CN110831249B

CN110831249B - Communication method and device

Info

Publication number: CN110831249B
Application number: CN201810917964.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李汉成; 吴问付; 周汉
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-08-13
Filing date: 2018-08-13
Publication date: 2021-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 2038-08-13
Also published as: WO2020034861A1; CN110831249A

Abstract

The application discloses a communication method and a communication device, relates to the field of communication, and is used for distinguishing user streams between AN AN network element and a UPF network element. The communication method comprises the following steps: the session management function network element sends session information and first identification information to the user plane function network element, or sends the session information and user plane function network element indication information to the user plane function network element; and the session management function network element sends the session information and the first identification information to the access network element.

Description

Communication method and device

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a communication method and apparatus.

Background

In the existing 5th generation (5G) communication technology, a communication network between AN Access Network (AN) network element and a User Plane Function (UPF) network element includes multiple routing devices, and the AN network element or the UPF network element is connected to the routing devices through AN N3 interface. The N3 interface may use a two-layer protocol or a GPRS tunneling protocol-user plane (GTP-U) protocol as shown in fig. 1 to transmit the messages.

As shown in fig. 2, for example, the user message is an ethernet packet, where D-MAC2 represents a destination Media Access Control (MAC) address, S-MAC2 represents a source MAC address, and DATA (DATA) represents a DATA segment. When the N3 interface between the AN network element and the UPF network element adopts a two-layer protocol, the user message is directly transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element. And when the N3 interface between the AN network element and the UPF network element adopts a GTP-U protocol, a GTP-U message header is added to the user message and then the user message is transmitted. Wherein D-MAC1 represents a destination MAC address, S-MAC1 represents a source MAC address, IP represents an Internet Protocol (IP) address of a GTP-U tunnel, and GTP-U represents a Tunnel End Identifier (TEID) of the GTP-U tunnel. For unicast GTP-U messages, the D-MAC1 is the MAC address of the next hop routing device.

When a Time Sensitive Network (TSN) network is established between AN network element and AN UPF network element, each switching device identifies a data stream based on a destination MAC address of a packet and executes a corresponding forwarding and scheduling policy, so that different data streams require different destination MAC addresses. However, for the N3 interface using the GTP-U protocol, the destination MAC addresses of different data streams are all the MAC addresses of the next-hop switching device, so that the data streams cannot be distinguished between the AN network element and the UPF network element according to the destination MAC addresses. For AN N3 interface adopting a two-layer protocol, a destination MAC address of a data stream depends on MAC addresses of both communication parties in a terminal device and a Data Network (DN) or MAC addresses of services, so that services of a user in different DNs or different services in the same DN may have the same destination MAC address, and thus, the data stream cannot be distinguished according to the destination MAC address between AN network element and AN UPF network element, and the requirement of a TSN network on the data stream is not met, so that the TSN network cannot be used to provide transmission services for different data streams. Since the user stream transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element is carried by the data stream, the user stream cannot be distinguished between the AN network element and the UPF network element.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a communication method and a communication device, which are used for distinguishing user flows between AN AN network element and a UPF network element.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the embodiment of the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

in a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, where the communication method includes: the session management function network element sends session information and first identification information to the user plane function network element, or sends the session information and user plane function network element indication information to the user plane function network element, wherein the user plane function network element indication information comprises at least one of the first indication information or the second indication information, and the user plane function network element indication information is used for triggering the acquisition of the first identification information; a session management function network element sends session information and first identification information to an access network element; the first identification information is used for uniquely identifying the user flow transmitted between the access network element and the user plane functional network element, and the session information is used for indicating the session corresponding to the user flow; the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to send the user stream, and the second indication information is used for indicating the user plane functional network element to receive the user stream; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to receive the user stream, and the second indication information is used to indicate the user plane function network element to send the user stream. In the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the SMF network element sends session information and first identification information to the UPF network element and the AN network element, where the first identification information is used to uniquely identify a user stream transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element, and the session information is used to indicate a session corresponding to the user stream. And the UPF network element and the AN network element can distinguish the user flow transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element according to the first identification information and correspond the user flow to the session according to the session information. Therefore, the user flow can be distinguished between the AN network element and the UPF network element.

In a possible embodiment, the user plane function network element indication information is further used to instruct the user plane function network element to create a data flow, where the data flow is used to carry the user flow. The embodiment provides that the user plane function network element indication information can also indicate the UPF network element to create a data flow to carry the user flow.

In one possible implementation, the communication method further includes: the session management function network element sends access network element indication information to an access network element, wherein the access network element indication information comprises at least one of first indication information or third indication information, the first indication information is used for indicating terminal equipment to send a user stream, and the third indication information is used for indicating the access network element to send the user stream; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to receive the user stream, and the third indication information is used to indicate the access network element to receive the user stream. This embodiment enables the AN network element to distinguish the user flow as uplink or downlink.

In a possible embodiment, the access network element indication information is further used to instruct the access network element to create a data flow, where the data flow is used to carry the user flow. The embodiment provides that the access network element indication information may further instruct the AN network element to create a data flow to carry the user flow.

In one possible embodiment, the communication method further comprises at least one of: the session management function network element sends second identification information to the user plane function network element, wherein the second identification information is used for identifying a user stream transmitted between the user plane function network element and the data network; or, the session management function network element sends third identification information to the access network element, where the third identification information is used to identify a user stream transmitted between the terminal device and the access network element. The embodiment enables the user flow to be distinguished between the UPF and the DN according to the second identification information, and the user flow to be distinguished between the AN network element and the terminal equipment according to the third identification information.

In one possible embodiment, the second identification information or the third identification information comprises at least one of the following information: the first destination MAC address of the user flow from the terminal equipment, the flow characteristics of the user flow and the second destination MAC address of the user flow from the network side. This embodiment provides a specific implementation of the second identification information or the third identification information.

In one possible implementation, the communication method further includes: a session management function network element sends first information to network side equipment; a session management function network element receives first identification information corresponding to first information from network side equipment; the network side device comprises a control device or a centralized user configuration network element, and the first information comprises at least one of the following information: the device identification of the access network element, the device identification of the user plane functional network element, the port identification of the access network element, the port identification of the user plane functional network element, and the reliable time delay transmission network identification between the access network element and the user plane functional network element. This embodiment provides a way for the SMF network element to obtain the first identification information.

In a possible implementation manner, if the session management function network element sends the user plane function network element indication information to the user plane function network element, the communication method further includes: the session management function network element receives the first identification information from the user plane function network element. This embodiment provides another way for the SMF network element to obtain the first identification information.

In one possible implementation, the communication method further includes: and the session management function network element receives the first indication information from the terminal equipment or the application function network element. This embodiment provides a way for the SMF network element to obtain the first indication information.

In one possible implementation, the communication method further includes: the session management function network element receives the first identification information from the terminal device, the application function network element, the policy control function network element, the unified data management function network element or the centralized user configuration network element. This embodiment provides yet another way for the SMF network element to obtain the first identification information.

In one possible implementation, the communication method further includes: the session management function network element sends first indication information, fourth identification information, identification information of the first device, fourth indication information, and device identification information of the application server to the centralized user configuration network element, where the fourth identification information is used to identify a user stream sent or received by the terminal device, the fourth indication information is used to indicate the application server to send or receive the user stream, and the identification information of the first device includes one of the following information: the device identification of the terminal device, the device identification of the access network element and the port identification of the access network element. The embodiment enables the CUC network element to create the user flow according to the information.

In one possible implementation, the communication method further includes: and the session management function network element sends fifth identification information to the centralized user configuration network element, wherein the fifth identification information is used for identifying the user stream sent or received by the application server. The embodiment enables the CUC network element to further create the user flow according to the information.

In one possible implementation, the communication method further includes: and the session management function network element receives the fourth indication information, the fifth identification information and the equipment identification information of the application server from the application server. This embodiment provides an implementation way for the SMF network element to obtain the above information.

In one possible implementation, the communication method further includes: and the session management function network element receives the identification information of the first equipment from the terminal equipment, the application function network element, the policy control function network element or the unified data management function network element. This embodiment provides an implementation way for the SMF network element to obtain the above information.

In one possible implementation, the communication method further includes: and the session management function network element receives the fourth identification information from the terminal equipment. This embodiment provides an implementation way for the SMF network element to obtain the above information.

In a possible implementation, the first identification information is further used to identify a user flow transmitted between the terminal device and the access network element, and is further used to identify a user flow transmitted between the user plane function network element and the data network. The embodiment enables the first identification information to further identify a user stream transmitted between the terminal device and the AN network element and a user stream transmitted between the UPF network element and the DN.

In one possible embodiment, the first identification information comprises at least one of the following information: the destination MAC address of the user flow, the flow characteristics of the user flow, or the flow identification of the user flow. This embodiment provides a specific implementation of the first identification information.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, where the communication method includes: the control device receives first information from a session management function network element, wherein the first information comprises at least one of the following information: the device identification of the access network element, the device identification of the user plane functional network element, the port identification of the access network element, the port identification of the user plane functional network element, and the reliable time delay transmission network identification between the access network element and the user plane functional network element; and the control equipment sends first identification information corresponding to the first information to a session management function network element, wherein the first identification information is used for uniquely identifying the user stream transmitted between the access network element and the user plane function network element. In the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application, the control device receives the first information from the SMF network element and then sends the first identifier information corresponding to the first information to the SMF network element. Wherein the first information comprises at least one of the following information: the device identification of the AN network element, the device identification of the UPF network element, the port identification of the AN network element, the port identification of the UPF network element and the reliable time delay transmission network identification between the AN network element and the UPF network element. The first identification information is used for uniquely identifying the user stream transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element. The UPF network element and the AN network element can distinguish the user flow transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element according to the first identification information, so that the user flow can be distinguished between the AN network element and the UPF network element.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, where the communication method includes: the terminal equipment sends first indication information to the network equipment, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to send or receive the user stream; and the terminal equipment receives a second destination Media Access Control (MAC) address from the network equipment, wherein the second destination MAC address is a destination MAC address of the user stream received or sent by the terminal equipment. The network equipment comprises a session management function network element or an application function network element. In the communication method provided by the embodiment of the application, the terminal device sends the first indication information to the network device, and receives the second destination MAC address from the network device. The first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to send or receive the user stream, and may indicate that the direction of the created user stream is uplink or downlink. The second destination MAC address is the destination MAC address of the user stream received or sent by the terminal equipment, so that the terminal equipment can send or receive the user stream to or from the AN network element according to the second destination MAC address, and the user stream can be distinguished between the terminal equipment and the AN network element.

In one possible implementation, the communication method further includes: and the terminal equipment sends fourth identification information to the network equipment, wherein the fourth identification information is used for identifying the user flow sent or received by the terminal equipment. This embodiment may enable the network device to distinguish a user flow as upstream or downstream.

In one possible implementation, the communication method further includes: the terminal device receives from the network device at least one of a destination MAC address of the user flow, a flow identification of the user flow. This embodiment enables the terminal device to distinguish between user streams according to the above information.

In one possible implementation, the communication method further includes: and the terminal equipment sends the equipment identification of the terminal equipment to the network equipment. The implementation method enables the network device to use the terminal device as a sending end or a receiving end according to the device identifier of the terminal device.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, where the communication method includes: the network equipment acquires first identification information; the network equipment receives session information from a session management function network element; the network device is a user plane functional network element or an access network element, the first identification information is used for uniquely identifying a user stream transmitted between the access network element and the user plane functional network element, and the session information is used for indicating a session corresponding to the user stream. In the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, a network device receives session information and first identification information from AN SMF network element, where the network device may be AN UPF network element or AN network element, the first identification information is used to uniquely identify a user stream transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element, and the session information is used to indicate a session corresponding to the user stream. The UPF network element and the AN network element can distinguish the user flow transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element according to the first identification information, and the user flow is corresponding to the session according to the session information, so that the user flow can be distinguished between the AN network element and the UPF network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the network device is a user plane function network element, and the network device obtains the first identification information, including: the user plane function network element receives first identification information from the session management function network element; or, the user plane functional network element receives user plane functional network element indication information from the session management functional network element, and acquires the first identification information according to the indication information, wherein the user plane functional network element indication information includes at least one of the first indication information or the second indication information; the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to send the user stream, and the second indication information is used for indicating the user plane functional network element to receive the user stream; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to receive the user stream, and the second indication information is used to indicate the user plane function network element to send the user stream. The embodiment provides how to acquire the first identification information when the network equipment is a UPF network element.

In a possible implementation manner, if the user plane function network element receives the user plane function network element indication information from the session management function network element, the communication method further includes: and the user plane function network element sends the first identification information to the session management function network element. This embodiment provides a way for the SMF network element to obtain the first identification information.

In a possible implementation manner, the network device is a user plane function network element, and the communication method further includes: and the user plane function network element receives second identification information from the session management function network element, wherein the second identification information is used for identifying the user stream transmitted between the user plane function network element and the data network. The embodiment enables the user flow to be distinguished between the UPF network element and the DN according to the second identification information.

In one possible implementation, the communication method further includes: the user plane functional network element receives a user message from an interface at the data network side, wherein the user message comprises second identification information; and the user plane functional network element sends a GTP-U message to an interface at the side of the access network element, the GTP-U message encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside the user message, and the GTP-U message comprises first identification information corresponding to the second identification information. This embodiment provides a way for a UPF network element to forward a downstream user stream.

In a possible implementation manner, the network device is a user plane function network element, and the communication method further includes: the user plane functional network element receives a GPRS tunnel protocol user plane GTP-U message from an interface of an access network element side, the GTP-U message encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside the user message, and the GTP-U message comprises first identification information; and the user plane functional network element sends a user message to an interface of the data network side according to the first identification information. This embodiment provides a way for the UPF network element to forward the upstream user flow.

In a possible implementation manner, the network device is an access network element, and the network device obtains the first identification information, including: the access network element receives the first identification information from the session management function network element. The embodiment provides how to acquire the first identification information when the network device accesses the network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the network device is an access network element, and the communication method further includes: the access network element receives access network element indication information from a session management function network element, wherein the access network element indication information comprises at least one of first indication information or third indication information, the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to send the user stream, and the third indication information is used for indicating the access network element to send the user stream; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to receive the user stream, and the third indication information is used to indicate the access network element to receive the user stream. This embodiment enables the AN network element to distinguish the user flow as uplink or downlink.

In a possible implementation manner, the network device is an access network element, and the communication method further includes: and the access network element receives third identification information from the session management function network element, wherein the third identification information is used for identifying the user stream transmitted between the terminal equipment and the access network element. The embodiment enables the user stream to be distinguished between the AN network element and the terminal device according to the third identification information.

In one possible implementation, the communication method further includes: the access network element receives a user message from a load of the terminal equipment side, wherein the user message comprises third identification information; and the access network element sends a GPRS tunneling protocol user plane GTP-U message to an interface at the user plane functional network element side, the GTP-U message encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside the user message, and the GTP-U message comprises first identification information corresponding to the third identification information. This embodiment provides a way for AN network element to forward AN upstream user flow.

In one possible implementation, the communication method further includes: the access network element receives a GTP-U message from an interface at the user plane functional network element side, the GTP-U message encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside the user message, and the GTP-U message comprises first identification information; and the access network element sends the user message to the bearing of the terminal equipment side according to the first identification information. This embodiment provides a way for AN network element to forward a downstream user stream.

In a fifth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication apparatus, configured to perform the communication method described in the first aspect and the various possible implementations of the first aspect.

In a sixth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication apparatus, configured to perform the communication method described in the second aspect and various possible implementations of the second aspect.

In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, configured to perform the communication methods described in the foregoing third aspect and various possible implementations of the third aspect.

In an eighth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication apparatus, configured to perform the communication method described in the foregoing fourth aspect and various possible implementations of the fourth aspect.

In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes the communication apparatus according to the fifth, sixth, and eighth aspects, and optionally, may further include the communication apparatus according to the seventh aspect.

In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, including: a processor and a memory, the memory being configured to store a program, the processor calling the program stored in the memory to perform the communication method according to the first aspect and the various possible embodiments of the first aspect, or to perform the communication method according to the second aspect and the various possible embodiments of the second aspect, or to perform the communication method according to the third aspect and the various possible embodiments of the third aspect, or to perform the communication method according to the fourth aspect and the various possible embodiments of the fourth aspect.

In an eleventh aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, where the computer program, when executed by a processor, performs the communication methods described in the first aspect and the various possible implementations of the first aspect, or performs the communication methods described in the second aspect and the various possible implementations of the second aspect, or performs the communication methods described in the third aspect and the various possible implementations of the third aspect, or performs the communication methods described in the fourth aspect and the various possible implementations of the fourth aspect.

In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product, which, when run on a communication apparatus, causes the communication apparatus to perform the communication methods described in the above first aspect and the various possible implementations of the first aspect, or perform the communication methods described in the above second aspect and the various possible implementations of the second aspect.

In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, including: a processor configured to enable a communication device to perform the communication methods described in the various possible implementations of the first aspect and the first aspect, or to perform the communication methods described in the various possible implementations of the second aspect and the second aspect, or to perform the communication methods described in the various possible implementations of the third aspect and the third aspect, or to perform the communication methods described in the various possible implementations of the fourth aspect and the fourth aspect.

