Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of communications, and provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: an H-EECF receiving a first power consumption request message, wherein the first power consumption request message is used for requesting power consumption of a first object; when a terminal roams, acquiring first information and / or second information on the basis of the first power consumption request message; and sending a first power consumption response message, wherein the first power consumption response message indicates the power consumption of the first object. The first information is related to first power consumption, the second information is related to second power consumption, the first power consumption is power consumption of the first object in a VPLMN, and the second power consumption is power consumption of the first object in an HPLMN. In the method provided in the present application, in a roaming scenario of a terminal, power consumption of a first object can be acquired by acquiring information related to the power consumption of the first object in a VPLMN and / or information related to the power consumption of the first object in an HPLMN, thereby acquiring power consumption in a roaming scenario.

Description

Communication methods and communication devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411598648.3, filed on November 8, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Communication Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Technology

[0003] Network energy conservation is a crucial aspect of network technology research. It involves the collection, calculation, and disclosure of power consumption (or energy consumption). Regarding power consumption disclosure, current standards encompass scenarios of disclosure to network functions (NFs) and application functions (AFs). For power consumption calculation, current standards define the calculation process for non-roaming scenarios. However, roaming scenarios exist in real-world applications. Due to the different network architectures in roaming and non-roaming scenarios, power consumption calculations for non-roaming scenarios are not applicable to roaming scenarios. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and a communication device that can acquire power consumption in roaming scenarios.

[0005] Firstly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to a home function control network element. For example, the method can be executed by the home function control network element, by a component of the home function control network element (such as a processor, chip, or chip system), or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the home function control network element.

[0006] The method includes: receiving a first power consumption request message, the first power consumption request message being used to request the power consumption of a first object; when the terminal is roaming, obtaining first information and / or second information according to the first power consumption request message; and sending a first power consumption response message, the first power consumption response message indicating the power consumption of the first object.

[0007] The granularity of the first object is terminal, session, service, or quality of service (QoS) stream. For example, one service corresponds to one or more QoS streams. For example, the session can be a packet data unit (PDU) session.

[0008] The first information relates to the first power consumption, and the second information relates to the second power consumption. The first power consumption is the power consumption of the first object in the visited public land mobile network (PLMN), and the second power consumption is the power consumption of the first object in the home PLMN. The power consumption of the first object is determined by the first information and / or the second information. For example, the sum of the first power consumption and the second power consumption is the power consumption of the first object. The visited PLMN is abbreviated as VPLMN, and the home PLMN is abbreviated as HPLMN.

[0009] The power consumption of the first object in the VPLMN can be understood as: the power consumption generated by the relevant network elements in the VPLMN serving the first object. These relevant network elements can include visited user plane network elements and access network equipment serving the first object. The power consumption of the first object in the HPLMN can be understood as: the power consumption generated by the relevant network elements in the HPLMN serving the first object. These relevant network elements can include home user plane network elements serving the first object.

[0010] According to the method provided in this application, in a roaming scenario, the power consumption of the first object can be obtained by acquiring information related to the power consumption of the first object in the VPLMN and / or information related to the power consumption of the first object in the HPLMN, thereby realizing power consumption acquisition in a roaming scenario.

[0011] It is understandable that, when the granularity of the first object is the terminal, if all sessions corresponding to the first object are local breakout (LBO) sessions, the power consumption of the first object is the first power consumption. If the sessions corresponding to the first object include home routed (HR) sessions, the power consumption of the first object is the sum of the first power consumption and the second power consumption. When the granularity of the first object is the session, if the first object is an LBO session, the power consumption of the first object is the first power consumption; if the first object is an HR session, the power consumption of the first object is the sum of the first power consumption and the second power consumption. When the granularity of the first object is a service or QoS flow, if the session corresponding to the first object is an LBO session, the power consumption of the first object is the first power consumption; if the session corresponding to the first object is an HR session, the power consumption of the first object is the sum of the first power consumption and the second power consumption.

[0012] It should be understood that when the granularity of the first object is a terminal, the session corresponding to the first object refers to all sessions of the terminal. When the granularity of the first object is a service or QoS flow, the session corresponding to the first object refers to the session to which the QoS flow or the QoS flow included in the service belongs.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the first information is the first power consumption.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the first information includes: the power consumption generated by at least one visited user plane network element, the amount of data transmitted by each of the at least one visited user plane network element, the power consumption generated by at least one access network device, the amount of data transmitted by each of the at least one access network device, and the amount of data transmitted by each of the at least one visited user plane network element for the first object. Wherein, the at least one visited user plane network element is the user plane network element corresponding to the first object in the VPLMN. It should be understood that the parameters included in the first information can also be referred to as parameters related to the first power consumption, and these parameters can determine the first power consumption.

[0015] For example, based on the above parameters, the power consumption generated by the first object in each of the at least one visited user plane network elements and the power consumption generated by the first object in each of the at least one access network devices can be obtained. The sum of the power consumption generated by the first object in each of the at least one visited user plane network elements and the sum of the power consumption generated by the first object in each of the at least one access network devices is the first power consumption.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the second information is the second power consumption.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the second information includes: the power consumption generated by at least one home user plane network element, the amount of data transmitted by each of the at least one home user plane network element, and the amount of data transmitted by each of the at least one home user plane network element for the first object, wherein the at least one home user plane network element is the user plane network element corresponding to the first object in the HPLMN. It should be understood that the parameters included in the second information can also be referred to as parameters related to the second power consumption, and these parameters can determine the second power consumption.

[0018] For example, based on the above parameters, the power consumption generated by the first object in each of the at least one home user plane network elements can be obtained, and the sum of the power consumption generated by the first object in each of the at least one home user plane network elements is the second power consumption.

[0019] In one possible implementation, obtaining the first information includes: obtaining information about the visited ground function control function network element corresponding to the first object based on the first power consumption request message; sending a second power consumption request message to the visited ground function control function network element based on the information of the visited ground function control function network element, the second power consumption request message being used to request the first information; and receiving a second power consumption response message from the visited ground function control function network element, the second power consumption response message including the first information.

[0020] Based on this scheme, the home-site function control function network element can obtain first information from the visited-site function control function network element through interaction with the visited-site function control function network element, such as obtaining the first power consumption or parameters related to the first power consumption.

[0021] In one possible implementation, obtaining information about the visited location function control network element corresponding to the first object based on the first power consumption request message includes: obtaining information about the visited location function control network element from the home network management function network element, the home unified data management network element, or the network storage function network element based on the first power consumption request message; or, obtaining information about the visited location function control network element based on the first power consumption request message and first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information indicates the correspondence between the PLMN and the visited location function control network element.

[0022] For example, the AMF information can be obtained from the home unified data management network element based on the first power consumption request message. Based on the PLMN information corresponding to the AMF information and the first configuration information, the home function control network element can obtain the information of the visited function control network element.

[0023] Based on this scheme, the home location function control network element can obtain information from the visited location function control network element, thereby the home location function control network element can obtain the first information from the visited location function control network element through interaction with the visited location function control network element.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the second power consumption request message includes information about the first object and information about the session or QoS flow corresponding to the first object in the VPLMN. For example, the information about the first object could be the identifier of the first object or the address information of the first object.

[0025] Based on this scheme, the visited area function control function network element can obtain the first information based on the second power consumption request message sent by the home area function control function network element.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the second power consumption request message also indicates a power-saving object in the first object, which is a session or QoS stream, and the power consumption of the first object does not include the power consumption of the power-saving object.

[0027] Based on this scheme, the power consumption of certain sessions or QoS flows can be eliminated by using information about the energy-saving objects.

[0028] In one possible implementation, obtaining the second information includes: obtaining information about the home session management network element corresponding to the first object based on the first power consumption request message; obtaining the amount of data transmitted by at least one home user plane network element for the first object based on the information of the home session management network element, wherein the at least one home user plane network element is the user plane network element corresponding to the first object in the HPLMN; and / or obtaining the power consumption generated by the at least one home user plane network element and the amount of data transmitted by the at least one home user plane network element from the home network management function network element.

[0029] Based on this scheme, the home power control function network element can obtain parameters related to the second power consumption.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: determining second information based on the amount of data transmitted by the at least one home user plane network element for the first object, the power consumption generated by the at least one home user plane network element, and the amount of data transmitted by the at least one home user plane network element. The second information may be second power consumption.

[0031] It can be understood that the second power consumption is the sum of the power consumption generated by the first object in each of the at least one home user plane network elements. For any home user plane network element among the at least one home user plane network elements, the power consumption generated by the first object in that user plane network element = the power consumption generated by that home user plane network element * the amount of data transmitted by that home user plane network element for the first object / the amount of data transmitted by that home user plane network element.

[0032] In one possible implementation, before acquiring the first information and / or the second information, the method further includes: acquiring network element information corresponding to the first object based on the first power consumption request message. The network element information may include one or more of the following: AMF information, session management network element information, or visited location function control function network element information, which indicates that the terminal is in a roaming state.

[0033] Based on this scheme, it is possible to determine whether the terminal is in a roaming state based on the network element information corresponding to the first object, and in the scenario where the terminal is in a roaming state, the power consumption of the first object can be obtained based on the first information and / or the second information.

[0034] Secondly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to a home function control network element. For example, the method can be executed by the home function control network element, by a component of the home function control network element (such as a processor, chip, or chip system), or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the home function control network element.

[0035] The method includes: receiving a first power consumption request message, the first power consumption request message being used to request the power consumption of a first object; when the terminal is roaming, obtaining third information and / or fourth information according to the first power consumption request message; and sending a first power consumption response message, the first power consumption response message indicating the power consumption of the first object, the power consumption of the first object being determined by the third information and / or the fourth information.

[0036] The granularity of the first object can be a terminal, a session, a session, or a Quality of Service (QoS) flow. For example, one service may correspond to one or more QoS flows. For example, the session may be a PDU session.

[0037] The third information is related to the third power consumption, and the fourth information is related to the fourth power consumption. The third power consumption is the power consumption of the first object in the Home Routing (HR) session, and the fourth power consumption is the power consumption of the first object in the Local Traffic Offloading (LBO) session. For example, the sum of the third power consumption and the fourth power consumption is the power consumption of the first object.

[0038] According to the method provided in this application, in a roaming scenario, the power consumption of the first object can be obtained by acquiring information related to the power consumption of the first object in the HR session and / or information related to the power consumption of the first object in the LBO session, thereby realizing power consumption acquisition in a roaming scenario.

[0039] It is understood that, when the granularity of the first object is a terminal, if all sessions corresponding to the first object are Local Traffic Offload (LBO) sessions, the power consumption of the first object is the fourth power consumption; if the sessions corresponding to the first object include Home Routing (HR) sessions, the power consumption of the first object is the sum of the third power consumption and the fourth power consumption. When the granularity of the first object is a session, if the first object is a Local Traffic Offload (LBO) session, the power consumption of the first object is the fourth power consumption; if the first object is a Home Routing (HR) session, the power consumption of the first object is the sum of the third power consumption and the fourth power consumption. When the granularity of the first object is a QoS flow, if the session corresponding to the first object is a Local Traffic Offload (LBO) session, the power consumption of the first object is the fourth power consumption; if the session corresponding to the first object is a Home Routing (HR) session, the power consumption of the first object is the sum of the third power consumption and the fourth power consumption.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the third information is the third power consumption.

[0041] In one possible implementation, the third information includes a first sub-power consumption and a second sub-power consumption. The first sub-power consumption is the power consumption corresponding to the VPLMN in the third power consumption, and the second sub-power consumption is the power consumption corresponding to the HPLMN in the third power consumption. It should be understood that the parameters included in the third information can also be referred to as parameters related to the third power consumption, and these parameters can determine the third power consumption. For example, the first power consumption is the sum of the first sub-power consumption and the second sub-power consumption.

[0042] For example, the first sub-power consumption can be determined based on parameters related to the first sub-power consumption. In one embodiment, the parameters related to the first sub-power consumption include: power consumption generated by at least one first visited user plane network element, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one first visited user plane network element, power consumption generated by at least one access network device, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one access network device, and the amount of data transmitted by the at least one first visited user plane network element for the first object. Wherein, the at least one first visited user plane network element refers to the user plane network element belonging to the VPLMN among the user plane network elements corresponding to the HR session, and the user plane network element corresponding to the HR session refers to the HR session corresponding to the first object.

[0043] Based on the above parameters, the power consumption generated by the first object in each of the at least one first visited user plane network elements can be obtained, as well as the power consumption generated by the object corresponding to the HR session in the first object in each of the at least one access network devices. The sum of the power consumption generated by the first object in each of the at least one first visited user plane network elements and the sum of the power consumption generated by the object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object in each of the at least one access network devices constitute the first sub-power consumption.

[0044] For example, if the first object is a terminal, the object corresponding to the HR session in the first object can be one or more sessions. For example, if the first object is a session, and that session is an HR session, then the object corresponding to the HR session in the first object is the first object itself. If that session is an LBO session, then the object corresponding to the HR session in the first object is empty, meaning there is no object corresponding to the HR session in the first object. For example, if the first object is a QoS flow, and the session to which the QoS flow belongs is an HR session, then the object corresponding to the HR session in the first object is the QoS flow itself. If the session to which the QoS flow belongs is an HR session, then the object corresponding to the HR session in the first object is empty, meaning there is no object corresponding to the HR session in the first object. For example, if the first object is a service, and the session to which the QoS flow corresponding to the service belongs is an LBO session, then the object corresponding to the HR session in the first object is the QoS flow corresponding to the service. If the session to which the QoS flow corresponding to the service belongs is an LBO session, then the object corresponding to the HR session in the first object is empty, meaning there is no object corresponding to the HR session in the first object.

[0045] For example, the second sub-power consumption can be determined based on parameters related to the second sub-power consumption. In one embodiment, the parameters related to the second sub-power consumption include: the power consumption generated by at least one home user plane network element, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one home user plane network element, and the amount of data transmitted by the at least one home user plane network element for the first object. Wherein, the at least one home user plane network element refers to the user plane network element belonging to the HPLMN among the user plane network elements corresponding to the HR session, and the user plane network element corresponding to the HR session refers to the HR session corresponding to the first object.

[0046] For example, based on the above parameters, the power consumption generated by the first object in each of the at least one home user plane network elements can be obtained, and the sum of the power consumption generated by the first object in each of the at least one home user plane network elements is the second sub-power consumption.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the fourth information is the fourth power consumption.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the fourth information includes: the power consumption generated by at least one second visited user plane network element, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one second visited user plane network element, the power consumption generated by at least one access network device, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one access network device, and the amount of data transmitted by the at least one second visited user plane network element for the first object. Wherein, the at least one second user plane network element is the user plane network element corresponding to the LBO session, and the user plane network element corresponding to the LBO session refers to the LBO session corresponding to the first object.

[0049] It should be understood that the parameters included in the fourth information can also be called parameters related to the fourth power consumption, which can determine the fourth power consumption.

[0050] For example, based on the above parameters, the power consumption generated by the first object in each of the at least one second visited user plane network elements can be obtained, as well as the power consumption generated by the object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object in each of the at least one access network devices. The sum of the power consumption generated by the first object in each of the at least one second visited user plane network elements and the sum of the power consumption generated by the object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object in each of the at least one access network devices constitute the fourth power consumption. For example, the first object is a terminal, and the object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object can be one or more sessions. For example, if the first object is a session, and the session is an LBO session, then the object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object is the first object; if the session is an HR session, then the object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object is empty, that is, there is no object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object. For example, if the first object is a QoS flow, and the session to which the QoS flow belongs is an LBO session, then the object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object is the QoS flow itself. If the session to which the QoS flow belongs is an HR session, then the object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object is empty, meaning there is no object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object. Similarly, if the first object is a service, and the session to which the QoS flow corresponding to the service belongs is an LBO session, then the object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object is the QoS flow corresponding to the service. If the session to which the QoS flow corresponding to the service belongs is an HR session, then the object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object is empty, meaning there is no object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object.

