Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and a communication apparatus. The communication method comprises: a first access network device acquiring a first state of a first computing task; and when a handover trigger condition for a handover of a terminal device from the first access network device to a second access network device is met, if the first state of the first computing task is ongoing, in order to avoid interrupting the first computing task, delaying a handover of the access network device serving the terminal device. Therefore, the user experience can be improved.

Description

Communication methods and communication devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510072613.4, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on January 16, 2025, 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 specifically to communication methods and devices within the field of communications. Background Technology

[0003] In communication systems, the movement of terminal devices can degrade communication quality between the terminal device and the source network device, necessitating a switch of the network device to which the serving terminal device belongs. If the access network device to which the terminal device belongs is switched during the transmission of service data between the terminal device and the access network device, service data will be interrupted, impacting user experience. This is especially true for short-duration service data, where the impact is more severe, significantly affecting user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and a communication device that can avoid service interruption and improve user experience.

[0005] Firstly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first access network device with computing capabilities or a component (such as a chip or module) of a device with computing capabilities. For example, the device can be the first access network device. Alternatively, the communication method can also be executed by a computing device with communication capabilities or a component (such as a chip or module) of a computing device with communication capabilities. The following description uses the first access network device as the executing entity of this communication method as an example. In actual implementation, the executing entity of this method can be other names.

[0006] The communication method includes: obtaining the first state of a first computing task of a terminal device; and, if the first state of the first computing task is in progress, delaying the switching of the access network device serving the terminal device when the switching trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from a first access network device to a second access network device is met.

[0007] In the above scheme, the first access network device can obtain the first state of the first computing task. If the switching trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met, and the first state of the first computing task is in progress, in order to avoid interruption of the first computing task, the access network device serving the terminal device can be switched on a delayed basis, which can improve the user experience. Especially for the first computing task with a relatively short duration, delaying the switching of the access network device serving the terminal device can be more conducive to improving the user experience.

[0008] Optionally, the first access network device can determine the handover triggering conditions for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second network device based on the second measurement report reported by the terminal device.

[0009] In some possible implementations, the delayed switching of the access network device serving the terminal device includes: if the first state of the first computing task is completed or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected, switching the access network device serving the terminal device from the first access network device to the second access network device.

[0010] In the above scheme, if the switching trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met, and the first state of the first computing task is completed or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected, the access network device of the serving terminal device can be switched. This can avoid the interruption caused by switching while the first computing task is in progress, which is beneficial to improving the user experience. Especially for the first computing task with a relatively short duration, switching the access network device of the serving terminal device after the first computing task ends or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected can further improve the user experience.

[0011] Optionally, switching the access network device serving the terminal device from the first access network device to the second access network device includes: the first access network device sending a handover command message to the terminal device, and the terminal device switching from the first access network device to the second access network device according to the handover command message.

[0012] Optionally, the communication method can be replaced by: obtaining the first state of the first computing task of the terminal device; if the first state of the first computing task is in progress, then delaying the switching of the access network device serving the terminal device, provided that the switching trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met; if the first state of the first computing task is completed or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected, then switching the access network device serving the terminal device from the first access network device to the second access network device, provided that the switching trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met.

[0013] In some possible implementations, after the delayed handover service of the terminal device to the access network device, the communication method further includes: sending first measurement configuration information to the terminal device, the first measurement configuration information being used to indicate a first threshold value; wherein, the first threshold value is used to instruct the terminal device to report a first measurement report based on the first threshold value after receiving the first measurement configuration information, the first threshold value being greater than a second threshold value, the second threshold value being used for the terminal device to report a second measurement report before receiving the first measurement configuration information, the second measurement report being used to determine that the handover triggering condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met.

[0014] In the above scheme, the terminal device can report a second measurement report based on the second threshold value. When the first access network device determines, based on the second measurement report, that the handover triggering conditions for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device are met, and the first state of the first calculation task is in progress, the first access network device determines that the access network device that needs to delay the handover service of the terminal device needs to be delayed. The terminal device does not need to report measurement reports frequently. Therefore, a relatively high first threshold value can be configured for the terminal device through the first measurement configuration information. In this way, the measurement reports reported by the terminal device based on the first threshold value are less frequent, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0015] In some possible implementations, the first threshold value is a first reference signal received power (RSRP) threshold value, and the second threshold value is a second RSRP threshold value.

[0016] Optionally, the first threshold value and the second threshold value can also be other threshold values. For example, the first threshold value can be the first RSSI threshold value and the second threshold value can be the second RSSI threshold value; or, for example, the first threshold value can be the first RSRQ threshold value and the second threshold value can be the second RSRQ threshold value.

[0017] Optionally, if the first state of the first computing task is in progress, then delaying the switching of the access network device serving the terminal device includes: when the first state of the first computing task is in progress, if the first access network device receives a first measurement report sent by the terminal device, then the access network device serving the terminal device can be switched from the first access network device to the second access network device.

[0018] In some possible implementations, the communication method further includes: sending a first subscription message to a first network element, the first subscription message being used to subscribe to the state of the first computing task; wherein, obtaining the first state of the first computing task includes: receiving a response message from the first network element to the first subscription message, the response message including the first state of the first computing task; wherein, the first network element is a session management function network element, an edge server, or a user plane function network element.

[0019] In the above scheme, the first access network device can subscribe to the status of the first computing task by sending a first subscription message to the session management function network element, the edge server, or the user plane function network element. The session management function network element, the edge server, or the user plane function network element can send a response message to the first access network device for the first subscription message. The response message for the first subscription message includes the first status of the first computing task. The first access network device can obtain the first status of the first computing task from the response message for the first subscription message.

[0020] In some possible implementations, the first network element is an edge server. Before sending the first subscription message to the first network element, the communication method further includes: obtaining the address of the edge server; wherein, sending the first subscription message to the first network element includes: sending the first subscription message to the edge server according to the address of the edge server.

[0021] Optionally, obtaining the address of the edge server includes: the first access network device can detect DNS request messages and obtain the address of the EAS from the DNS request messages. Optionally, obtaining the address of the edge server includes: the first access network device can obtain the address of the edge server during the establishment of a PDU session. Optionally, obtaining the address of the edge server includes: the first access network device can receive the first uplink data packet sent by the terminal device, and the first access network device can route the first data packet to the edge server according to routing rules and obtain the address of the edge server. Optionally, obtaining the address of the edge server includes: the first access network device can receive the first uplink data packet sent by the terminal device, and the first access network device can obtain the address of the edge server from the first data packet.

[0022] In some possible implementations, the first subscription message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the terminal device, the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs, or the protocol data unit (PDU) session identifier of the first computing task; the response message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the terminal device, the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs, or the protocol data unit (PDU) session identifier of the first computing task.

[0023] In the above scheme, the first access network device sends a first subscription message including the identifier of the first computing task so that the first network element can determine, based on the identifier of the first computing task, that the first access network device needs to subscribe to the state of the first computing task; or, the first network element can determine, based on the identifier of the terminal device, that the first access network device needs to subscribe to the state of the first computing task of that terminal device; or, the first network element can determine, based on the identifier of the first PDU session, that the first access network device is subscribing to the state of the first computing task on the PDU session identified by the first PDU session identifier; or, the first network element can determine, based on the identifier of the first computing service, that the first access network device is subscribing to the state of the first computing task of the first computing service.

[0024] In some possible implementations, obtaining the first state of the first computing task includes: obtaining the first state of the first computing task from the terminal device.

[0025] In the above scheme, the terminal device can report the first state of the first computing task, so that the first access network device can obtain the first state of the first computing task from the terminal device.

[0026] Optionally, if the terminal device starts its first computing task, the terminal device may send first information to the first access network device. The first information is used to indicate that the first computing task has started, and the first access network device can obtain the first status of the first computing task as being in progress based on the first information.

[0027] Optionally, if the first computing task of the terminal device ends, the terminal device may send second information to the first access network device. The second information is used to indicate that the first computing task has ended, and the first access network device can obtain the first status of the first computing task as ended based on the second information.

[0028] Optionally, if the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task of the terminal device belongs is disconnected, the terminal device may send second information to the first access network device. The second information is used to indicate that the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected. The first access network device can determine the disconnection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs based on the second information.

[0029] Optionally, if the first computing task of the terminal device ends and the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected, the terminal device may send second information to the first access network device. The second information is used to indicate that the first computing task has ended and the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected. The first access network device can determine that the first computing task has ended and the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected based on the second information.

[0030] In some possible implementations, the first state of the first computing task is in progress, including: if no first indication information is received from the user plane function network element, the first state of the first computing task is in progress, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended, and the first computing task is the last computing task among at least one computing task between the terminal device and the edge server.

[0031] In the above scheme, the user plane function network element can detect whether the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended. If the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has not ended, the user plane function network element does not send the first indication information. The first access network device does not receive the first indication information, indicating that the first computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has not ended. Therefore, the first access network device can determine that the first computing task is in progress.

[0032] In some possible implementations, the first state of the first computing task being "end" includes: receiving first indication information from a user plane function network element, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended, the first computing task being the last computing task among at least one computing task between the terminal device and the edge server; and determining that the first state of the first computing service is "end" based on the first indication information.

[0033] In the above scheme, the user plane function network element can detect whether the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended. If the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended, the user plane function network element sends a first indication message. After receiving the first indication message, the first access network device indicates that the first computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended. Therefore, the first access network device can determine that the first computing task has ended.

[0034] In some possible implementations, receiving the first indication information from the user plane function includes: receiving a first data packet from the user plane function network element, the first data packet including the first indication information, the payload of the first data packet being the payload of the last data packet of the first computing task from the edge server or the payload of the first data packet being empty.

[0035] In the above scheme, the first data packet sent by the user plane function network element to the first access network device can carry first indication information. The payload of the first data packet can be the payload of the last data packet from the edge server, or the payload of the first data packet can be empty. In this way, the first access network device can know that the transmission of the last data packet of the last computing task has ended according to the first indication information in the first data packet. Therefore, the access network device of the service terminal device can be switched from the first access network device to the second access network device.

[0036] Optionally, the header of the first data packet includes first indication information.

[0037] In some possible implementations, the delayed handover of the access network device serving the terminal device includes: sending a MAC layer message to the terminal device to switch the access network device serving the terminal device from the first access network device to a second access network device.

[0038] In the above scheme, the first access network device can send MAC layer messages to the terminal device. The terminal device can then switch from the MAC layer of the first access network device to the MAC layer of the second access network device based on these MAC messages. Since the MAC layer switching latency is relatively short, it can save switching latency. In other words, when the terminal device moves to the edge of the first access network device, delaying the switching of the access network device serving the terminal device may cause communication interruption. The first access network device can temporarily use MAC layer technology to switch the access network device serving the terminal device, which can reduce the switching latency to a certain extent.

[0039] Secondly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first network element with computing capabilities or a component (such as a chip or module) of a device with computing capabilities. For example, the device can be the first network element; or, the communication method can also be executed by a computing device with communication capabilities or a component (such as a chip or module) of a computing device with communication capabilities. The following description uses the example of a session management function network element, an edge server, or a user plane function network element as the executing entity of this communication method. In actual implementation, the executing entity of this communication method can have other names.

[0040] The communication method includes: receiving a first subscription message, the first subscription message being used to subscribe to the status of a first computing task; sending a response message to the first subscription message, the response message including a first status of the first computing task, the first status being in progress, or the first status being completed, or the first status being that the connection to the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected.

[0041] In the above scheme, the response message of the first subscription message may include the first status of the first computing task. The first status can be in progress, completed, or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected. This allows for the determination of whether to switch the access network device serving the terminal device when the handover trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met, in order to avoid interruption of the first computing task, thereby improving the user experience.

[0042] In some possible implementations, when the first state is in progress, the first state is used for the first access network device to delay the handover of the access network device serving the terminal device when the handover trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met.

[0043] In the above scheme, the first access network device can delay the switching of the access network device serving the terminal device when the first state is in progress, provided that the switching trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met, so as to avoid the interruption of the first computing task caused by the switching.

[0044] In some possible implementations, when the first state is "end" or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected, the first state is used by the first access network device to switch the access network device serving the terminal device from the first access network device to the second access network device when the switching trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met.

[0045] In the above scheme, the first access network device can switch the access network device of the service terminal device when the first state is ended or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected, provided that the switching trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met. This avoids the interruption of the first computing task caused by the switching during the first computing task.

[0046] In some possible implementations, receiving the first subscription message includes: the session management function network element receiving the first subscription message from a first access network device, wherein the first access network device is the source network device serving the terminal device; wherein sending the response message of the first subscription message includes: the session management function network element sending the response message of the first subscription message to the first access network device.

[0047] In the above scheme, the first access network device can subscribe to the status of the first computing task through the first subscription message to the session management function network element. The session management function network element can feed back the first status of the first computing task to the first access network device through the response message of the first subscription message, so that the first access network device can determine whether to switch the access network device serving the terminal device based on the first status.

[0048] In some possible implementations, before the session management function network element sends a response message of the first subscription message to the first access network device, the communication method further includes: the session management function network element sending a second subscription message to an edge server, the second subscription message being used to subscribe to the state of the first computing task; the session management function network element receiving a response message of the second subscription message from the edge server, the response message of the second subscription message including a first state of the first computing task.

[0049] In the above scheme, the session management function network element can subscribe to the status of the first computing task from the edge server through the second subscription message. The edge server can feed back the first status of the first computing task to the session management function network element through the response message of the second subscription message, so that the session management function network element can feed back the first status of the first computing task to the first access network device, so that the first access network device can determine whether to switch the access network device serving the terminal device based on the first status.

[0050] In some possible implementations, before the session management function network element sends the second subscription message to the edge server, the communication method further includes: the session management function network element obtaining the address of the edge server; wherein, the session management function network element sending the second subscription message to the edge server includes: the session management function network element sending the second subscription message to the edge server according to the address of the edge server.

[0051] In the above scheme, the session management function network element can first obtain the address of the edge server, and then send a second subscription message to the edge server according to the address of the edge server, so as to avoid the situation where the session management function network element does not know which server to subscribe to the status of the first computing task.

[0052] In some possible implementations, the communication method further includes: the session management function network element sending a detection configuration message to the user plane function network element, the detection configuration message being used to configure the user plane function network element to detect the address of the edge server of the first computing task; wherein, the session management function network element obtaining the address of the edge server includes: the session management function network element receiving the address of the edge server sent by the user plane function network element according to the detection configuration message.

[0053] In some possible implementations, the second subscription message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the terminal device, the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs, or the protocol data unit (PDU) session identifier of the first computing task. The response message of the second subscription message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the terminal device, the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs, or the PDU session identifier of the first computing task.

[0054] In the above scheme, the edge server can determine whether the session management function network element needs to subscribe to the state of the first computing task based on the identifier of the first computing task in the second subscription message, or whether the session management function network element needs to subscribe to the state of the first computing task of the terminal device based on the identifier of the terminal device in the second subscription message, or whether the session management function network element subscribes to the state of the first computing task on the PDU session based on the identifier of the PDU session of the first computing task in the second subscription message, or whether the first access network device subscribes to the state of the first task of the first computing service based on the identifier of the first computing service in the second subscription message.

[0055] In some possible implementations, receiving the first subscription message includes: the edge server receiving the first subscription message from the first access network device; wherein, sending a response message for the first subscription message includes: the edge server sending a response message for the first subscription message to the first access network device.

[0056] In the above scheme, the first access network device can subscribe to the status of the first computing task from the edge server through the first subscription message, and the edge server can feed back the first status of the first computing task to the first access network device through the response message of the first subscription message, so that the first access network device can determine whether to switch the access network device serving the terminal device based on the first status.

[0057] In some possible implementations, receiving the first subscription message includes: the user plane function network element receiving the first subscription message from the first access network device; wherein, sending the response message of the first subscription message includes: the user plane function network element sending the response message of the first subscription message to the first access network device.

[0058] In the above scheme, the first access network device can subscribe to the status of the first computing task through the first subscription message to the user plane function network element. The user plane function network element can feed back the first status of the first computing task to the first access network device through the response message of the first subscription message, so that the first access network device can determine whether to switch the access network device serving the terminal device based on the first status.

[0059] In some possible implementations, before the user plane function network element sends a response message to the first access network device for the first subscription message, the communication method further includes: obtaining the first state of the first computing task from the edge server.

[0060] In the above scheme, the user plane function network element can obtain the status of the first computing task from the edge server. In this way, the user plane function network element feeds back the first status of the first computing task to the first access network device, so that the first access network device can determine whether to switch the access network device serving the terminal device based on the first status.

[0061] Optionally, obtaining the first state of the first computing task from the edge server includes: the header of the data packet from the edge server may include the first state of the first computing task, so that the user plane function network element can obtain the first state of the first computing task from the header of the data packet.

[0062] In some possible implementations, the first subscription message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the terminal device, the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs, or the protocol data unit (PDU) session identifier of the first computing task; the response message to the first subscription message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the terminal device, the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs, or the protocol data unit (PDU) session identifier of the first computing task.

[0063] In the above scheme, the first subscription message includes an identifier of the first computing task so that the session management function network element, edge server, or user plane function network element can determine that the first access network device needs to subscribe to the state of the first computing task based on the identifier of the first computing task; or, the session management function network element, edge server, or user plane function network element can determine that the first access network device needs to subscribe to the state of the first computing task of the terminal device based on the identifier of the terminal device; or, the session management function network element, edge server, or user plane function network element can determine that the first access network device is subscribing to the state of the first computing task on the PDU session identified by the first PDU session identifier based on the first PDU session identifier; or, the session management function network element, edge server, or user plane function network element can determine that the first access network device is subscribing to the state of the first computing task of the first computing service based on the identifier of the first computing service.

