CN115955716A

CN115955716A - Data collection method, communication device and communication system

Info

Publication number: CN115955716A
Application number: CN202111172675.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 丁辉; 李飞; 周晓云; 时书锋
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-10-08
Filing date: 2021-10-08
Publication date: 2023-04-11
Also published as: WO2023056784A1

Abstract

The application provides a data collection method, a communication device and a communication system. The method comprises the following steps: determining address information of a first session used by a terminal device to access an application; sending a first request message to an application function network element providing the application, wherein the first request message comprises identification information of the application and address information of the first session, and the address information of the first session is used for collecting data of the application of the terminal equipment; data of the application from the application function network element is received. According to the scheme, the data analysis network element can determine the address information of the session used by the terminal equipment for accessing one application, so that only the address information of the session needs to be provided for the application function network element, and the address information of all the sessions of the terminal equipment which possibly access the application is not sent to the application function network element, so that the information of the session of the terminal equipment which is not sensed by AF is prevented from being exposed to the application function network element, and the security risk is reduced.

Description

Data collection method, communication device and communication system

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to a data collection method, a communication apparatus, and a communication system.

Background

In order to improve user experience, the data analysis network element may collect data of an application in which the terminal device accesses the application function from the application function network element, and analyze the collected data to obtain an analysis result, where the analysis result may be used as a reference for improving user experience.

However, how to realize the collection of data from the application function network element in a secure manner remains to be solved.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a data collection method, a communication device and a communication system, which are used for improving the safety of data collection.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a data collection method, which may be performed by a data analysis network element or a module (e.g., a chip) applied in the data analysis network element. The method comprises the following steps: determining address information of a first session used by the terminal equipment for accessing the application; sending a first request message to an application function network element providing the application, wherein the first request message comprises identification information of the application and address information of the first session; the address information of the first session is used for collecting data of the application of the terminal equipment; data of the application from the application function network element is received.

The address information of the first session is used to collect data of the application of the terminal device, and may be, for example: and the application functional network element collects the data of the application of the terminal equipment according to the address information of the first session. The application function network element collects data of the application of the terminal device, for example, the application function network element may send a request message to the terminal device to request data of the application of the terminal device, and for example, the application function network element may record data in a process that the terminal device accesses the application through the first session.

According to the above scheme, the data analysis network element can determine the address information of the session used when the terminal device accesses the application, so that only the address information of the session needs to be provided to the application function network element, and the address information of all sessions of the terminal device, which may access the application, is not sent to the application function network element, thereby avoiding exposing the session information of the terminal device, which should not be sensed by the application function network element, to the application function network element, and reducing the security risk.

As a possible implementation method, it is determined to collect data of the terminal device accessing the application.

As a possible implementation method, network information corresponding to the application is obtained, where the network information includes a data network name and/or slice identification information; sending a second request message to the communication device corresponding to the network information, wherein the second request message includes the identification information of the application and an application start event, and the second request message also includes the network information or the identification information of a session corresponding to the network information; address information of the first session is received from a first communication device, the first session is a session of the session corresponding to the network information, the application start event of the application is detected, and the first communication device is one of the communication devices corresponding to the network information.

According to the scheme, the communication equipment determines the address information of the first session used when the terminal equipment accesses the application by detecting the application start event in the session, and the communication equipment sends the address information of the first session to the data analysis network element, so that the address information of the session used when the terminal equipment accesses the application can be accurately determined.

As a possible implementation method, the second request message further includes session parameter information, where the session parameter information is used to determine one or more sessions in the session corresponding to the network information, and the one or more sessions are sessions for which application start event detection is to be performed.

According to the above scheme, the data analysis network element provides session parameter information to the communication device, and the communication device can screen the sessions to be subjected to application start event detection according to the session parameter information, so that the number of sessions subjected to application start event detection by the communication device is reduced, and the overhead of the communication device can be reduced.

As a possible implementation method, sending a third request message to a mobility management policy control network element, where the third request message includes identification information of the terminal device and a flow descriptor of the application; receiving the session parameter information from the mobility management policy control network element, where the session parameter information corresponds to the flow descriptor information and the identification information of the terminal device.

As a possible implementation method, obtaining, from a mobility management policy control network element, a routing descriptor used by the terminal device to access the application, where the routing descriptor includes network information and first session parameter information, and the network information includes a data network name and/or slice identification information; sending a fourth request message to the communication device corresponding to the network information, where the fourth request message includes the first session parameter information, and the fourth request also includes the network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information; address information of the first session is received from a first communication device, the first session is a session corresponding to the first session parameter information in the session corresponding to the network information, and the first communication device is one of the communication devices corresponding to the network information.

According to the above scheme, the data analysis network element obtains, from the mobility management policy control network element, a routing descriptor used when the terminal device accesses the application, where the routing descriptor includes first session parameter information, and the data analysis network element provides the first session parameter information to the communication device, so that the communication device can determine, from one or more sessions, a first session corresponding to the first session parameter information, where the first session is a session used when the terminal device accesses the application. And then the communication equipment sends the address information of the first session to a data analysis network element, so that the address information of the session used when the terminal equipment accesses the application can be accurately determined.

As a possible implementation method, a routing descriptor used by the terminal device to access the application is obtained from a mobility management policy control network element, where the routing descriptor includes network information and first session parameter information, and the network information includes a data network name and/or slice identification information; sending a fifth request message to the communication device corresponding to the network information, where the fifth request message includes the network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information; receiving address information of a session corresponding to the network information from the communication device and session parameter information of the session corresponding to the network information; and determining the address information of the first session from the address information of the session corresponding to the network information according to the session parameter information of the session corresponding to the network information and the first session parameter information, wherein the session parameter information of the first session is the first session parameter information.

According to the above scheme, the data analysis network element obtains, from the mobility management policy control network element, a routing descriptor used when the terminal device accesses the application, where the routing descriptor includes first session parameter information, the data analysis network element obtains, from the communication device, address information and session parameter information of one or more sessions, and determines, from the one or more sessions, a first session corresponding to the first session parameter information, where the first session is a session used when the terminal device accesses the application, and can accurately determine address information of a session used when the terminal device accesses the application.

As a possible implementation method, address information of the communication device and identification information of the session, which correspond to the network information, are obtained from a data management network element, where the communication device is a session management network element; or, the address information of the communication device and the identification information of the session corresponding to the network information are acquired from the binding support network element, and the communication device is a session management policy control network element.

As a possible implementation method, address information of the communication device corresponding to the network information is acquired from a binding support network element, and the communication device is a session management policy control network element.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a data collection method, which may be performed by a communication device or a module (e.g., a chip) applied in a communication device, where the communication device is a session management policy control network element or a session management network element. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a second request message from the data analysis network element, wherein the second request message comprises identification information of an application and an application start event, and the second request message also comprises network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information; detecting an application start event of the application on a first session in the sessions corresponding to the network information; and sending address information of the first session to the data analysis network element, wherein the address information of the first session is used for collecting data of the application of the terminal equipment.

As a possible implementation method, the second request message further includes session parameter information; determining one or more sessions corresponding to the session parameter information in the sessions corresponding to the network information; the detection of the application start event is performed on the one or more sessions, including the first session.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a data collection method, which may be performed by a communication device or a module (e.g., a chip) applied in a communication device, where the communication device is a session management policy control network element or a session management network element. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a fourth request message from the data analysis network element, where the fourth request message includes the first session parameter information, and the fourth request message also includes network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information; acquiring address information of a first session, wherein the first session is a session corresponding to the first session parameter information in the sessions corresponding to the network information; and sending the address information of the first session to the data analysis network element, wherein the address information of the first session is used for collecting the data of the application of the terminal equipment.

According to the above scheme, the data analysis network element provides the first session parameter information to the communication device, so that the communication device can determine, from one or more sessions, a first session corresponding to the first session parameter information, where the first session is a session used when the terminal device accesses the application. And then the communication equipment sends the address information of the first session to a data analysis network element, so that the address information of the session used when the terminal equipment accesses the application can be accurately determined.

As a possible implementation method, the session parameter information and/or the first session parameter information in any implementation method of the first to third aspects includes one or more of the following information: session and service continuity mode, access type, or session type.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a data collection method, which may be performed by an application function network element or a module (e.g., a chip) applied in the application function network element. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a data subscription request message from a data analysis network element, wherein the data subscription request message comprises identification information of terminal equipment and an External Application identification (External Application ID); sending a first request message to a network open function (NEF) network element, where the first request message includes identifier information of the terminal device and an external application identifier, and the first request message is used to query address information of a session used by the terminal device to access an application corresponding to the external application identifier; receiving address information of a first session used by the terminal equipment accessing the application corresponding to the external application identifier from the NEF network element; according to the address information of the first session, collecting application data of the terminal equipment corresponding to the external application identifier; and sending the data of the application to the data analysis network element.

In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a data collection method, which may be performed by a network element or a module (e.g., a chip) applied in the network element. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a first request message from an application function network element, wherein the first request message comprises identification information of terminal equipment and an external application identification, and the first request message is used for inquiring address information of a session used by the terminal equipment for accessing an application corresponding to the external application identification; acquiring address information of a first session used by the terminal equipment for accessing the application corresponding to the external application identifier; and sending the address information of the first session to the application function network element.

As a possible implementation method, acquiring address information of a first session used by the terminal device to access an application corresponding to the external application identifier specifically includes: acquiring network information corresponding to the application, wherein the network information comprises a data network name and/or slice identification information; sending a second request message to the communication device corresponding to the network information, where the second request message includes the external application identifier and an application start event, and the second request message also includes the network information or identifier information of a session corresponding to the network information; address information of the first session is received from a first communication device, the first session is a session of the session corresponding to the network information, the application start event of the application is detected, and the first communication device is one of the communication devices corresponding to the network information.

According to the scheme, the communication equipment determines the address information of the first session used when the terminal equipment accesses the application by detecting the application starting event in the session, and receives the address information of the first session from the communication equipment, so that the address information of the session used when the terminal equipment accesses the application can be accurately determined.

As a possible implementation method, the second request message further includes session parameter information, where the session parameter information is used to determine one or more sessions of sessions corresponding to the network information, where the one or more sessions are sessions to which application start event detection is to be performed.

According to the above-mentioned scheme, the communication device is provided with the session parameter information, and the communication device can screen the session to be subjected to the application start event detection according to the session parameter information, so that the number of sessions subjected to the application start event detection by the communication device is reduced, and the overhead of the communication device can be reduced.

As a possible implementation method, a routing descriptor used by the terminal device to access the application is obtained from a mobility management policy control network element, where the routing descriptor includes network information and first session parameter information, and the network information includes a data network name and/or slice identification information; sending a fourth request message to the communication device corresponding to the network information, where the fourth request message includes the first session parameter information, and the fourth request also includes the network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information; address information of the first session is received from a first communication device, the first session is a session corresponding to the first session parameter information in the session corresponding to the network information, and the first communication device is one of the communication devices corresponding to the network information.

According to the above scheme, the network element is controlled by the subordinate management policy to obtain a routing descriptor used when the terminal device accesses the application, where the routing descriptor includes first session parameter information, and the first session parameter information is provided to the communication device, so that the communication device can determine, from one or more sessions, a first session corresponding to the first session parameter information, where the first session is a session used when the terminal device accesses the application. And then receiving the address information of the first session from the communication equipment, thereby realizing accurate determination of the address information of the session used when the terminal equipment accesses the application.

According to the above scheme, the routing descriptor used when the terminal device accesses the application is obtained from the mobility management policy control network element, the routing descriptor includes the first session parameter information, the address information and the session parameter information of one or more sessions are obtained from the communication device, and the first session corresponding to the first session parameter information is determined from the one or more sessions, the first session is the session used when the terminal device accesses the application, and the accurate determination of the address information of the session used when the terminal device accesses the application can be realized.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, where the apparatus may be a data analysis network element, and may also be a module (e.g., a chip) for the data analysis network element. The apparatus has a function of implementing any of the implementation methods of the first aspect described above. The function can be realized by hardware, and can also be realized by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which may be a communication device, and may also be a module (e.g., a chip) for a communication device, where the communication device is a session management policy control network element or a session management network element. The apparatus has a function of implementing any implementation method of the second aspect or the third aspect described above. The function can be realized by hardware, and can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, where the apparatus may be an application function network element, and may also be a module (e.g., a chip) for the application function network element. The apparatus has a function of implementing any of the implementation methods of the fourth aspect described above. The function can be realized by hardware, and can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, where the apparatus may be a network element with an open network function, and may also be a module (e.g., a chip) for the network element with the open network function. The apparatus has a function of implementing any implementation method of the fifth aspect described above. The function can be realized by hardware, and can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, including a processor and a memory; the memory is used for storing computer instructions, and when the apparatus runs, the processor executes the computer instructions stored in the memory, so that the apparatus executes any implementation method in the first aspect to the fifth aspect.

