CN114189844A

CN114189844A - Terminal cross-region communication method, network element equipment and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN114189844A
Application number: CN202010963778.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 涂小勇; 刘建华; 刘俊羿
Original assignee: ZTE Corp
Current assignee: ZTE Corp
Priority date: 2020-09-14
Filing date: 2020-09-14
Publication date: 2022-03-15
Also published as: WO2022052875A1

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a terminal cross-region communication method, network element equipment and a storage medium, belonging to the field of communication. The method comprises the following steps: when a first S-NSSAI currently corresponding to a terminal does not belong to a first NSSAI currently allowed to be available by the terminal, determining a second S-NSSAI mapped in the first NSSAI by the first S-NSSAI; replacing the first S-NSSAI with the second S-NSSAI to enable cross-region communication of the terminal based on the second S-NSSAI. The technical scheme of the embodiment of the invention realizes that the network slice can be used when the terminal does not roam in different areas across the PLMN, thereby ensuring that the service of the user is normally executed.

Description

Terminal cross-region communication method, network element equipment and storage medium

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a terminal cross-region communication method, a network element device, and a storage medium.

Background

The network slice is a networking mode according to needs, an operator can separate a plurality of virtual end-to-end networks on a unified infrastructure, and each network slice is logically isolated from a wireless access network bearing network to a core network so as to adapt to various types of applications. Each Network Slice corresponds to a unique S-NSSAI (Single Network Slice Selection Assistant Information) identification, and the Network Slice can be correctly selected based on the S-NSSAI identification.

The ue may roam across PLMNs (Public Land Mobile networks) or may roam in different areas without crossing PLMNs, such as roaming in different provinces. The network slice supports roaming across PLMNs, and for roaming in different areas without the PLMN, the operator plans different non-standard S-NSSAIs for the same service in different areas (such as different provinces) instead of the different non-standard S-NSSAIs, so that the network slice cannot be continuously used, and further service execution of the user cannot be guaranteed.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiments of the present invention mainly aim to provide a cross-regional communication method for a terminal, a network element device, and a storage medium, which are intended to implement that a network slice is available when the terminal roams in different regions without crossing a PLMN, thereby ensuring that a user service is normally executed.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for cross-region communication of a terminal, including:

when a first S-NSSAI currently corresponding to a terminal does not belong to a first NSSAI currently allowed to be available by the terminal, determining a second S-NSSAI mapped in the first NSSAI by the first S-NSSAI;

replacing the first S-NSSAI with the second S-NSSAI to enable cross-region communication of the terminal based on the second S-NSSAI.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a network element device, where the network element device includes a processor, a memory, a computer program stored on the memory and executable by the processor, and a data bus for implementing connection communication between the processor and the memory, where the computer program, when executed by the processor, implements the steps of any one of the terminal cross-region communication methods provided in the present specification.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a storage medium for computer-readable storage, where the storage medium stores one or more programs, and the one or more programs are executable by one or more processors to implement the steps of the method for cross-region communication of any terminal, provided in the present specification.

The embodiment of the invention provides a cross-region communication method of a terminal, network element equipment and a storage medium, when the terminal does not roam across a PLMN (public land Mobile network) cross-region and a first S-NSSAI corresponding to the terminal currently does not belong to a first NSSAI which is allowed to be available by the terminal currently, a second S-NSSAI mapped by the first S-NSSAI in the first NSSAI is determined, the first S-NSSAI is replaced by the second S-NSSAI, so that the fact that a network slice corresponding to the second S-NSSAI is available to the terminal currently is achieved, namely, cross-region communication of the terminal is achieved, and normal execution of a service is ensured.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed to be used in the description of the embodiments are briefly introduced below, and it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious for those skilled in the art to obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a 5G network architecture;

fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a cross-region communication method of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating another method for cross-region communication of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a schematic flowchart of determining a second NSSAI available for the current candidate of the terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating another method for cross-region communication of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a flowchart of a registration process when there is no PDU Session according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another method for cross-region communication of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a flowchart of a registration process when there is a PDU Session according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another method for cross-region communication of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a flowchart of PDU session establishment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a network element device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are some, not all, embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

The flow diagrams depicted in the figures are merely illustrative and do not necessarily include all of the elements and operations/steps, nor do they necessarily have to be performed in the order depicted. For example, some operations/steps may be decomposed, combined or partially combined, so that the actual execution sequence may be changed according to the actual situation.