[0051] In one possible implementation, obtaining the third information includes: obtaining information about the home session management network element corresponding to the first object based on the first power consumption request message; sending a second power consumption request message to the home session management network element based on the information of the home session management network element, the second power consumption request message being used to request the third information; and receiving a second power consumption response message from the home session management network element, the second power consumption response message including the third information.

[0052] Based on this method, the home power control function network element can obtain third information, such as the third power consumption, or the first sub-power consumption and the second sub-power consumption, or the parameters related to the first sub-power consumption and the parameters related to the second sub-power consumption, based on the interaction with the home session management network element.

[0053] In one possible implementation, obtaining the fourth information includes: obtaining information about the visited ground function control function network element corresponding to the first object based on the first power consumption request message; sending a third power consumption request message to the visited ground function control function network element based on the information of the visited ground function control function network element, the third power consumption request message being used to request the fourth information; and receiving a third power consumption response message from the visited ground function control function network element, the third power consumption response message including the fourth information.

[0054] Based on this method, fourth information can be obtained through interaction with the network element controlling the effectiveness of the visited site.

[0055] In one possible implementation, obtaining information about the visited location effectiveness control function network element corresponding to the first object based on the third power consumption request message includes: obtaining information about the visited location effectiveness control function network element from the home network management function network element or the network storage function network element based on the first power consumption request message; or, obtaining information about the visited location effectiveness control function network element based on the first power consumption request message and first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information indicates the correspondence between the PLMN and the visited location effectiveness control function network element.

[0056] In one possible implementation, before obtaining the third and / or fourth information, the method further includes: obtaining network element information corresponding to the first object according to the first power consumption request message, the network element information including one or more of the following: AMF information, session management network element information, or visitor access function network element information, the network element information indicating that the terminal is in roaming state.

[0057] Thirdly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to a home session management network element. For example, the method can be executed by the home session management network element, by a component of the home session management network element (such as a processor, chip, or chip system), or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the home session management network element.

[0058] The method includes: receiving a second power consumption request message from a Home Function Control (HFC) network element, the second power consumption request message being used to request third information related to a third power consumption, the third power consumption being the power consumption of a first object in a Home Routing (HR) session, the granularity of the first object being a terminal, session, service, or Quality of Service (QoS) flow; obtaining a second sub-power consumption based on the second power consumption request message, and sending a fourth power consumption request message to a Visited Session Management (PSM) network element corresponding to the first object, the fourth power consumption request message being used to request a first sub-power consumption, the first sub-power consumption being the power consumption of the VPLMN corresponding to the third power consumption, the second sub-power consumption being the power consumption of the HPLMN corresponding to the third power consumption; receiving a fourth power consumption response message from the Visited Session Management (PSM) network element, the fourth power consumption response message indicating the first sub-power consumption; and sending a second power consumption response message to the HFC network element, the second power consumption response message including the third information, the third information indicating the first sub-power consumption and the second sub-power consumption, or the third information indicating the third power consumption, the third power consumption being the sum of the first sub-power consumption and the second sub-power consumption.

[0059] According to the method provided in this application, the home session management network element can obtain a first sub-power consumption and a second sub-power consumption from the visited session management network element based on the interaction with the visited session management network element; the home session management network element can return the first sub-power consumption and the second sub-power consumption to the home function control function network element, and return the first power consumption determined based on the first sub-power consumption and the second sub-power consumption; thus, the home function control function network element can determine the power consumption of the first object based on the information returned by the home session management network element.

[0060] In one possible implementation, obtaining the second sub-power consumption based on the second power consumption request message includes: obtaining fifth information based on the second power consumption request message, the fifth information including: power consumption generated by at least one home user plane network element, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one home user plane network element, and the amount of data transmitted by the at least one home user plane network element for the first object; and determining the second sub-power consumption based on the fifth information. Wherein, the at least one home user plane network element refers to the user plane network element belonging to the HPLMN among the user plane network elements corresponding to the HR session, and the user plane network element corresponding to the HR session refers to the HR session corresponding to the first object.

[0061] Based on this method, the second sub-power consumption can be determined based on the fifth piece of information.

[0062] In one possible implementation, obtaining the second sub-power consumption based on the second power consumption request message includes: obtaining the aforementioned fifth information based on the second power consumption request message. The fifth information can be used to determine the second sub-power consumption.

[0063] Based on this scheme, the home session management network element can feed back the fifth information to the home efficiency control function network element. The home efficiency control function network element can determine the second sub-power consumption based on the fifth information, or it can determine the second sub-power consumption and directly calculate the third power consumption or the power consumption of the first object based on the fifth information.

[0064] Fourthly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to visited session management network elements. For example, the method can be executed by the visited session management network element, by a component of the visited session management network element (such as a processor, chip, or chip system), or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the visited session management network element.

[0065] The method includes: receiving a fourth power consumption request message from a home session management network element, the fourth power consumption request message being used to request a first sub-power consumption, the first sub-power consumption being the power consumption of the corresponding VPLMN in the third power consumption, the third power consumption being the power consumption of a first object in a home routing HR session, the granularity of the first object being terminal, session, service, or quality of service (QoS) flow; obtaining the first sub-power consumption according to the fourth power consumption request message; and sending a fourth power consumption response message to the home session management network element, the fourth power consumption response message indicating the first sub-power consumption.

[0066] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, the visited session management network element can obtain and feed back the first sub-power consumption to the home session management network element, so that the home session management network element can feed back the first sub-power consumption or feed back the first power consumption determined based on the first sub-power consumption to the home function control function network element, and the home function control function network element can determine the power consumption of the first object based on the first sub-power consumption or the first power consumption, thereby realizing power consumption acquisition in roaming scenarios.

[0067] In one possible implementation, obtaining the first sub-power consumption according to the fourth power consumption request message includes: obtaining sixth information according to the fourth power consumption request message, the sixth information including: power consumption generated by at least one first visited user plane network element, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one first visited user plane network element, power consumption generated by at least one access network device, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one access network device, and the amount of data transmitted by the at least one first visited user plane network element for the first object, wherein the at least one first visited user plane network element is a user plane network element belonging to the VPLMN among the user plane network elements corresponding to the HR session; and determining the first sub-power consumption according to the sixth information.

[0068] Based on the sixth information, the power consumption generated by the first object in each of the at least one first visited user plane network elements can be obtained, as well as the power consumption generated by the object corresponding to the HR session in the first object in each of the at least one access network devices. The sum of the power consumption generated by the first object in each of the at least one first visited user plane network elements and the sum of the power consumption generated by the object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object in each of the at least one access network devices constitute the first sub-power consumption. The meaning of the object corresponding to the HR session in the first object can be found in the description above, and will not be repeated here.

[0069] Fifthly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to a visited-site function control network element. For example, the method can be executed by the visited-site function control network element, by a component of the visited-site function control network element (such as a processor, chip, or chip system), or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the visited-site function control network element.

[0070] The method includes: receiving a third power consumption request message from a home efficiency control function network element, the third power consumption request message being used to request fourth information, the fourth information being related to fourth power consumption, the fourth power consumption being the power consumption of a first object in a local traffic offloading (LBO) session, the granularity of the first object being a terminal, session, service, or quality of service (QoS) flow; obtaining the fourth information according to the third power consumption request message; and sending a third power consumption response message, the third power consumption response message including the fourth information.

[0071] According to the method provided in this application, the visited power control function network element can obtain the fourth power consumption according to the request of the home power control function network element; by providing the fourth power consumption to the home power control function network element, the home power control function network element can determine the power consumption of the first object according to the fourth power consumption, thereby realizing power consumption acquisition in roaming scenarios.

[0072] In one possible implementation, the fourth information is the fourth power consumption, or the fourth information is a parameter related to the fourth power consumption.

[0073] In one possible implementation, the fourth information includes: power consumption generated by at least one second visited user plane network element, data volume transmitted by the at least one second visited user plane network element, power consumption generated by at least one access network device, data volume transmitted by the at least one access network device, and data volume transmitted by the at least one second visited user plane network element for the first object, wherein the at least one second visited user plane network element is the user plane network element corresponding to the LBO session.

[0074] Optionally, the method may further include: determining the fourth power consumption based on the fourth information.

[0075] Sixthly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to a visited location function control network element. For example, the method can be executed by the visited location function control network element, by a component of the visited location function control network element (such as a processor, chip, or chip system), or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the visited location function control network element.

[0076] The method includes: receiving a second power consumption request message from a home effectiveness control function network element, the second power consumption request message being used to request first information, the first information being related to first power consumption, the first power consumption being the power consumption of a first object in a VPLMN, the granularity of the first object being a terminal, session, service, or quality of service (QoS) flow; obtaining the first information according to the second power consumption request message; and sending a second power consumption response message to the home effectiveness control function network element, the second power consumption response message including the first information.

[0077] According to the method provided in this application, the visited location function control function network element can obtain first information based on the request of the home location function control function network element; by feeding back the first information to the home location function control function network element, the home location function control function network element can determine the power consumption of the first object based on the first information, thereby realizing power consumption acquisition in roaming scenarios.

[0078] In one possible implementation, the first information is the first power consumption, or the first information includes: the power consumption generated by at least one visited user plane network element, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one visited user plane network element, the power consumption generated by at least one access network device, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one access network device, and the amount of data transmitted by the at least one visited user plane network element for the first object, wherein the at least one visited user plane network element is the user plane network element corresponding to the first object in the VPLMN.

[0079] In one possible implementation, the first information is a first power consumption. Obtaining the first information according to the second power consumption request message includes: obtaining parameters related to the first power consumption according to the second power consumption request message, and determining the first power consumption based on the parameters related to the first power consumption. The parameters related to the first power consumption include: power consumption generated by at least one visited user plane network element, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one visited user plane network element, power consumption generated by at least one access network device, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one access network device, and the amount of data transmitted by the at least one visited user plane network element for the first object. The at least one visited user plane network element is the user plane network element corresponding to the first object in the VPLMN.

[0080] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, which has the function of implementing the behavior of a corresponding device or network element in any of the above aspects or any possible implementations of any of the above aspects. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions. For example, a processing module or unit, a transceiver module or unit, etc.

[0081] In one possible implementation, the device may be the aforementioned home location function control network element, home location session management network element, visited location session management network element, or visited location function control network element.

[0082] Eighthly, this application provides a communication device including an interface circuit and one or more processors. The one or more processors are coupled to a memory. The memory stores part or all of a computer program or instructions necessary for implementing the functions involved in any of the preceding aspects. The one or more processors are executable to carry out the computer program or instructions, causing the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of any of the preceding aspects. The interface circuit is used to implement the communication functions within the communication device and / or the communication functions between the communication device and other devices or components.

[0083] In one possible design, the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0084] In one possible design, the communication device may also include the memory.

[0085] A ninth aspect provides a processor, including: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is used to receive signals through the input circuit and to transmit signals through the output circuit, causing the processor to execute the method in any possible implementation of the above aspects.

[0086] In specific implementation, the processor can be a chip, the input circuit can be input pins, the output circuit can be output pins, and the processing circuit can be transistors, gate circuits, flip-flops, and various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example, but not limited to, a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit can be, for example, but not limited to, output to and transmitted by a transmitter. Furthermore, the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as both the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. This application does not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0087] In a tenth aspect, a communication system is provided, including one or more of the aforementioned home location function control network element, home location session management network element, visited location session management network element, and visited location function control network element. The home location function control network element, home location session management network element, visited location session management network element, and visited location function control network element are used to perform the methods provided in the corresponding aspects above.

[0088] Eleventhly, a computer program product is provided, comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run, causes a computer to perform the methods of any of the above aspects or any possible implementations of any of the above aspects.

[0089] On page 12, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods of any of the above aspects or any possible implementations of any of the above aspects.

[0090] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor that, when executing a program or instructions, causes a method in any of the foregoing aspects or any possible implementations of any of the foregoing aspects to be performed.

[0091] In a fourteenth aspect, a chip is provided, including a processor for calling and running a computer program from a memory, such that the method in any of the foregoing aspects or any possible implementation of any of the foregoing aspects is executed. Attached Figure Description

[0092] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0093] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the power consumption collection, calculation and open scenario provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0094] Figure 3 is a flowchart of power consumption calculation in a non-roaming scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0095] Figure 4 is an architecture diagram of an HR roaming scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0096] Figure 5 is an architecture diagram of an LBO roaming scene provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0097] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0098] Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of a specific example of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0099] Figure 8 is a schematic flowchart of a specific example of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0100] Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0101] Figure 10 is a schematic flowchart of a specific example of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0102] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0103] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0104] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0105] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " indicates that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B. "And / or" in the embodiments of this application is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" refers to two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. Additionally, to facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish identical or similar items with essentially the same function and effect. Those skilled in the art will understand that the words "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or the order of execution, and that the words "first" and "second" do not necessarily imply that they are different.

[0106] In the various method embodiments of this application, the order of the sequence numbers does not imply the order of execution. The execution order should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0107] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, descriptions such as "under the circumstances," "if," "when," and "if..." can be used interchangeably. Furthermore, these descriptions all refer to the corresponding processing that will be carried out under certain objective circumstances, and are not limited to a specific time, nor do they require any judgment action during implementation, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0108] It is understood that some optional features in the embodiments of this application can be implemented independently in certain scenarios without relying on other features, such as the current solution on which they are based, to solve the corresponding technical problems and achieve the corresponding effects. Alternatively, they can be combined with other features as needed in certain scenarios. Correspondingly, the apparatus given in the embodiments of this application can also implement these features or functions, which will not be elaborated here.

[0109] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, and in the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments and between the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment are consistent and can be mutually referenced. The technical features in different embodiments and the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment can be combined according to their inherent logical relationships to form new embodiments, implementation methods, methods, or implementation approaches. The embodiments of this application described below do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0110] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can also be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, 5th Generation (5G) systems, New Radio (NR) systems, or future communication systems. It should be understood that the communication systems applicable to this application described above are merely illustrative examples, and the communication systems applicable to this application are not limited thereto. Furthermore, the term "system" can be used interchangeably with "network."

[0111] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the architecture or concepts involved in the embodiments of this application will be briefly described.

[0112] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture in a non-roaming scenario provided by an embodiment of this application. This network architecture mainly includes three parts: a terminal, a data network (DN), and an operator network. The operator network may include one or more of the following network elements: radio access network ((R)AN) device 101, user plane network element 102, mobility management network element 104, session management network element 105, location management network element 106, network open function network element 107, policy control network element 108, unified data management network element 109, network storage function network element 110, application function network element 111, billing function network element 112, effectiveness control function network element 113, and network management function element 120. Alternatively, the part of the operator network other than the radio access network can be referred to as the core network part. The functions of each network element or device shown in Figure 1 are briefly described below.

[0113] The following section describes each network element involved in the network architecture.

[0114] 1. Radio access network (RAN) device 101: Used to provide network access functionality for authorized terminals in a specific area and responsible for forwarding control signals and user data between the terminal and the core network. The radio access network device can be simply referred to as the access network device, and is represented by RAN in Figure 1.

[0115] Access network equipment can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a transmission point (TP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. Alternatively, access network equipment can be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of a base station. For example, access network equipment can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). CUs and DUs can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as in a baseband unit (BBU). An RU can be included in a radio frequency device or radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an open radio access network (O-RAN or ORAN) system, CU can also be called an open CU (O-CU), DU can also be called an O-DU, CU-CP can also be called an O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called an O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called an O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0116] The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or equipment form used in the access network equipment. The access network equipment and terminals can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can be deployed in the air on aircraft, balloons, and artificial satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the access network equipment and terminals.

