Transmission processing method and apparatus, device, and readable storage medium
By sending subscription requests and information directly from the core network element to the radio access network element, the latency problem caused by AMF forwarding in 5G networks is solved, and more efficient communication is achieved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-09
Smart Images
Figure CN2025145941_09072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Transmission processing method, apparatus, equipment and readable storage medium
[0001] Cross-references to related applications
[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411963822.X, filed on December 30, 2024, entitled "Transmission Processing Method, Apparatus, Device and Readable Storage Medium", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field
[0003] This application belongs to the field of communication technology, and specifically relates to a transmission processing method, apparatus, device and readable storage medium. Background Technology
[0004] In 5G networks, user equipment (UE) can communicate with various network functions (NFs) on the network side via non-access stratum (NAS). As shown in Figure 1, when a UE communicates with other NFs besides the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) via NAS, the communication must be forwarded through the AMF. Due to network deployment issues, message forwarding by the AMF may involve circuitous paths. For example, if the UE and the Session Management Function (SMF) are both located in an industrial park, while the AMF is located in the operator's data center, communication between the UE and the SMF needs to be routed from the industrial park to the operator's data center and then back to the industrial park. This results in long message paths, high latency, and impacts communication performance. Summary of the Invention
[0005] This application provides a transmission processing method, apparatus, device, and readable storage medium to solve the problem of how NF can directly send information to the terminal through the wireless access network to reduce latency.
[0006] Firstly, a transmission processing method is provided, including:
[0007] The first core network element sends a first message, which is used to subscribe to information of the first radio access network element serving the terminal. The first radio access network element is the radio access network element currently serving the terminal.
[0008] The first core network element receives information from the first radio access network element;
[0009] The first core network element sends a second message to the first radio access network element based on the information from the first radio access network element. The second message contains information sent by the first core network element to the terminal.
[0010] Secondly, a transmission processing method is provided, including:
[0011] The second core network element receives the first message, which is used to subscribe to information of the radio access network element serving the terminal.
[0012] The second core network element sends information about the first radio access network element, where the first radio access network element is the radio access network element currently serving the terminal.
[0013] The information of the first radio access network element is used by the first core network element to send a second message to the first radio access network element, and the second message contains information sent by the first core network element to the terminal.
[0014] Thirdly, a transmission processing apparatus is provided, comprising: a first transceiver unit and a first processing unit;
[0015] The first transceiver unit is used to send a first message, which is used to subscribe to information of a first wireless access network element serving the terminal. The first wireless access network element is the wireless access network element currently serving the terminal.
[0016] The first transceiver unit is further configured to receive information from the first wireless access network element;
[0017] The first transceiver unit is further configured to send a second message to the first radio access network element based on the information of the first radio access network element, the second message containing information sent to the terminal by the first core network element.
[0018] Fourthly, a transmission processing apparatus is provided, comprising: a second transceiver unit and a second processing unit;
[0019] The second transceiver unit is used to receive a first message, which is used to subscribe to information of the wireless access network element serving the terminal.
[0020] The second transceiver unit is also used to send information about the first wireless access network element, wherein the first wireless access network element is the wireless access network element currently serving the terminal;
[0021] The information of the first radio access network element is used by the first core network element to send a second message to the first radio access network element, and the second message contains information sent by the first core network element to the terminal.
[0022] Fifthly, a transmission processing apparatus is provided, the apparatus being configured to perform the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or to implement the steps of the method described in the second aspect.
[0023] In a sixth aspect, a core network element is provided, the device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing programs or instructions executable on the processor, the programs or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method as described in the first or second aspect.
[0024] In a seventh aspect, a core network element is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to send a first message, the first message being used to subscribe to information of a first radio access network element serving a terminal, the first radio access network element being the radio access network element currently serving the terminal; the communication interface is also used to receive information from the first radio access network element; the communication interface is also used to send a second message to the first radio access network element based on the information of the first radio access network element, the second message containing information sent by the first core network element to the terminal.
[0025] Eighthly, a core network element is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to receive a first message, the first message being used to subscribe to information of a radio access network element serving a terminal; the communication interface is also used to send information of a first radio access network element, the first radio access network element being a radio access network element currently serving the terminal; wherein the information of the first radio access network element is used by a first core network element to send a second message to the first radio access network element, the second message containing information sent by the first core network element to the terminal.
[0026] A ninth aspect provides a readable storage medium on which a program or instructions are stored, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or implement the steps of the method described in the second aspect.
[0027] In a tenth aspect, a wireless communication system is provided, comprising: a terminal and a network-side device, wherein the network-side device is used to perform the steps of the method described in the first or second aspect.
[0028] Eleventhly, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and a communication interface coupled to the processor, the processor being configured to run a program or instructions to implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or to implement the steps of the method described in the second aspect.
[0029] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program / program product is provided, the computer program or program product being stored in a storage medium, the computer program or program product being executed by at least one processor to implement the steps of the method as described in the first aspect, or to implement the steps of the method as described in the second aspect.
