106. For example, step S2101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2101+S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2101+S2102+S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2105+S2106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0294] In some embodiments, the order of steps S2101 and S2102 can be exchanged or performed simultaneously.

[0295] In some embodiments, step S2103 is optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, when the first access network device 102-1 does not support forwarding the NAS message sent by the terminal 101 to the core network device other than the AMF, step S2103 can not be performed.

[0296] In some embodiments, step S2102 is optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, in the case where the first access network device 102-1 directly determines the core network device information according to the first identifier, step S2102 can not be performed.

[0297] In some embodiments, steps S2105 to S2106 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, after the core network device 103 receives the first message, there is no message to be fed back to the terminal 101, at this time, steps S2105 to S2106 can not be performed.

[0298] In some embodiments, other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2A can be referred to.

[0299] In some embodiments, steps S2101 to S2106 are optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0300] In some embodiments, the execution order of steps S2101 to S2106 is not limited.

[0301] In the above embodiments, the terminal can send the first message to the core network device through the first access network device, and the second message sent by the core network device can also be forwarded to the terminal through the first access network device without forwarding through the AMF, thereby reducing the signaling interaction delay between the terminal and the core network device, improving the availability of the service-based radio access network architecture, and improving the flexibility, scalability, and automation degree of network deployment.

[0302] FIG. 2B is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2B, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0303] In step S2201, the core network device 103 sends a third message to the first access network device 102-1.

[0304] In some embodiments, the third message can be a signaling message between the core network device 103 and the terminal 101.

[0305] In some embodiments, the third message can be a NAS message.

[0306] In some embodiments, the name of the third message is not limited, which is, for example, “NAS message”, “NAS signaling message”, etc.

[0307] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 can optionally send a first identifier to the first access network device 102-1, the first identifier being used to indicate the core network device 103.

[0308] The specific content of the first identifier has been introduced in step S2101, which will not be repeated here.

[0309] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 can be at least one of an AMF, an SMF, an SF, an LMF, a PCF, and a NWDAF.

[0310] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 can send the third message directly to the first access network device 102-1 without going through the AMF.

[0311] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 can send the third message and the first identifier directly to the first access network device 102-1 without going through the AMF.

[0312] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 can send the third message and the first identifier to the first access network device 102-1 through different signaling respectively.

[0313] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 can send the third message and the first identifier to the first access network device 102-1 through the same signaling.

[0314] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 can carry the first identifier in the third message and send the third message to the first access network device 102-1.

[0315] In step S2202, the first access network device 102-1 determines the first information.

[0316] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 can determine the first information according to the core network device information of the core network device 103 sending the third message and the first identifier sent by the core network device 103, and further save the first information on the first access network device 102-1 so as to subsequently determine the core network device 103 according to the first identifier.

[0317] The first information is used to determine the core network device information corresponding to the first identifier.

[0318] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 can directly send the first information to the first access network device 102-1, and the first access network device 102-1 saves the first information (not shown in FIG. 2B).

[0319] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 can obtain and save the first information from the second access network device 102-2 (not shown in FIG. 2B).

[0320] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 can obtain the second information from the terminal 101, determine the first information and save it (not shown in FIG. 2B).

[0321] In some embodiments, the related content of the first information and the core network device information has been introduced in step S2102, which will not be repeated here.

[0322] In addition, if the first information determined by the first access network device 102-1 based on the second information provided by the terminal 101, the first information sent by the core network device 103 and the first information sent by the second access network device 102-2 conflict, the solution has been introduced in the foregoing embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0323] In step S2203, the first access network device 102-1 sends the third message and the first identifier to the terminal 101.

[0324] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 receives the third message and the first identity.

[0325] In some embodiments, the terminal identity is included in the third message, and the first access network device 102-1 sends the third message and the first identity to the terminal 101 according to the terminal identity.

[0326] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 receives the third message from the core network device 103, but does not receive the first identity. The first access network device 102-1 can determine the first identity corresponding to the core network device information based on the previously determined first information, and send the third message and the first identity to the terminal 101, at this time the first identity can be used to indicate that the third message comes from the core network device 103.

[0327] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 receives the third message and the first identity from the core network device 103, at this time the first access network device 102-1 can send the third message and the first identity to the terminal 101, at this time the first identity can be used to indicate that the third message comes from the core network device 103.