In an eleventh aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication device, which includes means or units (means) for performing the steps of any implementation method in the first to fifth aspects.

In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and an interface circuit, where the processor is configured to communicate with another device through the interface circuit, and perform any implementation method in the first to fifth aspects. The processor includes one or more.

In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, including a processor coupled to a memory, where the processor is configured to call a program stored in the memory to execute any implementation method in the first to fifth aspects. The memory may be located within the device or external to the device. And the processor may be one or more.

In a fourteenth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause any implementation method in the first to fifth aspects to be performed.

In a fifteenth aspect, the present application further provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or instructions, when the computer program or instructions are executed by a communication device, the method of any implementation of the first to fifth aspects is executed.

In a sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, including: a processor configured to perform any of the implementation methods of the first to fifth aspects.

In a seventeenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, including a data analysis network element and an application function network element. The data analysis network element is configured to perform any of the implementation methods of the first aspect. The application function network element is used for receiving a first request message from the data analysis network element, wherein the first request message comprises identification information of an application and address information of a first session; and sending the data of the application of the terminal device to the data analysis network element.

In an eighteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which includes a data analysis network element and a communication device. The communication device is configured to perform any of the implementation methods of the second aspect. The data analysis network element is configured to send a second request message to the communication device, where the second request message includes identification information of an application and an application start event, and the second request message further includes network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information; and receiving address information of a first session from the communication device, wherein the first session is a session in which an application start event of the application is detected in a session corresponding to the network information, and the address information of the first session is used for collecting data of the application of the terminal device.

As a possible implementation method, the communication device is a session management network element or a session management policy control network element.

As a possible implementation method, the data analysis network element is further configured to send a first request message to an application function network element providing the application, where the first request message includes identification information of the application and address information of the first session; and receiving data of the application from the application function network element.

In a nineteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which includes a data analysis network element and a communication device. The communication device is adapted to perform any of the implementation methods of the third aspect. The data analysis network element is configured to send a fourth request message to the communication device, where the fourth request message includes the first session parameter information, and the fourth request message further includes network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information; and receiving address information of a first session from the communication device, wherein the first session is a session corresponding to the first session parameter information in the session corresponding to the network information, and the address information of the first session is used for collecting data of the application of the terminal device.

As a possible implementation method, the data analysis network element is further configured to obtain, from the mobility management policy control network element, a routing descriptor used by the terminal device to access the application, where the routing descriptor includes network information and first session parameter information, and the network information includes a data network name and/or slice identification information; sending a fifth request message to the communication device, where the fifth request message includes the network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information; receiving address information of a session corresponding to the network information from the communication device and session parameter information of the session corresponding to the network information; and determining the address information of the first session from the address information of the session corresponding to the network information according to the session parameter information of the session corresponding to the network information and the first session parameter information, wherein the session parameter information of the first session is the first session parameter information.

In a twentieth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, including an application function network element configured to execute any implementation method of the fourth aspect, and a network open function network element configured to execute any implementation method of the fifth aspect.

Drawings

Fig. 1 (a) is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 1 (b) is a schematic diagram of another communication system provided in the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 (a) is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service-oriented architecture;

FIG. 2 (b) is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a point-to-point interface;

fig. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a data collection method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 (a) is a schematic flowchart of a data collection method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 (b) is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining address information of a first session used by a terminal device to access an application according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 (c) is a schematic flowchart of another method for determining address information of a first session used by a terminal device to access an application according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 (d) is a schematic flowchart of yet another method for determining address information of a first session used by a terminal device to access an application according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 (e) is a schematic flowchart of a data collection method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a data collection method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a data collection method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a data collection method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

As shown in fig. 1 (a), the present application provides a communication system comprising a data analysis network element and an application function network element. Optionally, the system further includes a mobility management policy control network element and/or a communication device, where the communication device is a session management network element or a session management policy control network element.

The data analysis network element is used for determining the address information of the first session used by the terminal equipment for accessing the application; sending a first request message to an application function network element providing the application, wherein the first request message comprises identification information of the application and address information of the first session; the address information of the first session is used for collecting data of the application of the terminal equipment; and receiving data of the application from the application function network element. An application function network element, configured to receive the first request message from the data analysis network element; and sending the data of the application of the terminal device to the data analysis network element.

As a possible implementation method, the data analysis network element is further configured to determine to collect data of the terminal device accessing the application.

As a possible implementation method, the data analysis network element is configured to obtain network information corresponding to the application, where the network information includes a data network name and/or slice identification information; sending a second request message to the communication device corresponding to the network information, wherein the second request message includes the identification information of the application and an application start event, and the second request message also includes the network information or the identification information of a session corresponding to the network information; and receiving address information of the first session from a first communication device, wherein the first session is a session of the session corresponding to the network information, and an application start event of the application is detected, and the first communication device is one of the communication devices corresponding to the network information.

As a possible implementation method, the data analysis network element is configured to send a third request message to the mobility management policy control network element, where the third request message includes the identification information of the terminal device and the flow descriptor of the application; and receiving the session parameter information from the mobility management policy control network element, the session parameter information corresponding to the flow descriptor information and the identification information of the terminal device. And the mobility management policy control network element is used for acquiring the session parameter information according to the identification information of the terminal equipment and the flow descriptor of the application, and sending the session parameter information to the data analysis network element.

As a possible implementation method, the data analysis network element is configured to obtain, from the mobility management policy control network element, a routing descriptor used by the terminal device to access the application, where the routing descriptor includes network information and first session parameter information, and the network information includes a data network name and/or slice identification information; sending a fourth request message to the communication device corresponding to the network information, where the fourth request message includes the first session parameter information, and the fourth request also includes the network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information; and receiving address information of the first session from a first communication device, wherein the first session is a session corresponding to the first session parameter information in the session corresponding to the network information, and the first communication device is one of the communication devices corresponding to the network information.

As a possible implementation method, the data analysis network element is configured to obtain, from the mobility management policy control network element, a routing descriptor used by the terminal device to access the application, where the routing descriptor includes network information and first session parameter information, and the network information includes a data network name and/or slice identification information; sending a fifth request message to the communication device corresponding to the network information, where the fifth request message includes the network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information; receiving address information of a session corresponding to the network information from the communication device and session parameter information of the session corresponding to the network information; and determining the address information of the first session from the address information of the session corresponding to the network information according to the session parameter information of the session corresponding to the network information and the first session parameter information, wherein the session parameter information of the first session is the first session parameter information.

As a possible implementation method, the data analysis network element is configured to obtain, from a data management network element, address information of the communication device and identification information of the session, where the address information corresponds to the network information, and the communication device is a session management network element; or, the address information of the communication device and the identification information of the session corresponding to the network information are acquired from the binding support network element, and the communication device is a session management policy control network element.

The system shown in fig. 1 (a) may be used in the fifth generation (the 5 g) network architecture shown in fig. 2 (a) or fig. 2 (b), and of course, may also be used in a future network architecture, such as a sixth generation (6 g) network architecture, and the like, which is not limited in this application.

As shown in fig. 1 (b), the present application provides a communication system, which includes a data analysis network element and a communication device, which may be a session management network element or a session management policy control network element.

In a first embodiment, a communication device is configured to receive a second request message from a data analysis network element, where the second request message includes identification information of an application and an application start event, and the second request message further includes network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information; detecting an application start event of the application on a first session in the sessions corresponding to the network information; and sending address information of the first session to the data analysis network element, where the address information of the first session is used to collect data of the application of the terminal device. A data analysis network element, configured to send the second request message to the communication device; and receiving address information for the first session from the communication device.

As a possible implementation method, the second request message further includes session parameter information; the communication device is further used for determining one or more sessions corresponding to the session parameter information in the session corresponding to the network information; the detection of the application start event is performed on the one or more sessions, including the first session.

In a second embodiment, a communication device is configured to receive a fourth request message from a data analysis network element, where the fourth request message includes first session parameter information, and the fourth request message further includes network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information; acquiring address information of a first session, wherein the first session is a session corresponding to the first session parameter information in the session corresponding to the network information; and sending address information of the first session to the data analysis network element, the address information of the first session being used for collecting data of the application of the terminal device. And the data analysis network element is used for sending the fourth request message to the communication equipment and receiving the address information of the first session from the communication equipment.

The system shown in fig. 1 (b) may be used in the 5G network architecture shown in fig. 2 (a) or fig. 2 (b), and of course, may also be used in a future network architecture, such as a 6G network architecture, etc., which is not limited in this application.

To address the challenges of wireless broadband technology and to maintain the leading advantages of third Generation partnership project (3 GPP) networks, the 3GPP standards group has established a Next Generation mobile communication network System (Next Generation System) architecture, referred to as the 5G network architecture. The architecture not only supports a wireless access technology (such as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) access technology, a 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) access technology, and the like) defined by a 3GPP standard group to access to a 5G Core Network (CN), but also supports a non-3GPP (non-3 GPP) access technology to access to the core network through a non-3GPP conversion function (non-3 GPP interworking function, n3 iwf) or a next generation access gateway (ngPDG).

Fig. 2 (a) is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service-oriented architecture. The 5G network architecture shown in fig. 1 may include a terminal device, an access network device, and a core network device. The terminal device accesses a Data Network (DN) through the access network device and the core network device. The core network device includes, but is not limited to, part or all of the following network elements: an authentication server function (AUSF) network element (not shown), a Unified Data Management (UDM) network element, a Unified Data Retrieval (UDR) network element, a network storage function (NRF) network element (not shown), a network open function (NEF) network element (not shown), an Application Function (AF) network element, a Policy Control Function (PCF) network element, an access and mobility management function (access and mobility management function, AMF) network element, a session management function (session management function, SMF) network element, a user plane function (user plane function, UPF) network element, a binding support function (binding function, AF) network element, a network Analysis Function (AF) network element (not shown), and a network storage function (NRF) network element (not shown).

The terminal device may be a User Equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile terminal, or the like. The terminal device can be widely applied to various scenes, for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-equipment (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), internet of things (IOT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, automatic driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearing, smart transportation, smart city, and the like. The terminal equipment can be a mobile phone, a tablet personal computer, a computer with a wireless transceiving function, wearable equipment, a vehicle, an urban air vehicle (such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, a helicopter and the like), a ship, a robot, a mechanical arm, intelligent household equipment and the like.

The access network device may be a Radio Access Network (RAN) device or a wired access network (FAN) device. The wireless access network equipment comprises 3GPP access network equipment, non-credible non-3GPP access network equipment and credible non-3GPP access network equipment. 3GPP access network devices include, but are not limited to: an evolved NodeB (eNodeB) in LTE, a next generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or a module or unit that performs part of functions of the base station, such as a Centralized Unit (CU), a Distributed Unit (DU), and the like. Untrusted non-3GPP access network devices include, but are not limited to: an untrusted non-3GPP access gateway or N3IWF device, an untrusted local area network (WLAN) Access Point (AP), a switch, and a router. Trusted non-3GPP access network devices include, but are not limited to: trusted non-3GPP access gateway, trusted WLAN AP, switch, router. Wired access network devices include, but are not limited to: wired access gateway (wired access gateway), fixed telephone network equipment, switches, routers.

The access network equipment and the terminal equipment may be fixed or mobile. The access network equipment and the terminal equipment can be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on the water surface; it may also be deployed on airborne airplanes, balloons, and satellite vehicles. The embodiment of the application does not limit the application scenes of the access network equipment and the terminal equipment.

The AMF network element comprises functions of executing mobility management, access authentication/authorization and the like. In addition, it is also responsible for transferring user policy between the terminal equipment and the PCF.

SMF network element includes functions of executing session management, executing control strategy issued by PCF, selecting UPF, distributing Internet Protocol (IP) address of terminal device, etc.

UPF network element includes functions of completing user plane data forwarding, charging statistics based on session/flow level, bandwidth limitation, etc.

And the UDM network element comprises functions of executing and managing subscription data, user access authorization and the like.

The UDR includes an access function for executing type data such as subscription data, policy data, and application data.

And the NEF network element is used for supporting the opening of the capability and the event.

And the AF network element is used for transmitting the requirements of the application side on the network side, such as QoS requirements or user state event subscription and the like. The AF may be a third party functional entity, or may be an application service deployed by an operator, such as an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) voice call service. The AF network elements include an AF network element in a core network (i.e., an AF network element of an operator) and a third-party AF network element (e.g., an application server of an enterprise).

The PCF network element comprises the policy control functions of charging, qoS bandwidth guarantee, mobility management, terminal policy decision and the like aiming at the conversation and the service flow level. The PCF network element includes an access and mobility management policy control network element (AM PCF) and a session management policy control function (SM PCF) network element, the AM PCF network element may provide a mobility management policy, and the SM PCF network element may provide a session management policy.