[0030] In this embodiment, a first core network element can subscribe to information about radio access network elements that provide services to a terminal through a first message. When the first core network element needs to send information to the terminal, the first core network element sends a second message to the first radio access network element based on the subscribed information about the first radio access network element that currently provides services to the terminal. This enables any NF on the network side to send messages to the terminal, ensuring smooth communication and avoiding the problem of large latency caused by the need for AMF to forward information sent by an NF to the terminal in the prior art. Attached Figure Description
[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of non-access stratum communication between the terminal and network functions;
[0032] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0033] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a transmission processing method provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0034] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a transmission processing method provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0035] Figure 5 is a flowchart of the transmission processing method in Embodiment 1;
[0036] Figure 6 is a flowchart of the transmission processing method in Embodiment 2;
[0037] Figure 7 is a flowchart of the transmission processing method in Embodiment 3;
[0038] Figure 8 is a structural diagram of another transmission processing apparatus provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0039] Figure 9 is a structural diagram of another transmission processing apparatus provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0040] Figure 10 is a structural diagram of a core network element provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0041] Figure 11 is a structural diagram of another core network element provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation
[0042] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0043] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same class, not limited in number; for example, the first object can be one or more. Furthermore, "or" in this application indicates at least one of the connected objects. For example, the scope of protection for "A or B" covers at least three scenarios: Scenario 1: including A but not B; Scenario 2: including B but not A; Scenario 3: including both A and B. In addition, the terms "A and / or B," "at least one of A and B," and "at least one of A or B" also cover at least the above three scenarios. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.
[0044] The term "instruction" in this application can be either a direct instruction (or explicit instruction) or an indirect instruction (or implicit instruction). A direct instruction can be understood as the sender explicitly informing the receiver of specific information, the required operation, or the requested result in the instruction sent. An indirect instruction can be understood as the receiver determining the corresponding information based on the instruction sent by the sender, or making a judgment and determining the required operation or requested result based on the judgment result.
[0045] It is worth noting that the technology described in this application is not limited to Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, but can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-Carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), or other systems, such as NTN systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) networks, machine-type communications (MTC), the Internet of Things (IoT), machine-to-machine (M2M) networks, or future mobile communication systems. As a possible application scenario, NTN systems may include satellite systems. Based on their altitude, i.e., their orbital altitude, satellites can be classified into highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellites, geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellites, medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites, and low earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Furthermore, NTN systems may also include non-terrestrial network-side equipment (or airborne network-side equipment) such as High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) communication systems. The non-terrestrial network-side equipment involved in this application is not limited to the examples mentioned above.
[0046] The terms "system" and "network" used in the embodiments of this application are often used interchangeably, and the described technologies can be used with respect to the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, as well as other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes a New Radio (NR) system for illustrative purposes, and the term NR is used in most of the following description; however, these technologies can also be applied to systems other than NR systems, such as 6th generation (6G) systems. thGeneration 6G communication system.
[0047] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. The wireless communication system includes a terminal 21 and a network-side device 22.
[0048] Among them, terminal 21 can also be called user equipment (UE), which can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld computer, netbook, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), mobile internet device (MID), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) device, robot, wearable device, flight vehicle, vehicle user equipment (VUE), shipborne equipment, pedestrian user equipment (PUE), smart home (home devices with wireless communication functions, such as refrigerator, television, washing machine or furniture, etc.), game console, personal computer (PC), ATM or self-service machine, etc. Wearable devices include: smartwatches, smart bracelets, smart earphones, smart glasses, smart jewelry (smart bracelets, smart chains, smart rings, smart necklaces, smart anklets, smart anklets, etc.), smart wristbands, smart clothing, etc. Among these, in-vehicle devices can also be referred to as in-vehicle terminals, in-vehicle controllers, in-vehicle modules, in-vehicle components, in-vehicle chips, or in-vehicle units, etc. Furthermore, terminal 21 can be any of the terminals described above, or it can be a chip within a terminal, such as a modem chip, a system-on-chip (SoC), etc. It should be noted that the specific type of terminal 21 is not limited in the embodiments of this application.
[0049] Network-side equipment 22 may include access network equipment or core network equipment. Access network equipment may also be referred to as Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment, radio access network function, radio access network unit, or satellite. Access network equipment may include base stations, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access points (APs), or Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) nodes, etc. Among them, base stations can be referred to as Node B (NB), Evolved Node B (eNB), Next Generation Node B (gNB), New Radio Node B (NR Node B), Access Point, Relay Base Station (RBS), Serving Base Station (SBS), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), Radio Base Station, Radio Transceiver, Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS), Home Node B (HNB), Home Evolved Node B, Transmit Receive Point (TRP), Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) equipment (such as satellite or high altitude platform stations). The term "base station" can be any suitable term in the field, such as "station" or any other appropriate term in the relevant field, as long as the same technical effect is achieved. The term "base station" is not limited to specific technical terms. It should be noted that the embodiments of this application only use the base station in the NR system as an example for introduction, and do not limit the specific type of base station.
[0050] Core network equipment, also known as core network nodes, core network functions, or core network elements, includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: Mobility Management Entity (MME), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), Edge Application Server Discovery Function (EASDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Unified Data Repository (UDR), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Centralized Network Configuration (CNC), Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Local NEF (L-NEF), and Binding Support. Functions include BSF, Application Function (AF), Location Management Function (LMF), Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC), Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF), and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) equipment (such as satellite or high altitude platform station).It should be noted that the embodiments of this application only use the core network equipment in the NR system as an example for introduction, and do not limit the specific type of core network equipment. If the name of the core network equipment mentioned in the embodiments of this application changes in subsequent protocol versions (e.g., 6G), it is also within the scope of protection of this application.
[0051] Optionally, the core network equipment can be implemented by one or more functional modules in a single device, or by multiple devices working together; this application does not specifically limit this. It is understood that the aforementioned functional modules can be network elements in hardware devices, software functional modules running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functional modules instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).