[0064] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by an edge server with computing capabilities or a component (such as a chip or module) of a device with computing capabilities. For example, the device can be an edge server; or, the communication method can also be executed by a computing device with communication capabilities or a component (such as a chip or module) of a computing device with communication capabilities. The following description uses an edge server as the executing entity of this communication method as an example; in actual implementation, the executing entity of this communication method can be other names.

[0065] The communication method includes: receiving a second subscription message from a session management function network element, the second subscription message being used to subscribe to the status of a first computing task; and sending a response message of the second subscription message to the session management function network element, the response message of the second subscription message including a first status of the first computing task, the first status being in progress, or the first status being completed, or the first status being that the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected.

[0066] In some possible implementations, when the first state is in progress, the first state is used for the first access network device to delay the handover of the access network device serving the terminal device when the handover trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met.

[0067] In the above scheme, the first access network device can delay the switching of the access network device serving the terminal device when the first state is in progress, provided that the switching trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met, so as to avoid the interruption of the first computing task caused by the switching.

[0068] In some possible implementations, when the first state is "end" or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected, the first state is used by the first access network device to switch the access network device serving the terminal device from the first access network device to the second access network device when the switching trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met.

[0069] In the above scheme, the first access network device can switch the access network device of the service terminal device when the first state is ended or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected, provided that the switching trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met. This avoids the interruption of the first computing task caused by the switching during the first computing task.

[0070] In some possible implementations, the second subscription message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the terminal device, the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs, or the protocol data unit (PDU) session identifier of the first computing task; the response message of the second subscription message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the terminal device, the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs, or the PDU session identifier of the first computing task.

[0071] In the above scheme, the edge server can determine whether the session management function network element needs to subscribe to the state of the first computing task based on the identifier of the first computing task in the second subscription message, or whether the session management function network element needs to subscribe to the state of the first computing task of the terminal device based on the identifier of the terminal device in the second subscription message, or whether the session management function network element subscribes to the state of the first computing task on the PDU session based on the identifier of the PDU session of the first computing task in the second subscription message, or whether the first access network device subscribes to the state of the first task of the first computing service based on the identifier of the first computing service in the second subscription message.

[0072] Fourthly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a user plane function network element with computing capabilities or a component (such as a chip or module) of a device with computing capabilities. For example, the device can be a user plane function network element; alternatively, the communication method can also be executed by a computing device with communication capabilities or a component (such as a chip or module) of a computing device with communication capabilities. The following description uses a user plane function network element as the executing entity of this communication method as an example. In actual implementation, the executing entity of this communication method can have other names.

[0073] The communication method includes: receiving detection configuration information from a session management function network element, the detection configuration information being used to instruct the user plane function network element to detect and report the address of the edge server for the first computing task; receiving data packets of the first computing task between a terminal device and the edge server; detecting the data packets according to the detection configuration information, obtaining the address of the edge server from the data packets; and sending the address of the edge server to the session management function network element.

[0074] In the above scheme, the user plane function network element can detect the data packets between the terminal device and the edge server according to the detection configuration message, and send the address of the edge server obtained from the data packet to the session management function network element, so that the session management function network element can subscribe to the status of the first computing task from the edge server according to the address of the edge server.

[0075] Fifthly, a communication method is provided. This communication method can be executed by a user plane function network element with computing capabilities or a component (such as a chip or module) of a device with computing capabilities. For example, the device can be a user plane function network element; or, the communication method can also be executed by a computing device with communication capabilities or a component (such as a chip or module) of a computing device with communication capabilities. The following description uses a user plane function network element as the executing entity of this communication method as an example. In actual implementation, the executing entity of this communication method can be other names.

[0076] The first computing task between the terminal device and the edge server is determined to be completed. The first computing task is the last computing task among at least one computing task between the terminal device and the edge server.

[0077] Send a first indication message to the first access network device, the first indication message being used to indicate that the first computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended.

[0078] In the above scheme, the user plane function network element can detect whether the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended. If the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended, the user plane function network element can send a first indication message to the first access network device. If the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has not ended, the user plane function network element can choose not to send the first indication message, so that the first access network device can determine the status of the first computing task based on whether it receives the first indication message from the user plane function network element.

[0079] In some possible implementations, sending the first indication information to the first access network device includes: sending a first data packet to the first access network device, the first data packet including the first indication information, the payload of the first data packet being the payload of the last data packet of the first computing task from the edge server or the payload of the first data packet being empty.

[0080] In the above scheme, the first data packet sent by the user plane function network element to the first access network device can carry first indication information. The payload of the first data packet can be the payload of the last data packet from the edge server, or the payload of the first data packet can be empty. In this way, the first access network device can know that the transmission of the last data packet of the last computing task has ended according to the first indication information in the first data packet. Therefore, the access network device of the service terminal device can be switched from the first access network device to the second access network device.

[0081] Sixthly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal device with computing capabilities or a component (such as a chip or module) of a device with computing capabilities. For example, the device can be a terminal device; or, the communication method can also be executed by a computing device with communication capabilities or a component (such as a chip or module) of a computing device with communication capabilities. The following description uses a terminal device as the executing entity of this communication method as an example; in actual implementation, the executing entity of this communication method can be other names.

[0082] The communication method includes: sending a second measurement report to a first access network device according to a second threshold value; receiving first measurement configuration information from the first access network device, wherein the first measurement configuration information is used to indicate a first threshold value, the first threshold value being greater than the second threshold value, the first measurement configuration information being sent by the first access network device based on the second measurement report when the handover triggering condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met, and the first state of the first computing task of the terminal device is in progress, and the first threshold value is used to instruct the terminal device to report a first measurement report according to the first threshold value after receiving the first measurement configuration information.

[0083] In the above scheme, the terminal device can report a second measurement report based on the second threshold value. When the first access network device determines, based on the second measurement report, that the handover triggering conditions for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device are met, and the first state of the first calculation task is in progress, the first access network device determines that the access network device that needs to delay the handover service of the terminal device needs to be delayed. The terminal device does not need to report measurement reports frequently. Therefore, a relatively high first threshold value can be configured for the terminal device through the first measurement configuration information. In this way, the measurement reports reported by the terminal device based on the first threshold value are less frequent, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0084] Optionally, the first threshold value can be the first RSRP threshold value.

[0085] Optionally, the second threshold value can be the second RSRP threshold value.

[0086] Optionally, the first threshold value and the second threshold value can also be other threshold values. For example, the first threshold value can be the first RSSI threshold value and the second threshold value can be the second RSSI threshold value; or, for example, the first threshold value can be the first RSRQ threshold value and the second threshold value can be the second RSRQ threshold value.

[0087] In some possible implementations, the communication method further includes: sending first information to the first access network device, the first information indicating that the first computing task has started execution, so that the first access network device determines that the first state is in progress based on the first information.

[0088] In the above scheme, the terminal device can send first information to the first access network device so that the first access network device can determine the first state as in progress based on the first information. When the first access network device determines that the handover trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met, the first access network device can delay the handover of the access network device serving the terminal device to avoid the problem of interruption caused by the handover of the first computing task in progress.

[0089] In some possible implementations, the communication method further includes: sending second information to the first access network device, the second information indicating that the first computing task has ended or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected, so that the first access network device determines that the first state is ended or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected based on the second information;

[0090] The device receives a handover command message sent by the first access network device. The handover command message is sent by the first access network device when the handover trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met, and the first state of the first computing task of the terminal device is completed or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected.

[0091] In the above scheme, after the terminal device finishes the first computing task, it reports the second information. The first access network device can determine the first state as completed or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs as disconnected based on the second information. When the switching trigger condition of the terminal device switching from the first access network device to the second access network device is met, the first access network device can send a switching command message to the terminal device. The terminal device can switch from the first access network device to the second access network device based on the switching command message, thus avoiding the problem of interruption caused by switching while the first computing task is in progress.

[0092] In a seventh aspect, a communication method is provided. This communication method can be executed by a first access network device with computing capabilities or a component (such as a chip or module) of a device with computing capabilities. For example, the device can be a user plane function network element; alternatively, the communication method can also be executed by a computing device with communication capabilities or a component (such as a chip or module) of a computing device with communication capabilities. The following description uses a user plane function network element as the executing entity of this communication method as an example. In actual implementation, the executing entity of this communication method can have other names.

[0093] The communication method includes: if the handover triggering condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met, and the first access network device does not receive the first indication information, then the handover service terminal device is delayed. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended.

[0094] In the above scheme, if the first access network device does not receive the first instruction information, it means that the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has not yet ended. Therefore, the access network device that serves the terminal device is not switched temporarily. This delays the switching of the access network device that serves the terminal device, avoiding the problem of interruption of computing tasks between the terminal device and the edge server caused by the switching. This is beneficial to improving the user experience. In particular, for the first computing task with a relatively short duration, delaying the switching of the access network device that serves the terminal device can further improve the user experience.

[0095] Optionally, the access network device for delaying the handover of the serving terminal device includes: if the first access network device receives the first indication information, then switching the access network device of the serving terminal device from the first access network device to the second access network device.

[0096] In the above scheme, when the first access network device receives the first indication information, it indicates that the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended. The first access network device can then switch the access network device of the terminal device from the first access network device to the second access network device. This avoids the problem of computing task interruption caused by switching the service terminal device's access network device before the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended. This is beneficial to improving the user experience, especially for the first computing task with a relatively short duration. Switching the service terminal device's access network device after the first computing task ends or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected can further improve the user experience.

[0097] Optionally, the user plane function network element may send first indication information to the first access network device, including: the user plane function network element sending a first data packet to the first access network device, the first data packet including the first indication information. Optionally, the payload of the first data packet is the payload of the last data packet from the first computing task of the edge server.

[0098] Eighthly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first access network device (or edge server) with computing capabilities or a component (such as a chip or module) of a device with computing capabilities. For example, the device can be a first access network device (or edge server); or, the communication method can also be executed by a computing device with communication capabilities or a component (such as a chip or module) of a computing device with communication capabilities. The following description uses the first access network device or edge server as the executing entity of this communication method as an example; in actual implementation, the executing entity of this communication method can be other names.

[0099] The communication method includes: receiving a first request message from a terminal device, the first request message being used to request a first computing task; if the terminal device is currently in the process of switching access network devices serving the terminal device or after a first time period, sending a response message of the first request message to the terminal device, the response message of the first request message being used to reject the first computing task requested by the terminal device.

[0100] In the above scheme, when the terminal device requests the first computing task from the first access network device, if the access network device is currently in the process of switching the service terminal device or is about to switch the service terminal device, the terminal device can refuse the request for the first computing task. This avoids the problem of transmission interruption caused by transmitting the data packet of the first computing task during the process of switching the service terminal device, especially avoiding the problem of transmission interruption caused by transmitting the data packet of the first computing task with a short duration during the process of switching the service terminal device, which is beneficial to improving the user experience.

[0101] In some possible implementations, the response message to the first request message includes reason information, which indicates that the reason for rejecting the first computing task requested by the terminal device is that it is currently in the process of switching the access network device serving the terminal device or switching the access network device serving the terminal device after the first duration.

[0102] In the above scheme, the response message of the first request message carries reason information, and the terminal device can determine the reason why the first access network device rejects the first computing task requested by the terminal device based on the reason information.

[0103] In some possible implementations, the response message to the first request message includes redirection information, which instructs the terminal device to request the first computing task again after a second duration, the second duration being longer than the first duration.

[0104] In the above scheme, redirection information can be carried in the response message of the first request message. The terminal device can determine the second duration based on the redirection information and then request the first computing task again, thus avoiding the problem that the terminal device does not know when to request the first computing task again.

[0105] In some possible implementations, before sending the response message of the first request message to the terminal device, the communication method further includes: the edge server receiving second indication information from a first access network device, the second indication information being used to indicate that the access network device currently in the process of switching the service terminal device or switching the service terminal device after a first duration, the first access network device being the source network device serving the terminal device.

[0106] In the above scheme, when the edge server receives the second indication information, it can determine that it is currently in the process of switching the access network device of the service terminal device or switching the access network device of the service terminal device after a first time period. Therefore, the edge server sends a response message to the terminal device for rejecting the first request message of the first computing task. In this way, the terminal device can temporarily not request the first computing task and avoid the interruption problem caused by switching the access network device of the service terminal device.

[0107] In some possible implementations, before the edge server receives the second indication information from the first access network device, the communication method further includes: the edge server sending a third subscription message to the first access network device, the third subscription message being used to subscribe to a handover event of a terminal device; wherein, the edge server receiving the second indication information from the first access network device includes: the edge server receiving a response message from the first access network device for the third subscription message, the response message for the third subscription message including the second indication information.

[0108] In the above scheme, the edge server can subscribe to the handover event of the terminal device through the third subscription message to the first access network device. The first access network device can send a response message of the third subscription message to the edge server according to the third subscription message. The edge server can obtain the second indication information in the response message of the third subscription message.

[0109] In some possible implementations, the third subscription message is specifically used to subscribe to the switching event of the terminal device and the switching type corresponding to the switching event. The response message of the third subscription message also includes the first switching type corresponding to the second indication information. The second duration is determined based on the first duration and the first switching type.

[0110] In the above scheme, the edge server can determine the time required for the first access network device to switch the service terminal device according to the first handover type. The edge server can determine that the terminal device can request the first computing task again after the second time based on the determined time required for the service terminal device to switch the service terminal device and the first time.

[0111] In some possible implementations, the edge server sending a third subscription message to the first access network device includes: the edge server sending the third subscription message to the first access network device through at least one of the network open function network element, session management function network element, or mobility access management function network element; wherein, the edge server receiving a response message of the third subscription message from the first access network device includes: the edge server receiving a response message of the third subscription message from the first access network device through at least one of the mobility access management function network element, session management function network element, or network open function network element.

[0112] In the above scheme, the edge server can send a third subscription message to the first access network device through other network elements, and the first access network device can send a response message of the third subscription message to the edge server through other network elements.

[0113] Optionally, the edge server can directly send a third subscription message to the first access network device, and the first access network device can directly send a response message to the third subscription message to the edge server.

[0114] Ninthly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal device with computing capabilities or a component (such as a chip or module) of a device with computing capabilities. For example, the device can be a terminal device; or, the communication method can also be executed by a computing device with communication capabilities or a component (such as a chip or module) of a computing device with communication capabilities. The following description uses a terminal device as the executing entity of this communication method as an example; in actual implementation, the executing entity of this communication method can be other names.

[0115] The communication method includes: sending a first request message, the first request message being used to request a first computing task; receiving a response message to the first request message, the response message being used to reject the first computing task requested by the terminal device, the response message being sent by the sending end during the process of switching the access network device serving the terminal device or after a first time period.

[0116] In the above scheme, when the terminal device requests the first computing task from the first access network device, if the access network device is currently in the process of switching the service terminal device or is about to switch the service terminal device, the terminal device can refuse the request for the first computing task. This avoids the problem of transmission interruption caused by transmitting the data packet of the first computing task during the process of switching the service terminal device, especially avoiding the problem of transmission interruption caused by transmitting the data packet of the first computing task with a short duration during the process of switching the service terminal device, which is beneficial to improving the user experience.

[0117] In some possible implementations, the response message includes reason information indicating that the reason for rejecting the terminal device's request for the first computing task is that the terminal device is currently in the process of switching access network devices or is about to switch access network devices.

[0118] In some possible implementations, the response message includes redirection information, which instructs the terminal device to request the first computing task again after a second duration. The communication method further includes sending a second request message again after the second duration, which requests the first computing task.

[0119] In some possible implementations, sending the first request message includes: sending the first request message to a first access network device to which the terminal device belongs; receiving the response message of the first request message includes: receiving the response message of the first request message from the first access network device.

[0120] In some possible implementations, sending the first request message includes: sending the first request message to an edge server; wherein receiving the response message of the first request message includes: receiving the response message of the first request message from the edge server.

[0121] The description of the ninth aspect can be referenced from the description of the eighth aspect, but will not be described in detail to avoid redundancy.

[0122] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which has the function of implementing 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 transceiver module or unit, a processing module or unit, an acquisition module or unit, etc.

[0123] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, including: a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program; and the processor is used to cause the communication device to execute the communication method described in any one of the foregoing aspects when the computer program is invoked.

[0124] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip system including a processor coupled to a memory, the processor executing a computer program stored in the memory to implement the communication method described in any of the foregoing aspects.

[0125] The chip system can be a single chip or a chip module composed of multiple chips.

[0126] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the communication method described in any of the above aspects.

[0127] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product that, when run on a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the communication method described in any of the above aspects.

[0128] It is understood that the beneficial effects of aspects ten through fourteen above can be found in the relevant descriptions in the above aspects, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0129] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0130] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of another system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0131] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0132] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0133] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the format of the first data packet provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0134] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the format of another first data packet provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0135] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0136] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0137] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0138] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0139] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0140] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0141] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0142] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0143] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0144] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0145] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0146] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0147] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0148] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0149] It should be understood that the methods, situations, categories, and classifications of embodiments in this application are for the convenience of description only and should not constitute a special limitation. Various methods, categories, situations, and features in embodiments can be combined without contradiction.

[0150] It should also be understood that the terms "first," "second," and "third" in the embodiments of this application are for distinction only and should not constitute any limitation on this application. It should also be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process 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.

[0151] In this application embodiment, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, refers to "singular nouns or plural nouns," that is, "one or more." "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "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 means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0152] Furthermore, the term "comprising" and any variations thereof used in the description of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the steps or units listed, but may optionally include other steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0153] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of the words "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0154] The methods and apparatus provided in this application are based on the same or similar technical concepts. Since the methods and apparatus solve problems in similar ways, the implementation of the apparatus and methods can refer to each other, and repeated parts will not be described again.

[0155] Figures 1-3 illustrate the system architecture provided in the embodiments of this application. As shown in Figures 1-3, it includes at least one of the following: user equipment (UE), radio access network (RAN), user plane function (UPF), core access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), edge application server (EAS), or application server (AS).