[0117] 2. User plane network element 102: Supports all or some of the following functions: interconnecting protocol data unit (PDU) sessions with the data network, packet routing and forwarding, or packet inspection.

[0118] As shown in Figure 1, in a 5G communication system, this user plane network element can be a user plane function (UPF). In future communication systems, the user plane network element can still be a UPF, or it can have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0119] 3. Data network (DN) 103: A network used to provide data transmission.

[0120] In future communication systems, the data network may still be a DN, or it may have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0121] In a 5G communication system, after a terminal accesses the network, it can establish a protocol data unit (PDU) session and access the DN through the PDU session, and interact with application function network elements (such as application servers) deployed in the DN.

[0122] 4. Mobility Management Element 104: Responsible for the mobility management of terminals, including mobility status management, assigning temporary identity identifiers to terminals, and authenticating and authorizing terminals.

[0123] As shown in Figure 1, in a 5G communication system, the mobility management network element can be the access and mobility management function (AMF). In future communication systems, the mobility management network element can still be the AMF, or it can have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0124] 5. Session Management Element 105: Primarily responsible for user plane (UP) element selection, UP element reselection, Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation; bearer establishment, modification and release; and QoS control.

[0125] As shown in Figure 1, in a 5G communication system, the session management network element can be a session management function (SMF). In future communication systems, the session management network element can still be an SMF, or it can have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0126] 6. Location Management Network Element 106: Responsible for managing all resources used for terminal positioning, calculating the final positioning result and accuracy. It receives positioning notifications from the Mobility Management Network Element. It obtains the terminal's location measurement data through message exchange between the Mobility Management Network Element and access network devices. It calculates the terminal's coordinates using a high-precision positioning algorithm and returns them to the Mobility Management Network Element.

[0127] As shown in Figure 1, in a 5G communication system, this location management network element can be a location management function (LMF). In future communication systems, this location management network element can still be an LMF, or it can have other names; this application does not limit it.

[0128] 7. Network Open Function Element 107: Used to provide customized functions for network openness.

[0129] As shown in Figure 1, in a 5G communication system, this network exposure function (NEF) can be a network exposure function (NEF). In future communication systems, this NEF may still be a NEF, or it may have other names; this application does not limit its scope. The 5G communication system can also use the NEF to expose the capabilities supported by 5GC to external application function network elements, such as providing small data transmission capabilities.

[0130] 8. Policy control network element 108: A unified policy framework used to guide network behavior, providing policy rule information to control plane functional network elements (such as AMF, SMF, etc.).

[0131] In 4G communication systems, this policy control network element can be a policy and charging rules function (PCRF). As shown in Figure 1, in 5G communication systems, this policy control network element can be a policy control function (PCF). In future communication systems, the policy control network element can still be a PCF, or it can have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0132] 9. Unified Data Management Network Element 109: It can be responsible for managing contracted data and notifying the relevant network elements when the contracted data is modified.

[0133] As shown in Figure 1, in a 5G communication system, the unified data management network element can be a unified data management (UDM). In future communication systems, the unified data management network element can still be a UDM, or it can have other names. This application does not limit it.

[0134] 10. Network storage function element 110: It can support service discovery function, receive NF discovery requests from network function (NF) instances, provide NF instance discovery information to NF instances, and maintain NF configuration files of available NF instances and their supported services.

[0135] As shown in Figure 1, in a 5G communication system, the network storage function element can be a network repository function (NRF). In future communication systems, the network storage function element can still be an NRF, or it can have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0136] 11. Application Function Network Element 111: Can provide certain application layer services to the terminal.

[0137] As shown in Figure 1, in a 5G communication system, this application function network element can be an application function (AF). In future communication systems, the application function network element can still be an AF, or it can have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0138] 12. Billing Function Network Element 112: Responsible for maintaining billing-related information, including interacting with the Session Management Network Element to obtain billing information and returning billing quota values, and interacting with network elements such as the Mobility Management Network Element and the Network Open Function Network Element.

[0139] As shown in Figure 1, in a 5G communication system, the charging function network element can be a charging function (CHF). In future communication systems, the application function network element can still be a CHF, or it can have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0140] 13. Functional control network element 113: It is mainly responsible for collecting, calculating and releasing power consumption information. It can also provide energy consumption information to network elements such as policy control network elements to assist in policy control.

[0141] As shown in Figure 1, in a 5G communication system, this efficiency control function network element can be an energy efficiency control function (EECF). In future communication systems, the application function network element can still be an EECF, or the EECF can have other names, such as an energy information function (EIF). This application does not limit this.

[0142] 14. Network Management Function Element 120: This is a collective term for a group of network management functions. In the network structure shown in Figure 1, other network elements besides the terminal and data network can communicate directly or indirectly with the network management function element. The network management function element can be used for daily network and service analysis, prediction, planning, and configuration, as well as routine operational activities such as network and service testing and fault management.

[0143] For example, the access network equipment side may have access network equipment-network management function network elements, and the core network side may have core network-network management function network elements. Different network management function network elements may have transmission interfaces. A network management function network element can be a collection of any one or more of the following management units: element management system (EMS), system management system (NMS), mobile network automation engine (MAE), operation support system (OSS), or business support system (BSS).

[0144] As shown in Figure 1, in a 5G communication system, the network management function element can be Operation, Administration and Maintenance (OAM). In future communication systems, the network management function element can still be OAM, or it can have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0145] 15. Terminal 114: A terminal can also be called a terminal device, user equipment (UE) (as shown in Figure 1), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. For example, a terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable device, vehicle, drone, helicopter, airplane, ship, robot, robotic arm, smart home device, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal.

[0146] It is understood that the network elements, devices, or functions shown in Figure 1 can be network components in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). These network elements or functions can be divided into one or more services; furthermore, services that exist independently of network functions may also exist.

[0147] Figure 2 illustrates a scenario for power consumption collection, calculation, and access. The following explanation, in conjunction with Figure 2, details the collection, calculation, and access of power consumption.

[0148] I. Power Consumption Open

[0149] Regarding power consumption openness, current scenarios include opening to the 5G core network (5GC) NF and opening to the AF. As for how to utilize this openness subsequently, exemplary scenarios include: 1) AF adjusting application behavior based on energy consumption; 2) 5GC NF adjusting network configuration or restricting services for high-energy-consuming users based on collected energy consumption data. 5GC NF and NF mentioned below are interchangeable.

[0150] II. Power Consumption Collection

[0151] OAM and NF can perform power consumption collection. It should be understood that the “target granularity” described below can refer to an object with a certain granularity as the target granularity. The target granularity is, for example, UE (i.e., Per UE), PDU session (i.e., per UE-per PDU Session), or QoS flow (i.e., per UE-per PDU Session-per QoS flow).

[0152] OAM can acquire (collect) the amount of data transmitted by each network element (e.g., RAN or UPF) at the target granularity (total data volume) and the power consumption generated by each network element at the target granularity (total power consumption).

[0153] If the target granularity is UE, then the network element corresponding to the target granularity is the UPF corresponding to all PDU sessions of the UE and the RAN where the UE is camped. OAM can obtain the amount of data transmitted by each UPF corresponding to all PDU sessions of the UE (total data volume), the power consumption generated by each UPF corresponding to each PDU session of the UE (total power consumption), the amount of data transmitted by each RAN where the UE is camped (total data volume / total data volume), and the power consumption generated by each RAN where the UE is camped (total power consumption).

[0154] If the target granularity is a PDU session, then the network elements corresponding to the target granularity are the UPF corresponding to the PDU session and the RAN corresponding to the PDU session (the RAN corresponding to the PDU session is the RAN where the UE camps for the PDU session). OAM can obtain the amount of data transmitted by the UPF corresponding to the PDU session (total data volume), the power consumption generated by the UPF corresponding to the PDU session (total power consumption), the amount of data transmitted by the RAN corresponding to the PDU session (total data volume), and the power consumption generated by the RAN corresponding to the PDU session (total power consumption).

[0155] If the target granularity is a certain QoS flow, then the network element corresponding to the target granularity is the UPF corresponding to the QoS flow and the RAN corresponding to the QoS flow (the RAN corresponding to the QoS flow is the RAN where the UE corresponding to the QoS flow resides). OAM can obtain the amount of data transmitted by the UPF corresponding to the QoS flow (total data), the power consumption generated by the UPF corresponding to the QoS flow (total power consumption), the amount of data transmitted by the RAN corresponding to the QoS flow (total data), and the power consumption generated by the RAN corresponding to the QoS flow (total power consumption).

[0156] NF (such as SMF or UPF) can obtain: the amount of data transmitted corresponding to the target granularity. The amount of data transmitted corresponding to the target granularity refers to the amount of data transmitted by the network element corresponding to the target granularity for the target granularity.

[0157] If the target granularity is UE, then NF can obtain the amount of data transmitted for each PDU session of the UE corresponding to the UPF. For example, if the UE corresponds to PDU session 1 and PDU session 2, PDU session 1 corresponds to UPF1, and PDU session 2 corresponds to UPF2, then NF can obtain the amount of data transmitted for PDU session 1 via UPF1, and the amount of data transmitted for PDU session 2 via UPF2. Alternatively, if both PDU session 1 and PDU session 2 correspond to UPF1, then NF can obtain the amount of data transmitted for PDU session 1 via UPF1, and the amount of data transmitted for PDU session 2 via UPF1.

[0158] If the target granularity is a PDU session, then NF can obtain the UPF corresponding to the PDU session as the amount of data transmitted in the PDU session.

[0159] If the target granularity is a QoS flow, then NF can obtain the amount of data transmitted by the UPF corresponding to the QoS flow.

[0160] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, for a certain PDU session / QoS flow, the amount of data transmitted by UPF for the PDU session / QoS flow is equal to the amount of data transmitted by RAN for the PDU session / QoS flow. For example, in the example above, the amount of data transmitted by UPF1 for PDU session 1 is equal to the amount of data transmitted by RAN for PDU session 1.

[0161] It should be understood that the amount of data transmitted by UPF for PDU session / QoS stream refers to the amount of data transmitted by UPF that belongs to the PDU session / QoS stream, and the amount of data transmitted by RAN for PDU session / QoS stream refers to the amount of data transmitted by RAN that belongs to the PDU session / QoS stream.

[0162] III. Power Consumption Calculation

[0163] The power consumption calculation mainly involves: (1) the power consumption generated by the target granularity on the RAN side; and (2) the power consumption generated by the target granularity on the UPF side.

[0164] If the target granularity corresponds to one RAN, then the power consumption generated by the target granularity on the RAN side is the power consumption generated by the target granularity on its corresponding RAN side. If the target granularity corresponds to multiple RANs, for example, if the target granularity switches between multiple RANs, then the power consumption generated by the target granularity on the RAN side is the sum of the power consumption generated by the target granularity on each RAN side. The power consumption generated by the target granularity on the UPF side is similar.

[0165] In one example, for the RAN side, the percentage of power consumption generated by the target granularity on a given RAN side relative to the total power consumption of that RAN side is equal to the percentage of data transmitted by that RAN side for the target granularity relative to the total data transmitted by that RAN side. Therefore, after obtaining the following information, the network can calculate the power consumption of the target granularity on that RAN side: the power consumption generated by that RAN side, the amount of data transmitted by that RAN side for the target granularity, and the amount of data transmitted by that RAN side. As mentioned earlier, the power consumption generated by that RAN side and the amount of data transmitted by that RAN side can be obtained from the OAM (Operating Access Management), and the amount of data transmitted by that RAN side for the target granularity can be obtained from the AF (Automatic Access Management). It should be understood that the calculation method for the power consumption generated by the target granularity on a given UPF (User Power Filter) side is similar.

[0166] In other words, the power consumption generated by the target granularity on the side of a certain RAN (i.e., any RAN in the RAN corresponding to the target granularity) satisfies the following formula (1):

[0167] In the above formula (1), X represents the target granularity, RAN i This represents a RAN denoted as RAN#i. This represents the power consumption generated at the target granularity on the RAN#i side. This represents the power consumption generated on the RAN#i side (i.e., the total power consumption generated on the RAN#i side). Indicates that RAN#i represents the amount of data transmitted at the target granularity. This indicates the amount of data transmitted by RAN#i (i.e., the total amount of data transmitted by RAN#i).

[0168] It should be understood that if the target granularity is the UE, and assuming that RAN#i transmits at least one PDU session of the UE, then The UPF of transmitting at least one PDU session is equal to the sum of the data transmitted in at least one PDU session. The target granularity is PDU session / QoS flow, and assuming RAN#i transmits the PDU session / QoS flow, then... The UPF of the PDU session / QoS stream is equal to the amount of data transmitted in that PDU session / QoS stream. It should be noted that if the QoS stream here is replaced by multiple QoS streams, then... The UPF for transmitting these multiple QoS streams is equal to the sum of the data transmitted by these multiple QoS streams.

[0169] The power consumption generated at the target granularity on the RAN side (i.e., all RANs corresponding to the target granularity) satisfies the following formula (2):

[0170] In the above formula (2), E X,RAN This indicates the power consumption generated on the RAN side at the target granularity. See the description above. This represents the RAN set corresponding to the target granularity.

[0171] Similarly, the power consumption generated at a certain UPF (i.e., any UPF corresponding to the target granularity) satisfies the following formula (3):

[0172] In the above formula (3), X represents the target granularity, UPF i This represents a UPF denoted as UPF#i. This indicates the power consumption generated at the target granularity on the UPF#i side. This represents the power consumption generated on the UPF#i side (i.e., the total power consumption generated on the UPF#i side). UPF#i represents the amount of data transmitted at the target granularity. This indicates the amount of data transmitted by UPF#i (i.e., the total amount of data transmitted by UPF#i).

[0173] The power consumption generated at the target granularity on the UPF side (i.e., all UPFs corresponding to the target granularity) satisfies the following formula (4):

[0174] In the above formula (4), E X,UPF This indicates the power consumption generated at the target granularity on the UPF side. See the description above. This represents the set of UPFs corresponding to the target granularity.

[0175] In some embodiments, the granularity of power consumption disclosure can be divided into two types, depending on the object of power consumption disclosure:

[0176] 1. If the object of power consumption opening is NF (internal opening), the granularity of power consumption opening can be: UE, PDU session or QoS flow.

[0177] 2. If the power consumption is opened to an AF (external open), the granularity of power consumption opening can be: UE, PDU session or application (i.e., Per UE-per application), where one application can correspond to one or more QoS flows.

[0178] Figure 3 illustrates the power consumption calculation process in a non-roaming scenario. The steps shown in Figure 3 are explained below.

[0179] S301, AF or NF sends a power request message to EECF.

[0180] The power consumption request message is used to request the power consumption of a specific object. For ease of description, this object is referred to as the "request object." For example, the request object can be a UE, a PDU session, a QoS stream, or a service (also referred to as a service).

[0181] S302, EECF sends a contract request message to UDM.

[0182] S303, UDM returns a contract response message to EECF.

[0183] The subscription response message includes information about the SMF (Software Management Function) of the UE corresponding to the requesting object and information about the AMF (Active Software Function) of the UE corresponding to the requesting object.

[0184] In S304, the EECF sends a data volume request message to the SMF. It should be understood that the SMF is the SMF indicated by the SMF information in S303. This data volume request message is used to request each UPF corresponding to the requested object to transmit the required amount of data for that requested object.

[0185] S305, the SMF sends a data volume request message to the UPF. This data volume request message requests the corresponding UPF to transfer the required amount of data for the requested object.

[0186] Data request messages based on S305 can have the following two response methods:

[0187] (1) S306a, SMF requests the corresponding UPF to transmit the amount of data for the request object, and the corresponding UPF returns the amount of data transmitted by the UPF for the request object to SMF.

[0188] (2)S306b, SMF requests the corresponding UPF from each UPF corresponding to the request object to transmit the amount of data for the request object, and the corresponding UPF returns the amount of data transmitted by the UPF for the request object to EECF.