[0052] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, details the transmission processing method, apparatus, device, and readable storage medium provided in the embodiments of this application through some examples and application scenarios.
[0053] Referring to Figure 3, an embodiment of this application provides a transmission processing method applied to a first core network element, such as an NF. The NF can include, but is not limited to, any core network element such as AMF, SMF, and PCF. Specific steps include:
[0054] Step 31: The first core network element sends a first message, which is used to subscribe to information of the first radio access network element serving the terminal. The first radio access network element is the radio access network element currently serving the terminal.
[0055] Optionally, the first message may be a subscription message, which includes at least one of the following: the terminal's identifier, first information, and the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the second core network element provides notification services according to the first event, the number of notifications, the number of subscriptions, the subscription duration, etc.
[0056] Optionally, the terminal's identifier may include a permanent identifier for the terminal, such as at least one of a Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI) and an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).
[0057] Optionally, the second core network element provides notification services based on the first event, including: when the first event is met, the second core network element provides notification services, and the first event includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: the information of the radio access network element serving the terminal changes, or a preset period is met, etc.
[0058] Understandably, the first event can be one-off or continuous, the number of notifications can be a single notification or multiple notifications, and the number of subscriptions can be a single subscription (one first message subscribes to the notification service once) or multiple subscriptions (one first message subscribes to the notification service multiple times). For example, the number of subscriptions can be determined by the occurrence of the first event. The subscription to the first message is valid within the subscription period, and expires after that period.
[0059] Step 32: The first core network element receives information from the first radio access network element;
[0060] Step 33: The first core network element sends a second message to the first radio access network element based on the information of the first radio access network element. The second message contains information sent by the first core network element to the terminal.
[0061] Optionally, the information sent by the first core network element to the terminal includes at least one of the following: 1) Non-Access Stratum (NAS) messages; 2) data.
[0062] In this embodiment, the first core network element can subscribe to the information of the radio access network element that provides services to the UE through the second core network element via the first message. When the first core network element needs to send NAS messages or data to the UE, the first core network element can send a second message to the first radio access network element based on the information of the first radio access network element that currently provides services to the UE obtained through subscription. The second message includes NAS messages or data, thus avoiding the problem of large latency caused by the information sent by the NF to the terminal needing to be forwarded by the AMF in the prior art.
[0063] In one embodiment of this application, the first core network element receives information from the first radio access network element, including:
[0064] When the terminal switches from the second radio access network element to the first radio access network element, the first core network element receives information from the first radio access network element (i.e., information from the radio access network element that is currently serving the terminal).
[0065] The aforementioned switch from the second wireless access network element to the first wireless access network element refers to a change in the wireless access network element providing services to the terminal.
[0066] In one embodiment of this application, before or after step 31, step 32, or step 33, the method further includes:
[0067] When the terminal enters an idle state, the first core network element receives a third message, which indicates at least one of the following:
[0068] 1) The terminal enters an idle state;
[0069] 2) The radio access network element serving the terminal is NULL, meaning there is currently no radio access network element serving the terminal. Optionally, the first core network element can receive a third message (e.g., Namf_ServingRANNotification message) sent by the second core network element through the RAN notification procedure of the AMF service.
[0070] Optionally, after receiving the third message, the first core network element determines that its subscription to the second core network element in step 41 has been terminated. If needed subsequently, it can re-subscribe to the information of the radio access network element serving the terminal from the second core network element.
[0071] In one embodiment of this application, the first core network element sends a first message, including:
[0072] The first core network element obtains information from the second core network element;
[0073] The first core network element sends a first message to the second core network element based on the information from the second core network element.
[0074] Optionally, the second core network element can be any core network element, including but not limited to AMF, SMF, PCF, etc.
[0075] In one embodiment of this application, the first core network element obtains information from the second core network element, including at least one of the following:
[0076] 1) The first core network element obtains information about the second core network element from its local machine;
[0077] 2) The first core network element sends a fourth message to the third core network element, the fourth message being used to subscribe to the information of the second core network element; the first core network element receives the information of the second core network element sent by the third core network element.
[0078] Optionally, the third core network element may include, but is not limited to, UDM.
[0079] Optionally, the first core network element sends a fourth message (e.g., the NUdm_ServingAMFSubscribe message) through the AMF subscription process of the UDM service.
[0080] Optionally, the fourth message may be a subscription message, which includes: second information, the second information being used to indicate at least one of the following: the third core network element provides notification services according to the second event, the number of notifications, the number of subscriptions, and the subscription duration.
[0081] Optionally, the third core network element provides notification services based on the second event, including: when the second event is met, the third core network element provides notification services, and the second event includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: the information of the second core network element serving the terminal changes, or a preset period is met, etc.
[0082] Understandably, the second event can be one-off or continuous, the number of notifications can be a single notification or multiple notifications, and the number of subscriptions can be a single subscription (one fourth message subscribes to the notification service once) or multiple subscriptions (one fourth message can subscribe to the notification service multiple times). For example, the number of subscriptions can be determined by the occurrence of the second event. The subscription to the fourth message is valid within the subscription period, and expires after the subscription period.
[0083] In one embodiment of this application, the information of the second core network element includes at least one of the following:
[0084] 1) Identifier of the second core network element;
[0085] Optionally, the identifier of the second core network element can be a globally unique identifier of the second core network element.
[0086] When the second core network element is an AMF, the identifier of the second core network element can be a globally unique AMF Identifier (GUAMI).
[0087] 2) The address of the second core network element;
[0088] 3) The fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the second core network element.