[0156] UE, also known as terminal equipment, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device, etc., can be a device that provides voice / data connectivity to users, such as a handheld device or vehicle-mounted device with wireless connectivity. Currently, examples of terminal devices include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks, or future public land mobile communication networks. This application does not limit the terminal devices in the network (PLMN), or UE 301 can be the communication chip in these terminal devices.

[0157] RAN can be a device that communicates with UE. RAN can also be called access network equipment or radio access network equipment. It can be a transmission reception point (TRP), an evolved Node B (eNB), a radio network controller (RNC), a Node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (e.g., home evolved Node B, or home Node B (HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), an access point (AP), a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission point (TP), a reception point (RP), or a transmission and reception point (TRP) in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, etc. It can also be a network device in a 5G mobile communication system or a network device in other future network systems. For example, a next-generation NodeB (gNB) or transmission reception point (TRP) in an NR system; or one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G mobile communication system; or, network equipment 110 may also be a network node constituting a gNB or transmission point. For example, a BBU or distributed unit (DU), etc.

[0158] In some deployments, the RAN may include centralized units (CUs) and distributed units (DUs). Network device 110 may also include active antenna units (AAUs). CUs implement some of the functions of the gNB, and DUs implement some of the functions of the gNB. For example, the CU is responsible for handling non-real-time protocols and services, implementing the functions of the radio resource control (RRC) layer. The DU is responsible for handling physical layer protocols and real-time services, implementing the functions of the radio link control (RLC), media access control (MAC), and physical (PHY) layers. In some deployments, the CU may also be divided into centralized unit control plane (CU-CP) nodes and centralized unit user plane (CU-UP) nodes. The CU-CP is responsible for control plane functions, and the CU-UP is responsible for user plane functions. For example, the CU-CP and CU-UP can be implemented by different functional entities and connected via an E1 interface. The CU-CP and CU-UP can be coupled with the DU to jointly complete the functions of the base station. The CU control plane CU-CP also includes a further segmented architecture, namely, further segmenting the existing CU-CP into CU-CP1 and CU-CP2. CU-CP1 includes various radio resource management functions, while CU-CP2 only includes radio resource control (RRC) functions and PDCP-C functions (i.e., the basic functions of control plane signaling at the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer).

[0159] User plane network elements (UPFs) are primarily used for user plane service processing, such as service routing, forwarding, billing, quality of service (QoS) mapping and enforcement, uplink identification and routing to the data network, downlink packet buffering and notification triggering of downlink data arrival, and connection to external data networks. UPFs can also be called user plane network elements or user plane devices, and may have other names in future communication systems; this application does not limit the specific name.

[0160] The Access Management Function (AMF) is primarily used for mobility management and access management. It can be used to implement functions of the Mobility Management Entity (MME) other than session management, such as lawful interception, access authorization (or authentication), UE registration, mobility management, tracking area update procedures, reachability detection, selection of session management network elements, and mobility state transition management. The AMF can also be called an Access and Mobility Management Function, Access and Mobility Management Device, Access and Mobility Management Network Element, Access Management Device, Mobility Management Device, etc. In future communication systems, the AMF 105 may have other names. The name of the network element with UE mobility management functions in this application embodiment is not limited.

[0161] The Session Management Function (SMF) is responsible for selecting or reselecting the UPF (User Pointer), as well as managing session-related services such as session establishment, release, IP address allocation, session creation, modification, release, and Quality of Service (QoS) control. The SMF can also be called a session management function, session management device, session management function network element, or session management network element. In future communication systems, the SMF may have other names; the name of the network element with session management functions in this application embodiment is not limited.

[0162] AS is responsible for providing application data to UE.

[0163] EAS is deployed on servers located close to UPF or RAN, which can save latency in transmitting business data.

[0164] In the system architectures shown in Figures 1-3, the EAS is deployed on a mobile edge computing (MEC) platform. In Figure 1, the EAS is deployed behind the local UPF, physically within a convergence room. Therefore, the transmission latency for exchanging service data between the EAS and the UE is relatively low. The difference between Figures 1, 2, and 3 is that in Figure 1, the EAS is deployed after the local UPF, and there is no peer reference point (also called a peer protocol layer or peer interface) between the UE and the UPF. In Figure 2, the EAS is deployed directly after the RAN, without going through the UPF. In Figure 3, the EAS is deployed after the local UPF, and there is a direct reference point between the UE and the UPF. This means that there is a peer protocol layer between the UE and the UPF, allowing the UPF to parse signaling or data from the UE based on the protocol layer.

[0165] It should be noted that the names of the various network elements (such as UE, RAN, UPF, AMF, SMF, EAS, and AS) included in Figures 1-3 are merely names and do not limit the function of the network element itself. In future networks, the aforementioned network elements may also have other names, and this application embodiment does not specifically limit this. For example, in a 6G network, some or all of the aforementioned network elements may use the above terminology, or they may have other names, etc. This is explained uniformly here and will not be repeated below.

[0166] It should be noted that the network elements in Figures 1-3 do not necessarily need to exist simultaneously; the required network elements can be determined based on needs. The connection relationships between the network elements in Figure 1 are also not uniquely defined and can be adjusted according to requirements.

[0167] The system architecture shown in Figures 1-3 can be applied to 4G, 5G, 6G or future communication systems, and the embodiments of this application are not limited to this.

[0168] The terminology used in the embodiments of this application is explained below.

[0169] A computing service, also known as a computing power service, is an independent application process that implements a set of or a specific set of computing functions to solve a specific problem. Computing services communicate using a lightweight application programming interface (API) through well-defined interfaces. Generally, one computing service can correspond to one or more computing power functions providing the same functionality; that is, multiple different computing power functions implement the same function and can provide the same computing power service. A computing service can include one or more computing tasks. Typically, the functionality implemented by a computing power function can be encapsulated as a service and provided to external entities for invocation through an API.

[0170] A computational task, also known as a computing power task, involves executing a computing power function call (invoke) or a computing power service to obtain a result, thus completing a business logic transaction. For example, in video transcoding of specified data, for a single video segment or bitmap, a computing power function call or service can be executed, using that video segment or bitmap as input, until the computing power function or service completes the transcoded segment or bitmap. This is called a computational task. Processing the next different video segment or bitmap requires executing a new computational task, i.e., calling or executing the computing power function or service again. In other words, different calls / executions of computing power functions or services are called different computational tasks. The same computing power function or computing logic can be executed multiple times; the inputs may be the same or different, and the outputs may also be the same or different.

[0171] During the process of a terminal device acquiring a computing task, if the terminal device needs to switch the access network device serving the terminal device, it will result in a relatively large latency for the computing task. This is especially true when the duration of a computing task is short; the impact of switching the access network device serving the terminal device is significant. For example, if switching the access network device serving the terminal device takes 60ms, and the duration of the computing task is 50ms, 100ms, or 200ms, then the 60ms switching time will have a significant impact on the computing task, severely affecting the user experience. For example, short-duration computing services can be termed bursty data services.

[0172] In this embodiment, the first access network device can obtain the first state of the first computing task. If the switching trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met, and the first state of the first computing task is in progress, the switching of the access network device serving the terminal device can be delayed to avoid interruption of the first computing task, thus improving user experience. This is especially beneficial for improving user experience for first computing tasks with short durations. If the first state of the first computing task is completed or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected, the access network device serving the terminal device can be switched, thus avoiding interruption of the first computing task and improving user experience. This is especially beneficial for improving user experience for first computing tasks with short durations, switching the access network device serving the terminal device after the first computing task ends or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected.

[0173] The communication method in the embodiments of this application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in Figure 4, the communication method 400 includes:

[0174] S410, the first access network device obtains the first state of the first computing task of the terminal device.

[0175] The first access network device can be the access network device that currently serves the terminal device, that is, the access network device that the terminal is currently accessing or attaching to.

[0176] Optionally, the first computing service includes at least one computing task, and the at least one computing task includes the first computing task, that is, at least one computing task may correspond to the first computing service.

[0177] Optionally, the first state of the first computing task can be in progress, completed, the connection to the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected, or started. Here, "started" indicates that the first computing task is in progress; therefore, "started" can be replaced with "in progress."

[0178] Optionally, the duration of the first computation task is less than a preset time, for example, the preset time can be 100ms, and the first computation task can be a data burst type of business.

[0179] Optionally, the first access network device may obtain the first state of the first computing task of the terminal device through at least one of the following five methods.

[0180] In Method 1, the first access network device sends a first subscription message to the session management function network element. The session management function network element receives the first subscription message from the first access network device. The first subscription message is used to subscribe to the status of the first computing task. The session management function network element sends a response message to the first access network device for the first subscription message. The response message for the first subscription message includes the first status of the first computing task. In this way, the first access network device can obtain the first status of the first computing task from the response message of the first subscription message.

[0181] Optionally, before the session management function network element sends a response message to the first access network device for the first subscription message, the session management function network element may send a second subscription message to the edge server. The second subscription message is used to subscribe to the status of the first computing task. The edge server sends a response message to the session management function network element for the second subscription message. The response message for the second subscription message includes the first status of the first computing task. That is, the session management function network element may first subscribe to the edge server to obtain the first status of the first computing task, and then, after receiving the first subscription message from the first access network device, send the subscribed first status of the first computing task to the first access network device. Optionally, there are no restrictions on the order in which the session management function network element sends the second subscription message to the edge server and receives the first subscription message from the first access network device. The session management function network element can send the second subscription message to the edge server before receiving the first subscription message from the first access network device. That is, the session management function network element can subscribe to the edge server to obtain the first state of the first computing task. After receiving the first subscription message from the first access network device, the session management function network element can send the subscribed first state of the first computing task to the first access network device. Alternatively, the session management function network element can send the second subscription message to the edge server after receiving the first subscription message from the first access network device. That is, after receiving the first subscription message from the first access network device, the session management function network element can be triggered to send the second subscription message to the edge server. After receiving the response message of the second subscription message from the edge server, the session management function network element can obtain the first state of the first computing task from the response message of the second subscription message and send the first state of the first computing task along with the response message of the first subscription message to the first access network device.

[0182] Optionally, before the session management function network element can send the second subscription message to the edge server, the session management function network element can obtain the address of the edge server. Sending the second subscription message to the edge server includes: the session management function network element can send the second subscription message to the edge server based on the edge server's address. Optionally, the session management function network element obtaining the edge server's address includes: the session management function network element sending a detection configuration message to the user plane function network element. This detection configuration message configures the user plane function network element to detect and report the address of the edge server for the first computing task. The user plane function network element detects the address of the edge server for the first computing task based on the detection configuration message and sends the address of the edge server for the first computing task to the session management function network element. Optionally, the user plane function network element can also receive data packets of the first computing task between the terminal device and the edge server. Detecting the address of the edge server for the first computing task based on the detection configuration message includes: the user plane function network element can detect the data packets based on the detection configuration message and obtain the address of the edge server for the first computing task from the data packets. Optionally, the session management function network element obtains the address of the edge server, including: the session management function network element can detect the Domain Name System (DNS) request message sent to the terminal device and obtain the address of the edge server in the DNS response message.

[0183] Optionally, Method 1 is applicable to the system architecture of Figure 1 or Figure 3, where the first access network device is the RAN of Figure 1 or Figure 3, the user plane function network element can be the UPF in Figure 1 or Figure 3, the session management function network element can be the SMF in Figure 1 or Figure 3, and the edge server can be the EAS in Figure 1 or Figure 3.

[0184] Optionally, the first subscription message includes at least one of the following: an identifier of the first computing task, an identifier of the terminal device, an identifier of the protocol data unit (PDU) session of the first computing task, or an identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs. This allows the edge server to determine, based on the identifier of the first computing task, that the session management function network element needs to subscribe to the state of the first computing task; alternatively, the edge server can determine, based on the identifier of the terminal device, that the session management function network element needs to subscribe to the state of the first computing task of that terminal device; alternatively, the edge server can determine, based on the identifier of the first PDU session, that the session management function network element is subscribing to the state of the first computing task on the PDU session identified by the first PDU session identifier; or alternatively, the edge server can determine, based on the identifier of the first computing service, that the session management function network element is subscribing to the state of the first computing task of the first computing service. Optionally, the second subscription message may also include at least one of the following: the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the terminal device, the identifier of the PDU session of the first computing task, or the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs. In this way, the edge server can determine that the session management function network element needs to subscribe to the state of the first computing task based on the identifier of the first computing task in the second subscription message, or determine that the session management function network element needs to subscribe to the state of the first computing task of the terminal device based on the identifier of the terminal device in the second subscription message, or determine that the session management function network element subscribes to the state of the first computing task on the PDU session based on the identifier of the PDU session of the first computing task in the second subscription message, or determine that the session management function network element subscribes to the state of the first task of the first computing service based on the identifier of the first computing service in the second subscription message.

[0185] Method 2: The first access network device sends a first subscription message to the edge server, and the edge server receives the first subscription message from the first access network device. The first subscription message is used to subscribe to the status of the first computing task. The edge server sends a response message to the first access network device for the first subscription message. The response message for the first subscription message includes the first status of the first computing task. In this way, the first access network device can obtain the first status of the first computing task from the response message of the first subscription message.

[0186] Optionally, before the first access network device sends the first subscription message to the edge server, the first access network device may obtain the address of the edge server, and the first access network device may send the first subscription message to the edge server based on the address of the edge server. Optionally, the first access network device may obtain the address of the edge server, including: the first access network device may detect DNS request messages and obtain the address of the EAS from the DNS request messages. Optionally, the first access network device may obtain the address of the edge server, including: the first access network device may obtain the address of the edge server during the establishment of a PDU session.

[0187] Optionally, the first access network device can obtain the address of the edge server, including: the first access network device can receive the first uplink data packet sent by the terminal device, the first access network device can route the first data packet to the edge server according to the routing rules, and obtain the address of the edge server.

[0188] Optionally, the first access network device can obtain the address of the edge server, including: the first access network device can receive the first uplink data packet sent by the terminal device, and the first access network device can obtain the address of the edge server in the first data packet.

[0189] Optionally, Method 2 is applicable to the system architecture shown in Figure 2, where the first access network device is the RAN in Figure 2, and the edge server can be the EAS in Figure 2.

[0190] Optionally, the first subscription message includes at least one of the following: an identifier of the first computing task, an identifier of the terminal device, an identifier of the PDU session of the first computing task, or an identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs. This allows the edge server to determine, based on the identifier of the first computing task, that the first access network device needs to subscribe to the state of the first computing task; alternatively, the edge server can determine, based on the identifier of the terminal device, that the first access network device needs to subscribe to the state of the first computing task of that terminal device; alternatively, the edge server can determine, based on the identifier of the first PDU session, that the first access network device is subscribing to the state of the first computing task on the PDU session identified by the first PDU session identifier; or alternatively, the edge server can determine, based on the identifier of the first computing service, that the first access network device is subscribing to the state of the first computing task of the first computing service.

[0191] Method 3: The first access network device can send a first subscription message to the user plane function network element (MPF element). The MPF element receives the first subscription message from the first access network device. The first subscription message is used to subscribe to the status of the first computing task. The MPF element sends a response message to the first access network device for the first subscription message. The response message includes the first status of the first computing task, so the first access network device can obtain the first status of the first computing task from the response message. Optionally, before the MPF element sends the response message to the first access network device, the MPF element can obtain the first status of the first computing task from an edge server. For example, the header of the data packet from the edge server can include the first status of the first computing task, so the MPF element can obtain the status of the first computing task from the header of the data packet.

[0192] Optionally, Method 3 is applicable to the system architecture of Figure 1 or Figure 3, where the first access network device is the RAN of Figure 1 or Figure 3, the user plane function network element can be the UPF in Figure 1 or Figure 3, and the edge server can be the EAS of Figure 1 or Figure 3.

[0193] Optionally, the first subscription message includes at least one of the following: an identifier of the first computing task, an identifier of the terminal device, an identifier of the PDU session of the first computing task, or an identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs. This allows the user plane function network element to determine, based on the identifier of the first computing task, that the first access network device needs to subscribe to the state of the first computing task; alternatively, the user plane function network element can determine, based on the identifier of the terminal device, that the first access network device needs to subscribe to the state of the first computing task of that terminal device; alternatively, the user plane function network element can determine, based on the identifier of the first PDU session, that the first access network device is subscribing to the state of the first computing task on the PDU session identified by the first PDU session identifier; or alternatively, the user plane function network element can determine, based on the identifier of the first computing service, that the first access network device is subscribing to the state of the first computing task of the first computing service.

[0194] Optionally, in some cases, among the three methods mentioned above, the first access network device can send a first subscription message once, receive a response message to the first subscription message once, and obtain the first status of the first computing task in the response message to the first subscription message. Taking method two as an example, the first access network device sends a first subscription message to the edge server once. When the edge server determines that the first computing task has started, it sends a response message to the first access network device. The response message to the first subscription message may include the first status of the first computing task being "started". The first access network device can continue to send subscription messages to the edge server. When the edge server determines that the first computing task is in the state of completion, it can return a response message to the first access network device. This response message can include the first computing task's first state as completion. In other cases, the first access network device can send a first subscription message once and receive multiple response messages. It can then obtain the first state of the first computing task from these multiple response messages. In other words, when the first state of the first computing task changes, the first access network device can obtain the changed first state of the first computing task from the response message of the first subscription message. For example, in method two, the first access network device sends a first subscription message to the edge server once. When the edge server determines that the first computing task has started, it sends a response message to the first access network device. This response message can include the first state of the first computing task as start. When the edge server determines that the first computing task has ended, it sends a response message to the first access network device. This response message can include the first state of the first computing task as completion. Thus, the first access network device can obtain both states of the first computing task through a single subscription.