It is to be understood that the terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the specification of the present invention and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

The embodiment of the invention provides a terminal cross-region communication method, network element equipment and a storage medium. The terminal cross-region communication method can be applied to a Network element device, and the Network element device can be a Network element Function entity NF such as an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) in a 5G Network architecture.

Referring to fig. 1, fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a 5G network architecture, where the 5G network architecture includes:

a UE (User Equipment, terminal) mainly accesses to a 5G network through a wireless air interface and obtains services, and the terminal exchanges information with a base station through the air interface and exchanges information with an AMF (Non-Access Stratum signaling) of a core network through an NAS (Non-Access Stratum).

RAN (Radio Access Network ) is responsible for scheduling air interface resources of a terminal Access Network and managing connection of air interfaces.

The AMF (Access and Mobility Management function), a core network control plane entity, is mainly responsible for user Mobility Management, and includes: registration and temporary identifier allocation; maintaining IDLE (IDLE) and connected (CONNECT) states and state transitions; switching in a connected state; and triggering paging and other functions in the idle state of the user.

The AUSF (Authentication Server Function) and the core network control plane entity are mainly responsible for Authentication and authorization of the user to ensure that the user is a valid user.

The system comprises a Universal Data Management (UDM), a core network control plane entity, a home subscriber server and a permanent storage subscriber subscription Data.

A Session Management Function (SMF), a core network control plane entity, which is mainly responsible for maintaining a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) Session and allocating a user IP address, and has a Quality of Service (QoS) control and charging function; and the user receives the downlink data packet in an idle state, buffers the downlink data packet and informs the AMF to page the user.

The UPF (User plane function), a core network User plane functional entity, is responsible for forwarding User data packets, and also performs statistics on User data packets for charging and other functions.

PCF (Policy Control function), core network Control plane entity, functional entity responsible for access and mobility management policies, terminal policies, session management policies and charging rules. The functional entity mainly generates an access and mobility management strategy, a terminal routing strategy, a Qos rule and a charging rule of user data transmission and the like according to the service information, the user subscription information and the configuration information of an operator.

The NEF (Network Exposure Function), a core Network control plane entity, is responsible for opening the mobile Network capability to the outside.

NRF (NF redundancy Function), core network control plane entity, which is responsible for dynamic registration of service capabilities of network functions and network Function discovery.

NSSF (Network Slice Selection Function), core Network control plane entity, responsible for the Selection of target NSI (Network Slice Instance).

An Application Function (AF), an Application entity, responsible for providing a specific service to a user.

Some embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below and the features of the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

Referring to fig. 2, fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a cross-region communication method of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 2, the terminal cross-region communication method includes step S101 and step S102.

Step S101, when a first S-NSSAI currently corresponding to a terminal does not belong to a first NSSAI currently allowed to be available by the terminal, determining a second S-NSSAI mapped in the first NSSAI by the first S-NSSAI.

It should be noted that the terminal includes, but is not limited to, an electronic device with a communication function, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, and a wearable device. In the using process of the terminal, for example, when initial registration or registration update is performed, acquiring NSSAI (Network Slice Selection Assistance Information) currently allowed to be available by the terminal, and detecting whether an S-NSSAI (Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information) currently corresponding to the terminal belongs to the NSSAI currently allowed to be available by the terminal, that is, whether the currently corresponding S-NSSAI is available in an currently accessed AMF or area. For convenience of description, the NSSAI currently allowed to be available by the terminal is hereinafter referred to as a first NSSAI, and the S-NSSAI currently corresponding to the terminal is hereinafter referred to as a first S-NSSAI. That is, it is determined whether the first S-NSSAI is an S-NSSAI in the first NSSAI. If the first S-NSSAI is an S-NSSAI in the first NSSAI, the first S-NSSAI is available in the currently accessed AMF or area; conversely, if the first S-NSSAI is not an S-NSSAI in the first NSSAI, then the first S-NSSAI is not available in the currently accessed AMF or area.

If the first S-NSSAI is an S-NSSAI in the first NSSAI, the communication processes of registering and establishing a session, etc. of the terminal may be implemented based on the first S-NSSAI.