[0328] In some embodiments, if the terminal 101 has new messages, such as the sixth message, which need to be sent to the core network device 103 later, the terminal 101 can send the sixth message and the first identity to the first access network device 102-1, so that the first access network device 102-1 determines the core network device information according to the first identity (or according to the first identity and the first information), and then sends the sixth message to the core network device 103.

[0329] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 can send the third message and the first identity to the terminal 101 through the same RRC message.

[0330] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 can send the third message and the first identity to the terminal 101 through different RRC messages respectively.

[0331] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 can carry the first identity in the third message, and send the third message carrying the first identity to the terminal 101.

[0332] In some embodiments, the RRC message includes but is not limited to any of the following: RRCSetupComplete message; RRCResumeComplete message; ULInformationTransfer message.

[0333] Step S2204, the terminal 101 sends the fourth message and the first identity to the first access network device 102.

[0334] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 receives the fourth message and the first identity.

[0335] In some embodiments, the fourth message can be a signaling message between the terminal 101 and the core network device 103.

[0336] In some embodiments, the fourth message can be a message that the terminal 101 needs to send to the core network device 103 after receiving the third message.

[0337] In some embodiments, the fourth message can be a NAS message.

[0338] In some embodiments, the fourth message can be included in an RRC message.

[0339] In some embodiments, the name of the fourth message is not limited, which is, for example, “NAS message”, “NAS signaling message” and the like.

[0340] In some embodiments, the first identity is used to indicate the core network device 103.

[0341] In some embodiments, the first identity is an identity of the core network device 103.

[0342] In some embodiments, when the first identity is transmitted together with the fourth message, the first identity can be used to indicate the core network device 103 receiving the fourth message.

[0343] In some embodiments, the first identity can be included in an RRC message.

[0344] In some embodiments, the first message and the first identity can be included in the same RRC message,

[0345] In some embodiments, the first message and the first identity can be included in different RRC messages.

[0346] In some embodiments, the first identity can be included in the first message.

[0347] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned RRC message can include but is not limited to any one of the following: RRCSetupComplete message; RRCResumeComplete message; ULInformationTransfer message.

[0348] In step S2205, the first access network device 102-1 determines the core network device information.

[0349] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 can directly determine the core network device information according to the first identity.

[0350] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 can jointly determine the core network device information receiving the fourth message according to the first identity and the saved first information.

[0351] In step S2206, the first access network device 102-1 sends the fourth message to the core network device 103.

[0352] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 receives the fourth message.

[0353] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 can send the fourth message in the RRC message to the core network device 103.

[0354] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 can directly send the fourth message to the specified core network device 103 without forwarding through the AMF.

[0355] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S2201-S2206. For example, step S2201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2201+S2203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2201+S2202+S2203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2204 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2205+S2206 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but not limited thereto.

[0356] In some embodiments, steps S2202 and S2203 can be exchanged in order or executed simultaneously.

[0357] In some embodiments, step S2202 is optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, the first access network device 102-1 obtains the first information from other execution subjects or determines the first information by itself, and in this case, step S2202 can not be executed.

[0358] In some embodiments, steps S2205-S2206 are optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments. For example, after the terminal 101 receives the third message, there is no message to be fed back to the core network device 103, and in this case, steps S2205-S2206 can not be executed.

[0359] In some embodiments, other optional implementations described before or after the corresponding description of FIG. 2B can be referred to.

[0360] In some embodiments, steps S2201 to S2206 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0361] In some embodiments, the execution order of steps S2201 to S2206 is not limited.

[0362] In the above embodiments, the core network device can send the third message to the terminal through the first access network device, and the fourth message sent by the terminal can also be forwarded to the core network device through the first access network device, without being forwarded through the AMF, thereby reducing the signaling interaction delay between the terminal and the core network device, improving the availability of the service-based radio access network architecture, and improving the flexibility, scalability, and automation degree of network deployment.

[0363] FIG. 3A is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3A, the present embodiment relates to a communication method, and the above method is performed by the first access network device 102-1, and the method comprises:

[0364] Step S3101: obtaining a first message and a first identifier.

[0365] The optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, which will not be described here.

[0366] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 receives the first message and the first identifier sent by the terminal 101, but is not limited thereto, and can also receive the first message and the first identifier sent by other subjects.

[0367] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 obtains the first message and the first identifier specified by a protocol.

[0368] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 obtains the first message and the first identifier from the upper layer(s).

[0369] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 processes to obtain the first message and the first identifier.