[0195] Method 4: The terminal device can send the first status of the first computing task to the first access network device, and the first access network device can obtain the first status of the first computing task from the terminal device. Optionally, the first access network device can also be configured to allow the terminal device to report the first status of the first computing task. Specifically, after the first computing task starts, the terminal device can send first information to the first access network device. The first information can indicate that the first computing task has started, and the first access network device can determine that the first computing task has started based on the first information. For example, the message used by the RRC layer or MAC layer to request the scheduling of the first computing task may include the first information. If the first access network device accepts the first computing task requested by the terminal device, then the first access network device determines that the first computing task has started. When the first computing task ends or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected, the terminal device can send second information to the first access network device. The second information is used to indicate that the first computing task has ended or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected, and the first access network device can determine that the first status of the first computing task is ended or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected based on the second information. Optionally, the terminal device, including the APP, can detect the end of the first computing task after the last data packet is received. The APP then triggers the terminal device's communication module to send second information, indicating that the first computing task's first state is complete. When the terminal device's APP initiates a connection release request to the first computing service, or detects a transport layer or application layer connection disconnection message, it determines that the first computing service connection is broken. The APP then triggers the terminal device's communication module to send second information, indicating that the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected.

[0196] Method 5: The first access network device can determine the first state of the first computing task based on whether it receives the first indication information from the user plane function network element. Optionally, if the first access network device does not receive the first indication information from the user plane function network element, it indicates that the first computing task has not yet ended, and the first state of the first computing task is in progress; if the first access network device receives the first indication information from the user plane function network element, it indicates that the first computing task has ended, and the first access network device can determine the first state of the first computing task as ended based on the first indication information. The first indication information can indicate that the first computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended, and the first computing task can be the last computing task of at least one computing task between the terminal device and the edge server. In other words, the user plane function network element can detect whether the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended. If the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended, the user plane function network element can send the first indication information to the first access network device. Optionally, after each computing task between the terminal device and the edge server ends, the last data packet of each computing task may include an end indication, indicating that the computing task has ended. The user plane function network element can learn the number of computing tasks between the terminal device and the edge server during the establishment of the PDU session, for example, if the number is N. After detecting the end indication included in the last data packet of each of the N computing tasks between the terminal device and the edge server, the user plane function network element can determine that the last computing task has ended. Optionally, the edge server can send the end indication of the last data packet of the last computing task (e.g., including the last data packet number of the last computing task) to the user plane function network element, and the user plane function network element can determine that the last computing task has ended based on the indication from the edge server. Optionally, when the connection of the first computing task terminates at the user plane function network element, the user plane function network element can determine that the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended based on receiving a connection release request from the terminal device or by initiating a connection release itself. Optionally, if a user plane function network element does not interact with the terminal device for a long time, the user plane function network element can release the connection (without sending a connection release request to the terminal device). In this case, the user plane function network element can determine that the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended.

[0197] Optionally, before the first access network device can determine the first state of the first computing task based on whether it has received the first indication information from the user plane function network element, the session management function network element can send a fourth indication information to the first access network device. The first access network device receives the fourth indication information from the session management function network element. The fourth indication information is used to trigger the first access network device to determine the first state of the first computing task based on whether it has received the first indication information from the user plane function network element.

[0198] Optionally, the first access network device receives first indication information from the user plane function network element, including: the first access network device receives a first data packet from the user plane function network element, the first data packet including the first indication information. Optionally, the header of the first data packet includes the first indication information. Optionally, the payload of the first data packet is the payload of the last data packet of the first computing task from the edge server. For example, Figure 5 shows the format of the first data packet, which consists of a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) tunneling protocol-userplane (GTP-U) header extension and a payload. GPRS is short for General Packet Radio Service. The service data in the payload of the first data packet can be the service data included in the payload of the last data packet of the first computing task, and the GTP-U header extension of the first data packet can include the first indication information. Optionally, the payload of the first data packet is empty. For example, Figure 6 shows the format of the first data packet. The first data packet consists of a GTP-U header extension and a payload. The GTP-U header extension may include first indication information. The payload of the first data packet may be empty (null) or padding content from the user plane function network element. That is, after the user plane function network element determines that the last data packet from the edge server has been sent, the user plane function network element can send the first indication information to the first access network device through the header of the first data packet.

[0199] Optionally, the first access network device can determine the first state of the first computing task based on the third indication information received from the user plane function network element. The third indication information can indicate whether the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended. For example, if the user plane function network element determines that the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has not yet ended, the third indication information sent by the user plane function network element to the first access network device is used to indicate that the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has not yet ended. For example, if the last computing task is the first computing task, the first access network device determines the first state of the first computing task as in progress based on the third indication information. If the user plane function network element determines that the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended, the third indication information sent by the user plane function network element to the first access network device is used to indicate that the last computing task after the terminal device and the edge server has ended. For example, if the last computing task is the first computing task, the first access network device determines the first state of the first computing task as ended based on the third indication information.

[0200] Optionally, Method 5 is applicable to the system architecture of Figure 1 or Figure 3, where the first access network device is the RAN of Figure 1 or Figure 3, the user plane function network element can be the UPF in Figure 1 or Figure 3, the session management function network element can be the SMF in Figure 3, and the edge server can be the EAS in Figure 1 or Figure 3.

[0201] S420, if the handover triggering condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met, and if the first state of the first computing task is in progress, then the handover service terminal device's access network device is delayed.

[0202] Optionally, the terminal device may send a second measurement report to the first access network device. The first access network device can determine whether the handover triggering conditions for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device are met based on the second measurement report. Optionally, the second measurement report may include measurement events. The first access network device can determine whether the handover triggering conditions for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device are met based on the measurement events included in the second measurement report. The access network device to which the source cell belongs is the first access network device. For example, the measurement events included in the second measurement report are that the RSRP of the source cell (serving cell) is less than a third RSRP threshold, and at least one candidate cell has an RSRP greater than the second RSRP threshold, while the third RSRP threshold is less than the second RSRP threshold. If this candidate cell belongs to a cell managed by the second access network device, then the first access network device can determine whether the handover triggering conditions for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device are met based on the measurement events. For example, if the measurement event included in the second test report is that the difference between the RSRP of a candidate cell and the RSRP of the source cell (serving cell) is greater than the second RSRP threshold, and the candidate cell belongs to the cell managed by the second access network device, then the first access network device can determine the handover triggering condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device based on the measurement event. The handover triggering condition can also be other conditions, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0203] The access network equipment for delayed handover service terminal equipment will be discussed in two scenarios below.

[0204] Scenario 1, delaying the handover of the serving terminal device's access network equipment, includes: a first access network equipment sending a Media Access Control (MAC) message to the terminal device to switch the serving terminal device's access network equipment from the first access network equipment to the second access network equipment. This means the terminal device can switch from the MAC layer of the first access network equipment to the MAC layer of the second access network equipment based on the MAC message, completing the Layer 2 / Layer 1 handover. Optionally, delaying the handover of the serving terminal device's access network equipment includes: delaying the sending of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message to the terminal device to switch the serving terminal device's access network equipment from the first access network equipment to the second access network equipment. This allows the terminal device to delay switching from the first access network equipment to the second access network equipment based on the RRC message. In other words, since the latency of switching the serving terminal device's MAC layer access network equipment is less than the latency of switching the serving terminal device's RRC layer access network equipment, when a handover of the serving terminal device's access network equipment is necessary, and the first computing task is currently in progress, the Layer 2 / Layer 1 handover mechanism can be selected, thereby reducing the impact of the handover on the service interruption of the first computing task and helping to improve the user experience.

[0205] Optionally, in Scenario 1, the access network equipment for delayed handover of the serving terminal device includes: access network equipment that uses Layer 1 or Layer 2 technology to handover the serving terminal device. Layer 1 is the physical layer, Layer 2 is the MAC layer, and Layer 3 can be the RRC layer. Access network equipment that uses Layer 1 or Layer 2 technology to handover the serving terminal device has lower latency. Therefore, when it is necessary to handover the serving terminal device to the access network equipment, a Layer 2 / Layer 1 handover mechanism can be selected, thereby reducing the impact of handover on the service interruption of the primary computing task and helping to improve the user experience.

[0206] Scenario 2 involves delaying the handover of the access network device for the serving terminal device. This includes switching the access network device for the serving terminal device from the first access network device to the second access network device if the first state of the first computing task is "completed" or the connection to the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected. In other words, if the handover trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from one access network device to the second access network device is met, and the first state of the first computing task is "in progress," then the handover of the access network device for the serving terminal device can be temporarily delayed. The first access network device can continue to acquire the first state of the first computing task. When the first state of the first computing task is "completed" or the connection to the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected, switching the access network device for the serving terminal device will not cause an interruption to the first computing task. Therefore, the access network device for the serving terminal device can be switched from the first access network device to the second access network device.

[0207] Optionally, after S420, the communication method further includes: the first access network device sending first measurement configuration information to the terminal device, the first measurement configuration information being used to indicate a first threshold value, the first threshold value being used by the terminal device to report a first measurement report after receiving the first measurement configuration information, the first threshold value being greater than a second threshold value, the second threshold value being used by the terminal device to report a second measurement report before receiving the first measurement configuration information, and the first access network device determining, based on the second measurement report reported by the terminal device before receiving the first measurement configuration information, the handover triggering condition in S420 that satisfies the terminal device's handover from the first access network device to the second access network device. In other words, prior to S420, the terminal device could report a second measurement report based on a second threshold value. When the first access network device determines, based on the second measurement report, that the handover triggering conditions for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device are met, and the first state of the first calculation task is in progress, the first access network device determines that the access network device serving the terminal device needs to delay the handover. The terminal device does not need to report measurement reports frequently. Therefore, a relatively high first threshold value can be configured for the terminal device through the first measurement configuration information. This reduces the frequency of measurement report reporting by the terminal device based on the first threshold value, thus saving signaling overhead. Optionally, the first measurement configuration information can also indicate other parameters, such as parameters corresponding to the measurement event, the duration of the measurement event, or the type of reference signal being measured.

[0208] Optionally, the first threshold value can be a first reference signal receiving power (RSRP) threshold value, and the second threshold value can be a second RSRP threshold value. The first RSRP threshold value is greater than the second RSRP threshold value. Before S420, the terminal device can measure RSRP. If the measured RSRP is greater than the second RSRP threshold value, the terminal device can report a measurement report. After S420, if the measured RSRP is greater than the first RSRP threshold value, the terminal device reports a measurement report. Since the first RSRP threshold value is greater than the second RSRP threshold value, the frequency of measurement report reporting by the terminal device can be reduced after S420. Optionally, the first and second threshold values ​​can also be at least one of the following threshold values: received signal strength indicator (RSSI), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), etc.

[0209] In the above scheme, the first access network device can obtain the first state of the first computing task. If the switching trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met, and the first state of the first computing task is in progress, the switching of the access network device serving the terminal device can be delayed to avoid interruption of the first computing task, which can improve the user experience. This is especially beneficial for the user experience of the first computing task with a relatively short duration. If the first state of the first computing task is completed or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected, the access network device serving the terminal device can be switched. This can avoid interruption of the first computing task and improve the user experience. This is especially beneficial for the user experience of the first computing task with a relatively short duration. Switching the access network device serving the terminal device after the first computing task ends or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected can further improve the user experience.

[0210] Figure 7 illustrates another communication method 700 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 7, the communication method 700 includes:

[0211] S710, the user plane function network element determines whether the first computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended, the first computing task being the last computing task of at least one computing task between the terminal device and the edge server.

[0212] Optionally, after each computing task between the terminal device and the edge server ends, the last data packet of each computing task may include an end indication, indicating that the computing task has ended. The user plane function network element can learn the number of computing tasks between the terminal device and the edge server during the establishment of the PDU session, for example, if the number is N. The user plane function network element can determine that the first computing task has ended after detecting the end indication included in the last data packet of each of the N computing tasks between the terminal device and the edge server; otherwise, the first computing task has not ended. Optionally, the edge server can send an end indication (e.g., including the last data packet number of the last computing task) of the last data packet of the last computing task to the user plane function network element, and the user plane function network element can determine that the last computing task has ended based on the indication from the edge server. Optionally, when the connection of the first computing task terminates at the user plane function network element, the user plane function network element can determine that the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended based on receiving a connection release request from the terminal device or by initiating a connection release itself. Optionally, if a user plane function network element does not interact with the terminal device for a long time, the user plane function network element can release the connection (without sending a connection release request to the terminal device). In this case, the user plane function network element can determine that the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended.

[0213] S720, if the handover triggering condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met, and the first access network device does not receive the first indication information, the handover service terminal device is delayed. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended.

[0214] Optionally, the terminal device can send a second measurement report to the first access network device. The first access network device can determine whether the handover triggering conditions for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device are met based on the second measurement report. For example, if the access network device to which the source cell belongs is the first access network device, and the second measurement report includes the RSRP of the source cell of the terminal device and the RSRP of at least one candidate cell, if the first access network device determines that the RSRP of the source cell is less than the RSRP threshold, and that among the at least one candidate cell, there is a candidate cell whose RSRP is greater than the RSRP threshold, and that candidate cell belongs to a cell managed by the second access network device, then the first access network device can determine that the handover triggering conditions for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device are met. The handover triggering conditions can also be other conditions, and this embodiment does not limit them.

[0215] S730, if the user plane function network element determines that the first computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended, it can send a first indication information to the first access network device. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended.

[0216] Optionally, the user plane function network element may send first indication information to the first access network device, including: the user plane function network element sending a first data packet to the first access network device, the first data packet including the first indication information. Optionally, the payload of the first data packet is the payload of the last data packet from the first computing task of the edge server; for example, the format of the first data packet is shown in Figure 5. Optionally, the payload of the first data packet is empty; for example, the format of the first data packet is shown in Figure 6.

[0217] Optionally, if the user plane function network element determines that the first computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has not been completed, it may not send the first indication information.

[0218] Optionally, the delayed handover of the service terminal device in S720 includes: S740, if the first access network device receives the first indication information, then the access network device of the service terminal device is switched from the first access network device to the second access network device. That is, if the first access network device does not receive the first indication information in S720, it indicates that the last computational task between the terminal device and the edge server has not yet ended; therefore, the handover of the service terminal device's access network device is temporarily delayed. As the transmission between the terminal device and the edge server proceeds, and the last data packet transmission of the last computational task between the terminal device and the edge server ends, in S740, if the first access network device receives the first indication information, then the access network device of the service terminal device can be switched from the first access network device to the second access network device.

[0219] In the aforementioned communication method 700, if the first access network device does not receive the first indication information, it indicates that the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has not yet ended. If the switching trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met, the switching of the service terminal device's access network device can be delayed, which can improve the user experience. If the first access network device receives the first indication information, it indicates that the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended. The first access network device can then switch the terminal device's access network device from the first access network device to the second access network device, avoiding the problem of computing task interruption caused by the switching of the service terminal device's access network device before the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended, which can also improve the user experience.

[0220] Figure 8 illustrates another communication method 800 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8, the communication method 800 includes:

[0221] S810, the terminal device sends a first request message to the first access network device, and the first access network device receives the first request message from the terminal device. The first request message is used to request a first computing task.

[0222] The first access network device can be the access network device of the source cell to which the terminal device accesses (or attaches).

[0223] Optionally, the first request message is specifically used to request the scheduling of the first computing task. That is, the terminal device can use the first request message to request the first access network device to allocate resources for the terminal device's first computing task.

[0224] Optionally, the first computing service includes at least one computing task, and the at least one computing task includes the first computing task, that is, at least one computing task may correspond to the first computing service.

[0225] S820, if the access network device is currently in the process of switching the serving terminal device or after a first time period, the first access network device sends a response message to the terminal device for the first request message. The response message to the first request message is used to reject the first computing task requested by the terminal device.

[0226] Optionally, the access network device currently in the process of switching service terminal devices can be: currently sending a message for switching service terminal devices, for example, the message can be a handover command message or a MAC handover message.

[0227] Optionally, the access network device that switches the serving terminal device after the first duration can be: Before S720, the first access network device can receive a measurement report sent by the terminal device. Based on the measurement report sent by the terminal device, the first access network device can predict which first access network device might switch the serving terminal device after the first duration. For example, the serving access network device can determine that the terminal device will meet the switching conditions after the first duration based on the trend in the terminal device's measurement report, such as a decreasing signal quality strength.

[0228] Optionally, the access network device that switches the service terminal device after the first duration can be replaced with the access network device that is about to switch the service terminal device. That is, the event of switching the service terminal device is about to occur. Therefore, the first access network device can reject the first computing task requested by the terminal device to avoid the problem of interruption of the first computing task due to the transmission of the first computing task data during the process of switching the service terminal device.

[0229] Optionally, the response message of the first request message may include reason information. The reason information is used to indicate that the reason for rejecting the first computing task requested by the terminal device is that it is currently in the process of switching the access network device serving the terminal device or after a first period of time, so that the terminal device knows the reason why the first access network device rejects the first computing task requested by the terminal device. In this way, the terminal device will not immediately request the first computing task again, which can avoid signaling overhead.

[0230] Optionally, the response message to the first request message may include redirection information. This redirection information instructs the terminal device to request the first computing task again after a second duration. This allows the terminal device to request the first computing task again after the second duration, avoiding the problem of the terminal device being unable to determine when to request the first computing task again. For example, if the access network device is currently in the process of switching service to the terminal device, the first access network device can predict the time when the service to the terminal device will complete the switch. It can then determine the second duration based on the time from the current time to the time when the service to the terminal device completes the switch. The duration from the current time to the time when the service to the terminal device completes the switch must be less than or equal to the second duration. For example, if the duration from the current time to the time when the service to the terminal device completes the switch is 10ms, the second duration could be 10ms or 15ms, etc. For example, if the access network device that will switch the service terminal device after the first duration, then the second duration is greater than the first duration, or the second duration is greater than or equal to the first duration plus the duration required for the access network device to switch the service terminal device. For example, if the first duration is 30ms, and the first access network device predicts that the access network device that will switch the service terminal device after 30ms, or if the first access network device predicts that the access network device that will switch the service terminal device may need 50ms, then the second duration can be 90ms (>(30ms+50ms)). Therefore, the redirection information can instruct the terminal device to request the first computing task again after 90ms. Thus, the terminal device can request the first computing task again 90ms after receiving the redirection information.