[0189] For example, if the requested object corresponds to multiple UPFs, such as a UE or a service (if the service corresponds to multiple QoS flows, these multiple QoS flows may correspond to multiple UPFs), then for each UPF, the SMF requests the amount of data that UPF will transmit for the requested object. Figure 3 only shows the interaction between the SMF and one UPF, but in reality, there may be interactions between the SMF and multiple UPFs.

[0190] It should be understood that SMF can obtain the information of the UPF corresponding to the requested object based on the information stored in its own database.

[0191] In addition, when the UPF or SMF returns the amount of data transferred by the UPF for the requested object to the EECF, it also returns the corresponding UPF information.

[0192] In S307, the EECF requests RAN information from the AMF. It should be understood that this AMF is the AMF indicated by the AMF information in S303.

[0193] S308, AMF sends the RAN information corresponding to the request object to EECF.

[0194] S309, EECF sends a power consumption / data volume request message to OAM.

[0195] The power consumption / data volume request message includes UPF information and RAN information. It should be understood that the UPF information here comes from the SMF in S306a or the feedback from the UPF in S306b. The RAN information comes from S308.

[0196] S310, OAM sends a power consumption / data volume response message to EECF.

[0197] Specifically, the power consumption / data volume response message is for each RAN and each UPF, returning the power consumption and data volume at the corresponding node / network element level. That is, the power consumption / data volume response includes the power consumption generated by each RAN and the data volume transmitted by each UPF.

[0198] S311, EECF determines the power consumption of the requested object.

[0199] The EECF can determine the power consumption of the requesting object based on the parameters obtained from S310 and S306a / S306b. The power consumption of the requesting object is equal to the sum of the power consumption generated by the requesting object on each of its corresponding network element sides. The specific method for calculating power consumption can be found in the description above and will not be repeated here. It should be understood that if the requesting object is a service, and the service corresponds to multiple UPFs, then the power consumption generated by the requesting object on the UPF side is equal to the sum of the power consumption generated by the requesting object on each of the multiple UPFs. Furthermore, if one of the multiple UPFs (for example, referred to as the target UPF) corresponds to multiple QoS flows of the service, then the power consumption generated by the requesting object on the target UPF side is equal to the sum of the power consumption generated by each of the multiple QoS flows on the target UPF side.

[0200] S312, EECF returns the power consumption of the requested object to AF / NF.

[0201] In summary, based on the process shown in Figure 3, the power consumption of the requesting object can be calculated in non-roaming scenarios.

[0202] However, roaming scenarios exist in practical applications, and power consumption calculation in roaming scenarios is a problem that network energy saving issues need to address. Because the network architecture in roaming scenarios differs from that in non-roaming scenarios, power consumption calculations used in non-roaming scenarios are not applicable to roaming scenarios.

[0203] In view of this, this application provides a power consumption calculation scheme for roaming scenarios, which can fill the gap in the current technology.

[0204] Before introducing the solution provided in this application, let's first briefly describe the roaming scenario.

[0205] In a particular country or region, a cellular mobile communication network of a certain type operated by a particular operator is called a PLMN, and the PLMN to which a terminal is contracted is called an HPLMN, representing the operator to which the contracted terminal belongs. When a terminal leaves the coverage area of ​​an HPLMN due to movement or other reasons, if there is another PLMN that meets certain conditions, the terminal can access that PLMN, which is called a VPLMN.

[0206] The process of a terminal accessing a VPLMN can be called roaming. Depending on whether the terminal's user plane terminates with a VPLMN or an HPLMN, roaming scenarios can be divided into local breakout (LBO) roaming and home routed (HR) roaming.

[0207] Figure 4 shows an architecture diagram of an HR roaming scenario, and Figure 5 shows an architecture diagram of an LBO roaming scenario. The functions of the devices or network elements involved in Figures 4 and 5 can be referred to the description of Figure 1 above.

[0208] In VPLMN, a network element X is called a visited network element X. For example, the EECF in VPLMN is called the visited EECF, i.e., V-EECF, and the SMF in VPLMN is called the visited SMF, i.e., V-SMF. In HPLMN, a network element X is called a home network element X. For example, the EECF in HPLMN is called the home EECF, i.e., H-EECF, and the SMF in HPLMN is called the home SMF, i.e., H-SMF.

[0209] Referring to Figure 4, in the HR roaming scenario, the user plane service flow returns to the home user plane network element to access the data network. Referring to Figure 5, in the LBO roaming scenario, the user plane service flow accesses the data network through the roaming user plane network element, without requiring assistance from the home network.

[0210] It should be understood that in practical applications, VPLMN and HPLMN may include more or fewer network elements or devices than shown in the figure, and this application does not limit this.

[0211] Similar to the network structure shown in Figure 1, the network elements, devices, or functions shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5 can be network components in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). These network elements or functions can be divided into one or more services; furthermore, services existing independently of network functions may also exist. Some network elements, devices, or functions shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5, such as core network functions in a VPLMN or core network functions in an HPLMN, can be integrated into a network element, software function, platform, or virtualization function instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0212] The following description, using the architecture shown in Figures 4 and 5 as an example to illustrate the solution provided in this application regarding the power consumption of the first object, will be based on this example.

[0213] First object: The granularity of the first object can be a terminal (or UE), a session, a QoS flow, or a service. The granularity of the first object can also be other granularities besides those mentioned above, such as a granularity smaller than that of a QoS flow or a granularity of a terminal group (UE group), etc.

[0214] For example, the first object can be any terminal, any session, any QoS stream, or any service. For instance, the first object could be UE#1, PDU session#1, QoS stream, or service#1, etc.

[0215] For example, the session may be a PDU session, or other types of sessions that may emerge in the future, and this application does not limit it.

[0216] For ease of description, the following explanation will use the example of the AF requesting the power consumption of the first object. It should be understood that this application does not limit the object requesting the power consumption of the first object; for example, the object requesting the power consumption of the first object could also be an NF or other network element. When an NF or other network element requests the power consumption of the first object, the method of obtaining the power consumption of the first object is the same as or similar to the method of obtaining the power consumption of the first object when the AF requests it.

[0217] For ease of understanding and description, the following examples use the following terms to illustrate UE, RAN, UPF, AMF, SMF, LMF, NEF, PCF, UDM, NRF, AF, CHF, EECF, and OAM in a 5G network: terminal, access network equipment, user plane network element, mobility management network element, session management network element, location management network element, network open function network element, policy control network element, unified data management network element, network storage function network element, application function network element, billing function network element, efficiency control function network element, and network management function network element, respectively. It should be understood that the examples of device / network element / node names should not constitute any limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0218] The first option provided in this application will be introduced below.

[0219] Solution 1 can be implemented based on the following principles:

[0220] The power consumption of the first object = the power consumption of the first object in the VPLMN + the power consumption of the first object in the HPLMN.

[0221] Wherein, the power consumption of the first object in VPLMN = the power consumption of the first object in RAN + the power consumption of the first object in V-UPF, and the power consumption of the first object in HPLMN = the power consumption of the first object in H-UPF.

[0222] The power consumption of the first object in the VPLMN can be understood as the sum of the power consumption generated / consumed by at least one RAN and at least one UPF (i.e., V-UPF) corresponding to the first object in the VPLMN for transmitting / serving the first object, or the sum of the power consumption generated / consumed by at least one RAN and at least one UPF (i.e., V-UPF) corresponding to the first object in the VPLMN when serving the first object, or similar meanings.

[0223] The power consumption of the first object in the RAN can be understood as: the sum of the power consumption generated / consumed by at least one RAN corresponding to the first object in the VPLMN for transmitting / serving the first object.

[0224] The power consumption of the first object in the UPF can be understood as: the power consumption generated / consumed by at least one UPF corresponding to the first object in the VPLMN for transmitting / serving the first object.

[0225] The understanding of the power consumption of the first object in the HPLMN is similar. However, since there can only be at least one UPF (i.e., H-UPF) corresponding to the first object in the HPLMN, and there is no RAN corresponding to the first object, the power consumption of the first object in the HPLMN can be understood as the sum of the power consumption generated / consumed by the transmission / service of the first object in the at least one UPF (i.e., H-UPF) corresponding to the first object in the VPLMN. That is, the power consumption of the first object in the H-UPF.

[0226] In some scenarios, the power consumption of the first object in the HPLMN is 0, that is, there is no corresponding RAN and UPF in the HPLMN to serve the first object. In this case, the power consumption of the first object is equal to the power consumption of the first object in the VPLMN.

[0227] For example, when the session corresponding to the first object is an LBO session (for scenarios where the first object is a terminal, QoS flow, or service) or when the first object is an LBO session (for scenarios where the first object is a session), the power consumption of the first object in the HPLMN is 0.

[0228] For example, if the first object is a terminal, and the session corresponding to the first object is an LBO session, it means that all sessions corresponding to the first object are LBO sessions or all sessions of the first object are LBO sessions. For example, if the first object is a QoS flow, and the session corresponding to the first object is an LBO session, it means that the session to which the QoS flow belongs is an LBO session. For example, if the first object is a service, and the session corresponding to the first object is an LBO session, it means that all sessions to which the QoS flows included in the service belong are LBO sessions.

[0229] Based on the implementation principle of Scheme 1, this application provides flowcharts as shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8. The power consumption of the first object can be obtained based on the flowcharts shown in Figures 6, 7, or 8. The flowcharts shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8 will be described below.

[0230] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in this application. The steps of method 600 shown in Figure 6 are described below.

[0231] S601, AF sends a first power consumption request message to H-EECF. Correspondingly, H-EECF receives the first power consumption request message. The first power consumption request message is used to request the power consumption of the first object.

[0232] The first power consumption request message may include indication information of a first object, which is used to indicate the first object.

[0233] For example, if the first object is UE#1, then the first power consumption request message may include information about UE#1. For instance, the information about UE#1 may be UE#1's GPSI or UE#1's SUPI, etc.

[0234] For example, if the first object is session #1, then the first power consumption request message may include information about UE #1 and information about session #1. For instance, the information about session #1 may be the address information of session #1. For example, the address information of session #1 may be the IP address and port number corresponding to session #1, or the IP 5-tuple corresponding to session #1, or the data network name (DNA) and slice information corresponding to session #1, etc.

[0235] For example, if the first object is QoS flow #1, then the first power consumption request message may include information about UE #1, information about session #1 to which QoS flow #1 belongs, and information about QoS flow #1 itself. For instance, the information about QoS flow #1 may be the address information of QoS flow #1. For example, the address information of QoS flow #1 may be the IP address and port number corresponding to QoS flow #1, or the address information of QoS flow #1 may be the IP 5-tuple corresponding to QoS flow #1, etc.

[0236] For example, if the first object is service #1, the first power consumption request message may include information about the UE #1 corresponding to service #1 and the address information of service #1, or it may include information about the UE #1 corresponding to service #1 and the application identifier of service #1 (e.g., 16777225). For instance, the address information of service #1 may be the IP address and port number corresponding to service #1, or the address information of service #1 may be the IP 5-tuple corresponding to service #1, etc.

[0237] Optionally, the first power consumption request message may also include time information, which indicates a period of time, such as denoted as the target time period. In this case, the first power consumption request message is used to request the power consumption of the first object within the target time period, or the power consumption of the first object within the target time period. Accordingly, the power consumption / data volume (transmitted data volume) mentioned in this document refers to the power consumption / data volume (transmitted data volume) within the target time period. For example, the first power consumption refers to the power consumption of the first object in the VPLMN within the target time period, and the second power consumption refers to the power consumption of the first object in the HPLMN within the target time period. Correspondingly, the RAN / UPF corresponding to the first object in this document refers to the RAN / UPF corresponding to the first object within the target time period. For example, if the first object is UE#1, the RAN corresponding to UE#1 refers to the RAN where UE#1 resides / accesses within the target time period, or the RAN served by UE#1 within the target time period. For example, if the first object is session #1, the RAN corresponding to UE#1 refers to the RAN traversed by session #1 within the target time period, or the RAN served by session #1 within the target time period.

[0238] Optionally, the first power consumption request message may also include indication information #1.

[0239] In one example, indication information #1 can indicate a power-saving object whose power consumption is not included in the power consumption of the first object. Here, the power-saving object belongs to the first object; for example, the first object is UE#1, and the power-saving object can be one or more sessions / QoS flows / services of UE#1. For example, if the first object is session #1, the power-saving object can be one or more QoS flows of session #1.

[0240] In another example, indication #1 can indicate energy saving. Based on indication #1, the H-EECF can determine that the power consumption of the energy-saving object is not included in the power consumption of the first object, but it does not know which object is specifically being saved. Based on this example, in one implementation, if the H-EECF receives indication #1, it obtains information about the energy-saving object from its local network or other network elements (e.g., the UDM), thus identifying the energy-saving object.

[0241] It is understandable that, in the presence of an energy-saving object, the amount of data transmitted by the corresponding network element for the energy-saving object and the power consumption of the energy-saving object in the corresponding network element are not acquired during the subsequent acquisition of the first information and / or the second information.

[0242] S602, when the UE is roaming, the H-EECF obtains first information and / or second information based on the first power consumption request message.

[0243] As an alternative description, S602 can be replaced by: When the UE is roaming, the H-EECF obtains first information, or obtains first information and second information, based on the first power consumption request message.

[0244] The first information is related to the power consumption of the first object in the VPLMN (i.e., the first power consumption), and the second information is related to the power consumption of the first object in the HPLMN (i.e., the second power consumption).

[0245] As mentioned earlier, in some scenarios the power consumption of the first object in the HPLMN is 0. Therefore, in some scenarios only the first information can be obtained, while in other scenarios the first information and the second information can be obtained.

[0246] For example, in scenarios where the first object corresponds to an LBO session (for scenarios where the first object is a terminal, QoS flow, or service) or where the first object is an LBO session (for scenarios where the first object is a session), only the first information is obtained; otherwise, both the first and second information are obtained.

[0247] The relationship between the first information and the first power consumption can be understood as follows: the first information is used to determine the first power consumption, the first information indicates the first power consumption, the first information is the first power consumption, or the first information can be used to determine the first power consumption, or similar meanings. The statement that the first information is used to determine the first power consumption or can be used to determine the first power consumption can mean that the first power consumption can be determined based on the first information, but the operation of determining the first power consumption based on the first information does not need to be performed. The relationship between the second information and the second power consumption can be understood similarly.

[0248] In some embodiments, the first information may be the first power consumption, for example, the unit of the first power consumption may be kilowatt-hour (kWh), joule (J), etc.

[0249] In other embodiments, the first information may be a parameter related to the first power consumption. For example, the first power consumption can be determined based on the parameter related to the first power consumption.

[0250] For example, parameters related to the first power consumption may include: the power consumption generated by at least one V-UPF, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one V-UPF, the power consumption generated by at least one RAN, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one RAN, and the amount of data transmitted by the at least one V-UPF for the first object. Wherein, the at least one V-UPF is the UPF corresponding to the first object in the VPLMN.

[0251] It should be understood that the power consumption generated by a specific network element (e.g., V-UPF or RAN) refers to the total power consumption of that network element, i.e., the power consumption at the network element granularity, such as the total power consumption of that network element within the target time period. Similarly, the data volume transmitted by a specific network element (e.g., V-UPF or RAN) refers to the total amount of data transmitted by that network element, i.e., the data volume transmitted at the network element granularity, such as the total amount of data transmitted by that network element within the target time period or the total amount of data transmitted by that network element within the target time period.