[0089] In one embodiment of this application, the information of the first wireless access network element includes at least one of the following:
[0090] 1) The first wireless access network element is a globally unique identifier assigned to the terminal;
[0091] 2) The identifier of the first wireless access network element;
[0092] 3) The FQDN of the first wireless access network element;
[0093] 4) The IP address of the first wireless access network element;
[0094] 5) The port number of the first wireless access network element.
[0095] In one embodiment of this application, the first core network element sends a first message, including:
[0096] When the first core network element receives the NAS message sent by the terminal, the first core network element sends the first message.
[0097] In another embodiment of this application, the first core network element sends a first message, including:
[0098] If the first core network element has a NAS message to be sent to the terminal, the first core network element sends the first message.
[0099] For example, a first core network element can send a first message (e.g., a Namf_ServingRANSubscribe message) to a third core network element through the RAN subscription procedure of the AMF service. A second core network element can send information about a first radio access network element to a first core network element through the RAN notification procedure of the AMF service (e.g., sending a Namf_ServingRANNotification message).
[0100] In this embodiment, the first core network element can send a second message to the first radio access network element that is currently providing services to the UE based on the information obtained from the subscription. The second message includes NAS messages or data, enabling any NF on the network side to send messages to the terminal, ensuring smooth communication, and avoiding the problem of large latency caused by the need for AMF to forward information sent by NF to the terminal in the prior art.
[0101] Referring to Figure 4, an embodiment of this application provides a transmission processing method applied to a second core network element. The second core network element can be any core network element, including but not limited to AMF, SMF, PCF, etc. The specific steps include:
[0102] Step 41: The second core network element receives the first message, which is used to subscribe to information of the radio access network element serving the terminal;
[0103] Optionally, the first message may be a subscription message, which includes at least one of the following: the terminal's identifier, first information, and the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the second core network element provides notification services according to the first event, the number of notifications, the number of subscriptions, and the subscription duration.
[0104] Optionally, the terminal's identifier may include a permanent identifier for the terminal, such as SUPI or IMSI.
[0105] Optionally, a radio access network element may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: radio access network equipment, radio access network node, radio access network function, radio access network unit, 3GPP radio access network, non-3GPP radio access network, centralized unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), base station, evolved Node B (eNB), 5G base station (gNB), radio network controller (RNC), base station (NodeB), non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF), access controller (AC) node, access point (AP) equipment, or wireless local area network (WLAN) node.
[0106] Step 42: The second core network element sends information about the first radio access network element, where the first radio access network element is the radio access network element currently serving the terminal.
[0107] The information of the first radio access network element is used by the first core network element to send a second message to the first radio access network element, and the second message contains information sent by the first core network element to the terminal.
[0108] For example, the first core network element can be an NF, and an NF can be any core network element, including but not limited to AMF, SMF, PCF, etc.
[0109] Optionally, the information sent by the first core network element to the terminal includes at least one of the following: 1) NAS message; 2) data.
[0110] In one embodiment of this application, the second core network element sends information from the first radio access network element, including...
[0111] When the terminal switches from the second radio access network element to the first radio access network element, the second core network element sends the information of the first radio access network element to the first core network element.
[0112] In one embodiment of this application, the method further includes:
[0113] When the terminal enters an idle state, the second core network element sends a third message to the first core network element, the third message indicating at least one of the following:
[0114] 1) The terminal enters an idle state;
[0115] 2) The wireless access network element serving the terminal is NULL.
[0116] In one embodiment of this application, the second core network element sends information from the first radio access network element, including:
[0117] When the terminal is in a connected state, the second core network element sends information from the first radio access network element to the first core network element; or...
[0118] When the terminal is in an idle state, the second core network element initiates a paging process for the terminal, and when it is determined that the terminal is in a connected state, the second core network element sends information from the first radio access network element to the first core network element.
[0119] In one embodiment of this application, the first message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the terminal, first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the second core network element provides notification services according to the first event, the number of notifications, the number of subscriptions, and the subscription duration.
[0120] In one embodiment of this application, the information of the first wireless access network element includes at least one of the following:
[0121] 1) The first wireless access network element is a globally unique identifier assigned to the terminal;
[0122] 2) The identifier of the first wireless access network element;
[0123] 3) The FQDN of the first wireless access network element;
[0124] 4) The IP address of the first wireless access network element;
[0125] 5) The port number of the first wireless access network element.
[0126] In this embodiment, the second core network element receives a first message, which is used to subscribe to information of the radio access network element serving the terminal. The second core network element sends information of the first radio access network element, which is the radio access network element currently serving the terminal. This enables any NF on the network side to send messages to the terminal based on the radio access network element currently serving the terminal, ensuring smooth communication and avoiding the problem of large latency caused by the need for AMF to forward information sent by the NF to the terminal in the prior art.
[0127] The implementation methods of this application are described below with reference to Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 3.
[0128] The following section will use NF as an example, RAN as the first core network element, RAN as the first radio access network element, RAN as the second radio access network element, AMF as the second core network element, and UDM as the third core network element.
[0129] Example 1: When the UE actively communicates with the NF, the NF subscribes to the RAN's information.
[0130] Referring to Figure 5, the specific steps are as follows:
[0131] Step 1: The UE is in connected state;
[0132] Step 2: When the UE needs to send an NF NAS message to the NF, the UE sends the NF NAS message to the second RAN via an RRC message;
[0133] Optionally, NF NAS messages can be carried through a NAS container.