If the first S-NSSAI is not an S-NSSAI in the first NSSAI, for example, when the terminal does not roam across a PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) across an area, such as across different provinces, the first S-NSSAI currently corresponding to the terminal is not available in the current access area, and the first S-NSSAI does not belong to the first NSSAI, that is, the first S-NSSAI is not an S-NSSAI in the first NSSAI. At this time, the S-NSSAI to which the first S-NSSAI is mapped in the first NSSAI is determined, and for convenience of description, the S-NSSAI to which the first S-NSSAI is mapped in the first NSSAI is hereinafter referred to as a second S-NSSAI. I.e. mapping the first S-NSSAI to a second S-NSSAI available in the current access area.

And step S102, replacing the first S-NSSAI with the second S-NSSAI so as to realize cross-region communication of the terminal based on the second S-NSSAI.

And after the second S-NSSAI mapped in the first NSSAI by the first S-NSSAI is obtained, replacing the first S-NSSAI with the second S-NSSAI so as to realize the communication processes of cross-region registration, session establishment and the like of the terminal based on the second S-NSSAI.

In an embodiment, referring to fig. 3, step S101 includes, before: step S103 and step S104.

Step S103, determining a second NSSAI available for the current candidate of the terminal according to the signed NSSAI of the terminal and the request NSSAI of the terminal.

Acquiring a request NSSAI (requested NSSAI) corresponding to the terminal and a subscription NSSAI (subscribed NSSAI) corresponding to the terminal. Illustratively, the terminal initiates an initial registration process, or the terminal initiates a registration update process, the message carries information such as a request NSSAI corresponding to the terminal, and the request NSSAI carried in the message is extracted. Exemplarily, acquiring a subscription NSSAI corresponding to a terminal from an AMF (advanced metering framework) locally; or acquiring the subscription NSSAI corresponding to the terminal from the UDM, wherein the UDM permanently stores user subscription data including the subscription NSSAI.

In one embodiment, referring to fig. 4, step S103 includes: sub-step S1031 and sub-step S1032.

And a substep S1031 of determining the intersection S-NSSAI of the subscription NSSAI and the request NSSAI.

After acquiring the signed NSSAI and the request NSSAI corresponding to the terminal, comparing the signed NSSAI with the request NSSAI, and determining the intersection S-NSSAI of the signed NSSAI and the request NSSAI, namely the same S-NSSAI in the signed NSSAI and the request NSSAI.

And a substep S1032 of determining the second NSSAI according to the intersection S-NSSAI.

An NSSAI (Allowed NSSAI1) currently available as a candidate for the terminal is generated according to the intersection S-NSSAI of the signed NSSAI and the request NSSAI, namely based on the same S-NSSAI in the signed NSSAI and the request NSSAI. For convenience of description, the NSSAI currently available as a terminal candidate is hereinafter referred to as a second NSSAI. The second NSSAI consists of the same S-NSSAI in the subscription NSSAI as in the request NSSAI.

Step S104, if there is an S-NSSAI in the second NSSAI that is currently unavailable for the terminal, mapping the unavailable S-NSSAI to an S-NSSAI currently available for the terminal, and generating the first NSSAI mapped by the second NSSAI.

If there is an S-NSSAI in the second NSSAI that is not available in the AMF or area currently accessed by the terminal, for example, if some or all of the S-NSSAIs in the second NSSAI are not available in the AMF or area currently accessed by the terminal, then, based on the PLMN accessed by the terminal, the area currently accessed by the terminal, and the second NSSAI, mapping some or all of the S-NSSAIs in the second NSSAI that are not available in the AMF or area currently accessed by the terminal to an equivalent S-NSSAI that is available in the AMF or area currently accessed by the terminal, and replacing the S-NSSAI that is not available in the AMF or area currently accessed by the terminal with the equivalent S-NSSAI that is mapped to the second NSSAI, thereby generating a first NSSAI (Allowed NSSAI2) mapped by the second NSSAI.

In an embodiment, step S104 may be followed by: storing the first NSSAI, the second NSSAI, and a mapping relationship between the first NSSAI and the second NSSAI.

