Communication method for determining intermediate node, communication apparatus, and communication system

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method for determining an intermediate node, a communication apparatus, and a communication system, which provide a clear solution for the selection of an intermediate node. The method is applied to a first network element, and the first network element has an Internet of Things service capability. The method comprises: determining a first intermediate node on the basis of a first mode, the first mode comprising determining the first intermediate node on the basis of preconfigured intermediate nodes and / or a service region, and the first intermediate node being used for providing a service for an Internet of Things device.

Description

Communication method, communication device and communication system for determining intermediate node

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411403319.9, filed on September 30, 2024, and entitled "Communication method, communication device and communication system for determining intermediate node", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication, and in particular to a communication method, a communication device and a communication system for determining an intermediate node. BACKGROUND

[0003] Currently, a protocol defines two transmission topologies of Internet of Things data. The first one is that a core network transmits data with an Internet of Things device through an access network device, and the second one is that the core network transmits data with the Internet of Things device through the access network device and an intermediate node.

[0004] For the second transmission topology, there is no clear solution on how to select the intermediate node. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a communication method, a communication device and a communication system for determining an intermediate node, which provides a clear solution for the selection of the intermediate node.

[0006] In a first aspect, a method for determining an intermediate node is provided, which is applied to a first network element having an Internet of Things service capability, and includes: determining a first intermediate node based on a first manner, the first manner including determining the first intermediate node based on a pre-configured intermediate node and / or a service area, the first intermediate node being used to provide a service for an Internet of Things device.

[0007] The embodiments of the present application provide the first network element with a manner of determining the first intermediate node based on the pre-configured intermediate node and / or determining the first intermediate node based on the service area, thereby providing a clear solution for determining the first intermediate node.

[0008] In some implementations, before the determining the first intermediate node based on the first manner, the method further includes: determining the first manner based on first information corresponding to an application function, the first information including one or more of the following information: a pre-subscribed manner of the application function, first indication information, configuration information of the pre-configured intermediate node, second indication information, and information of a first policy, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate whether there is a pre-configured intermediate node, the second indication information is used to indicate whether there is the first policy, and the first policy is a policy of determining the first intermediate node based on the service area.

[0009] By setting the first information for the application function, when the service related to the application function is executed, the first manner can be determined based on the first information corresponding to the application function, so that the determined first manner meets the requirements of the application function, and the selection of the first intermediate node is more reasonable.

[0010] In some implementations, if the first manner at least includes determining the first intermediate node based on the pre-configured intermediate nodes, the first intermediate node is one or more of the pre-configured intermediate nodes.

[0011] Since the pre-configured intermediate nodes are set in advance, determining the first intermediate node based on the pre-configured intermediate nodes can reduce the complexity of determining the first intermediate node.

[0012] In some implementations, if the first manner at least includes determining the first intermediate node based on the service area, the first intermediate node is an intermediate node whose location information corresponding to the intermediate node matches the service area.

[0013] In some implementations, the first intermediate node is determined based on the first manner, including determining the first intermediate node based on the service area and a second strategy, the second strategy including one or more of the following information: third indication information, indicating whether to determine the first intermediate node based on the location information; first location information, the first location information being used to determine the first intermediate node; and validity of the first strategy.

[0014] The first network element can determine the first intermediate node based on the service area, which can dynamically select the first intermediate node according to actual needs, so that the selected first intermediate node is more accurate.

[0015] By setting the second strategy, the first network element can determine the strategy for selecting the first intermediate node when determining the first intermediate node based on the service area.

[0016] In some implementations, the first location information includes one or more of the following information: cell information corresponding to the service area, a first geographic location corresponding to the service area, and a tracking area corresponding to the service area.

[0017] In some embodiments, if the first location information at least comprises cell information corresponding to the service area and / or tracking area corresponding to the service area, the determining the first intermediate node based on the first manner comprises: determining a candidate intermediate node based on a registration area of the intermediate node and the service area; and determining the first intermediate node based on second information corresponding to the candidate intermediate node; wherein the second information comprises one or more of the following: whether the candidate intermediate node has an Internet of Things service capability; whether the candidate intermediate node has executed an Internet of Things service; and a coverage range of the candidate intermediate node.

[0018] By first coarsely screening the intermediate nodes to obtain the candidate intermediate nodes, and then finely screening the candidate intermediate nodes to obtain the final first intermediate node, the speed of determining the first intermediate node can be improved, and the accuracy of the determined first intermediate node can also be improved.

[0019] In some embodiments, if the first location information at least comprises a first geographic location corresponding to the service area, the determining the first intermediate node based on the first manner comprises: determining a candidate intermediate node based on a registration area of the intermediate node and the service area; and determining the first intermediate node based on a distance between a second geographic location of the candidate intermediate node and the first geographic location.

[0020] When determining the first intermediate node based on the distance, the intermediate nodes can be coarsely screened first, which can reduce the number of distances to be determined, and thus can reduce the computational overhead and improve the speed of determining the first intermediate node.

[0021] In some embodiments, the determining the first intermediate node based on the distance between the second geographic location of the candidate intermediate node and the first geographic location comprises: determining the first intermediate node based on the distance between the second geographic location and the first geographic location and third information; wherein the third information comprises one or more of the following: whether the candidate intermediate node has an Internet of Things service capability; whether the candidate intermediate node has executed an Internet of Things service; and a coverage range of the candidate intermediate node.

[0022] When determining the first intermediate node based on the distance, the service capability, the executed service, and the coverage range of the intermediate node can also be considered, which can improve the accuracy of the determined first intermediate node.

[0023] In some implementations, the method further includes: sending, to a positioning server, a first request message, the first request message being used to request the second geographic location; receiving the second geographic location sent by the positioning server; and determining a distance between the second geographic location and the first geographic location based on the second geographic location and the first geographic location.

[0024] By calculating the distance between the first geographic location and the second geographic location by the first network element, the calculation overhead of the intermediate node can be reduced.

[0025] In some implementations, the method further includes: sending, to a positioning server, a second request message, the second request message being used to request a distance between the second geographic location and the first geographic location; and receiving the distance between the second geographic location and the first geographic location sent by the positioning server.

[0026] In some implementations, the method further includes: storing fourth information corresponding to the first intermediate node, the fourth information including one or more of the following information: area information of an Internet of Things service provided by the first intermediate node; mobility of the first intermediate node; connection state of the first intermediate node; and Internet of Things service capability of the first intermediate node.

[0027] By storing the related information of the first intermediate node, when there is a subsequent same Internet of Things service requirement (such as an Internet of Things service for a same area in a same time period), the first network element can preferentially determine the first intermediate node, so as to improve the speed of determining the first intermediate node and improve the ability to provide services for the AF.

[0028] In some implementations, if the transmission mode between the device and the application function is control plane transmission, the method further includes: sending, to an access network device or the first intermediate node, a first message, the first message being used for the first intermediate node to provide services for the Internet of Things device, the first message including one or more of the following information: an Internet of Things service request; fourth indication information used to indicate the service area; and cell information corresponding to the preconfigured intermediate node.

[0029] In some implementations, the first message is a paging message or an Internet of Things service request message.

[0030] In some implementations, if the transmission mode between the device and the application function is user plane transmission, the method further includes: sending, to the application function, a second message, the second message including information of the first intermediate node, the second message being used for the application function to send an Internet of Things service request to the first intermediate node.

[0031] In a second aspect, a communication method for determining an intermediate node is provided. The method is applied to a user data management network element and includes: sending, to a first network element, first information corresponding to an application function, the first information being used to determine a first manner, the first manner being used to determine a first intermediate node, the first manner including determining the first intermediate node based on a pre-configured intermediate node and / or a service area, the first intermediate node being used to provide a service for an Internet of Things device, the first network element having an Internet of Things service capability.

[0032] In some implementations, the first information includes one or more of the following: a manner in which the application function is pre-subscribed, first indication information, configuration information of the pre-configured intermediate node, and second indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate whether there is a pre-configured intermediate node, and the second indication information is used to indicate whether there is a first policy, the first policy being a policy for determining the first intermediate node based on the service area.

[0033] In some implementations, the method further includes: receiving a third request message sent by a policy control network element, the third request message being used to request the first policy; and in response to the third request message, sending the first policy to the policy control network element.

[0034] In some implementations, the method further includes: receiving a fourth request message sent by a policy control network element, the fourth request message being used to request a second policy; and in response to the fourth request message, sending the second policy to the policy control network element, wherein the second policy is used to determine the first intermediate node, and the second policy includes one or more of the following: third indication information, used to indicate whether the first intermediate node is determined based on location information; first location information, used to determine the first intermediate node; and validity of the first policy.

[0035] In some implementations, the first location information includes one or more of the following: cell information corresponding to the service area, a first geographic location corresponding to the service area, and a tracking area corresponding to the service area.

[0036] In a third aspect, another communication method for determining an intermediate node is provided. The method is applied to a first intermediate node and includes: receiving an Internet of Things service request; and in response to the Internet of Things service request, providing a service for an Internet of Things device, the first intermediate node being determined based on a first manner, the first manner including determining the first intermediate node based on a pre-configured intermediate node and / or a service area.

[0037] In some embodiments, the IoT service request is sent by an application function to the first intermediate node, or sent by a first network element to the first intermediate node, the first network element having IoT service capability.

[0038] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: determining location related information of the first intermediate node, the location related information comprising a geographical location of the first intermediate node, and / or a distance between the geographical location of the first intermediate node and a geographical location corresponding to a service area; and sending the location related information to a first network element, the location related information being used by the first network element to determine the first intermediate node, the first network element having IoT service capability.

[0039] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes a unit (or module) composed of software and / or hardware, and which is configured to perform any of the methods in the technical solutions of the first aspect.

[0040] In a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes a unit (or module) composed of software and / or hardware, and which is configured to perform any of the methods in the technical solutions of the second aspect.

[0041] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes a unit (or module) composed of software and / or hardware, and which is configured to perform any of the methods in the technical solutions of the third aspect.

[0042] In a seventh aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a processor; and the processor is configured to read and execute a computer program stored in a memory, so as to perform any of the methods in the technical solutions of the first aspect.

[0043] Optionally, the chip further includes the memory, and the memory is connected with the processor through a circuit or a wire.

[0044] Further optionally, the chip further includes a communication interface.

[0045] In an eighth aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a processor; and the processor is configured to read and execute a computer program stored in a memory, so as to perform any of the methods in the technical solutions of the second aspect.

[0046] Optionally, the chip further includes the memory, and the memory is connected with the processor through a circuit or a wire.

[0047] Further optionally, the chip further includes a communication interface.

[0048] In a ninth aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a processor; and the processor is configured to read and execute a computer program stored in a memory, so as to perform any of the methods in the technical solutions of the third aspect.

[0049] Optionally, the chip further comprises a memory, and the memory is connected with the processor through a circuit or a wire.

[0050] Further optionally, the chip further comprises a communication interface.

[0051] In a tenth aspect, a first network element is provided, comprising a processor, a memory and an interface; the processor, the memory and the interface cooperate with each other, so that the first network element executes any one of the methods in the technical solutions of the first aspect; or comprises any one of the chips in the seventh aspect.

[0052] In an eleventh aspect, a user data management network element is provided, comprising a processor, a memory and an interface; the processor, the memory and the interface cooperate with each other, so that the user data management network element executes any one of the methods in the technical solutions of the second aspect; or comprises any one of the chips in the eighth aspect.

[0053] In a twelfth aspect, a first intermediate node is provided, comprising a processor, a memory and an interface; the processor, the memory and the interface cooperate with each other, so that the first intermediate node executes any one of the methods in the technical solutions of the third aspect; or comprises any one of the chips in the ninth aspect.