[0134] In this application, NAS messages sent by the UE to the NF can be abbreviated as NF NAS messages or NAS-XX, where "XX" represents the function of the NF. For example, NAS messages sent by the UE to the AMF can be abbreviated as AMF NAS messages or NAS-Mobility Management (MM). NAS messages sent by the UE to the SMF can be abbreviated as SMF NAS messages or NAS-Session Management (SM).
[0135] Optionally, RRC messages can also carry a unique identifier for the NF, such as a globally unique NF identifier (GU NF ID).
[0136] Step 3: The second RAN sends the NF NAS message to the NF based on the NF's unique identifier.
[0137] Optionally, the NF NAS message may contain information about the second RAN, which includes at least one of the globally unique identifier assigned to the UE by the second RAN and information about the RAN.
[0138] Optionally, the RAN information includes at least one of the following:
[0139] (1) The ID of the second RAN;
[0140] (2) Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) of the second RAN;
[0141] (3) The IP address of the second RAN, or the IP address and port number of the second RAN.
[0142] Step 4: The NF generates an NF NAS response message corresponding to the NF NAS message sent by the UE, and sends the NF NAS response message to the second RAN;
[0143] Step 5: The second RAN will send the NF NAS response message to the UE via an RRC message;
[0144] Step 6: If the NF has stored the AMF information for the UE, then obtain the AMF information locally; or, if the NF has not stored the AMF information, then the NF sends a fourth message to the UDM, which is used to subscribe to the AMF information.
[0145] Optionally, the fourth message may include second information, which indicates at least one of the following: UDM provides notification services based on the second event, number of notifications, number of subscriptions, and subscription duration. The provision of notification services by UDM based on the second event includes: UDM providing notification services when the second event is met. The second event includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: the information of the AMF serving the UE changes, or a preset period is met.
[0146] Understandably, the second event can be one-off or continuous, the number of notifications can be a single notification or multiple notifications, and the number of subscriptions can be a single subscription (one fourth message subscribes to the notification service once) or multiple subscriptions (one fourth message subscribes to the notification service multiple times). For example, the number of subscriptions can be determined by the occurrence of the second event. The subscription to the fourth message is valid within the subscription period, and expires after the subscription period.
[0147] Optionally, the AMF information includes at least one of the following:
[0148] (1) AMF ID, for example, GUAMI;
[0149] (2) The address of AMF;
[0150] (3) FQDN of AMF.
[0151] Step 7: The NF sends a first message to the AMF to subscribe to the information of the RAN currently serving the UE. The first message contains the UE's globally unique identifier, such as SUPI or IMSI.
[0152] Optionally, the first message may include first information, which indicates at least one of the following: the AMF provides notification services according to the first event, the number of notifications, the number of subscriptions, and the subscription duration. The AMF providing notification services according to the first event includes: the AMF providing notification services when the first event is met. Meeting the first event includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: the information of the RAN serving the UE changes, or a preset period is met.
[0153] Understandably, the first event can be one-off or continuous, the number of notifications can be a single notification or multiple notifications, and the number of subscriptions can be a single subscription (one first message subscribes to the notification service once) or multiple subscriptions (one first message subscribes to the notification service multiple times). For example, the number of subscriptions can be determined by the occurrence of the first event. The subscription to the first message is valid within the subscription period, and expires after that period.
[0154] Optionally, the AMF provides RAN information to the NF based on the first message.
[0155] Step 8: When the UE switches from the second RAN to the first RAN, the handover process is executed;
[0156] Step 9: The AMF sends a notification message to the NF that has subscribed to the RAN information to notify the RAN currently serving the UE of the information of the first RAN;
[0157] Understandably, AMF only sends notifications to NFs that have been subscribed to multiple times or have received multiple notifications.
[0158] Step 10: When the UE enters the idle state;
[0159] Step 11: The AMF sends a third message to the NF that has subscribed to the RAN information. The third message indicates at least one of the following: the UE enters an idle state and the radio access network element serving the UE is empty.
[0160] Understandably, the AMF only sends the third message to NFs that have been subscribed to multiple times or notified multiple times.
[0161] After step 11, the subscriptions of all NFs that have subscribed to the RAN information serving the UE will expire, and the AMF will no longer notify them of the latest RAN information. If an NF needs to obtain the RAN information serving the UE, it needs to resubscribe.
[0162] It should be noted that steps 8-9 and 10-11 are two parallel scenarios, with no sequential relationship, and do not need to be executed in order. That is, the UE can directly enter the idle state without switching base stations; or, the UE can undergo inter-base station handover without entering the idle state.
[0163] In this embodiment, by subscribing to RAN information from the AMF, the NF can correctly determine which RAN serves the UE, ensuring the successful execution of subsequent downlink NF NAS messages sent by the NF to the UE.
[0164] Example 2: When the NF has downlink NAS communication requirements, it subscribes to RAN information.
[0165] Referring to Figure 6, the specific steps are as follows:
[0166] Step 1: When the NF needs to send NAS messages or data to the UE, the NF obtains the AMF address without having saved the RAN information serving the UE;
[0167] Optionally, the AMF information can be obtained in one of the following ways: if the NF has stored the AMF information for the UE, then the AMF information is obtained locally; or, if the NF does not store the AMF information, then the NF subscribes to the AMF information from the UDM.
[0168] Step 2: The NF sends a first message to the AMF to subscribe to the RAN information of the base station currently serving the UE. The first message contains the UE's globally unique identifier, such as SUPI or IMSI.