Illustratively, the AMF stores a first NSSAI (Allowed NSSAI2), a second NSSAI (Allowed NSSAI1), and a mapping relationship of the first NSSAI to the second NSSAI. For example, in the example that the method is applied to NSSF, after NSSF generates a first NSSAI mapped by a second NSSAI, a network slice information response message is fed back to AMF, where the message carries the first NSSAI, the second NSSAI, and the mapping relationship between the first NSSAI and the second NSSAI, and the AMF stores the first NSSAI, the second NSSAI, and the mapping relationship between the first NSSAI and the second NSSAI.

In an embodiment, referring to fig. 5, before step S103, the method includes: step S105 and step S106.

Step S105, receiving an initial registration message sent by the terminal, or receiving a first registration update message sent when the terminal does not activate the PDU Session.

When the terminal initiates registration, for example, the terminal initiates an initial registration process, or the terminal initiates a registration update process when the PDU Session is not activated, receives an initial registration message sent by the terminal, or receives a registration update message sent when the PDU Session is not activated by the terminal. For convenience of description, the registration update message transmitted when the terminal does not activate the PDU Session is hereinafter referred to as a first registration update message. The initial registration message and the first registration update message carry information such as a request NSSAI corresponding to the terminal.

Step S106, obtaining the request NSSAI carried in the initial registration message or the first registration update message, and obtaining the subscription NSSAI from a local or UDM.

And when the initial registration message or the first registration updating message is received, acquiring a request NSSAI corresponding to the terminal carried in the initial registration message or the first registration updating message. Processing a registration process based on the received initial registration message or the first registration update message, and acquiring a subscription NSSAI corresponding to the terminal from the local; or acquiring the signed NSSAI corresponding to the terminal from the UDM.

And then, according to the signed NSSAI and the request NSSAI, determining a second NSSAI and a first NSSAI mapped by the second NSSAI, if the first S-NSSAI corresponding to the terminal currently does not belong to the first NSSAI, determining a second S-NSSAI mapped by the first S-NSSAI in the first NSSAI, and replacing the first S-NSSAI with the second S-NSSAI. The specific operation process is as described in the above embodiments, and is not described herein again.

After step S102, step S107 is included.

Step S107, a registration acceptance message is sent to the terminal, and the registration acceptance message carries the second NSSAI.

And after replacing the first S-NSSAI with the second S-NSSAI, continuing to process the registration process, and then sending a registration acceptance message to the terminal, wherein the registration acceptance message carries the second NSSAI. And the terminal realizes normal cross-region communication based on the second NSSAI.

Referring to fig. 6, fig. 6 is a flowchart of a registration process when there is no PDU Session, and the specific flow is as follows:

A1) the method comprises the following steps The UE (terminal) initiates an initial registration process or initiates a registration update process when PDU Session is not activated, and the message carries information such as request NSSAI (requested NSSAI).

A2) The method comprises the following steps The AMF processes the registration process, and locally acquires the subscription NSSAI (subscribed NSSAI) by the AMF, or acquires information such as the subscription NSSAI from the UDM by the AMF.

A3) The method comprises the following steps The AMF sends a request message for acquiring the network slice information to the NSSF, wherein the request message carries information such as request NSSAI, signed NSSAI, Serving PLMN (namely PLMN currently accessed by the UE), and currently accessed area.

A4) The method comprises the following steps The NSSF takes the intersection of the request NSSAI and the contracted NSSAI to determine the second NSSAI (Allowed NSSAI 1).

A5) The method comprises the following steps The NSSF finds that part or all of the second NSSAIs have the S-NSSAIs and are unavailable in the currently accessed AMF or area, the NSSF maps the part or all of the S-NSSAIs which are unavailable in the currently accessed AMF or area in the second NSSAI to equivalent S-NSSAIs which are available in the currently accessed AMF or area of the UE according to a local policy based on the currently accessed PLMN, the currently accessed area and the second NSSAI, and replaces the part or all of the S-NSSAIs which are unavailable in the currently accessed AMF or area in the second NSSAI by using the mapped S-NSSAI to form the first NSSAI (Allowed NSSAI 2). The NSSF determines whether redirection is required or not based on the first NSSAI or the like.

A6) The method comprises the following steps The NSSF returns a response message for acquiring the network slice information to the AMF, wherein the response message carries the information of the first NSSAI, the second NSSAI, the mapping relation thereof and the like.