[0231] In the aforementioned communication method 800, when a terminal device requests a first computing task from a first access network device, if the access network device is currently in the process of switching service to the terminal device or is about to switch service to the terminal device, the first access network device can refuse the first computing task requested by the terminal device, thus avoiding transmission interruption caused by transmitting data packets of the first computing task during the process of switching service to the terminal device. Furthermore, the first access network device can carry reason information and / or redirection information in the response message of the first request message. The terminal device can determine the reason why the first access network device refuses the first computing task requested by the terminal device based on the reason information, and the terminal device can request the first computing task again after determining a second duration based on the redirection information.

[0232] In other embodiments, after the user plane link for the first computing task between the terminal device and the edge server is established, the terminal device can request the first computing task from the edge server. If the edge server determines that it is currently in the process of switching the access network device serving the terminal device or is about to switch the access network device serving the terminal device, the edge server can refuse the first computing task requested by the terminal device. The following description is in conjunction with the communication method 900, as shown in FIG9. The communication method 900 includes:

[0233] S910, the terminal device sends a first request message to the edge server, and the edge server receives the first request message from the terminal device. The first request message is used to request a first computing task.

[0234] Optionally, the first request message is specifically used to request the edge server to send a data packet of the first computing task to the terminal device.

[0235] Optionally, the first computing service includes at least one computing task, and the at least one computing task includes the first computing task, that is, at least one computing task may correspond to the first computing service.

[0236] Optionally, the terminal device can directly send the first request message to the edge server, and the edge server can directly receive the first request message from the terminal device. Alternatively, the terminal device can send the first request message to the edge server through other network elements, and the edge server can receive the first request message from the terminal device through other network elements. For example, the other network elements can be at least one of a network opening function (LOF) network element, a session management function (SMF) network element, or a mobility management function (MMF) network element. For instance, the terminal device can send the first request message to a mobility management network element, the mobility management network element can send the first request message to a session management network element, the session management network element can send the first request message to a network opening function (LOF) network element, and the LSF network element can send the first request message to the edge server.

[0237] S920, if the current access network device is in the process of switching the service terminal device or the access network device is switching the service terminal device after a first time period, the edge server sends a response message to the first request message to the terminal device. The response message to the first request message is used to reject the first computing task requested by the terminal device.

[0238] Optionally, before S920, the edge server receives second indication information from the first access network device. This second indication information indicates whether the access network device is currently in the process of switching service terminal devices or is switching service terminal devices after a first time interval. After receiving the second indication information, the edge server can send a response message to the terminal device for the first request message. Optionally, there are no restrictions on the order in which the edge server receives the second indication information versus the order in which it receives the first request message. The edge server can receive the second indication information before receiving the first request message, and can reject the first computing task requested by the terminal device through the first request message based on the second indication information. Alternatively, if the edge server receives the second indication information after receiving the first request message but before executing S920, it can reject the first computing task requested by the terminal device through the first request message based on the second indication information. Or, if the edge server receives the second indication information at the same time as receiving the first request message but has not yet executed S920, it can reject the first computing task requested by the terminal device through the first request message based on the second indication information.

[0239] Optionally, before the edge server receives the second indication information, the edge server may subscribe to handover events from the first access network device serving the terminal device. For example, the edge server may send a third subscription message to the first access network device. The third subscription message is used to subscribe to the handover events of the terminal device. If the first access network device determines that it is currently in the process of handing over the access network device serving the terminal device or is about to hand over the access network device serving the terminal device, the first access network device may send a response message of the third subscription message to the edge server according to the third subscription message. The response message of the third subscription message includes the second indication information. Optionally, the third subscription message includes the identifier of the terminal device, and the response message of the third subscription message may also include the identifier of the terminal device.

[0240] Optionally, the third subscription message can also be used to subscribe to handover events and the corresponding handover types. The first access network device can send a response message to the edge server based on the third subscription message. The response message can include second indication information and the first handover type corresponding to the second indication information. For example, the second indication information is used to indicate the access network device of the handover service terminal device after a first duration, and the second indication information corresponds to the first handover type. For example, the first handover type may be Xn handover, N2 handover, cross-site handover, or cross-access ring handover. Among them, cross-site handover means that the first access network device and the second access network device are different base stations, the source cell accessed by the terminal device is a cell managed by the first access network device, and the target cell of the terminal device is a cell managed by the second access network device; cross-ring handover means that the MAC address or IP address of the first access network device and the second access network device are different.

[0241] Optionally, the third subscription message can also be used to subscribe to a handover event and the time corresponding to the handover event. The first access network device can send a response message of the third subscription message to the edge server according to the third subscription message. The response message of the third subscription message can include second indication information, which is used to indicate the time required for the access network device currently in the process of handover service terminal device and the access network device to complete the handover service terminal device.

[0242] Optionally, the response message of the first request message may include reason information. The reason information is used to indicate that the reason for rejecting the first computing task requested by the terminal device is that it is currently in the process of switching the access network device serving the terminal device or after a first period of time, so that the terminal device knows the reason why the first access network device rejects the first computing task requested by the terminal device. In this way, the terminal device will not immediately request the first computing task again, which can avoid signaling overhead.

[0243] Optionally, the response message to the first request message may include redirection information. This redirection information instructs the terminal device to request the first computing task again after a second duration. This allows the terminal device to request the first computing task again after the second duration, avoiding the problem of the terminal device being unable to determine when to request the first computing task again. For example, if the second indication information indicates that the access network device is currently in the process of switching services, the first access network device can predict the time when the access network device that has completed the switch can complete the switch. The first access network device can indicate the time when the access network device that has completed the switch to the edge server via the second indication information. The edge server can determine the second duration based on the time when the access network device that has completed the switch. For example, the edge server can determine that the duration between the current time and the time when the access network device that has completed the switch is less than or equal to the second duration. For instance, if the duration between the current time and the time when the access network device that has completed the switch is 10ms, the second duration could be 10ms or 15ms, etc. For example, if the second indication information indicates that the access network device serving the terminal device will be switched after the first duration, then the second duration is greater than the first duration, or the second duration is greater than or equal to the first duration plus the duration required for the access network device to switch the service terminal device. For example, if the first duration is 30ms, the first access network device predicts that the access network device serving the terminal device will be switched after 30ms, and the edge server predicts that the access network device to switch the service terminal device may need 50ms, then the second duration can be 90ms (>(30ms+50ms)). Therefore, the redirection information can instruct the terminal device to request the first computing task again after 90ms. Thus, the terminal device can request the first computing task again 90ms after receiving the redirection information. For example, if the second indication information indicates that the access network device will switch service terminal equipment after a first duration and that the access network device will switch service terminal equipment using the first handover type, the edge server can determine the second duration based on the first duration and the first handover type. If the second duration is greater than the sum of the first duration and the duration required by the first handover type, assuming the first handover type is an inter-site handover, which requires 60ms, and the first duration is 50ms, the second duration can be 120ms (>(50ms+60ms)). Since different handover types require different durations, the edge server can determine the duration required by the access network device to switch service terminal equipment using the first handover type based on the first handover type, and determine the second duration based on that duration and the first duration.

[0244] Optionally, the edge server can directly send a response message to the first request message to the terminal device, and the terminal device can directly receive the first request message from the edge server. Alternatively, the edge server can send a response message to the first request message to the terminal device through other network elements, and the terminal device can receive the response message from the first request message through other network elements. For example, the other network elements can be at least one of a network opening function (LOCF) element, a session management function (SMF) element, or a mobility management function (MMF) element. For instance, the edge server can send a response message to the LOCF element, the LOCF element can send a response message to the SMF element, the SMF element can send a response message to the MMF element, the MMF element can send a response message to the MMF element, and the MMF element can send a response message to the terminal device.

[0245] In the aforementioned communication method 900, when a terminal device requests a first computing task from an edge server, if the terminal device is currently in the process of switching access network devices or is about to switch access network devices, the edge server can refuse the first computing task requested by the terminal device. This avoids transmission interruption caused by transmitting data packets of the first computing task during the switching process. Furthermore, the edge server can carry reason information and / or redirection information in the response message to the first request message. The terminal device can determine the reason why the edge server refused the first computing task based on the reason information, and the terminal device can request the first computing task from the edge server again after determining a second time interval based on the redirection information.

[0246] It is understandable that the same terms in communication method 800 and communication method 900 may have different meanings. For example, the function of the first request message in communication method 800 may be different from that in communication method 900, and the function of the response message of the first request message in communication method 800 may be different from that in communication method 900.

[0247] To better understand the above communication method 400, the following description uses Figures 10-14 as examples. In Figures 10-14, the terminal device is the UE, the first access network device is the source xNB, the second access network device is the target xNB, the session management function network element is the SMF, the user plane function network element is the UPF, and the edge server is the EAS. The communication method 1000 shown in Figure 10 corresponds to mode one of communication method 300. Communication method 1000 can be applied to the system architecture shown in Figure 1. Figure 10 shows that communication method 1000 includes:

[0248] S1001, Establish or update a PDU session. The PDU session is used to serve the primary computing task.

[0249] Optionally, S1001 may include: the source xNB, AMF, SMF and UPF can establish or update PDU sessions.

[0250] Optionally, in some cases, the PDU session in S1001 can be a dedicated PDU session for the first computing task. Optionally, in other cases, the PDU session in S1001 can be a PDU session for multiple computing tasks. Optionally, the PDU session in S1001 can be a dedicated PDU session for the first computing service.

[0251] Optionally, the first computing service includes at least one computing task, and the at least one computing task includes the first computing task, such that the PDU session serving the first computing task can also be a PDU session serving the first computing task.

[0252] S1002, SMF sends a detection configuration message to UPF, and UPF receives the detection configuration message from SMF. The detection configuration message is used to configure the address of the edge server of the first computing task for the user plane function network element to detect and report the address of the edge server of the first computing task.

[0253] Optionally, the SMF can send the detection configuration message to the UPF after S1001, or it can send the detection configuration message to the UPF during the establishment of the PDU session in S1001.

[0254] Optionally, the detection configuration message may include the identifier of the first computing task and / or the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs. For example, the identifier of the first computing task may be the traffic description of the first computing task, which may be the uniform resource locator (URL) and / or internet protocol (IP) triple of the first computing task. Alternatively, the identifier of the first computing service may be the traffic description of the first computing service, which may be the URL and / or IP triple of the first computing service.

[0255] S1003, UPF sends an acknowledgment message to SMF, and SMF receives the acknowledgment message from UPF. The acknowledgment message is used to confirm that UPF has received the detection configuration message.

[0256] After S1002, the UPF can detect the EAS address based on the detection configuration message. Optionally, the UPF can detect the EAS address based on the detection configuration message by detecting data packets from the UE or data packets from the EAS, and obtaining the EAS address from the data packets, for example, obtaining the EAS address from the packet header.

[0257] S1004, UPF sends the EAS address to SMF, and SMF receives the EAS address from UPF.

[0258] For example, the address of EAS can be the IP address of EAS.

[0259] Optionally, in some cases, steps S1002-S1004 are optional. The SMF can obtain the EAS address in other ways, such as receiving a DNS request message sent by the UE and obtaining the EAS address from the DNS request message.

[0260] S1005, SMF sends a second subscription message to EAS according to EAS's address. EAS receives the second subscription message from SMF. The second subscription message is used to subscribe to the status of the first computing task.

[0261] Optionally, the second subscription message may include at least one of the following: the identifier of the UE, the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs, or the identifier of the PDU session. If the second subscription message includes the identifier of the first computing task, then the SMF indicates that the second subscription message subscribes to the state of the first computing task; if the second subscription message includes both the identifier of the UE and the identifier of the first computing task, then the SMF subscribes to the state of the first computing task of the UE; if the second subscription message includes both the identifier of the first computing service and the identifier of the first computing task, then the SMF subscribes to the identifier of the first computing task included in the first computing service; if the second subscription message includes the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the UE, and the identifier of the first computing task, then the SMF subscribes to the state of the first computing task included in the first computing service of the UE; if the second subscription message includes both the identifier of the PDU session and the identifier of the first computing task, then the SMF subscribes to the state of the first computing task on the PDU session; if the second subscription message includes the identifier of the PDU session, and the PDU session can be a dedicated session for the first computing task, then the SMF subscribes to the state of the first computing task on the PDU session.

[0262] S1006, EAS sends a response message for the second subscription message to SMF. The response message for the second subscription message includes the first status of the first computing task, which is in progress.

[0263] Optionally, the first state of the first computation task can also be "started". Here, "started" can be understood as "in progress".

[0264] Optionally, the response message to the second subscription message may also include at least one of the following: the identifier of the UE, the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs, or the identifier of the PDU session. Optionally, the identifier included in the response message to the second subscription message may be the same as the identifier included in the second subscription message.

[0265] Optionally, the communication method 1000 also includes:

[0266] S1007, the source xNB sends a first subscription message to the SMF, and the SMF receives the first subscription message from the source xNB. The first subscription message is used to subscribe to the status of the first computing task.

[0267] Optionally, the first subscription message may include at least one of the following: the identifier of the UE, the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs, or the identifier of the PDU session. If the first subscription message includes the identifier of the first computing task, the source xNB indicates that the first subscription message subscribes to the state of the first computing task; if the first subscription message includes both the identifier of the UE and the identifier of the first computing task, the source xNB indicates that it subscribes to the state of the UE's first computing task; if the first subscription message includes both the identifier of the first computing service and the identifier of the first computing task, the source xNB indicates that it subscribes to the identifier of the first computing task included in the first computing service; if the first subscription message includes the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the UE, and the identifier of the first computing task, the source xNB indicates that it subscribes to the state of the first computing task included in the UE's first computing service; if the first subscription message includes both the identifier of the PDU session and the identifier of the first computing task, the source xNB indicates that it subscribes to the state of the first computing task on the PDU session; if the first subscription message includes the identifier of the PDU session, and the PDU session can be a dedicated session for the first computing task, the source xNB indicates that it subscribes to the state of the first computing task on the PDU session.

[0268] S1008, SMF sends a response message for the first subscription message to the source xNB, and the source xNB receives the response message for the first subscription message from SMF. The response message for the first subscription message includes the first status of the first computing task.

[0269] Optionally, S1007 can be performed before S1005, i.e., after the SMF receives the first subscription message from the source xNB, it can send a second subscription message to the EAS based on the first subscription message. Alternatively, S1007 can trigger S1005. After the SMF receives the first subscription message, since the first subscription message subscribes to the state of the first computing task, but the SMF has not yet obtained the state of the first computing task, the SMF needs to send a second subscription message to the EAS to subscribe to the state of the first computing task. Therefore, after the SMF obtains the first state of the first computing task through S1006, it can carry the first state of the first computing task in the response message of the first subscription message in S1008 and send it to the source xNB. In this case, S1006 precedes S1008, meaning the execution order of S1005-S1008 can be S1007, S1005, S1006, S1008.

[0270] Optionally, S1005 and S1006 can precede S1007. In S1005, the SMF can send a second subscription message to the EAS. In S1006, the SMF receives a response message for the second subscription message from the EAS and obtains the first state of the first computing task from the response message. The SMF can save the first state of the first computing task. After the SMF receives the first subscription message from the source xNB, it can determine that the source xNB is subscribed to the state of the first computing task based on the first subscription message. Therefore, the SMF can send the saved first state of the first computing task to the source xNB in ​​S1008, carrying the response message of the first subscription message. That is, the execution order of S1005-S1008 can be S1005, S1006, S1007, S1008.

[0271] Optionally, S1005 can be before S1007, and S1006 can be after S1007. In S1005, after the SMF can send the second subscription message to the EAS, the SMF receives the first subscription message sent by the source xNB in ​​S1007. The SMF determines that the source xNB is subscribed to the first state of the first computing task based on the first subscription message. Since the SMF has already subscribed to the state of the first computing task from the EAS in S1005, when the SMF receives the response message of the second subscription message sent by the EAS in S1006, it can obtain the first state of the first computing task from the response message of the second subscription message. The SMF can carry the first state of the first computing task in the response message of the first subscription message and send it to the source xNB in ​​S1008.

[0272] Optionally, the response message to the first subscription message may also include at least one of the following: the identifier of the UE, the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs, or the identifier of the PDU session. Optionally, the identifier included in the response message to the first subscription message may be the same as the identifier included in the first subscription message.

[0273] S1009, if the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met, and if the first state of the first calculation task is in progress, then the source xNB delays the handover of the serving UE to the xNB.

[0274] Optionally, in S1009, if the source xNB determines, based on the second measurement report reported by the UE, that the handover triggering conditions for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB are met, and the first state of the first computing task is in progress, the xNB serving the UE may be temporarily not switched to avoid interruption of the first computing task. Only after S1011, when the source xNB learns that the first computing task has ended or the connection to the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected, can S1012 be executed.

[0275] Optionally, S1009 can be replaced by the following: If the source xNB determines, based on the second measurement report reported by the UE, that the handover triggering conditions for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB are met, and the first state of the first calculation task is in progress, the source xNB can use Layer 1 or Layer 2 technology to switch the serving UE's xNB, and delay using Layer 3 technology to switch the serving UE's xNB. In other words, in some scenarios where handover is necessary, because the latency required to switch the serving UE's xNB using Layer 1 or Layer 2 technology is relatively short, the source xNB can control the UE to use Layer 1 or Layer 2 technology to switch the serving UE's xNB, and temporarily not use Layer 3 technology to switch the serving UE's xNB.

[0276] S1010, the source xNB sends the first measurement configuration information to the UE, and the UE receives the first measurement configuration information from the source xNB. The first measurement configuration information is used to indicate the first threshold value.