[0169] Optionally, the first message may include first information, which indicates at least one of the following: the AMF provides notification services based on the first event, the number of notifications, the number of subscriptions, and the subscription duration. The AMF providing notification services based on the first event includes: the AMF providing notification services when the first event is met. Meeting the first event includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: the RAN information changes, a preset period is met, etc.
[0170] Understandably, the first event can be one-off or continuous, the number of notifications can be a single notification or multiple notifications, and the number of subscriptions can be a single subscription (one first message subscribes to the notification service once) or multiple subscriptions (one first message subscribes to the notification service multiple times). For example, the number of subscriptions can be determined by the occurrence of the first event. The subscription to the first message is valid within the subscription period, and expires after that period.
[0171] Optionally, the AMF provides the NF with information about the first RAN based on the first message.
[0172] Step 3: The AMF determines whether the current UE is in connected state. If yes, the AMF directly executes step 6 and sends RAN information to the NF; otherwise, the AMF executes step 4.
[0173] Step 4: The AMF initiates a paging request;
[0174] Step 5: The RAN sends a paging request to the UE;
[0175] Step 6: The UE executes the service request process and enters the connected state;
[0176] Step 7: Based on the first message from Step 2, the AMF sends the first RAN information to the NF;
[0177] Step 8: Based on the information from the first RAN, the NF sends an NF NAS message (second message) to the first RAN;
[0178] Step 9: The RAN sends the NF NAS message (second message) to the UE.
[0179] Optionally, after step 9, at least one of steps 10-11 and 12-13 can be performed.
[0180] Steps 10-11 in this embodiment can refer to steps 8-9 in Figure 5, and steps 12-13 in this embodiment can refer to steps 10-11 in Figure 5.
[0181] Step 10: When the UE switches from the second RAN to the first RAN, the handover process is executed;
[0182] Step 11: The AMF sends a notification message to the NF that has subscribed to the RAN information to notify the UE of the latest first RAN information currently serving the UE;
[0183] Understandably, AMF only sends notifications to NFs that have been subscribed to multiple times or have received multiple notifications.
[0184] Step 12: When the UE enters the idle state;
[0185] Step 13: The AMF sends a third message to the NF that has subscribed to the RAN information. The third message indicates at least one of the following: the UE enters an idle state and the radio access network element serving the UE is empty.
[0186] In this embodiment, the process of the NF actively sending downlink NAS messages to the UE can be implemented to ensure successful communication.
[0187] Example 3: Scenario where AMF changes.
[0188] Referring to Figure 7, the specific steps are as follows:
[0189] Step 1: NF sends the fourth message to UDM;
[0190] It is understood that the description of step 1 in embodiment 3 can be referred to the description of step 6 in embodiment 1;
[0191] Step 2: The UE sends a registration request, carrying a mobility indication and a globally unique identifier assigned by the AMF (old AMF) that last provided services to the UE, such as a Globally Unique Temporary Identifier (Globally Unique Temporary UE Identity, GUTI).
[0192] Step 3: The registration request is routed to the new AMF, which obtains the UE context from the old AMF based on the globally unique identifier from Step 2;
[0193] Step 4: The new AMF registers its information with the UDM;
[0194] Step 5: The new AMF sends a registration acceptance message to the UE, carrying the newly assigned AMF GUTI;
[0195] Step 6: UDM sends the latest AMF information to NFs that have subscribed to AMF changes.
[0196] In this embodiment, the NF can obtain the latest information of the AMF that provides services to the UE, so that the NF can further obtain the information of the RAN that provides services to the UE from the AMF, and the NF can send NF NAS messages to the UE.
[0197] Referring to Figure 8, an embodiment of this application provides a transmission processing apparatus, the apparatus 800 including: a first transceiver unit 801 and a first processing unit 802;
[0198] The first transceiver unit 801 is used to send a first message, which is used to subscribe to information of a first wireless access network element serving the terminal, and the first wireless access network element is the wireless access network element currently serving the terminal.
[0199] The first transceiver unit 801 is also used to receive information from the first wireless access network element.
[0200] The first transceiver unit 801 is further configured to send a second message to the first radio access network element based on the information of the first radio access network element, wherein the second message contains information sent by the first core network element to the terminal.
[0201] In one embodiment of this application, when the terminal switches from the second radio access network element to the first radio access network element, the first transceiver unit 801 receives information from the first radio access network element.
[0202] In one embodiment of this application, the first transceiver unit 801 is further configured to: receive a third message when the terminal enters an idle state, the third message indicating at least one of the following:
[0203] The terminal enters an idle state;
[0204] The wireless access network element serving the terminal is NULL.
[0205] In one embodiment of this application, the first transceiver unit 801 is specifically used to obtain information about the second core network element; and to send a first message to the second core network element based on the information about the second core network element.
[0206] In one embodiment of this application, the first message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the terminal, first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the second core network element provides notification services according to the first event, the number of notifications, the number of subscriptions, and the subscription duration.
[0207] In one embodiment of this application, the first processing unit 802 is used to obtain information about the second core network element from the local machine.
[0208] In one embodiment of this application, the first transceiver unit 801 is specifically used to send a fourth message to a third core network element, the fourth message being used to subscribe to information of the second core network element; and to receive information of the second core network element sent by the third core network element.
[0209] In one embodiment of this application, the fourth message includes second information, which is used to indicate at least one of the following: the third core network element provides notification services based on the second event, the number of notifications, the number of subscriptions, and the subscription duration.
[0210] In one embodiment of this application, the information of the second core network element includes at least one of the following:
[0211] The identifier of the second core network element;
[0212] The address of the second core network element;
[0213] The full domain name of the second core network element is FQDN.