A7) The method comprises the following steps The AMF stores the first NSSAI, the second NSSAI, and the mapping relationship thereof.

A8) The method comprises the following steps In addition to interacting with the UE, the AMF may use the first NSSAI as the currently allowed available NSSAI for the UE, such as to determine whether redirection is required based on the first NSSAI, etc.

A9) The method comprises the following steps The AMF continues to process the registration process.

A10) The method comprises the following steps And the AMF sends a registration acceptance message to the UE, wherein the registration acceptance message carries the second NSSAI.

In an embodiment, referring to fig. 7, before step S103, the method includes: step S108 and step S109.

And step S108, receiving a second registration updating message sent when the terminal activates the PDU Session.

And under the conditions that the terminal is registered and the PDU Session is activated, when the terminal initiates a registration updating process, receiving a registration updating message sent by the terminal. For convenience of description, the registration update message transmitted when the terminal has activated the PDU Session is hereinafter referred to as a second registration update message. The second registration update message carries information such as a request NSSAI corresponding to the terminal.

Step S109, acquiring the request NSSAI carried in the second registration update message, and acquiring the subscription NSSAI from a local or UDM.

And when receiving the second registration updating message, acquiring a request NSSAI corresponding to the terminal carried in the second registration updating message. Processing a registration process based on the received second registration updating message, and acquiring a signing NSSAI corresponding to the terminal from the local; or acquiring the signed NSSAI corresponding to the terminal from the UDM.

After step S102, step S110 is included.

Step S110, updating the S-NSSAI corresponding to the activated PDU Session to the second S-NSSAI.

After replacing the first S-NSSAI with the second S-NSSAI, the S-NSSAI of the activated PDU Session is updated to the second S-NSSAI, i.e., the second S-NSSAI is subsequently used as the S-NSSAI of the activated PDU Session.

And then, continuing to process the registration process, and then sending a registration acceptance message to the terminal, wherein the registration acceptance message carries the second NSSAI. And the terminal realizes normal cross-region communication based on the second NSSAI.

Referring to fig. 8, fig. 8 is a flowchart of a registration process when there is a PDU Session, and the specific flow is as follows:

B1) the method comprises the following steps The UE is registered and has activated PDU Session, the UE initiates a registration update process, and the message carries information such as request NSSAI (requested NSSAI).

B2) The method comprises the following steps The AMF processes the registration process, and locally acquires the subscription NSSAI (subscribed NSSAI) by the AMF, or acquires information such as the subscription NSSAI from the UDM by the AMF.

B3) The method comprises the following steps The AMF sends a request message for acquiring the network slice information to the NSSF, wherein the request message carries information such as request NSSAI, signed NSSAI, Serving PLMN (namely PLMN currently accessed by the UE), and currently accessed area.

B4) The method comprises the following steps The NSSF takes the intersection of the request NSSAI and the contracted NSSAI to determine the second NSSAI (Allowed NSSAI 1).

B5) The method comprises the following steps The NSSF finds that part or all of the second NSSAIs have the S-NSSAIs and are unavailable in the currently accessed AMF or area, the NSSF maps the part or all of the S-NSSAIs which are unavailable in the currently accessed AMF or area in the second NSSAI to equivalent S-NSSAIs which are available in the currently accessed AMF or area of the UE according to a local policy based on the currently accessed PLMN, the currently accessed area and the second NSSAI, and replaces the part or all of the S-NSSAIs which are unavailable in the currently accessed AMF or area in the second NSSAI by using the mapped S-NSSAI to form the first NSSAI (Allowed NSSAI 2). The NSSF determines whether redirection is required or not based on the first NSSAI or the like.

B6) The method comprises the following steps The NSSF returns a response message for acquiring the network slice information to the AMF, wherein the response message carries the information of the first NSSAI, the second NSSAI, the mapping relation thereof and the like.

B7) The method comprises the following steps The AMF stores the first NSSAI, the second NSSAI, and the mapping relationship thereof.

B8) The method comprises the following steps In addition to interacting with the UE, the AMF may use the first NSSAI as the currently allowed available NSSAI for the UE, such as to determine whether redirection is required based on the first NSSAI, etc.