[0252] It can be understood that if the first object is UE#1, then the first power consumption = the sum of the power consumption generated by all sessions of UE#1 in at least one V-UPF + the sum of the power consumption generated by all sessions of UE#1 in at least one RAN. Alternatively, the first power consumption = the sum of the power consumption of all sessions of UE#1, where the power consumption of each session of UE#1 is the sum of the power consumption generated by these sessions in at least one RAN + the sum of the power consumption generated by these sessions in at least one V-UPF. If the first object is session #1 / QoS flow #1 / service #1 (service #1 only includes QoS flow #1), then the first power consumption = the power consumption generated by session #1 / QoS flow #1 / service #1 in at least one V-UPF (generally, this is one V-UPF) + the power consumption generated by session #1 / QoS flow #1 / service #1 in at least one RAN (generally, this is one RAN). If the first object is service #1 and service #1 includes multiple QoS flows, then the first power consumption = the sum of the power consumption generated by the multiple QoS flows corresponding to service #1 in at least one V-UPF (generally, in this case, it is one V-UPF) + the sum of the power consumption generated by the multiple QoS flows in at least one RAN (generally, in this case, it is one RAN). For the specific calculation method of the power consumption generated by the UE / session (e.g., PDU session) / QoS flow in a certain network element (e.g., V-UPF or RAN), please refer to formulas (1) to (4) above, which will not be repeated here.

[0253] Similarly, the second information could be the second power consumption. Alternatively, the second information could be a parameter related to the second power consumption. For example, the second power consumption can be determined based on parameters related to the second power consumption.

[0254] For example, parameters related to the second power consumption may include: the power consumption generated by at least one H-UPF, the amount of data transmitted by each of the at least one H-UPF, and the amount of data transmitted by each of the at least one H-UPF to the first object. Here, the at least one H-UPF is the UPF corresponding to the first object in the HPLMN.

[0255] The method for calculating the second power consumption based on parameters related to the second power consumption is similar to the method for calculating the first power consumption based on parameters related to the first power consumption, as described above. It can be understood that the power consumption of the target object within the RAN is not included in the second power consumption.

[0256] In some embodiments, the H-EECF can obtain the power consumption of the first object by obtaining the first power consumption and the second power consumption.

[0257] In some embodiments, the H-EECF can obtain the power consumption of the first object by acquiring parameters related to a first power consumption and parameters related to a second power consumption.

[0258] In some embodiments, the H-EECF can obtain the power consumption of the first object by acquiring parameters related to the first power consumption and the second power consumption, or by acquiring the first power consumption and parameters related to the second power consumption.

[0259] It should be understood that the parameters related to the first power consumption can be parameters used directly to calculate the first power consumption, or parameters used indirectly to calculate the first power consumption. The parameters related to the second power consumption are similar.

[0260] In some embodiments, "terminal roaming" can be understood as the terminal being in a roaming scenario or in a roaming state, or the operator providing services to a terminal located in a VPLMN.

[0261] In some embodiments, the H-EECF can determine whether the UE is roaming based on one or a combination of the following methods:

[0262] (1) The H-EECF obtains the AMF and / or SMF information corresponding to the UE (e.g., UE#1) from the UDM. Based on the AMF information and / or the PLMN information corresponding to the SMF information, it can determine whether the UE is roaming. For example, if the PLMN information corresponding to the UE's AMF information (e.g., AMF ID, or the IP address corresponding to the AMF, or the FQDN of the AMF) is not the HPLMN information (e.g., AMF ID, the IP address corresponding to the AMF, or the IP address in the AMF's FQDN is not the IP address corresponding to the HPLMN), then the UE is determined to be roaming. It should be understood that the AMF corresponding to the UE refers to the AMF that manages or controls the RAN accessed by the UE. For example, the SMF information corresponding to the UE may include information from two SMFs, and if the PLMN information corresponding to one of the SMFs is not the HPLMN information, then the UE is determined to be roaming. The SMF corresponding to the UE refers to the SMF that manages the session of the UE.

[0263] (2) If the H-EECF obtains V-EECF information from the UDM, then the UE (e.g., UE#1) is determined to be roaming. For example, if the H-EECF obtains V-EECF information (i.e., EECF information whose corresponding PLMN is not HPLMN information) while obtaining other information from the UDM (e.g., UE's AMF and / or SMF information), then the UE is determined to be roaming. Alternatively, if the PLMN information corresponding to the V-EECF information obtained by the H-EECF from the UDM (e.g., V-EECF ID, or the IP address corresponding to the V-EECF, or the FQDN of the V-EECF) is not HPLMN information, then the UE is determined to be roaming.

[0264] (3) Another possible way to determine this is that if the identifier (e.g., GUTI) corresponding to the UE obtained from the UDM is not assigned by the HPLMN network, then the UE is roaming.

[0265] For example, in this application, the information of network elements, such as the information of AMF / SMF / EECF, can be the ID or address information of the AMF / SMF / EECF. The information of PLMN, such as the information of HPLMN / VPLMN, can be the ID or address information of the HPLMN / VPLMN.

[0266] S603, the H-EECF sends a first power consumption response message to the AF. Correspondingly, the AF receives the first power consumption response message.

[0267] The first power consumption response message indicates the power consumption of the first object. For example, the first power consumption response message may include indication information of the first object and the first power consumption, or the first power consumption response message may contain the power consumption of the first object. The indication information of the first object can be found in the description in S601.

[0268] For example, the power consumption of the first object is determined by first information and / or second information. Alternatively, the power consumption of the first object is determined by the first information, or the power consumption of the first object is determined by both the first and second information.

[0269] For example, if the first information is the first power consumption, and the power consumption of the first object is determined solely by the first information, the H-EECF can send a first power consumption response message to the AF after obtaining the first information.

[0270] For example, if the first information is a parameter related to the first power consumption, in a scenario where the power consumption of the first object is determined solely by the first information, the H-EECF can send a first power consumption response message to the AF after determining the first power consumption based on the obtained first information.

[0271] For example, in a scenario where the power consumption of a first object is determined by first information and second information, after obtaining the first and second information, the H-EECF can first determine the power consumption of the first object based on the first and second information, and then send a first power consumption response message to the AF. Further, in one example, if the first information is a parameter related to the first power consumption, the H-EECF can first calculate the first power consumption, and then determine the power consumption of the first object based on the first power consumption and the second information. Alternatively, if the first information is a parameter related to the first power consumption, the H-EECF does not calculate the first power consumption, but directly calculates the power consumption of the first object based on the first and second information. In another example, if the second information is a parameter related to the second power consumption, the H-EECF can first calculate the second power consumption, and then determine the power consumption of the first object based on the first information and the second power consumption. Alternatively, if the second information is a parameter related to the second power consumption, the H-EECF does not calculate the second power consumption, but directly calculates the power consumption of the first object based on the first and second information. In yet another instance, if the first information is related to the first power consumption, the H-EECF can determine the power consumption of the first object based on both the first power consumption and the second information.

[0272] According to the communication method provided in this application, H-EECF can obtain the power consumption of the first object by acquiring first information and / or second information, that is, by acquiring the power consumption information of the roaming domain and the home domain, thereby realizing power consumption acquisition (calculation) in the roaming scenario.

[0273] In some embodiments, the H-EECF can obtain first information from the V-EECF.

[0274] Before obtaining the first information from the V-EECF, the H-EECF can first obtain the information from the V-EECF.

[0275] For example, the H-EECF can obtain information about the V-EECF in any of the following ways:

[0276] (1) As described above regarding the method of determining whether a terminal is roaming, H-EECF can obtain V-EECF information from UDM.

[0277] (2) H-EECF can obtain V-EECF information based on the PLMN information corresponding to the AMF information obtained from UDM, as well as the correspondence between the PLMN information configured locally by H-EECF and V-EECF.

[0278] (3) The H-EECF obtains V-EECF information from the NRF (which provides PLMN information) by querying the NRF. For example, after obtaining AMF information from the UDM, the H-EECF can send a query request to the NRF, such as Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request. This query request can include the VPLMN information corresponding to the AMF information and the NF type (type), where the NF type is EECF. Based on this query request, the NRF can determine that the H-EECF wants to query the EECF information in the VPLMN information corresponding to the AMF information, and thus return the V-EECF information.

[0279] (4) After H-EECF obtains the AMF information from UDM, it obtains the V-EECF information by querying AMF.

[0280] Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in this application. The method 700 shown in Figure 7 includes a process for the H-EECF to obtain first information from the V-EECF and a process for the H-EECF to obtain second information. The steps of the method 700 shown in Figure 7 will be described below.

[0281] In step S701, the AF sends a first power consumption request message to the H-EECF. This step is the same as in step S601 and can be referred to in step S601.

[0282] S702, H-EECF obtains relevant information from UDM.

[0283] Upon receiving the first power consumption request message, the H-EECF can send a query request to the UDM, for example, the query request could be a Nudm_UECM_Get message.

[0284] The query request may include information about UE#1. For ease of description, the information about UE#1 included in the first power consumption request message is denoted as Information #A, and the information about UE#1 included in the query request is denoted as Information #B. Information #A and Information #B may be the same or different. For example, Information #A may be GPSI, and Information #B may be SUPI.

[0285] In some embodiments, the query request may be used to request information about the SMF corresponding to UE#1 and / or information about the AMF corresponding to UE#1.

[0286] Optionally, the query request can also be used to request information about the V-EECF corresponding to UE#1 during roaming.

[0287] Optionally, the query request can also be used to request session information. For example, if the first object is UE#1, the query request can also be used to request information about all sessions of UE#1.

[0288] Optionally, the query request may also include indication information #2, which can be used to request information about the energy-saving object. For example, the information about the energy-saving object may be the identification information of the session corresponding to the energy-saving object or the identification information of the QoS flow corresponding to the energy-saving object.

[0289] In one example, instruction information #2 may be instruction information #1 as described in S601 above, or instruction information #2 may be information with the same meaning as instruction information #1 but in a different form. For example, instruction information #2 may indicate an energy-saving object, the power consumption of which is not included in the power consumption of the first object.

[0290] In another example, instruction information #2 can indicate energy saving, and UDM provides information about the energy-saving object to H-EECF based on instruction information #2.

[0291] In response to this query request, UDM may return one or more of the following to H-EECF:

[0292] (1) Information for UE#1. For ease of description, the information for UE#1 returned by UDM will be referred to as: Information #C. For example, Information #C may be the same as or different from Information #B. For instance, Information #C may be generated based on Information #B. For example, Information #B may be GPSI, and Information #C may be SUPI.

[0293] (2) SMF information. For example, the SMF's address information (e.g., IP address), or FQDN (e.g., mmec). <mmec>.mmegi <mmegi>.mme.epc.mnc <mnc>.mcc <mcc>.3gppnetwork.org).

[0294] (3) The information of AMF is similar to that of SMF.

[0295] (4) V-EECF information. For example, the V-EECF address information (e.g., IP address), or FQDN (e.g., mmec). <mmec>.mmegi <mmegi>.mme.epc.mnc <mnc>.mcc <mcc>.3gppnetwork.org).

[0296] (5) Session information. For example, a list of session IDs corresponding to the first object, such as a PDU Session ID list.

[0297] (6) Information on energy-saving objects.

[0298] S703, H-EECF determines that the UE is roaming. That is, H-EECF determines that the UE is currently in a roaming state.

[0299] For details on this step, please refer to the previous description; it will not be repeated here.

[0300] S704, H-EECF obtains information about V-EECF from NRF.

[0301] This step is optional. For example, if the UDM in S702 does not return V-EECF information to the H-EECF, the H-EECF can obtain the V-EECF information from the NRF. For details on this step, please refer to the previous description of the H-EECF obtaining V-EECF information, which will not be repeated here.

[0302] It should be noted that, as described above regarding H-EECF obtaining V-EECF information, H-EECF can also obtain V-EECF information based on the PLMN information corresponding to the AMF information obtained from UDM, and the mapping between the PLMN information configured locally by H-EECF and V-EECF. For example, if UDM does not return V-EECF information to H-EECF in S702, then H-EECF can obtain V-EECF information based on S704 or based on the PLMN information corresponding to the AMF information obtained from UDM, and the mapping between the PLMN information configured locally by H-EECF and V-EECF.

[0303] S705, the H-EECF sends a second power consumption request message to the V-EECF. Correspondingly, the V-EECF receives the second power consumption request message from the H-EECF. The second power consumption request message is used to request the first information.

[0304] For example, the second power consumption request message may include information about the UE, such as information #C fed back by the UDM to the H-EECF.

[0305] Optionally, the second power consumption request message may also include one or more of the following:

[0306] (1) Session information, such as the session address information or session ID (e.g., PDU Session ID);

[0307] (2) QoS flow information, such as the address information of the QoS flow or the QoS flow ID. The address information of the QoS flow is, for example, the IP address, and may also include the port number.

[0308] (3) Information about the energy-saving object, such as the granularity information, address information, or ID of the energy-saving object (e.g., PDU Session ID / QoS Flow ID);

[0309] (4) IP address, which may also include port number, in which case EECF can send a second power request message to V-EECF via V-NEF;

[0310] (5) UE information;

[0311] S706, V-EECF obtains the first information.

[0312] In response to the second power consumption request message, V-EECF obtains the first information.

[0313] It should be noted that if the second power consumption request message in S705 does not carry the session ID or QoS flow ID corresponding to the first object, V-EECF can further query the UDM to obtain the session ID or QoS flow ID corresponding to the first object. For example, if the first object is a UE, the second power consumption request message carries the UE's information but not the UE's session ID. Or, if the first object is a session / service / QoS flow, the second power consumption request message carries the address of the session / service / QoS flow, instead of the session ID / the QoS ID corresponding to the session / QoS flow ID.

[0314] In some embodiments, the V-EECF acquires the first information, including steps S7061 to S7063. For example, the first information is a parameter related to the first power consumption.

[0315] In other embodiments, the V-EECF acquires the first information in steps S7061 to S7064. For example, the first information is the first power consumption.

[0316] S7061, V-EECF sends request message #1 to V-SMF.

[0317] For example, request message #1 may include one or more of the following:

[0318] UE information;

[0319] Session information; such as PDU Session ID;

[0320] Information about the QoS flow, such as the QoS Flow ID, or the IP address and, optionally, the port number.

[0321] It is worth noting that the V-EECF can obtain the V-SMF information corresponding to the UE by querying the UDM or AMF. The V-SMF information can be the V-SMF ID, the V-SMF IP address, or the V-SMF FQDN information, etc.

[0322] There may be one or more V-SMFs here. One possible example is that if the first object is a terminal or PDU session, then the V-EECF obtains the V-SMF identification information by querying the UDM and providing the UDM with the UE information or session information.

[0323] In S7062a, the V-SMF requests the amount of data transmitted by the V-UPF for the first object from the V-UPF corresponding to the first object. The V-UPF returns the amount of data transmitted by the V-UPF for the first object to the V-SMF, and the V-SMF also returns the amount of data transmitted by the V-UPF for the first object to the H-EECF. It should be understood that although only one V-UPF and one V-SMF are shown in the figure, the process is the same for multiple V-UPFs and multiple V-SMF objects.

[0324] S7062b, the V-SMF requests the amount of data that the V-UPF corresponding to the first object will transmit for the first object, and the V-UPF returns the amount of data that the V-UPF will transmit for the first object to the H-EECF.

[0325] Steps S7062a and S7062b can be performed selectively.

[0326] It should be understood that if the first object is a UE, then the amount of data transmitted by a certain V-UPF for the first object is the same as the amount of data transmitted by that V-UPF for each session of that UE. If the first object is a service, then the amount of data transmitted by a certain V-UPF for the first object is the same as the amount of data transmitted by that V-UPF for each QoS flow of that service.

[0327] In one example, V-SMF can perform SS7062a or SS7062b if the following condition is met: there is no amount of data transferred by each V-UPF corresponding to the first object at the V-SMF.