[0277] Optionally, S1010 includes: the source xNB sending a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message to the UE, the RRC reconfiguration message including first measurement configuration information. After S1010, the communication method further includes: the UE sending an RRC reconfiguration complete message to the xNB.

[0278] Optionally, the communication method 1000 may also include:

[0279] S1011, the UE sends a first measurement report to the source xNB according to the first threshold value, and the source xNB can receive the first measurement report from the UE.

[0280] Optionally, the first threshold value is the threshold value for the UE to report the first measurement report after S1010. Before S1010, the UE can report the second measurement report based on the second threshold value. Since the first threshold value is greater than the second threshold value, the source xNB can determine in S1009, based on the second measurement report, that the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met. That is, when the source xNB determines that the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met based on the second measurement report, since the first state of the first calculation task is in progress, the source xNB determines to delay the handover of the xNB serving the UE. To avoid the UE reporting measurement reports too frequently, the source xNB can configure a relatively high first threshold value for the UE through the first measurement configuration information. This will reduce the frequency of the UE reporting measurement reports based on the first threshold value, thereby saving signaling overhead. For example, the first threshold is the first RSRP threshold value, and the second threshold is the second RSRP value. Before S1010, the UE can measure the RSRP of the source cell and the RSRP of at least one candidate cell. If the RSRP of the first candidate cell is greater than the second RSRP threshold value, the UE can send a second measurement report to the source xNB. The source xNB determines whether the handover triggering condition for switching the UE from the source xNB to the target xNB is met based on the second measurement report. The target xNB is the xNB to which the first candidate cell belongs. If the source xNB determines that the handover triggering condition for the UE to be handed over from the source xNB to the target xNB is met, when the first state of the first calculation task is in progress, the source xNB can send first measurement configuration information to the UE. The first measurement configuration information indicates a first RSRP threshold value. The UE can continue to measure the RSRP of the source cell and the RSRP of at least one candidate cell. If the RSRP of a second candidate cell in at least one candidate cell is greater than the first RSRP threshold value, the UE can send a first measurement report to the source xNB. Since the first RSRP is greater than the second RSRP, the frequency of reporting measurement reports will be reduced after the UE receives the first measurement configuration information, thus saving signaling overhead.

[0281] It is understandable that S1010 and S1011 are optional steps, and the source xNB may not send the first measurement configuration information to the UE. The UE can continue to report measurement reports based on the second threshold value.

[0282] If the first computing task ends or the connection to the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected, then S1012 can continue to be executed. That is, in S1005, the SMF sends a second subscription message to the EAS. After the EAS determines that the status of the first computing task has changed, it can continue to indicate the changed status of the first computing task to the SMF in S1012.

[0283] S1012, EAS indicates to SMF that the first state of the first computing task is completed or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected. SMF learns from EAS that the first state of the first computing task is completed or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected.

[0284] Optionally, S1012 includes: EAS continuing to send a response message of the second subscription message to SMF; SMF receiving the response message of the second subscription message from EAS; the response message of the second subscription message includes indication information indicating that the first computing task's first status is that the first computing task has ended or the connection to the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected. That is, if SMF sends a second subscription message once in S1005, EAS can provide feedback on the status of the first computing task to SMF one or more times.

[0285] S1013, the SMF indicates to the source xNB that the first state of the first computing task is that the first computing task has ended or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected. The source xNB learns from the SMF that the first state of the first computing task is that the first computing task has ended or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected.

[0286] Optionally, S1013 includes: the SMF continuing to send a response message of the first subscription message to the source xNB; the source xNB receiving the response message of the first subscription message from the SMF; the response message of the first subscription message includes indication information indicating that the first state of the first computing task is that the first computing task has ended or that the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected. That is, if the SMF sends a first subscription message once in S1007, the SMF can provide feedback on the state of the first computing task to the source xNB one or more times.

[0287] S1014, if the source xNB determines that the first state of the first computing task is completed or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected, the source xNB controls the switching of the serving UE's xNB from the source xNB to the target xNB.

[0288] Optionally, the source xNB can determine whether the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met based on the first measurement report in S1011. If the source xNB determines that the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met based on the first measurement report, and the first state of the first computing task is completed or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected, then the source xNB controls the xNB serving the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB. That is, if the source xNB determines in S1009 that the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met, then in S1014, the source xNB may not determine whether the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met, or the source xNB may also determine whether the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met based on the first measurement report in S1011.

[0289] Optionally, the source xNB controls the handover of the serving UE's xNB from the source xNB to the target xNB, including: the source xNB sending a handover command message to the UE, the handover command message being used to control the UE to handover from the source xNB to the target xNB.

[0290] Optionally, the source xNB controls the handover of the serving UE's xNB from the source xNB to the target xNB in ​​accordance with existing technology. To avoid redundancy, the handover process shown in Figure 10 is not described in detail in this embodiment.

[0291] In the aforementioned communication method 1000, the source xNB can subscribe to the state of the first computing task from the SMF, and the SMF can subscribe to the state of the first computing task from the EAS. The EAS can feed back the first state of the first computing task to the SMF, and the SMF can feed back the first state of the first computing task to the source xNB. When the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met, if the first state of the first computing task is in progress, the handover of the serving UE's xNB can be delayed to avoid interruption of the first computing task, thus improving user experience. If the first state of the first computing task is completed or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected, the serving UE's xNB can be switched, avoiding interruption of the first computing task and further improving user experience.

[0292] As shown in Figure 11, communication method 1100 corresponds to mode two of communication method 400. Communication method 1100 can be applied to the system architecture shown in Figure 2. Figure 11 shows that communication method 1100 includes:

[0293] S1101, see S1001.

[0294] S1102, Obtain the EAS address from the source xNB.

[0295] Optionally, S1102 includes: the source xNB can detect DNS request messages and can obtain the address of EAS from the DNS request messages.

[0296] Optionally, S1102 includes: the source xNB can obtain the EAS address during the process of establishing a PDU session in S1101.

[0297] Optionally, S1102 includes: the source xNB can receive the first uplink data packet sent by the UE, and the source xNB can route the first data packet to the EAS according to routing rules and obtain the address of the EAS. Optionally, the first data packet can be a data packet of the first computation task. Optionally, the first data packet can be a control plane signaling data packet, such as a connection establishment request message packet.

[0298] Optionally, S1102 includes: the source xNB can receive the first uplink data packet sent by the UE, and the source xNB can obtain the address of the EAS in the first data packet. Optionally, the first data packet can be a data packet of the first computation task. Optionally, the first data packet can be a control plane signaling data packet, such as a connection establishment request message packet.

[0299] S1103, the source xNB sends a first subscription message to EAS according to the address of EAS. The first subscription message is used to subscribe to the status of the first computing task.

[0300] Optionally, the first subscription message may include at least one of the following: the identifier of the UE, the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs, or the identifier of the PDU session. If the first subscription message includes the identifier of the first computing task, the source xNB indicates that the first subscription message subscribes to the state of the first computing task; if the first subscription message includes both the identifier of the UE and the identifier of the first computing task, the source xNB indicates that it subscribes to the state of the UE's first computing task; if the first subscription message includes both the identifier of the first computing service and the identifier of the first computing task, the source xNB indicates that it subscribes to the identifier of the first computing task included in the first computing service; if the first subscription message includes the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the UE, and the identifier of the first computing task, the source xNB indicates that it subscribes to the state of the first computing task included in the UE's first computing service; if the first subscription message includes both the identifier of the PDU session and the identifier of the first computing task, the source xNB indicates that it subscribes to the state of the first computing task on the PDU session; if the first subscription message includes the identifier of the PDU session, and the PDU session can be a dedicated session for the first computing task, the source xNB indicates that it subscribes to the state of the first computing task on the PDU session.

[0301] S1104, EAS sends a response message for the first subscription message to the source xNB. The response message for the first subscription message includes the first status of the first computing task, which is in progress.

[0302] Optionally, the first state of the first computation task can also be "started". Here, "started" can be understood as "in progress".

[0303] Optionally, the response message to the first subscription message may also include at least one of the following: the identifier of the UE, the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs, or the identifier of the PDU session. Optionally, the identifier included in the response message to the first subscription message may be the same as the identifier included in the first subscription message.

[0304] S1105-S1107, see S1009-S1011.

[0305] S1108, EAS indicates to the source xNB that the first state of the first computing task is completed or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected. The source xNB learns from EAS that the first state of the first computing task is completed or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected.

[0306] Optionally, S1108 includes: the EAS continuing to send a response message of the first subscription message to the source xNB; the source xNB receiving the response message of the first subscription message from the EAS; the response message of the first subscription message includes indication information indicating that the first state of the first computing task is that the first computing task has ended or that the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected. That is, if the source xNB sends a first subscription message once in S1003, the EAS can provide feedback on the state of the first computing task to the source xNB one or more times.

[0307] S1109, see S1014.

[0308] In the aforementioned communication method 1100, the source xNB can subscribe to the status of the first computing task from the EAS, and the EAS can feed back the first status of the first computing task to the source xNB. When the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met, if the first status of the first computing task is in progress, the handover of the serving UE's xNB can be delayed to avoid interruption of the first computing task, thus improving user experience. If the first status of the first computing task is completed or the connection to the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected, the serving UE's xNB can be switched, avoiding interruption of the first computing task and further improving user experience.

[0309] As shown in Figure 12, communication method 1200 corresponds to mode three of communication method 400. Communication method 1200 can be applied to the system architecture shown in Figure 3. In Figure 12, there is a direct communication protocol between the UE and the UPF. The UPF can parse data packets between the UE and the EAS. Figure 12 shows that communication method 1200 includes:

[0310] S1201, see S1001.

[0311] S1202, UPF obtains the status of the first computing task.

[0312] Optionally, the EAS can send a data packet of the first computing task to the UE via the UPF. The data packet of the first computing task may include indication information for indicating the status of the first computing task, such as the header of the data packet of the first computing task including indication information for indicating the status of the first computing task. Since there is a direct communication protocol between the UPF and the UE, S1202 includes: the UPF can parse the data packet of the first computing task from the EAS, obtain the indication information for indicating the status of the first computing task in the data packet of the first computing task, and determine the status of the first computing task based on the indication information.

[0313] Optionally, in some scenarios, UPF and EAS can be integrated into one unit. For example, EAS is a functional module of UPF, and UPF can obtain the status of the first computing task through its internal implementation.

[0314] Specifically, S1202 can be executed once or multiple times. When the UPF obtains the status of the first computing task as "in progress," S1203 can be executed. When the UPF obtains the status of the first computing task as "completed" or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected, S1208 can be executed. Optionally, the edge server can send an end indication of the last data packet of the last computing task (e.g., containing the last data packet number of the last computing task) to the UPF. The UPF can determine the end of the last computing task based on the indication from the edge server. Optionally, when the connection of the first computing task terminates at the UPF, the UPF can determine the end of the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server and the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected based on receiving a connection release request from the terminal device or by initiating a connection release itself. Optionally, if the UPF has not interacted with the terminal device for a long time, the UPF can release the connection (without sending a connection release request to the terminal device). The UPF can then determine the end of the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server and the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected.

[0315] S1203, the source xNB sends a first subscription message to the UPF, and the UPF receives the first subscription message from the source xNB. The first subscription message is used to subscribe to the status of the first computing task.

[0316] S1204, UPF sends a response message for the first subscription message to the source xNB, and the source xNB receives the response message for the first subscription message from UPF. The response message for the first subscription message includes the first status of the first computing task, which is in progress.

[0317] Optionally, the first state of the first computation task can also be "started". Here, "started" can be understood as "in progress".

[0318] S1205-1207, see S1009-S1011.

[0319] S1208, the UPF indicates to the source xNB that the first state of the first computing task is completed or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected. The source xNB learns from the SMF that the first state of the first computing task is completed or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected.

[0320] Optionally, before S1208, UPF can continue to execute S1202 to obtain the status of the first computing task. When the status of the first computing task changes to the end of the first computing task or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected, S1208 can be executed.

[0321] Optionally, S1208 includes: the UPF continuing to send a response message of the first subscription message to the source xNB; the source xNB receiving the response message of the first subscription message from the UPF; the response message of the first subscription message includes indication information indicating that the first state of the first computing task is that the first computing task has ended or that the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected. That is, if the source xNB sends a first subscription message once in S1203, the UPF can provide feedback on the state of the first computing task to the source xNB one or more times.

[0322] S1209, see S1014.

[0323] In the aforementioned communication method 1200, the source xNB can subscribe to the status of the first computing task from the UPF, and the UPF can feed back the first status of the first computing task to the source xNB. When the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met, if the first status of the first computing task is in progress, the handover of the serving UE's xNB can be delayed to avoid interruption of the first computing task, thus improving user experience. If the first status of the first computing task is completed or the connection to the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected, the serving UE's xNB can be switched, avoiding interruption of the first computing task and further improving user experience.

[0324] As shown in Figure 13, communication method 1300 corresponds to mode four of communication method 400. Communication method 1300 can be applied to the system architecture shown in any of Figures 1-3. Figure 13 shows that communication method 1300 includes:

[0325] S1301, see S1001.

[0326] S1302, the UE sends a second measurement report to the source xNB, and the source xNB receives the second measurement report from the UE.

[0327] S1303, the UE sends the first information to the source xNB, and the source xNB receives the first information from the UE. The first information is used to indicate the start of the first computing task.

[0328] Optionally, after the UE's first calculation task begins, it can trigger the sending of the first information to the source xNB.

[0329] Optionally, prior to S1303, the source xNB may configure the UE to report the first information after the first calculation task begins. S1303 includes: the UE sending the first information to the source xNB according to the source xNB's configuration.

[0330] S1304, the source xNB determines, based on the second measurement report, that the handover triggering conditions for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB are met, and the source xNB determines, based on the first information, that the first state of the first calculation task is in progress, then the source xNB delays the handover service to the UE's xNB.

[0331] Optionally, in S1304, if the source xNB determines, based on the second measurement report reported by the UE, that the handover triggering conditions for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB are met, and if the first information indicates that the first computing task has started, then the source xNB can determine, based on the first information, that the first state of the first computing task is in progress. To avoid interruption of the first computing task, the xNB serving the UE can temporarily not be switched. Until after S1305, if the source xNB learns that the first computing task has ended or the connection to the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected, then S1306 can be executed.

[0332] Optionally, in step 1304, it can be replaced with: the source xNB can determine, based on the second measurement report reported by the UE, that the handover triggering conditions for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB are met. When the first information indicates that the first computation task has started, the source xNB can determine, based on the first information, that the first state of the first computation task is in progress, and the source xNB can use Layer 1 or Layer 2 technology to switch the serving UE's xNB, delaying the use of Layer 3 technology. In other words, in some scenarios where handover is necessary, since the latency required for using Layer 1 or Layer 2 technology to switch the serving UE's xNB is relatively short, the source xNB can control the UE to use Layer 1 or Layer 2 technology to switch the serving UE's xNB, temporarily not using Layer 3 technology.

[0333] Optionally, after S1304, communication method 1300 may further include: the source xNB sending first measurement configuration information to the UE, and the UE receiving the first measurement configuration information from the source xNB, the first measurement configuration information being used to indicate a first threshold value. Optionally, communication method 1300 may further include the UE sending a first measurement report to the source xNB according to the first threshold value, and the source xNB receiving the first measurement report from the UE. The first threshold value is greater than a second threshold value. Specifically, the first threshold value indicated by the first measurement configuration information can be referred to the description of communication method 1000, which will not be described in detail to avoid redundancy.

[0334] S1305, the UE sends second information to the source xNB, and the source xNB receives the second information from the UE. The second information is used to indicate that the first computing task has ended or that the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected.

[0335] Optionally, prior to S1305, the source xNB can configure the UE to report second information after the first computing task ends or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected. S1305 includes: the UE sending the second information to the source xNB according to the source xNB's configuration. Optionally, the source xNB can be configured to simultaneously report the first information after the first computing task begins and report the second information after the first computing task ends or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected, or these can be configured separately. Optionally, the source xNB can be configured to report the first information after the first computing task begins and report the second information after the first computing task ends or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected via an RRC message.

[0336] S1306, if the source xNB determines, based on the second information, that the first state of the first computing task is completed or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected, then the source xNB controls the xNB serving the UE to be switched from the source xNB to the target xNB.

[0337] Optionally, if S1302 exists, the source xNB can determine whether the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met based on the second measurement report in S1302. If the source xNB determines that the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met based on the second measurement report, and determines that the first state of the first computing task is completed or that the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected based on the second information, then the source xNB controls the xNB serving the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB. Optionally, if the UE reports a first measurement report based on the first threshold value indicated by the first measurement configuration information, the source xNB can determine whether the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met based on the first measurement report. If the source xNB determines that the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met based on the first measurement report, and determines that the first state of the first computing task is completed or that the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected based on the second information, then the source xNB controls the xNB serving the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB. In other words, if the source xNB determines in S1304 that the UE can switch from the source xNB to the target xNB, then in S1306 the source xNB may not determine whether the UE can switch from the source xNB to the target xNB, or the source xNB may determine whether the UE can switch from the source xNB to the target xNB based on the first measurement report or the second measurement report in S1011.

[0338] Optionally, the source xNB controls the handover of the serving UE's xNB from the source xNB to the target xNB in ​​accordance with existing technology. To avoid redundancy, the handover process shown in Figure 13 is not described in detail in this embodiment.

[0339] In the aforementioned communication method 1300, the source xNB obtains the first state of the first computing task from the UE. If the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met, and the first state of the first computing task is in progress, the handover of the serving UE's xNB can be delayed to avoid interruption of the first computing task, thus improving user experience. If the first state of the first computing task is completed, the serving UE's xNB can be switched, avoiding interruption of the first computing task and further improving user experience.