B9) The method comprises the following steps AMF determines that the first S-NSSAI corresponding to the activated PDU Session is not in the first NSSAI (Allowed NSSAI 2).

B10) The method comprises the following steps The AMF replaces a first S-NSSAI of the PDU Session with a corresponding second S-NSSAI of the first NSSAI.

B11) The method comprises the following steps The AMF subsequently uses the second S-NSSAI as the S-NSSAI for the activated PDU Session.

B12) The method comprises the following steps AMF informs SMF that the S-NSSAI of PDU Session is updated to the second S-NSSAI.

B13) The method comprises the following steps And the SMF uses the second S-NSSAI as the S-NSSAI of the PDU Session subsequently to update the NF of other network element functional entities.

B14) The method comprises the following steps The AMF continues to process the registration process.

B15) The method comprises the following steps And the AMF sends a registration acceptance message to the UE, wherein the registration acceptance message carries the second NSSAI.

In an embodiment, referring to fig. 9, before step S101, the method includes: step S111 and step S112.

And step S111, receiving a PDU Session establishment request message sent by the terminal.

Step S112, the first S-NSSAI carried in the request message is obtained.

When a PDU Session is established, a terminal sends a PDU Session establishment request message, wherein the PDU Session establishment request message carries information such as a first S-NSSAI. And acquiring the first S-NSSAI carried in the PDU Session establishment request message by receiving the PDU Session establishment request message sent by the terminal.

If the first S-NSSAI is not an NSSAI in the first NSSAI, determining a second S-NSSAI to which the first S-NSSAI maps in the first NSSAI, and replacing the first S-NSSAI with the second S-NSSAI. The specific operation process is as described in the above embodiments, and is not described herein again.

After step S102, step S113 is included.

And step S113, establishing PDU Session based on the second S-NSSAI.

And after replacing the first S-NSSAI with the second S-NSSAI, using the second S-NSSAI as a request S-NSSAI carried by the terminal to establish PDU Session.

In an embodiment, after a PDU Session is established based on a second S-NSSAI, a corresponding SMF is selected according to the second S-NSSAI, and a PDU Session establishment request message is sent to the selected SMF, where the PDU Session establishment request message carries information such as the first S-NSSAI and the second S-NSSAI. And the SMF feeds back a PDU session establishment acceptance message based on the first S-NSSAI, wherein the PDU session establishment acceptance message carries the first S-NSSAI. And when receiving the PDU session establishment acceptance message fed back by the SMF, sending a PDU session request message containing the PDU session establishment acceptance message to the RAN so as to establish the PDU session.

Referring to fig. 10, fig. 10 is a flowchart of establishing a PDU session, and the specific flow is as follows:

C1) the method comprises the following steps The UE sends a PDU Session establishment request message, which carries information such as a first S-NSSAI (Requested S-NSSAI).

C2) The method comprises the following steps AMF finds that the first S-NSSAI is not in the first NSSAI, but is in the second NSSAI.

C3) The method comprises the following steps The AMF replaces the first S-NSSAI with a corresponding second S-NSSAI in the first NSSAI.

C4) The method comprises the following steps And the AMF uses the second S-NSSAI as the first S-NSSAI carried by the UE to establish PDU Session.

C5) The method comprises the following steps And the AMF selects the SMF according to the information of the second S-NSSAI, DNN (Data Network Name) and the like.

C6) The method comprises the following steps And the AMF sends a PDU session establishment request message to the SMF, wherein the PDU session establishment request message carries information such as the first S-NSSAI and the second S-NSSAI.

C7) The method comprises the following steps The SMF obtains subscription data from the UDM and matches the subscription NSSAI (subscribed NSSAI) in the subscription data using the first S-NSSAI.

C8) The method comprises the following steps The SMF returns a PDU session establishment response message to the AMF.

C9) The method comprises the following steps When the SMF selects a PCF and obtains SM Policy (session management Policy) from the PCF, the SMF provides a second S-NSSAI to the PCF.

C10) The method comprises the following steps The SMF selects a UPF based on the second S-NSSAI, etc., and completes session creation to the UPF, such as N4 PDU session creation.

C11) The method comprises the following steps The SMF constructs an N2 PDU session request message carrying a second S-NSSAI; the SMF constructs a PDU session establishment acceptance message carrying the first S-NSSAI.