The NRF network element can be used for providing a network element discovery function and providing network element information corresponding to the network element type based on the request of other network elements. NRF also provides network element management services such as network element registration, update, de-registration, and network element status subscription and push.

The BSF network element can provide functions of BSF service registration/logout/update, NRF connection detection, session binding information creation, UE information acquisition, session binding information query with repeated IP addresses and the like.

And the AUSF network element is responsible for authenticating the user so as to determine whether the user or the equipment is allowed to access the network.

The NWDAF network element is mainly used for collecting data (including one or more of terminal equipment data, access network equipment data, core network element data and third-party application data), providing data analysis service according to the machine learning model, and outputting a data analysis result for a network, a network manager and application execution strategy decision. In this embodiment of the present application, an NWDAF network element may be a single network element, or may be configured with other network elements, for example, the NWDAF network element is set in a PCF network element or an AMF network element.

The DN is a network outside the operator network, the operator network can access a plurality of DNs, and the DN can deploy a plurality of services and provide services such as data and/or voice for the terminal. For example, the DN is a private network of a certain intelligent factory, a sensor installed in a workshop of the intelligent factory can be a terminal, a control server of the sensor is deployed in the DN, and the control server can provide services for the sensor. The sensor can communicate with the control server, obtain the instruction of the control server, transmit the sensor data gathered to the control server, etc. according to the instruction. For another example, the DN is an internal office network of a company, the mobile phone or computer of the employee of the company may be a terminal, and the mobile phone or computer of the employee may access information, data resources, and the like on the internal office network of the company.

In fig. 2 (a), npcf, nufr, nudm, naf, namf, and Nsmf are service interfaces provided by the PCF, UDR, UDM, AF, AMF, and SMF, respectively, for invoking corresponding service operations. N1, N2, N3, N4 and N6 are interface serial numbers, and the meaning of these interface serial numbers is as follows:

1) N1: the interface between the AMF and the terminal device may be used to deliver Non Access Stratum (NAS) signaling (e.g., including QoS rules from the AMF) to the terminal device, and the like.

2) N2: the interface between the AMF and the access network device may be used to transfer radio bearer control information from the core network side to the access network device.

3) N3: the interface between the access network equipment and the UPF is mainly used for transmitting uplink and downlink user plane data between the access network equipment and the UPF.

4) And N4: the interface between the SMF and the UPF may be used to transfer information between the control plane and the user plane, including controlling the issuing of forwarding rules, qoS rules, traffic statistics rules, etc. for the user plane and the reporting of information for the user plane.

5) N6: and the UPF and DN interface is used for transmitting the uplink and downlink user data stream between the UPF and the DN.

Fig. 2 (b) is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a point-to-point interface, where reference may be made to the description of the function of the corresponding network element in fig. 2 (a) for introduction of the function of the network element, which is not described again. The main difference between fig. 2 (b) and fig. 2 (a) is that: the interfaces between the control plane network elements in fig. 2 (a) are served interfaces, and the interfaces between the control plane network elements in fig. 2 (b) are point-to-point interfaces.

In the architecture shown in fig. 2 (b), the interface names and functions between the network elements are as follows:

1) The meaning of the N1, N2, N3, N4 and N6 interfaces can be referred to the preceding description.

2) N5: the interface between the AF and the PCF may be used for application service request issue and network event report.

3) N7: the interface between the PCF and the SMF may be used to issue a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session granularity and a service data stream granularity control policy.

4) And N8: the interface between the AMF and the UDM may be used for the AMF to obtain subscription data and authentication data related to access and mobility management from the UDM, and for the AMF to register information related to mobility management of the terminal device with the UDM.

5) N9: and the user interface between the UPF and the UPF is used for transmitting the uplink and downlink user data streams between the UPFs.

6) N10: the interface between the SMF and the UDM may be used for the SMF to acquire the subscription data related to session management from the UDM, and for the SMF to register the session related information of the terminal device with the UDM.

7) N11: the interface between the SMF and the AMF may be used to transfer PDU session tunnel information between the access network device and the UPF, transfer control messages sent to the terminal device, transfer radio resource control information sent to the access network device, and the like.

8) N15: the interface between PCF and AMF can be used to send down terminal strategy and access control relative strategy.

9) And N35: and the interface between the UDM and the UDR can be used for the UDM to acquire the user subscription data information from the UDR.

10 N36): the interface between the PCF and the UDR may be used for the PCF to obtain policy related subscription data and application data related information from the UDR.

It is to be understood that the above network elements or functions may be network elements in a hardware device, or may be software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). Optionally, the network element or the function may be implemented by one device, or may be implemented by multiple devices together, or may be a functional module in one device, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

The data analysis network element, the data management network element, the mobility management network element, the session management network element, the user plane network element, the mobility management policy control network element, the session management policy control network element, the application function network element, and the binding support network element in the present application may be an NWDAF network element, a UDM network element, an AMF network element, an SMF network element, an UPF network element, an AM PCF network element, an SM PCF network element, an AF network element, and a BSF network element in a 5G system, or may be network elements having functions of the above NWDAF network element, UDM network element, AMF network element, SMF network element, UPF network element, AM PCF network element, SM network element, AF network element, and BSF network element in a future communication such as a 6G network, and the present application is not limited thereto. In the embodiment of the present application, an NWDAF network element, a UDM network element, an AMF network element, an SMF network element, a UPF network element, an AM PCF network element, an SM PCF network element, an AF network element, and a BSF network element are described as an example of a data analysis network element, a data management network element, a mobility management network element, a session management network element, a user plane network element, a mobility management policy control network element, a session management policy control network element, an application function network element, and a binding support network element, respectively. And the NWDAF network element, UDM network element, AMF network element, SMF network element, UPF network element, AM PCF network element, SM PCF network element, AF network element, BSF network element are respectively abbreviated as NWDAF, UDM, AMF, SMF, UPF, AM PCF, SM PCF, AF, BSF.

Referring to fig. 3, a schematic flow chart of an analysis method provided in the embodiment of the present application is shown. The method comprises the following steps:

step 301, nwdaf determines to collect data of terminal device accessing application.

For example, when the NWDAF receives a subscription request from another network element, such as an AF or PCF, the NWDAF determines to collect data for the end device to access the application based on the subscription request.

An implementation method includes that a subscription request carries identification information of an application and identification information of at least one terminal device, the subscription request is used for requesting subscription of service experience information and/or service flow characteristic information of the application accessed by the at least one terminal device, and a NWDAF determines to collect data of the application accessed by the at least one terminal device according to the subscription request, so that a subsequent NWDAF can determine the service experience information and/or the service flow characteristic information of the application accessed by the at least one terminal device according to the collected data of the application accessed by the at least one terminal device.

Another implementation method includes that the subscription request carries identification information of an application and identification information of a terminal device group, the terminal device group includes one or more terminal devices, the subscription request is used for requesting to subscribe the terminal devices in the terminal device group to access service experience information and/or service flow characteristic information of the application, and an NWDAF determines to collect data of the terminal devices in the terminal device group to access the application according to the subscription request, so that a subsequent NWDAF can determine that the terminal devices in the terminal device group access the service experience information and/or the service flow characteristic information of the application according to the collected data of the terminal devices in the terminal device group to access the application.

Another implementation method includes that the subscription request carries application identification information and area identification information, the area indicated by the area identification information includes one or more terminal devices, the subscription request is used for requesting that the terminal devices in the area indicated by the area identification information subscribe to access service experience information and/or service flow characteristic information of the application, and the NWDAF determines to collect data of the terminal devices in the area indicated by the area identification information for accessing the application according to the subscription request, so that a subsequent NWDAF can determine that the terminal devices in the area indicated by the area identification information access the service experience information and/or the service flow characteristic information of the application according to the collected data of the terminal devices in the area indicated by the area identification information.

In step 302, the nwdaf obtains network information corresponding to the AF, where the network information includes DNN and/or slice identification information, and the slice identification information may be single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI).

The AF herein refers to an AF to which the application corresponds, that is, an AF that deploys or provides the application.

The number of pieces of network information corresponding to the AF acquired by the NWDAF may be one or more.

In one implementation, the NWDAF may obtain network information corresponding to the AF from the NRF. For example, the AF may send a registration message to the NRF, where the registration message includes address information of the AF and network information that may be used by the terminal device to access an application on the AF, thereby enabling registration of the network information that may be used by the terminal device to access the application on the AF with the NRF. Therefore, the NWDAF may send a discovery request message to the NRF, where the discovery request message includes address information of the AF, and the discovery request message is used to request to acquire network information corresponding to the AF, so that the NRF returns the network information corresponding to the AF to the NWDAF.

In another implementation, the NWDAF may determine network information corresponding to the AF according to the local configuration.

Step 303, nwdaf sends query request message to UDM. Accordingly, the UDM receives the query request message.

In one implementation, the query Request message may be a numm UECM Get Request message.

The query request message includes identification information of the terminal device and network information corresponding to the AF, and the query request message is used for requesting to query identification information of an SMF that provides a service for the terminal device and corresponds to the network information. Wherein, the number of the network information corresponding to the AF may be one or more.

In step 304, the udm sends an inquiry response message to the NWDAF. Accordingly, the NWDAF receives the query response message.

In one implementation, the query Response message may be a Nudm _ UECM _ Get _ Response message.

After receiving the query request message, the UDM queries address information of one or more SMFs and identification information of a PDU session corresponding to each SMF according to the identification information of the terminal device and network information corresponding to the AF, and carries the queried address information of the SMFs and identification information of the PDU session in a query response message and returns the query response message to the NWDAF.

The SMF may register the address information of the SMF and the identification information of the PDU session stored in the UDM to the UDM. For example, in the process of establishing the PDU session by the terminal device, the AMF may select a serving SMF for the PDU session of the terminal device, and then the SMF may send a registration request message to the UDM, where the registration request message carries identification information of the terminal device, network information, identification information of the SMF, address information of the SMF, and identification information of the PDU session.

The following is described with reference to an example, such as UDM having the following information stored thereon:

registration information 1 of SMF 1: identification information of the terminal device 1, network information 1, address information of the SMF1, identification information of the PDU session 1, and identification information of the PDU session 2;

registration information 2 of SMF 2: identification information of the terminal device 1, network information 2, address information of the SMF2, identification information of the SMF2, and identification information of the PDU session 3;

registration information 3 of SMF 3: identification information of the terminal device 2, network information 3, address information of the SMF3, identification information of the SMF3, and identification information of the PDU session 4;

registration information 4 of SMF 4: identification information of the terminal device 3, network information 4, address information of the SMF4, identification information of the SMF4, and identification information of the PDU session 5.

Each registration message includes identification information of a terminal device, network information, address information of an SMF, identification information of an SMF, and identification information of one or more PDU sessions. For example, the network information 1 corresponds to identification information of 2 PDU sessions, which are identification information of PDU session 1 and identification information of PDU session 2, and the network information 2, the network information 3, and the network information 4 all correspond to identification information of 1 PDU session.

Since the query request message in step 303 may carry multiple network information, and the same network information may correspond to the identification information of multiple PDU sessions, the query response message may carry address information of multiple SMFs and identification information of a PDU session corresponding to each SMF. For example, if the query request message includes the identification information of terminal device 1, network information 1, and network information 2, the query response message includes the address information of SMF1, the identification information of PDU session 1 and PDU session 2 corresponding to SMF1, the address information of SMF2, and the identification information of PDU session 3 corresponding to SMF 2. Certainly, the query response message may also carry address information of an SMF and identification information of a PDU session corresponding to the SMF.

Step 305, nwdaf sends a subscription request message to SMF, and SMF receives the subscription request message accordingly.

The subscription request message carries an event identifier and identifier information of the terminal device, and further includes network information corresponding to an AF or PDU session identifier information corresponding to an SMF, where the event identifier is an address allocation event, and the subscription request message is used to subscribe to address information allocated to the PDU session of the terminal device, and the address information may be an IPv4 address, an IPv6 prefix, an ethernet address, or the like.

If the NWDAF receives the address information for multiple SMFs in step 304, the NWDAF sends a subscription request message to each SMF. For example, if the NWDAF receives the address information of the SMF1, the identification information of the PDU session 1 and the identification information of the PDU session 2 corresponding to the SMF1, the address information of the SMF2, and the identification information of the PDU session 3 corresponding to the SMF2 in step 304, the NWDAF sends a subscription request message to the SMF1 based on the address information of the SMF1, where the subscription request message carries the event identifier and the identification information of the terminal device, and the subscription request message also carries the network information 1 or carries the identification information of the PDU session 1 and the identification information of the PDU session 2. The NWDAF sends a subscription request message to the SMF2 based on the address information of the SMF2, where the subscription request message carries an event identifier and identifier information of the terminal device, and the subscription request message also carries network information 2 or identifier information of a PDU session 3.

