WO2019174505A1 - 一种基于网络切片的通信方法及装置 - Google Patents

一种基于网络切片的通信方法及装置 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019174505A1
WO2019174505A1 PCT/CN2019/077133 CN2019077133W WO2019174505A1 WO 2019174505 A1 WO2019174505 A1 WO 2019174505A1 CN 2019077133 W CN2019077133 W CN 2019077133W WO 2019174505 A1 WO2019174505 A1 WO 2019174505A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
information
network slice
network
network element
access
Prior art date
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PCT/CN2019/077133
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
朱方园
李岩
Original Assignee
华为技术有限公司
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Publication date
Application filed by 华为技术有限公司 filed Critical 华为技术有限公司
Priority to EP19768299.0A priority Critical patent/EP3742672A4/en
Publication of WO2019174505A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019174505A1/zh
Priority to US17/010,101 priority patent/US11528591B2/en

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W8/00—Network data management
    • H04W8/02—Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
    • H04W8/06—Registration at serving network Location Register, VLR or user mobility server
    • H04W8/065—Registration at serving network Location Register, VLR or user mobility server involving selection of the user mobility server
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W48/00—Access restriction; Network selection; Access point selection
    • H04W48/08—Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery
    • H04W48/12—Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery using downlink control channel
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L41/00—Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
    • H04L41/08—Configuration management of networks or network elements
    • H04L41/0893—Assignment of logical groups to network elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L41/00—Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
    • H04L41/50—Network service management, e.g. ensuring proper service fulfilment according to agreements
    • H04L41/5041—Network service management, e.g. ensuring proper service fulfilment according to agreements characterised by the time relationship between creation and deployment of a service
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W60/00—Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a network slice-based communication method and apparatus.
  • the network segmentation technology provides a network environment that is isolated from each other in different application scenarios by means of a virtual independent logical network on the same network infrastructure, so that different application scenarios can customize network functions and features according to their respective requirements, thereby ensuring the requirements of different services. .
  • the type of network slice required is also different. Different network slice types may be identified by network slice identification information.
  • the network slice identification information is Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI).
  • NSSAIs Network Slice Instances
  • the network slice identification information in the core network deploys two network slice instances for the network slice of S-NSSAI-1: NSI-1, NSI-2.
  • the user accessing the NSI-1 can use the service of the network slice identified by the S-NSSAI-1 for free, but the user accessing the NSI-2 needs to pay for the service using the network slice identified by the S-NSSAI-1.
  • operators can implement some functional optimization or billing differences for different network slicing instances.
  • the user equipment when the user equipment needs to access a certain network slice, the user equipment provides the core network with the identifier information of the network slice required by the user equipment, and the core network determines the network slice that satisfies the network slice type according to the identification information, and selects the network slice.
  • a network tile instance deployed on a network slice serves the user device. After the user equipment moves, a new network slice instance needs to be accessed.
  • the network slice instance selected by the user equipment according to the network slice identification information only meets the network slice type required by the user equipment, and the network slice instance after the move may be different from the network slice instance before the move, resulting in the user. The session before the move cannot be maintained, which reduces the user experience.
  • the scenario in which the user equipment selects the network sharding instance before and after the mobile device is as shown in FIG. 1: the user equipment is located in the coverage of the radio access network (RAN) RAN-1 before the mobile, and the network in the core network
  • the slice identification information deploys two network slice instances for the network slice of S-NSSAI-1: NSI-1 and NSI-2.
  • the user equipment accesses the network slice instance NSI-1 and establishes a session through the network element in the NSI-1.
  • the network slice identification information in the core network deploys two network slice instances of NSI-1 and NSI-3 for the network slice of the S-NSSAI-1.
  • the core network determines the network slice identifier information as the network slice of the S-NSSAI-1 according to the network slice identifier information provided by the user equipment, and then selects the network slice instance NSI-3 to serve the user equipment. Since the network element providing the session service in the network slice instance NSI-3 is different from that in the NSI-1, the session before the move cannot be maintained.
  • Embodiments of the present invention provide a network slice-based communication method and apparatus.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides a network slice-based communication method, the method comprising:
  • a radio access network device receives a registration request from a user device.
  • the registration request includes a first information and a second information, where the first information is used to indicate a type of the first network slice (for example, the first S-NSSAI), and the second information is used to identify the first network in the first network slice.
  • a slice instance eg, the first NSI.
  • the radio access network device determines an access and mobility management function network element (eg, an AMF network element) according to the type of the first network slice and the first network slice instance.
  • the radio access network device sends a registration request to the access and mobility management function network element, and the first information and the second information are used for determining the network slice instance.
  • the wireless network device can select the type of the first network slice and the access and mobility management function network element of the first network slice instance to serve the user equipment.
  • the access and mobility management function network element further determines a network slice instance that can serve the user equipment according to the requirements of the user equipment.
  • the user equipment can learn the network slice instance that provides the user equipment service before the mobile.