C12) The method comprises the following steps SMF sends N1N2 message transfer message to AMF, carrying N2 PDU session request message and PDU session establishment receiving message.

C13) The method comprises the following steps The AMF sends a PDU session request message, such as N2 PDU session request message, to the RAN, which contains a PDU session setup accept message.

C14) The method comprises the following steps The AMF continues to process the PDU Session establishment process until the flow is finished.

In the cross-regional communication method for the terminal provided in the foregoing embodiment, when the terminal does not roam across a PLMN cross-region and the first S-NSSAI corresponding to the terminal currently does not belong to the first NSSAI allowed to be available by the terminal currently, the second S-NSSAI mapped in the first NSSAI by the first S-NSSAI is determined, and the first S-NSSAI is replaced by the second S-NSSAI, so that the terminal currently has a network slice corresponding to the second S-NSSAI available, that is, cross-regional communication of the terminal is realized, and normal execution of a service is ensured.

Referring to fig. 11, fig. 11 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a network element device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 11, the network element device 300 includes a processor 301 and a memory 302, and the processor 301 and the memory 302 are connected by a bus 303, such as an I2C (Inter-integrated Circuit) bus.

In particular, the processor 301 is configured to provide computational and control capabilities to support the operation of the entire network element device. The Processor 301 may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), and the Processor 301 may also be other 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, discrete Gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, etc. Wherein a general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.

Specifically, the Memory 302 may be a Flash chip, a Read-Only Memory (ROM) magnetic disk, an optical disk, a usb disk, or a removable hard disk.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the architecture shown in fig. 11 is a block diagram of only a portion of the architecture associated with an embodiment of the present invention and does not constitute a limitation on the network element devices to which an embodiment of the present invention may be applied, and that a particular server may include more or less components than those shown, or may combine certain components, or have a different arrangement of components.

The processor is configured to run a computer program stored in the memory, and when executing the computer program, implement any one of the terminal cross-region communication methods provided by the embodiments of the present invention.

In an embodiment, the processor is configured to run a computer program stored in the memory and to implement the following steps when executing the computer program:

In an embodiment, when it is implemented that the first S-NSSAI currently corresponding to the terminal does not belong to a first NSSAI currently allowed to be available to the terminal, the processor is configured to determine that the first S-NSSAI is before a second S-NSSAI mapped in the first NSSAI, and implement:

determining a second NSSAI available for the current candidate of the terminal according to the signed NSSAI of the terminal and the request NSSAI of the terminal;

and if the S-NSSAI exists in the second NSSAI and is not currently available for the terminal, mapping the unavailable S-NSSAI to the currently available S-NSSAI of the terminal, and generating the first NSSAI mapped by the second NSSAI.

In an embodiment, the processor, when implementing the determining of the second NSSAI available for the terminal as a current candidate according to the subscription NSSAI of the terminal and the request NSSAI of the terminal, is configured to implement:

determining an intersection S-NSSAI of the subscription NSSAI and the request NSSAI;

determining the second NSSAI based on the intersection S-NSSAI.

In an embodiment, the processor, after implementing the generating the first NSSAI of the second NSSAI mapping, is configured to implement:

storing the first NSSAI, the second NSSAI, and a mapping relationship between the first NSSAI and the second NSSAI.

In an embodiment, the processor is configured to, before implementing the determining of the second NSSAI available for the terminal currently candidate according to the subscription NSSAI of the terminal and the request NSSAI of the terminal, implement:

receiving an initial registration message sent by the terminal, or receiving a first registration update message sent when the terminal does not activate the PDU Session;

acquiring the request NSSAI carried in the initial registration message or the first registration updating message, and acquiring the signing NSSAI from a local or UDM;

the processor, after effecting the replacing of the first S-NSSAI with the second S-NSSAI, is configured to effect:

and sending a registration acceptance message to the terminal, wherein the registration acceptance message carries the second NSSAI.

receiving a second registration update message sent when the terminal activates the PDU Session;

acquiring the request NSSAI carried in the second registration updating message, and acquiring the signing NSSAI from a local or UDM;

and updating the S-NSSAI corresponding to the activated PDU Session to the second S-NSSAI.

receiving a PDU Session establishment request message sent by the terminal;

acquiring the first S-NSSAI carried in the request message;

and establishing PDU Session based on the second S-NSSAI.