In one implementation, the subscription Request message may be an Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Subscribe Request message.

In step 306, the smf sends a subscription response message to the NWDAF, which in turn is received by the NWDAF.

In one implementation, the subscription Response message may be a Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Subscribe Response message.

The subscription response message is used to notify that the subscription is successful.

This step 306 is an optional step.

In step 307, the smf sends a notification message to the NWDAF, which, in turn, receives the notification message.

In one implementation, the notification message may be an Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Notify message.

If the NWDAF sends a subscription request message to multiple SMFs, each SMF sends a notification message to the NWDAF, where each notification message carries address information of one or more PDU sessions of the terminal device, and the address information may be an IPv4 address, an IPv6 prefix, an ethernet address, and the like. And each SMF acquires the address information of the PDU session corresponding to the identification information of the PDU session according to the identification information of the PDU session in the subscription request message, and sends the address information of the PDU session to the NWDAF. Or, each SMF acquires, according to the network information in the subscription request message, the address information of the PDU session corresponding to the network information, and sends the address information of the PDU session to the NWDAF.

The NWDAF may receive address information for one PDU session, or may receive address information for multiple PDU sessions.

Step 308, the nwdaf sends a data subscription request message to the AF. Accordingly, the AF receives the data subscription request message.

The data subscription request message carries identification information of the application and address information of one or more PDU sessions.

The data subscription request message is used for requesting to acquire data of the PDU session for accessing the application. Alternatively, the data subscription request is used to request the AF to collect data related to the application from the terminal device. Alternatively, the data subscription request is used to request the AF to collect data from an application of the terminal device (data collection from UE application to AF), which is used as an input of the NWDAF for generating the analysis result.

The terminal device only accesses the service of the application on the AF through one PDU session, so that if the data subscription request message carries address information of multiple PDU sessions of one terminal device, only one PDU session of the multiple PDUs is used for accessing a certain application on the AF, and the other PDU sessions are not used for accessing the application on the AF. That is, an application in an AF is accessed by only one PDU session of a terminal device, and is not accessed by multiple PDU sessions of the terminal device at the same time.

Step 309, the af sends a data subscription response message to the NWDAF. Accordingly, the NWDAF receives the data subscription response message.

The data subscription response message is used for notifying that the subscription is successful.

This step 309 is an optional step.

In step 310, the af sends a notification message to the NWDAF. Accordingly, the NWDAF receives the notification message.

After receiving the data subscription request message, the AF may determine address information of the PDU session actually used for accessing the application, for example, the address information of the PDU session actually used for accessing the application is address information of the first PDU session carried in the data subscription request message in step 308, and the PDU session is hereinafter referred to as the first PDU session. The AF may perform data collection and statistics of the service flow corresponding to the first PDU session based on the subprogram corresponding to the application, obtain data that the terminal device accesses the application through the first PDU session, and send the notification message of step 310 to the NWDAF, where the data that the terminal device accesses the application through the first PDU session is carried in the notification message. The terminal device accesses the application through the first PDU session, and it can be understood that a source address carried in a service packet sent by the terminal device to the AF is address information of the first PDU session.

The identification information of the application is divided into an internal application identifier (internal application ID) and an external application identifier (external application ID). In each of the above steps, the identification information of the application used for the interaction between the core network elements may be regarded as an internal application identifier, and the identification information of the application used for the interaction between the core network elements and the AF may be regarded as an external application identifier.

This is explained below with reference to a specific example.

For example, AF1 has application 1, application 2, and application 3. Network information that may be used by any terminal device to access any application on the AF1 includes network information 1, network information 2, and network information 3. Each network information comprises a DNN and/or a slice identification information.

If the NWDAF needs to collect data when the terminal device 1 accesses the application 1 on the AF1, the NWDAF sends the identification information of the terminal device 1, and the network information 1, the network information 2, and the network information 3 to the UDM, where the UDM stores the following SMF data:

Thus, the result returned by the UDM to the NWDAF is: address information of SMF1, identification information of PDU session 1 and PDU session 2 corresponding to SMF1, identification information of SMF2, and identification information of PDU session 3 corresponding to SMF 2.

Then, NWDAF transmits the event identification and the identification information of terminal device 1 to SMF1, and also transmits network information 1 or transmits the identification information of PDU session 1 and the identification information of PDU session 2, and receives the address information of PDU session 1 and the address information of PDU session 2 from SMF1, and NWDAF transmits the event identification and the identification information of terminal device 1 to SMF2, and also transmits the identification information of network information 1 or PDU session 3, and receives the address information of PDU session 3 from SMF 2.

Next, the NWDFA sends the identification information of the application 1, the address information of the PDU session 2, and the address information of the PDU session 3 to the AF1, and the NWDFA desires to acquire data when the terminal device 1 accesses the application 1 from the AF 1.

Then, AF1 collects data when terminal device 1 accesses application 1 using PDU session 1, which is the PDU session actually used when terminal device 1 accesses application 1 on AF1, and returns it to NWDAF.

And 311, determining the service experience information and/or the service flow characteristic information of the terminal equipment accessing the application according to the data of the terminal equipment accessing the application by the NWDAF.

This step 311 is an optional step.

The service experience information includes but is not limited to: a Service Level Agreement (SLA) satisfies one or more of conditions, latency, packet loss rate, user satisfaction, and the like.

Traffic flow characteristic information includes, but is not limited to: packet header characteristics, flow statistics characteristics (e.g., periodicity, packet size), etc.

According to the above scheme, the NWDAF may collect data of an application in which the terminal device accesses from the AF, and analyze the collected data to obtain service experience information and/or service flow characteristic information of the application accessed by the terminal device, so as to implement accurate analysis of the use experience of the application.

In the above scheme, there may be multiple pieces of network information that can be used by the terminal device to access the application of the AF, and in a certain access, the terminal device may use one piece of network information of the multiple pieces of network information to access the application of the AF, for example, based on the location where the terminal device is located, subscription data, and the like, one piece of network information is selected from the multiple pieces of network information to be used for accessing the application of the AF, so that the network information used by the application of the AF actually accessed by the terminal device is not fixed. Moreover, the current protocol allows the terminal device to create multiple PDU sessions under the same network information, for example, the PDU sessions correspond to different access technologies (e.g., 3GPP access, non-3GPP access) or Session and Service Continuity (SSC) modes.

For the above two reasons, the NWDAF actually acquires the address information of multiple PDU sessions of the terminal device, but actually only the address information of one PDU session is used by the terminal device to access the application of the AF. Because the NWDAF does not know which address information of the PDU session is used by the terminal device to access the application of the AF, when the NWDAF requests the AF to acquire data of the PDU session for accessing a certain application, the NWDAF sends the acquired address information of all PDU sessions of the terminal device to the AF, and the AF determines the address information of the PDU session actually used by the application of the terminal device for accessing the AF.

The problems of the scheme are as follows: since the NWDAF sends the address information of all PDU sessions of the terminal device that may access the application to the AF, and only one of the address information of the PDU session is used by the terminal device to access the application of the AF, there is a security risk that the address information of the PDU session that the AF should not perceive is erroneously provided to the AF.

Fig. 4 (a) is a schematic flowchart of a data collection method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method comprises the following steps:

step 401a, nwdaf determines to collect data of the terminal device accessing the application.

This step is the same as step 301 described above, and reference may be made to the above description.

This step 401a is an optional step.

In step 402a, the nwdaf determines address information for a first session used by the terminal device to access the application.

That is, the NWDAF determines address information of a first session used by a particular terminal device to access a particular application. For example, the NWDAF determines address information for a first session used by the first terminal device to access the first application. The session may be a PDU session and the address information may be an IPv4 address, an IPv6 prefix, an ethernet address, or the like.

Wherein the first session refers to a session actually used by the terminal device to access a certain application.

Step 403a, nwdaf sends a first request message (may also be referred to as request message 1) to the AF providing the application, the first request message including identification information of the application and address information of the first session. Accordingly, the AF receives the first request message.

The first request message is used for requesting the terminal equipment to access the data of the application through the first session. For example, the AF receives data that the terminal device accesses the application, then preprocesses the received data, and then transmits the processed data to the NWDAF.

Alternatively, the first request message is used to request the AF to collect data related to the application from the terminal device.

Or, the first request message is used to request the AF to collect data from an application of the terminal device (datacasting from UE application to AF).

As an implementation method, the first request message may be a data subscription request message.

Step 404a, the af sends the data that the terminal device accessed the application over the first session to the NWDAF. Accordingly, the NWDAF receiving terminal device accesses the data of the application through the first session.

After receiving the data of the application accessed by the terminal device through the first session, the NWDAF may determine, according to the data of the application accessed by the terminal device through the first session, service experience information and/or service flow characteristic information of the application accessed by the terminal device through the first session. The contents of the service experience information and the service flow characteristic information may refer to the description of step 311 above.

According to the scheme, the NWDAF can determine the address information of the session used by the terminal equipment for accessing the application, so that only the address information of the session needs to be provided for the AF, the address information of all the sessions of the terminal equipment which possibly access the application is not sent to the AF, the information of the sessions of the terminal equipment which are not sensed by the AF is prevented from being exposed to the AF, and the security risk is reduced.

As one implementation method, in step 402a, the NWDAF may determine the address information of the first session used by the terminal device to access the application according to a plurality of methods. Three methods for determining address information of a first session used by a terminal device to access an application are described below with reference to the drawings.

Referring to fig. 4 (b), a schematic flowchart of a method for determining address information of a first session used by a terminal device to access an application according to an embodiment of the present application is provided. The method comprises the following steps:

and 401b, the nwdaf acquires network information corresponding to the application, wherein the network information includes DNN and/or slice identification information.

In an implementation method, the NWDAF may obtain network information corresponding to the AF providing the application from the NRF, and use the network information corresponding to the AF as the network information corresponding to the application. The method for acquiring network information corresponding to an AF from an NRF by an nwdf may refer to the description in step 302.

In another implementation, the NWDAF may determine the network information corresponding to the AF according to the local configuration.

In another implementation, the NWDAF may also obtain network information corresponding to the application from the AM PCF. For example, the NWDAF sends a third request message (also referred to as request message 3) to the AM PCF, where the third request message includes identification information of the terminal device and a flow descriptor (TrafficDescriptor) of the application, where the flow descriptor includes an application identification (APP ID), a triplet, a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN), or a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). Then, the AM PCF acquires network information corresponding to the identification information of the terminal device and the flow descriptor of the application, according to the identification information of the terminal device and the flow descriptor of the application. And then the AM PCF sends network information corresponding to the application to the NWDAF.

In step 402b, the nwdaf acquires the identification information of the communication device corresponding to the network information and the session corresponding to the network information.

In an implementation method, the communication device is an SMF, the NWDAF may send identification information of a terminal device and network information corresponding to an application to the UDM, and the UDM obtains, according to the identification information of the terminal device and the network information, address information of the SMF corresponding to the identification information of the terminal device and the network information, and identification information of a session corresponding to the identification information of the terminal device and the network information.

In another implementation method, the communication device is an SM PCF, the NWDAF may send the identification information of the terminal device and the network information corresponding to the application to the BSF, and the BSF acquires, according to the identification information of the terminal device and the network information, address information of the SM PCF corresponding to the identification information of the terminal device and the network information, and identification information of a session corresponding to the identification information of the terminal device and the network information.

In another implementation method, the communication device is an SM PCF, and the SM PCF may not store identification information of a session, so that the NWDAF may send identification information of the terminal device to the BSF, and the BSF acquires address information of the SM PCF corresponding to the identification information of the terminal device according to the identification information of the terminal device.

The address information of the SMF may be a unique identifier of the SMF, an IP address, or FQDN, which is not limited in this application. The address information of the SM PCF may be a unique identifier of the SMF, an IP address, or an FQDN, which is not limited in this application.

Step 403b, nwdaf sends a second request message (also referred to as request message 2) to the communications device. Accordingly, the communication device receives the second request message.

The second request message includes identification information of an application and an application start event, and the second request message further includes identification information of network information or a session corresponding to the network information, and the application start event is used for starting the application in the session corresponding to the network information.

Optionally, the second request message further includes session parameter information corresponding to the application, where the session parameter information includes one or more of the following information: SSC pattern, access type (AccessType), or session type (SessionType).

For example, in the description of step 401b, if the NWDAF sends the third request message to the AM PCF, on one hand, the NWDAF receives the network information corresponding to the application from the AM PCF, and on the other hand, the NWDAF may also receive the session parameter information corresponding to the application from the AM PCF.