[0370] In some embodiments, step S3101 is omitted, and the first access network device 102-1 autonomously implements the function indicated by the first message and the first identifier, or the above function is default or default.

[0371] Step S3102: determining the first information.

[0372] The optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0373] In some embodiments, the first information can be used to determine the core network device information corresponding to the first identifier.

[0374] In some embodiments, the first information can be used to indicate a mapping relationship between the first identifier and the core network device information.

[0375] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 determines the first information according to the second information sent by the terminal 101.

[0376] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 receives the first information sent by the core network device 103.

[0377] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 receives the first information sent by the second access network device 102-2.

[0378] Step S3103, determining the core network device information.

[0379] The optional implementation of step S3103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0380] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 can directly determine the core network device information receiving the first message according to the first identifier.

[0381] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 can jointly determine the core network device information receiving the first message according to the first identifier and the first information.

[0382] Step S3104, sending the first message.

[0383] The optional implementation of step S3104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0384] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 sends the first message to the core network device 103 according to the core network device information.

[0385] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 receives the first message.

[0386] Step S3105, obtaining the second message.

[0387] The optional implementation of step S3105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, which are not described herein.

[0388] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 receives the second message sent by the core network device 103, but is not limited thereto, and can also receive the second message sent by other subjects.

[0389] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 obtains the second message as specified by a protocol.

[0390] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 obtains the second message from an upper layer.

[0391] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 processes to obtain the second message.

[0392] In some embodiments, step S3105 is omitted, and the first access network device 102-1 autonomously implements the function indicated by the second message, or the above function is default or default.

[0393] Step S3106, sending the second message and the first identifier.

[0394] The optional implementation of step S3106 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, which are not described herein.

[0395] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 sends the second message and the first identifier to the terminal 101.

[0396] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 receives the second message and the first identifier.

[0397] In some embodiments, steps S3101 to S3106 are optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0398] In some embodiments, the execution order of steps S3101 to S3106 is not limited.

[0399] In the above embodiments, the first access network device can directly forward the first message sent by the terminal to the core network device, and can forward the second message sent by the core network device to the terminal without forwarding through the AMF, thereby reducing the signaling interaction delay between the terminal and the core network device, improving the availability of the service-based radio access network architecture, and improving the flexibility, scalability and automation degree of network deployment.

[0400] FIG. 3B is a flow diagram of a communication method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3B, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, the method is performed by the first access network device 102-1, and the method comprises the following steps:

[0401] In step S3201, the third message is acquired.

[0402] The optional implementation of step S3201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2201 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0403] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 receives the third message sent by the core network device 103, but is not limited thereto, and can also receive the third message sent by other subjects.

[0404] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 acquires the third message specified by a protocol.

[0405] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 acquires the third message from an upper layer.

[0406] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 processes to obtain the third message.

[0407] In some embodiments, step S3201 is omitted, and the first access network device 102-1 autonomously implements the function indicated by the third message, or the above function is default or default.

[0408] In step S3202, the first information is determined.

[0409] The optional implementation of step S3202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2202 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0410] In step S3203, the third message and the first identifier are sent.

[0411] The optional implementation of step S3203 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2203 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0412] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 sends the third message and the first identifier to the terminal 101.

[0413] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 receives the third message and the first identifier.

[0414] Step S3204: obtaining the fourth message and the first identity.

[0415] The optional implementation of step S3204 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2204 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0416] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 receives the third message and the first identity sent by the terminal 101, but is not limited thereto, and can also receive the third message and the first identity sent by other subjects.

[0417] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 obtains the third message and the first identity specified by a protocol.

[0418] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 obtains the third message and the first identity from upper layer(s).

[0419] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 processes to obtain the third message and the first identity.

[0420] In some embodiments, step S3204 is omitted, and the first access network device 102-1 autonomously implements the function indicated by the third message and the first identity, or the above function is default or default.

[0421] Step S3205: determining the core network device information.

[0422] The optional implementation of step S3205 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2205 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0423] Step S3206: sending the fourth message.

[0424] The optional implementation of step S3206 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2206 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0425] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 sends the fourth message to the core network device 103.

[0426] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 receives the fourth message.

[0427] In some embodiments, steps S3201 to S3206 are optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0428] In some embodiments, the execution sequence of steps S3201 to S3206 is not limited.