Technical effects of the fifth to thirteenth aspects may be as described with reference to the first to fourth aspects.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a GTP-U protocol stack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an encapsulation of a GTP-U protocol and a two-layer protocol according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 3 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a base station according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of an ethernet frame format of a packet after two-layer encapsulation according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a two-layer switching principle provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a TSN network according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10A is a first flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10B is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10C is a third flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10D is a fourth flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 11 is a fifth flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12 is a sixth schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of AN AS in AN network element, a UPF network element, and a DN in the same TSN network according to AN embodiment of the present application;

fig. 14 is a seventh flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 15 is a first schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 16 is a second schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 17 is a first schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 18 is a second schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 19 is a first schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 20 is a second schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 21 is a first schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 22 is a second schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 23 is a first schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 24 is a second schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The embodiment of the present application is described by depending on a scenario of a 5G network in a wireless communication network, and it should be noted that the scheme in the embodiment of the present application may also be applied to other wireless communication networks, and corresponding names may also be replaced by names of corresponding functions in other wireless communication networks.

As shown in fig. 3, the communication system architecture provided by the embodiment of the present application includes: a terminal device 301, a radio access network (R) AN network element 302, AN access and mobility management function (AMF) network element 303, a Session Management Function (SMF) network element 304, a User Plane Function (UPF) network element 305, AN Application Function (AF) network element 306, a centralized user configuration (cpu) network element 307, a Centralized Network Configuration (CNC) network element 308, a control (controller) device 309, a switching device 310, AN application server (application server, AS)311, a network open function (network) network element 312, a control function (policy) network element 313, a PCF function (PCF) network element 314, and a data management function (data management) network element 314.

It should be noted that the interface name between each network element in the figure is only an example, and the interface name may be other names in a specific implementation, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application. For example, AN interface between the terminal device 301 and the AMF network element 303 may be AN N1 interface, AN interface between the AN network element 302 and the AMF network element 303 may be AN N2 interface, AN interface between the AN network element 302 and the UPF network element 305 may be AN N3 interface, AN interface between the UPF network element 305 and the SMF network element 304 may be AN N4 interface, AN interface between the AMF network element 303 and the SMF network element 304 may be AN N11 interface, and AN interface between the UPF network element 305 and a data network (data network, DN) may be AN N6 interface.

The terminal device 301 referred to in the embodiments of the present application may include various handheld devices, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem with wireless communication capability; a subscriber unit (subscriber unit), a cellular phone (cellular phone), a smart phone (smart phone), a wireless data card, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) computer, a tablet computer, a wireless modem (modem), a handheld device (dhhand), a laptop computer (laptop computer), a cordless phone (cordless phone) or a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Machine Type Communication (MTC) terminal, a User Equipment (UE), a Mobile Station (MS), a terminal equipment (terminal device) or a relay user equipment, etc. may also be included. The relay user equipment may be, for example, a 5G home gateway (RG). For convenience of description, the above-mentioned devices may be collectively referred to as terminal devices.

Taking the terminal device 301 as a mobile phone as an example, a hardware architecture of the mobile phone will be described. As shown in fig. 4, the handset 301 may include: radio Frequency (RF) circuitry 400, memory 420, other input devices 430, a display 440, sensors 450, audio circuitry 460, an I/O subsystem 470, a processor 480, and a power supply 490. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the configuration of the handset shown in the figures is not intended to be limiting and may include more or fewer components than those shown, or some components may be combined, some components may be separated, or a different arrangement of components may be used. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the display screen 440 belongs to a User Interface (UI), and the display screen 440 may include a display panel 441 and a touch panel 442. Although not shown, the mobile phone may further include a camera, a bluetooth module, and other functional modules or devices, which are not repeated here.

Further, processor 480 is coupled to RF circuitry 400, memory 420, audio circuitry 460, I/O subsystem 470, and power supply 490, respectively. The I/O subsystem 470 is coupled to other input devices 430, the display 440, and the sensor 450, respectively. The RF circuit 400 may be used for receiving and transmitting signals during information transmission and reception or during a call, and in particular, may send downlink information received from a network device to the processor 480 for processing. Memory 420 may be used to store software programs and modules. The processor 480 executes various functional applications and data processing of the mobile phone, for example, methods and functions of the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application, by executing the software programs and modules stored in the memory 420. Other input devices 430 may be used to receive entered numeric or character information and generate keypad signal inputs relating to user settings and function controls of the handset. The display screen 440 may be used to display information input by or provided to the user and various menus of the handset, and may also accept user input. The sensor 450 may be a light sensor, motion sensor, or other sensor. The audio circuit 460 may provide an audio interface between the user and the handset. The I/O subsystem 470 is used to control input and output peripherals, which may include other device input controllers, sensor controllers, and display controllers. The processor 480 is a control center of the mobile phone 400, connects various parts of the entire mobile phone by using various interfaces and lines, and performs various functions of the mobile phone and processes data by operating or executing software programs and/or modules stored in the memory 420 and calling data stored in the memory 420, thereby performing overall monitoring of the mobile phone. A power supply 490, such as a battery, is used to power the various components described above, and preferably may be logically connected to the processor 480 via a power management system to manage charging, discharging, and power consumption via the power management system. In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device 401 may receive a signal from the AN network element 302 through the RF circuit 400.

AN network element 202 is a device that provides wireless access to terminal device 201. The AN network element 302 includes, but is not limited to, AN evolved node B (eNodeB), a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point, a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) base station, and the like.

Taking AN network element 302 as a base station as AN example, a hardware architecture of the base station is described. As shown in fig. 5, the base station 302 may include a building Base Band Unit (BBU) 501 and a Remote Radio Unit (RRU) 502, where the RRU 502 is connected to an antenna feed system (i.e., an antenna) 503, and the BBU 501 and the RRU 502 may be detached for use as needed. The BBU 501 may include a processor 531, a memory 532, and a bus system 533, where the processor 531 and the memory 532 of the BBU 501 are connected to each other through the bus system 533. The bus system may be a peripheral component interconnect standard bus or an extended industry standard architecture bus, or the like. The bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one line is shown, but this does not represent only one bus or one type of bus. The RRU 502 may include RF circuitry 534 and the base station 302 may also include optical fiber 535, coaxial cable 536. The RF circuit 534 in the RRU 502 and the BBU 501 are interconnected by an optical fiber 535, and the RF circuit 534 in the RRU 502 and the antenna 503 are interconnected by a coaxial cable 536. The base stations may include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also referred to as small stations), relay stations, access points, etc. The AN network element 302 according to the embodiment of the present application is used for transmitting data between the terminal device 301 and the core network device.

The AMF network element 303 may be responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as location update of the terminal device, network registration, handover, etc.

The SMF network element 304 may be responsible for session management in the mobile network, such as establishment, modification, and release of a session, and specifically, the SMF network element may perform functions such as allocating an Internet Protocol (IP) address to the terminal device, and selecting an UPF network element providing a message forwarding function.

The UPF network element 305 may be responsible for processing the user packet, such as forwarding, charging, and the like.

The AF network element 306 may provide various types of application services.

The CUC network element 307 and the CNC network element 308 are control devices in a Time Sensitive Network (TSN) network. The CUC network element 307 is configured to manage a terminal and a service, for example, receive registration of a sending end (talker) and a receiving end (listener) in a TSN network element, exchange configuration parameters, and the like. The CNC network element 308 is configured to manage a switching node in the TSN network, for example, maintain a topology of the TSN network, calculate a scheduling policy on the switching node, and issue the scheduling policy to the switching node.

The control device 309 is configured to manage the TSN network between the AN network element 302 and the UPF network element 305, or manage the TSN network between the UPF network element 305 and the DN. For example, the control device 309 maintains and manages topology and data flow in the core network, obtains requirements of the user flow from the SMF network element, and interacts with a controller (e.g., the CUC network element 307 or the CNC network element 308) of the TSN network, thereby creating data flow in the TSN network.

It is noted that in one possible design, the control device 309 may be arranged in conjunction with the SMF network element 304. In other words, the functions of the control device 309 may be performed by the SMF network element 304. In another possible design, the control device 309 may be arranged in conjunction with the CUC network element 307. In other words, the functions of the control device 309 may be performed by the CUC network element 307. Furthermore, the SMF network element 304 may be arranged in conjunction with the CUC network element 307. For example, the functions of the CUC network element 307 may all be performed by the SMF network element 304.

Switching device 310 is configured to transmit messages between AN network element 302 and a UPF network element 305.

The AS 311 is used for communicating with applications of the terminal device. In the embodiment of the present application, as an example of a terminal in the DN-side TSN network, the terminal communicates with the UPF, and may also be another network device.

The NEF element 312 is configured to provide an interface to the outside when the network capability is open, to open the network capability, and to forward the interaction information between the core network control plane element and the external element.

The PCF network element 313 is configured to provide a unified policy framework, generate a network processing policy according to subscription information, and provide the network processing policy to a corresponding control plane network element for execution.

The UDM network element 314 is configured to provide unified data management, provide services such as storage and query of relevant data of subscription, security, and the like of the terminal device, and store data such as a session and service information (e.g., an AMF network element corresponding to the session) related to mobility.

The network elements of the AMF network element 303, the SMF network element 304, the UPF network element 305, the AF network element 306, the control device 309, the NEF network element 312, the PCF network element 313, and the UDM network element 314 may be collectively referred to as core network elements, and the following describes the structure of the core network elements by taking a network device as an example.

As shown in fig. 6, network device 600 may include at least one processor 601, communication lines 602, memory 603, and at least one communication interface 604. The processor 601 may be a general processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more ics for controlling the execution of programs in accordance with the present disclosure. The communication link 602 may include a path for transmitting information between the aforementioned components. The communication interface 604 may be any device, such as a transceiver, for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as an ethernet, a Radio Access Network (RAN), a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), etc. The memory 603 may be, but is not limited to, a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a Random Access Memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, optical disk storage (including compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, blu-ray disc, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. The memory may be separate and coupled to the processor via a communication link 602. The memory may also be integral to the processor. The memory 603 is used for storing computer-executable instructions (which may be referred to as application program codes) for executing the present application, and is controlled by the processor 601. The processor 601 is configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 603, thereby implementing the methods provided by the embodiments of the present application described below.

In the communication method and apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present application, in order to achieve that data streams can be distinguished between AN network element and AN UPF network element, the AN network element and the UPF network element are respectively used AS a sending end and a receiving end in a TSN network, a data stream of the TSN network is established between the AN network element and the UPF network element to carry a user stream, or AN application server AS in the AN network element, a terminal device, the UPF, and a DN is deployed in the same TSN network, and a TSN stream between the AN and the AS or a TSN stream between the terminal device and the AS is created, thereby ensuring delay and reliability of message transmission.

In the forwarding process of the conventional ethernet network, when a large amount of data packets arrive at the forwarding port of the switching device 310 at an instant, the problem of large forwarding delay or packet loss is caused, so that the conventional ethernet network cannot provide services with high reliability and guaranteed transmission delay, and cannot meet the requirements in the fields of automobile control, industrial internet, and the like. The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) has defined a related TSN network standard for the requirement of reliable delay transmission, which provides reliable delay transmission service based on two-layer switching, ensures the reliability of delay-sensitive traffic data transmission, and predictable end-to-end transmission delay.

The two-layer switch belongs to link layer switch, and performs forwarding based on a Media Access Control (MAC) address, the switching device 310 obtains a forwarding port by querying a MAC learning table, and forwards an address that is not recorded in the MAC learning table in a broadcast manner. As shown in fig. 7, the ethernet frame format of the two-layer encapsulated packet is shown, where a Destination Address (DA) represents a destination MAC address, a source address (source address, SA) represents a source MAC address, a TYPE (TYPE) represents an ethernet TYPE of the ethernet frame, DATA (DATA) represents a DATA segment, and a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) is used to detect or check an error that may occur after DATA transmission or storage. When the ethernet frame carries Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) information, a VLAN TAG (TAG) is added between an SA field and a TYPE field, including an ethernet TYPE value (TYPE 2)0x8100, a PRIORITY (PRIORITY) field, a standard format indicator (CFI) field, and a VLAN ID field. The ethertype value 0x8100 is also called a Tag Protocol Identifier (TPID) in the VLAN tag, which may be other values as well. The ethernet frame of the two-layer encapsulated packet may have no VLAN tag or at least one VLAN tag. Note that the ethertype (type 1) of the ethernet frame is independent of the ethertype value (type 2) in the TAG.

As shown in fig. 8, for the two-layer switching principle, the switching device 310 stores a MAC learning table, records the correspondence between MAC addresses and ports, and if forwarding is based on VLANs and MAC addresses, the MAC learning table also contains corresponding VLAN information. When receiving a message with a destination address of MAC4 from port 1, the switching device queries the MAC learning table to obtain port information corresponding to MAC4 as port 2, and then sends the message out from port 2. The entry of MAC4 in the MAC learning table is learned when port 2 receives a message with a source MAC address of MAC4, or can be obtained through configuration.

As shown in fig. 9, the TSN network includes switching nodes (switching node 1, switching node 2, and switching node 3 in the figure) and data terminals (data terminal 1 and data terminal 2 in the figure). The data terminal represents an endpoint of a data stream in the TSN network. For example, the data terminal 1 may be a RAN network element 302 and the data terminal 2 may be a UPF network element 305. Data streams in the TSN network are unidirectional streams, and for one data stream, a data terminal includes a sender (talker) or a receiver (listener). The TSN standard defines the behavior of data terminals and switching nodes and the scheduling manner in which the switching nodes forward data streams, thereby achieving reliable delay transmission. The switching node in the TSN takes the destination MAC address of the message as the information for identifying the data stream, and performs resource reservation and scheduling planning according to the time delay requirement of the user stream to be transmitted, thereby ensuring the time delay and reliability of message transmission according to the generated scheduling strategy.

As shown in fig. 9, the TSN network currently includes two resource reservation and management methods:

the first method is as follows: the forwarding channel is created by a Stream Reservation Protocol (SRP). Assuming that the data terminal 1 in the figure is a sender (talker), before it sends a data stream, resource reservation is performed on a switching node between the sender and a receiver through an SRP protocol. For example, the following process may be included:

(a) the data terminal 1 sends an SRP request message to the switching node 1, where the SRP request message includes one or more of information identifying a data flow, a VLAN, a class of service (CoS), or latency information. Wherein the information identifying the data flow may include at least one of a flow Identification (ID) or a destination MAC address of the data flow. VLAN and CoS are used to identify the TSN forwarding domain. The delay information is used to determine whether the forwarding path satisfies the delay requirement of the data flow. After receiving the SRP request message, the switching node 1 superimposes the delay information in the SRP request on the pre-timing delay of the node, and broadcasts the SRP request message on the ports (ports 3 and 4) in the TSN network. Both switching node 2 and switching node 3 receive the SRP request message, and since switching node 3 is currently located only in the same TSN network as switching node 1, it is not forwarded to other switching nodes. Because the switching node 2 and the data terminal 2 are located in the same TSN network, after receiving the SRP request message, the switching node 2 superimposes the delay information in the SRP request on the expected delay of its own node, and then sends the SRP request message to the data terminal 2 on the port (port 3) in the TSN network.

(b) After receiving the SRP request message, the data terminal 2 determines, according to the information identifying the data stream in the SRP request message and the application information, that the SRP request message corresponds to the data stream that the data terminal needs to receive, and sends an SRP response message from the port that receives the SRP request message when the delay information meets the preset requirement. Wherein the application information may be obtained by configuration or received from other network elements.

(c) After receiving the SRP response message, switching node 2 and switching node 1 in the TSN network reserve bandwidth and scheduling resources, and then forward the SRP response message from the port receiving the SRP request message.

Through the above process, a forwarding channel is created between the sending end and the receiving end, and each switching node reserves relevant resources according to the SRP request; and then, when receiving the data stream sent by the sending end, each switching node carries out scheduling forwarding according to the reserved resources, thereby ensuring the time delay and reliability of message transmission.

The second method comprises the following steps: IEEE defines a centralized management approach in 802.1 QCC. The management plane includes a CUC network element and a CNC network element, where the CUC network element is used to manage the terminal and the service, such as receiving the registration of the sending end and the receiving end, exchanging configuration parameters, and the like. The CNC network element manages the switching node in the TSN network, for example, maintains the topology of the TSN network, calculates the scheduling policy on the switching node, and issues the scheduling policy to the switching node. For example, the following process may be included:

(d) and the CUC network element receives a registration request of a data terminal serving as a sending end or a receiving end of the TSN network, wherein the request comprises at least one item of indication information indicating that the data terminal is the sending end or the receiving end, information for identifying data stream, bandwidth requirement or time delay requirement.

(e) And after receiving the information, the CUC network element sends a request for creating the data stream to the CNC network element.

(f) Before creating the data stream, the CNC network element will generate the topology of the TSN network, such as the connection topology between the switching nodes and the data terminals. After receiving a request for creating a data stream from a CUC network element, the CNC network element calculates a forwarding path in the TSN network and a scheduling strategy of each switching node on the path according to the bandwidth requirement, the time delay requirement and the like of the data stream, and then issues the strategy to the corresponding switching node.