[0054] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, and the computer readable storage medium stores a computer program, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the processor executes any one of the methods in the technical solutions of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0055] In a fourteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, and the computer program product comprises computer program code, when the computer program code runs on a communication device, the communication device executes any one of the methods in the technical solutions of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0056] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a first network element, a user data management network element and a first intermediate node, the first network element is configured to execute any one of the methods in the first aspect, the user data management network element is configured to execute any one of the methods in the second aspect, and the first intermediate node is configured to execute any one of the methods in the third aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0057] FIG. 1 is an architecture of a communication system applicable to embodiments of the present application;

[0058] FIG. 2 shows a structure of an IoT communication system;

[0059] FIG. 3 shows a network structure of an IoT communication system;

[0060] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an interaction process between a reader and a device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] FIG. 5 is a topology diagram of IoT data transmission through a control plane according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG. 6 is a topology diagram of IoT data transmission through a user plane according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication method for determining an intermediate node according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a process for determining a UE based on a static manner by a core network for control plane transmission according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a process for determining a UE based on a dynamic manner by a core network for control plane transmission according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a process for determining a UE based on a static manner by a core network for user plane transmission according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a process for determining a UE based on a static manner by a core network for user plane transmission according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of another communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of still another communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system 10 to which embodiments of the present application are applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system includes a radio access network (RAN) 100, which includes at least one RAN node (e.g., 110a and 110b, collectively referred to as 110 in FIG. 1), and at least one terminal device (e.g., 120a-120j, collectively referred to as 120 in FIG. 1). The RAN 100 can also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in FIG. 1). The terminal devices 120 are wirelessly connected to the RAN nodes 110. The terminal devices and the terminal devices, and the RAN nodes and the RAN nodes can be connected to each other through wired or wireless means. The communication system 10 can also include a core network 200. The RAN nodes 110 are connected to the core network 200 through wireless or wired means. The core network devices in the core network 200 and the RAN nodes 110 in the RAN 100 can be independent and different physical devices, or can be the same physical device integrated with the logical functions of the core network devices and the logical functions of the RAN nodes. The communication system 10 can also include the Internet 300.

[0073] The RAN 100 can be an evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) system, a new radio (NR) system, and a future wireless access system defined in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP). The RAN 100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. The RAN 100 can also include two or more different wireless access systems described above.

[0074] A RAN node, also referred to as a radio access network device, a RAN entity, or an access node, is configured to help a terminal device access a communication system through wireless means. In one application scenario, the RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, a next generation NodeB in a 6th generation (6G) mobile communication system, or a base station in a future mobile communication system. The RAN node can be a macro base station (e.g., 110a in FIG. 1), a micro base station or an indoor station (e.g., 110b in FIG. 1), a relay node, or a donor node.

[0075] In another application scenario, a terminal device can access a communication system through wireless means by cooperation of multiple RAN nodes, and different RAN nodes implement part of functions of a base station. For example, the RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). Here, the CU implements functions of a radio resource control protocol and a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) of a base station, and can also implement a function of a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP). The DU implements functions of a radio link control layer and a medium access control (MAC) layer of a base station, and can also implement part of functions of a physical layer or all functions of a physical layer. For details of the protocol layers, refer to relevant technical specifications of 3GPP. The RU can be configured to implement functions of transceiving a radio frequency signal. The CU and the DU can be two independent RAN nodes, or can be integrated in the same RAN node, e.g., integrated in a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device, e.g., included in a remote radio unit (RRU) or an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU can be further divided into two types of RAN nodes, i.e., a CU-control plane and a CU-user plane.

[0076] The RAN node can have different names in different systems, for example, in an O-RAN system, the CU can be referred to as an open CU (O-CU), the DU can be referred to as an open DU (O-DU), and the RU can be referred to as an open RU (O-RU). The RAN node in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module. For example, the RAN node can be a server loaded with a corresponding software module. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form of the RAN node. For ease of description, a base station is described as an example of the RAN node in the following.

[0077] The terminal device is a device with wireless transceiving function, which can send signals to the base station or receive signals from the base station. The terminal device can also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. The terminal device can be widely applied in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), internet of things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, remote medical treatment, smart power grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The terminal device can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiving function, wearable device, vehicle, airplane, ship, robot, mechanical arm, smart home device, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form of the terminal device.

[0078] The base station and the terminal device can be fixed in position or movable. The base station and the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on water surface; can also be deployed on airplanes, balloons and artificial satellites. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios of the base station and the terminal device.

[0079] The roles of the base station and the terminal device can be relative. For example, the helicopter or the drone 120i in FIG. 1 can be configured as a mobile base station, and for the terminal device 120j that accesses the wireless access network 100 through 120i, 120i is a base station; but for the base station 110a, 120i is a terminal device, that is, 110a communicates with 120i through a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate through a base station-to-base station interface protocol, and in this case, 120i is also a base station relative to 110a. Therefore, the base station and the terminal device can be collectively referred to as a communication device, and 110a and 110b in FIG. 1 can be referred to as a communication device with a base station function, and 120a-120j in FIG. 1 can be referred to as a communication device with a terminal function.

[0080] The base station and the terminal device, the base station and the base station, and the terminal device and the terminal device can communicate through a licensed frequency spectrum, or through an unlicensed frequency spectrum, or through both the licensed frequency spectrum and the unlicensed frequency spectrum; can communicate through a frequency spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), or through a frequency spectrum above 6 GHz, or through both the frequency spectrum below 6 GHz and the frequency spectrum above 6 GHz. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the frequency spectrum resources used for communication.

[0081] In the embodiments of the present application, the functions of the base station can also be performed by a module (such as a chip) in the base station, or by a control subsystem containing base station functions. The control subsystem containing base station functions herein can be a control center in the above-mentioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. The functions of the terminal device can also be performed by a module (such as a chip or a modem) in the terminal device, or by a device containing terminal device functions.

[0082] The rise of IoT technology has brought new challenges to the communication system. The use scenarios of IoT terminal devices can include logistics, warehousing, factory automation, and animal husbandry. The IoT terminal device and the network device can perform intermittent simple communication or rough positioning tracking. Even the simplest IoT terminal device, such as an NB-IoT terminal device for coal metering, needs a battery to provide energy. However, although the energy consumption of the IoT terminal device is very low, the internal battery can last for at most a few years and will eventually run out. Therefore, the battery of the IoT terminal device needs to be replaced regularly, which consumes a lot of manpower. Moreover, some industrial scenarios are dangerous and are not suitable for manual operation. Therefore, battery-free IoT terminal devices have emerged.

[0083] The number of battery-free IoT terminal devices is huge and the cost is low, and generally no manual maintenance is required after installation. Radio frequency identification (RFID) terminal devices can meet people's demand for battery-free IoT terminal devices to some extent. However, the operation of the RFID system still requires manual participation. For example, a manual handheld reader is required in some RFID systems. Moreover, the wireless coverage range of a single RFID reader is limited (within 10 meters), so a large-scale RFID system requires more manual participation. For example, when using an RFID system to inventory the goods in a large supermarket, a lot of manpower, material resources and time are required.

[0084] Porting a system similar to RFID to a cellular network can well solve the problem of limited coverage. This is because cellular networks (such as 4th generation (4G) systems and 5G systems) have reached full coverage or at least major city coverage in some countries or regions (such as China and Europe and the United States). Based on the wider network coverage, the communication or positioning process between the IoT terminal device and the network device can not require manual participation. Therefore, the IoT terminal device can work uninterruptedly and efficiently. In addition, the IoT terminal device can even work efficiently in an environment unsuitable for manual work (such as a wilderness, a mine, and a factory). Therefore, when applying the IoT terminal device, in addition to the initial association of the IoT terminal device with a specific object, subsequent data reading and writing and operation and maintenance can be operated through an application (APP) on a smart phone, which is very convenient and efficient. Such a communication system can be referred to as an IoT communication system (or AIoT communication system) or a zero-power communication system.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 2, the IoT communication system can include a network device 210 and a terminal device 220. The terminal device 220 can also be a zero-power terminal device. The network device 210 can be referred to as a reader, and the terminal device 220 can be referred to as a tag or a device. The IoT communication system uses energy harvesting and backscatter communication technology, and the network device 210 can send a wireless energy supply signal, a downlink communication signal to the terminal device 220, and receive a backscatter signal of the terminal device 220. A basic terminal device 220 can include an energy harvesting module 221, a backscatter communication module 222, and a low-power computing module 223. In addition, the terminal device 220 can also include a memory module (not shown in the figure) for storing some basic information (such as an object identifier). Alternatively, the terminal device 220 can also include a sensor module 224 for obtaining environmental temperature, environmental humidity, and other sensor data.

[0086] Use cases of the IoT communication system can include four categories, namely inventory, sensor, tracking and command. Inventory refers to checking and supplementing goods when goods enter and exit a warehouse. Common sensors can include temperature, pressure, humidity, etc. Sensors can be used in industrial and agricultural and smart city occasions, and the information collected by the sensors can be uploaded to a third-party APP through the IoT system for monitoring and management. Tracking generally refers to obtaining the approximate position of an object at irregular intervals, for example, a user can use a smart phone to know the position of his express delivery in real time. Command refers to operating a certain servo mechanism through the IoT system, and the servo mechanism can be connected with an IoT terminal device. For example, people can water flowers in the backyard during work or rest in the office through a mobile phone APP, and the watering servo mechanism can be connected with a certain IoT terminal device.

[0087] The network structure of the IoT communication system can be as shown in FIG. 3, including four kinds of topological network structures. In the (a) diagram shown in FIG. 3, the AIoT device can directly communicate with the base station in uplink and downlink. In the (b) diagram shown in FIG. 3, the AIoT device can communicate with the base station through the intermediate node in uplink and downlink. The AIoT device can communicate with the intermediate node in bidirectional communication, and the intermediate node can communicate with the base station in Uu communication. In the (c) diagram shown in FIG. 3, the AIoT device can communicate with the base station in uplink, and the base station can communicate with the IoT device in downlink through the auxiliary node. In the (d) diagram shown in FIG. 3, the AIoT device can communicate with other terminal devices in uplink and downlink.

[0088] The energy source of the AIoT device comes from the surrounding environment, such as radio frequency (RF), solar energy, thermal energy, mechanical vibration, wind energy, and the like. The IoT terminal device can be divided into three types, which are type A, type B and type C. Among them, the terminal devices of type A and type B can only communicate by reflecting and modulating the received radio waves, and this communication mode is called back-scattering. That is, the terminal devices of type A and type B cannot actively send radio signals, and their power is within 1-10 microwatts (μW). The terminal device of type A has the lowest transmission power and the lowest hardware complexity, basically close to the level of RFID terminal device. The terminal device of type B has slightly more complex hardware, which can include signal amplification devices and certain energy storage devices, so the communication distance between the terminal device of type B and the network device is farther than that between the terminal device of type A and the network device. The terminal device of type C has the ability to actively send radio waves, with a transmission power of about 1-10 milliwatts (mW) and the ability to store energy. The terminal devices of the three types can obtain energy from the environment and can work continuously for several years or more than 10 years. In addition, the terminal devices of type A and type B are basically in a sleep state before the network device triggers the communication process with them in order to save energy. Only after being activated by the wireless signal of the network device, the terminal devices of type A and type B will start to work.

[0089] FIG. 4 shows an interaction flow between a reader and a device. The interaction flow between the reader and the device can include three stages, which are an AIoT paging stage, a device to reader (D2R) data transmission stage and a data transmission stage.

[0090] The AIoT paging stage includes step S410, in which the reader sends an AIoT paging message (AIoT paging) to the device to page the device. The paging message can be understood as an (initial) trigger message.

[0091] The D2R data transmission stage includes step S420 and step S430. In step S420, the device performs random access with the reader. The device can initiate random access with the reader after receiving the AIoT paging message sent by the reader.

[0092] The random access process in the present application can be a four-step random access process or a two-step random access process, which is not specifically limited by the embodiments of the present application.

[0093] In some implementations, if there is already a context between the reader and the device, step S420 can be skipped, i.e., the random access procedure is not performed.