Wherein the SSC pattern includes SSC pattern 1, SSC pattern 2, and SSC pattern 3.SSC mode 1 requires that the session keep the IP address unchanged for the lifetime. The SSC mode 2 does not provide any service continuity and is completely dependent on the application function network element to perform service continuity guarantee. The SSC mode 3 adopts a mode of firstly establishing a new side link and then releasing an old side link, thereby ensuring the session continuity to a certain extent, but the service continuity also has dependence on an application function network element.

The access types include 3GPP access and Non-3GPP (Non-3 GPP) access.

The session type includes an IP type, an ethernet type or an Unstructured (Unstructured) type.

In step 404b, the communication device detects an application start event of the application on the first session.

When the second request message includes network information, the communication device first obtains identification information of a session corresponding to the network information from the local according to the network information, then the communication device respectively performs application event detection on all sessions corresponding to the network information according to the identification information of the session corresponding to the network information, and detects an application start event of the application in the first session. When the second request message includes the identification information of the session corresponding to the network information, the communication device performs application event detection of the application on all the sessions corresponding to the network information according to the identification information of the session corresponding to the network information, and detects the application start event of the application in the first session.

In another implementation method, the second request message includes, in addition to the network information or the identification information of the session corresponding to the network information, session parameter information corresponding to the application. If the second request message includes the network information, the communication device first obtains the identification information of the session corresponding to the network information from the local according to the network information, and if the second request message includes the identification information of the session corresponding to the network information, the communication device obtains the identification information of the session corresponding to the network information from the second request message. Then, the communication device filters the sessions corresponding to the network information according to the session parameter information corresponding to the application, obtains sessions matched with the session parameter information, then performs detection of an application start event of the application for the matched sessions, and detects the application start event of the application for the first session. Illustratively, the second request message carries identification information of 5 sessions, which are identification information of session 1, identification information of session 2, identification information of session 3, identification information of session 4, and identification information of session 5, respectively, and also carries 3 session parameter information corresponding to the application, which are session parameter information 1, session parameter information 2, and session parameter information 3, respectively. Assuming that the session parameter information corresponding to the session 1 is the same as the session parameter information 1, the session parameter information corresponding to the session 2 is the same as the session parameter information 2, and the session parameter information corresponding to the session 3 is different from the session parameter information 1, the session 1 is matched with the session parameter information 1, and the session 2 is matched with the session parameter information 2, so that the communication device determines to perform application event detection of the application on the session 1 and the session 2, and does not perform application event detection of the application on the session 3, so that the number of sessions for performing application event detection of the application can be reduced, and the overhead of the communication device can be reduced.

In step 405b, the first communications device transmits address information for the first session to the NWDAF. Accordingly, the NWDAF receives address information for the first session.

The address information of the first session is used for collecting data of the terminal device accessing the application through the first session. Alternatively, the address of the first session is used to collect data of the application of the terminal device.

The first communication device is one of the communication devices corresponding to the network information, that is, the communication device that detects the application start event of the application. Since the terminal device will only access the application of the AF in one session, the other communication devices will not detect the application start event of the application in the other session, and thus only one communication device, such as the first communication device, can detect the application start event of the application.

By the above scheme, the communication device (such as SMF or SM PCF) performs application start event detection on one or more sessions provided by the NWDAF, and when an application start event of an application is detected on a certain session, such as a first session, it indicates that the terminal device is an application accessing the AF on the first session, and the first communication device provides address information of the first session to the NWDAF.

Referring to fig. 4 (c), a schematic flowchart of still another method for determining address information of a first session used by a terminal device to access an application is provided according to an embodiment of the present application. The method comprises the following steps:

in step 401c, the nwdaf obtains a Routing Selection Descriptor (RSD) used by the access application of the terminal device from the AM PCF, the RSD comprising network information and first session parameter information, the network information comprising a data network name and/or slice identification information.

For example, the NWDAF sends the identification information of the terminal device and a flow descriptor of the application to the AM PCF, where the flow descriptor includes an application identification (APP ID), a triplet, an FQDN, or a URL. Then the AM PCF acquires one or more RSDs corresponding to the identification information of the terminal device and the flow descriptor of the application according to the identification information of the terminal device and the flow descriptor of the application, each RSD including the flow descriptor, a network information and a session parameter information, the session parameter information including one or more of the following information: SSC pattern, access type, or session type. The AM PCF then selects one RSD from one or more RSDs corresponding to the identification information of the terminal device and the flow descriptor of the application and transmits the selected RSD to the NWDAF. For example, the RSD with the highest priority in the one or more RSDs is selected, or the RSD corresponding to the Allowed access slice information (i.e., allowed nsai) of the terminal device and the RSD with the highest priority in the intersection of the Allowed NSSAI and the one or more RSDs are selected. For example, the one or more RSDs corresponding to the identification information of the terminal device and the flow descriptor of the application include RSD1, RSD2, RSD3, and RSD4, and the priority is, in order from high to low: RSD1, RSD2, RSD3, RSD4. Wherein the network information in RSD1 includes S-NSSAI1, the network information in RSD2 includes S-NSSAI2, the network information in RSD3 includes S-NSSAI3, the network information in RSD4 includes S-NSSAI4, and the Allowed NSSAI includes S-NSSAI1, S-NSSAI2, and S-NSSAI5, so that the intersection of the RSD corresponding to the Allowed NSSAI and the one or more RSDs includes RSD1 and RSD2, then the RSD1 with the highest priority is selected from RSD1 and RSD2, and the RSD1 is the RSD used by the terminal device to access the application.

In step 402c, the nwdaf acquires the identification information of the communication device corresponding to the network information and the session corresponding to the network information.

As with step 402b above, reference may be made to the foregoing description.

In step 403c, the nwdaf sends a fourth request message (also referred to as request message 4) to the communication device. Accordingly, the communication device receives the fourth request message.

The number of communication devices here may be one or more, which may be SMF or SM PCF.

The fourth request message includes the first session parameter information and also includes the network information or the identification information of the session corresponding to the network information.

In step 404c, a session matching the first session parameter information is detected.

After receiving the first session parameter information and the network information or the identification information of the session corresponding to the network information, the communication device determines whether a session matching the first session parameter information exists in the session corresponding to the network information. If the network information is carried in the fourth request message, the communication device needs to first obtain a session corresponding to the network information from a local location according to the network information. Illustratively, a communication device receives first session parameter information, identification information of session 1, identification information of session 2, and identification information of session 3, if the communication device determines that the session parameter information corresponding to the session 1 is the same as the first session parameter information, the session 1 matches the first session parameter information, and the communication device obtains address information of the session 1. Illustratively, a communication device receives first session parameter information and network information, and the communication device determines, according to the network information, identification information of session 1, identification information of session 2, and identification information of session 3 corresponding to the network information, wherein if the communication device determines that the session parameter information corresponding to the session 1 is the same as the first session parameter information, the session 1 matches with the first session parameter information, and the communication device obtains address information of the session 1.

The session matched with the first session parameter information is called a first session, that is, the first session is a session corresponding to the first session parameter information in the sessions corresponding to the network information.

Wherein the communication device that detects the session matching the first session parameter information is referred to as the first communication device. Since the terminal device will only access the AF application on one session, the other communication devices will not detect a session matching the first session parameter information, and thus only one communication device, i.e. the first communication device, can detect a session matching the first session parameter information.

In step 405c, the first communications device sends address information for the first session to the NWDAF. Accordingly, the NWDAF receives address information for the first session.

The address information of the first session is used for collecting data of the terminal device accessing the application through the first session.

The first communication device is one of the communication devices to which the network information corresponds.

With the above scheme, the communication device (e.g., SMF or SM PCF) determines whether one or more sessions provided by the NWDAF match the first session parameter information provided by the NWDAF, and if the first session matches the first session parameter information, it indicates that the terminal device is an application accessing the AF on the first session, and the first communication device provides the NWDAF with address information of the first session.

Referring to fig. 4 (d), a schematic flowchart of still another method for determining address information of a first session used by a terminal device to access an application according to an embodiment of the present application is provided. The method comprises the following steps:

in steps 401d to 402d, as in steps 401c to 402c, reference is made to the above description.

Step 403d, nwdaf sends a fifth request message (also referred to as request message 5) to the communication device. Accordingly, the communication device receives the fifth request message.

The fifth request message includes network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information.

In step 404d, the communication device transmits the address information of the session and the session parameter information of the session corresponding to the network information to the NWDAF. Accordingly, the NWDAF receives address information of a session and session parameter information of the session corresponding to the network information.

That is, the communication apparatus transmits address information of a session corresponding to the network information and transmits session parameter information of the session corresponding to the network information to the NWDAF.

If the fifth request message carries network information, the communication device needs to locally obtain, according to the network information, identification information of a session corresponding to the network information.

In step 405d, the nwdaf determines the address information of the first session from the address information of the session corresponding to the network information according to the session parameter information of the session corresponding to the network information and the first session parameter information, where the session parameter information of the first session is the first session parameter information.

In step 403d, the NWDAF sends the identification information of session 1 and the identification information of session 2 to the SMF1 and sends the identification information of session 3 to the SMF2, and then the NWDAF receives the address information of session 1, the session parameter information 1 of session 1, the address information of session 2, and the session parameter information 2 of session 2 from the SMF1 and receives the address information of session 3 and the session parameter information 3 of session 3 from the SMF 2.

If the NWDAF determines that the session parameter information 3 is the same as the first session parameter information received in step 401d, it is determined that the terminal device uses the session 3 to access the application, that is, the session 3 is the first session. So that the NWDAF acquires address information for the first session.

Through the scheme, the NWDAF judges whether a session matched with the first session parameter information exists in the session corresponding to the network information, if the first session is matched with the first session parameter information, the terminal equipment is indicated to be an application accessing the AF in the first session, and then the NWDAF can acquire the address information of the first session.

Fig. 4 (e) is a schematic flowchart of a data collection method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method comprises the following steps:

step 401e, nwdaf determines to collect data of the terminal device accessing the application.

This step 401e is an optional step.

In step 402e, the nwdaf sends a data subscription request message to the AF. Accordingly, the AF receives the data subscription request message.

The data subscription request message includes identification information of the terminal device, which may be, for example, a General Public Subscription Identity (GPSI), and an external application identity.

The data subscription request message is used for requesting the terminal device to access the data of the application.

In step 403e, the af sends a first request message (also referred to as request message 1) to the NEF. Accordingly, the NEF receives the first request message.

The first request message includes identification information of the terminal device and an external application identification, and the first request message is used for inquiring address information of a session used by an application corresponding to the external application identification accessed by the terminal device.

As an implementation method, the first Request message may be an Nnef _ ue id _ Get _ Request message.

Step 404e, nef obtains the address information of the first session used by the terminal device to access the application corresponding to the external application identifier.

The implementation method for acquiring, by the NEF, address information of the first session used by the terminal device to access the application corresponding to the external application identifier is similar to the implementation method for acquiring, by the NWDAF, address information of the first session used by the terminal device to access the application corresponding to the external application identifier, and reference may be specifically made to the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4 (b), fig. 4 (c), or fig. 4 (d).

Step 405e, nef sends the address information of the first session to the AF.

As a possible implementation method, the NEF sends a first response message to the AF, the first response message including address information of the first session. The first Response message may be an Nnef _ ue id _ Get _ Response message.

Step 406e, the af collects data of the application of the terminal device corresponding to the external application identifier according to the address information of the first session.

The AF collects data of an application of the terminal device corresponding to the external application identifier, for example, the AF may send a request message to the terminal device to request data of the application of the terminal device, and further, for example, the AF may record data in a process that the terminal device accesses the application through the first session.

Step 407e, af sends the NWDAF the data for the application to the terminal device for access by the first session. Accordingly, the NWDAF receiving terminal device accesses the data of the application through the first session.

According to the scheme, the NEF can determine the address information of the session used by the terminal equipment for accessing the application, so that only the address information of the session needs to be provided for the AF, the address information of all the sessions of the terminal equipment which possibly access the application is not sent to the AF, the information of the session of the terminal equipment which is not sensed by the AF is prevented from being exposed to the AF, and the security risk is reduced.

The embodiment corresponding to fig. 4 (a) will be described with reference to specific examples. In the following embodiments corresponding to fig. 5 to fig. 7, a session established by the terminal device is a PDU session as an example.

Fig. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a data collection method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method comprises the following steps:

step 501 is the same as step 301.

This step 501 is an optional step.

And step 502, the NWDAF acquires network information corresponding to the AF.

The NWDF may use either of the two methods described in step 302 above to obtain network information corresponding to the AF.

Or the following third method may also be used to acquire the network information corresponding to the AF, specifically, the following descriptions of step 702 to step 704 may be referred to, and the third method is slightly different from the following steps 702 to 704: in the third method, after obtaining the multiple RSDs that may be used by the terminal device accessing application, the AM PCF does not need to further determine, from the multiple RSDs, the RSD actually used by the terminal device accessing application, in combination with the slice information (i.e., allowed NSSAI) that allows access. That is, by the third method, the NWDAF may acquire a plurality of RSDs from the AM PCF, where each RSD includes DNN, S-NSSAI, access type, SSC mode, and PDU session type.