[0328] S7063, V-EECF obtains from V-OAM the amount of data transmitted by each V-UPF, the power consumption generated by each V-UPF, the amount of data transmitted by each RAN corresponding to the UE, and the power consumption generated by each RAN corresponding to the UE.

[0329] For example, the information sent by V-EECF to V-OAM may include the identification information of RAN and the identification information of V-UPF.

[0330] In one example, the V-EECF can perform S7063 if the following conditions are met: there is no amount of data transmitted by each V-UPF at the V-EECF, no power consumption generated by each V-UPF, and no amount of data transmitted by each RAN.

[0331] For example, V-EECF can first obtain the information of each RAN corresponding to UE#1 from AMF.

[0332] S7064, V-EECF determines the first power consumption based on the acquired parameters related to the first power consumption.

[0333] For instructions on how to calculate the first power consumption, please refer to the previous description.

[0334] S707, the V-EECF sends a second power consumption response message to the H-EECF. Correspondingly, the H-EECF receives the second power consumption response message from the V-EECF. The second power consumption response message indicates or includes the first information.

[0335] For example, the second power consumption response message may include the first power consumption, such as in units of J, KJ, Wh, KWh, etc.

[0336] Optionally, the second power consumption response message may further include information indicating the first object. For example, if the first object is a UE, the second power consumption response message may include information about the UE, such as the UE's identifier. For example, if the first object is a session, the second power consumption response message may include information about the UE and the session (e.g., session ID or address information). For example, if the first object is a QoS flow, the second power consumption response message may include information about the UE, information about the session to which the QoS flow belongs (e.g., session ID or address information), and information about the QoS flow (e.g., QoS Flow ID), or the second power consumption response message may include the address information of the QoS flow. Alternatively, if the first object is a service, the second power consumption response message may include information about the UE, information about the session to which the QoS flow corresponding to the service belongs (e.g., session ID or address information), and information about the QoS flow corresponding to the service (e.g., QoS Flow ID).

[0337] S708, H-EECF obtains the second information.

[0338] H-EECF can obtain second information based on the information obtained from S702, such as SMF information and session information.

[0339] In some embodiments, the H-EECF acquiring the second information may include steps S7081 to S7082. In some embodiments, the H-EECF acquiring the second information may include steps S7081 to S7083.

[0340] S7081, the H-EECF obtains the amount of data transmitted by each H-UPF corresponding to the first object based on the interaction with the H-SMF.

[0341] The operations performed by H-EECF and H-SMF are the same as those performed by EECF and SMF in steps S304 to S306a or S304 to S306b shown in Figure 3. For details, please refer to Figure 3.

[0342] S7082, H-EECF obtains the amount of data transmitted by each H-UPF from H-OAM.

[0343] S7083, H-EECF determines the second power consumption based on the acquired parameters related to the second power consumption.

[0344] S709, H-EECF determines the power consumption of the first object based on the first information and the second information.

[0345] In S710, the H-EECF sends the first power consumption response message to the AF. This step is the same as in S603, and can be referred to S603.

[0346] According to the communication method provided in this application, by enhancing the processing logic of H-EECF and the interaction between H-EECF and V-EECF, H-EECF can obtain first information through V-EECF, thereby obtaining the power consumption of the first object and realizing power consumption acquisition (computation) in roaming scenarios. Furthermore, for VPLMN, similar to non-roaming scenarios, the system implementation is simplified.

[0347] Figure 8 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in this application. The method 800 shown in Figure 8 includes a process where the H-EECF obtains first information from the V-EECF and a process where the H-EECF obtains second information. The process where the H-EECF obtains the first information from the V-EECF in the method shown in Figure 8 differs from the process shown in Figure 7. The steps of the method 800 shown in Figure 8 will be described below.

[0348] In S801, the AF sends a first power consumption request message to the H-EECF. This step is the same as in S701, and can be referred to S701.

[0349] S802, H-EECF obtains relevant information from UDM. This step is the same as S702, and can be referred to S702.

[0350] S803, H-EECF determines UE roaming. That is, H-EECF determines that the UE is currently in a roaming state. This step is the same as S703, and can be referred to S703.

[0351] S804, H-EECF obtains V-EECF information from NRF. This step is the same as S704, and can be referred to S704.

[0352] In step S805, the H-EECF sends a second power consumption request message to the V-EECF. Correspondingly, the V-EECF receives the second power consumption request message from the H-EECF. This second power consumption request message is used to request the first information. This step is the same as in step S705 and can be referred to.

[0353] S806, V-EECF obtains the first information. This step differs from S706.

[0354] In response to the second power consumption request message, V-EECF obtains the first information.

[0355] It should be noted that if the second power consumption request message in S805 does not carry the session ID or QoS flow ID corresponding to the first object, V-EECF can further query the UDM to obtain the session ID or QoS flow ID corresponding to the first object. For example, if the first object is a UE, the second power consumption request message carries the UE's information but not the UE's session ID. Or, if the first object is a session / service / QoS flow, the second power consumption request message carries the address of the session / service / QoS flow, instead of the session ID / the QoS ID corresponding to the session / QoS flow ID.

[0356] In some embodiments, the V-EECF acquires the first information, including steps S8061 to S8065.

[0357] In other embodiments, the V-EECF acquires the first information in steps S8061 to S8066. For example, the first information is the first power consumption.

[0358] S8061, V-EECF sends request message #1 to V-SMF.

[0359] For example, request message #1 may include one or more of the following:

[0360] -UE identification information;

[0361] - Identification information for the PDU session; such as the PDU Session ID;

[0362] -Identification information for QoS flows, such as QoS Flow ID, or IP address and, optionally, port number information.

[0363] S8062, the V-SMF requests the amount of data transmitted by each V-UPF for the first object from each V-UPF corresponding to the first object, and each V-UPF returns the amount of data transmitted by the V-UPF for the first object to the V-SMF.

[0364] S8063, V-SMF obtains from V-OAM the amount of data transmitted by each V-UPF, the power consumption generated by each V-UPF, the amount of data transmitted by each RAN corresponding to the UE, and the power consumption generated by each RAN corresponding to the UE.

[0365] S8064, V-SMF determines the first power consumption based on the acquired parameters related to the first power consumption.

[0366] This step is optional. The V-SMF may choose not to perform the operation of determining the first power consumption based on the acquired parameters related to the first power consumption, and instead directly return the parameters related to the first power consumption to the V-EECF.

[0367] S8065, V-SMF sends response message #1 to V-EECF. Response message #1 indicates the first information.

[0368] In step S807, the V-EECF sends a second power consumption response message to the H-EECF. Correspondingly, the H-EECF receives the second power consumption response message from the V-EECF. The second power consumption response message indicates or includes the first information. This step is the same as in step S707 and can be referred to there.

[0369] For example, the second power consumption response message may include the first power consumption, or it may include parameters related to the first power consumption.

[0370] S808, H-EECF obtains the second information. This step is the same as S708 and can be referred to S708. Specifically, the steps included in S808 shown in the figure can be referred to the steps included in S708.

[0371] In S809, the H-EECF determines the power consumption of the first object based on the first and second information. This step is the same as in S709 and can be referred to.

[0372] In S810, the H-EECF sends the first power consumption response message to the AF. This step is the same as in S710 and can be referred to in S710.

[0373] According to the communication method provided in this application, the H-EECF can obtain first information through the V-EECF, thereby obtaining the power consumption of the first object and realizing power consumption acquisition (calculation) in a roaming scenario. Furthermore, in this method, the VPLMN can provide raw, unprocessed data, and the HPLMN can calculate power consumption information more flexibly.

[0374] The second option provided in this application is described below.

[0375] Option 2 can be implemented based on the following principles:

[0376] The power consumption of the first object = the power consumption of the first object in the HR session + the power consumption of the first object in the LBO session.

[0377] Wherein, the power consumption of the first object in the HR session = the portion of the power consumption of the first object in the HR session that belongs to the VPLMN + the portion of the power consumption of the first object in the HR session that belongs to the HPLMN.

[0378] Based on the implementation principle of Scheme 2, this application provides flowcharts as shown in Figures 9 and 10. Based on the flowcharts shown in Figures 9 and 10, the power consumption of the first object can be obtained. The flowcharts shown in Figures 9 and 10 will be described below.

[0379] Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in this application. The steps of method 900 shown in Figure 9 are described below.

[0380] In step S901, the AF sends a first power consumption request message to the H-EECF. Correspondingly, the H-EECF receives the first power consumption request message. This first power consumption request message is used to request the power consumption of the first object. This step is the same as in step S601 and can be referred to S601.

[0381] S902, when the terminal is roaming, the H-EECF obtains the third and / or fourth information based on the first power consumption request message.

[0382] The third information is related to the power consumption of the first object in the HR session (i.e., the third power consumption), and the fourth information is related to the power consumption of the first object in the LBO session (i.e., the fourth power consumption).

[0383] As mentioned earlier, in some scenarios, the power consumption of the first object in the LBO session is 0, so in some scenarios, only the third information needs to be obtained. For example, when the first object is an HR session, only the third information needs to be obtained.

[0384] In some scenarios, the power consumption of the first object in the HR session is 0, so in some scenarios, only the fourth information needs to be obtained. For example, when the first object is an LBO session, only the fourth information needs to be obtained.

[0385] In some scenarios, third and fourth information can be obtained. For example, when the first object includes both LBO and HR sessions, third and fourth information can be obtained.

[0386] The third information related to the third power consumption can be understood as: the third information is used to determine the third power consumption, the third information indicates the third power consumption, or the third information can be used to determine the third power consumption, or similar meanings. The third information being used to determine the third power consumption or the third information being able to be used to determine the third power consumption can mean that the third power consumption can be determined based on the third information, but the operation of determining the third power consumption based on the third information does not need to be performed. The fourth information related to the fourth power consumption can be understood similarly.

[0387] In some embodiments, the third information may be the third power consumption.

[0388] In other embodiments, the third information may be a parameter related to the third power consumption. For example, the third power consumption can be determined based on the parameter related to the third power consumption.

[0389] For example, parameters related to the third power consumption may include: a first sub-power consumption and a second sub-power consumption. The first sub-power consumption is the power consumption corresponding to the VPLMN in the third power consumption, and the second sub-power consumption is the power consumption corresponding to the HPLMN in the third power consumption.

[0390] For example, parameters related to the third power consumption may include parameters related to the first sub-power consumption and parameters related to the second sub-power consumption.

[0391] For example, parameters related to the first sub-power consumption may include: power consumption generated by at least one first V-UPF, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one first V-UPF, power consumption generated by at least one RAN, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one RAN, and the amount of data transmitted by the at least one first V-UPF for the first object. Here, the at least one first V-UPF is a UPF belonging to the VPLMN among the UPFs corresponding to the HR session, and the UPF corresponding to the HR session refers to the HR session corresponding to the first object.

[0392] Based on the above parameters, the power consumption generated by the first object in each of the at least one first V-UPF can be obtained, as well as the power consumption generated by the object corresponding to the HR session in the first object in each of the at least one RAN. The sum of the power consumption generated by the first object in each of the at least one first V-UPF and the sum of the power consumption generated by the object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object in each of the at least one RAN is the first sub-power consumption.

[0393] For example, if the first object is a terminal, the object corresponding to the HR session in the first object can be one or more sessions. For example, if the first object is a session, and that session is an HR session, then the object corresponding to the HR session in the first object is the first object itself. If that session is an LBO session, then the object corresponding to the HR session in the first object is empty, meaning there is no object corresponding to the HR session in the first object. For example, if the first object is a QoS flow, and the session to which the QoS flow belongs is an HR session, then the object corresponding to the HR session in the first object is the QoS flow itself. If the session to which the QoS flow belongs is an HR session, then the object corresponding to the HR session in the first object is empty, meaning there is no object corresponding to the HR session in the first object. For example, if the first object is a service, and the session to which the QoS flow corresponding to the service belongs is an LBO session, then the object corresponding to the HR session in the first object is the QoS flow corresponding to the service. If the session to which the QoS flow corresponding to the service belongs is an LBO session, then the object corresponding to the HR session in the first object is empty, meaning there is no object corresponding to the HR session in the first object. For example, parameters related to the second sub-power consumption may include: the power consumption generated by at least one H-UPF, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one H-UPF, and the amount of data transmitted by the at least one H-UPF for the first object. Here, the at least one H-UPF is a UPF belonging to the HPLMN among the UPFs corresponding to the HR session, and the UPF corresponding to the HR session refers to the HR session corresponding to the first object.

[0394] For example, based on the above parameters, the power consumption generated by the first object in each of the at least one H-UPF can be obtained, and the sum of the power consumption generated by the first object in each of the at least one H-UPF is the second sub-power consumption. For example, parameters related to the third power consumption may include: parameters related to the first sub-power consumption and parameters related to the second sub-power consumption.

[0395] In some embodiments, the fourth information may be a fourth power consumption. Alternatively, the fourth information may be a parameter related to the fourth power consumption. For example, the fourth power consumption can be determined based on the parameter related to the fourth power consumption.

[0396] For example, parameters related to the fourth power consumption may include: power consumption generated by at least one second V-UPF, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one second V-UPF, power consumption generated by at least one RAN, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one RAN, and the amount of data transmitted by the at least one second V-UPF for the first object. Wherein, the at least one second UPF is the UPF corresponding to the LBO session, and the UPF corresponding to the LBO session refers to the LBO session corresponding to the first object.

[0397] For example, based on the above parameters, the power consumption generated by the first object in each of the at least one second V-UPF can be obtained, as well as the power consumption generated by the object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object in each of the at least one RAN. The sum of the power consumption generated by the first object in each of the at least one second V-UPF and the sum of the power consumption generated by the object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object in each of the at least one RAN constitutes the fourth power consumption. For example, the first object is a terminal, and the object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object can be one or more sessions. For example, if the first object is a session, and the session is an LBO session, then the object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object is the first object; if the session is an HR session, then the object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object is empty, i.e., there is no object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object. For example, if the first object is a QoS flow, and the session to which the QoS flow belongs is an LBO session, then the object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object is the QoS flow; if the session to which the QoS flow belongs is an HR session, then the object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object is empty, i.e., there is no object corresponding to the LBO session in the first object. For example, if the first object is a service, and the session to which the QoS flow corresponding to the service belongs is an LBO session, then the object in the first object corresponding to the LBO session is the QoS flow corresponding to the service. If the session to which the QoS flow corresponding to the service belongs is an HR session, then the object in the first object corresponding to the LBO session is empty, that is, there is no object in the first object corresponding to the LBO session.

[0398] For an understanding of "terminal roaming" and how to determine whether a terminal is roaming, please refer to the description in Method 600, which will not be repeated here.

[0399] S903, the H-EECF sends a first power consumption response message to the AF. Correspondingly, the AF receives the first power consumption response message.

[0400] The first power consumption response message indicates the power consumption of the first object. For example, the first power consumption response message may include indication information of the first object and a third power consumption. The indication information of the first object can be found in the description in S901.

[0401] For example, if the third information is the third power consumption, in a scenario where the power consumption of the first object is determined solely by the third information, the H-EECF can send a first power consumption response message to the AF after obtaining the third information.

[0402] For example, the third information is a parameter related to the third power consumption. In a scenario where the power consumption of the first object is determined only by the third information, after the H-EECF determines the third power consumption based on the obtained third information, it can send a first power consumption response message to the AF.

[0403] For example, the fourth information is the fourth power consumption. In a scenario where the power consumption of the first object is determined solely by the fourth information, after the H-EECF obtains the fourth information, it can send the first power consumption response message to the AF.

[0404] For example, the fourth information is a parameter related to the fourth power consumption. In a scenario where the power consumption of the first object is determined only by the fourth information, after the H-EECF determines the fourth power consumption based on the obtained fourth information, it can send a first power consumption response message to the AF.