[0094] At step S430, after the random access is completed, the device sends D2R data to the reader. In some implementations, the device ID of the device can be included in the D2R data, and the device can send its device ID to the reader. By sending the device ID of the device to the reader, the reader can achieve inventory of the device.

[0095] The data transmission phase includes step S440 and step S450. At step S440, the reader sends R2D data to the device.

[0096] At step S450, the device sends D2R data to the reader.

[0097] The interaction flow shown in FIG. 4 can be used to implement an Internet of Things service. The Internet of Things service can include inventory service, command service, registration service, sensor service, and tracking service, etc. The Internet of Things service can also be referred to as Internet of Things business. The execution process of the Internet of Things service is introduced below by taking the inventory service and the command service as examples.

[0098] For the inventory service, the reader can send an inventory request to the device through step S410 (i.e., the inventory request can be included in the paging message), and the device can send an inventory response to the reader through step S430, which can include the device ID of the device (i.e., the device ID of the device can be included in the D2R data).

[0099] For the command service, there are two execution processes, which are introduced below respectively.

[0100] For example, the reader can first page the device through step S410, and after receiving the device ID of the device through step S430, the reader can send a command request to the device through step S440, i.e., the command request is included in the R2D data. After the device executes the command, the device can send a response to the reader through step S450.

[0101] For another example, the reader can send a command request to the device through step S410, and the device can send a response to the reader through step S430.

[0102] The reader in embodiments of the present application can support communication with one or more Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The reader can be a UE, which can be referred to as a UE reader. The reader can also be a RAN node, which can be referred to as a RAN reader.

[0103] An AIoT device can interact with an external application function (AF) through a network. The network can be, for example, a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) cellular network. Currently, 3GPP is in an early stage of defining the functions, interaction procedures, and interaction contents of AIoT devices.

[0104] From the perspective of a RAN, 3GPP defines two transmission topologies for AIoT device data. Topology 1 is: base station <--> AIoT device. Topology 2 is: base station <--> intermediate node <--> AIoT device.

[0105] In some implementations, the intermediate node can be a UE that can implement the functions of the reader under the control of the network. Hereinafter, the intermediate node is also referred to as a UE reader.

[0106] Currently, there is no clear solution on how to select an intermediate node.

[0107] Hereinafter, the application scenarios of embodiments of the present application are introduced with the intermediate node being a UE reader as an example.

[0108] When topology 2 is selected as the transmission topology of data, 3GPP is also developing a transmission solution for AIoT device data in the core network (from the perspective of the core network). One is a control plane (CP) transmission solution, and the other is a user plane (UP) transmission solution.

[0109] A schematic diagram of the control plane transmission scheme is shown in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 5, if the AF needs to send data to the AIoT device, the AF can send the data to the AIoT device through a network exposure function (NEF), an access and mobility management function (AMF), an AIoT network function (AIoT NF), a RAN, and a UE reader. The AIoT NF can also be referred to as AIoT-F. The core network elements shown in FIG. 5 are only an example, and the AF can also send data to the UE reader through other core network elements, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0110] In the control plane transmission scheme, the core network needs to select a suitable UE reader as the control plane path of the AIoT service.

[0111] A schematic diagram of the user plane transmission scheme is shown in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 6, if the AF needs to send data to the AIoT device, the AF can send the data to the AIoT device through a user plane function (UPF), a RAN, and a UE reader.

[0112] In the user plane transmission scheme, the core network needs to select a suitable UE reader as the user plane path of the AIoT service. In addition, assuming that the destination address of the data packet to be transmitted by the AF is the UE, the AF needs to know the information of the UE reader, such as the identification information of the UE.

[0113] In the AIoT scenario, if the topology 2-based AIoT data transmission is selected, whether it is a user plane transmission scheme or a control plane transmission scheme, the core network needs to select a UE on the transmission path as a reader to communicate with the AIoT device. How to select the intermediate node (such as the UE reader) is a problem that needs to be solved at present.

[0114] Based on this, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, a communication apparatus, and a communication system for determining an intermediate node, which determines a first intermediate node based on a preconfigured intermediate node and / or service area, thereby providing an explicit scheme for determining the first intermediate node.

[0115] The first intermediate node is a node located between an access network device and a device (or referred to as an Internet of Things device), which can receive a service request from the access network device and provide an Internet of Things service for the device. The Internet of Things device can be an AIoT device, for example.

[0116] The service provided by the first intermediate node for the Internet of Things device in the embodiments of the present application can be any Internet of Things service, such as inventory service, command service, registration service, tracking service, and sensor service, etc. The command can include one or more of the following: read, write, lock, disable / kill, enable, etc.

[0117] The first intermediate node can be a terminal device, such as a UE. The terminal device can be a fixed terminal or a mobile terminal. For example, the terminal device can be a terminal device fixed in a warehouse. For another example, the terminal device can be a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone, a watch, a smart bracelet, a notebook, a tablet, etc.

[0118] In some implementations, the first intermediate node can also be referred to as a reader, such as a UE reader.

[0119] The intermediate node in the embodiments of the present application can also be replaced by a relay node.

[0120] The method for determining a communication method of an intermediate node provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below in combination with FIG. 7. The method shown in FIG. 7 can be performed by a first network element.

[0121] The first network element is a core network element. The first network element can communicate with an access network device (such as a base station). The first network element can support AIoT service, or the first network element has Internet of Things service capability. The first network element can be, for example, an AMF or an AIoT-F or an AIoT NF.

[0122] The first network element can send data from the AF to the access network device, or the first network element can communicate with the AF to provide the AF with services related to the Internet of Things.

[0123] The AIoT NF network element is responsible for processing the logic of the AIoT service, specifically including one or more of the following: executing AIoT service requests in the network (such as inventory, command, registration, etc.), and processing the corresponding NAS message of the AIoT service; supporting the inventory, command, registration, and message routing of the AIoT device; authorizing the AIoT service request; performing the verification of the identity (such as identification (ID)) of the AIoT device, and performing the operation of protecting the AIoT device when necessary; collecting AIoT data and summarizing the report; collecting charging information, etc. Of course, the naming of the AIoT NF network element is only an example here, and other naming methods can also be used, which are not limited here. In addition, the AIoT NF network element can be regarded as an upgrade based on the AMF network element, and the AIoT NF network element can be deployed together with the AMF network element or separately, which is not limited here.

[0124] Referring to FIG. 7, at step S710, the first network element determines the first intermediate node based on the first manner. The determination of the first intermediate node in the embodiment of the application can also be understood as the selection of the first intermediate node.

[0125] The first intermediate node can include one intermediate node or multiple intermediate nodes, and the embodiment of the application does not make specific limitations thereto.

[0126] In some implementations, the first manner can include determining the first intermediate node based on a preconfigured intermediate node, which is also referred to as a static determination manner in the following. The preconfigured intermediate node can also be referred to as a static intermediate node. Taking the intermediate node as an example of the UE, the preconfigured intermediate node can be a preconfigured UE reader list.

[0127] The static determination manner means that one or more intermediate nodes can be preconfigured for the AF in advance, and when receiving the Internet of Things service request from the AF, the preconfigured intermediate node can be taken as the first intermediate node, or part of the intermediate nodes in the preconfigured intermediate node can be selected as the first intermediate node.

[0128] In some implementations, the first intermediate node can be determined based on the preconfigured intermediate node. As an example, the first intermediate node can be one or more of the preconfigured intermediate nodes. As another example, the first intermediate node includes all the preconfigured intermediate nodes. As still another example, the first intermediate node is part of the preconfigured intermediate nodes.

[0129] The preconfigured intermediate node can be configured for the AF, and different AFs can correspond to different intermediate nodes.

[0130] The pre-configured intermediate node can be determined according to a service area (e.g., an inventory area) of the AF. The pre-configured intermediate node has a coverage range matching the service area of the AF, in other words, the pre-configured intermediate node is capable of providing services for devices within the service area of the AF.

[0131] If the service area of the AF is relatively fixed, the intermediate node can be pre-configured for the AF. When the AF has subsequent Internet of Things service requirements, the pre-configured intermediate node can provide services for the AF, which can reduce the overhead of selecting an intermediate node.

[0132] In some implementations, the first manner can include determining the first intermediate node based on a service area, which is also referred to as a dynamic determination manner in the following.

[0133] The service area can refer to an area that needs to be served by the AF, or an area in which the AF provides services. For example, for inventory services, the service area can refer to an area that needs to be inventoried by the AF. For example, for command services, the service area can refer to an area that needs to send commands by the AF. For example, for tracking services, the service area can refer to an area that needs to be tracked by the AF. For example, for sensor services, the service area can refer to an area that needs to send sensor requests by the AF. For example, for registration services, the service area can refer to an area that needs to be registered by the AF.

[0134] The information of the service area can be internal area information or external area information. The internal area information can refer to 3GPP internal area information. For example, the information of the service area can be cell information. For example, the service area can be geographic location information.

[0135] The service area can be determined by the AF. The AF can specify the service area when sending an Internet of Things service request. The information of the service area specified by the AF can be external area information. A core network element (e.g., a NEF) can map the address, i.e., convert the external area information into internal area information. For example, the AF can send an Internet of Things service request to the NEF, and the Internet of Things service request can include external area information. After receiving the Internet of Things service request, the NEF can convert the external area information into internal area information.

[0136] The Internet of Things service request can include one or more of an inventory request, a command request, a tracking request, and a sensor request.

[0137] In some implementations, the AF can send an Internet of Things service request to a first network element. In response to the Internet of Things service request, the first network element determines the first intermediate node.

[0138] The AF sending the IoT service request to the first network element can refer to the AF directly sending the IoT service request to the first network element, or the AF sending the IoT service request to the first network element through another network element. For example, the AF can first send the IoT service request to the NEF, and then the NEF sends the IoT service request to the first network element. The NEF can convert the external area information provided by the AF into internal area information, and send the converted internal area information to the first network element.

[0139] In some implementations, the first manner can also include determining the first intermediate node based on a pre-configured intermediate node and the service area. For example, the first network element can select an intermediate node matching the service area from the pre-configured intermediate nodes.

[0140] In some implementations, before the first network element determines the first intermediate node, the core network element (such as the NEF) also needs to access the AF for authentication. For example, when the AF requests the IoT service, the AF can first send the IoT service request to the NEF. After receiving the IoT service request, the NEF can access the AF for authentication to determine whether the AF has the permission to request the IoT service. If the AF has the permission to request the IoT service, the first network element can determine the first intermediate node based on the first manner.

[0141] In some implementations, if the AF is a trusted AF, the AF does not need to be accessed for authentication; if the AF is an untrusted AF, the AF needs to be accessed for authentication.

[0142] In some implementations, if the AF is a trusted AF, the AF can directly communicate with the first network element; if the AF is an untrusted AF, the AF needs to communicate with the first network element through the NEF.

[0143] In some implementations, the first manner can be determined based on first information corresponding to the AF. The AF corresponding to the first information can refer to that the first information is set for the AF.

[0144] The first information can include one or more of the following information: a pre-subscription manner of the AF, first indication information, configuration information of a pre-configured intermediate node, second indication information, and information of a first policy. The first indication information is used to indicate whether there is a pre-configured intermediate node, i.e., the first indication information is used to indicate whether the AF corresponds to a pre-configured intermediate node. The configuration information of the pre-configured intermediate node can include a list of pre-configured intermediate nodes and / or identification information of the pre-configured intermediate node. The second indication information is used to indicate whether there is a first policy. The first policy is a policy for determining a first intermediate node based on a service area, or in other words, the first policy is a policy for a dynamic determination manner. The first policy includes a policy for how to determine a first intermediate node based on a target service area when the dynamic determination manner is adopted.