[0429] In the above embodiments, the first access network device can receive the third message and the first identifier sent by the core network device, and forward them to the terminal, and can forward the fourth message sent by the terminal to the core network device without forwarding through the AMF, thereby reducing the signaling interaction delay between the terminal and the core network device, improving the availability of the service-based radio access network architecture, and improving the flexibility, scalability and automation degree of network deployment.

[0430] FIG. 3C is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3C, the present embodiment relates to a communication method, and the above method is performed by the first access network device 102-1, and the method comprises:

[0431] Step S3301: obtaining a first message and a first identifier.

[0432] The optional implementation of step S3301 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0433] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 receives the first message and the first identifier sent by the terminal 101, but is not limited thereto, and can also receive the first message and the first identifier sent by other subjects.

[0434] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 obtains the first message and the first identifier specified by the protocol.

[0435] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 obtains the first message and the first identifier from the upper layer(s).

[0436] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 processes to obtain the first message and the first identifier.

[0437] In some embodiments, step S3301 is omitted, and the first access network device 102-1 autonomously implements the function indicated by the first message and the first identifier, or the above function is default or default.

[0438] Step S3302: sending the first message.

[0439] The optional implementation of step S3301 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0440] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 sends the first message to the core network device 103.

[0441] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 receives the first message.

[0442] In some embodiments, steps S3301 to S3302 are optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0443] In some embodiments, the execution order of steps S3301 to S3302 is not limited.

[0444] In the above embodiments, the first access network device can forward the first message sent by the terminal to the core network device directly according to the first identifier, without forwarding through the AMF, thereby reducing the signaling interaction delay between the terminal and the core network device, improving the availability of the service-based radio access network architecture, and improving the flexibility, scalability and automation degree of network deployment.

[0445] FIG. 3D is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3D, the present embodiment relates to a communication method, and the above method is performed by the first access network device 102-1, and the method comprises:

[0446] Step S3401: obtaining a third message.

[0447] The optional implementation of step S3401 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2201 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2B, which will not be described here.

[0448] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 receives the third message sent by the core network device 103, but is not limited thereto, and can also receive the third message sent by other subjects.

[0449] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 obtains the third message specified by a protocol.

[0450] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 obtains the third message from the upper layer(s).

[0451] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 processes to obtain the third message.

[0452] In some embodiments, step S3401 is omitted, and the first access network device 102-1 autonomously implements the function indicated by the third message, or the above function is default or default.

[0453] Step S3402. Transmitting the third message and the first identity.

[0454] The optional implementation of step S3402 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2203 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2B, which are not described here again.

[0455] In some embodiments, steps S3401 to S3402 are optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0456] In some embodiments, the execution order of steps S3401 to S3402 is not limited.

[0457] In the above embodiments, the first access network device can receive the third message and the first identity transmitted by the core network device and forward them to the terminal, without forwarding through the AMF, thereby reducing the signaling interaction delay between the terminal and the core network device, improving the availability of the service-based radio access network architecture, and improving the flexibility, scalability and automation degree of network deployment.

[0458] FIG. 4A is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4A, the present embodiment relates to a communication method, and the above method is performed by the core network device 103, and the method comprises:

[0459] Step S4101. Obtaining a first message.

[0460] The optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A, which are not described here again.

[0461] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 receives the first message transmitted by the first access network device 102-1, but is not limited thereto, and can also receive the first message transmitted by other subjects.

[0462] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 obtains the first message specified by a protocol.

[0463] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 obtains the first message from an upper layer.

[0464] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 processes to obtain the first message.

[0465] In some embodiments, step S4101 is omitted, and the core network device 103 autonomously implements the function indicated by the first message, or the above function is default or default.

[0466] Optionally, the core network device 103 sends the second message to the first access network device 102-1.

[0467] The optional implementation of step S4102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in FIG.2A and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG.2A, which are not described here again in detail.

[0468] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 sends the second message to the first access network device 102-1.

[0469] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 receives the second message.

[0470] In some embodiments, steps S4101 to S4102 are optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0471] In some embodiments, the execution order of steps S4101 to S4102 is not limited.

[0472] In the above embodiments, the core network device can receive the first message from the terminal forwarded by the first access network device, and can send the second message to the terminal through the first access network device without forwarding through the AMF, thereby reducing the signaling interaction delay between the terminal and the core network device, improving the availability of the service-based radio access network architecture, and improving the flexibility, scalability and automation degree of network deployment.