In an embodiment, after implementing the setting up the PDU Session based on the second S-NSSAI, the processor is configured to implement:

selecting SMF according to the second S-NSSAI;

sending a PDU session establishment request message to the SMF;

and when receiving the PDU session establishment acceptance message fed back by the SMF, sending a PDU session request message containing the PDU session establishment acceptance message to the RAN so as to establish the PDU session.

It should be noted that, as is clear to those skilled in the art, for convenience and brevity of description, the specific working process of the network element device described above may refer to the corresponding process in the foregoing terminal cross-region communication method embodiment, and details are not described herein again.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide a storage medium for computer-readable storage, where the storage medium stores one or more programs, and the one or more programs are executable by one or more processors to implement the steps of the method for cross-region communication of any terminal provided in the specification of the embodiments of the present invention.

The storage medium may be an internal storage unit of the network element device described in the foregoing embodiment, for example, a hard disk or a memory of the network element device. The storage medium may also be an external storage device of the network element device, such as a plug-in hard disk, a Smart Media Card (SMC), a Secure Digital (SD) Card, a Flash memory Card (Flash Card), and the like, which are equipped on the network element device.

It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that all or some of the steps of the methods, systems, functional modules/units in the devices disclosed above may be implemented as software, firmware, hardware, and suitable combinations thereof. In a hardware embodiment, the division between functional modules/units mentioned in the above description does not necessarily correspond to the division of physical components; for example, one physical component may have multiple functions, or one function or step may be performed by several physical components in cooperation. Some or all of the physical components may be implemented as software executed by a processor, such as a central processing unit, digital signal processor, or microprocessor, or as hardware, or as an integrated circuit, such as an application specific integrated circuit. Such software may be distributed on computer readable media, which may include computer storage media (or non-transitory media) and communication media (or transitory media). The term computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can accessed by a computer. In addition, communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media as known to those skilled in the art.

It should be understood that the term "and/or" as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to and includes any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or system that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or system. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising an … …" does not exclude the presence of other like elements in a process, method, article, or system that comprises the element.

The above-mentioned serial numbers of the embodiments of the present invention are merely for description and do not represent the merits of the embodiments. While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not limited thereto, and various equivalent modifications and substitutions can be easily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A terminal cross-region communication method is characterized by comprising the following steps:

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining that the first S-NSSAI is before the second S-NSSAI mapped in the first NSSAI when the first S-NSSAI currently corresponding to the terminal does not belong to the first NSSAI currently allowed to be available by the terminal comprises:

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the determining a second NSSAI currently available as a candidate for the terminal according to the subscription NSSAI of the terminal and the request NSSAI of the terminal comprises:

determining the second NSSAI based on the intersection S-NSSAI.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said generating the first NSSAI of the second NSSAI mapping is followed by:

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the determining a second NSSAI currently available as a candidate for the terminal according to the subscription NSSAI of the terminal and the request NSSAI of the terminal is preceded by:

after replacing the first S-NSSAI with the second S-NSSAI, the method comprises:

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the determining a second NSSAI currently available as a candidate for the terminal according to the subscription NSSAI of the terminal and the request NSSAI of the terminal is preceded by:

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining that the first S-NSSAI is before the second S-NSSAI mapped in the first NSSAI when the first S-NSSAI currently corresponding to the terminal does not belong to the first NSSAI currently allowed to be available by the terminal comprises:

receiving a PDU Session establishment request message sent by the terminal;

acquiring the first S-NSSAI carried in the request message;

and establishing PDU Session based on the second S-NSSAI.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein after the PDU Session is established based on the second S-NSSAI, the method comprises:

selecting SMF according to the second S-NSSAI;

sending a PDU session establishment request message to the SMF;

9. A network element device, characterized in that the network element device comprises a processor, a memory, a computer program stored on the memory and executable by the processor, and a data bus for enabling connection communication between the processor and the memory, wherein the computer program, when executed by the processor, implements the steps of the terminal cross-area communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A storage medium for computer readable storage, wherein the storage medium stores one or more programs which are executable by one or more processors to implement the steps of the method for terminal cross-region communication recited in any of claims 1-8.