[0145] The pre-subscription manner of the AF can refer to a manner of determining a first intermediate node by the AF and the core network. The pre-subscription manner of the AF can be understood as a manner expected by the AF, or a manner preferred by the AF, or a manner inclined by the AF. In some implementation manners, if the first information includes the pre-subscription manner of the AF, the pre-subscription manner of the AF can be taken as the first manner. The pre-subscription manner of the AF can be a static determination manner or a dynamic determination manner, i.e., the pre-subscription manner of the AF can be a manner of determining a first intermediate node based on a pre-configured intermediate node, or a manner of determining a first intermediate node based on a target service area.

[0146] In some implementation manners, the first manner can be determined based on the first indication information. For example, if the first indication information indicates that there is a pre-configured intermediate node, the first manner is a static determination manner. For another example, if the first indication information indicates that there is no pre-configured intermediate node, the first manner is a dynamic determination manner.

[0147] In some implementation manners, the first manner can be determined based on the configuration information of the pre-configured intermediate node. For example, if the pre-subscription information includes the configuration information of the pre-configured intermediate node, the first manner is a static determination manner. For another example, if the pre-subscription information does not include the configuration information of the pre-configured intermediate node, the first manner is a dynamic determination manner.

[0148] In some implementation manners, the first manner can be determined based on the second indication information. For example, if the second indication information indicates that there is a first policy, the first manner is a dynamic determination manner; if the second indication information indicates that there is no first policy, the first manner is a static determination manner.

[0149] In some implementation manners, the first manner can be determined based on the first policy. For example, if the first information includes the first policy, the first manner is a dynamic determination manner; if the first information does not include the first policy, the first manner is a static determination manner.

[0150] The first manner can be determined based on one of the first information, or can be determined based on multiple of the first information, and embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitation thereon.

[0151] As an example, the first manner can be determined based on the AF pre-subscription manner and the pre-configured configuration information of the intermediate node. For example, if the AF pre-subscription manner is a static determination manner, and the first information contains the pre-configured configuration information of the intermediate node, the first manner is the static determination manner. As another example, the first manner can be determined based on the AF pre-subscription manner and the first indication information. For example, if the AF pre-subscription manner is a static determination manner, and the first indication information indicates that there is a pre-configured intermediate node, the first manner is the static determination manner.

[0152] As yet another example, the first manner can be determined based on the AF pre-subscription manner and the second indication information. For example, if the AF pre-subscription manner is a dynamic determination manner, and the second indication information indicates that there is the first policy, the first manner is the dynamic determination manner. As yet another example, the first manner can be determined based on the AF pre-subscription manner and the information of the first policy. For example, if the AF pre-subscription manner is a dynamic determination manner, and the first information contains the information of the first policy, the first manner is the dynamic determination manner.

[0153] Embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitation on the first information. As an example, the first information can be the subscription information corresponding to the AF. The subscription information can also be referred to as the subscription information of a service, or the subscription information of a service. For different services, the AF can correspond to different subscription information. In some implementation manners, the subscription information corresponding to the AF can include one or more of the following information: the AF pre-subscription manner, the first indication information, and the pre-configured configuration information of the intermediate node.

[0154] As another example, the first information can be the policy configuration information corresponding to the AF. For different services, the AF can correspond to different policy configuration information. In some implementation manners, the policy configuration information can include one or more of the following information: the AF pre-subscription manner, the second indication information, and the first policy.

[0155] In some implementation manners, the AF can determine the first manner based on the subscription information, or the AF can determine the first manner based on the policy configuration information.

[0156] In some implementation manners, the above-mentioned first information can be stored in a user data management (UDM).

[0157] In some implementations, the first manner can be determined by the first network element itself, or the first manner can be determined by another network element and indicated to the first network element by the another network element. The another network element can be, for example, a NEF.

[0158] As an example, the first network element can obtain subscription information from a UDM, and determine the first manner based on the subscription information. Or, the first network element can obtain policy configuration information from the UDM, and determine the first manner based on the policy configuration information. As another example, a NEF can obtain subscription information from a UDM, and determine the first manner based on the subscription information. Or, the NEF can obtain policy configuration information from the UDM, and determine the first manner based on the policy configuration information.

[0159] If the first manner is the static determination manner, the NEF can send, to the first network element, information of the pre-configured intermediate node.

[0160] If the first manner is the dynamic determination manner, the NEF can send, to the first network element, the internal area information and / or the external area information.

[0161] In some implementations, regardless of whether the first manner is the static determination manner or the dynamic determination manner, the NEF can send, to the first network element, the internal area information.

[0162] In some implementations, if the first manner is the static determination manner, the first network element can take the pre-configured intermediate node as the first intermediate node (i.e., the first intermediate node is all the pre-configured intermediate nodes).

[0163] For example, for control plane transmission, the first network element can directly send, to the pre-configured intermediate node, the Internet of Things service request. If the intermediate node is in a non-connected state, the first network element can first page the pre-configured intermediate node, and then send, to the pre-configured intermediate node, the Internet of Things service request.

[0164] It should be noted that the first network element sending a message to an intermediate node can mean that the first network element sends the message to the intermediate node through an access network device, i.e., the first network element sends the message to the access network device, and the access network device sends the message to the intermediate node. The message can be, for example, a paging message or an Internet of Things service request message.

[0165] The access network device can be determined based on a service area. For example, the first network element can select an access network device according to the service area, and send an Internet of Things service request to the selected access network device. The service area can be, for example, cell information.

[0166] In some implementations, if the first manner is the static determination manner, the first network element can select the first intermediate node from the pre-configured intermediate nodes (i.e., the first intermediate node is part or all of the pre-configured intermediate nodes).

[0167] For example, for control plane transmission, the first network element can send a first message to the access network device, the first message being used to trigger the access network device to send the IoT service request to the first intermediate node. The first message can carry the related information of the cell and / or the related information of the service area, so that the access network device determines which intermediate nodes to send the IoT service request according to the related information of the cell and / or the related information of the service area, which can perform secondary confirmation on the location of the intermediate nodes and reduce data transmission consumption (such as paging consumption). For example, for the intermediate nodes that do not match the service area, the access network device can not send the IoT service request or the paging message to these nodes, so that the signaling overhead can be saved.

[0168] The related information of the cell can include a cell identifier or a list of cell identifiers.

[0169] The first message can be a paging message. The format of the first message can be, for example, as shown in Table 1.

[0170] Table 1

[0171] As shown in Table 1, the IE / Group Name field in the first message can be used to indicate the cell information, and the Range field can be used to indicate the service area.

[0172] In some implementations, the first message sent by the first network element to the access network device can include information of the first intermediate node, such as identification information of the first intermediate node, so that the access network device can determine which intermediate nodes to send the IoT service request according to the information of the first intermediate node.

[0173] In some implementations, the IoT service request can be carried in the paging message. In some implementations, the IoT service request and the paging message can be different messages. For example, the first network element can first send a paging message to the first intermediate node, and then send an IoT service request to the first intermediate node.

[0174] If the first manner is the dynamic determination manner, the first intermediate node can be an intermediate node whose location information corresponding to the first intermediate node matches the service area. For example, the location information corresponding to the first intermediate node matching the service area can mean that the coverage range of the first intermediate node at least partially overlaps with the service area, or the distance between the location of the first intermediate node and the service area is less than or equal to a preset threshold, or the location of the first intermediate node falls within the service area.

[0175] In some implementations, the first network element can determine the first intermediate node based on the service area and the second policy.

[0176] The second policy is a policy for selecting the first intermediate node. For example, the first intermediate node is a UE reader, the second policy can also be referred to as a UE reader selection policy.

[0177] The second policy can be stored in the UDM. The first network element can obtain the second policy from the UDM, or the first network element can request the second policy from a policy control function (PCF), and the PCF can obtain the second policy from the UDM.

[0178] It should be noted that the second policy can be the same as the first policy, or different from the first policy, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations thereon.

[0179] In some implementations, the second policy can include one or more of the following information: third indication information, first location information, validity of the second policy, validity of the first location information.

[0180] The third indication information is used to indicate whether the first intermediate node is determined based on the location information, that is, the second policy includes whether the first intermediate node is determined based on the location information. Here, the location information can refer to the location information corresponding to the service area. If the third indication information indicates that the first intermediate node is not determined based on the location information, the first network element can determine the first intermediate node based on other manners. If the third indication information indicates that the first intermediate node is determined based on the location information, the first network element can determine the first intermediate node based on the location information corresponding to the service area.

[0181] The first location information can be the location information corresponding to the service area. For example, the first location information can include one or more of the following information: cell information corresponding to the service area, first geographical location corresponding to the service area, tracking area (TA) corresponding to the service area.

[0182] If the first location information is cell information, the first network element can determine the first intermediate node based on the cell information corresponding to the service area. If the first location information is a geographical location, the first network element can determine the first intermediate node based on the geographical location corresponding to the service area. If the first location information is a TA, the first network element can determine the first intermediate node based on the TA corresponding to the service area.

[0183] The geographical location may, for example, include one or more of longitude, latitude, and street. For example, the geographical location includes longitude and latitude.

[0184] In some embodiments, if the second policy is valid, the first network element can determine the first intermediate node based on the second policy; if the second policy is invalid, the first network element cannot determine the first intermediate node based on the second policy.

[0185] In some embodiments, if the first location information is valid, the first network element can determine the first intermediate node based on the first location information; if the first location information is invalid, the first network element cannot determine the first intermediate node based on the first location information. It should be noted that the validity of the first location information can refer to the validity of the policy for determining the first intermediate node based on the first location information.

[0186] For example, if the first location information includes cell information and a first geographic location, if the cell information is valid and the first geographic location is invalid, i.e., the policy for determining the first intermediate node based on the cell information is valid, and the policy for determining the first intermediate node based on the first geographic location is invalid, the first network element can determine the first intermediate node based on the cell information. If the cell information is invalid and the first geographic location is valid, i.e., the policy for determining the first intermediate node based on the cell information is invalid, and the policy for determining the first intermediate node based on the first geographic location is valid, the first network element can determine the first intermediate node based on the first geographic location.

[0187] If the first location information includes one location information, such as cell information, in the case where the cell information is valid, the first network element determines the first intermediate node based on the cell information, in the case where the cell information is invalid, the first network element determines the first intermediate node based on other manners, or the first network element does not determine the first intermediate node.

[0188] In some embodiments, the first network element can first determine candidate intermediate nodes, and then select an intermediate node matching the first location information from the candidate intermediate nodes. By first determining the candidate intermediate nodes, the intermediate nodes can be coarsely screened, and then the first intermediate node is determined based on the first location information to finely screen the intermediate nodes, so that the speed of determining the first intermediate node can be improved, and the accuracy of the determined first intermediate node can also be improved.

[0189] The candidate intermediate nodes can be determined based on one or more of the following information: a registration area (RA) of the intermediate node, whether the intermediate node has an Internet of Things service capability, whether the intermediate node has executed an Internet of Things service, etc.

[0190] Hereinafter, the scheme of the embodiments of the present application is introduced by taking the candidate intermediate nodes based on the registration area of the intermediate node as an example.

[0191] In some implementations, the first network element can determine the candidate intermediate node based on a registration area and a service area of the intermediate node. The registration area of the candidate intermediate node matches the service area, e.g., the registration area of the candidate intermediate node at least partially overlaps with the service area.

[0192] In some implementations, the first network element can determine the first intermediate node based on second information corresponding to the candidate intermediate node. The second information can include one or more of the following: whether the candidate intermediate node has an Internet of Things service capability, whether the candidate intermediate node has executed an Internet of Things service, and a coverage range of the candidate intermediate node. The coverage range of the candidate intermediate node can refer to a size of the coverage range of the candidate intermediate node.

[0193] In some implementations, the first network element can determine the first intermediate node as the candidate intermediate node that satisfies a first condition. The first condition can include: the candidate intermediate node has an Internet of Things service capability, the candidate intermediate node has executed an Internet of Things service, and a coverage range of the candidate intermediate node satisfies a preset condition.