[0473] FIG.4B is a flow diagram of a communication method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG.4B, some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, and the above method is performed by the core network device 103, and the method comprises:

[0474] Optionally, the core network device 103 sends the third message to the first access network device 102-1.

[0475] The optional implementation of step S4201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2201 in FIG.2B and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG.2B, which are not described here again in detail.

[0476] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 sends the third message to the first access network device 102-1.

[0477] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 receives the third message.

[0478] Optionally, the core network device 103 sends the fourth message to the first access network device 102-1.

[0479] The optional implementation of step S4202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2206 in FIG.2B and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG.2B, which are not described here again in detail.

[0480] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 receives the fourth message sent by the first access network device 102-1, but is not limited thereto, and can also receive the fourth message sent by other subjects.

[0481] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 obtains the fourth message as specified by a protocol.

[0482] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 obtains the fourth message from upper layer(s).

[0483] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 processes to obtain the fourth message.

[0484] In some embodiments, step S4202 is omitted, and the core network device 103 autonomously implements the function indicated by the first message, or the above function is default or default.

[0485] In some embodiments, steps S4201 to S4202 are optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0486] In some embodiments, the execution order of steps S4201 to S4202 is not limited.

[0487] In the above embodiments, the core network device can send the third message to the terminal through the first access network device, and can receive the fourth message sent by the terminal through the first access network device without forwarding through the AMF, thereby reducing the signaling interaction delay between the terminal and the core network device, improving the availability of the service-based radio access network architecture, and improving the flexibility, scalability and automation degree of network deployment.

[0488] FIG. 4C is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4C, the present embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, and the above method is performed by the core network device 103, and the method comprises:

[0489] Step S4301: obtaining a first message.

[0490] The optional implementation of step S4301 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A, which will not be described here.

[0491] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 receives the first message sent by the first access network device 102-1, but is not limited thereto, and can also receive the first message sent by other subjects.

[0492] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 obtains the first message as specified by a protocol.

[0493] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 obtains the first message from upper layer(s).

[0494] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 processes to obtain the first message.

[0495] In some embodiments, step S4301 is omitted, and the core network device 103 autonomously implements the function indicated by the first message, or the above function is default or default.

[0496] In the above embodiments, the core network device can receive the first message from the terminal forwarded by the first access network device, without forwarding through the AMF, reducing the signaling interaction delay between the terminal and the core network device, improving the availability of the service-based radio access network architecture, and improving the flexibility, scalability and automation degree of network deployment.

[0497] FIG. 4D is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4D, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, and the above method is performed by the core network device 103, and the method comprises:

[0498] Step S4401, sending a third message.

[0499] The optional implementation of step S4401 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2201 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B, which will not be described here.

[0500] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 sends the third message to the first access network device 102-1.

[0501] In some embodiments, the first access network device 102-1 receives the third message.

[0502] In the above embodiments, the core network device can send the third message to the terminal through the first access network device, without forwarding through the AMF, reducing the signaling interaction delay between the terminal and the core network device, improving the availability of the service-based radio access network architecture, and improving the flexibility, scalability and automation degree of network deployment.

[0503] The above process is further illustrated as follows.

[0504] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a scheme for supporting NAS signaling transmission function under the service-based RAN architecture is provided.

[0505] 1. The first access network device receives the first message and the first identifier from the terminal, and transmits the first message to the first core network device according to the first identifier.

[0506] The first message is a signaling message between the terminal and the first core network device, for example, a NAS message.

[0507] In some embodiments, the first core network device can include at least one of the following: AMF, SMF, SF, PCF, LMF.

[0508] 2, based on 1, transmitting the first message to the first core network device according to the first identifier includes:

[0509] Transmitting the first message to the first core network device according to the first identifier and the first information.

[0510] 3, based on 2, wherein the first information includes a mapping relationship between the first identifier and the core network device information.

[0511] In some embodiments, the first information includes a mapping relationship between one or more first identifiers and core network device information. For example, the first identifier is 1, and the corresponding core network device information is AMF1; the first identifier is 2, and the corresponding core network device information is LMF.

[0512] 4, based on any one of 1-3, the first access network device can determine the first information by at least one of the following ways:

[0513] The first access network device receives second information from the terminal device, and selects the first core network device according to the second information, and the first access network device determines the first information. Wherein, the second information includes the first identifier;

[0514] The first access network device receives the first information from the first core network device;

[0515] The first access network device receives the first information from the second access network device (switch or get UE context process);

[0516] 5, based on any one of 1-4, wherein the first identifier includes at least one of the following information:

[0517] NAS ID;

[0518] NF (network function) ID or NF instance ID;

[0519] NAS type, for example, the type of NAS can be access management, session management, positioning message, perception message, user policy; computing power management; communication perception management; AI function management, etc.