Step 503, nwdaf sends subscription request message to UDM. Accordingly, the UDM receives the subscription request message.

The subscription request message includes identification information of the terminal device and one or more network information, and the subscription request message is used for subscribing to the SMF corresponding to the one or more network information.

As an implementation method, the subscription request message further includes a subscription event, where the subscription event is a UE context in SMF data change event, and when the UDM receives the subscription event, if it is found that the SMF corresponding to the one or more network information is registered to the UDM, the address information of the SMF is sent to the NWDAF.

In one implementation, the subscription Request message may be a Nudm _ SDM _ SubscribeRequest message.

Step 504, the udm sends a subscription response message to the NWDAF, which, in turn, receives the subscription response message.

In one implementation, the subscription Response message may be a Nudm _ SDM _ Subscribe Response message.

In step 505, the udm sends a notification message to the NWDAF, which it receives accordingly.

In one implementation, the notification message may be a Nudm _ SDM _ Notify message.

The notification message includes address information carrying one or more SMFs and identification information of a PDU session corresponding to each SMF.

The specific implementation method for the UDM to obtain the address information of the SMF and the identification information of the PDU session corresponding to each SMF may refer to the description in step 304.

Unlike step 304, since step 503 is a subscribe request message, step 505 may be performed multiple times, that is, whenever an SMF corresponding to the one or more network information is newly registered to the UDM, the UDM may send a notification message to the NWDAF to send address information of the newly registered SMF and identification information of the PDU session corresponding to the SMF to the NWDAF.

In step 506, the nwdaf sends a subscription request message to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives the subscription request message.

The subscription request message carries identification information and condition information of event identification terminal equipment and also carries identification information of network information or PDU session corresponding to SMF, the event identification is an address allocation event, the subscription request message is used for subscribing address information allocated for the PDU session of the terminal equipment, and the address information can be IPv4 address, IPv6 prefix or Ethernet address and the like. And, the condition information in the subscription request message is used to instruct the SMF to transmit address information of the PDU session to the NWDAF when the condition information matches, in other words, if the condition information does not match, the address information of the PDU session is not transmitted.

If the NWDAF receives the address information of the SMFs in step 505, the NWDAF sends a subscription request message to each SMF. For example, the NWDAF receives, in step 505, the address information of the SMF1, the identification information of the PDU session 1 and the identification information of the PDU session 2 corresponding to the SMF1, the address information of the SMF2, and the identification information of the PDU session 3 corresponding to the SMF2, where both the identification information of the PDU session 1 and the identification information of the PDU session 2 correspond to the network information 1, and the identification information of the PDU session 3 corresponds to the network information 2, and then the NWDAF sends, to the SMF1, a subscription request message based on the address information of the SMF1, where the subscription request message carries the event identifier, the identification information of the terminal device, and the condition information, and also carries the network information 1 or carries the identification information of the PDU session 1 and the identification information of the PDU session 2. The NWDAF sends a subscription request message to the SMF2 based on the address information of the SMF2, where the subscription request message carries the event identifier, the identifier information of the terminal device, and the condition information, and also carries the identifier information of the network information 2 or the PDU session 3.

The condition information includes identification information of the application and an application Start Event (App _ Start Event). Optionally, if the step 502 is to acquire the network information corresponding to the AF by using the third method described above, the condition information may further include one or more of an access type, an SSC mode, or a PDU session type.

In step 507, the smf sends a subscription response message to the NWDAF, and in response, the NWDAF receives the subscription response message.

This step 507 is an optional step.

In step 508, the smf sends a notification message to the NWDAF, which, in turn, is received by the NWDAF.

After receiving the subscription request message, the SMF performs application event detection on the PDU session in the subscription request message or performs application event detection on the PDU session corresponding to the network information in the subscription request message according to the condition information in the subscription request message. And if an application starting event corresponding to the application is detected in a certain PDU session, determining that the terminal equipment actually uses the PDU session to access the application in the AF.

With reference to the example in step 506, the SMF1 performs detection of an application start event on the PDU session 1 and the PDU session 2, for example, an application start event corresponding to an application is detected in the PDU session 1, and then the SMF1 determines that the terminal device actually uses the PDU session 1 to access the application in the AF. Since the terminal device only uses one PDU session to access the application, the SMF1 does not detect an application start event corresponding to the application in the PDU session 2, and likewise, the SMF2 does not detect an application start event corresponding to the application in the PDU session 3.

If the SMF detects that an application start event corresponding to an application is detected in a certain PDU session, the SMF sends a notification message to the NWDAF, and the notification message carries the address information of the PDU session. This PDU session, i.e. the PDU session actually used by the end device access application, will be referred to as the first PDU session hereinafter.

An implementation method, where an SMF performs detection of an application start event on a PDU session, may specifically be: the SMF instructs the UPF to perform application start event detection on the PDU session, and then the UPF returns a detection result to the SMF.

If the condition information further comprises one or more of an access type, an SSC mode or a PDU session type, before application event detection is carried out on the PDU session, the SMF firstly screens a plurality of PDU sessions in the subscription request message according to the one or more of the access type, the SSC mode or the PDU session type to obtain PDU sessions matched with the one or more of the access type, the SSC mode or the PDU session type in the condition information, and then carries out application start event detection on the matched PDU sessions. In this way, the number of PDU sessions performing application start event detection can be reduced, contributing to reduced overhead. Wherein, a PDU session is matched with one or more of an access type, an SSC pattern or a PDU session type in the condition information, which means that one or more of the access type, the SSC pattern or the PDU session type of the PDU session is the same as one or more of the access type, the SSC pattern or the PDU session type in the condition information. For example, if the condition information includes an access type, an SSC mode, and a PDU session type of a PDU session, if the access type, the SSC mode, and the PDU session type of a PDU session are the same as the access type, the SSC mode, and the PDU session type of a PDU session in the condition information, respectively, it indicates that the PDU session is matched with the access type, the SSC mode, and the PDU session type in the condition information. For another example, if the condition information includes an access type and a PDU session type of a PDU session, if the access type and the PDU session type of a PDU session are the same as the access type and the PDU session type of a PDU session in the condition information, respectively, it indicates that the PDU session is matched with the access type and the PDU session type in the condition information.

In step 509, the nwdaf sends a data subscription request message to the AF. Accordingly, the AF receives the data subscription request message.

The data subscription request message carries identification information of the application and address information of a first PDU session, wherein the first PDU session refers to address information of a PDU session actually used by a terminal device for accessing the application. The data subscription request message is used for requesting to acquire data of the first PDU session access application.

In step 510, the af sends a data subscription response message to the NWDAF. Accordingly, the NWDAF receives the data subscription response message.

This step 510 is an optional step.

In step 511, the af sends a notification message to the NWDAF. Accordingly, the NWDAF receives the notification message.

After receiving the data subscription request message, the AF may perform collection and statistics of the service flow corresponding to the first PDU session based on the subprogram corresponding to the application, obtain data that the terminal device accesses the application through the first PDU session, and carry the data that the terminal device accesses the application through the first PDU session in the notification message, and send the notification message to the NWDAF. The terminal device accesses the application through the first PDU session, which can be understood that a source address carried in an AF service packet sent by the terminal device is address information of the first PDU session.

Step 512 is the same as step 311 described above.

This step 512 is an optional step.

According to the above scheme, the NWDAF may collect data from the AF to the terminal device accessing a certain application in the AF, and analyze the collected data to obtain service experience information and/or service flow characteristic information of the terminal device accessing the application, so as to implement accurate analysis of the use experience of the application. In addition, in the above solution, the NWDAF only provides the address information of one PDU session to the AF, that is, the address information of the PDU session actually used by the application that the terminal device accesses to the AF, so as to avoid exposing the address information of the PDU session that is not related to the AF, that is, the address information of the PDU session that is not used by the terminal device to access to the application of the AF, to the AF, thereby reducing the security risk. And since the number of address information of the PDU session transmitted to the AF is reduced, overhead can be reduced.

Fig. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a data collection method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method comprises the following steps:

step 601 to step 602, which are the same as the above step 501 to step 502.

This step 601 is an optional step.

Step 603, nwdaf sends a subscription request message to BSF. Accordingly, the BSF receives the subscription request message.

The subscription request message includes identification information of the terminal device and one or more network information, and the subscription request message is used for subscribing online notification of the SM PCF corresponding to the one or more network information.

As an implementation method, the subscription request message further includes a subscription event, where the subscription event is an SM PCF on-line event, and when the BSF receives the subscription event, if it is found that an SM PCF corresponding to the one or more network information is registered to the BSF, the address information of the SM PCF is sent to the NWDAF. In the PDU session establishment procedure, the information that the SM PCF registers to the BSF includes but is not limited to: the identification information of the terminal device, the network information, the address information of the SM PCF, the identification information of the SM PCF, and optionally, the information that the SM PCF registers to the BSF further includes identification information of one or more PDU sessions.

In one implementation, the subscription Request message may be an Nbsf _ NFManagement _ Subscribe Request message.

Step 604, the bsf sends a subscription response message to the NWDAF, and, in response, the NWDAF receives the subscription response message.

In one implementation, the subscription Response message may be an Nbsf _ NFManagement _ Subscribe Response message.

In step 605, the bsf sends a notification message to the NWDAF, which, in turn, receives the notification message.

In one implementation, the notification message may be an Nbsf _ NFManagement _ Notify message.

The notification message includes address information carrying one or more SM PCFs, and identification information and/or network information carrying PDU session corresponding to each SM PCF.

Also, this step 605 may be performed multiple times, for example, each time there is a SM PCF corresponding to the one or more network messages newly registered to the BSF, the BSF may send a notification message to the NWDAF to send address information of the newly registered SM PCF and identification information and/or network information of the PDU session corresponding to the SM PCF to the NWDAF.

Step 606, nwdaf sends a subscription request message to SM PCF. Accordingly, the SM PCF receives the subscription request message.

The subscription request message carries an event identifier, identifier information and condition information of the terminal device, and identifier information or network information of the PDU session. The event identifier is an address allocation event, the subscription request message is used for subscribing address information allocated for the PDU session of the terminal device, and the address information may be an IPv4 address, an IPv6 prefix, an ethernet address, or the like. And, the condition information in the subscription request message is used to instruct the SM PCF to send the address information of the PDU session to the NWDAF when the condition information matches, in other words, if the condition information does not match, the address information of the PDU session is not sent.

If the NWDAF receives the address information of the plurality of SM PCFs in step 605, the NWDAF sends a subscription request message to each SM PCF, respectively. For example, if the NWDAF receives the address information of the SM PCF1, the identification information of the PDU session 1 and the identification information of the PDU session 2 corresponding to the SM PCF2, the address information of the SM PCF2, and the identification information of the PDU session 3 corresponding to the SM PCF2 in step 605, the NWDAF sends a subscription request message to the SM PCF1 based on the address information of the SM PCF1, where the subscription request message carries the event identifier, the identification information of the terminal device, and the condition information, and also carries the network information 1 or the identification information of the PDU session 1 and the identification information of the PDU session 2. The NWDAF sends a subscription request message to the SM PCF2 based on the address information of the SM PCF2, where the subscription request message carries the event identifier, the identifier information and the condition information of the terminal device, and also carries the identifier information of the network information 2 or the PDU session 3.

The condition information includes identification information of the application and an application Start Event (App _ Start Event).

In step 607, the SM PCF sends a subscription response message to the NWDAF, which in turn is received by the NWDAF.

This step 607 is optional.

In step 608, the sm PCF sends a notification message to the NWDAF, which it receives accordingly.

After receiving the subscription request message, the SM PCF performs application event detection on the PDU session in the subscription request message or performs application event detection on the PDU session corresponding to the network information in the subscription request message according to the condition information in the subscription request message. And if an application starting event corresponding to the application is detected in a certain PDU session, determining that the terminal equipment actually uses the PDU session to access the application in the AF.

For example, with reference to the example in step 606, the SM PCF1 performs application start event detection on the PDU session 1 and the PDU session 2, for example, an application start event corresponding to an application is detected in the PDU session 1, and the SM PCF1 determines that the terminal device actually uses the PDU session 1 to access the application in the AF. Since the terminal device only uses one PDU session access application, the SM PCF1 does not detect an application start event corresponding to the application in the PDU session 2, and likewise, the SM PCF2 does not detect an application start event corresponding to the application in the PDU session 3.