[0194] As an example, the second information includes whether the candidate intermediate node has an Internet of Things service capability, and correspondingly, the first condition can include that the candidate intermediate node has an Internet of Things service capability. The first network element can determine the first intermediate node as the candidate intermediate node that has an Internet of Things service capability. Taking an inventory service as an example of the Internet of Things service, the first condition can include that the candidate intermediate node has an inventory service capability.

[0195] As another example, the second information includes whether the candidate intermediate node has executed an Internet of Things service, and correspondingly, the first condition can include that the candidate intermediate node has executed an Internet of Things service. The first network element can determine the first intermediate node as the candidate intermediate node that has executed an Internet of Things service. Taking an inventory service as an example of the Internet of Things service, the first condition can include that the candidate intermediate node has executed an inventory service.

[0196] As yet another example, the second information includes a coverage range of the candidate intermediate node, and correspondingly, the first condition can include that the coverage range of the candidate intermediate node satisfies a preset condition. The first network element can determine the first intermediate node as the candidate intermediate node that has a coverage range satisfying the preset condition. For example, the first intermediate node can be the candidate intermediate node that has a coverage range greater than or equal to a preset threshold. As another example, the first intermediate node can be the candidate intermediate node that has a coverage range less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0197] The second information can include one of the above information, or can include multiple information, and embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitation thereon. For example, the second information includes whether the candidate intermediate node has the Internet of Things service capability and whether the candidate intermediate node has executed the Internet of Things service. The first network element can take the candidate intermediate node which has both the Internet of Things service capability and has executed the Internet of Things service as the first intermediate node. For another example, the second information includes whether the candidate intermediate node has the Internet of Things service capability and the coverage range of the candidate intermediate node. The first network element can take the candidate intermediate node which has the Internet of Things service capability and whose coverage range meets the preset condition as the first intermediate node. For another example, the second information includes whether the candidate intermediate node has executed the Internet of Things service and the coverage range of the candidate intermediate node. The first network element can take the candidate intermediate node which has executed the Internet of Things service and whose coverage range meets the preset condition as the first intermediate node. For another example, the second information includes whether the candidate intermediate node has the Internet of Things service capability, whether the candidate intermediate node has executed the Internet of Things service, and the coverage range of the candidate intermediate node. The first network element can take the candidate intermediate node which has both the Internet of Things service capability and has executed the Internet of Things service and whose coverage range meets the preset condition as the first intermediate node.

[0198] In some implementations, if the first location information includes the cell information corresponding to the service area and / or the TA corresponding to the service area, the first network element can determine the first intermediate node based on the second information corresponding to the candidate intermediate node.

[0199] For the control plane transmission scheme, the first network element can send the first message to the access network device corresponding to the first intermediate node, so that the access network device sends the Internet of Things service request to the first intermediate node.

[0200] The first message can include the information of the cell (or the list information of the cell) and the indication information of the service area.

[0201] The first message can be a paging message, and the service area can be a paging range. For example, the first network element can initiate paging to the access network device for the first intermediate node, and carry the cell ID / cell ID list information and the specified paging range in the paging message. After receiving the paging message, the access network device can determine which cells are in the paging range according to the cell ID information and the paging range, and initiate paging to these cells. After receiving the paging message, the intermediate node in the cell can send a response message to the access network device. The responding intermediate node can execute the Internet of Things service.

[0202] In some implementations, the paging message can be a next generation application protocol (NGAP) paging message.

[0203] In some implementations, if the first location information comprises a first geographical location, the first network element can determine the first intermediate node based on the first geographical location and a second geographical location of the intermediate node. For example, the first network element can determine the first intermediate node based on a distance between the first geographical location and the second geographical location (hereinafter referred to as the first distance).

[0204] The first geographical location can refer to a middle location or a center location of the service area, or the first geographical location can refer to any one location in the service area. The second geographical location can be a location where the intermediate node is located.

[0205] In some implementations, the first network element can determine the intermediate node whose first distance satisfies a preset condition as the first intermediate node. For example, the first network element can determine the intermediate node whose first distance is less than or equal to a preset threshold as the first intermediate node. For another example, the first network element can sort the first distances in ascending order or descending order, and select the first intermediate node according to the sorting order, so that the selected first intermediate node can cover the service area.

[0206] In some implementations, in order to reduce the overhead of selecting the first intermediate node, the first network element can first perform coarse-grained selection on the intermediate nodes, and then perform fine-grained selection.

[0207] For example, the first network element can determine a candidate intermediate node based on a registration area of the intermediate node and the service area. The specific determination manner can be referred to the foregoing description. Further, the first network element can determine the first intermediate node based on a distance between the second geographical location of the candidate intermediate node and the first geographical location (i.e., the first distance). By using the registration area of the intermediate node, the intermediate nodes can be coarsely screened, and then the intermediate nodes can be further screened based on the geographical locations of the intermediate nodes, so that the first intermediate node that matches the service area can be quickly selected.

[0208] In some implementations, the first network element can determine the first intermediate node based on the first distance and third information, so that the determined first intermediate node can better meet the Internet of Things service demand. The third information can include one or more of the following information: whether the candidate intermediate node has the Internet of Things service capability, whether the candidate intermediate node has executed the Internet of Things service, and a coverage range of the candidate intermediate node. The content of the third information is similar to the content of the second information, and the parts not described in detail can be referred to the foregoing description.

[0209] In some embodiments, the third information can comprise whether the candidate intermediate node has the Internet of Things service capability, and the first network element can select the intermediate node having the Internet of Things service capability and satisfying the preset condition of the first distance as the first intermediate node.

[0210] In some embodiments, the third information can comprise whether the candidate intermediate node has executed the Internet of Things service, and the first network element can select the intermediate node having executed the Internet of Things service and satisfying the preset condition of the first distance as the first intermediate node.

[0211] In some embodiments, the third information can comprise the coverage range of the candidate intermediate node, and the first network element can select the intermediate node satisfying the preset condition of the coverage range of the candidate intermediate node and satisfying the preset condition of the first distance as the first intermediate node.

[0212] The third information can comprise one or more of the above information, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the third information can comprise whether the candidate intermediate node has the Internet of Things service capability and whether the candidate intermediate node has executed the Internet of Things service, and the first network element can select the intermediate node having the Internet of Things service capability, having executed the Internet of Things service and satisfying the preset condition of the first distance as the first intermediate node.

[0213] In some embodiments, the first distance can be determined by the first network element or by another device. If the first distance is determined by another device, the other device can send the first distance to the first network element after determining the first distance. The other device can be an intermediate node or an access network device.

[0214] As an example, the first distance is determined by the first network element. The first network element can send a first request message to a positioning server to request the second geographic position of the intermediate node. In response to the first request message, the positioning server can send the second geographic position to the first network element. After receiving the second geographic position, the first network element can determine the first distance based on the second geographic position and the first geographic position.

[0215] The first request message can comprise information of the candidate intermediate node, such as identification information.

[0216] After receiving the first request message, the positioning server can interact with an access network device to obtain the second geographic position. For example, the positioning server can send a request message to the access network device corresponding to the candidate intermediate node to request the position information of the candidate intermediate node. After receiving the request message, the access network device can interact with the candidate intermediate node to obtain the second geographic position.

[0217] As another example, the first distance can be determined by the candidate intermediate node. The first network element can send a second request message to the positioning server, the second request message being used to request the first distance.

[0218] The reference location information and the information of the candidate intermediate node can be included in the second request message, and the information of the candidate intermediate node can include, for example, identification information of the candidate intermediate node. The reference location information can be, for example, the first geographic location described above.

[0219] The positioning server interacts with the candidate intermediate node, and the candidate intermediate node determines the first distance based on its own location and the reference location information. The candidate intermediate node sends the first distance to the positioning server. The positioning server sends the first distance to the first network element.

[0220] In some implementations, the positioning server can be, for example, an LMF.

[0221] In some implementations, the identification information of the intermediate node can be, for example, a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) or a subscriber confidentiality identifier (SUCI), etc.

[0222] The above is a description of the scheme of the embodiments of the present application with the first distance determined by the first network element and the intermediate node as an example. Of course, the first distance can also be determined by other devices (such as access network devices), and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0223] In some implementations, for the first intermediate node determined dynamically, the first network element can also store fourth information corresponding to the first intermediate node. If the AF has subsequent same Internet of Things service requirements (such as Internet of Things services for the same area in the same time period), the first network element can preferentially judge the first intermediate node to improve the speed of determining the first intermediate node and improve the ability to provide services for the AF.

[0224] In some implementations, the fourth information can include one or more of the following information: an area in which the first intermediate node has provided Internet of Things services, mobility of the first intermediate node; connection state of the first intermediate node; Internet of Things service capability of the first intermediate node.

[0225] Taking inventory of Internet of Things services as an example, the area in which the first intermediate node has provided Internet of Things services can refer to the inventory area of the first intermediate node. By recording the area in which the first intermediate node has provided Internet of Things services, when there is a subsequent Internet of Things service requirement for the same area, the first intermediate node can be preferentially selected to reduce the complexity of selecting an intermediate node.

[0226] The mobility of the first intermediate node can also be referred to as a mobility state of the first intermediate node. The mobility of the first intermediate node can refer to whether the first intermediate node is a fixed node or a mobile node, i.e., whether the state of the first intermediate node is fixed or mobile. Alternatively, the mobility of the first intermediate node can refer to the deployment manner of the first intermediate node, i.e., whether the first intermediate node is fixedly deployed.

[0227] If the mobility of the first intermediate node is fixed, when the AF has a subsequent Internet of Things service requirement, the intermediate node in the fixed state can be preferentially selected, which can reduce the complexity of selecting the intermediate node.

[0228] The connection state of the first intermediate node can include a connection state between the first intermediate node and the core network and / or a connection state between the first intermediate node and the access device. The connection state between the first intermediate node and the access network device can also be referred to as a radio resource control (RRC) state, and the RRC state can include an RRC connected state, an RRC inactive state, and an RRC idle state.

[0229] The Internet of Things service capability of the first intermediate node can include the Internet of Things services supported by the first intermediate node, such as which of the inventory service, the command service, the sensor service, and the tracking service the first intermediate node supports. By recording the service capability of the first intermediate node, when there is a subsequent requirement for the same service, the first intermediate node can be preferentially selected to reduce the complexity of selecting the intermediate node.

[0230] In some implementations, before the first network element determines the first intermediate node, the transmission manner between the AF and the device has been negotiated, such as whether to transmit through the control plane or the user plane. The first network element can perform different processes according to the transmission manner.

[0231] In some implementations, if the transmission manner between the AF and the Internet of Things device is user plane transmission, after the first network element determines the first intermediate node, the first network element can send a second message to the AF, the second message including information (such as identification information) of the first intermediate node, and the second message can be used for the AF to send an Internet of Things service request to the first intermediate node. After the AF receives the second message, the AF can send an Internet of Things service request to the first intermediate node.

[0232] For example, the AF can send an Internet of Things service request to the first intermediate node through the UPF and the access network device.

[0233] In some implementations, if the first intermediate node does not establish a protocol data unit (PDU) session, the AF can first trigger the first intermediate node to establish a PDU session, and then send the Internet of Things service request to the first intermediate node.

[0234] In some implementations, if the transmission manner between the AF and the Internet of Things device is control plane transmission, the first network element can send a first message to the access network device, and the first message is used to trigger the access network device to send an Internet of Things service request to the first intermediate node, to further trigger the first intermediate node to provide services for the Internet of Things device.

[0235] In some implementations, if the transmission manner between the AF and the Internet of Things device is control plane transmission, the first network element can send a first message to the first intermediate node, and the first message is used to trigger the first intermediate node to provide services for the Internet of Things device.