[0520] 6, based on 1-4, the core network device information includes at least one of the following:

[0521] NF (network function) ID or NF instance ID;

[0522] FQDN;

[0523] IP address(es).

[0524] 7, based on 1-4, the second information further comprises at least one of the following information:

[0525] NAS type, for example, the type of NAS can be access management, session management, positioning message, sensing message, user policy; computing power management; communication sensing management; AI function management, etc.

[0526] NF type, for example, AMF, SMF;

[0527] Service type, for example AI, sensing.

[0528] Embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 5A, the communication method comprises the following steps:

[0529] Step S5101, the terminal sends a NAS message (first message) and second information to the base station (first access network device). Wherein, the first identification is included in the second information.

[0530] In some embodiments, the base station selects a suitable NF for the terminal according to the second information, and saves the mapping relationship between the first identification and the selected NF.

[0531] In some embodiments, the second information can further include at least one of the NAS type, the NF type, and the service type, and the base station selects a suitable NF for the terminal according to the above information, and sends the corresponding NAS message to the selected NF.

[0532] In some embodiments, the NAS message and the second information are included in an RRC message, such as at least one of RRCSetupComplete message, RRCResumeComplete message, and ULInformationTransfer message.

[0533] Step S5102, the base station forwards the NAS message to the selected NF.

[0534] Embodiment 2, as shown in Figure 5B, the communication method comprises the following steps:

[0535] Step S5201, the NF sends a NAS message (first message) and first information to the base station, and the base station saves the first information.

[0536] Wherein, the first information is used to indicate the mapping relationship between the first identification and the core network device information.

[0537] In some embodiments, the first information comprises one or more mapping relationships, each of which comprises at least one of the first identifier, the FQDN, and the IP address(es).

[0538] In some embodiments, the first identifier comprises at least one of a NAS ID, a NF (network function) ID or a NF instance ID, and a NAS type.

[0539] In some embodiments, the NAS message and the first information are included in a second message sent by the core network to the base station. The second message can be a service request message for requesting sensing or AI, but is not limited thereto.

[0540] Step S5202, the base station forwards the NAS message to the terminal.

[0541] Optionally, the first identifier is included in the NAS message.

[0542] Step S5203, the terminal sends the NAS message and the first identifier to the base station, wherein the first identifier is used by the base station to determine how to forward the NAS message.

[0543] In some embodiments, the base station determines the core network device corresponding to the NAS message according to the first identifier and the first information.

[0544] In some embodiments, the NAS message is included in an RRC message, such as at least one of an RRCSetupComplete message, an RRCResumeComplete message, and an ULInformationTransfer message.

[0545] Step S5204, the base station forwards the NAS message to the core network device corresponding to the first identifier.

[0546] In some embodiments, the base station takes IP address information corresponding to the first identifier as a destination address of a transport layer IP header of the NAS message, so that the NAS message can be sent to the corresponding core network device.

[0547] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, part or all of the steps and optional implementation manners thereof can be combined with part or all of the steps in other embodiments, or can be combined with optional implementation manners of other embodiments.

[0548] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a device (which can also be referred to as a communication device) for implementing any of the above methods, for example, a device comprising units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the first access network device (for example, a base station, a CU, a DU) in any of the above methods. For another example, another device is further provided, comprising units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the core network device (for example, a core network function node, a core network network element, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0549] It should be understood that the division of each unit or module in the above device is only a logical function division, and all or part of the units or modules can be integrated into one physical entity or physically separated in actual implementation. In addition, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of processor invoking software: for example, the device comprises a processor connected with a memory, the memory stores instructions, and the processor invokes the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of each unit or module of the device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory in the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, and the functions of part or all of the units or modules can be implemented by the design of the hardware circuit, and the hardware circuit can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of part or all of the units or modules are implemented by the design of the logical relationship between the elements in the circuit; for another example, in another implementation, the hardware circuit is a programmable logic device (PLD), and taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by a configuration file, so as to implement the functions of part or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented in the form of processor invoking software, or all units or modules can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, or part of the units or modules are implemented in the form of processor invoking software, and the remaining part is implemented in the form of hardware circuit.