In this embodiment of the present application, a reliable delay transport network (e.g., a TSN network) may be deployed between AN network element and AN UPF network element, and a forwarding manner of a reliable delay transport stream between AN and AN UPF network element follows a definition of the reliable delay transport network to forward, for example, a forwarding path is determined in a first manner or a second manner, and a forwarding policy is generated at a switching node on the forwarding path, and the switching node on the forwarding path forwards a packet according to a destination MAC of a data packet, instead of following AN existing routing manner. For example, the existing routing method is: and the routing node determines the MAC address of the next hop routing node according to the destination IP address in the original message, and forwards the MAC address after replacing the destination MAC address in the original message. In addition, a reliable time delay transmission network may be deployed between the UPF network element and the DN (or other UPF network elements), for example, the reliable time delay transmission network may be based on a three-layer deterministic network (the deterministic network, DetNet provides deterministic transmission based on a three-layer IP layer network), or based on a TSN network, and the specific network form and data stream forwarding manner are not limited in this embodiment of the application. In the embodiment of the present application, two sides of the UPF network element may be AN network element and a DN, respectively, or other UPF network elements.

The embodiment of the application provides a communication method, in one implementation mode, a transmission path from a terminal device to a DN is divided into three sub-paths between the terminal device and AN AN network element, between the AN network element and a UPF network element, and between the UPF network element and the DN, a user flow transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element is uniquely identified between the AN network element and the UPF network element through first identification information, a user flow transmitted between the terminal device and the AN network element is identified through second identification information, and a user flow transmitted between the UPF network element and the DN is identified through third identification information. Thereby establishing a complete path for the user stream to be transmitted between the terminal device and the DN. In particular, the first identification information may be a destination MAC address of the user flow. The implementation may refer to the process described in fig. 11 or 12.

In another implementation manner, the AS in the AN network element, the UPF network element, and the DN are in the same TSN network, and optionally, the TSN network may further include a terminal device. And identifying the user flow transmitted among the terminal equipment, the AN network element, the UPF network element and the DN through the first identification information, thereby establishing a complete path for transmitting the user flow between the terminal equipment and the DN. This implementation may refer to the process described in fig. 14.

In the embodiment of the application, first indication information is used for indicating a terminal device to send a user stream, second indication information is used for indicating a UPF network element to receive the user stream, and third indication information is used for indicating AN AN network element to send the user stream, wherein a corresponding user stream is AN uplink user stream; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to receive the user stream, the second indication information is used to indicate the UPF network element to send the user stream, and the third indication information is used to indicate the AN network element to receive the user stream, where the corresponding user stream is a downlink user stream. The second indication information and the third indication information may be obtained according to the first indication information, for example, the network device may learn, through the subscription data or the first indication information, that the terminal sends or receives the user stream, so as to learn that the AN and the UPF are uplink or downlink.

In the embodiment of the application, the first identification information is used for uniquely identifying the user stream transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element. The second identification information is used for identifying the user flow between the UPF network element and the DN. The third identification information is used for identifying the user stream transmitted between the terminal equipment and the AN network element.

In an embodiment of the application, the flow characteristics of the user flow may include one or more of a quality of service (QoS) flow identification, an IP address, or a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) port number of the user flow. The flow characteristics of the user flows can be used for identifying the downstream user flows by the UPF network element or identifying the upstream user flows by the AN network element. The stream characteristics can also be used to identify the user stream when managing it.

The Flow identifier of the user Flow is used to identify the data Flow, for example, the terminal device serves AS a sending end to request to create the user Flow with the Flow identifier of Flow1, and the AS serves AS a receiving end to request to create the user Flow with the Flow identifier of Flow1, so that the SMF network element, the CUC network element, or the CNC network element may associate the device identifiers of the sending end and the receiving end according to the same Flow identifier, and further create the user Flow from the terminal device to the AS. In addition, when user stream management is performed on the user plane device (for example, parameters of the user stream are modified or the user stream is deleted), the corresponding user stream is managed by the stream identifier.

And the destination MAC address of the user flow is used as the outer MAC address of GTP-U tunnel encapsulation when the GTP-U tunnel is used between the AN network element and the UPF network element for transmitting the user flow. And meanwhile, the destination MAC address of the user flow also has the same function as the flow identification of the user flow, and can be used for identifying the user flow when the user flow is managed, and the UPF network element can identify the downlink user flow according to the destination MAC address or the AN network element can identify the uplink user flow according to the destination MAC address.

Referring to fig. 10A, the method includes at least steps S1001-S1002:

s1001, the SMF network element sends the session information and the first identification information to the UPF network element, or the SMF network element sends the session information and the UPF network element indication information to the UPF network element.

Correspondingly, the UPF network element receives the session information and the first identification information from the SMF network element, or the UPF network element receives the session information and the UPF network element indication information from the SMF network element.

The first identification information is used for uniquely identifying the user stream transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element. The session information is used to indicate a session corresponding to the user stream.

In a possible implementation manner, the first identification information is further used for identifying a user stream transmitted between the terminal device and the AN network element, and is further used for identifying a user stream transmitted between the UPF network element and the DN.

In one possible embodiment, the first identification information comprises at least one of the following information: the destination MAC address of the user flow, the flow characteristics of the user flow, or the flow identification of the user flow.

The indication information of the UPF network element comprises at least one of first indication information or second indication information, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to send the user stream, and the second indication information is used for indicating the UPF network element to receive the user stream. Or, the first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to receive the user stream, and the second indication information is used to indicate the UPF network element to send the user stream.

The UPF network element indication information is used for triggering the acquisition of the first identification information. If the SMF network element sends the UPF network element indication information to the UPF network element, the UPF network element receives the UPF network element indication information from the SMF network element, and the UPF network element can acquire the first identification information according to the UPF network element indication information and send the first identification information to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element may receive the first identification information from the UPF network element.

In a possible embodiment, the UPF network element indication information is further used to indicate that the UPF network element creates a data flow, where Y is the data flow used to carry the user flow.

The SMF network element may further obtain the first identification information by:

in a possible implementation manner, the SMF network element may send the first information to the network side device; accordingly, the network side device receives the first information from the SMF network element. The network side equipment sends first identification information corresponding to the first information to the SMF network element, and correspondingly, the SMF network element receives the first identification information corresponding to the first information from the network side equipment. The network side device comprises a control device or a CUC network element, and the first information comprises at least one of the following information: the device identification of the AN network element, the device identification of the UPF network element, the port identification of the AN network element, the port identification of the UPF network element and the reliable time delay transmission network identification between the AN network element and the UPF network element.

In yet another possible implementation, the SMF network element may receive the first identification information from a terminal device, an AF network element, a PCF network element, a UDM function network element, or a CUC network element.

In one possible embodiment, the SMF network element may receive the first indication information from the terminal device or the AF network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the SMF network element may send the second identification information to the UPF network element, and accordingly, the UPF network element may receive the second identification information from the SMF network element. And the second identification information is used for identifying the user flow transmitted between the UPF network element and the DN. The second identification information includes at least one of the following information: the first destination MAC address of the user flow from the terminal equipment, the flow characteristics of the user flow and the second destination MAC address of the user flow from the network side.

For the downlink user flow, the UPF network element may forward the user packet in the following manner:

the UPF network element receives a user message from an interface at the DN side, wherein the user message comprises second identification information; and the UPF network element sends a GTP-U message to AN interface at the AN network element side, the GTP-U message encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside the user message, and the GTP-U message comprises first identification information corresponding to the second identification information.

For the uplink user flow, the UPF network element may forward the user packet in the following manner:

the UPF network element receives a GTP-U message from AN interface of AN AN network element side, the GTP-U message encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside a user message, and the GTP-U message comprises first identification information; and the UPF network element sends a user message to an interface at the DN side according to the first identification information.

S1002, the SMF network element sends the session information and the first identification information to the AN network element.

Accordingly, the AN network element receives the session information and the first identification information from the SMF network element. The description about the session information and the first identification information refers to the foregoing description and is not repeated here.

In a possible embodiment, the SMF network element may send AN network element indication information to the AN network element, and accordingly, the AN network element receives the AN network element indication information from the SMF network element. Wherein the AN network element indication information comprises at least one of the first indication information or the third indication information. The first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to send the user flow, and the third indication information is used for indicating the AN network element to send the user flow. Or, the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to receive the user stream, and the third indication information is used for indicating the AN network element to receive the user stream.

In a possible embodiment, the AN network element indication information is further used to instruct the AN network element to create a data flow, where the data flow is used to carry the user flow.

In a possible embodiment, the SMF network element may send the third identification information to the AN network element, and accordingly, the AN network element receives the third identification information from the SMF network element. And the third identification information is used for identifying the user flow transmitted between the terminal equipment and the AN network element. The third identification information includes at least one of the following information: the first destination MAC address of the user flow from the terminal equipment, the flow characteristics of the user flow and the second destination MAC address of the user flow from the network side.

For the uplink user flow, the AN network element may forward the user packet in the following manner:

the AN network element receives a user message from a bearing of the terminal equipment side, wherein the user message comprises third identification information; and the AN network element sends a GTP-U message to AN interface at the UPF network element side, the GTP-U message encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside the user message, and the GTP-U message comprises first identification information corresponding to the third identification information.

For the downlink user flow, the AN network element may forward the user packet in the following manner:

the AN network element receives a GTP-U message from AN interface at the UPF network element side, the GTP-U message encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside a user message, and the GTP-U message comprises first identification information; and the AN network element sends the user message to the bearing of the terminal equipment side according to the first identification information.

In one possible implementation, an SMF network element may send, to a CUC network element, first indication information, fourth indication information, identification information of a first device, fourth indication information, and device identification information of an AS, where the fourth indication information is used to identify a user stream sent or received by a terminal device, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate the AS to send or receive the user stream, and the identification information of the first device includes one of the following information: the device identification of the terminal device, the device identification of the AN network element and the port identification of the AN network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the SMF network element may send fifth identification information to the CUC network element, where the fifth identification information is used to identify a user stream sent or received by the AS. When the terminal device or the AN network element serves AS the transmitting end and the AS serves AS the receiving end, or when the terminal device or the AN network element serves AS the receiving end and the AS serves AS the transmitting end, the fifth identification information and the fourth identification information may be identified by the same user stream.

In one possible embodiment, the SMF network element may receive the fourth indication information, the fifth identification information, and the device identification information of the AS from the AS.

In one possible implementation, the SMF network element may receive the identification information of the first device from the terminal device, the AF network element, the PCF network element, or the UDM network element.

In one possible embodiment, the SMF network element may receive the fourth identification information from the terminal device.

In the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the SMF network element sends session information and first identification information to the UPF network element and the AN network element, where the first identification information is used to uniquely identify a user stream transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element, and the session information is used to indicate a session corresponding to the user stream. And the UPF network element and the AN network element can distinguish the user flow transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element according to the first identification information and correspond the user flow to the session according to the session information. Therefore, the user flow can be distinguished between the AN network element and the UPF network element.

As shown in fig. 10B, the communication method may include steps S1011 to S1012:

s1011, the control device receives the first information from the SMF network element.

Wherein the first information comprises at least one of the following information: the device identification of the AN network element, the device identification of the UPF network element, the port identification of the AN network element, the port identification of the UPF network element and the reliable time delay transmission network identification between the AN network element and the UPF network element.

S1012, the control device sends first identification information corresponding to the first information to the SMF network element.

The first identification information is used for uniquely identifying the user stream transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element.

In the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application, the control device receives the first information from the SMF network element and then sends the first identifier information corresponding to the first information to the SMF network element. Wherein the first information comprises at least one of the following information: the device identification of the AN network element, the device identification of the UPF network element, the port identification of the AN network element, the port identification of the UPF network element and the reliable time delay transmission network identification between the AN network element and the UPF network element. The first identification information is used for uniquely identifying the user stream transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element. The UPF network element and the AN network element can distinguish the user flow transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element according to the first identification information, so that the user flow can be distinguished between the AN network element and the UPF network element.

As shown in fig. 10C, the communication method may include steps S1021-S1012:

s1021, the terminal device sends the first indication information to the network device.

The first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to send or receive the user stream. The network equipment comprises a session management function network element or an application function network element.

S1022, the terminal device receives the second destination MAC address from the network device.

The second destination MAC address is a destination MAC address of the user stream received or transmitted by the terminal device.

In a possible implementation manner, the terminal device may further send fourth identification information to the network device, where the fourth identification information is used to identify the user stream sent or received by the terminal device.

In one possible embodiment, the terminal device may receive from the network device at least one of a destination MAC address of the user flow, a flow identification of the user flow.

In one possible embodiment, the terminal device may send a device identification of the terminal device to the network device.

In the communication method provided by the embodiment of the application, the terminal device sends the first indication information to the network device, and receives the second destination MAC address from the network device. The first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to send or receive the user stream, and may indicate that the direction of the created user stream is uplink or downlink. The second destination MAC address is the destination MAC address of the user stream received or sent by the terminal equipment, so that the terminal equipment can send or receive the user stream to or from the AN network element according to the second destination MAC address, and the user stream can be distinguished between the terminal equipment and the AN network element.

As shown in fig. 10D, the communication method may include steps S1031 to S1032:

and S1031, the network equipment acquires the first identification information.

The network equipment is a UPF network element or AN AN network element. The first identification information is used for uniquely identifying the user stream transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element.

In a possible implementation, the network device is a UPF network element, and the UPF network element may receive the first identification information from the SMF network element; or, the UPF network element may receive the indication information of the UPF network element from the SMF network element, and obtain the first identification information according to the indication information. Wherein the UPF indication information comprises at least one of first indication information or second indication information; the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to send the user stream, and the second indication information is used for indicating the UPF network element to receive the user stream; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to receive the user stream, and the second indication information is used to indicate the UPF network element to send the user stream.

In a possible embodiment, the UPF network element indication information is further used to indicate that the UPF network element creates a data flow, where the data flow is used to carry a user flow.

In a possible implementation manner, if the UPF network element receives the UPF network element indication information from the SMF network element, the UPF network element may further send the first identification information to the SMF network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the network device is a UPF network element, and the UPF network element may receive second identification information from the SMF network element, where the second identification information is used to identify a user stream transmitted between the UPF network element and the data network.

In a possible implementation manner, the UPF network element may receive a user packet from an interface on the DN side, where the user packet includes the second identification information; and the UPF network element sends a GTP-U message to AN interface at the AN network element side, the GTP-U message encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside the user message, and the GTP-U message comprises first identification information corresponding to the second identification information.

In a possible implementation manner, the network device is AN UPF network element, the UPF network element may receive a GTP-U message from AN interface on the AN network element side, the GTP-U message encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside the user message, and the GTP-U message includes the first identification information; and the UPF network element sends a user message to an interface at the DN side according to the first identification information.

In a possible embodiment, the network device is AN network element, and the AN network element may receive the first identification information from the SMF network element.

In a possible embodiment, the network device is AN network element, and the AN network element may receive AN network element indication information from AN SMF network element, where the AN network element indication information includes at least one of first indication information or third indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to send the user stream, and the third indication information is used to indicate the AN network element to send the user stream; or, the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to receive the user stream, and the third indication information is used for indicating the AN network element to receive the user stream.

In a possible implementation manner, the network device is AN network element, and the AN network element receives third identification information from the SMF network element, where the third identification information is used to identify a user stream transmitted between the terminal device and the AN network element.

In one possible implementation, the communication method further includes: the AN network element receives a user message from a bearing of the terminal equipment side, wherein the user message comprises third identification information; and the AN network element sends a GTP-U message to AN interface at the UPF network element side, the GTP-U message encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside the user message, and the GTP-U message comprises first identification information corresponding to the third identification information.

In a possible implementation manner, the AN network element may receive a GTP-U message from AN interface on the UPF network element side, where the GTP-U message encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside the user message, and includes the first identification information; and the AN network element sends the user message to the bearing of the terminal equipment side according to the first identification information.

In a possible implementation, the first identification information is further used for identifying a user flow transmitted between the terminal device and the AN network element, and is further used for identifying a user flow transmitted between the UPF network element and the data network.

S1032, the network device receives the session information from the SMF network element.

Wherein the session information is used to indicate a session corresponding to the user flow.

In the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, a network device receives session information and first identification information from AN SMF network element, where the network device may be AN UPF network element or AN network element, the first identification information is used to uniquely identify a user stream transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element, and the session information is used to indicate a session corresponding to the user stream. The UPF network element and the AN network element can distinguish the user flow transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element according to the first identification information, and the user flow is corresponding to the session according to the session information, so that the user flow can be distinguished between the AN network element and the UPF network element.

As shown in fig. 11, the communication method may include steps S1101-S1117. Wherein, the steps S1101 and S1102-S1103 are two parallel optional schemes, and either scheme can be executed. Steps S1104-S1105, S1106-S1107 and step S1108 are three alternative schemes in parallel, and any of them may be executed. Steps S1110-S1111 and steps S1112-S1113 are two alternative solutions in parallel, either of which may be performed. Step S1116 and step S1117 are two alternative schemes in parallel, and either scheme can be executed, wherein step S1116 corresponds to step S1101, and step S1117 corresponds to steps S1102-S1103.

The SMF network element obtains the first indication information through step S1101 in mode 1, or steps S1102 and S1103 in mode 2. Optionally, the SMF network element further obtains at least one of a first destination MAC address of the user flow or a flow characteristic of the user flow. Optionally, the SMF network element further obtains a second destination MAC address of the user flow. For example:

s1101, the terminal equipment sends first indication information to the SMF network element.

Accordingly, the SMF network element receives the first indication information from the terminal device.

And when the user flow is an uplink user flow, the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to send the user flow. When the user stream is a downlink user stream, the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal device to receive the user stream.