[0236] The first message can include one or more of the following information: the Internet of Things service request, the fourth indication information, and the preconfigured cell information corresponding to the intermediate node. The fourth indication information is used to indicate a service area, and the service area indicated by the first indication information can be an area inside the network or an area outside the network. The service area indicated by the fourth indication information can be an area represented by cell information, or the service area indicated by the fourth indication information can be an area represented by a geographic location.

[0237] In some implementations, if the first manner is a static determination manner, the first message can include the Internet of Things service request. The first network element can send the Internet of Things service request (or a paging message) to all preconfigured intermediate nodes, which can reduce the processing complexity of the first network element.

[0238] In some implementations, if the first manner is a static determination manner, the first message includes the Internet of Things service request, the fourth indication information, and the preconfigured cell information corresponding to the intermediate node. By carrying the preconfigured cell information corresponding to the intermediate node in the first message, the access network device can perform secondary confirmation on the location of the first intermediate node according to the cell information, to determine which intermediate nodes need to be sent the Internet of Things service request, which can reduce signaling overhead, such as paging overhead.

[0239] In some implementations, if the first manner is a dynamic determination manner, the first message can include the Internet of Things service request.

[0240] In some implementations, if the first manner is a dynamic determination manner, the first message can include the Internet of Things service request and cell information corresponding to the service area. The access network device can further select the intermediate node based on the cell information corresponding to the service area, and send the Internet of Things service request to the selected intermediate node.

[0241] In some implementations, the first message can be a paging message, or the first message can be an Internet of Things service request message. The type of the first message is related to the connection state of the first intermediate node. For example, if the first intermediate node is in a connected state, the first message is an Internet of Things service request message; if the first intermediate node is in a non-connected state, the first message is a paging message.

[0242] If the first message is a paging message, the access network device can only send the Internet of Things service request to the intermediate node responding to the paging message. If the first message is an Internet of Things service request message, the access network device can send the Internet of Things service request to the first intermediate node through dedicated signaling.

[0243] Embodiments of the present application also provide another communication method for determining an intermediate node, which can be executed by a UDM. The content not described in detail below can be referred to the description above.

[0244] In some implementations, the first information above can be stored in the UDM. For example, the subscription information corresponding to the AF and / or the first policy can be stored in the UDM. In some implementations, the second policy above can be stored in the UDM.

[0245] In some implementations, the UDM can send the first information to a first network element. The first information is information corresponding to the AF.

[0246] The first information can be used to determine a first manner, and the first manner is used to determine a first intermediate node. The first manner includes determining the first intermediate node based on a pre-configured intermediate node and / or a service area, and the first intermediate node is used to provide services for the Internet of Things device.

[0247] The manner of determining the first intermediate node based on the first manner can be referred to the description above.

[0248] In some implementations, the first information includes one or more of the following information: a pre-subscription manner of the application function, first indication information, configuration information of the pre-configured intermediate node, and second indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate whether there is a pre-configured intermediate node, and the second indication information is used to indicate whether there is a first policy, and the first policy is a policy for determining the first intermediate node based on a service area.

[0249] In some implementations, the UDM can receive a third request message sent by the PCF, the third request message being used to request the first policy. In response to the third request message, the UDM sends the first policy to the PCF.

[0250] In some implementations, the UDM can receive a fourth request message sent by the PCF, the fourth request message being used to request the second policy. In response to the fourth request message, the UDM sends the second policy to the PCF.

[0251] In some implementations, the UDM can receive a fifth request message sent by the first network element, the fifth request message being used to request the subscription information. In response to the fifth request message, the UDM sends the subscription information to the first network element.

[0252] In some implementations, the UDM can receive a sixth request message sent by the NEF, the fifth request message being used to request the subscription information. In response to the sixth request message, the UDM sends the subscription information to the NEF.

[0253] The embodiments of the present application further provide another communication method for determining an intermediate node, which can be performed by a first intermediate node. The content not described in detail below can be referred to the description above.

[0254] In some implementations, the first intermediate node can receive an Internet of Things service request; and in response to the Internet of Things service request, provide a service for an Internet of Things device.

[0255] In some implementations, the Internet of Things service request can be sent by an AF to the first intermediate node, or the Internet of Things service request can be sent by a first network element to the first intermediate node, or the Internet of Things service request can be sent by an access network device to the first intermediate node.

[0256] In some implementations, the first intermediate node can determine location related information of the first intermediate node, the location related information being used to determine the first intermediate node.

[0257] The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitation on the location related information. For example, the location related information can include a geographic position of the first intermediate node (such as the second geographic position above). For another example, the location related information can include a distance between a geographic position corresponding to the first intermediate node and a geographic position corresponding to a service area (such as the first distance above).

[0258] The following takes the Internet of Things service as the inventory service, and the intermediate node as the UE as an example to introduce the scheme of the embodiments of the present application in detail. It should be noted that the examples described below are only for the convenience of understanding and introducing the embodiments of the present application, and should not limit the embodiments of the present application. In the absence of conflicts, the schemes described below can be used in combination with the schemes described above.

[0259] In the schemes shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the transmission mode between the AF and the AIoT device is control plane transmission; in the schemes shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the transmission mode between the AF and the AIoT device is user plane transmission.

[0260] FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of determining the UE in a static determination manner according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0261] Referring to FIG. 8, in step S802, the AF sends an inventory request to the NEF. The inventory request can include the identification of the AF and the inventory area information.

[0262] Before the AF sends the inventory request, the AF has negotiated the transmission mode with the AIoT device. The transmission mode is a control plane transmission mode.

[0263] In step S804, the NEF performs access authentication on the AF to determine whether the AF has the permission to perform the inventory request. In addition, the NEF can convert the inventory area information from external area information to internal area information, which can be cell information. If the AF passes the authentication, the step S806 is performed.

[0264] In step S806, the NEF obtains the subscription information of the AF from the UDM. The subscription information includes the selection preference of the AF for the UE reader and the indication information of whether there is a static UE list. The static UE corresponds to the pre-configured intermediate node in the above.

[0265] In step S808, the NEF determines that the selection mode of the UE is a static mode according to the subscription information of the AF.

[0266] In step S810, if the subscription information includes the configuration of the static UE list, the NEF forwards the inventory request to the AIoT NF / AMF, and the inventory request carries the static UE list, the internal area information and the AF ID.

[0267] After the AIoT NF / AMF receives the inventory request, there are two processing modes.

[0268] The manner 1 can be understood as follows: the AF signs a static UE list with the core network, and no matter what inventory the AF performs, the AIoT NF / AMF can directly send an inventory request to the UE in the static UE list, so that the UE performs the inventory service.

[0269] The manner 2 can be understood as follows: although the AF signs a static UE list with the core network, in order to reduce the paging consumption, or in order to save the signaling overhead, or due to the requirement of the AF, the AIoT NF / AMF can perform secondary confirmation on the location of the UE, and only send an inventory request to the UE meeting the requirement.

[0270] The processes of the manners 1 and 2 are introduced as follows.

[0271] The manner 1 includes the step S812, and the manner 2 includes the steps S814 and S816.

[0272] In the step S812, the AIoT NF / AMF sends an inventory request to the UE in the static UE list. If the UE is in the non-connected state, the AF can directly perform individual paging on the UE in the static UE list, and after paging the UE, send an inventory request to the UE.

[0273] In the step S814, the AIoT NF / AMF sends a message to the RAN node for the UE in the static UE list, and the message carries the cell ID / cell ID list and the specified inventory area.

[0274] The AIoT NF / AMF can select the RAN node according to the internal area information in the step S804.

[0275] If the UE is in the non-connected state, the AIoT NF / AMF sends a paging message to the RAN node.

[0276] In the step S816, the RAN node determines which UE to send an inventory request according to the cell ID and the inventory area, and sends an inventory request to the UE.

[0277] In the step S818, the UE sends an inventory request to the AIoT device.

[0278] In the step S820, the AIoT device sends an inventory response to the UE, and the inventory response includes the device identifier of the AIoT device.

[0279] In the step S822, the UE sends an inventory response to the AIoT NF / AMF.

[0280] In the step S824, the AIoT NF / AMF sends an inventory response to the NEF.

[0281] At step S826, the NEF sends an inventory response to the AF.

[0282] FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of determining a UE in a dynamic determination manner according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0283] Referring to FIG. 9, at step S902, the AF sends an inventory request to the NEF. The inventory request can include an identifier of the AF and inventory area information.

[0284] Before the AF sends the inventory request, the AF has negotiated a transmission manner with the AIoT device. The transmission manner includes a control plane transmission manner and a user plane transmission manner.

[0285] At step S904, the NEF performs access authentication on the AF to determine whether the AF has the permission to perform the inventory request. In addition, the NEF can convert the inventory area information from external area information to internal area information, which can be cell information. If the AF passes the authentication, the process proceeds to step S906.

[0286] At step S906, the NEF obtains subscription information of the AF from the UDM. The subscription information includes an indication of whether there is a static UE list and a selection preference of the AF for a UE reader.

[0287] At step S908, the NEF determines, according to the subscription information of the AF, that the selection manner of the UE is a static manner.

[0288] At step S910, if the subscription information indicates that the dynamic determination manner is preferred to determine the UE, the NEF forwards the inventory request to the AIoT NF / AMF, which carries an indication of dynamically selecting a UE, internal area information, and external area information.

[0289] At step S912, the AIoT NF / AMF requests a UE selection policy from the PCF and obtains a potential UE list based on the UE selection policy.

[0290] The UE selection policy includes an indication of which location information is used by the core network to select the UE and validity of the policy.

[0291] The AIoT NF / AMF matches the UE in the following manner: the AIoT NF / AMF matches the inventory area information with a registration area of the UE to obtain a UE list, and takes a UE supporting a reader capability in the UE list as a potential UE.

[0292] The AIoT NF / AMF sends the inventory request to the UE in three manners, which are described below.

[0293] The manner 1 is to select the UE based on the cell granularity, and the manners 2 and 3 are to select the UE based on the geographical position. Compared with the manner 1, the manners 2 and 3 have higher accuracy of the determined UE.

[0294] The manners 2 and 3 are to select the UE based on the distance between the UE and the inventory area. The manner 2 is to determine the distance between the UE and the inventory area by the AIoT NF / AMF, and the manner 3 is to determine the distance between the UE and the inventory area by the UE.

[0295] The manners 1 to 3 will be introduced below. The manner 1 can include the steps S914 and S916, the manner 2 includes the steps S918 to S926, and the manner 3 includes the steps S928 to S936.

[0296] In the step S914, the AIoT NF / AMF sends a message to the RAN node for the UE in the potential UE list, and the message carries the cell ID / cell ID list and the specified inventory area. The RAN node can be the node to which the UE belongs.

[0297] In the step S916, the RAN node determines which UEs to send the inventory request according to the cell ID and the inventory area, and sends the inventory request to the UEs.

[0298] If the UE is in the non-connected state, the message sent by the AIoT NF / AMF to the RAN node is a paging message. The RAN node initiates paging to the UE, and the UE responding to the paging performs the inventory process, see the steps S938 to S946.

[0299] In the step S918, the AIoT NF / AMF requests the real-time position of the UE from the LMF. The position information of the UE can be the latitude and longitude information.

[0300] In the step S920, the LMF interacts with the RAN node to obtain the position information of the UE from the RAN node, and sends the position information of the UE to the LMF.

[0301] In the step S922, the LMF sends the position information of the UE to the AIoT NF / AMF.

[0302] In the step S924, the AIoT NF / AMF calculates the distance between the UE and the inventory area, sorts according to the distance, and selects the UE reader according to the sorting result.

[0303] The AIoT NF / AMF determining the sorting can also consider other parameters, such as whether the UE has performed the inventory service and the size of the range covered by the UE.

[0304] At step S926, after selecting the UE, the AIoT NF / AMF sends an inventory request to the UE.

[0305] At step S928, the AIoT NF / AMF requests the distance of the UE from the reference location point from the LMF.

[0306] At step S930, the LMF interacts with the UE through the RAN node, and the distance from the reference location point is calculated by the UE. The UE sends the calculated distance to the LMF.