[0214] In one embodiment of this application, the information of the first wireless access network element includes at least one of the following:
[0215] The first wireless access network element is a globally unique identifier assigned to the terminal;
[0216] The identifier of the first wireless access network element;
[0217] The FQDN of the first wireless access network element;
[0218] The IP address of the first wireless access network element;
[0219] The port number of the first wireless access network element.
[0220] In one embodiment of this application, the first transceiver unit 801 is specifically used to send the first message when receiving a NAS message sent by the terminal; or, when the first core network element has a NAS message to be sent to the terminal, it sends the first message.
[0221] In one embodiment of this application, the information sent by the first core network element to the terminal includes at least one of the following: NAS message; data.
[0222] The apparatus provided in this application embodiment can implement the various processes implemented in the method embodiment of FIG3 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.
[0223] Referring to Figure 9, an embodiment of this application provides a transmission processing apparatus, the apparatus 900 including: a second transceiver unit 901 and a second processing unit 902;
[0224] The second transceiver unit 901 is used to receive a first message, which is used to subscribe to information of the wireless access network element serving the terminal.
[0225] The second transceiver unit 901 is also used to send information about the first wireless access network element, wherein the first wireless access network element is the wireless access network element currently serving the terminal.
[0226] The information of the first radio access network element is used by the first core network element to send a second message to the first radio access network element, and the second message contains information sent by the first core network element to the terminal.
[0227] In one embodiment of this application, the second transceiver unit 901 is further configured to send information of the first radio access network element to the first core network element when the terminal switches from the second radio access network element to the first radio access network element.
[0228] In one embodiment of this application, the second transceiver unit 901 is further configured to send a third message to the first core network element when the terminal enters an idle state, the third message being used to indicate at least one of the following: the terminal enters an idle state; the radio access network element serving the terminal is NULL.
[0229] In one embodiment of this application, the second transceiver unit 901 is specifically used to send information of the first radio access network element to the first core network element when the terminal is in a connected state; or, when the terminal is in an idle state, to initiate a paging process for the terminal, and when it is determined that the terminal is in a connected state, to send information of the first radio access network element to the first core network element.
[0230] In one embodiment of this application, the first message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the terminal, first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the second core network element provides notification services according to the first event, the number of notifications, the number of subscriptions, and the subscription duration.
[0231] In one embodiment of this application, the information of the first wireless access network element includes at least one of the following:
[0232] The first wireless access network element is a globally unique identifier assigned to the terminal;
[0233] The identifier of the first wireless access network element;
[0234] The FQDN of the first wireless access network element;
[0235] The IP address of the first wireless access network element;
[0236] The port number of the first wireless access network element.
[0237] In one embodiment of this application, the information sent by the first core network element to the terminal includes at least one of the following: NAS message; data.
[0238] The apparatus provided in this application embodiment can implement the various processes implemented in the method embodiment of FIG4 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.
[0239] As shown in Figure 10, this embodiment of the application also provides a core network element 1000, including a processor 1001 and a memory 1002. The memory 1002 stores programs or instructions that can run on the processor 1001. For example, when the communication device 1000 is a first core network element, when the program or instructions are executed by the processor 1001, they implement the various steps of the method embodiment shown in Figure 3 above and achieve the same technical effect. When the core network element 1000 is a second core network element, when the program or instructions are executed by the processor 1001, they implement the various steps of the method embodiment shown in Figure 4 above and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, this will not be described again here.
[0240] Specifically, this application embodiment also provides a core network element. As shown in FIG11, the core network element 1100 includes: a processor 1101, a network interface 1102, and a memory 1103. The core network element can be the device shown in FIG8 or FIG9. The network interface 1102 is, for example, a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI).
[0241] Specifically, the core network element 1100 in this application embodiment also includes: instructions or programs stored in memory 1103 and executable on processor 1101. Processor 1101 calls the instructions or programs in memory 1103 to execute the methods executed by each unit shown in FIG8 or FIG9 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.
[0242] This application also provides a readable storage medium storing a program or instructions. When the program or instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the various processes of the method embodiments shown in FIG3 or FIG4 above and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again here.
[0243] The processor mentioned above is the processor in the core network element described in the above embodiments. The readable storage medium includes computer-readable storage media, such as computer read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk, or optical disk. In some examples, the readable storage medium may be a non-transient readable storage medium.
[0244] This application embodiment also provides a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor. The processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes of the method embodiments shown in FIG3 or FIG4 above, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.
[0245] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a system-on-a-chip, system chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip, etc.
[0246] This application also provides a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium and executed by at least one processor to implement the various processes of the method embodiments shown in FIG3 or FIG4 above, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.
[0247] This application also provides a wireless communication system, including a terminal and a network-side device, wherein the network-side device can be used to perform the steps of the method shown in FIG3 or FIG4 provided in this application.
[0248] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element. Furthermore, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatuses in the embodiments of this application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, but may also include performing functions substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Additionally, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.
[0249] From the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by means of computer software products plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms, and of course, they can also be implemented by hardware. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.), and the computer software product includes several instructions to cause the terminal or network-side device to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.
[0250] The embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other implementations under the guidance of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. All of these implementations are within the protection scope of this application.