In a possible embodiment, the terminal device may further send at least one of a first destination MAC address of the user flow or a flow characteristic of the user flow to the SMF network element. At least one of the first destination MAC address of the user flow or the flow characteristics of the user flow may be obtained by the terminal device from the server through the application layer, or obtained by the terminal device according to the configuration information. In the embodiment of the present application, the first destination MAC address of the user flow may be denoted by MAC 1. Accordingly, the SMF network element may receive at least one of a first destination MAC address of the user flow or a flow characteristic of the user flow from the terminal device. The first destination MAC address may be used to identify the destination MAC address of the user stream when transmitted in the DN.

For example, the first indication information, and optionally at least one of the first destination MAC address or the flow characteristics of the user flow may be carried in a user flow creation request message, which is used to request creation of a user flow with reliable time delay transmission. If the first indication information indicates that the terminal equipment sends the user flow, the user flow requested to be created is an uplink user flow; and if the first indication information indicates that the terminal equipment receives the user stream, the user stream requested to be created is a downlink user stream.

S1102, the terminal equipment sends first indication information to a network element at the DN side.

Accordingly, the network element on the DN side receives the first indication information from the terminal device.

In a possible implementation, the terminal device may further send at least one of a first destination MAC address of the user flow or a flow characteristic of the user flow to a network element on the DN side. Accordingly, a network element on the DN side receives at least one of a first destination MAC address of a user flow or a flow characteristic of the user flow from a terminal device. The description of the first indication information, the first destination MAC address of the user flow, and the flow characteristics of the user flow refers to the previous steps and will not be repeated here.

For example, the first indication information, the first destination MAC address of the user flow, and the flow characteristics of the user flow may be carried in a user flow creation request message, where the request message is used to request creation of a user flow with reliable delay transmission.

The network element on the DN side may be an AF network element on the DN side or a CUC network element (denoted by CUC2 in the figure) on the DN side, or may be another network element on the DN side, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. The CUC2 is responsible for managing the TSN network between the DN side network element and the UPF network element.

S1103, the network element at the DN side sends the first indication information to the SMF network element.

Accordingly, the SMF network element receives the first indication information from the network element on the DN side.

In one possible embodiment, the network element on the DN side may send at least one of a first destination MAC address of the user flow or a flow characteristic of the user flow to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives at least one of a first destination MAC address of the user flow or a flow characteristic of the user flow from a network element on the DN side. The description of the first indication information, the first destination MAC address of the user flow, and the flow characteristics of the user flow refers to the previous steps and will not be repeated here.

Optionally, the AF network element on the DN side or the CUC network element on the DN side may allocate the second destination MAC address of the user flow according to the configuration, or the AF network element on the DN side may request the CUC network element on the DN side or another network element to allocate the second destination MAC address of the user flow. In the embodiment of the present application, the second destination MAC address of the user flow may be denoted by MAC 2. The second destination MAC address may be a destination MAC address of a user stream received or transmitted by the terminal device.

In one possible implementation, the CUC network element on the DN side may send the second destination MAC address of the user flow to the SMF network element.

For example, the first indication information and the second destination MAC address of the user flow may be carried in a user flow creation request message, where the user flow creation request message is used to request to create a user flow with reliable delay transmission. The message may be forwarded to the SMF network element via the NEF network element.

The SMF network element obtains the first identification information through steps S1104 and S1105 in mode 3, steps S1106 and S1107 in mode 4, or step S1108 in mode 5. The first identification information includes a third destination MAC address (MAC3) of the user flow.

S1104, the SMF network element sends the first information to the network side equipment.

Accordingly, the network side device receives the first information from the SMF network element. The network side device may include a control device or a CUC network element, where the CUC network element (denoted as CUC1 in the figure) refers to a network element that manages a TSN network between AN network element and a UPF network element.

The first information includes at least one of the following information: the device identifier of the AN network element, the device identifier of the UPF network element, or the port identifier of the AN network element, the port identifier of the UPF network element, or the reliable time delay transmission network identifier between the AN network element and the UPF network element. And the reliable time delay transmission network identifier between the AN network element and the UPF network element is associated with the port identifier of the AN network element and the port identifier of the UPF network element. The first information may be acquired by:

the device identifier of the AN network element or the port identifier of the AN network element: when the terminal device creates a session, the SMF network element may obtain access information of the terminal device, where the access information may include, for example, a device identifier of the AN network element, and one possible implementation manner is that the AMF network element sends the device identifier of the AN network element to the SMF network element. The SMF network element may be configured with a port identifier of the AN network element, or the SMF network element obtains the port identifier of the AN network element from another control network element (e.g., a control device) according to the device identifier of the AN network element.

The equipment identifier of the UPF network element or the port identifier of the UPF network element: when creating a session, the SMF network element may obtain the device identifier of the UPF network element when selecting the UPF network element. The SMF network element may obtain the port identifier of the UPF network element from the UPF network element, or the SMF network element may be configured with the port identifier of the UPF network element, or the SMF network element obtains the port identifier of the UPF network element from another control network element according to the device identifier of the UPF network element.

Reliable delay transport network identification: when the SMF network element selects the UPF network element, the reliable delay transport network identifier associated with the UPF network element and the AN network element may be obtained from the AMF network element or the NRF network element according to the configuration, or the reliable delay transport network identifier may be configured on the SMF network element, or the SMF network element is obtained from the UPF network element or another control network element.

S1105, the network side equipment receiving the first information sends the first identification information corresponding to the first information to the SMF network element.

The network side device may allocate a third destination MAC address according to the configuration, and the first identification information includes the first destination MAC address (MAC1) of the user flow from the terminal device, the flow characteristics of the user flow, and the third destination MAC address of the user flow from the network side. In the embodiment of the present application, the third destination MAC address of the user flow may be represented by MAC 3.

Accordingly, the SMF network element receives the first identification information from the network side device.

It should be noted that the first identification information is unique within the TSN network between the AN network element and the UPF network element.

S1106, the SMF network element sends the first information to the CUC network element through the control device.

The SMF network element sends first information to the control equipment, the control equipment receives the first information from the SMF network element, the control equipment sends the first information to the CUC network element, and the CUC network element receives the first information from the control equipment. The CUC network element (e.g., CUC1 network element) refers to a network element that manages a TSN network between AN network element and a UPF network element.

The description of the first information is referred to the previous steps and will not be repeated here.

S1107, the CUC network element sends, to the SMF network element, first identifier information corresponding to the first information through the control device.

The CUC network element may allocate the first identification information according to the configuration.

Correspondingly, the CUC network element sends first identification information to the control device, the control device receives the first identification information from the CUC network element, the control device sends the first identification information to the SMF network element, and the SMF network element receives the first identification information from the control device.

The description of the first identification information is described in the previous steps and will not be repeated here.

S1108, the SMF network element distributes the first identification information.

The SMF network element may allocate the first identification information according to the configuration.

S1109, the UPF network element and the DN side network element establish the user flow of reliable time delay transmission between the UPF network element and the DN side.

The embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution time of this step, and if the S1101 scheme is executed to request to create a user stream and the DN-side network element allocates the second destination MAC address, the SMF network element will acquire the second destination MAC address in this step.

Through the above steps, it can be seen that the first destination MAC address of the user flow and the flow characteristics of the user flow come from the terminal device, and the second destination MAC address of the user flow comes from the network side. It should be noted that the first destination MAC address and the second destination MAC address may be the same or different.

Through steps S1110 and S1111 in the method 6 or steps S1112 and S1113 in the method 7, the SMF network element sends the first identification information to the CNC network element, and after receiving the first identification information, the CNC network element creates a user stream of reliable time delay transmission between the AN network element and the UPF network element, and returns the creation result.

S1110, the SMF network element sends first identification information to the CNC network element through the control equipment and the CUC network element.

The CUC network element and the CNC network element refer to network elements for managing a TSN network between AN AN network element and a UPF network element.

For example, the first identification information may be carried in a request message, where the request message is used to request to create a user stream for reliable time delay transmission between the AN network element and the UPF network element.

For example, the SMF network element sends first identification information to the control device, the control device receives the first identification information from the SMF network element, the control device sends the first identification information to the CUC network element, the CUC network element receives the first identification information from the control device, and the CUC network element sends the first identification information to the CNC network element.

It should be noted that this step may be combined with S1104, that is, the SMF network element may send a message to the CNC network element through the CUC network element, after the combination, the message in step S1104 is only sent to the CUC network element, and the information in step S1110 is continuously sent to the CNC network element by the CUC network element.

S1111, after the CNC network element completes the creation of the user flow of the reliable time delay transmission, the creating result is sent to the SMF network element through the CUC network element and the control equipment.

For example, the CNC network element sends the creation result to the CUC network element, the CUC network element receives the creation result from the CNC network element, the CUC network element sends the creation result to the control device, the control device receives the creation result from the CUC network element, the control device sends the creation result to the SMF network element, and the SMF network element receives the creation result from the control device. The creation result may be used to indicate that the user flow creation is successful, for example, the creation result may include a flow identifier of the user flow, and optionally, the creation result may include a destination MAC address of the user flow, that is, a destination MAC address used in transmission between the AN network element and the UPF network element using the third destination MAC address (MAC 3).

It should be noted that the step may be combined with S1105, that is, the SMF network element may send a message to the CNC network element through the CUC network element, after the combination, the message in step S1105 is only sent to the CUC network element, and the information in step S1111 is continuously sent to the CNC network element by the CUC network element.

S1112, the SMF network element sends the first identifier information to the CNC network element through the CUC network element.

Correspondingly, the SMF network element sends the first identification information to the CUC network element, the CUC network element receives the first identification information from the SMF network element, and the CUC network element sends the first identification information to the CNC network element.

Note that this step may be combined with S1104.

And S1113, after the CNC network element completes the creation of the user flow of the reliable time delay transmission, the creating result is sent to the SMF network element through the CUC network element.

Correspondingly, the CNC network element sends a creation result to the CUC network element, the CUC network element receives the creation result from the CNC network element, the CUC network element sends the creation result to the SMF network element, and the SMF network element receives the creation result from the CUC network element.

Note that this step may be combined with S1105.

S1114, the SMF network element sends the session information, the first identifier information, and the UPF network element indication information to the UPF network element.

Accordingly, the UPF network element receives the session information, the first identification information and the UPF network element indication information from the SMF network element.

The session information is used to indicate a session corresponding to the user stream. The session information may explicitly indicate a session identification of the session to which the created user flow corresponds. Alternatively, since the session and the N4 interface of the UPF network element are corresponding, the session information may also implicitly indicate, e.g., by means of the N4 interface information, the session to which the created user flow corresponds.

The UPF network element indication information comprises at least one of the first indication information or the second indication information.

The second indication information is obtained by the SMF network element according to the first indication information, and as described above, if the first indication information indicates that the terminal device sends the user stream, the second indication information indicates that the UPF network element receives the user stream; and if the first indication information indicates that the terminal equipment receives the user stream, the second indication information indicates that the UPF network element sends the user stream.

Optionally, the UPF network element indication information may also be used to indicate that the UPF network element creates a data flow, where the data flow is used to carry a user flow. A data flow may be created in the TSN network between the AN and the UPF, where the data flow may carry GTP-U messages, and the GTP-U messages carry user flows. At this time, the data stream may be created by the UPF network element without performing the steps S1110-S1113. For example, in a possible implementation manner, the UPF network element sends AN SRP request message to the AN network element, or sends AN SRP response message to the AN network element after receiving the SRP request message corresponding to the first identification information from the AN network element. In another possible embodiment, the creation of the data stream is requested by a UPF network element from a CUC or CNC network element.

In one possible implementation, the SMF network element may send the second identification information to the UPF network element. Accordingly, the UPF network element receives the second identification information from the SMF network element. The second identification information may include at least one of the following information: a first destination MAC address of the user flow, flow characteristics of the user flow, a second destination MAC address of the user flow.

S1115, the SMF network element sends the session information, the first identification information and the AN network element indication information to the AN network element.

Accordingly, the AN network element receives the session information and the first identification information from the SMF network element. The AN network element may also receive AN network element indication information from the SMF network element.

The session information is used to indicate a session corresponding to the user stream. For example, the session information may explicitly indicate a session identification of the session to which the user flow corresponds. Alternatively, since the session and the N2 interface of the AN network element are corresponding, the session information may implicitly indicate the session to which the user flow corresponds, e.g., through the N2 interface information.

The AN network element indication information comprises at least one of the first indication information or the third indication information.

The third indication information is obtained by the SMF network element according to the first indication information, and as described above, if the first indication information indicates the terminal device to send the user stream, the third indication information indicates the AN network element to send the user stream; and if the first indication information indicates that the terminal equipment receives the user stream, the third indication information indicates that the AN network element receives the user stream.

Optionally, the AN network element indication information is further used to instruct the AN network element to create a data flow, where the data flow is used to carry a user flow, and the foregoing description about the data flow is not repeated here. At this time, the data stream may be created by the AN network element without performing the steps S1110-S1113. For example, in a possible implementation manner, the AN network element sends AN SRP request message to the UPF network element, or sends AN SRP response message to the AN network element after receiving the SRP request message corresponding to the first identification information from the UPF network element. In another possible embodiment, the creation of the data stream is requested by AN network element to a CUC or CNC network element.

In one possible embodiment, the SMF network element may send the third identification information to the AN network element. Accordingly, the AN network element receives the third identification information from the SMF network element. The third identification information may include at least one of the first information or a second destination MAC address of the user flow.

The information in steps S1114 and S1115 is used for the UPF network element and the AN network element to generate a forwarding rule, or may also be understood as that the SMF network element sends the forwarding rule to the UPF network element and the AN network element. The forwarding rules generated by the AN network element comprise forwarding rules between the terminal equipment and the AN network element and forwarding rules between the AN network element and the UPF network element. The forwarding rules generated by the UPF network element comprise forwarding rules between the AN network element and the UPF network element and forwarding rules between the UPF network element and the DN. As shown in table 1, the forwarding rules of the messages between the terminal device and the AN network element, between the AN network element and the UPF network element, and between the UPF network element and the DN are listed. That is, the forwarding rules for the UPF network element and the AN network element may be any of the following forwarding rules 1-7.

TABLE 1

Where MAC1 represents the first destination MAC address of the user flow described above, MAC2 represents the second destination MAC address of the user flow, and MAC3 represents the third destination MAC address of the user flow. The outer MAC address corresponds to the destination MAC address D-MAC1 in the GTU-U header in the GTP-U protocol of fig. 2, and the inner MAC address corresponds to the destination MAC address D-MAC2 in the user message in the GTP-U protocol of fig. 2. Non-ethernet encapsulation means that the user flow does not contain MAC address information, the user flow is not identified by a destination MAC address, but is identified by information such as flow characteristics of the user flow, and the UPF network element may need to retain the encapsulation or MAC address information of the user flow itself when forwarding the user flow to the DN. GTP-U N3 represents the N3 interface using the GTP-U protocol, and layer two N3 represents the N3 interface using the layer two protocol. Adding a GTP-U message header, adding AN Ethernet message header and modifying the Ethernet message header refers to processing a user message received by AN AN network element from a terminal device or a user message received by a UPF network element from a DN side.

Taking the GTP-U transmission user stream between the AN network element and the UPF network element as AN example, the forwarding rule generated on the UPF network element is:

and (3) uplink user flow: the UPF network element receives a GTP-U message corresponding to the session from AN interface (N3 interface, namely GTP-U tunnel interface) on the AN network element side, the GTP-U message encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside the user message, and the GTP-U message includes first identification information, for example, a destination MAC address of the GTP-U tunnel header is a third destination MAC address (MAC 3). And the UPF network element sends the user message to an interface (N6 interface) at the DN side according to the first identification information.

Downlink user flow: the UPF network element receives a user message from an interface (N6 interface) on the DN side, the user message including second identification information (the destination MAC address is the first destination MAC address (MAC1) or the second destination MAC address (MAC2), or the flow characteristics of the user flow). And the UPF network element sends a GTP-U message to AN interface (AN N3 interface, namely a GTP-U tunnel interface) on the side of the access network element according to the second identification information to send the GTP-U message to the AN network element, wherein the GTP-U message encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside the user message, and the GTP-U message includes the first identification information, for example, the destination MAC address of the GTP-U tunnel header is a third destination MAC address (MAC 3).

Taking the GTP-U transmission user stream between the AN network element and the UPF network element as AN example, the forwarding rule generated on the AN network element is:

downlink user flow: the AN network element receives a GTP-U message from AN interface (AN N3 interface, namely a GTP-U tunnel interface) on the UPF network element side, the GTP-U message encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside the user message, and the GTP-U message includes first identification information, for example, the destination MAC address of the GTP-U tunnel header is a third destination MAC address (MAC 3). And the AN network element sends the user message to the bearing of the terminal equipment side according to the first identification information.

And (3) uplink user flow: and the AN network element receives a user message from the bearer on the terminal equipment side, wherein the user message comprises third identification information (the destination MAC address is at least one of the first destination MAC address (MAC1) or the flow characteristics of the user flow). And the AN network element sends a GTP-U message to AN interface (AN N3 interface, namely a GTP-U tunnel interface) on the UPF network element side according to the third identification information to send the GTP-U message to the UPF network element, wherein the GTP-U message encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside the user message, and the GTP-U message comprises the first identification information, for example, the destination MAC address of the GTP-U tunnel header is a third destination MAC address (MAC 3).

For example, the following description takes the uplink user stream as an example, and the downlink user stream performs the reverse processing procedure.