[0307] At step S932, the LMF sends the distance to the AIoT NF / AMF.

[0308] At step S934, the AIoT NF / AMF ranks the UEs according to the distance, and selects the UE reader according to the ranking result.

[0309] The AIoT NF / AMF determines the ranking can also consider other parameters, such as whether the UE has performed inventory service, and the size of the range that the UE can cover.

[0310] At step S936, after selecting the UE, the AIoT NF / AMF sends an inventory request to the UE.

[0311] At step S938, the UE sends an inventory request to the AIoT device.

[0312] At step S940, the AIoT device sends an inventory response to the UE, and the inventory response includes the device identifier of the AIoT device.

[0313] At step S942, the UE sends the inventory response to the AIoT NF / AMF.

[0314] At step S944, the AIoT NF / AMF sends the inventory response to the NEF.

[0315] At step S946, the NEF sends the inventory response to the AF.

[0316] FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of determining the UE in a static manner according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0317] Referring to FIG. 10, at step S1002, the AF sends a request message to the AIoT NF, and the request message is used to request a UE list.

[0318] If the AF is a trusted AF, the AF can directly send the request message to the AIoT NF. If the AF is an untrusted AF, the AF can send the request message to the AIoT NF through the NEF.

[0319] For example, the AF sends a request message to the NEF, the NEF performs access authentication on the AF, and in the case of passing the authentication, the NEF sends a request message to the AIoT NF.

[0320] Before the AF sends the request message, the AF has negotiated a transmission mode with the AIoT device. The transmission mode is a user plane transmission mode.

[0321] In step S1004, the AIoT NF obtains the subscription data of the AF from the UDM. The subscription data of the AF includes the selection preference of the AF for the UE reader and the indication information of whether there is a static UE list. The static UE corresponds to the pre-configured intermediate node in the foregoing description.

[0322] In step S1006, the AIoT NF determines the selection mode of the UE to be a static mode according to the subscription information of the AF, and determines the UE list. If the subscription information includes the configuration of the static UE list, the UE list determined by the AIoT NF is the static UE list.

[0323] The determination of the selection mode of the UE can refer to the foregoing description, and will not be described here for brevity.

[0324] If the AIoT NF needs to perform secondary confirmation on the UE location in the static UE list, the AIoT NF can obtain the cell information of the UE from the RAN node, and perform secondary confirmation on the UE location based on the inventory area to select the UE matching the inventory area.

[0325] In step S1008, the AIoT NF sends the information of the UE list to the AF.

[0326] In step S1010, the AF sends an inventory request to the UE in the UE list.

[0327] In step S1012, the UE sends an inventory request to the AIoT device.

[0328] In step S1014, the AIoT device sends an inventory response to the UE, and the inventory response includes the device identifier of the AIoT device.

[0329] In step S1016, the UE sends the inventory response to the AF.

[0330] FIG. 11 is a schematic flowchart of determining the UE in a dynamic mode according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0331] Referring to FIG. 11, in step S1102, the AF sends a request message to the AIoT NF, and the request message is used to request a UE list.

[0332] If the AF is a trusted AF, the AF can send the request message directly to the AIoT NF. If the AF is an untrusted AF, the AF can send the request message to the AIoT NF through the NEF.

[0333] For example, the AF sends the request message to the NEF, the NEF performs access authentication on the AF, and in the case that the authentication is passed, the NEF sends the request message to the AIoT NF.

[0334] Before the AF sends the request message, the AF has negotiated a transmission mode with the AIoT device. The transmission mode is a user plane transmission mode.

[0335] In step S1104, the AIoT NF obtains the subscription data of the AF from the UDM. The subscription data of the AF includes the selection preference of the AF for the UE reader and the indication information of whether there is a static UE list. The static UE corresponds to the pre-configured intermediate node in the foregoing description.

[0336] In step S1106, if the AIoT NF determines that the selection mode of the UE is the dynamic mode according to the subscription information of the AF, the AIoT NF obtains the UE selection policy from the PCF. For example, the AIoT NF can request the UE selection policy from the PCF, the PCF can obtain the UE selection policy from the UDM, and send the obtained UE selection policy to the AIoT NF.

[0337] The determination of the selection mode of the UE can refer to the foregoing description, and is not described herein again for brevity.

[0338] In step S1108, the AIoT NF selects the UE based on the UE selection policy, and obtains a UE list.

[0339] The AIoT NF can select the UE in the manner similar to that shown in FIG. 9, and is not described herein again for brevity. The AIoT NF can select the UE in any one of the manners 1 to 3 in the scheme shown in FIG. 9. If the AIoT NF selects the UE in the cell granularity, the AIoT NF can further obtain the cell information of the UE from the RAN node.

[0340] In step S1110, the AIoT NF sends the information of the UE list to the AF.

[0341] In step S1112, the AF sends the inventory request to the UE in the UE list.

[0342] In step S1114, the UE sends the inventory request to the AIoT device.

[0343] At step S1116, the AIoT device sends a inventory response to the UE, the inventory response including a device identifier of the AIoT device.

[0344] At step S1118, the UE sends an inventory response to the AF.

[0345] The method embodiments of the present application are described in detail above in combination with FIG. 1-11, and the device embodiments of the present application are described below in combination with FIG. 12-15. It should be understood that the description of the method embodiments and the description of the device embodiments correspond to each other, and therefore, the parts not described in detail can be referred to the foregoing method embodiments.

[0346] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 12, the communication device 1200 includes a determining module 1210.

[0347] In a possible implementation, the device 1200 can be used to implement the steps performed by the first network element described above.

[0348] The determining module 1210 is configured to determine a first intermediate node based on a first manner, the first manner including determining the first intermediate node based on a preconfigured intermediate node and / or a service area, the first intermediate node being used to provide a service for an Internet of Things device.

[0349] In some embodiments, before the determining module 1210 determines the first intermediate node based on the first manner, the determining module 1210 is further configured to determine the first manner based on first information corresponding to the application function, the first information including one or more of the following information: a manner in which the application function is pre-subscribed, first indication information, configuration information of the preconfigured intermediate node, second indication information, and information of a first policy, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate whether there is a preconfigured intermediate node, the second indication information is used to indicate whether there is the first policy, and the first policy is a policy of determining the first intermediate node based on the service area.

[0350] In some embodiments, if the first manner at least includes determining the first intermediate node based on the preconfigured intermediate node, the first intermediate node is one or more of the preconfigured intermediate nodes.

[0351] In some embodiments, if the first manner at least includes determining the first intermediate node based on the service area, the first intermediate node is an intermediate node whose location information corresponding to the intermediate node matches the service area.

[0352] In some embodiments, the determining module 1210 is configured to determine the first intermediate node based on the service area and a second policy, the second policy comprising one or more of the following information: third indication information indicating whether to determine the first intermediate node based on location information; first location information used to determine the first intermediate node; validity of the first policy.

[0353] In some embodiments, the first location information comprises one or more of the following information: cell information corresponding to the service area, a first geographical location corresponding to the service area, a tracking area corresponding to the service area.

[0354] In some embodiments, if the first location information comprises at least cell information corresponding to the service area and / or a tracking area corresponding to the service area, the determining module 1210 is configured to determine a candidate intermediate node based on a registration area of an intermediate node and the service area, and determine the first intermediate node based on second information corresponding to the candidate intermediate node, wherein the second information comprises one or more of the following information: whether the candidate intermediate node has Internet of Things service capability; whether the candidate intermediate node has executed Internet of Things service; coverage range of the candidate intermediate node.

[0355] In some embodiments, if the first location information comprises at least a first geographical location corresponding to the service area, the determining module 1210 is configured to determine a candidate intermediate node based on a registration area of an intermediate node and the service area, and determine the first intermediate node based on a distance between a second geographical location of the candidate intermediate node and the first geographical location.

[0356] In some embodiments, the determining module 1210 is configured to determine the first intermediate node based on the distance between the second geographical location and the first geographical location and third information, wherein the third information comprises one or more of the following information: whether the candidate intermediate node has Internet of Things service capability; whether the candidate intermediate node has executed Internet of Things service; coverage range of the candidate intermediate node.

[0357] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is configured to send a first request message to a positioning server, the first request message being used to request the second geographical location; the receiving module is configured to receive the second geographical location sent by the positioning server; and the determining module 1210 is configured to determine the distance between the second geographical location and the first geographical location based on the second geographical location and the first geographical location.

[0358] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is configured to send a second request message to a positioning server, the second request message being used to request a distance between the second geographic location and the first geographic location; and the receiving module is configured to receive the distance between the second geographic location and the first geographic location sent by the positioning server.

[0359] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a storage module configured to store fourth information corresponding to the first intermediate node, the fourth information including one or more of the following: area information of an Internet of Things service provided by the first intermediate node; mobility of the first intermediate node; connection state of the first intermediate node; and Internet of Things service capability of the first intermediate node.

[0360] In some embodiments, if the transmission mode between the device and the application function is control plane transmission, the apparatus further includes a sending module configured to send a first message to an access network device or the first intermediate node, the first message being used for the first intermediate node to provide service for the Internet of Things device, the first message including one or more of the following: an Internet of Things service request; fourth indication information used to indicate the service area; and cell information corresponding to the preconfigured intermediate node.

[0361] In some embodiments, the first message is a paging message or an Internet of Things service request message.

[0362] In some embodiments, if the transmission mode between the device and the application function is user plane transmission, the apparatus further includes a sending module configured to send a second message to the application function, the second message including information of the first intermediate node, the second message being used for the application function to send an Internet of Things service request to the first intermediate node.

[0363] FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 13, the communication apparatus 1300 includes a sending module 1310.

[0364] In a possible implementation, the apparatus 1300 can be used to implement the steps performed by the UDM described above.

[0365] The sending module 1310 is configured to send first information corresponding to an application function to a first network element, the first information being used to determine a first mode, the first mode being used to determine a first intermediate node, the first mode including determining the first intermediate node based on a preconfigured intermediate node and / or a service area, the first intermediate node being used to provide service for an Internet of Things device, and the first network element having an Internet of Things service capability.

[0366] In some embodiments, the first information comprises one or more of the following: a pre-subscription manner of the application function, first indication information, configuration information of a pre-configured intermediate node, and second indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate whether there is a pre-configured intermediate node, and the second indication information is used to indicate whether there is a first policy, and the first policy is a policy for determining a first intermediate node based on a service area.

[0367] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a receiving module and a sending module. The receiving module is configured to receive a third request message sent by a policy control network element, the third request message being used to request the first policy; and the sending module is configured to send the first policy to the policy control network element in response to the third request message.

[0368] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a receiving module and a sending module. The receiving module is configured to receive a fourth request message sent by a policy control network element, the fourth request message being used to request a second policy; and the sending module is configured to send the second policy to the policy control network element in response to the fourth request message, wherein the second policy is used to determine the first intermediate node, and the second policy comprises one or more of the following: third indication information, used to indicate whether the first intermediate node is determined based on location information; first location information, used to determine the first intermediate node; and validity of the first policy.

[0369] In some embodiments, the first location information comprises one or more of the following: cell information corresponding to the service area, a first geographical location corresponding to the service area, and a tracking area corresponding to the service area.

[0370] FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 14, the communication apparatus 1400 comprises a receiving module 1410 and a service module 1420.

[0371] In a possible implementation, the apparatus 1400 can be used to implement the steps performed by the first intermediate node as described above.

[0372] The receiving module 1410 is configured to receive an Internet of Things service request.

[0373] The service module 1420 is configured to provide service for an Internet of Things device in response to the Internet of Things service request, and the first intermediate node is determined based on a first manner, wherein the first manner comprises determining the first intermediate node based on a pre-configured intermediate node and / or a service area.

[0374] In some embodiments, the IoT service request is sent by an application function to the first intermediate node, or sent by a first network element to the first intermediate node, the first network element having IoT service capability.