[0550] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capability. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and running capability, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), a digital signal processor (DSP), and the like. In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through a logical relationship of hardware circuit, and the logical relationship of the hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In the reconfigurable hardware circuit, the processor loads a configuration document to implement the configuration of the hardware circuit. It can be understood that the processor loads instructions to implement the functions of the above part or all units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), and the like.

[0551] FIG. 6A is a structural schematic diagram of a first access network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6A, the first access network device 6100 can include a transceiver module 6101.

[0552] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 6101 is configured to receive a first message and a first identifier sent by a terminal, wherein the first identifier is used to indicate a core network device, and send the first message to the core network device according to the first identifier.

[0553] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 6101 is configured to receive a third message sent by a core network device, and send the third message and a first identifier to a terminal, wherein the first identifier is used to indicate the core network device.

[0554] Optionally, the transceiver module is configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2101, S2104, S2105, S2106, S2201, S2203, S2204, S2206, but not limited thereto) of transmitting and / or receiving performed by the first access network device 102-1 in any of the above methods. Details are not described herein.

[0555] FIG. 6B is a structural schematic diagram of a core network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6B, the core network device 6200 can include a transceiver module 6201.

[0556] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 6201 is configured to receive a first message transmitted by a first access network device according to a first identifier, wherein the first message is transmitted by a terminal to the first access network device, and the first identifier is used to indicate the core network device.

[0557] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 6201 is configured to transmit a third message by the first access network device, wherein the third message is transmitted by the first access network device to the terminal.

[0558] In some embodiments, the transceiver module can include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, which can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the transceiver module can be replaced by a transceiver.

[0559] FIG. 7A is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device 7100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 7100 can be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, etc.), a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the network device to implement any of the above methods. The communication device 7100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and details can be referred to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0560] As shown in FIG. 7A, the communication device 7100 includes one or more processors 7101. The processor 7101 can be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be configured to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be configured to control the communication device (e.g., a base station, a baseband chip, a DU, or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process data of the programs. Optionally, the communication device 7100 is configured to implement any of the above methods. Optionally, the one or more processors 7101 are configured to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 7100 to implement any of the above methods.

[0561] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more transceivers 7102. When the communication device 7100 includes one or more transceivers 7102, the transceiver 7102 performs at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2101, steps S2104, steps S2105, steps S2106, steps S2201, steps S2203, steps S2204, steps S2206, but not limited to) in the above-described methods, and the processor 7101 performs at least one of the other steps (e.g., steps S2102, steps S2103, steps S2202, steps S2205, but not limited to). In optional embodiments, the transceiver can include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiving unit, transceiver, transceiving circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc. can be replaced with each other, and the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other, and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0562] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more memories 7103 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memory 7103 can also be outside the communication device 7100. In optional embodiments, the communication device 7100 can include one or more interface circuits 7104. Optionally, the interface circuit 7104 is connected with the memory 7102, and the interface circuit 7104 can be used to receive data from the memory 7102 or other devices, and can be used to send data to the memory 7102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 7104 can read the data stored in the memory 7102 and send the data to the processor 7101.

[0563] The communication device 7100 described in the above embodiments can be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 7100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 7100 can not be limited by FIG. 7A. The communication device can be a standalone device or can be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device can be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit (IC), or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a set of one or more ICs, which can optionally include storage components for storing data, programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, a smart terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handset, a mobile unit, a vehicle-mounted device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0564] FIG. 7B is a structural schematic diagram of a chip 7200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the case where the communication device 7100 can be a chip or a chip system, reference can be made to the structural schematic diagram of the chip 7200 shown in FIG. 7B, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0565] The chip 7200 comprises one or more processors 7201. The chip 7200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0566] In some embodiments, the chip 7200 further comprises one or more interface circuits 7202. Optionally, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, etc. can be replaced by each other. In some embodiments, the chip 7200 further comprises one or more memories 7203 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memory 7203 can be outside the chip 7200. Optionally, the interface circuit 7202 is connected with the memory 7203, the interface circuit 7202 can be configured to receive data from the memory 7203 or other devices, and the interface circuit 7202 can be configured to send data to the memory 7203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 7202 can read the data stored in the memory 7203 and send the data to the processor 7201.