Forwarding rule 1: the AN network element identifies a non-Ethernet encapsulated user packet from the end device based on a flow characteristic (e.g., QoS flow identification) of the user flow. After receiving the user message, the AN network element adds a GTP-U message header with a target MAC address as a third target MAC address (MAC3) to the outer layer of the user message to form a GTP-U message, and sends the GTP-U message to the UPF network element. And after receiving the GTP-U message, the UPF network element removes the GTP-U message header to obtain a user message by de-encapsulation, and sends the non-Ethernet encapsulated user message to the DN. The DN identifies the user message based on the stream characteristics. The forwarding rule is applicable to a scene of AN N3 interface between the AN network element and the UPF network element by adopting a GTP-U protocol.

Forwarding rule 2: and the AN network element identifies the non-Ethernet encapsulated user message from the terminal equipment according to the flow characteristics of the user flow. After receiving the user message, the AN network element adds AN Ethernet header with a destination address of a third destination MAC address (MAC3) to form a two-layer message, and sends the two-layer message to the UPF network element. And after receiving the two-layer message, the UPF network element removes the two-layer message header to obtain a user message by de-encapsulation, and sends the non-Ethernet-encapsulated user message to the DN. The DN identifies the user message based on the stream characteristics. The forwarding rule is applicable to a scenario of AN N3 interface between AN network element and a UPF network element that employs a two-layer protocol.

Forwarding rule 3: the AN network element identifies the user message from the terminal device according to whether the destination MAC address is the first destination MAC address (MAC 1). After receiving the user message, the AN network element adds a GTP-U message header with a target MAC address as a third target MAC address (MAC3) to the outer layer of the user message to form a GTP-U message, and sends the GTP-U message to the UPF network element. And after receiving the GTP-U message, the UPF network element removes a GTP-U message header to perform decapsulation to obtain a user message, and can send the user message with the destination MAC address being the first destination MAC address (MAC1) to the DN, or replace the destination MAC address of the user message with the second destination MAC address (MAC2) and send the user message to the DN. The DN may identify the user message based on whether the destination MAC address of the user message is a first destination MAC address (MAC1) or a second destination MAC address (MAC 2). The forwarding rule is applicable to a scene of AN N3 interface between the AN network element and the UPF network element by adopting a GTP-U protocol.

Forwarding rule 4: the AN network element identifies the user message from the terminal device according to whether the destination MAC address is the first destination MAC address (MAC 1). After receiving the user message, the AN network element replaces the target MAC address of the user message with a second target MAC address (MAC2), adds a GTP-U message header with the target MAC address being a third target MAC address (MAC3) on the outer layer of the user message to form a GTP-U message, and sends the GTP-U message to the UPF network element. And after receiving the GTP-U message, the UPF network element removes the GTP-U message header to obtain a user message by decapsulation, and sends the user message with the destination MAC address being a second destination MAC address (MAC2) to the DN. The DN may identify the user message based on whether the destination MAC address of the user message is a second destination MAC address (MAC 2). The forwarding rule is applicable to a scene of AN N3 interface between the AN network element and the UPF network element by adopting a GTP-U protocol.

Forwarding rule 5: the AN network element identifies the user message from the terminal device according to whether the destination MAC address is the first destination MAC address (MAC 1). After receiving the user message, the AN network element modifies the destination MAC address of the user message into a third destination MAC address (MAC3), and sends the user message to the UPF network element. And after receiving the user message, the UPF network element modifies the destination MAC address of the user message into a second destination MAC address (MAC2), and sends the user message to the DN. The DN may identify the user message based on whether the destination MAC address of the user message is a second destination MAC address (MAC 3). The forwarding rule is applicable to a scenario of AN N3 interface between AN network element and a UPF network element that employs a two-layer protocol.

Forwarding rule 6: the AN network element identifies the user message from the terminal device based on whether the destination MAC address is a second destination MAC address (MAC 2). After receiving the user message, the AN network element adds a GTP-U message header with a target MAC address as a third target MAC address (MAC3) to the outer layer of the user message to form a GTP-U message, and sends the GTP-U message to the UPF network element. And after receiving the GTP-U message, the UPF network element removes the GTP-U message header to obtain a user message by decapsulation, and sends the user message with the destination MAC address being a second destination MAC address (MAC2) to the DN. The DN may identify the user message based on whether the destination MAC address of the user message is a second destination MAC address (MAC 2). The forwarding rule is applicable to a scene of AN N3 interface between the AN network element and the UPF network element by adopting a GTP-U protocol.

Forwarding rule 7: the AN network element identifies the user message from the terminal device based on whether the destination MAC address is a second destination MAC address (MAC 2). After receiving the user message, the AN network element modifies the destination MAC address of the user message into a third destination MAC address (MAC3), and sends the user message to the UPF network element. And after receiving the user message, the UPF network element modifies the destination MAC address of the user message into a second destination MAC address (MAC2), and sends the user message to the DN. The DN may identify the user message based on whether the destination MAC address of the user message is a second destination MAC address (MAC 2). The forwarding rule is applicable to a scenario of AN N3 interface between AN network element and a UPF network element that employs a two-layer protocol.

It should be noted that, for each forwarding rule, the information used is different, and the information obtained by the UPF network element or the AN network element in the corresponding step is also different. For example, for forwarding rule 1 and forwarding rule 2, the flow characteristics of the user flow are required and both the first destination MAC address (MAC1) and the second destination MAC address (MAC2) are not required. For forwarding rule 6 and forwarding rule 7, the second destination MAC address (MAC2) is necessary and the first destination MAC address (MAC1) is not necessary.

S1116, the SMF network element sends the second destination MAC address to the terminal device.

And S1117, the network element at the DN side sends the second destination MAC address to the terminal equipment.

The DN-side network element may send the second destination MAC address to the terminal device in the case of allocating the second destination MAC address.

It should be noted that steps S1116 and S1117 are optional steps for forwarding rules 6 and 7, and are used to send the second destination MAC address allocated by the DN-side network element to the terminal device, and are performed when the destination MAC address of the terminal device is allocated by the DN-side network element. This second destination MAC address may be the destination MAC address of the user flow that the terminal sends (encapsulates) or receives (decapsulates).

The SMF network element, the control equipment and the CUC network element can be arranged in any combination. The first destination MAC address and the third destination MAC address may be the same. Further, the first destination MAC address, the second destination MAC address, and the third destination MAC address may be the same. However, the third destination MAC address is unique within the TSN network between the AN network element and the UPF network element.

As shown in fig. 12, the communication method may include steps S1201 to S1209. The procedure in fig. 12 differs from the procedure in fig. 13 in that the first identification information is assigned by the UPF network element.

S1201 to S1203 are the same as steps S1101 to S1103 and are not repeated here.

And S1204, the SMF network element sends the session information and the UPF network element indication information to the UPF network element.

Accordingly, the UPF network element receives the session information and the UPF network element indication information from the SMF network element. The description of the session information and the UPF network element indication information refers to the previous steps and is not repeated here.

This step may trigger the UPF network element to obtain the first identification information.

S1205, the UPF network element sends the first identification information to the SMF network element.

Accordingly, the SMF network element receives the first identification information from the UPF network element.

The UPF network element may obtain the first identification information according to the configuration. For example, a MAC address pool may be configured on the UPF network element, and one of the UPF network elements is selected as the first identification information.

Steps S1206-S1209 are the same as steps S1110-S1113, and steps S1210-S1212 are the same as steps S1115-S1117, and are not repeated here.

As shown in fig. 13, in a 5G core network (5G core, 5GC), the SMF network element and the control device may be arranged in a unified manner, and in addition, the SMF network element and the CUC network element (CUC 1 in the figure) may also be arranged in a unified manner, and a CUC network element (CUC 2 in the figure) may exist in the DN. The AS in the AN network element, the UPF network element and the DN are in the same TSN network, and the optional TSN network can also comprise terminal equipment. In one implementation, the CNC network element (CUC 1 in the figure) may use the AN network element as a sending end or a receiving end according to at least one of the device identifier of the terminal device, the device identifier of the AN network element, or the port identifier of the AN network element. In another implementation manner, the AN network element serves as a switching node, and the CNC network element may use the terminal device as a sending end or a receiving end according to the device identifier of the terminal device.

In the TSN, a CNC network element creates a forwarding path, a control plane network element SMF network element determines to create a user flow for a terminal device, and the determination method can be that the SMF network element receives a request message from the terminal device, an AF network element or an NEF network element and determines to create the user flow for a user according to the request message; or the SMF network element determines to create the user flow for the user according to the policy obtained from the PCF network element or the subscription data obtained from the UDM network element.

The destination MAC address and the flow identifier of the user flow may be allocated by an AF network element, an SMF network element, a CUC network element, or a CNC network element. Since the user plane device is in the same TSN network, the user streams transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element and between the UPF network element and the AS all use the same destination MAC address. For the same reason, in the TSN network, each forwarding node may manage the user stream using the unified stream identifier of the user stream.

As shown in fig. 14, the communication method may include steps S1401 to S1417. Step S1401 and steps S1402-S1403 are two alternative schemes, and any of them can be executed. Steps S1411 and S1412-S1413 are two alternative schemes in parallel, wherein step S1411 corresponds to step S1401, i.e. step S1411 may be executed when step S1401 is executed; steps S1412-S1413 correspond to steps S1402-S1403, i.e., steps S1412-S1413 may be performed when steps S1402-S1403 are performed.

The SMF network element obtains the first indication information through step S1401 in mode 1, or steps S1402 and S1403 in mode 2. Optionally, the SMF network element further obtains first identification information, where the first identification information is used not only to uniquely identify the user stream transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element, but also to identify the user stream transmitted between the terminal device and the AN network element, and also to identify the user stream transmitted between the UPF network element and the DN. For example:

s1401, the terminal equipment sends first indication information to the SMF network element.

Accordingly, the SMF network element receives the first indication information from the terminal device. The first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to send or receive the user stream.

In a possible implementation, the terminal device may send the fourth identification information to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives the fourth identification information from the terminal device. The fourth identification information is used to identify the user stream transmitted or received by the terminal device, for example, the fourth identification information may include at least one of the following information: the flow identification of the user flow, the destination MAC address of the user flow, and the flow characteristics of the user flow.

In one possible implementation, the terminal device may send a device identifier of the terminal device to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives the device identification of the terminal device from the terminal device. When the terminal device is used as a sending end, the SMF network element may determine the device identifier of the terminal device according to the sending end information of the message.

For example, the first indication information, the fourth identification information, or the device identifier of the terminal device may also be sent to the SMF network element through the user plane, for example, a session sent by the terminal device is forwarded to the UPF network element through the AN network element, and then forwarded to the SMF network element by the UPF network element.

Alternatively, for example, the first indication information, the fourth identification information, or the device identifier of the terminal device may be sent to the SMF network element through a NAS message (e.g., a user flow creation request message or a session modification message), for example, the NAS message sent by the terminal device is forwarded to the AMF network element through the AN network element, and then forwarded to the SMF network element by the AMF network element.

It should be noted that, when forwarding the NAS message, the AMF network element may send the device identifier of the AN network element corresponding to the terminal device or the port identifier of the AN network element to the SMF network element. Or, the UPF network element may send the device identifier of the AN network element or the port identifier of the AN network element corresponding to the terminal device to the SMF network element when forwarding the first indication information, the fourth identification information, or the device identifier of the terminal device.

Accordingly, the SMF network element may obtain identification information of the first device, where the identification information of the first device includes one of the following information: the device identification of the terminal device, the device identification of the AN network element and the port identification of the AN network element. If the identification information of the first device comprises the device identification of the terminal device, the corresponding scene is that the terminal device is used as a sending end or a receiving end in the TSN network; if the identification information of the first device includes the device identifier of the AN network element or the port identifier of the AN network element, the corresponding scenario is that the terminal device is not included in the TSN network, but the AN network element or the port of the AN network element is used as a transmitting end or a receiving end in the TSN network.

If the first indication information indicates that the terminal equipment sends the user flow, the user flow requested to be created is an uplink user flow; and if the first indication information indicates that the terminal equipment receives the user stream, the user stream requested to be created is a downlink user stream.

S1402, the terminal device sends the first indication information to the AF network element.

Accordingly, the AF network element receives the first indication information from the terminal equipment.

In a possible implementation manner, the terminal device may send the fourth identification information to the AF network element. Accordingly, the AF network element receives the fourth identification information from the terminal device.

In a possible implementation manner, the terminal device may send a device identifier of the terminal device to the AF network element. Accordingly, the AF network element may receive the device identification of the terminal device from the terminal device.

The description of the first indication information, the fourth identification information and the device identification of the terminal device is referred to the previous steps and is not repeated here. Similar to step S1401, the first indication information, the fourth identification information, and the device identification of the terminal device may also be sent to the AF network element through the user plane.

Optionally, if the fourth identification information sent by the terminal device to the AF network element does not include one or both of the flow identifier of the user flow or the destination MAC address of the user flow, or the terminal device does not send the fourth identification information to the AF network element (and therefore does not send the flow identifier of the user flow or the destination MAC address of the user flow), at least one of the flow identifier of the user flow or the destination MAC address of the user flow may be allocated by the AF network element, or at least one of the flow identifier of the user flow or the destination MAC address of the user flow may be obtained by the AF network element according to the configuration.

And S1403, the AF network element sends the first indication information to the SMF network element.

Accordingly, the SMF network element receives the first indication information from the AF network element.

In a possible embodiment, the AF network element may send the fourth identification information to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element may receive the fourth identification information from the AF network element. The fourth identification information may also include at least one of the following information: the flow identification of the user flow, the destination MAC address of the user flow, and the flow characteristics of the user flow, as described above, wherein at least one of the flow identification of the user flow or the destination MAC address of the user flow may be from the terminal device or from the AF network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the AF network element may send the device identifier of the terminal device to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element may receive the device identification of the terminal device from the AF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element may obtain the identification information of the first device, where the identification information of the first device is the device identifier of the terminal device. The corresponding scenario is that the terminal device is used as a sending end or a receiving end in the TSN network.

The description of the first indication information and the fourth identification information may refer to the previous steps, and will not be repeated here. The first indication information, the fourth identification information, or the device identifier of the terminal device may be carried in a user flow creation request message, and the message may be directly sent to the SMF network element by the AF network element, or sent to the SMF network element by another network element (e.g., a NEF network element).

It should be noted that step S1402 is optional, that is, the AF network element may actively execute step S1403 according to the service requirement. Step S1403 may also be performed by a network side device (e.g., a PCF network element or a UDM network element) actively according to service requirements instead of by an AF network element. For example, the network side device sends the first indication information to the SMF network element, and accordingly, the SMF network element may receive the first indication information from the network side device. Optionally, the network side device sends the fourth identification information to the SMF network element, and accordingly, the SMF network element may receive the fourth identification information from the network side device. Optionally, the network side device sends the device identifier of the terminal device (identifier information of the first device) to the SMF network element, and accordingly, the SMF network element may receive the device identifier of the terminal device (identifier information of the first device) from the network side device.

It should be noted that, after step S1401 or S1403 is executed, if the SMF network element does not receive the flow identifier of the user flow, the SMF network element may allocate the flow identifier of the user flow; if the SMF network element does not receive the destination MAC address of the user flow, the SMF network element may allocate the destination MAC address of the user flow. If the SMF network element does not receive the flow characteristics of the user flow, the SMF network element may obtain the flow characteristics of the user flow from the PCF network element. For example, taking the flow characteristics as the QoS flow identifier as AN example, the SMF network element may obtain the QoS flow identifier corresponding to the user flow from the PCF network element, where the QoS flow identifier may be used to identify the user flow between the AN network element and the terminal device.

S1404, the SMF network element sends the first indication information, the fourth identification information, and the identification information of the first device to the CUC network element.

The first indication information, the fourth identification information, and the identification information of the first device may be carried in the user stream creation request message.

If the fourth identification information sent by the SMF network element to the CUC network element does not include the flow identifier of the user flow, the CUC network element or the CNC network element may allocate the flow identifier of the user flow; if the fourth identification information sent by the SMF network element to the CUC network element does not include the destination MAC address of the user stream, the CUC network element or the CNC network element may allocate the destination MAC address of the user stream. If the fourth identification information sent by the SMF network element to the CUC network element does not include the flow feature of the user flow, it indicates that the user flow has no flow feature, and the CUC network element or the CNC network element may not acquire the flow feature of the user flow any more.

It should be noted that step S1404 is optional, and is not performed if the SMF network element and the CUC network element are arranged in a unified manner.

S1405, the AS sends the fourth indication information, the fifth identification information, and the device identifier of the AS to the SMF network element.

Accordingly, the SMF network element receives the fourth indication information, the fifth identification information, and the device identification of the AS from the AS. The fourth indication information is used for indicating the AS to send or receive the user stream. The fifth identification information is used to identify the user stream transmitted or received by the AS, for example, the fifth identification information may include at least one of the following information: the flow identification of the user flow, the destination MAC address of the user flow, and the flow characteristics of the user flow.

The fourth indication information, the fifth identification information, and the device identification of the AS may be carried in the user stream creation request message. The message may be sent by the AS directly to the SMF network element, or sent to the SMF network element through another network element (e.g., a NEF network element, an AF network element, etc.).

It should be noted that the fifth identification information may be different from or the same as the fourth identification information, and if the fifth identification information is the same as the fourth identification information, it indicates that the same user stream is requested to be created.

S1406, the SMF network element sends the fourth indication information and the device identifier of the AS to the CUC network element.

Optionally, the SMF network element may send the fifth identification information to the CUC network element. The fourth indication information, the device identifier of the AS, and the fifth identification information may be carried in the user flow creation request message.