If the SM PCF detects that an application starting event corresponding to an application is detected in a certain PDU session, the SM PCF sends a notification message to the NWDAF, and the notification message carries the address information of the PDU session. This PDU session is hereinafter referred to as the first PDU session, i.e. the PDU session actually used by the end device access application.

An implementation method, where an SM PCF performs detection of an application start event for a PDU session, may specifically be: the SM PCF instructs the SMF or the UPF to perform application starting event detection on the PDU session, and then the SMF or the UPF returns a detection result to the SM PCF.

Step 609 to step 612, and step 509 to step 512.

The main differences between the embodiment corresponding to fig. 6 and the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5 are: in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 6, NWDAF is address information acquired from BSF to SM PCF and address information acquired from SM PCF to PDU session actually used by terminal device access application, whereas in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, NWDAF is address information acquired from UDM to SMF and address information acquired from SMF to PDU session actually used by terminal device access application.

Fig. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a data collection method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method comprises the following steps:

step 701 is the same as step 301.

This step 701 is an optional step.

In step 702, the nwdaf obtains the flow description information corresponding to the application.

The flow description information may be an application identification (APP ID), a triplet, an FQDN, or a URL.

As an implementation method, the network element, such as the AF or PCF, that sends the subscription request to the NWDAF may provide the NWDAF with the flow description information corresponding to the application.

In step 703, the nwdaf sends a request message to the AM PCF. Accordingly, the AM PCF receives the request message.

The request message includes identification information of the terminal device and a stream descriptor. The flow descriptor is determined according to the flow description information, for example, the flow descriptor includes an application identifier, a triplet, an FQDN, or a URL.

The request message is used to request the terminal device to access the RSD of the application.

In step 704, the am PCF sends a response message to the NWDAF. Accordingly, the NWDAF receives the response message.

After receiving the request message, the AM PCF determines, according to the identification information of the terminal device and the flow descriptor, one or more user routing policies (UE routing policy, URSP) that may be used by the terminal device to access the application corresponding to the flow descriptor, where each rsp includes the flow descriptor and one or more RSDs. Wherein each RSD includes DNN, S-NSSAI, access type, SSC pattern, and PDU session type.

For example, the request message in step 703 includes the identification information of terminal device 1 and flow descriptor 1, the am PCF determines the URSP allocated for terminal device 1 and including flow descriptor 1, for example, the determined URSP includes URSP1 and URSP2, where URSP1 includes flow descriptors 1 and (RSD 1, RSD2, RSD 3), and URSP2 includes flow descriptors 1 and (RSD 4, RSD5, RSD6, RSD 7). Thus, the AM PCF determines, according to the identification information of the terminal device 1 and the stream descriptor 1, that the RSDs possibly used by the terminal device to access the application corresponding to the stream descriptor include RSD1, RSD2, RSD3, RSD4, RSD5, RSD6, and RSD7.

Further, the AM PCF also selects one RSD from the determined RSDs in combination with the slice information (i.e., allowed NSSAI) of the terminal device that allows access, where the RSD is the RSD actually used by the terminal device accessing application. For example, the Allowed NSSAI includes S-NSSAI2, S-NSSAI3, and S-NSSAI4, where S-NSSAI2, S-NSSAI3, and S-NSSAI4 belong to RSD2, RSD3, and RSD4, respectively, and the priorities of RSD2, RSD3, and RSD4 decrease in sequence, the AM PCF determines that RSD2 is the RSD actually used by the terminal access application.

The response message sent by AM PCF to NWDAF includes an RSD, which includes DNN, S-NSSAI, access type, SSC mode, and PDU session type, and the RSD is the RSD actually used by the terminal device accessing application, and hereinafter, the RSD actually used by the terminal device accessing application is referred to as a first RSD.

Step 705, nwdaf sends a subscription request message to UDM. Accordingly, the UDM receives the subscription request message.

The subscription request message includes identification information of the terminal device and network information, and is used for subscribing to an online notification of an SMF corresponding to the network information, where the network information is from the first RSD.

As an implementation method, the subscription request message further includes a subscription event, where the subscription event is a UE context in SMF data change event, and when the UDM receives the subscription event, if finding that the SMF corresponding to the network information is registered in the UDM, the UDM sends address information of the SMF to the NWDAF.

In step 706, the udm sends a subscription response message to the NWDAF, which is received by the NWDAF accordingly.

Step 707, the udm sends a notification message to the NWDAF, which is received by the NWDAF accordingly.

The notification message includes address information carrying an SMF.

In step 708, the nwdaf sends a subscription request message to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives the subscription request message.

The subscription request message carries an event identifier and identifier information of the terminal device, and the event identifier is an address allocation event. The subscription request message is used for subscribing address information allocated for the PDU session of the terminal device, where the address information may be an IPv4 address, an IPv6 prefix, an ethernet address, or the like.

Optionally, the subscription request message further includes condition information, where the condition information is used to instruct the SMF to send address information of the PDU session to the NWDAF when the condition information matches, in other words, if the condition information does not match, the address information of the PDU session is not sent. The condition information includes one or more of an access type, an SSC pattern, or a PDU session type, each from the first RSD.

In step 709, the smf sends a subscription response message to the NWDAF, and in response, the NWDAF receives the subscription response message.

In one implementation, the subscription Response message may be an Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Subscribe Response message.

In step 710, the smf sends a notification message to the NWDAF, which, in turn, is received by the NWDAF.

An implementation method, if the subscription request message in step 708 does not carry condition information, then after receiving the subscription request message, the SMF acquires, according to the event identifier and the identifier information of the terminal device, address information of a PDU session corresponding to the terminal device, and one or more of an access type, an SSC mode, or a PDU session type corresponding to each PDU session, and carries, in the notification message, address information of a PDU session corresponding to the terminal device, and one or more of an access type, an SSC mode, or a PDU session type corresponding to each PDU session. After receiving the notification message, the NWDAF may match one or more of the access type, SSC pattern, or PDU session type corresponding to each PDU session received in step 710 according to one or more of the access type, SSC pattern, or PDU session type in the first RSD received in step 704. For example, the step 710 receives address information of 5 PDU sessions, and one or more of an access type, an SSC mode, or a PDU session type corresponding to each PDU session, where the NWDAF determines that one or more of the access type, the SSC mode, or the PDU session type corresponding to the PDU session 1 respectively matches one or more of the access type, the SSC mode, or the PDU session type in the first RSD, and then the NWDAF determines that the address information of the PDU session 1 is address information of a PDU session actually used by the access application of the terminal device. This matching PDU session will be referred to as a first PDU session hereinafter. Therefore, based on the implementation method, the notification message carries address information of the PDU session corresponding to the terminal device, and one or more of an access type, an SSC mode, or a PDU session type corresponding to each PDU session.

In another implementation method, if the subscription request message in step 708 carries condition information, after receiving the subscription request message, the SMF obtains address information of a PDU session matching the condition information in a PDU session corresponding to the terminal device according to the event identifier, the identifier information of the terminal device, and the condition information, and the PDU session is hereinafter referred to as a first PDU session. For example, the terminal device corresponds to 5 PDU sessions, where one or more of an access type, an SSC mode, or a PDU session type corresponding to PDU session 1 is respectively matched with one or more of an access type, an SSC mode, or a PDU session type in the condition information, and then the SMF obtains address information of the PDU session 1, where the address information of the PDU session 1 is address information of a PDU session actually used by the terminal device for accessing an application. Therefore, based on the implementation method, the notification message carries the address information of the first PDU session.

Step 711 to step 714, and step 509 to step 512.

This step 714 is an optional step.

Alternatively, if the AM PCF determines that the RSD used by the application currently accessing the AF by the terminal device has changed based on the updated URSP and/or the updated allowed NSSAI, the AM PCF may send an updated RSD to the NWDAF, where the updated RSD is the RSD used by the application currently accessing the AF by the terminal device. And then triggers the re-execution of the above steps 705 to 714.

According to the above scheme, the NWDAF may collect data of an application in which the terminal device accesses from the AF, and analyze the collected data to obtain service experience information and/or service flow characteristic information of the application accessed by the terminal device, so as to implement accurate analysis of the use experience of the application. In addition, in the above solution, the NWDAF only provides the address information of one PDU session to the AF, that is, the address information of the PDU session actually used by the application that the terminal device accesses to the AF, so as to avoid exposing the address information of the PDU session that is not related to the AF, that is, the address information of the PDU session that is not used by the terminal device to access to the application of the AF, to the AF, thereby reducing the security risk. And since the number of address information of the PDU session transmitted to the AF is reduced, overhead can be reduced.

It will be appreciated that in order to implement the functions of the above embodiments, the data analysis network element and the communication device include corresponding hardware structures and/or software modules for performing the respective functions. Those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the various illustrative elements and method steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed as hardware or computer software driven hardware depends on the particular application scenario and design constraints imposed on the solution.

Fig. 8 and 9 are schematic structural diagrams of a possible communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the data analysis network element or the communication device in the above method embodiments, and therefore, the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments can also be achieved. In the embodiment of the present application, the communication device may be a data analysis network element or a communication device, and may also be a module (e.g., a chip) applied to the data analysis network element or the communication device.

As shown in fig. 8, the communication device 800 includes a processing unit 810 and a transceiving unit 820. The communication device 800 is used to implement the functions of the data analysis network element or the communication equipment in the above method embodiments.

In a first embodiment, the communication apparatus is configured to implement the function of the data analysis network element in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 810 is configured to determine address information of a first session used by the terminal device to access the application; a transceiving unit 820 for transmitting a first request message to an application function network element providing the application, the first request message including identification information of the application and address information of the first session; the address information of the first session is used for collecting data of the application of the terminal equipment; and receiving data of the application from the application function network element.

As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 810 is further configured to determine to collect data of the application accessed by the terminal device.

As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 810 is configured to determine address information of a first session used by a terminal device to access an application, and specifically includes: the system comprises a server and a server, wherein the server is used for acquiring network information corresponding to the application, and the network information comprises a data network name and/or slice identification information; for sending a second request message to the communication device corresponding to the network information through the transceiving unit 820, where the second request message includes the identification information of the application and an application start event, and the second request message further includes the network information or the identification information of a session corresponding to the network information; for receiving, by the transceiving unit 820, address information of the first session from a first communication device, the first session being a session of a session corresponding to the network information, to which an application start event of the application is detected, and the first communication device being one of communication devices corresponding to the network information.

As a possible implementation method, the transceiving unit 820 is further configured to send a third request message to the mobility management policy control network element, where the third request message includes the identification information of the terminal device and the flow descriptor of the application; and receiving the session parameter information from the mobility management policy control network element, the session parameter information corresponding to the flow descriptor information and the identification information of the terminal device.

As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 810 is configured to determine address information of a first session used by a terminal device to access an application, and specifically includes: a routing descriptor for accessing the application by the terminal device is obtained from the mobility management policy control network element through the transceiving unit 820, where the routing descriptor includes network information and first session parameter information, and the network information includes a data network name and/or slice identification information; a fourth request message is sent to the communication device corresponding to the network information through the transceiving unit 820, where the fourth request message includes the first session parameter information, and the fourth request further includes the network information or the identification information of the session corresponding to the network information; for receiving, by the transceiving unit 820, address information of the first session from a first communication device, the first session being a session corresponding to the first session parameter information in the session corresponding to the network information, the first communication device being one of the communication devices corresponding to the network information.

As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 810 is configured to determine address information of a first session used by a terminal device to access an application, and specifically includes: a routing descriptor for accessing the application by the terminal device is obtained from the mobility management policy control network element through the transceiving unit 820, where the routing descriptor includes network information and first session parameter information, and the network information includes a data network name and/or slice identification information; a fifth request message is sent to the communication device corresponding to the network information through the transceiving unit 820, where the fifth request message includes the network information or the identification information of the session corresponding to the network information; receiving, by the transceiving unit 820, address information of a session corresponding to the network information from the communication device and session parameter information of the session corresponding to the network information; and the session parameter information of the first session is determined from the address information of the session corresponding to the network information according to the session parameter information of the session corresponding to the network information and the first session parameter information, and the session parameter information of the first session is the first session parameter information.

As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 810 is further configured to obtain, from a data management network element, address information of the communication device and identification information of the session, where the address information corresponds to the network information, and the communication device is a session management network element; or, the address information of the communication device and the identification information of the session, which correspond to the network information, are acquired from the binding support network element, and the communication device is a session management policy control network element.

In a second embodiment, the communication apparatus is configured to implement the functions of the communication device in the above method embodiments, and the transceiver 820 is configured to receive a second request message from the data analysis network element, where the second request message includes identification information of an application and an application start event, and the second request message further includes network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information; a processing unit 810, configured to detect an application start event of the application on a first session in sessions corresponding to the network information; the transceiving unit 820 is further configured to send address information of the first session to the data analysis network element, where the address information of the first session is used to collect data of the application of the terminal device.