[0340] As shown in Figure 14, communication method 1400 corresponds to mode five of communication method 400. Communication method 1400 can be applied to the system architecture shown in Figure 3. In Figure 14, there is a direct communication protocol between the UE and the UPF. The UPF can parse data packets between the UE and the EAS. Figure 14 shows that communication method 1400 includes:

[0341] S1401, see S1001.

[0342] S1402, SMF sends fourth indication information to source xNB, source xNB receives fourth indication information from SMF, fourth indication information is used to trigger source xNB to determine first state of first computing task according to whether it has received first indication information from UPF, so S1403 and / or S1407 can be executed.

[0343] S1403, if the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met, and the source xNB does not receive the first indication information, indicating that the first state of the first calculation task is in progress, then the source xNB delays the handover of the xNB serving the UE.

[0344] Optionally, in S1403, if the source xNB determines, based on the second measurement report reported by the UE, that the handover triggering conditions for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB are met, and if the source xNB does not receive the first indication information, it indicates that the first state of the first calculation task is in progress. To avoid interruption of the first calculation task, the xNB serving the UE can be temporarily not switched. Only after S1406, when the source xNB learns that the first calculation task has ended, can S1407 be executed.

[0345] Optionally, S1403 can be replaced by: if the source xNB determines, based on the second measurement report reported by the UE, that the handover triggering conditions for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB are met, and if the source xNB does not receive the first indication information, indicating that the first state of the first calculation task is in progress, the source xNB can use Layer 1 or Layer 2 technology to switch the serving UE's xNB, and delay using Layer 3 technology to switch the serving UE's xNB. In other words, in some scenarios where handover is necessary, since the latency required for using Layer 1 or Layer 2 technology to switch the serving UE's xNB is relatively short, the source xNB can control the UE to use Layer 1 or Layer 2 technology to switch the serving UE's xNB, and temporarily not use Layer 3 technology to switch the serving UE's xNB.

[0346] S1404-S1405, refer to S1010-S1011.

[0347] S1406, the UPF sends a first indication message to the source xNB, and the source xNB receives the first indication message from the UPF. The first indication message is used to indicate the end of the first calculation task between the UE and the EAS. The first calculation task is the last calculation task of at least one calculation task between the UE and the EAS.

[0348] Optionally, before S1406, the UPF detects whether the last computation task of at least one computation task between the UE and the EAS has ended. If the UPF detects that the last computation task has not ended, it does not send the first indication information; if the UPF detects that the last computation task has ended, it sends the first indication information. For example, when each computation task sent by the EAS to the UE ends, the header of the last data packet of each computation task can carry an end indication, indicating that the computation task has ended. The UPF can learn the number of computation tasks between the UE and the EAS during the establishment of the PDU session, for example, N. After the UPF detects the end indication included in the last data packet of each of the N computation tasks, the UPF determines that the last computation task between the UE and the EAS has ended.

[0349] Optionally, S1406 includes: the UPF sending a first data packet to the source xNB, and the source xNB receiving the first data packet from the UPF. The first data packet includes first indication information. For example, the header of the first data packet includes the first indication information. Optionally, the payload of the first data packet is the payload of the last data packet of the last computation task from the EAS, for example, the format of the first data packet is shown in Figure 5. Optionally, the payload of the first data packet is empty. After the UPF sends the last data packet of the last computation task between the UE and the EAS, the UPF continues to send the first data packet with an empty payload, for example, the format of the first data packet is shown in Figure 6.

[0350] S1407, if the source xNB receives the first indication information, it indicates that the first state of the first calculation task is completed, and then the control switches the xNB serving the UE from the source xNB to the target xNB.

[0351] Optionally, the source xNB can determine whether the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met based on the first measurement report in S1405. If the source xNB determines that the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met based on the first measurement report, and the source xNB receives the first indication information, it indicates that the first state of the first calculation task is completed, and the source xNB controls the switch of the xNB serving the UE from the source xNB to the target xNB. That is, if the source xNB determines in S1403 that the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met, then in S1407, the source xNB may not determine whether the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met, or the source xNB may also determine whether the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met based on the first measurement report in S1405.

[0352] Optionally, the source xNB controls the handover of the serving UE's xNB from the source xNB to the target xNB in ​​accordance with existing technology. To avoid redundancy, the handover process shown in Figure 10 is not described in detail in this embodiment.

[0353] In the aforementioned communication method 1400, the source xNB determines the first state of the first computing task based on whether it receives first indication information from the UPF. If the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met, and the source xNB determines that the first computing task is in progress, the handover of the serving UE's xNB can be delayed to avoid interruption of the first computing task, thus improving the user experience. If the source xNB determines that the first computing task is completed, the serving UE's xNB can be switched, avoiding interruption of the first computing task and further improving the user experience.

[0354] In some cases, the source xNB may not be certain about the first state of the first computation task. The source xNB can determine whether to delay the handover of the serving UE's xNB based on whether it receives the first indication information. To better understand the above communication method 700, the following description of communication method 700 is based on an example in Figure 15. In Figure 15, the terminal device is the UE, the first access network device is the source xNB, the second access network device is the target xNB, the session management function network element is the SMF, the user plane function network element is the UPF, and the edge server is the EAS. Communication method 1500 can be applied to the system architecture shown in Figure 3. Figure 15 shows that communication method 1500 includes:

[0355] S1501, see S1001.

[0356] S1502, UPF determines whether the first computation task between UE and EAS has ended. The first computation task is the last computation task of at least one computation task between UE and EAS.

[0357] S1503, if the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met, and the source xNB does not receive the first indication information, the handover of the serving UE to the xNB is delayed. The first indication information is used to indicate the end of the first calculation task between the UE and the EAS.

[0358] Optionally, the UE can send a second measurement report to the source xNB. The source xNB can determine whether the handover triggering conditions for the UE to hand over from the source xNB to the target xNB are met based on the second measurement report. For example, the source xNB belongs to the source cell, and the second measurement report includes the RSRP of the UE's source cell and the RSRP of at least one candidate cell. If the source xNB determines that the RSRP of the source cell is less than the RSRP threshold, and that the RSRP of one of the at least one candidate cell is greater than the RSRP threshold, and that candidate cell belongs to the cell managed by the target xNB, then the source xNB can determine that the handover triggering conditions for the terminal device to hand over from the source xNB to the target xNB are met. The handover triggering conditions can also be other conditions, and this application embodiment does not limit them.

[0359] Optionally, before S1503, the SMF sends a fourth indication message to the source xNB. The source xNB receives the fourth indication message from the SMF. The fourth indication message is used to trigger the source xNB to determine whether to delay the handover of the serving UE's xNB based on whether it has received the first indication message from the UPF. Therefore, S1503 and / or S1507 can be executed.

[0360] S1504-S1505, see S1010-S1011.

[0361] S1506, if the UPF determines that the first computation task between the UE and the EAS has ended, the UPF may send a first indication message to the source xNB. The first indication message is used to indicate that the first computation task between the UE and the EAS has ended.

[0362] Optionally, the UPF may send first indication information to the source xNB, including: the UPF sending a first data packet to the source xNB, the first data packet including the first indication information. Optionally, the payload of the first data packet is the payload of the last data packet from the first computation task of EAS. Optionally, the payload of the first data packet is empty.

[0363] Optionally, if the UPF determines that the first computation task between the UE and the EAS has not been completed, it may not send the first indication information.

[0364] S1507, if the source xNB receives the first indication information, then the xNB serving the UE is switched from the source xNB to the target xNB.

[0365] Optionally, the source xNB can determine whether the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met based on the first measurement report in S1505. If the source xNB determines that the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met based on the first measurement report and receives the first indication information, then the source xNB controls the xNB serving the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB. That is, if the source xNB determines in S1503 that the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met, then in S1507, the source xNB may not determine whether the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met, or the source xNB may also determine whether the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met based on the first measurement report in S1505.

[0366] In other words, if the source xNB does not receive the first indication information in S1503, it means that the last computation task between the UE and the EAS has not yet been completed. Therefore, the xNB serving the UE is not switched temporarily, and the switch can be delayed. As the transmission between the UE and the EAS continues, and the last data packet transmission of the last computation task between the UE and the EAS is completed, the source xNB receives the first indication information, and then the xNB serving the UE can be switched from the source xNB to the target xNB.

[0367] In the aforementioned communication method 1500, if the source xNB does not receive the first indication information, it indicates that the last computation task between the UE and the EAS has not yet ended. If the handover triggering condition for the UE to switch from the source xNB to the target xNB is met, the handover of the serving UE's xNB can be delayed. If the source xNB receives the first indication information, it indicates that the last computation task between the UE and the EAS has ended. The source xNB can then switch the UE's xNB from the source xNB to the target xNB, thus avoiding the problem of computation task interruption caused by the handover of the serving UE's xNB before the last computation task between the UE and the EAS has ended.

[0368] To better understand the communication method 800 described above, the following example, using Figure 16, illustrates the communication method 800. Figure 16 uses the following example: the terminal device includes a UE and an application (APP); the first access network device is the source xNB; the second access network device is the target xNB; the session management function network element is the SMF; the user plane function network element is the UPF; and the edge server is the EAS. The UE is a functional module within the terminal device. The communication method 1600 can be applied to the system architectures shown in Figures 1-3. Figure 16 shows that the communication method 1600 includes:

[0369] S1601, see S1001.

[0370] S1602, the UE sends a first request message to the source xNB, and the xNB receives the first request message from the UE. The first request message is used to request a first computing task.

[0371] For example, the first request message may include at least one of the following: the identifier of the UE, the identifier of the first computing task, or the identifier of the UE's APP.

[0372] Optionally, the first request message is specifically used to request the scheduling of the APP's first computing task. In other words, the UE can use the first request message to request the source xNB to allocate resources for the UE's first computing task.

[0373] Optionally, the first computing service includes at least one computing task, and the at least one computing task includes the first computing task, that is, at least one computing task may correspond to the first computing service.

[0374] In S1602, the APP can trigger the UE to send the first request message.

[0375] S1603, if the current process is in the process of handing over the serving UE's xNB or after the first time interval, the source xNB sends a response message to the UE of the first request message. The response message to the first request message is used to reject the first computing task requested by the UE. Optionally, the response message to the first request message may also include redirection information and / or reason information.

[0376] The reason information is used to reject the UE's request for the first computing task because the UE is currently in the process of handing over the serving UE's xNB or the serving UE's xNB will be handing over after a first duration, so that the UE can know the reason why the source xNB rejected the UE's request for the first computing task. The redirection information is used to instruct the UE to request the first computing task again after a second duration. The descriptions of the second duration and the first duration can be found in the description of communication method 800, and will not be described in detail to avoid redundancy.

[0377] S1604 After receiving the response message of the first request message, the UE can send an instruction to the APP in the terminal device, which instructs the APP to initiate the second request message again after a second time period.

[0378] S1605, the APP triggers the UE to send a second request message again after a second duration according to the instruction.

[0379] Optionally, after the UE has completed the handover of its xNB, the UE may access the target xNB. In S1605, the APP triggers the UE to send a second request message to the target xNB again after a second duration, according to the instruction.

[0380] Optionally, after S1603, if the source xNB has completed the handover of the serving UE's xNB, it can send a handover completion command to the UE. Then S1605 includes: after receiving the handover completion command, the UE can initiate a second request message to request the first computing task again after a second time period.

[0381] Optionally, after the second duration, the UE may have already switched to the target xNB. In S1605, the APP triggers the UE to send a second request message to the target xNB again after the second duration according to the instruction.

[0382] In the aforementioned communication method 1600, when a terminal device requests a first computing task from a source xNB, if it is currently in the process of switching serving terminal devices to a new xNB or is about to switch serving terminal devices to a new xNB, the source xNB can reject the terminal device's request for the first computing task, thus avoiding transmission interruption caused by transmitting the data packet of the first computing task during the xNB switching process. Furthermore, the source xNB can carry reason information and / or redirection information in the response message of the first request message. The terminal device can determine the reason why the source xNB rejected the terminal device's request for the first computing task based on the reason information, and the terminal device can determine a second duration based on the redirection information before re-requesting the first computing task.

[0383] To better understand the communication method 900 described above, the following example, using Figures 17 and 18, illustrates the communication method 900. In Figures 17 and 18, the terminal device is the UE, the first access network device is the source xNB, the second access network device is the target xNB, the mobility management network element is the AMF, the session management function network element is the SMF, the user plane function network element is the UPF, the network exposure function network element is the network exposure function (NEF), and the edge server is the EAS. The difference between Figures 17 and 18 is that in Figure 17, the EAS subscribes to the predicted UE handover events from the source xNB through the NEF, SMF, and AMF, while in Figure 18, the EAS can directly subscribe to the predicted UE handover events from the source xNB. Communication methods 1700 and 1800 can be applied to the system architectures shown in Figures 1-3. Figure 17 shows that communication method 1700 includes:

[0384] S1701, see S1001.

[0385] In step S1702, the EAS sends a third subscription message to the source xNB via NEF, SMF, and AMF, and the source xNB receives the third subscription message from the EAS via AMF, SMF, and NEF. The third subscription message is used to subscribe to predicted UE handover events.

[0386] Optionally, the third subscription message can also be used to subscribe to predicted switching events and the switching type corresponding to the switching events.

[0387] Optionally, the third subscription message includes the UE's identifier.

[0388] Optionally, the EAS sends a third subscription message to the source xNB via NEF, SMF, and AMF. The source xNB receives the third subscription message from the EAS via AMF, SMF, and NEF. This process includes: the EAS sending a third subscription message to the NEF; the NEF receiving the third subscription message from the EAS and then sending it to the SMF; the SMF receiving the third subscription message from the NEF and then sending it to the AMF; and the AMF receiving the third subscription message from the SMF and then sending it to the source xNB. The source xNB then receives the third subscription message sent by the SMF. It is understandable that, for ease of description, subscription messages transmitted across different network elements are uniformly described as "third subscription message." However, in practice, different message names can be used during the forwarding of subscription messages across different network elements. For example, the EAS sends subscription message 1 to the NEF, and the NEF can send subscription message 2 to the SMF based on subscription message 1.

[0389] Optionally, S1702 can be replaced by the EAS sending a third subscription message to the source xNB through at least one network element from the NEF, SMF, AMF, or MEC platform, and the source xNB receiving the third subscription message from the EAS through at least one network element from the AMF, SMF, NEF, or MEC platform. For example, the EAS sends the third subscription message to the source xNB through NEF and SMF, and the source xNB receives the third subscription message from the EAS through SMF and NEF; or, for another example, the EAS sends the third subscription message to the source xNB through NEF, and the source xNB receives the third subscription message from the EAS through SMF.

[0390] S1703, if the source xNB determines that the xNB serving the UE will be switched, the source xNB can send a response message of the third subscription message to the edge server according to the third subscription message. The response message of the third subscription message includes second indication information, which is used to indicate the xNB serving the UE after a first duration.

[0391] Optionally, if the third subscription message is used to subscribe to the predicted handover event and the handover type corresponding to the handover event, the response message of the third subscription message in S1703 may include second indication information and a first handover type corresponding to the second indication information. For example, the second indication information is used to indicate the xNB of the serving UE after a first duration, and the second indication information corresponds to the first handover type. For example, the first handover type may be Xn handover, N2 handover, cross-site handover, or cross-access ring handover.

[0392] S1704, the UE sends a first request message to the EAS, and the EAS receives the first request message from the UE. The first request message is used to request a first computing task.

[0393] S1705, the EAS sends a response message to the UE of the first request message according to the second instruction information. The UE receives the response message of the first request message from the EAS. The response message of the first request message is used to reject the first computing task requested by the terminal device.

[0394] Optionally, the order of S1703 and S1704 is not restricted. EAS may receive the first request message after receiving the response message of the third subscription message. EAS may reject the first computing task requested by the terminal device through the first request message based on the second indication information in the response message of the third subscription message. Alternatively, if EAS receives the response message of the third subscription message after receiving the first request message but before executing S1705, EAS may reject the first computing task requested by the terminal device through the first request message based on the second indication information in the response message of the third subscription message. Alternatively, if EAS receives the response message of the third subscription message at the same time as receiving the first request message, but does not execute S1705, EAS may reject the first computing task requested by the terminal device through the first request message based on the second indication information in the response message of the third subscription message.

[0395] Optionally, the response message of the first request message may include reason information, which indicates that the reason for rejecting the first computing task requested by the UE is that the xNB serving the UE will be switched after a first period of time, so that the UE can know the reason why the source xNB rejected the first computing task requested by the UE.

[0396] Optionally, the response message to the first request message may include redirection information, which instructs the UE to request the first computing task again after a second duration. This allows the UE to request the first computing task again after the second duration, avoiding the problem of the UE being unable to determine when to request the first computing task again. For example, if the second indication information indicates that the xNB serving the UE will be switched after the first duration and that the xNB serving the UE will be switched using the first handover type, the EAS can determine the second duration based on the first duration and the first handover type, such that the second duration is longer than the sum of the first duration and the duration required for the first handover type.

[0397] In the aforementioned communication method 1700, the EAS can send a third subscription message to the source xNB via NEF, SMF, and AMF. This third subscription message is used to subscribe to predicted UE handover events. The source xNB can return a response message to the EAS for the third subscription message via NEF, SMF, and AMF. The source xNB learns the xNB serving the UE from the second indication information in the response message of the third subscription message. When the UE requests a first computation task from the EAS, since the xNB serving the UE is about to be handed over, the edge server can reject the UE's request for the first computation task, avoiding transmission interruption caused by transmitting the data packet of the first computation task during the handover process. Furthermore, the EAS can carry reason information and / or redirection information in the response message of the first request message. The UE can determine the reason why the EAS rejected the UE's request for the first computation task based on the reason information, and the UE can request the first computation task from the EAS again after determining a second duration based on the redirection information.

[0398] Figure 18 illustrates that the communication method 1800 includes:

[0399] S1801, see S1001.