Claims
1. A transmission processing method, wherein, include: The first core network element sends a first message, which is used to subscribe to information of the first radio access network element serving the terminal. The first radio access network element is the radio access network element currently serving the terminal. The first core network element receives information from the first radio access network element; The first core network element sends a second message to the first radio access network element based on the information from the first radio access network element. The second message contains information sent by the first core network element to the terminal.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first core network element receives information from the first radio access network element, including: When the terminal switches from the second radio access network element to the first radio access network element, the first core network element receives information from the first radio access network element.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The method further includes: When the terminal enters an idle state, the first core network element receives a third message, which indicates at least one of the following: The terminal enters an idle state; The wireless access network element serving the terminal is NULL.
4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The first core network element sends a first message, including: The first core network element obtains information from the second core network element; The first core network element sends a first message to the second core network element based on the information from the second core network element.
5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The first message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the terminal, first information, the first information being used to indicate at least one of the following: the second core network element provides notification services according to the first event, the number of notifications, the number of subscriptions, and the subscription duration.
6. The method according to claim 4, wherein, The first core network element obtains information from the second core network element, including: The first core network element obtains information about the second core network element from its local source. or, The first core network element sends a fourth message to the third core network element, the fourth message being used to subscribe to information from the second core network element; The first core network element receives information from the second core network element sent by the third core network element.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The fourth message includes second information, which indicates at least one of the following: the third core network element provides notification services based on the second event, the number of notifications, the number of subscriptions, and the subscription duration.
8. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The information of the second core network element includes at least one of the following: The identifier of the second core network element; The address of the second core network element; The full domain name of the second core network element is FQDN.
9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The information of the first wireless access network element includes at least one of the following: The first wireless access network element is a globally unique identifier assigned to the terminal; The identifier of the first wireless access network element; The FQDN of the first wireless access network element; The IP address of the first wireless access network element; The port number of the first wireless access network element.
10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The first core network element sends the first message, which includes: When the first core network element receives the NAS message sent by the terminal, the first core network element sends the first message; or, If the first core network element has a NAS message to be sent to the terminal, the first core network element sends the first message.
11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The information sent by the first core network element to the terminal includes at least one of the following: Non-access stratum NAS messages; data.
12. A transmission processing method, wherein, include: The second core network element receives the first message, which is used to subscribe to information of the radio access network element serving the terminal. The second core network element sends information about the first radio access network element, where the first radio access network element is the radio access network element currently serving the terminal. The information of the first radio access network element is used by the first core network element to send a second message to the first radio access network element, and the second message contains information sent by the first core network element to the terminal.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The second core network element sends information to the first radio access network element, including: When the terminal switches from the second radio access network element to the first radio access network element, the second core network element sends the information of the first radio access network element to the first core network element.
14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, The method further includes: When the terminal enters an idle state, the second core network element sends a third message to the first core network element, the third message indicating at least one of the following: The terminal enters an idle state; The wireless access network element serving the terminal is NULL.
15. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The second core network element sends information to the first radio access network element, including: When the terminal is in a connected state, the second core network element sends information from the first radio access network element to the first core network element; or... When the terminal is in an idle state, the second core network element initiates a paging process for the terminal, and when it is determined that the terminal is in a connected state, the second core network element sends information from the first radio access network element to the first core network element.
16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein, The first message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the terminal, first information, the first information being used to indicate at least one of the following: the second core network element provides notification services according to the first event, the number of notifications, the number of subscriptions, and the subscription duration.
17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein, The information of the first wireless access network element includes at least one of the following: The first wireless access network element is a globally unique identifier assigned to the terminal; The identifier of the first wireless access network element; The FQDN of the first wireless access network element; The IP address of the first wireless access network element, or the IP address and port number of the first wireless access network element.
18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein, The information sent by the first core network element to the terminal includes at least one of the following: NAS message; data.
19. A transmission processing apparatus, wherein, include: First transceiver unit and first processing unit; The first transceiver unit is used to send a first message, which is used to subscribe to information of the wireless access network element serving the terminal. The first transceiver unit is further configured to receive information from a first wireless access network element, wherein the first wireless access network element is the wireless access network element currently serving the terminal. The first transceiver unit is further configured to send a second message to the first radio access network element based on the information of the first radio access network element, the second message containing information sent to the terminal by the first core network element.
20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein, When the terminal switches from the second radio access network element to the first radio access network element, the first transceiver unit receives information from the first radio access network element.
21. The apparatus according to claim 19 or 20, wherein, The first transceiver unit is further configured to: receive a third message when the terminal enters an idle state, the third message indicating at least one of the following: the terminal enters an idle state; the wireless access network element serving the terminal is NULL.
22. A transmission processing apparatus, wherein, include: Second transceiver unit and second processing unit; The second transceiver unit is used to receive a first message, which is used to subscribe to information of the wireless access network element serving the terminal. The second transceiver unit is also used to send information about the first wireless access network element, wherein the first wireless access network element is the wireless access network element currently serving the terminal; The information of the first radio access network element is used by the first core network element to send a second message to the first radio access network element, and the second message contains information sent by the first core network element to the terminal.
23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein, The second transceiver unit is further configured to send information of the first radio access network element to the first core network element when the terminal switches from the second radio access network element to the first radio access network element.
24. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein, The second transceiver unit is further configured to send a third message to the first core network element when the terminal enters an idle state, the third message being used to indicate at least one of the following: the terminal has entered an idle state; The wireless access network element serving the terminal is NULL.
25. A core network element, wherein, It includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions that can run on the processor, the program or instructions being executed by the processor to implement the steps of the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, or the steps of the method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 18.
26. A readable storage medium, wherein, The readable storage medium stores a program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, or the steps of the method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 18.