[0405] For example, in a scenario where the power consumption of the first object is determined by the third and fourth information, after obtaining the third and fourth information, the H-EECF can first determine the power consumption of the first object based on the third and fourth information, and then send a first power consumption response message to the AF. Further, in one example, if the third information is a parameter related to the third power consumption, the H-EECF can first calculate the third power consumption, and then determine the power consumption of the first object based on the third power consumption and the fourth information. Alternatively, if the third information is a parameter related to the third power consumption, the H-EECF does not calculate the third power consumption, but directly calculates the power consumption of the first object based on the third and fourth information. In another example, if the fourth information is a parameter related to the fourth power consumption, the H-EECF can first calculate the fourth power consumption, and then determine the power consumption of the first object based on the third and fourth information. Alternatively, if the fourth information is a parameter related to the fourth power consumption, the H-EECF does not calculate the fourth power consumption, but directly calculates the power consumption of the first object based on the third and fourth information.

[0406] According to the communication method provided in this application, H-EECF can obtain the power consumption of the first object by acquiring third and / or fourth information, thereby realizing power consumption acquisition (calculation) in roaming scenarios.

[0407] In some embodiments, the H-EECF can obtain third-party information from the H-SMF.

[0408] For example, the H-SMF can obtain the first sub-power consumption or parameters related to the first sub-power consumption from the V-SMF.

[0409] In some embodiments, H-EECF can obtain fourth information from V-SMF.

[0410] In some embodiments, the H-EECF can obtain fourth information from the V-EECF.

[0411] Before obtaining the fourth piece of information from the V-EECF, the H-EECF can first obtain the V-EECF ID. For details on how the H-EECF obtains the V-EECF ID, please refer to the description of Scheme 1 above; it will not be repeated here.

[0412] In some embodiments, H-EECF determines whether a session is an HR session or an LBO session using one of the following methods:

[0413] (1) If the SMF’s identifier contains information about other PLMNs (e.g., the SMF’s IP address is associated with other PLMNs), it is considered an HR session;

[0414] (2) Session subscription information. For example, if the session allows LBO, the current session is considered to be LBO; otherwise, it is considered to be of type HR.

[0415] Figure 10 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in this application. The method 1000 shown in Figure 10 includes a process for the H-EECF to obtain third information from the H-SMF and a process for the H-EECF to obtain fourth information from the V-EECF. The steps of the method 1000 shown in Figure 10 will be described below.

[0416] In step S1001, the AF sends a first power consumption request message to the H-EECF. This step is the same as in step S701 and can be referred to in step S701.

[0417] S1002, H-EECF obtains relevant information from UDM. This step is the same as S702, and can be referred to S702.

[0418] S1003, H-EECF determines UE is roaming. That is, H-EECF determines that the UE is currently in a roaming state. This step is the same as S703, and can be referred to S703.

[0419] S1004, H-EECF obtains V-EECF information from NRF. This step is the same as S704, and can be referred to S704.

[0420] This application does not limit the execution order of S1004, as long as this step is performed before the H-EECF uses the information from the V-EECF.

[0421] S1005, H-EECF sends a second power consumption request message to H-SMF. Correspondingly, H-SMF receives the second power consumption request message. This second power consumption request message is used to request third information.

[0422] S1006, H-SMF sends a fourth power consumption request message to V-SMF. Correspondingly, V-SMF receives the fourth power consumption request message. This fourth power consumption request message is used to request the first sub-power consumption or parameters related to the first sub-power consumption.

[0423] S1007, V-SMF obtains the first sub-power consumption or parameters related to the first sub-power consumption.

[0424] In some embodiments, V-SMF may acquire parameters related to the first sub-power consumption in S10071 to S10072.

[0425] In some embodiments, V-SMF acquisition and the first sub-power consumption may include S10071 to S10073.

[0426] S10071, the V-SMF requests the amount of data transmitted by the first V-UPF for the first object to each V-UPF (denoted as: first V-UPF) in the corresponding HR session of the V-UPF corresponding to the first object, and each first V-UPF returns the amount of data transmitted by the first V-UPF for the first object to the V-SMF.

[0427] For example, the V-SMF can first send a request message to the first V-UPF, and the V-UPF can indicate in the response message the amount of data that the first V-UPF will transmit for the first object.

[0428] Optionally, the request message may include the identification information of the QoS flow corresponding to the first object requested by V-SMF (e.g., QoS Flow ID) or the identification information of the session (e.g., PDU session identifier).

[0429] Optionally, if there is no amount of data transmitted by the first V-UPF for the first object at the V-SMF, S10071 can be executed.

[0430] S10072, V-SMF obtains from V-OAM the amount of data transmitted by each first V-UPF, the power consumption generated by each first V-UPF, the amount of data transmitted by each RAN (denoted as: first RAN) of the corresponding HR session in the RAN corresponding to the first object, and the power consumption generated by each first RAN.

[0431] For example, V-SMF can first send a request message to V-OAM, and V-OAM can indicate the above parameters in the response message.

[0432] Optionally, the request message may include identification information (e.g., RAN ID) of the RAN (i.e., the first RAN) and identification information (e.g., UPF ID) of the UPF (i.e., the first V-UPF).

[0433] Optionally, the RAN identification information can be obtained by the V-SMF locally or by the V-SMF from the AMF. Optionally, the UPF identification information can be carried in the fourth power consumption request message or obtained by the V-SMF from other network elements or locally based on the fourth power consumption request message.

[0434] Optionally, the response message may include: (1) the RAN's identification information and the corresponding data volume and power consumption; (2) the UPF's identification information and the corresponding data volume and power consumption. For example, the data volume may be bit, byte, MB, GB, etc., or index (ndex) information, such as index=31, which represents 62MB. The power consumption information may be J, KJ, Wh, KWh, etc., or index information, such as index=4, which represents 36J, etc.

[0435] Alternatively, if the parameters described in S10072 are not present at V-SMF, S10072 can be executed.

[0436] S10073, V-SMF determines the first sub-power consumption based on the acquired parameters related to the first sub-power consumption.

[0437] This step is optional. The V-SMF may choose not to perform the operation of determining the first power consumption based on the acquired parameters related to the first power consumption, and instead directly return the parameters related to the first power consumption to the V-EECF.

[0438] S1008, V-SMF sends a fourth power consumption response message to H-SMF. Correspondingly, H-SMF receives the fourth power consumption response message. The fourth power consumption response message includes or indicates the first sub-power consumption, or includes parameters related to the first sub-power consumption.

[0439] For example, the fourth power consumption response message may include power consumption information, the unit of which may be J, kJ, Wh, kWh, etc. Optionally, the fourth power consumption response message may also include one or more of the following information:

[0440] - Session identification information; such as PDU Session ID;

[0441] - QoS flow identification information, such as QoS Flow ID, or IP address and, optionally, port number information. S1009, H-SMF obtains the second sub-power consumption or parameters related to the second sub-power consumption.

[0442] In some embodiments, S1009 may include S10091 to S10092.

[0443] In other embodiments, S1009 may include S10091 to S10093.

[0444] S10091, the H-SMF requests the amount of data transmitted by each H-UPF for the first object from each H-UPF corresponding to the first object, and each H-UPF returns the amount of data transmitted by that H-UPF for the first object to the H-SMF. It should be understood that although only one H-UPF is shown in the figure, the process is the same for each H-UPF object.

[0445] S10092, H-SMF obtains from H-OAM the amount of data transmitted by each H-UPF for UE#1 and the power consumption generated by each H-UPF for UE#1.

[0446] S10093, H-SMF determines the second sub-power consumption based on the acquired parameters related to the second sub-power consumption.

[0447] The process for obtaining the second sub-power consumption is similar to that for obtaining the first sub-power consumption. For details, please refer to the description of obtaining the first sub-power consumption above.

[0448] S1010, H-SMF determines the first power consumption based on the first sub-power consumption or parameters related to the first sub-power consumption, and based on the second sub-power consumption or parameters related to the second sub-power consumption.

[0449] This step is optional and can be omitted. The second power consumption response message in S1011 includes parameters related to the first sub-power consumption and / or parameters related to the second sub-power consumption.

[0450] For example, the first power consumption = the first sub-power consumption + the second sub-power consumption.

[0451] S1011, the H-SMF sends a second power consumption response message to the H-EECF. Correspondingly, the H-EECF receives the second power consumption response message. The second power consumption response message includes or indicates third information.

[0452] For example, the second power consumption response message may include information indicating the third power consumption.

[0453] Optionally, the second power consumption response message may also include one or more of the following: UE identification information, session identification information, or QoS flow identification information.

[0454] S1012, H-EECF obtains the fourth information from V-EECF.

[0455] The H-SMF can send a third power consumption request message to the V-EECF, which requests fourth information. Upon receiving the third power consumption request message, the V-EECF can interact with the V-SMF to obtain the amount of data each V-UPF (denoted as the second V-UPF) in the corresponding LBO session of the V-UPF corresponding to the first object requests for to transmit for the first object, and the amount of data each second V-UPF returns to the V-SMF for to transmit for the first object. The V-SMF sends power consumption and data volume request messages to the V-OAM, and the V-OAM returns power consumption and data volume response messages to the V-SMF. Optionally, the V-SMF determines the fourth power consumption based on the obtained parameters related to the fourth power consumption.

[0456] For example, the third power consumption request message may include one or more of the following information: UE identification information, LBO indication (Local breakout indication), and LBO type session identification information (e.g., PDU Session ID list). The LBO indication indicates that information related to the LBO session is requested.

[0457] For example, the information returned by V-EECF to H-EECF may also include session identification information.

[0458] S1013, H-EECF obtains the power consumption of the first object based on the third and fourth information.

[0459] It is worth noting that, taking the UE as the first object as an example, the total power consumption of the UE can be the sum of the power consumption of all PDU sessions or the sum of the power consumption of some PDU sessions. In this case, H-EECF may not provide information on certain sessions / QoS flows in S1005 or S1012 to avoid meaningless calculations.

[0460] Some PDU sessions belong to specific slices that use renewable energy, therefore these PDU sessions do not need to be included in the total power consumption calculation. Optionally, the H-EECF can also interact with the H-OAM before executing S1013. For example, the H-EECF sends a request message to the H-OAM containing one or more of the following information: an indication to exempt power consumption calculation (or an indication to use clean energy); the UE's QoS flow identification information and / or session identification information and / or the UE's identification information; DNN and / or S-NSSAI information, which may correspond to the UE's PDU session.

[0461] H-OAM response messages may include: identification information of the PDU session, and corresponding exemption indication information (or non-exemption indication information, or clean energy use indication information, or clean energy non-use indication information); DNN and / or S-NSSAI information, which may indicate: this slice or network is exempt from / not exempt from power consumption calculation, or uses / does not use clean energy.

[0462] It is worth noting that if the request message only contains "instructions to exempt from power consumption calculation (or, instructions to use clean energy)," then H-OAM can return "DNN and / or S-NSSAI information," which refers to "the entire network," rather than "a specific UE or the specific slice requested."

[0463] It should be understood that the power consumption-free session / QoS flow shown here is the energy-saving object described above.

[0464] In step S1014, the H-EECF sends the first power consumption response message to the AF. This step is the same as in step S710 and can be referenced from step S710.

[0465] According to the communication method provided in this application, by enhancing the processing logic of H-EECF and the interaction between H-SMF and V-SMF, H-EECF can obtain the power consumption of the first object based on the third power consumption and / or the fourth power consumption, thereby achieving power consumption acquisition. Furthermore, this method can support SMFs to calculate power consumption separately, thus avoiding processing bottlenecks in H-EECF due to excessive requests.

[0466] The method provided in this application has been described above; the apparatus provided in this application will be described below.

[0467] Figure 11 shows a possible exemplary block diagram of the communication device involved in the embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 11, the communication device 2000 may include modules or units for implementing the method embodiments described above. In one possible design, the communication device 2000 includes a communication unit 2100 and a processing unit 2200. Optionally, the communication device 2000 may further include a storage unit 2300 for storing device program code and / or data, and the processing unit 2200 can read instructions and / or data from the storage unit to enable the communication device 2000 to implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0468] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 can perform the operations performed by the home location function network element in the above embodiments. For example, the communication device 2000 can be a home location function network element, or a functional module, circuit, or chip within the home location function network element.

[0469] For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 2100 is configured to receive a first power consumption request message, the first power consumption request message being used to request the power consumption of a first object, the granularity of the first object being a terminal, session, service, or quality of service (QoS) stream; the processing unit 2200 or the communication unit 2100 is configured to, when the terminal is roaming, obtain first information and / or second information according to the first power consumption request message, wherein the first information is related to a first power consumption, the second information is related to a second power consumption, the first power consumption is the power consumption of the first object in the VPLMN, and the second power consumption is the power consumption of the first object in the HPLMN; the communication unit 2100 is further configured to send a first power consumption response message, the first power consumption response message indicating the power consumption of the first object, the power consumption of the first object being determined by the first information and / or the second information.

[0470] Optionally, the first information is the first power consumption, or the first information includes: the power consumption generated by at least one visited user plane network element, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one visited user plane network element, the power consumption generated by at least one access network device, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one access network device, and the amount of data transmitted by the at least one visited user plane network element for the first object, wherein the at least one visited user plane network element is the user plane network element corresponding to the first object in the VPLMN; and / or,

[0471] The second information is the second power consumption, or the second information includes: the power consumption generated by at least one home user plane network element, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one home user plane network element, and the amount of data transmitted by the at least one home user plane network element for the first object, wherein the at least one home user plane network element is the user plane network element corresponding to the first object in the HPLMN.

[0472] Optionally, the processing unit 2200 or the communication unit 2100 is configured to acquire the first information, including: acquiring information about the visited site efficiency control function network element corresponding to the first object based on the first power consumption request message; sending a second power consumption request message to the visited site efficiency control function network element based on the information of the visited site efficiency control function network element, the second power consumption request message being used to request the first information; and receiving a second power consumption response message from the visited site efficiency control function network element, the second power consumption response message including the first information.

[0473] Optionally, the processing unit 2200 or the communication unit 2100 is configured to obtain information about the visited location effectiveness control function network element corresponding to the first object according to the first power consumption request message, including: obtaining information about the visited location effectiveness control function network element from the home network management function network element, H-UDM, or network storage network element according to the first power consumption request message; or obtaining information about the visited location effectiveness control function network element according to the first power consumption request message and first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information indicates the correspondence between the PLMN and the visited location effectiveness control function network element.

[0474] Optionally, the second power consumption request message further indicates a power-saving object in the first object, wherein the power-saving object is a session or QoS stream, and the power consumption of the first object does not include the power consumption of the power-saving object.

[0475] Optionally, the processing unit 2200 or the communication unit 2100 is further configured to obtain network element information corresponding to the first object according to the first power consumption request message. The network element information includes one or more of the following: information of a mobility management network element, information of an SMF (Smart Mobile Function) network element, or information of a visitor access function network element. The network element information indicates that the terminal is in a roaming state.

[0476] For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 2100 is configured to receive a first power consumption request message, which requests the power consumption of a first object, wherein the granularity of the first object is a terminal, session, session, or Quality of Service (QoS) flow; the processing unit 2200 or the communication unit 2100 is configured to, when the terminal is roaming, obtain third information and / or fourth information according to the first power consumption request message, wherein the third information is related to a third power consumption, the fourth information is related to a fourth power consumption, the third power consumption is the power consumption of the first object in a Home Routing (HR) session, and the fourth power consumption is the power consumption of the first object in a Local Traffic Offload (LBO) session; the communication unit 2100 is further configured to send a first power consumption response message, which indicates the power consumption of the first object, wherein the power consumption of the first object is determined by the third information and / or the fourth information.