[0400] S1802, EAS sends a third subscription message to the source xNB, and the source xNB receives the third subscription message from EAS. The third subscription message is used to subscribe to the predicted UE handover event.

[0401] S1803, the source xNB sends a response message for the third subscription message to the EAS. The EAS receives the response message for the third subscription message from the source xNB. The response message for the third subscription message includes second indication information, which is used to indicate the xNB that will switch the service UE after a first duration.

[0402] The third subscription message and its response message can be found in the description of communication method 1700.

[0403] S1804-S1805 refer to S1704-S1705 respectively.

[0404] In the aforementioned communication method 1800, the EAS can send a third subscription message to the source xNB, which is used to subscribe to the predicted handover event of the UE. The source xNB can return a response message to the EAS for the third subscription message. The source xNB learns the xNB that will be serving the UE based on the second indication information in the response message of the third subscription message. When the UE requests a first computing task from the EAS, since the xNB serving the UE will be handed over, the edge server can reject the UE's request for the first computing task, avoiding the transmission interruption problem caused by transmitting the data packet of the first computing task during the handover process. In addition, the EAS can carry reason information and / or redirection information in the response message of the first request message. The UE can determine the reason why the EAS rejects the UE's request for the first computing task based on the reason information, and the UE can request the first computing task from the EAS again after determining the second duration based on the redirection information.

[0405] Optionally, in this embodiment, the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server ends, but the connection between the last computing task between the terminal device and the edge server may not have been disconnected, or it may have been disconnected. If the connection between the terminal device and the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected, it indicates that the first computing task has ended. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first state of the first computing task being "the connection of the first computing task is disconnected" implies that the first state of the first computing task can be "ended".

[0406] Figure 19 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 19, the communication device 1900 may include a processing unit 1910 and a communication unit 1920. The communication unit 1920 can implement corresponding communication functions, which can be internal communication within the communication device 1900 or communication between the communication device 1900 and other devices; the processing unit 1910 can implement corresponding processing functions. The communication unit 1920 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a transceiver unit. Optionally, the communication device 1900 may further include a storage unit, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 1910 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit to enable the device to implement the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0407] In one possible design, the communication device 1900 may be the first access network device in the above-described communication method 400 embodiments, or the source xNB in ​​communication method 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, or 1500. It may also be a module or chip applied to the first access network device or the source xNB. The communication device 1900 may be used to execute the steps or processes performed by the first access network device in the above-described method 400, or the communication device 1900 may be used to execute the steps or processes performed by the source xNB in ​​the above-described communication method 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, or 1500.

[0408] In another possible design, the communication device 1900 can be the session management function network element of mode one in communication method 400, the edge server of mode two in communication method 400, or the user plane function network element of mode three in communication method 400, or the SMF in communication method 1000, or the EAS in communication method 1100, or the UPF in communication method 1200. It can also be a module or chip applied to the session management function network element, edge server, user plane function network element, SMF, EAS, or UPF. The communication device 1900 can be used to execute the steps or processes performed by the session management function network element of mode one in communication method 400, the edge server of mode two in communication method 400, or the user plane function network element of mode three in communication method 400, or the SMF in communication method 1000, or the EAS in communication method 1100, or the UPF in communication method 1200.

[0409] In another possible design, the communication device 1900 can be an edge server in Method 1 of Communication Method 400 or an EAS of Communication Method 1000, or a module or chip applied to the edge server or EAS. The communication device 1900 can be used to execute the steps or processes performed by the edge server in Method 1 of Communication Method 400 or the EAS of Communication Method 1000.

[0410] In another possible design, the communication device 1900 can be a user plane function network element in the communication method 700 above, or a UPF in the communication method 1500, or a module or chip applied to the user plane function network element or the UPF. The communication device 1900 can be used to execute the steps or processes performed by the user plane function network element in mode one of the communication method 400 or the UPF in the communication method 1000 above.

[0411] In another possible design, the communication device 1900 may be a user plane function network element in the embodiment of method five of the communication method 400 above, or it may be a UPF of communication method 1400, or it may be a module or chip applied to the user plane function network element or the UPF. The communication device 1900 can be used to execute the steps or processes performed by the user plane function network element or the UPF of communication method 1400 in method five of the communication method 400 above.

[0412] In another possible design, the communication device 1900 can be a user plane function network element in mode five of the communication method 400 above, or it can be a UPF in communication method 1400, or it can be a module or chip applied to the user plane function network element or the UPF. The communication device 1900 can be used to execute the steps or processes performed by the user plane function network element in mode five of the communication method 400 or the UPF in communication method 1400.

[0413] In another possible design, the communication device 1900 may be the first access network device in the communication method 700 described above, or the source xNB in ​​the communication method 1500, or a module or chip applied to the first access network device or the xNB. The communication device 1900 may be used to execute the steps or processes performed by the first access network device in the communication method 700 or the source xNB in ​​the communication method 1500.

[0414] In another possible design, the communication device 1900 may be the first access network device in the communication method 800 described above, or the source xNB in ​​the communication method 1600, or a module or chip applied to the first access network device or the xNB. The communication device 1900 may be used to execute the steps or processes performed by the first access network device in the communication method 800 or the source xNB in ​​the communication method 1600.

[0415] In another possible design, the communication device 1900 can be the edge server in communication method 900 above, or the EAS in communication method 1700 or communication method 1800, or it can be a module or chip applied to the edge server or EAS. The communication device 1900 can be used to execute the steps or processes performed by the edge server in communication method 900, or the EAS in communication method 1700 or communication method 1800.

[0416] For details regarding the steps or processes executed by each unit in the communication device 1900, please refer to the embodiments of the method described above; they will not be elaborated here.

[0417] It should be understood that the "unit" in the communication device 1900 can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. For example, the "unit" can refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), electronic circuitry, a processor (e.g., a shared processor, a proprietary processor, or a group processor, etc.) and memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, combined logic circuitry, and / or other suitable components supporting the described functions. As another example, the communication unit 1920 can be replaced by a transceiver circuit (e.g., it may include receiving and transmitting circuitry), and the processing unit 1910 can be replaced by a processor or processing circuitry.

[0418] Figure 20 shows a schematic block diagram of another communication device 2000 provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication device 2000 may be a first access network device, a session management function network element, a user plane management function network element, an edge server, or a terminal device. It may also be a chip, chip system, or processor, etc., that supports the first access network device, session management function network element, user plane management function network element, edge server, or terminal device in implementing the above methods. This device 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.

[0419] The communication device 2000 may include one or more processors 2010, which may also be referred to as processing units, and can implement certain control functions. The processor 2010 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit.

[0420] In an alternative design, the processor 2010 may also store instructions and / or data that can be executed by the processor 2010 to cause the communication device 2000 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the processing unit 1910 in the communication device 1900 may be the processor 2010.

[0421] In another alternative design, the communication device 2000 may include a communication interface 2020 for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the communication interface 2020 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. Optionally, the communication unit 1920 in the communication device 1900 may be the communication interface 2020.

[0422] Optionally, the communication device 2000 may include one or more memories 2030, which may store instructions that can be executed on the processor 2010, causing the communication device 2000 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memories 2030 may also store data. Optionally, the processor 2010 may also store instructions and / or data. The processor 2010 and the memories 2030 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0423] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for ease of explanation, Figure 20 only shows one memory and processor. In actual communication devices, multiple processors and memories may exist. Memory may also be referred to as storage medium or storage device, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not impose such limitations.

[0424] For example, a processor may include a baseband processor and a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor is mainly used for processing communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU is mainly used for controlling the entire terminal device, executing software programs, and processing the data in the software programs. The processor in Figure 10 integrates the functions of a baseband processor and a CPU. Those skilled in the art will understand that the baseband processor and CPU can also be independent processors interconnected via technologies such as buses. Those skilled in the art will understand that a terminal device may include multiple baseband processors to adapt to different network standards, and a terminal device may include multiple CPUs to enhance its processing capabilities. The various components of the terminal device can be connected via various buses. The baseband processor can also be described as a baseband processing circuit or a baseband processing chip. The CPU can also be described as a central processing circuit or a central processing chip. The function of processing communication protocols and communication data can be built into the processor or stored in the memory unit as a software program, which is then executed by the processor to implement the baseband processing function.

[0425] It should be understood that, in one possible design, the steps in the method embodiments provided in this application can be implemented by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are not provided here.

[0426] It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by the integrated logic circuitry in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above methods.

[0427] It is understood that the memory 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.

[0428] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the various steps or processes executed by the first access network device, session management function network element, user plane management function network element, edge server, terminal device, source xNB, SMF, UPF, EAS, or UE in any of the above method embodiments.

[0429] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing program code that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform various steps or processes performed by the first access network device, session management function network element, user plane management function network element, edge server, terminal device, source xNB, SMF, UPF, EAS, or UE in any of the above method embodiments.

[0430] This application also provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface for sending and / or receiving signals, such that the processor executes the various steps or processes performed by the first access network device, session management function network element, user plane management function network element, edge server, terminal device, source xNB, SMF, UPF, EAS, or UE in any of the above method embodiments.

[0431] This application also provides a communication system, including at least two of the following: a first access network device, a session management function network element, a user plane management function network element, an edge server, or a terminal device. Alternatively, it may include at least two of the following: a source xNB, an SMF, a UPF, an EAS, or a UE.

[0432] The above-described device and method embodiments are completely corresponding, with corresponding modules or units performing corresponding steps. For example, a communication unit or communication interface performs the receiving or sending steps in the method embodiment, while other steps besides sending and receiving can be performed by a processing unit or processor.

[0433] In the embodiments of this application, the terms and English abbreviations are exemplary examples given for ease of description and should not be construed as limiting the application in any way. This application does not preclude the possibility of defining other terms that can achieve the same or similar functions in existing or future agreements.

[0434] As used in this specification, the terms "component," "module," "system," etc., are used to refer to computer-related entities, hardware, firmware, combinations of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable file, an execution thread, a program, and / or a computer. As illustrated, applications running on computing devices and computing devices can both be components. One or more components may reside in a process and / or an execution thread, and components may be located on a single computer and / or distributed among two or more computers. Furthermore, these components can be executed from various computer-readable storage media on which various data structures are stored. Components can communicate, for example, via local and / or remote processes based on signals having one or more data packets (e.g., data from two components interacting with another component between a local system, a distributed system, and / or a network, such as the Internet interacting with other systems via signals).

[0435] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented 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 each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0436] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be based on the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0437] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0438] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0439] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0440] In the above embodiments, the functions of each functional unit can be implemented entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions (programs). When the computer program instructions (programs) are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks, SSDs), etc.

[0441] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0442] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to first access network equipment, including: Obtain the first state of the first computing task of the terminal device; If the switching trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met, and the first state of the first computing task is in progress, then the switching of the access network device serving the terminal device is delayed.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The access network equipment for the terminal device that provides the delayed handover service includes: If the first state of the first computing task is "complete" or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected, the access network device serving the terminal device will be switched from the first access network device to the second access network device.

3. The communication method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, After the access network device that performs the delay handover service for the terminal device, the communication method further includes: Send first measurement configuration information to the terminal device, wherein the first measurement configuration information is used to indicate a first threshold value; Wherein, the first threshold value is used to instruct the terminal device to report a first measurement report according to the first threshold value after receiving the first measurement configuration information. The first threshold value is greater than the second threshold value. The second threshold value is used for the terminal device to report a second measurement report before receiving the first measurement configuration information. The second measurement report is used to determine whether the handover triggering condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met.

4. The communication method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first threshold value is the first reference signal received power (RSRP) threshold value, and the second threshold value is the second RSRP threshold value.

5. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The communication method further includes: Send a first subscription message to the first network element, the first subscription message being used to subscribe to the status of the first computing task; The step of obtaining the first state of the first computing task of the terminal device includes: The response message received from the first network element for the first subscription message includes the first state of the first computing task; The first network element is a session management function network element, an edge server, or a user plane function network element.

6. The communication method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first network element is an edge server. Before sending the first subscription message to the first network element, the communication method further includes: Obtain the address of the edge server; Sending the first subscription message to the first network element includes: The first subscription message is sent to the edge server according to the address of the edge server.

7. The communication method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The first subscription message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the terminal device, the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs, or the protocol data unit (PDU) session identifier of the first computing task; The response message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the terminal device, the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs, or the protocol data unit (PDU) session identifier of the first computing task.

8. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The step of obtaining the first state of the first computing task includes: Obtain the first state of the first computing task from the terminal device.

9. The communication method according to claim 1, 3, or 4, characterized in that, The first state of the first computation task is in progress, including: If no first indication information is received from the user plane function network element, the first state of the first computing task is in progress. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended. The first computing task is the last computing task among at least one computing task between the terminal device and the edge server.

10. The communication method according to claim 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that, The first state of the first computation task is completion, including: Receive a first indication information from a user plane function network element. The first indication information is used to indicate that a first computing task between the terminal device and the edge server has ended. The first computing task is the last computing task among at least one computing task between the terminal device and the edge server. The first state of the first computing service is determined to be "end" based on the first instruction information.

11. The communication method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The receipt of the first indication information from the user plane function includes: The user plane function network element receives a first data packet, the first data packet including the first indication information, and the payload of the first data packet is either the payload of the last data packet of the first computing task from the edge server or the payload of the first data packet is empty.

12. The communication method according to claim 1, 3, or 4, characterized in that, The access network equipment for the terminal device that provides the delayed handover service includes: Send a MAC layer message to the terminal device to switch the access network device serving the terminal device from the first access network device to the second access network device.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive a first subscription message, the first subscription message being used to subscribe to the status of a first computing task of the terminal device; Send a response message to the first subscription message. The response message to the first subscription message includes a first status of the first computing task, which is either in progress, completed, or the connection to the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected.

14. The communication method according to claim 13, characterized in that, When the first state is in progress, the first state is used for the first access network device to delay the switching of the access network device serving the terminal device when the switching trigger condition for the terminal device corresponding to the first computing task to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met. or, When the first state is "End" or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected, the first state is used by the first access network device to switch the access network device serving the terminal device from the first access network device to the second access network device when the switching trigger condition for the terminal device corresponding to the first computing task to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met.

15. The communication method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, Receiving the first subscription message includes: The session management function network element receives the first subscription message from the first access network device, where the first access network device is the source network device serving the terminal device. The response message for sending the first subscription message includes: The session management function network element sends a response message to the first access network device for the first subscription message.

16. The communication method according to claim 15, characterized in that, Before the session management function network element sends a response message for the first subscription message to the first access network device, the communication method further includes: The session management function network element sends a second subscription message to the edge server, the second subscription message being used to subscribe to the status of the first computing task; The session management function network element receives a response message for the second subscription message from the edge server. The response message for the second subscription message includes the first status of the first computing task.

17. The communication method according to claim 16, characterized in that, Before the session management function network element sends the second subscription message to the edge server, the communication method further includes: The session management function network element obtains the address of the edge server; The session management function network element sends a second subscription message to the edge server, including: The session management function network element sends the second subscription message to the edge server based on the address of the edge server.

18. The communication method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The communication method further includes: The session management function network element sends a detection configuration message to the user plane function network element. The detection configuration message is used to configure the user plane function network element to detect the address of the edge server of the first computing task. The session management function network element obtains the address of the edge server, including: The session management function network element receives the address of the edge server sent according to the detection configuration message from the user plane function network element.

19. The communication method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that, The second subscription message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the terminal device, the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs, or the protocol data unit (PDU) session identifier of the first computing task. The response message of the second subscription message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the terminal device, the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs, or the PDU session identifier of the first computing task.

20. The communication method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, Receiving the first subscription message includes: The edge server receives the first subscription message from the first access network device; The response message for sending the first subscription message includes: The edge server sends a response message to the first access network device for the first subscription message.

21. The communication method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, Receiving the first subscription message includes: The user plane function network element receives the first subscription message from the first access network device; The response message for sending the first subscription message includes: The user plane function network element sends a response message to the first access network device for the first subscription message.

22. The communication method according to claim 21, characterized in that, Before the user plane function network element sends a response message to the first access network device for the first subscription message, the communication method further includes: Obtain the first state of the first computing task from the edge server.

23. The communication method according to any one of claims 13 to 22, characterized in that, The first subscription message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the terminal device, the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs, or the protocol data unit (PDU) session identifier of the first computing task; The response message to the first subscription message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first computing task, the identifier of the terminal device, the identifier of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs, or the protocol data unit (PDU) session identifier of the first computing task.

24. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to terminal devices, including: A second measurement report is sent to the first access network device based on the second threshold value; The first measurement configuration information is received from the first access network device. The first measurement configuration information is used to indicate a first threshold value, which is greater than a second threshold value. The first measurement configuration information is sent by the first access network device when it determines, based on the second measurement report, that the handover triggering condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met, and the first state of the first computing task of the terminal device is in progress. The first threshold value is used to instruct the terminal device to report a first measurement report based on the first threshold value after receiving the first measurement configuration information.

25. The communication method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The second threshold value is the second reference signal received power (RSRP) threshold value, and the first threshold value is the first RSRP threshold value.

26. The communication method according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that, The communication method further includes: Send a first message to the first access network device, the first message indicating that the first computing task has started execution, so that the first access network device can determine that the first state is in progress based on the first message.

27. The communication method according to any one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that, The communication method further includes: Send a second message to the first access network device, the second message indicating that the first computing task has ended or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs has been disconnected; The device receives a handover command message sent by the first access network device. The handover command message is sent by the first access network device when the handover trigger condition for the terminal device to switch from the first access network device to the second access network device is met, and the first state of the first computing task of the terminal device is completed or the connection of the first computing service to which the first computing task belongs is disconnected.

28. A communication device, characterized in that, This includes performing the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 27.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program that, when executed, implements the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 27.

30. A chip, characterized in that, The chip includes a processor connected to a memory for storing computer programs, and the processor is configured to execute the computer programs stored in the memory to cause the chip to perform the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 27.

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