It should be noted that step S1406 is optional, and is not performed if the SMF network element and the CUC network element are arranged in a unified manner.

In addition, steps S1405-S1406 are not executed in sequence with steps S1401-S1404. And steps S1404 and S1406 may be performed by combining by the SMF network element, for example, after the SMF network element receives the user stream creation request message from the terminal device and the AS, it determines that the terminal device and the AS request to create the same user stream according to the fourth identification information and the fifth identification information being the same, for example, destination MAC addresses of the user streams are the same, and/or stream identifications of the user streams are the same, and/or stream characteristics of the user streams are the same. The SMF network element then requests the CUC network element to create a user flow and simultaneously indicates the information in steps S1404 and S1406. If the SMF network element and the CUC network element unify the placement, the SMF network element requests the CNC network element to create the user stream while indicating the information in steps S1404 and S1406.

And S1407, creating the user flow by the CUC network element or the CNC network element.

The CUC network element or the CNC network element may determine that the terminal device and the AS request are created by the same user stream according to the fourth identification information and the fifth identification information. The way in which the CUC network element or the CNC network element determines the same user stream is similar to that of the SMF network element, and is not repeated here.

The CNC network element may create a user flow between the terminal device and the AS according to the information in steps S1404 and S1406, where a destination MAC address of the created user flow is the same destination MAC address in the fourth identification information or the fifth identification information, the CNC network element generates a forwarding rule of each forwarding node on the forwarding path, and issues the forwarding rule to each forwarding node (including AN network element, a UPF network element, and a switching device between the AN network element and the UPF network element), and the issued forwarding rule includes the destination MAC address of the user flow and a flow identifier of the user flow. Optionally, if the user flow has a flow characteristic, the issued forwarding rule may further include the flow characteristic of the user flow.

S1408, the CUC network element sends a message of completion of the flow creation to the SMF.

Optionally, if the CUC network element or the CNC network element allocates at least one of the flow identifier of the user flow or the destination MAC address of the user flow, the CUC network element may send at least one of the flow identifier of the allocated user flow or the destination MAC address of the user flow to the SMF network element.

It should be noted that, even if the CUC network element or the CNC network element allocates the flow identifier of the user flow and the destination MAC address of the user flow, the CUC network element may send only one of the flow identifier of the user flow or the destination MAC address of the user flow to the SMF.

In addition, step S1408 is optional, and is not performed if the SMF network element and the CUC network element are arranged in combination.

S1409, the SMF network element sends the session information and the first identification information to the UPF network element.

Accordingly, the UPF network element receives the session information and the first identification information from the SMF network element.

The session information is used to indicate a session corresponding to the created user stream. For example, the session information may explicitly indicate a session identification of the session to which the user flow corresponds. Alternatively, because the session and N4 interfaces are corresponding, the session information may also implicitly indicate, e.g., via N4 interface information, the session to which the user stream corresponds.

The first identification information is used for identifying the user stream transmitted in the TSN, and when the AS in the AN network element, the UPF network element and the DN are in the same TSN, the first identification information can be used for uniquely identifying the user stream transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element and identifying the user stream transmitted between the UPF network element and the AS in the DN; for the case that the TSN network further includes the terminal device, the first identification information may also be used to identify the user stream transmitted between the terminal device and the AN network element. The first identification information includes at least one of the following information: the flow identification of the user flow, the destination MAC address of the user flow, and the flow characteristics of the user flow.

The mode of sending the session information and the first identification information by the SMF network element may be: for example, the SMF network element sends an N4 session creation request message or an N4 session modification request message, which includes the session information and the first identification information, to the UPF network element.

Optionally, the UPF network element may send a response message to the SMF network element.

Step S1409 is used to create a corresponding relationship between the user stream and the session on the UPF network element.

Step S1409 is a mandatory step for the downstream user stream. When receiving the downlink user stream, the UPF network element may identify the user stream as a corresponding reliable time delay transmission user stream according to the first identification information. Then, the UPF network element adds GTP-U package to the user message, GTP-U tunnel information in the GTP-U package uses GTP-U tunnel information of a corresponding session, a destination MAC address uses a destination MAC address of the user stream, and a source MAC address is not limited (for example, the MAC address of the UPF network element or the source MAC address of the user message is used).

It should be noted that the SMF network element may not send the destination MAC address of the user flow to the UPF network element, and the UPF may determine the destination MAC address of the user flow according to the following manner: when the CNC network element creates the user stream, the CNC network element sends the stream identifier of the user stream, the destination MAC address of the user stream, and the stream characteristics of the user stream (if the stream characteristics of the user stream exist) to the UPF network element, the AN network element, and the switching device therebetween, so that the UPF network element can query the corresponding user stream and obtain other information of the user stream when receiving any one of the information from the SMF network element. Of course the SMF network element may also indicate to the UPF network element that all information of the user flow is bound to the session.

Step S1409 is an optional step for the upstream user stream. For the upstream user flow, although the CNC network element sends the destination MAC address of the user flow to the UPF network element when creating the user flow, the UPF network element may determine the corresponding session according to the tunnel information in the GTP-U encapsulation when receiving the upstream user flow. The SMF network element may perform this step for other purposes, such as configuring charging policies, etc.

And S1410, the SMF network element sends the session information and the first identification information to the AN network element.

Accordingly, the UPF network element receives the session information and the first identification information from the SMF network element. For example, taking the flow characteristics as the QoS flow identification as AN example, the SMF network element may send the QoS flow identification to the AN network element. The description of the session information and the first identification information is described in the previous steps and will not be repeated here.

Optionally, the AN network element sends a response message to the SMF network element.

Wherein the session information may explicitly indicate a session identification of a session corresponding to the created user flow. Alternatively, because the session and the N2 interface are corresponding, the session information may implicitly indicate the session to which the created user stream corresponds, e.g., via the N2 interface information.

The mode of sending the session information and the first identification information by the SMF network element may be: for example, the SMF network element transmits AN N2 session creation request message or AN N2 session modification request message, including the session information and the first identification information, to the AN network element.

The message is used to create a correspondence between the user flow and the session on the web element at the AN.

This step is a mandatory step for upstream user flows. When receiving the uplink user stream from the terminal device, the AN network element may identify the user stream as a corresponding reliable time delay transport stream according to the first identification information. Then, the AN network element adds GTP-U package to the user message, GTP-U tunnel information in the GTP-U package uses GTP-U tunnel information of a corresponding session, a destination MAC address uses a destination MAC address of the user stream, and a source MAC address is not limited (for example, the MAC address of the AN network element or the source MAC address of the user message is used).

It should be noted that the SMF may not send the destination MAC address of the user flow to the AN network element, and the AN network element may determine the destination MAC address of the user flow according to the following manner: when creating the user stream, the CNC network element sends the stream identifier of the user stream, the destination MAC address of the user stream, and the stream characteristics of the user stream (if the stream characteristics of the user stream exist) to the UPF network element, the AN network element, and the switching device therebetween, so that the AN network element can query the corresponding user stream and obtain other information of the user stream when receiving any one of the information from the SMF network element. Of course, the SMF network element may also indicate all information of the user flow to the AN network element as information bound to the session.

This step is an optional step for the downstream user flow. For the downlink user flow, although the CNC network element sends the destination MAC address of the user flow to the AN network element when creating the user flow, the AN network element may determine the corresponding session according to the tunnel information in the GTP-U encapsulation when receiving the downlink user flow. The SMF network element may perform this step for other purposes, such as configuring charging policies, etc.

It should be noted that in steps S1409 and S1910, the first identification information sent by the SMF network element does not need to be the same as the fourth identification information or the fifth identification information received by the SMF network element in steps S1401 to S1403. For example, the SMF network element receives the flow characteristics of the user flow in steps S1401-S1403, the SMF network element may transmit the flow identification of the user flow in steps S1409 and S1910, and the SMF network element may transmit the flow identification of the user flow and the flow characteristics of the user flow in step S1410.

S1411, the SMF network element sends a confirmation message to the terminal equipment.

Alternatively, the confirmation message may be a user flow creation completion message. For example, the user flow creation complete message may include at least one of a destination MAC address of the user flow allocated on the network side or a flow identification of the user flow. It should be noted that, if the network side allocates the destination MAC address of the user flow, the destination MAC address of the user flow must be indicated, so that the destination MAC address of the user message is used for encapsulating when the terminal device is used as a sending end, or the user flow is identified according to the destination MAC address of the user message when the terminal device is used as a receiving end. The flow identifier of the user flow is optional, and is used for indicating which user flow to operate according to the flow identifier of the user flow when the terminal device manages the user flow (for example, modifying a parameter of the user flow or deleting the user flow).

And S1412, the SMF network element sends a confirmation message to the AF network element.

Alternatively, the confirmation message may be a response message to the user stream creation request. For example, at least one of a destination MAC address of the user flow allocated by the network side or a flow identification of the user flow may be included in the response message of the user flow creation request. The role of the destination MAC address of the user flow or the flow identification of the user flow is referred to step S1411 and will not be repeated here.

The SMF network element may directly send a response message of the user flow creation request to the AF network element, or may send a response message of the user flow creation request to the AF network element through another network element (e.g., the NEF network element), where a specific sending manner corresponds to the manner in step S1403.

S1413, the AF network element sends a confirmation message to the terminal equipment.

Alternatively, the confirmation message may be a user flow creation completion message. For example, at least one of a destination MAC address of the user flow allocated by the network side or a flow identification of the user flow may be included in the user flow creation completion message. The specific role of the destination MAC address of the user flow or the flow identification of the user flow is referred to step S1411 and will not be repeated here.

And S1414, the SMF network element sends a user flow creation completion message to the AS.

Optionally, the user flow creation completion message may include at least one of a destination MAC address of the user flow allocated by the network side or a flow identifier of the user flow. It should be noted that, if the network side allocates the destination MAC address of the user flow, the destination MAC address of the user flow must be indicated, so that the user flow is encapsulated when the AS is used AS the sending end, or identified according to the destination MAC address of the user message when the AS is used AS the receiving end. The flow identifier of the user flow is optional, and is used for indicating which user flow to operate according to the flow identifier of the user flow when the AS manages the user flow (for example, modifying a parameter of the user flow or deleting the user flow).

It should be noted that, step S1411 or S1412-1413 is to send an acknowledgement message to the terminal device, and step S1414 is to send an acknowledgement message to the AS, so AS to avoid that the sending end starts sending the user packet when the receiving end does not receive the acknowledgement message, the SMF network element may first execute a procedure of sending the acknowledgement message to the receiving end, and then execute a procedure of sending the acknowledgement message to the sending end. For example, if the terminal device is a sending end, the SMF network element may first perform step S1414, and then perform step S1411 or S1412-S1413; if the AS is the sending end, the SMF network element may perform step S1411 or S1412-S1413 first, and then perform step S1414.

The communication method provided by the embodiment of the application solves the problem that the address is unique when the user stream is transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element through network deployment. For example, AN network element, a UPF network element, and AN AS are deployed in the same TSN network, and a unique MAC address is used in the TSN network, so that the MAC address is also unique between the AN network element and the UPF network element. When the user flow is transmitted between the AN network element and the UPF network element, the unique MAC address can be used as a destination MAC address to package the user flow. The method for ensuring the uniqueness of the MAC address may be that the terminal device and the AS use a pre-allocated fixed MAC address, or that the terminal device and the AS are allocated by an AF network element, an SMF network element, a CUC network element, or a CNC network element during the stream creation process. The embodiment is suitable for a scene that a GTP-U tunnel is used for transmitting the user flow between the AN network element and the UPF network element, and is also suitable for a scene that AN Ethernet tunnel is used for transmitting the user flow between the AN network element and the UPF network element (namely GTP-U encapsulation is not carried out).

The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication apparatus, which can be used to execute the function of the SMF network element in the foregoing method. In the embodiment of the present application, the communication apparatus may be divided into the functional modules according to the method example, for example, each functional module may be divided according to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be realized in a hardware mode, and can also be realized in a software functional module mode. It should be noted that, the division of the modules in the present application is schematic, and is only a logical function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation.

In the case of dividing each functional module by corresponding functions, fig. 15 shows a schematic diagram of a possible structure of the communication device according to the above embodiment, and the communication device 15 may include: a receiving unit 1511, an assigning unit 1512, and a transmitting unit 1513. The above units are used to support the communication device to execute the relevant method of the SMF network element in any of fig. 10A-12, 14. The communication device provided by the present application is configured to execute the corresponding method provided above, and therefore, the corresponding features and the achieved beneficial effects thereof refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method provided above, and are not described herein again. It should be noted that the above units are optional. Illustratively, the communication device 15 may include a sending unit 1513, and optionally, the communication device 15 may further include a receiving unit 1511 and an allocating unit 1512.

Illustratively, the receiving unit 1511 is configured to support the communication apparatus 15 to execute the process S1012 in fig. 10B, or the process S1021 in fig. 10C, or the processes S1101, S1103, S1105, S1107, S1111, S1113 in fig. 11, or the processes S1201, S1203, S1205, S1207, S1209 in fig. 12, or the processes S1403, S1405, S1408 in fig. 14. The allocation unit 1512 is used to support the communication device 15 to execute the process S1108 in fig. 11. The transmitting unit 1513 is configured to support the communication apparatus 15 to execute the processes S1001 and S1002 in fig. 10A, or the process S1011 in fig. 10B, or the process S1022 in fig. 10C, or the process S1032 in fig. 10D, or the processes S1104, S1106, S1110, S1112, S1114-S1116 in fig. 11, or the processes S1204, S1206, S1208, S1210, S1211 in fig. 12, or the processes S1404, S1406, S1409, S1411, S1412, S1414 in fig. 14. All relevant contents of each step related to the above method embodiment may be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and are not described herein again.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit 1513 is configured to send session information and first identification information to a user plane function network element, or send session information and user plane function network element indication information to the user plane function network element, where the user plane function network element indication information includes at least one of the first indication information or the second indication information, and the user plane function network element indication information is used to trigger acquisition of the first identification information; the sending unit 1513 is further configured to send the session information and the first identification information to the access network element; the first identification information is used for uniquely identifying the user flow transmitted between the access network element and the user plane functional network element, and the session information is used for indicating the session corresponding to the user flow; the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to send the user stream, and the second indication information is used for indicating the user plane functional network element to receive the user stream; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to receive the user stream, and the second indication information is used to indicate the user plane function network element to send the user stream.

In a possible embodiment, the user plane function network element indication information is further used to instruct the user plane function network element to create a data flow, where the data flow is used to carry the user flow.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit 1513 is further configured to send access network element indication information to the access network element, where the access network element indication information includes at least one of first indication information or third indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to send the user stream, and the third indication information is used to indicate the access network element to send the user stream; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to receive the user stream, and the third indication information is used to indicate the access network element to receive the user stream.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit 1513 is further configured to send second identification information to the user plane function network element, where the second identification information is used to identify a user stream transmitted between the user plane function network element and the data network; or, the element sends third identification information to the access network element, where the third identification information is used to identify a user stream transmitted between the terminal device and the access network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the communication apparatus further includes a receiving unit 1511, and the sending unit 1513 is further configured to send the first information to the network-side device; the receiving unit 1511 is configured to receive first identification information corresponding to the first information from the network side device; the network side device comprises a control device or a centralized user configuration network element, and the first information comprises at least one of the following information: the device identification of the access network element, the device identification of the user plane functional network element, the port identification of the access network element, the port identification of the user plane functional network element, and the reliable time delay transmission network identification between the access network element and the user plane functional network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the communication apparatus further includes a receiving unit 1511, and if the sending unit 1513 sends the user plane function network element indication information to the user plane function network element, the receiving unit 1511 is configured to receive the first identification information from the user plane function network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the communication apparatus further includes a receiving unit 1511, where the receiving unit 1511 is configured to receive the first indication information from the terminal device or the application function network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the communication apparatus further includes a receiving unit 1511, where the receiving unit 1511 is configured to receive the first identification information from a terminal device, an application function network element, a policy control function network element, a unified data management function network element, or a centralized user configuration network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit 1513 is further configured to send, to the centralized user configuration network element, first indication information, fourth identification information, identification information of the first device, fourth indication information, and device identification information of the application server, where the fourth identification information is used to identify a user stream sent or received by the terminal device, the fourth indication information is used to indicate the application server to send or receive the user stream, and the identification information of the first device includes one of the following information: the device identification of the terminal device, the device identification of the access network element and the port identification of the access network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit 1513 sends fifth identification information to the centralized subscriber configuration network element, where the fifth identification information is used to identify a subscriber stream sent or received by the application server.

In a possible implementation manner, the communication apparatus further includes a receiving unit 1511, and the receiving unit 1511 is configured to receive the fourth indication information, the fifth identification information, and the device identification information of the application server from the application server.

In a possible implementation manner, the communication apparatus further includes a receiving unit 1511, where the receiving unit 1511 is configured to receive the identification information of the first device from a terminal device, an application function network element, a policy control function network element, or a unified data management function network element. This embodiment provides an implementation way for the SMF network element to obtain the above information.

In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus further includes a receiving unit 1511, and the receiving unit 1511 is configured to receive the fourth identification information from the terminal device.

In a possible implementation, the first identification information is further used to identify a user flow transmitted between the terminal device and the access network element, and is further used to identify a user flow transmitted between the user plane function network element and the data network.