[0567] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 7202 performs at least one of the communication steps (such as steps S2101, S2104, S2105, S2106, S2201, S2203, S2204, S2206, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto) of transmitting and / or receiving in the above methods. The interface circuit 7202 performing the communication steps of transmitting and / or receiving in the above methods, for example, means that the interface circuit 7202 performs data interaction between the processor 7201, the chip 7200, the memory 7203 or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 7201 performs at least one of the other steps (such as steps S2102, S2103, S2202, S2205, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto).

[0568] The modules and / or devices described in each of the embodiments of the virtual device, the physical device, the chip, etc. can be combined or separated as appropriate. Optionally, part or all of the steps can also be performed by a plurality of modules and / or devices in cooperation, which is not limited herein.

[0569] The communication device can be an access network device. When the communication device is an access network device, the communication device can be configured to perform any of the above methods performed by the first access network device side. The communication device can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: an access network device of 5G (e.g., a gNB); an access network device of 4G (e.g., an eNB); an access network device of 6G or 7G; a CU; a DU. The communication device can implement the functions of the above access network device, and perform any of the above methods provided by the first access network device side.

[0570] The communication device can be a core network device. When the communication device is a core network device, the communication device can be configured to perform any of the above methods performed by the core network device side. The communication device can be a device including at least one of the core network network elements, or the communication device can be a plurality of core network devices or device groups corresponding to different core network network elements. For example, the core network network element can be at least one of an AMF, an SMF, an SF, an LMF, and a PCF. The communication device can implement the functions of the at least one core network network element, and perform any of the above methods provided by the core network device side.

[0571] The communication device can be a network device. When the communication device is a network device, the communication device can perform any of the above methods performed by the core network device side or the core network device side. The communication device can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: an access network device, a core network device.

[0572] The disclosure further provides a storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on the communication device 7100, cause the communication device 7100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited to this, and can also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited to this, and can also be a transitory storage medium.

[0573] The disclosure further provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 8100, causes the communication device 8100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0574] The disclosure further provides a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

[0575] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the precise construction that has been described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and that various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is performed by a first access network device, and the method comprises: receiving a first message and a first identifier sent by a terminal; wherein the first identifier is used to indicate a core network device; sending the first message to the core network device according to the first identifier.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The sending of the first message to the core network device according to the first identifier comprises: determining core network device information according to the first identifier, or determining core network device information according to the first identifier and first information; wherein the first information is used to determine the core network device information corresponding to the first identifier; sending the first message to the core network device according to the core network device information.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The first information is used to indicate: a mapping relationship between the first identifier and the core network device information.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The core network device information comprises at least one of: a network function identifier of the core network device; a network function instance identifier of the core network device; a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the core network device; an address of the core network device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that, The method further comprises at least one of: determining the first information according to second information sent by the terminal; wherein the second information is used for the first access network device to select the core network device for the terminal; receiving the first information sent by the core network device; receiving the first information sent by a second access network device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The second information comprises at least one of: the first identifier; a type of the first message; a type of the core network device; a service type.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first identifier comprises at least one of: an identifier of the first message; a network function identifier of the core network device; a network function instance identifier of the core network device; a type of the first message.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving a second message sent by the core network device according to the first message; sending the second message and the first identifier to the terminal.

9. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is performed by a core network device, and the method comprises: receiving a first message sent by a first access network device according to a first identifier; wherein the first message is sent by a terminal to the first access network device, and the first identifier is used to indicate the core network device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The method further comprises: sending first information to the first access network device; wherein the first information is used to determine core network device information corresponding to the first identifier.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The first information is used to indicate: a mapping relationship between the first identifier and the core network device information.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The core network device information comprises at least one of: a network function identifier of the core network device; a network function instance identifier of the core network device; a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the core network device; an address of the core network device.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9-12, characterized in that, The first identifier comprises at least one of: an identifier of the first message; a network function identifier of the core network device; a network function instance identifier of the core network device; a type of the first message.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending a second message to the first access network device according to the first message; wherein the second message is sent by the first access network device to the terminal.

15. A communication device, characterized by The communication device is configured to perform the method of any of claims 1-8 or 9-14.

16. A communication system, characterized by comprising: a terminal; a first access network device, the first device being configured to implement the communication method of any of claims 1-8; a core network device, the second device being configured to implement the communication method of any of claims 9-14.

17. A storage medium, the storage medium storing instructions, wherein, The instructions, when run on the communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method of any of claims 1-8 or 9-14.

18. A computer program, characterized in that, The instructions, when run on the computer, cause the computer to perform the communication method of any of claims 1-8 or 9-14.

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