As a possible implementation method, the second request message further includes session parameter information; the processing unit 810 is further configured to determine one or more sessions corresponding to the session parameter information in the session corresponding to the network information; the detection of the application start event is performed on the one or more sessions, including the first session.

In a third embodiment, the communication apparatus is configured to implement the functions of the communication device in the foregoing method embodiments, and the transceiving unit 820 is configured to receive a fourth request message from a data analysis network element, where the fourth request message includes the first session parameter information, and the fourth request message further includes network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information; the processing unit 810 is configured to obtain address information of a first session, where the first session is a session corresponding to the first session parameter information in a session corresponding to the network information; the transceiving unit 820 is further configured to send address information of the first session to the data analysis network element, where the address information of the first session is used for collecting data of the terminal device accessing the application through the first session.

More detailed descriptions about the processing unit 810 and the transceiver 820 can be directly obtained by referring to the related descriptions in the above method embodiments, and are not repeated herein.

As shown in fig. 9, the communication device 900 includes a processor 910 and an interface circuit 920. The processor 910 and the interface circuit 920 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 920 may be a transceiver or an input-output interface. Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a memory 930 for storing instructions to be executed by the processor 910 or for storing input data required by the processor 910 to execute the instructions or for storing data generated by the processor 910 after executing the instructions.

When the communication device 900 is configured to implement the method embodiments, the processor 910 is configured to implement the functions of the processing unit 810, and the interface circuit 920 is configured to implement the functions of the transceiving unit 820.

It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), 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, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but may be any conventional processor.

The method steps in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by software instructions executed by a processor. The software instructions may be comprised of corresponding software modules that may be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read only memory, programmable read only memory, erasable programmable read only memory, electrically erasable programmable read only memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable hard disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may also be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC may reside in a base station or a terminal. Of course, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a base station or terminal.

In the above embodiments, the implementation may be wholly or partially realized by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, 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 programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, a base station, user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions may be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium, for example, the computer program or instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center by wire or wirelessly. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that integrates one or more available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape; optical media such as digital video disks; but also semiconductor media such as solid state disks. The computer readable storage medium may be volatile or nonvolatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile types of storage media.

In the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or conflicting with respect to logic, the terms and/or descriptions in different embodiments have consistency and may be mutually cited, and technical features in different embodiments may be combined to form a new embodiment according to their inherent logic relationship.

In the present application, "at least one" means one or more, "a plurality" means two or more. "and/or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, meaning that there may be three relationships, e.g., a and/or B, which may mean: a exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, wherein A and B can be singular or plural. In the description of the text of the present application, the character "/" generally indicates that the former and latter associated objects are in an "or" relationship; in the formula of the present application, the character "/" indicates that the preceding and following associated objects are in a "division" relationship.

It is to be understood that the various numerical references referred to in the embodiments of the present application are merely for convenience of description and distinction and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes do not mean the execution sequence, and the execution sequence of the processes should be determined by their functions and inherent logic.

Claims

1. A method of data collection, comprising:

determining address information of a first session used by the terminal equipment for accessing the application;

sending a first request message to an application function network element providing the application, wherein the first request message comprises identification information of the application and address information of the first session; the address information of the first session is used for collecting data of the application of the terminal equipment;

receiving data of the application from the application function network element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

and determining to collect data of the terminal equipment accessing the application.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein determining address information for a first session used by a terminal device to access an application comprises:

acquiring network information corresponding to the application, wherein the network information comprises a data network name and/or slice identification information;

sending a second request message to the communication device corresponding to the network information, where the second request message includes the identification information of the application and an application start event, and the second request message also includes the network information or the identification information of a session corresponding to the network information;

receiving address information of the first session from a first communication device, wherein the first session is a session of the session corresponding to the network information, and an application start event of the application is detected, and the first communication device is one of the communication devices corresponding to the network information.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second request message further includes session parameter information, the session parameter information being used to determine one or more sessions corresponding to the network information, the one or more sessions being sessions for which application start event detection is to be performed.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the method further comprises:

sending a third request message to a mobility management policy control network element, where the third request message includes identification information of the terminal device and a flow descriptor of the application;

receiving the session parameter information from the mobility management policy control network element, where the session parameter information corresponds to the flow descriptor information and the identifier information of the terminal device.

6. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein determining address information for the first session used by the end device to access the application comprises:

obtaining a routing descriptor used by the terminal equipment for accessing the application from a mobile management policy control network element, wherein the routing descriptor comprises network information and first session parameter information, and the network information comprises a data network name and/or slice identification information;

sending a fourth request message to the communication device corresponding to the network information, where the fourth request message includes the first session parameter information, and the fourth request also includes the network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information;

receiving address information of the first session from a first communication device, wherein the first session is a session corresponding to the first session parameter information in the session corresponding to the network information, and the first communication device is one of the communication devices corresponding to the network information.

7. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein determining address information for a first session used by a terminal device to access an application comprises:

sending a fifth request message to the communication device corresponding to the network information, where the fifth request message includes the network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information;

receiving address information of a session corresponding to the network information from the communication device and session parameter information of the session corresponding to the network information;

and determining the address information of the first session from the address information of the session corresponding to the network information according to the session parameter information of the session corresponding to the network information and the first session parameter information, wherein the session parameter information of the first session is the first session parameter information.

8. A method according to any one of claims 4, 5 or 7, wherein the session parameter information comprises one or more of the following information:

session-to-service continuity pattern, access type, or session type.

9. The method of any of claims 3 to 8, further comprising:

acquiring address information of the communication equipment and identification information of the session corresponding to the network information from a data management network element, wherein the communication equipment is a session management network element; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

and acquiring address information of the communication equipment and identification information of the session corresponding to the network information from a binding support network element, wherein the communication equipment is a session management policy control network element.

10. A method of data collection, comprising:

receiving a second request message from a data analysis network element, wherein the second request message includes identification information of an application and an application start event, and the second request message further includes network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information;

detecting an application start event of the application on a first session in sessions corresponding to the network information;

and sending the address information of the first session to the data analysis network element, wherein the address information of the first session is used for collecting the data of the application of the terminal equipment.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second request message further includes session parameter information;

the method further comprises the following steps:

determining one or more sessions corresponding to the session parameter information in the sessions corresponding to the network information; performing detection of an application start event on the one or more sessions, the one or more sessions including the first session.

12. A method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the session parameter information comprises one or more of the following information:

session and service continuity mode, access type, or session type.

13. A method of data collection, comprising:

receiving a fourth request message from a data analysis network element, where the fourth request message includes first session parameter information, and the fourth request message also includes network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information;

acquiring address information of a first session, wherein the first session is a session corresponding to the first session parameter information in the sessions corresponding to the network information;

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first session parameter information comprises one or more of:

session and service continuity mode, access type, or session type.

15. A communications apparatus, comprising:

the processing unit is used for determining address information of a first session used by the terminal equipment for accessing the application;

a transceiving unit, configured to send a first request message to an application function network element that provides the application, where the first request message includes identification information of the application and address information of the first session, and the address information of the first session is used to collect data of the application of the terminal device; and receiving data of the application from the application function network element.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processing unit is further configured to determine to collect data for the terminal device to access the application.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the processing unit, configured to determine address information of a first session used by the terminal device to access the application, specifically includes:

the system comprises a server and a server, wherein the server is used for acquiring network information corresponding to the application, and the network information comprises a data network name and/or slice identification information;

the transceiver unit is configured to send a second request message to the communication device corresponding to the network information, where the second request message includes identification information of the application and an application start event, and the second request message further includes the network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information;

the transceiver unit is used for receiving address information of the first session from a first communication device, the first session is a session of the session corresponding to the network information, the application start event of the application is detected, and the first communication device is one of the communication devices corresponding to the network information.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the second request message further includes session parameter information, the session parameter information being used to determine one or more sessions corresponding to the network information, the one or more sessions being sessions for which application start event detection is to be performed.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the transceiving unit is further configured to send a third request message to a mobility management policy control network element, and the third request message includes identification information of the terminal device and a flow descriptor of the application; and receiving the session parameter information from the mobility management policy control network element, where the session parameter information corresponds to the flow descriptor information and the identification information of the terminal device.

20. The apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the processing unit, configured to determine address information of a first session used by the terminal device to access the application, specifically includes:

the terminal equipment is used for accessing a routing descriptor used by the application from a mobile management policy control network element through the transceiving unit, wherein the routing descriptor comprises network information and first session parameter information, and the network information comprises a data network name and/or slice identification information;

the transceiver unit is configured to send a fourth request message to the communication device corresponding to the network information, where the fourth request message includes the first session parameter information, and the fourth request message further includes the network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information;

the transceiver unit is used for receiving address information of the first session from a first communication device, wherein the first session is a session corresponding to the first session parameter information in a session corresponding to the network information, and the first communication device is one of communication devices corresponding to the network information.

21. The apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the processing unit, configured to determine address information of a first session used by the terminal device to access the application, specifically includes:

the receiving and sending unit is configured to send a fifth request message to the communication device corresponding to the network information, where the fifth request message includes the network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information;

the receiving and sending unit is used for receiving address information of a session corresponding to the network information from the communication equipment and session parameter information of the session corresponding to the network information;

and the session parameter information of the first session is determined from the address information of the session corresponding to the network information according to the session parameter information of the session corresponding to the network information and the first session parameter information, and the session parameter information of the first session is the first session parameter information.

22. The apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the processing unit is further configured to acquire, from a data management network element, address information of the communication device corresponding to the network information and identification information of the session, where the communication device is a session management network element; or, acquiring address information of the communication device and identification information of the session corresponding to the network information from a binding support network element, where the communication device is a session management policy control network element.

23. A communication apparatus, comprising a transceiving unit and a processing unit;

the receiving and sending unit is configured to receive a second request message from a data analysis network element, where the second request message includes identification information of an application and an application start event, and the second request message further includes network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information;

the processing unit is configured to detect an application start event of the application on a first session in sessions corresponding to the network information;

the transceiving unit is further configured to send address information of the first session to the data analysis network element, where the address information of the first session is used to collect data of the application of the terminal device.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the second request message further comprises session parameter information; the processing unit is further configured to determine one or more sessions corresponding to the session parameter information in a session corresponding to the network information; performing detection of an application start event on the one or more sessions, the one or more sessions including the first session.

25. A communications apparatus, comprising: a transceiving unit and a processing unit;

the transceiver unit is configured to receive a fourth request message from a data analysis network element, where the fourth request message includes first session parameter information, and the fourth request message further includes network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information;

the processing unit is configured to acquire address information of a first session, where the first session is a session corresponding to the first session parameter information in a session corresponding to the network information;

the transceiver unit is further configured to send address information of the first session to the data analysis network element, where the address information of the first session is used to collect data of the application of the terminal device.

26. A communication system, comprising:

a data analysis network element for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 9;

an application function network element, configured to receive a first request message from the data analysis network element, where the first request message includes identification information of an application and address information of a first session; and sending data of said application of the terminal device to said data analysis network element.

27. A communication system, comprising:

a communication device for performing the method of any one of claims 10 to 12;

a data analysis network element, configured to send a second request message to the communication device, where the second request message includes identification information of an application and an application start event, and the second request message further includes network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information; and receiving address information of a first session from the communication device, wherein the first session is a session in which an application start event of the application is detected in a session corresponding to the network information, and the address information of the first session is used for collecting data of the application of the terminal device.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the data analysis network element is further configured to send a first request message to an application function network element providing the application, the first request message including identification information of the application and address information of the first session; and receiving data of the application from the application function network element.

29. A communication system, comprising:

a communication device for performing the method of claim 13 or 14;

a data analysis network element, configured to send a fourth request message to the communication device, where the fourth request message includes the first session parameter information, and the fourth request message further includes network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information; and receiving address information of a first session from the communication equipment, wherein the first session is a session corresponding to the first session parameter information in the session corresponding to the network information, and the address information of the first session is used for collecting data of the application of the terminal equipment.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the data analysis network element is further configured to send a first request message to an application function network element providing the application, the first request message including identification information of the application and address information of the first session; and receiving data of the application from the application function network element.

31. The system according to claim 29 or 30, wherein said data analysis element is further configured to obtain, from a mobility management policy control element, a routing descriptor used by said terminal device to access said application, said routing descriptor comprising network information and first session parameter information, said network information comprising a data network name and/or slice identification information; sending a fifth request message to the communication device, where the fifth request message includes the network information or identification information of a session corresponding to the network information; receiving address information of a session corresponding to the network information from the communication device and session parameter information of the session corresponding to the network information; and determining the address information of the first session from the address information of the session corresponding to the network information according to the session parameter information of the session corresponding to the network information and the first session parameter information, wherein the session parameter information of the first session is the first session parameter information.