Fig. 16 shows a schematic diagram of another possible structure of the communication device according to the above embodiment. The communication device 16 includes: a processing module 1622, and a communication module 1623. Optionally, the communication device 16 may also include a storage module 1621. The modules are used to support the communication device to execute the method related to the SMF network element in any one of fig. 10A-12, 14. The communication device provided by the present application is configured to execute the corresponding method provided above, and therefore, the corresponding features and the achieved beneficial effects thereof refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method provided above, and are not described herein again.

The processing module 1622 is used to control and manage the actions of the communication device 16 or to perform corresponding processing functions, such as the functions of the allocation unit 1512, as one possibility. The communication module 1623 is used to support the communication device 16 to perform the functions of the receiving unit 1511 and the sending unit 1513. The storage module 1621 is used to store program codes and/or data of the communication apparatus.

The processing module 1622 may be a processor or a controller, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), 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 device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. Which may implement or perform the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the disclosure. The processor may also be a combination of computing functions, e.g., comprising one or more microprocessors, DSPs, and microprocessors, among others. The communication module 1623 may be a network interface or a communication interface, etc. The storage module 1621 may be a memory.

In a possible manner, the processing module 1622 may be the processor 601 in fig. 6, the communication module 1623 may be the communication interface 604 in fig. 6, and the storage module 1621 may be the memory 603 in fig. 6. Wherein one or more programs are stored in the memory, the one or more programs comprising instructions which, when executed by the communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method relating to the SMF network element of any of figures 10A-12, 14.

An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication apparatus, including: a processor and a memory, the memory for storing a program, the processor invoking the program stored by the memory to cause the communications apparatus to perform a method associated with an SMF network element of any of figures 10A-12, 14.

Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer storage medium storing one or more programs thereon, which when executed by a processor, cause a communication device to perform a method related to an SMF network element of any of fig. 10A-12, 14.

Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product containing instructions, which when run on a communication apparatus, cause the communication apparatus to execute the method related to the SMF network element in any one of fig. 10A to 12 and 14.

An embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor and is configured to support a communication device to perform a method related to an SMF network element in any one of fig. 10A to 12 and 14. For example, the session management function network element sends session information and first identification information to the user plane function network element, or sends session information and user plane function network element indication information to the user plane function network element, where the user plane function network element indication information includes at least one of the first indication information or the second indication information, and the user plane function network element indication information is used to trigger acquisition of the first identification information; a session management function network element sends session information and first identification information to an access network element; the first identification information is used for uniquely identifying the user flow transmitted between the access network element and the user plane functional network element, and the session information is used for indicating the session corresponding to the user flow; the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to send the user stream, and the second indication information is used for indicating the user plane functional network element to receive the user stream; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to receive the user stream, and the second indication information is used to indicate the user plane function network element to send the user stream. In one possible design, the system-on-chip further includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data. The chip system may include a chip, an integrated circuit, and may also include a chip and other discrete devices, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

The communication device, the computer storage medium, the computer program product, or the chip system provided in the present application are all configured to execute the corresponding method provided above, and therefore, the beneficial effects achieved by the communication device, the computer storage medium, the computer program product, or the chip system may refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method provided above, and are not described herein again.

It is to be understood that the communication device may be an SMF network element, or may be a component (chip or circuit, etc.) that can be used in an SMF network element.

The embodiment of the application also provides a communication device, which can be used for executing the functions of the control equipment in the method. In the embodiment of the present application, the communication apparatus may be divided into the functional modules according to the method example, for example, each functional module may be divided according to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be realized in a hardware mode, and can also be realized in a software functional module mode. It should be noted that, the division of the modules in the present application is schematic, and is only a logical function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation.

In the case of dividing each functional module by corresponding functions, fig. 17 shows a schematic diagram of a possible structure of the communication device according to the above embodiment, and the communication device 17 may include: receiving section 1711 and transmitting section 1712. The above units are used to support the communication device to execute the related method of the control device in any of fig. 10A-12, 14. The communication device provided by the present application is configured to execute the corresponding method provided above, and therefore, the corresponding features and the achieved beneficial effects thereof refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method provided above, and are not described herein again. It should be noted that the above units are optional.

Illustratively, the receiving unit 1711 is configured to support the communication apparatus 17 to perform the procedure S1021 in fig. 10C, or the procedures S1104, S1106, S1110, S1111 in fig. 11, or the procedures S1206, S1207 in fig. 12. The transmitting unit 1712 is configured to support the communication apparatus 17 to execute the process S1022 in fig. 10C, or the processes S1105, S1106, S1107, S1110, and S1111 in fig. 11, or the processes S1206 and S1207 in fig. 12. All relevant contents of each step related to the above method embodiment may be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and are not described herein again.

In a possible embodiment, the receiving unit 1711 receives the first information from the session management function network element, wherein the first information includes at least one of the following information: the device identification of the access network element, the device identification of the user plane functional network element, the port identification of the access network element, the port identification of the user plane functional network element, and the reliable time delay transmission network identification between the access network element and the user plane functional network element; the sending unit 1712 sends, to the session management function network element, first identification information corresponding to the first information, where the first identification information is used to uniquely identify, between the access network element and the user plane function network element, a user stream transmitted between the access network element and the user plane function network element.

Fig. 18 shows a schematic diagram of still another possible structure of the communication device according to the above embodiment. The communication device 18 includes: a processing module 1822, and a communication module 1823. Optionally, the communication device 18 may also include a storage module 1821. The modules are used for supporting the communication device to execute the related method of the control device in any one of the figures 10A-12 and 14. The communication device provided by the present application is configured to execute the corresponding method provided above, and therefore, the corresponding features and the achieved beneficial effects thereof refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method provided above, and are not described herein again.

The processing module 1822 is used to control and manage the actions of the communication device 18 or to perform corresponding processing functions, as one possibility. The communication module 1823 is configured to support the communication device 18 to perform the functions of the receiving unit 1711 and the sending unit 1712. The storage module 1821 is used to store program codes and/or data of the communication device.

The processing module 1822 may be a processor or a controller, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), 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 device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. Which may implement or perform the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the disclosure. The processor may also be a combination of computing functions, e.g., comprising one or more microprocessors, DSPs, and microprocessors, among others. The communication module 1823 may be a network interface or a communication interface, etc. The storage module 1821 may be a memory.

In a possible manner, the processing module 1822 may be the processor 601 in fig. 6, the communication module 1823 may be the communication interface 604 in fig. 6, and the storage module 1821 may be the memory 603 in fig. 6. Wherein one or more programs are stored in the memory, the one or more programs including instructions which, when executed by the communications apparatus, cause the communications apparatus to perform the method relating to controlling the device of any of figures 10A-12, 14.

An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication apparatus, including: a processor and a memory, the memory for storing a program, the processor calling the program stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method associated with the control apparatus of any of figures 10A-12, 14.

Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer storage medium storing one or more programs thereon, which when executed by a processor, cause a communication apparatus to perform a method related to the control device in any of fig. 10A-12, 14.

Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product containing instructions, which when run on a communication apparatus, cause the communication apparatus to perform a method related to controlling a device in any of fig. 10A to 12, and 14.

Embodiments of the present application provide a chip system, which includes a processor, and is configured to enable a communication device to perform a method related to a control apparatus in any one of fig. 10A to 12 or 14. For example, the control device receives first information from a session management function network element, wherein the first information comprises at least one of: the device identification of the access network element, the device identification of the user plane functional network element, the port identification of the access network element, the port identification of the user plane functional network element, and the reliable time delay transmission network identification between the access network element and the user plane functional network element; and the control equipment sends first identification information corresponding to the first information to a session management function network element, wherein the first identification information is used for uniquely identifying the user stream transmitted between the access network element and the user plane function network element. In one possible design, the system-on-chip further includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data. The chip system may include a chip, an integrated circuit, and may also include a chip and other discrete devices, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

It is to be understood that the communication device may be a control device, or may be a component (chip, circuit, or the like) that can be used for the control device.

The embodiment of the application also provides a communication device, which can be used for executing the functions of the terminal equipment in the method. In the embodiment of the present application, the communication apparatus may be divided into the functional modules according to the method example, for example, each functional module may be divided according to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be realized in a hardware mode, and can also be realized in a software functional module mode. It should be noted that, the division of the modules in the present application is schematic, and is only a logical function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation.

In the case of dividing each functional module by corresponding functions, fig. 19 shows a schematic diagram of a possible structure of the communication device according to the above embodiment, and the communication device 19 may include: receiving section 1911, and transmitting section 1912. The above units are used to support the communication device to execute the method related to the terminal device in any of fig. 10A-12 and 14. The communication device provided by the present application is configured to execute the corresponding method provided above, and therefore, the corresponding features and the achieved beneficial effects thereof refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method provided above, and are not described herein again.

Illustratively, the receiving unit 1911 is configured to support the communication device 19 to execute the process S1022 in fig. 10C, or the processes S1116 and S1117 in fig. 11, or the processes S1211 and S1212 in fig. 12, or the processes S1411 and S1413 in fig. 14. The transmission unit 1912 is configured to support the communication apparatus 19 to execute the process S1021 in fig. 10C, or the processes S1101 and S1102 in fig. 11, or the processes S1201 and S1202 in fig. 12, or the processes S1401 and S1402 in fig. 14. All relevant contents of each step related to the above method embodiment may be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and are not described herein again.

In a possible implementation, the sending unit 1912 is configured to send, to the network device, first indication information, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to send or receive a user stream; the receiving unit 1911 is configured to receive a second destination MAC address from the network device, where the second destination MAC address is a destination MAC address of a user stream received or sent by the terminal device. The network equipment comprises a session management function network element or an application function network element.

In a possible implementation, the sending unit 1912 is further configured to send fourth identification information to the network device, where the fourth identification information is used to identify a user stream sent or received by the terminal device.

In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 1911 is further configured to receive, from the network device, at least one of a destination MAC address of the user flow, a flow identification of the user flow.

In a possible implementation, the sending unit 1912 is further configured to send the device identifier of the terminal device to the network device.

Fig. 20 shows a schematic diagram of still another possible structure of the communication device according to the above embodiment. The communication device 20 includes: processing module 2022, communication module 2023. Optionally, the communication device 20 may further include a storage module 2021. The modules are used for supporting the communication device to execute the method related to the terminal device in any one of fig. 10A-12 and 14. The communication device provided by the present application is configured to execute the corresponding method provided above, and therefore, the corresponding features and the achieved beneficial effects thereof refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method provided above, and are not described herein again.

In a possible manner, the processing module 2022 is used to control and manage the actions of the communication device 20 or to perform corresponding processing functions. Communication module 2023 is used to support communication apparatus 20 to execute the functions of receiving section 1911 and transmitting section 1912. The memory module 2021 is used for storing program codes and/or data of the communication apparatus.

The processing module 2022 may be a processor or a controller, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), 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 device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. Which may implement or perform the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the disclosure. The processor may also be a combination of computing functions, e.g., comprising one or more microprocessors, DSPs, and microprocessors, among others. The communication module 2023 may be a network interface or a communication interface, etc. The storage module 2021 may be a memory.

In a possible manner, the processing module 2022 may be the processor 401 in fig. 4, the communication module 2023 may be the communication interface 404 in fig. 4, and the storage module 2021 may be the memory 403 in fig. 4. Wherein one or more programs are stored in the memory, the one or more programs including instructions which, when executed by the communication apparatus, cause the communication apparatus to perform the method relating to the terminal device of any of figures 10A-12, 14.

An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication apparatus, including: a processor and a memory, the memory being used to store a program, the processor calling the program stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method associated with the terminal device in any of figures 10A-12, 14.

Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer storage medium storing one or more programs thereon, which when executed by a processor, cause a communication apparatus to perform a method related to a terminal device in any of fig. 10A-12, 14.

Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product containing instructions, which when run on a communication apparatus, cause the communication apparatus to execute the method related to the terminal device in any of fig. 10A to 12 and 14.

Embodiments of the present application provide a chip system, which includes a processor and is configured to support a communication apparatus to perform a method related to a terminal device in any one of fig. 10A to 12 and 14. For example, a terminal device determines a sending end and a receiving end communicating through a data stream according to first indication information and second indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that a first device is the sending end and the second indication information is used to indicate that a second device is the receiving end, or the first indication information is used to indicate that the first device is the receiving end and the second indication information is used to indicate that the second device is the sending end, the data stream includes first information identifying the data stream, the first information is used to indicate that the sending end sends data through the data stream and is also used to indicate that the receiving end receives data through the data stream; the terminal equipment acquires bandwidth information of a data stream; the terminal device sends data stream information and bandwidth information, wherein the data stream information is used for indicating at least one of a port identifier of a sending end and a port identifier of a receiving end, and the port identifier of the sending end, the port identifier of the receiving end and the bandwidth information are used for creating the data stream. In one possible design, the system-on-chip further includes a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the terminal device. The chip system may include a chip, an integrated circuit, and may also include a chip and other discrete devices, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

It is to be understood that the communication device may be a terminal device, or may be a component (chip, circuit, or the like) that can be used for a terminal device.

The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication apparatus, which can be used to perform the functions of the AN network element and the network device in the foregoing method. In the embodiment of the present application, the communication apparatus may be divided into the functional modules according to the method example, for example, each functional module may be divided according to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be realized in a hardware mode, and can also be realized in a software functional module mode. It should be noted that, the division of the modules in the present application is schematic, and is only a logical function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation.

In the case of dividing each functional module by corresponding functions, fig. 21 shows a schematic diagram of a possible structure of the communication apparatus according to the above embodiment, and the communication apparatus 21 may include: a receiving unit 2111, an acquiring unit 2112, and a transmitting unit 2113. The above units are used to support the communication device to execute the related method of AN network element and network device in any of fig. 10A-12 and 14. The communication device provided by the present application is configured to execute the corresponding method provided above, and therefore, the corresponding features and the achieved beneficial effects thereof refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method provided above, and are not described herein again. It should be noted that the above units are optional. Illustratively, the communication device 21 may include an obtaining unit 2112 and a receiving unit 2111, and optionally, the communication device 21 may further include a transmitting unit 2113.

Illustratively, the receiving unit 2111 is configured to support the communication apparatus 21 to perform the process S1002 in fig. 10A, or the process S1032 in fig. 10D, or the process S1115 in fig. 11, or the process S1210 in fig. 12, or the process S1410 in fig. 14; the acquisition unit 2112 is configured to support the communication apparatus 21 to execute the process S1031 in fig. 10D; the transmitting unit 2113 is used to support the communication apparatus 21 to execute the process S1205 in fig. 12. All relevant contents of each step related to the above method embodiment may be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and are not described herein again.

In a possible implementation, the obtaining unit 2112 is configured to obtain the first identification information; the receiving unit 2111 is configured to receive session information from a session management function network element; the communication device is a user plane function network element or an access network element, the first identification information is used for uniquely identifying a user stream transmitted between the access network element and the user plane function network element, and the session information is used for indicating a session corresponding to the user stream.

In a possible embodiment, the receiving unit 2111 is configured to receive the first identification information from the session management function network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit 2111 is further configured to receive access network element indication information from the session management function network element, where the access network element indication information includes at least one of first indication information or third indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to send the user stream, and the third indication information is used to indicate the access network element to send the user stream; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to receive the user stream, and the third indication information is used to indicate the access network element to receive the user stream.

In a possible embodiment, the access network element indication information is further used to instruct the access network element to create a data flow, where the data flow is used to carry the user flow.

In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 2111 is further configured to receive third identification information from the session management function network element, where the third identification information is used for identifying a user stream transmitted between the terminal device and the access network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit 2111 is further configured to receive a user packet from a bearer on the terminal device side, where the user packet includes the third identification information; and the access network element sends a GPRS tunneling protocol user plane GTP-U message to an interface at the user plane functional network element side, the GTP-U message encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside the user message, and the GTP-U message comprises first identification information corresponding to the third identification information.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit 2111 is further configured to receive a GTP-U packet from an interface on the user plane function network element side, where the GTP-U packet encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside the user packet, and includes the first identification information; and the access network element sends the user message to the bearing of the terminal equipment side according to the first identification information.

Fig. 22 shows a schematic diagram of still another possible structure of the communication device according to the above embodiment. The communication device 22 includes: a processing module 2222 and a communication module 2223. Optionally, the communication device 22 may further include a storage module 2221. The modules are used for supporting the communication device to execute the related method of the AN network element in any one of fig. 10A-12 and 14. The communication device provided by the present application is configured to execute the corresponding method provided above, and therefore, the corresponding features and the achieved beneficial effects thereof refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method provided above, and are not described herein again.

The processing module 2222 is used to control and manage the actions of the communication device 22 or to perform corresponding processing functions, such as the functions of the acquisition unit 2112. The communication module 2223 is used to support the communication device 22 to execute the functions of the receiving unit 2111. The storage module 2221 is used to store program codes and/or data of the communication device.

The processing module 2222 may be a processor or a controller, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), 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 device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. Which may implement or perform the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the disclosure. The processor may also be a combination of computing functions, e.g., comprising one or more microprocessors, DSPs, and microprocessors, among others. The communication module 2223 may be a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, bluetooth, a network interface, a communication interface, or the like. The storage module 2221 may be a memory.

In a possible manner, the processing module 2222 may be the processor 531 in the BBU 501 in fig. 5, the communication module 2223 may be the RF circuit 534 in the RRU 502 in fig. 5, and the storage module 2221 may be the memory 532 in the BBU 501 in fig. 5. Wherein one or more programs are stored in the memory, the one or more programs comprising instructions which, when executed by the communications apparatus, cause the communications apparatus to perform the method associated with the AN network element or network device of any of fig. 10A-12, 14.