[0375] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a determining module and a sending module. The determining module is configured to determine location related information of the first intermediate node, the location related information comprising a geographical location of the first intermediate node, and / or a distance between the geographical location of the first intermediate node and a geographical location corresponding to a service area; and the sending module is configured to send the location related information to a first network element, the location related information being used by the first network element to determine the first intermediate node, the first network element having IoT service capability.

[0376] It should be understood that the apparatuses 1200-1400 herein are embodied in the form of functional modules. The term "module" herein can refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and / or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. In one optional example, those skilled in the art can understand that the apparatus 1200 can be embodied as the first network element in the above-described embodiments, and the apparatus 1200 can be configured to perform each process and / or step corresponding to the first network element in the above-described method embodiments. The apparatus 1300 can be embodied as the user data management network element in the above-described embodiments, and the apparatus 1300 can be configured to perform each process and / or step corresponding to the user data management network element in the above-described method embodiments. The apparatus 1400 can be embodied as the first intermediate node in the above-described embodiments, and the apparatus 1400 can be configured to perform each process and / or step corresponding to the first intermediate node in the above-described method embodiments. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein.

[0377] The apparatus 1200 described above has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the first network element in the above-described methods, the apparatus 1300 has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the user data management network element in the above-described methods, and the apparatus 1400 has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the first intermediate node in the above-described methods. The above-mentioned functions can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.

[0378] In embodiments of the present application, the apparatuses 1200-1400 can also be chips, such as system on chip (SOC) or Modem, etc. Correspondingly, the receiving module and the sending module can be transceiver circuits of the chips, which are not limited herein.

[0379] FIG. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication apparatus provided in embodiments of the present application. The dashed line in FIG. 15 indicates that the unit or module is optional. The apparatus 1500 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. The apparatus 1500 can be a chip, a first network element, a first intermediate node or a user data management network element.

[0380] The apparatus 1500 can include one or more processors 1510. The processor 1510 can support the apparatus 1500 to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. The processor 1510 can be a general purpose processor or a dedicated processor. For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU). Alternatively, the processor can also be other general purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), ASIC, field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor.

[0381] The apparatus 1500 can also include one or more memories 1520. The memory 1520 stores a program, which can be executed by the processor 1510, so that the processor 1510 performs the methods described in the above method embodiments. The memory 1520 can be independent of the processor 1510 or integrated in the processor 1510.

[0382] The apparatus 1500 can also include a transceiver 1530. The processor 1510 can communicate with other devices or chips through the transceiver 1530. For example, the processor 1510 can perform data transceiving with other devices or chips through the transceiver 1530.

[0383] Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer readable storage medium for storing a program. The computer readable storage medium can be applied in the first intermediate node, the user data management network element or the first network element provided in embodiments of the present application, and the program causes the computer to execute the methods performed by the first intermediate node, the user data management network element or the first network element in various embodiments of the present application.

[0384] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product. The computer program product comprises a program. The computer program product can be applied to the first intermediate node, the user data management network element or the first network element provided by the embodiment of the present application, and the program causes the computer to execute the method performed by the first intermediate node, the user data management network element or the first network element in each embodiment of the present application.

[0385] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program. The computer program can be applied to the first intermediate node, the user data management network element or the first network element provided by the embodiment of the present application, and the computer program causes the computer to execute the method performed by the first intermediate node, the user data management network element or the first network element in each embodiment of the present application.

[0386] The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which can comprise the first network element, the user data management network element and the first intermediate node. In some implementations, the communication system can further comprise an access network device, an NEF, etc.

[0387] In some implementations, the communication system can comprise the first network element and the user data management network element.

[0388] It should be understood that, in the embodiments of the present application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A, and B can be determined according to A. However, it should also be understood that the determination of B according to A does not mean that B is determined only according to A, but B can also be determined according to A and / or other information.

[0389] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in the present application is only used to describe the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can mean that A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in the present application generally represents that the front and rear associated objects have an "or" relationship.

[0390] It should be understood that, in various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial number of the above processes does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of the processes should be determined according to its function and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0391] In the present application, the sending of information from entity A to entity B can be directly from A to B, or indirectly from A to B via other entities. Similarly, the receiving of information from entity A by entity B can be directly from A by B, or indirectly from A by B via other entities. The entities A and B can be RAN nodes or terminals, or modules within RAN nodes or terminals. The sending and receiving of information can be the exchange of information between RAN nodes and terminals, e.g. between base stations and terminals; the sending and receiving of information can also be the exchange of information between two RAN nodes, e.g. between a CU and a DU; the sending and receiving of information can also be the exchange of information between different modules within one apparatus, e.g. between a terminal chip and other modules of the terminal, or between a base station chip and other modules of the base station.

[0392] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus and method can be implemented in other manners. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely schematic, and the division of units is merely a logical function division, and there can be another division manner in actual implementation. For example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections can be indirect couplings or communication connections through some interfaces, devices or units, and can be in electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0393] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separate, and the components shown as units can or can not be physical units, i.e. can be located in one place, or can be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purposes of the embodiments.

[0394] In addition, each functional unit in the embodiments of the present application can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically as a separate unit, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit.

[0395] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer can be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center through wired (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode. The computer readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be read by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center and the like integrated with one or more available media sets. The available media can be magnetic media (for example, floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), optical media (for example, digital video disc (DVD)) or semiconductor media (for example, solid state disk (SSD)) and the like.

[0396] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical range disclosed in the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for determining an intermediate node, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first network element, the first network element has Internet of Things service capability, and comprises: Determine a first intermediate node based on a first mode, the first mode comprises determining the first intermediate node based on a pre-configured intermediate node and / or a service area, the first intermediate node is used to provide service for an Internet of Things device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, Before the first mode is used to determine the first intermediate node, the method further comprises: Determine the first mode based on first information corresponding to an application function, the first information comprises one or more of the following information: a mode pre-subscribed by the application function, first indication information, configuration information of a pre-configured intermediate node, second indication information, and information of a first policy, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate whether there is a pre-configured intermediate node, the second indication information is used to indicate whether there is the first policy, and the first policy is a policy for determining the first intermediate node based on the service area.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, If the first mode at least comprises determining the first intermediate node based on the pre-configured intermediate node, the first intermediate node is one or more intermediate nodes in the pre-configured intermediate node.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, If the first mode at least comprises determining the first intermediate node based on the service area, the first intermediate node is an intermediate node whose location information corresponding to the intermediate node matches the service area.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The first mode comprises: Determine the first intermediate node based on the service area and a second policy, the second policy comprises one or more of the following information: Third indication information, used to indicate whether to determine the first intermediate node based on location information; First location information, used to determine the first intermediate node; Validity of the first policy.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The first location information comprises one or more of the following information: cell information corresponding to the service area, a first geographical location corresponding to the service area, and a tracking area corresponding to the service area.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, If the first location information at least comprises cell information corresponding to the service area and / or a tracking area corresponding to the service area, the first mode comprises: Determine a candidate intermediate node based on a registration area of an intermediate node and the service area; Determine the first intermediate node based on second information corresponding to the candidate intermediate node; The second information comprises one or more of the following information: Whether the candidate intermediate node has Internet of Things service capability; Whether the candidate intermediate node has executed Internet of Things service; Coverage range of the candidate intermediate node.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein, If the first location information at least comprises a first geographical location corresponding to the service area, the first mode comprises: Determine a candidate intermediate node based on a registration area of an intermediate node and the service area; Determine the first intermediate node based on a distance between a second geographical location of the candidate intermediate node and the first geographical location.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The determining the first intermediate node based on the distance between the second geographic location and the first geographic location comprises: determining the first intermediate node based on the distance between the second geographic location and the first geographic location and third information; The third information comprises one or more of the following information: whether the candidate intermediate node has the Internet of Things service capability; whether the candidate intermediate node has executed the Internet of Things service; coverage range of the candidate intermediate node.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending a first request message to a positioning server, the first request message being used to request the second geographic location; receiving the second geographic location sent by the positioning server; determining the distance between the second geographic location and the first geographic location based on the second geographic location and the first geographic location.

11. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending a second request message to a positioning server, the second request message being used to request the distance between the second geographic location and the first geographic location; receiving the distance between the second geographic location and the first geographic location sent by the positioning server.

12. The method according to any one of claims 4-11, characterized in that, The method further comprises: storing fourth information corresponding to the first intermediate node, the fourth information comprising one or more of the following information: area information in which the first intermediate node provides the Internet of Things service; mobility of the first intermediate node; connection state of the first intermediate node; Internet of Things service capability of the first intermediate node.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, If the transmission mode between the device and the application function is control plane transmission, the method further comprises: sending a first message to an access network device or the first intermediate node, the first message being used for the first intermediate node to provide service for the Internet of Things device, the first message comprising one or more of the following information: Internet of Things service request; fourth indication information used to indicate the service area; cell information corresponding to the preconfigured intermediate node.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The first message is a paging message or an Internet of Things service request message.

15. The method of any one of claims 1-12, wherein, If the transmission mode between the device and the application function is user plane transmission, the method further comprises: sending a second message to the application function, the second message comprising information of the first intermediate node, the second message being used for the application function to send an Internet of Things service request to the first intermediate node.

16. A method of communication for determining an intermediate node, the method comprising: The method is applied to a user data management network element, and comprises: sending first information corresponding to an application function to a first network element, the first information being used to determine a first mode, the first mode being used to determine a first intermediate node, the first mode comprising determining the first intermediate node based on a preconfigured intermediate node and / or a service area, the first intermediate node being used to provide service for an Internet of Things device, the first network element having an Internet of Things service capability.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The first information includes one or more of the following information: a pre-subscription manner of the application function, first indication information, configuration information of a pre-configured intermediate node, and second indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate whether there is a pre-configured intermediate node, and the second indication information is used to indicate whether there is a first policy, and the first policy is a policy for determining a first intermediate node based on the service area.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The method further includes: receiving a third request message sent by a policy control network element, the third request message being used to request the first policy; in response to the third request message, sending the first policy to the policy control network element.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16-18, characterized by, The method further includes: receiving a fourth request message sent by a policy control network element, the fourth request message being used to request a second policy; in response to the fourth request message, sending the second policy to the policy control network element; wherein the second policy is used to determine the first intermediate node, and the second policy includes one or more of the following information: third indication information used to indicate whether the first intermediate node is determined based on location information; first location information used to determine the first intermediate node; validity of the first policy.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The first location information includes one or more of the following information: cell information corresponding to the service area, a first geographic location corresponding to the service area, and a tracking area corresponding to the service area.

21. A method of communication for determining an intermediate node, the method comprising: The method is applied to a first intermediate node and includes: receiving an Internet of Things service request; in response to the Internet of Things service request, providing a service for an Internet of Things device, the first intermediate node being determined based on a first manner, and the first manner including determining the first intermediate node based on a pre-configured intermediate node and / or a service area.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein, The Internet of Things service request is sent to the first intermediate node by an application function or sent to the first intermediate node by a first network element having an Internet of Things service capability.

23. The method of claim 21 or 22, wherein, The method further includes: determining location-related information of the first intermediate node, the location-related information including a geographic location of the first intermediate node and / or a distance between the geographic location of the first intermediate node and a geographic location corresponding to a service area; sending the location-related information to a first network element, the location-related information being used by the first network element to determine the first intermediate node, and the first network element having an Internet of Things service capability.

24. A communications device, characterized by include: a processor coupled to a memory, the memory being used to store a computer program, and when the processor invokes the computer program, the communication device performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, or any one of claims 16 to 20, or any one of claims 21 to 23.

25. A communication system, characterized by include: a first network element, a user data management network element, and a first intermediate node, the first network element being used to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, the user data management network element being used to perform the method according to any one of claims 16 to 20, and the first intermediate node being used to perform the method according to any one of claims 21 to 23.

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