[0477] Optionally, the third information is the third power consumption, or the third information includes a first sub-power consumption and a second sub-power consumption, wherein the first sub-power consumption is the power consumption corresponding to VPLMN in the third power consumption, and the second sub-power consumption is the power consumption corresponding to HPLMN in the third power consumption; and / or,

[0478] The fourth information is the fourth power consumption, or the fourth information includes: the power consumption generated by at least one second visited user plane network element, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one second visited user plane network element, the power consumption generated by at least one access network device, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one access network device, and the amount of data transmitted by the at least one second visited user plane network element for the first object, wherein the at least one second visited user plane network element is the user plane network element corresponding to the LBO session.

[0479] Optionally, the processing unit 2200 or the communication unit 2100 is used to obtain third information, including: obtaining information about the home session management network element corresponding to the first object according to the first power consumption request message; sending a second power consumption request message to the home session management network element according to the information of the home session management network element, the second power consumption request message being used to request the third information; and receiving a second power consumption response message from the home session management network element, the second power consumption response message including the third information.

[0480] Optionally, the processing unit 2200 or the communication unit 2100 is configured to acquire fourth information, including: acquiring information about the visited site efficiency control function network element corresponding to the first object based on the first power consumption request message; sending a third power consumption request message to the visited site efficiency control function network element based on the information of the visited site efficiency control function network element, the third power consumption request message being used to request the fourth information; and receiving a third power consumption response message from the visited site efficiency control function network element, the third power consumption response message including the fourth information.

[0481] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 can perform the operations performed by the Home Session Management (HSM) element in the above embodiments. For example, the communication device 2000 can be an HSM element, or a functional module, circuit, or chip within the HSM element.

[0482] For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 2100 is configured to receive a second power consumption request message from a home homing efficiency control function network element. The second power consumption request message is used to request third information, which is related to a third power consumption. The third power consumption is the power consumption of a first object in a home homing routing (HR) session, and the granularity of the first object is terminal, session, service, or quality of service (QoS) flow. The processing unit 2200 or the communication unit 2100 is configured to obtain a second sub-power consumption based on the second power consumption request message and send a fourth power consumption request message to the visited homing session management network element corresponding to the first object. The fourth power consumption request message is used to request a first sub-power consumption, which is related to a third power consumption. The first sub-power consumption is the power consumption corresponding to the VPLMN in the third power consumption, and the second sub-power consumption is the power consumption corresponding to the HPLMN in the third power consumption; the communication unit 2100 is further configured to receive a fourth power consumption response message from the visited session management network element, the fourth power consumption response message indicating the first sub-power consumption; the communication unit 2100 is further configured to send a second power consumption response message to the home effectiveness control function network element, the second power consumption response message including the third information, the third information indicating the first sub-power consumption and the second sub-power consumption, or, the third information indicating the third power consumption, the third power consumption being the sum of the first sub-power consumption and the second sub-power consumption.

[0483] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 can perform the operations performed by the visited session management network element in the above embodiments. For example, the communication device 2000 can be a visited session management network element, or a functional module, circuit, or chip within the visited session management network element.

[0484] For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 2100 is configured to receive a fourth power consumption request message from the home session management network element, the fourth power consumption request message being used to request a first sub-power consumption, the first sub-power consumption being the power consumption of the corresponding VPLMN in the third power consumption, the third power consumption being the power consumption of a first object in the home routing HR session, the granularity of the first object being terminal, session, service, or quality of service (QoS) flow; the processing unit 2200 or the communication unit 2100 is configured to obtain the first sub-power consumption according to the fourth power consumption request message; the communication unit 2100 is further configured to send a fourth power consumption response message to the home session management network element, the fourth power consumption response message indicating the first sub-power consumption.

[0485] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 can perform the operations performed by the visited ground function control network element in the above embodiments. For example, the communication device 2000 can be a visited ground function control network element, or a functional module, circuit, or chip within the visited ground function control network element.

[0486] For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 2100 is configured to receive a third power consumption request message from a Home Area Function Control (LAC) network element. The third power consumption request message is used to request fourth information, which is related to fourth power consumption. The fourth power consumption is the power consumption of a first object in a Local Traffic Offload (LBO) session, and the granularity of the first object is terminal, session, service, or Quality of Service (QoS) flow. The processing unit 2200 or the communication unit 2100 is configured to obtain the fourth information according to the third power consumption request message. The communication unit 2100 is further configured to send a third power consumption response message, which includes the fourth information.

[0487] Optionally, the fourth information includes: power consumption generated by at least one second visited user plane network element, data volume transmitted by the at least one second visited user plane network element, power consumption generated by at least one access network device, data volume transmitted by the at least one access network device, and data volume transmitted by the at least one second visited user plane network element for the first object, wherein the at least one second visited user plane network element is the user plane network element corresponding to the LBO session.

[0488] For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 2100 is configured to receive a second power consumption request message from a home effectiveness control function network element. The second power consumption request message is used to request first information, which is related to a first power consumption. The first power consumption is the power consumption of a first object in a VPLMN, and the granularity of the first object is terminal, session, service, or QoS flow. The processing unit 2200 or the communication unit 2100 is configured to obtain the first information according to the second power consumption request message. The communication unit 2100 is further configured to send a second power consumption response message to the home effectiveness control function network element, which includes the first information.

[0489] For details regarding the steps or processes executed by each unit in the communication device 2000, please refer to the above-described method embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0490] It is understood that the division of units in the above-described device is merely a logical functional division. One function can correspond to one functional unit, or two or more functions can be integrated into one functional unit. In actual implementation, all or some units can be integrated onto a single physical entity, or distributed across different physical entities. Furthermore, the aforementioned functional units can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. Whether a function is executed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for specific applications, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0491] In one example, the functional unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as: one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microcontroller units (MCUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0492] In one example, storage unit 2300 may include random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory or electrically erasable programmable memory and / or registers, etc.

[0493] It should be understood that the communication device 2000 can perform the operations performed by any network element in any of the above method embodiments.

[0494] Figure 12 shows a schematic block diagram of another communication device 3000 provided in an embodiment of this application. This device 3000 can be any network element in the above method embodiments (e.g., a home location function control network element, a home location session management network element, a visited location session management network element, or a visited location function control network element), or it can be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the corresponding network element or the corresponding network element in implementing the above methods. This device 3000 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0495] The device 3000 may include one or more processors 3100, which may also be referred to as processing units, and can implement certain control functions. The processor 3100 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the central processing unit can be used to control communication devices (such as base stations, baseband chips, users, user chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute software programs, and process data from the software programs.

[0496] In an alternative design, the processor 3100 may also store instructions and / or data that can be executed by the processor 3100 to cause the device 3000 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0497] In another alternative design, the device 3000 may include a communication interface 3200 for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the communication interface 3200 may be a transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver. The transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver for implementing receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The aforementioned transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver may be used for reading and writing code / data, or it may be used for transmitting or relaying signals.

[0498] Optionally, the device 3000 may include one or more memories 3300, which may store instructions that can be executed on the processor 3100, causing the device 3000 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memory 3300 may also store data. Optionally, the processor 3100 may also store instructions and / or data. The processor 3100 and the memory 3300 may be configured separately or integrated together.

[0499] The processor, processor system, application processor, baseband processor, processor circuit, or processor core involved in the embodiments of this application can be collectively referred to as a processor. The processor may include one or more of the following: central processing unit (CPU), digital signal processor (DSP), microprocessor unit (MPU), microcontroller unit (MCU), graphics processing unit (GPU), field programmable gate array (FPGA), artificial intelligence processor (AI processor), or neural processing unit (NPU).

[0500] The memory involved in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0501] This application also provides a computer program product, including computer program instructions, which, when executed, cause the various steps or processes performed by the following devices in any of the above method embodiments to be executed: a home effectiveness control function network element, a home session management network element, a visited session management network element, or a visited effectiveness control function network element.

[0502] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program or instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause the various steps or processes performed by the following devices in any of the above method embodiments to be executed: a home effectiveness control function network element, a home session management network element, a visited session management network element, or a visited effectiveness control function network element.

[0503] This application also provides a chip, including a processor, for calling and running a computer program or instructions from a memory, wherein when the computer program or instructions are executed, the various steps or processes performed by the following means in any of the above method embodiments are executed: a home effectiveness control function network element, a home session management network element, a visited session management network element, or a visited effectiveness control function network element.

[0504] This application also provides a communication system comprising one or more of the following: a home effectiveness control function network element, a home session management network element, a visited session management network element, or a visited effectiveness control function network element.

[0505] This application also provides a communication system that includes one or more network elements as shown in any of the above method embodiments.

[0506] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0507] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.

[0508] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0509] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0510] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.< / mcc> < / mnc> < / mmegi> < / mmec> < / mcc> < / mnc> < / mmegi> < / mmec>

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive a first power consumption request message, the first power consumption request message is used to request the power consumption of a first object, the granularity of the first object is terminal, session, service or quality of service (QoS) stream; When the terminal is roaming, it obtains first information and / or second information according to the first power consumption request message. The first information is related to the first power consumption, and the second information is related to the second power consumption. The first power consumption is the power consumption of the first object when visiting the public land mobile network VPLMN, and the second power consumption is the power consumption of the first object when home to the public land mobile network HPLMN. Send a first power consumption response message, which indicates the power consumption of the first object, the power consumption of the first object being determined by the first information and / or the second information.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first information is the first power consumption, or the first information includes: the power consumption generated by at least one visited user plane network element, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one visited user plane network element, the power consumption generated by at least one access network device, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one access network device, and the amount of data transmitted by the at least one visited user plane network element for the first object, wherein the at least one visited user plane network element is the user plane network element corresponding to the first object in the VPLMN; and / or, The second information is the second power consumption, or the second information includes: the power consumption generated by at least one home user plane network element, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one home user plane network element, and the amount of data transmitted by the at least one home user plane network element for the first object, wherein the at least one home user plane network element is the user plane network element corresponding to the first object in the HPLMN.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The acquisition of the first information includes: Based on the first power consumption request message, obtain the information of the visited location function control network element corresponding to the first object; Based on the information of the visited site function control function network element, a second power consumption request message is sent to the visited site function control function network element, the second power consumption request message being used to request the first information; Receive a second power consumption response message from the visited site efficiency control function network element, the second power consumption response message including the first information.

4. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The step of obtaining information about the visited site function control network element corresponding to the first object based on the first power consumption request message includes: Based on the first power consumption request message, obtain information about the visited location effectiveness control function element from the home network management function element, the home unified data management function element, or the network storage function element; or Based on the first power consumption request message and the first configuration information, information about the visited location function control function network element is obtained, wherein the first configuration information indicates the correspondence between the public land mobile network (PLMN) and the visited location function control function network element.

5. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The second power consumption request message also indicates a power-saving object in the first object, wherein the power-saving object is a session or QoS stream, and the power consumption of the first object does not include the power consumption of the power-saving object.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, Prior to acquiring the first information and / or the second information, the method further includes: According to the first power consumption request message, obtain the network element information corresponding to the first object. The network element information includes one or more of the following: information of the mobility management network element, information of the session management network element, or information of the visitor access function network element. The network element information indicates that the terminal is in roaming state.

7. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive a first power consumption request message, the first power consumption request message is used to request the power consumption of a first object, the granularity of the first object is terminal, session, session or quality of service (QoS) stream; When the terminal is roaming, it obtains third information and / or fourth information according to the first power consumption request message, wherein the third information is related to the third power consumption, the fourth information is related to the fourth power consumption, the third power consumption is the power consumption of the first object in the Home Routing (HR) session, and the fourth power consumption is the power consumption of the first object in the Local Traffic Offload (LBO) session. Send a first power consumption response message, which indicates the power consumption of the first object, the power consumption of the first object being determined by the third information and / or the fourth information.

8. The method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The third information is the third power consumption, or the third information includes a first sub-power consumption and a second sub-power consumption, wherein the first sub-power consumption is the power consumption corresponding to VPLMN in the third power consumption, and the second sub-power consumption is the power consumption corresponding to HPLMN in the third power consumption; And / or, The fourth information is the fourth power consumption, or the fourth information includes: the power consumption generated by at least one second visited user plane network element, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one second visited user plane network element, the power consumption generated by at least one access network device, the amount of data transmitted by the at least one access network device, and the amount of data transmitted by the at least one second visited user plane network element for the first object, wherein the at least one second visited user plane network element is the user plane network element corresponding to the LBO session.

9. The method as described in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The acquisition of third information includes: Based on the first power consumption request message, obtain the information of the home session management network element corresponding to the first object; Based on the information of the home session management network element, a second power consumption request message is sent to the home session management network element, the second power consumption request message being used to request the third information; Receive a second power consumption response message from the home session management network element, the second power consumption response message including the third information.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized in that, The acquisition of the fourth information includes: Based on the first power consumption request message, obtain the information of the visited location function control network element corresponding to the first object; Based on the information of the visited site function control function network element, a third power consumption request message is sent to the visited site function control function network element, and the third power consumption request message is used to request the fourth information; Receive a third power consumption response message from the visited site function control network element, the third power consumption response message including the fourth information.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive a second power consumption request message from the home efficiency control function network element. The second power consumption request message is used to request third information. The third information is related to the third power consumption. The third power consumption is the power consumption of the first object in the home routing HR session. The granularity of the first object is terminal, session, service or quality of service (QoS) flow. According to the second power consumption request message, the second sub-power consumption is obtained, and a fourth power consumption request message is sent to the visited site session management network element corresponding to the first object. The fourth power consumption request message is used to request the first sub-power consumption. The first sub-power consumption is the power consumption of the VPLMN corresponding to the third power consumption, and the second sub-power consumption is the power consumption of the HPLMN corresponding to the third power consumption. Receive a fourth power consumption response message from the visited site session management network element, the fourth power consumption response message indicating the first sub-power consumption; A second power consumption response message is sent to the home effectiveness control function network element. The second power consumption response message includes the third information, which indicates the first sub-power consumption and the second sub-power consumption, or the third information indicates the third power consumption, which is the sum of the first sub-power consumption and the second sub-power consumption.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive a fourth power consumption request message from the home session management network element. The fourth power consumption request message is used to request a first sub-power consumption. The first sub-power consumption is the power consumption of the corresponding VPLMN in the third power consumption. The third power consumption is the power consumption of the first object in the home routing HR session. The granularity of the first object is terminal, session, service or quality of service (QoS) flow. The first sub-power consumption is obtained according to the fourth power consumption request message; A fourth power consumption response message is sent to the home session management network element, the fourth power consumption response message indicating the first sub-power consumption.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive a third power consumption request message from the home efficiency control function network element. The third power consumption request message is used to request fourth information. The fourth information is related to the fourth power consumption. The fourth power consumption is the power consumption of the first object in the local traffic offload (LBO) session. The granularity of the first object is terminal, session, service or quality of service (QoS) flow. The fourth information is obtained based on the third power consumption request message; Send a third power consumption response message, which includes the fourth information.

14. The method as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The fourth information includes: power consumption generated by at least one second visited user plane network element, data volume transmitted by the at least one second visited user plane network element, power consumption generated by at least one access network device, data volume transmitted by the at least one access network device, and data volume transmitted by the at least one second visited user plane network element for the first object, wherein the at least one second visited user plane network element is the user plane network element corresponding to the LBO session.

15. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive a second power consumption request message from the home efficiency control function network element. The second power consumption request message is used to request first information. The first information is related to the first power consumption. The first power consumption is the power consumption of the first object in the VPLMN. The granularity of the first object is terminal, session, service or quality of service (QoS) flow. Based on the second power consumption request message, obtain the first information; A second power consumption response message is sent to the home effectiveness control function network element, the second power consumption response message including the first information.

16. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-15.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor coupled to a memory for storing programs or instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-15.

18. A readable storage medium having a computer program or instructions stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program or instructions are executed, the computer performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-15.

19. A computer program product, characterized in that, It includes computer program instructions that cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-15.

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