An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication apparatus, including: a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program, the processor invoking the program stored by the memory to cause the communications apparatus to perform a method associated with AN network element or a network device of any of fig. 10A-12, 14.

Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer storage medium storing one or more programs thereon, which when executed by a processor, cause a communication apparatus to perform a method related to AN network element or a network device in any of fig. 10A-12, 14.

Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product containing instructions, which when run on a communication apparatus, cause the communication apparatus to perform the method related to AN network element or network device in any of fig. 10A to 12 or 14.

AN embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor and is configured to support a communication apparatus to perform a method related to AN network element or a network device in any one of fig. 10A to 12 and 14. For example, the network device acquires first identification information; the network equipment receives session information from a session management function network element; the network device is a user plane functional network element or an access network element, the first identification information is used for uniquely identifying a user stream transmitted between the access network element and the user plane functional network element, and the session information is used for indicating a session corresponding to the user stream. In one possible design, the system-on-chip further includes a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the terminal device. The chip system may include a chip, an integrated circuit, and may also include a chip and other discrete devices, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

It is to be understood that the communication apparatus may be AN network element or a network device, and may also be a component (chip or circuit, etc.) that can be used for the AN network element or the network device.

The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, which can be used to execute the functions of the UPF network element and the network device in the foregoing method. In the embodiment of the present application, the communication apparatus may be divided into the functional modules according to the method example, for example, each functional module may be divided according to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be realized in a hardware mode, and can also be realized in a software functional module mode. It should be noted that, the division of the modules in the present application is schematic, and is only a logical function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation.

In the case of dividing each functional module by corresponding functions, fig. 23 shows a schematic diagram of a possible structure of the communication device according to the above embodiment, and the communication device 23 may include: a receiving unit 2311, an acquiring unit 2312, and a transmitting unit 2313. The above units are used to support the communication device to execute the method related to the UPF network element and the network device in any of fig. 10A to 12 and 14. The communication device provided by the present application is configured to execute the corresponding method provided above, and therefore, the corresponding features and the achieved beneficial effects thereof refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method provided above, and are not described herein again. It should be noted that the above units are optional. Illustratively, the communication device 23 may include an acquiring unit 2312 and a receiving unit 2311, and optionally, the communication device 23 may further include a transmitting unit 2313.

Illustratively, the receiving unit 2111 is configured to support the communication apparatus 21 to perform the process S1001 in fig. 10A, or the process S1032 in fig. 10D, or the process S1114 in fig. 11, or the process S1204 in fig. 12, or the process S1409 in fig. 14; the acquisition unit 2112 is configured to support the communication apparatus 21 to execute the process S1031 in fig. 10D; the transmitting unit 2113 is used to support the communication apparatus 21 to execute the process S1205 in fig. 12. All relevant contents of each step related to the above method embodiment may be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and are not described herein again.

In one possible implementation, the obtaining unit 2312 is configured to obtain first identification information; a receiving unit 2311 is configured to receive session information from a session management function network element; the network device is a user plane functional network element or an access network element, the first identification information is used for uniquely identifying a user stream transmitted between the access network element and the user plane functional network element, and the session information is used for indicating a session corresponding to the user stream.

In a possible embodiment, the receiving unit 2311 is configured to receive first identification information from a session management function network element; or, receiving indication information of a user plane functional network element from the session management functional network element, where the obtaining unit 2312 is configured to obtain the first identification information according to the indication information, where the indication information of the user plane functional network element includes at least one of the first indication information or the second indication information; the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to send the user stream, and the second indication information is used for indicating the user plane functional network element to receive the user stream; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to receive the user stream, and the second indication information is used to indicate the user plane function network element to send the user stream.

In a possible implementation, the communication device further comprises a sending unit 2313, and if the receiving unit 2311 receives the user plane function network element indication information from the session management function network element, the sending unit 2313 is configured to send the first identification information to the session management function network element.

In a possible embodiment, the receiving unit 2311 is configured to receive second identification information from the session management function network element, where the second identification information is used to identify a user stream transmitted between the user plane function network element and the data network.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit 2311 is configured to receive a user message from an interface on the data network side, where the user message includes the second identification information; and the user plane functional network element sends a GTP-U message to an interface at the side of the access network element, the GTP-U message encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside the user message, and the GTP-U message comprises first identification information corresponding to the second identification information.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit 2311 is configured to receive a GPRS tunneling protocol user plane GTP-U packet from an interface on the side of an access network element, where the GTP-U packet encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside the user packet, and includes first identification information; the communication device further comprises a sending unit 2313, configured to send the user packet to an interface on the data network side according to the first identification information.

Fig. 24 shows a schematic diagram of another possible structure of the communication device according to the above embodiment. The communication device 24 includes: a processing module 2422, a communication module 2423. Optionally, the communication device 24 may also include a memory module 2421. The modules are used to support the communication device to execute the method related to the UPF network element in any one of fig. 10A-12 and 14. The communication device provided by the present application is configured to execute the corresponding method provided above, and therefore, the corresponding features and the achieved beneficial effects thereof refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method provided above, and are not described herein again.

The processing module 2422 is used to control and manage the actions of the communication device 24 or to perform corresponding processing functions, such as the functions of the obtaining unit 2312. The communication module 2423 is used to support the communication device 24 to perform the functions of the receiving unit 2311 and the sending unit 2313. The memory module 2421 is used to store program codes and/or data of the communication device.

The processing module 2422 may be a processor or a controller, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), 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 device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. Which may implement or perform the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the disclosure. The processor may also be a combination of computing functions, e.g., comprising one or more microprocessors, DSPs, and microprocessors, among others. The communication module 2423 may be a transceiver, transceiver circuitry, bluetooth, a network interface or a communication interface, etc. The storage module 2421 may be a memory.

In a possible manner, the processing module 2222 may be the processor 601 in fig. 5, the communication module 2223 may be the communication interface 604 in fig. 6, and the storage module 2221 may be the memory 603 in fig. 6. Wherein one or more programs are stored in the memory, the one or more programs comprising instructions which, when executed by the communications apparatus, cause the communications apparatus to perform the method associated with the UPF network element or network device of any of figures 10A-12, 14.

An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication apparatus, including: a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program, the processor invoking the program stored by the memory to cause the communications apparatus to perform a method associated with a UPF network element or network device of any of figures 10A-12, 14.

Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer storage medium storing one or more programs thereon, which when executed by a processor, cause a communication device to perform a method associated with a UPF network element or network device of any of fig. 10A-12, 14.

Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product containing instructions, which when run on a communication apparatus, cause the communication apparatus to execute the method related to the UPF network element or network device in any of fig. 10A to 12 and 14.

Embodiments of the present application provide a chip system, which includes a processor and is configured to support a communication device to perform a method related to a UPF network element or a network device in any one of fig. 10A to 12 or 14. For example, the network device acquires first identification information; the network equipment receives session information from a session management function network element; the network device is a user plane functional network element or an access network element, the first identification information is used for uniquely identifying a user stream transmitted between the access network element and the user plane functional network element, and the session information is used for indicating a session corresponding to the user stream. In one possible design, the system-on-chip further includes a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the terminal device. The chip system may include a chip, an integrated circuit, and may also include a chip and other discrete devices, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

It should be understood that the communication device may be a UPF network element or a network device, and may also be a component (chip or circuit, etc.) that can be used for the UPF network element or the network device.

It should be understood that in various embodiments of the present application, "first," "second," etc. are used merely to refer to different objects and do not imply other limitations on the objects referred to.

It should be understood that, in the various embodiments of the present application, the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes do not mean the execution sequence, and the execution sequence of each process should be determined by its function and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation to the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the implementation. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that for convenience and brevity of description, the specific operations of the system, apparatus and units described above may be referred to the corresponding operations in the foregoing method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus, and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described device embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the units is only one logical functional division, and other divisions may be realized in practice, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not executed. In addition, the shown or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and may be in an electrical, mechanical or other form.

The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment.

In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit.

In the above embodiments, the implementation may be wholly or partially realized by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. The procedures or functions described in accordance with the embodiments of the present application are all or partially generated upon loading and execution of computer program instructions on a computer. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a network of computers, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored on a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another, for example, from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wire (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or can comprise one or more data storage devices, such as a server, a data center, etc., that can be integrated with the medium. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy Disk, hard Disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., Solid State Disk (SSD)), among others.

The above description is only for the specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of the changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present application, and shall be covered by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of communication, comprising:

the method comprises the steps that a session management function network element sends session information and first identification information to a user plane function network element, or sends the session information and user plane function network element indication information to the user plane function network element, wherein the user plane function network element indication information comprises at least one of the first indication information or second indication information, and the user plane function network element indication information is used for triggering the acquisition of the first identification information;

the session management function network element sends the session information and the first identification information to an access network element;

the first identification information is used for uniquely identifying a user stream transmitted between the access network element and the user plane function network element, and the session information is used for indicating a session corresponding to the user stream;

the first indication information is used for indicating a terminal device to send a user stream, and the second indication information is used for indicating the user plane functional network element to receive the user stream; or, the first indication information is used to indicate a terminal device to receive the user stream, and the second indication information is used to indicate the user plane function network element to send the user stream.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the user plane function network element indication information is further used to instruct the user plane function network element to create a data flow, wherein the data flow is used to carry the user flow.

3. The communication method according to claim 1, further comprising:

the session management function network element sends access network element indication information to the access network element, where the access network element indication information includes at least one of the first indication information or third indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to send a user stream, and the third indication information is used to indicate the access network element to send the user stream; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to receive the user stream, and the third indication information is used to indicate the access network element to receive the user stream.

4. The communication method according to claim 3, wherein the access network element indication information is further used to instruct the access network element to create a data flow, wherein the data flow is used to carry the user flow.

5. The communication method according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of:

the session management function network element sends second identification information to the user plane function network element, wherein the second identification information is used for identifying a user stream transmitted between the user plane function network element and a data network;

alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

and the session management function network element sends third identification information to the access network element, wherein the third identification information is used for identifying the user stream transmitted between the terminal equipment and the access network element.

6. The communication method according to claim 5, wherein the second identification information or the third identification information includes at least one of the following information: a first destination MAC address of the user flow from the terminal device, a flow characteristic of the user flow, and a second destination MAC address of the user flow from a network side.

7. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein if the session management function network element sends the user plane function network element indication information to the user plane function network element, the communication method further comprises:

and the session management function network element receives the first identification information from the user plane function network element.

8. The communication method according to claim 1, further comprising:

and the session management function network element receives the first identification information from the terminal equipment, the application function network element, the policy control function network element, the unified data management function network element or the centralized user configuration network element.

9. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the first identification information is further used for identifying a user flow transmitted between the terminal device and the access network element, and is further used for identifying a user flow transmitted between the user plane function network element and a data network.

10. The communication method according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first identification information comprises at least one of the following information: the destination MAC address of the user flow, the flow characteristics of the user flow, or the flow identification of the user flow.

11. A method of communication, comprising:

the control device receives first information from a session management function network element, wherein the first information comprises at least one of the following information: the device identification of an access network element, the device identification of a user plane functional network element, the port identification of the access network element, the port identification of the user plane functional network element, and the reliable time delay transmission network identification between the access network element and the user plane functional network element;

and the control device sends first identification information corresponding to the first information to the session management function network element, wherein the first identification information is used for uniquely identifying the user stream transmitted between the access network element and the user plane function network element.

12. The communication method according to claim 11, wherein the first identification information is further used for identifying a user flow transmitted between a terminal device and the access network element, and is further used for identifying a user flow transmitted between the user plane function network element and a data network.

13. The communication method according to any of claims 11-12, wherein the first identification information comprises at least one of the following information: the destination MAC address of the user flow, the flow characteristics of the user flow, or the flow identification of the user flow.

14. A method of communication, comprising:

the network equipment acquires first identification information;

the network equipment receives session information from a session management function network element;

the network device is a user plane functional network element or an access network element, the first identification information is used for uniquely identifying a user stream transmitted between the access network element and the user plane functional network element, and the session information is used for indicating a session corresponding to the user stream.

15. The communication method according to claim 14, wherein the network device is a user plane function network element, and the network device obtains the first identification information, including:

the user plane function network element receives the first identification information from the session management function network element;

alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

the user plane functional network element receives user plane functional network element indication information from the session management functional network element, and acquires the first identification information according to the user plane functional network element indication information, wherein the user plane functional network element indication information comprises at least one of first indication information or second indication information; the first indication information is used for indicating a terminal device to send a user stream, and the second indication information is used for indicating the user plane functional network element to receive the user stream; or, the first indication information is used to indicate a terminal device to receive the user stream, and the second indication information is used to indicate the user plane function network element to send the user stream.

16. The communication method according to claim 15, wherein the user plane function network element indication information is further used to instruct the user plane function network element to create a data flow, wherein the data flow is used to carry the user flow.

17. The communication method according to claim 15, wherein if the user plane function network element receives user plane function network element indication information from the session management function network element, the communication method further comprises:

and the user plane function network element sends the first identification information to the session management function network element.

18. The communication method according to claim 14, wherein the network device is a user plane function network element, and the communication method further comprises:

and the user plane function network element receives second identification information from the session management function network element, wherein the second identification information is used for identifying the user stream transmitted between the user plane function network element and the data network.

19. The communication method according to claim 18, further comprising:

the user plane functional network element receives a user message from an interface of a data network side, wherein the user message comprises the second identification information;

and the user plane functional network element sends a GPRS tunneling protocol user plane GTP-U message to an interface at the side of an access network element, wherein a GTP-U tunnel head is encapsulated outside the user message by the GTP-U message, and the GTP-U message comprises the first identification information corresponding to the second identification information.

20. The communication method according to claim 14, wherein the network device is a user plane function network element, and the communication method further comprises:

the user plane functional network element receives a GTP-U message from an interface of an access network element side, the GTP-U message encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside the user message, and the GTP-U message comprises the first identification information;

and the user plane functional network element sends the user message to an interface of a data network side according to the first identification information.

21. The communication method according to claim 14, wherein the network device is an access network element, and the network device acquires the first identification information, including:

the access network element receives the first identification information from the session management function network element.

22. The communication method according to claim 14, wherein the network device is an access network element, and the communication method further comprises:

the access network element receives access network element indication information from the session management function network element, wherein the access network element indication information includes at least one of first indication information or third indication information, the first indication information is used for indicating a terminal device to send a user stream, and the third indication information is used for indicating the access network element to send the user stream; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to receive the user stream, and the third indication information is used to indicate the access network element to receive the user stream.

23. The communication method according to claim 22, wherein the access network element indication information is further used to instruct the access network element to create a data flow, wherein the data flow is used to carry the user flow.

24. The communication method according to claim 14, wherein the network device is an access network element, and the communication method further comprises:

and the access network element receives third identification information from the session management function network element, wherein the third identification information is used for identifying the user stream transmitted between the terminal equipment and the access network element.

25. The communication method according to claim 24, further comprising:

the access network element receives a user message from a bearer on a terminal equipment side, wherein the user message comprises the third identification information;

and the access network element sends a GTP-U message to an interface at the side of a user plane functional network element, wherein a GTP-U tunnel head is encapsulated outside the user message in the GTP-U message, and the GTP-U message comprises the first identification information corresponding to the third identification information.

26. The communication method according to claim 14, further comprising:

the access network element receives a GTP-U message from an interface at a user plane function network element side, the GTP-U message encapsulates a GTP-U tunnel header outside the user message, and the GTP-U message comprises the first identification information;

and the access network element sends the user message to a bearer at the terminal equipment side according to the first identification information.

27. The communication method according to claim 14, wherein the first identification information is further used for identifying a user flow transmitted between a terminal device and the access network element, and is further used for identifying a user flow transmitted between the user plane function network element and a data network.

28. The communication method according to any of claims 14-27, wherein the first identification information comprises at least one of the following information: the destination MAC address of the user flow, the flow characteristics of the user flow, or the flow identification of the user flow.

29. A communications apparatus, comprising:

a sending unit, configured to send session information and first identification information to a user plane function network element, or send session information and user plane function network element indication information to the user plane function network element, where the user plane function network element indication information includes at least one of first indication information or second indication information, and the user plane function network element indication information is used to trigger acquisition of the first identification information;

the sending unit is further configured to send the session information and the first identifier information to an access network element;

30. A communications apparatus, comprising:

a receiving unit, configured to receive first information from a session management function network element, where the first information includes at least one of the following information: the device identification of an access network element, the device identification of a user plane functional network element, the port identification of the access network element, the port identification of the user plane functional network element, and the reliable time delay transmission network identification between the access network element and the user plane functional network element;

a sending unit, configured to send first identification information corresponding to the first information to the session management function network element, where the first identification information is used to uniquely identify, between the access network element and the user plane function network element, a user stream transmitted between the access network element and the user plane function network element.

31. A communications apparatus, comprising:

an acquisition unit configured to acquire first identification information;

a receiving unit, configured to receive session information from a session management function network element;

the communication device is a user plane function network element or an access network element, the first identification information is used for uniquely identifying a user stream transmitted between the access network element and the user plane function network element, and the session information is used for indicating a session corresponding to the user stream.

32. A storage medium having stored thereon a computer program, characterized in that the computer program, when being executed by a processor, implements the communication method of any one of claims 1-10, or implements the communication method of any one of claims 11-13, or implements the communication method of any one of claims 14-28.