  • the user equipment can ensure the session established by the user equipment before the mobile by requesting the same network slice instance from the core network. Not interrupted, which improves the user experience.
  • the method further includes: the radio access network device receives the capability information from the access and mobility management function network element, and the capability information is used to indicate the network slice supported by the access and mobility management function network element.
  • Type and network slice instance The radio access network device determines the access and mobility management function network element according to the type of the first network slice and the first network slice instance, including: the radio access network device according to the type of the first network slice, the first network slice instance, and Capability information, determining access and mobility management function network elements. Therefore, the radio access network device can obtain the type of the network slice supported by the access and mobility management function network element and the network slice instance, and then select according to the type of the first network slice requested by the user equipment and the first network slice instance.
  • the access and mobility management function network element serves the user equipment.
  • the determined access and mobility management function network element supports the type of the first network slice and the first network slice instance. Therefore, it is assumed that the user equipment accesses the first network slice instance in the first network slice before the mobile, and after the user equipment moves, the radio access network device can select the type of the first network slice and the first network slice.
  • the access and mobility management function network elements of the instance serve the user.
  • the application also discloses a network slice-based communication method, the method comprising:
  • the access and mobility management function network element receives a registration request from the radio access network device.
  • the registration request includes a first information and a second information, where the first information is used to indicate a type of the first network slice, and the second information is used to identify the first network slice instance in the first network slice.
  • the access and mobility management function network element determines, according to the first information and the second information, a network slice instance serving the user equipment in the first network slice.
  • the access and mobility management function network element can determine a network slice instance that can serve the user equipment according to the requirements of the user equipment.
  • the user equipment can learn the network slice instance that provides the user equipment service before the mobile.
  • the user equipment can ensure the session established by the user equipment before the mobile by requesting the same network slice instance from the core network. Not interrupted, which improves the user experience.
  • the method further includes: the access and mobility management function network element transmitting the capability information to the radio access network device.
  • the capability information is used to indicate the type of the first network slice and the network slice instance supported by the access and mobility management function network element in the first network slice, and the capability information is used for determining the access and mobility management function network element. Therefore, the radio access network device can obtain the type of the network slice supported by the access and mobility management function network element and the network slice instance, and then select according to the type of the first network slice requested by the user equipment and the first network slice instance.
  • the access and mobility management function network element serves the user equipment.
  • the network slice instance serving the user equipment in the first network slice is the first network slice instance. Therefore, after the user equipment requests the core network to access the same network slice instance that was accessed before the user equipment moves, it can be ensured that the session established by the user equipment before the mobile is not interrupted, thereby improving the user experience.
  • the access and mobility management function network element determines, according to the first information and the second information, a network slice instance serving the user equipment in the first network slice, including: when access and mobility management functions When the network element does not support the first network fragment instance identified by the second information, the access and mobility management function network element sends the first information and the indication information to the network slice selection function network element, where the indication information is used to request to determine the first A network slice instance serving the user equipment in the network slice; the access and mobility management function network element receives the second network slice instance supported by the access and mobility management function network element in the first network slice from the network slice selection function network element Identification information. Therefore, when the access and mobility management function network element serving the user equipment does not support the network slice instance requested by the user equipment, the core network may select the network slice instance supported by the access and mobility management function network element as the user equipment. service.
  • the method further includes: the access and mobility management function network element sends the identification information of the second network slice instance to the user equipment. Therefore, when the access and mobility management function network element serving the user equipment does not support the network fragment instance requested by the user equipment, the network network sends the network slice instance information that is selected by the user equipment to the user equipment, so that the user After the next move, the device requests the core network to select the same network slice instance as the user equipment service. In this way, it can be ensured that the session currently established by the user equipment is not interrupted after the next move, thereby improving the user experience.
  • the application also discloses a network slice-based communication method, the method comprising:
  • the user equipment acquires the first information and the second information.
  • the first information is used to indicate the type of the first network slice
  • the second information is used to identify the first network slice instance in the first network slice.
  • the user equipment sends a registration request to the radio access network device, where the registration request includes the first information and the second information, where the first information and the second information are used for determining the first access and mobility management function network element, first
  • the information and the second information are also used for the determination of the network slice instance serving the user equipment in the first network slice.
  • the user equipment can acquire information of the network slice instance accessed before the user equipment moves. After the user equipment moves, the user equipment can serve the user equipment by requesting the same network slice instance from the core network, thereby ensuring that the session established by the user equipment before the mobile is not interrupted, thereby improving the user experience.
  • the user equipment acquires the first information and the second information, including: the user equipment receives the registration accept message from the second access and mobility management function network element, where the registration accept message includes the first information and the second information.
  • Information wherein the second access and mobility management function network element supports the type of the first network slice and the first network slice instance; or the user equipment receives the session establishment accept message from the third access and mobility management function network element
  • the session establishment accept message includes the first information and the second information, where the third access and mobility management function network element supports the type of the first network slice and the first network slice instance; or the user equipment receives from the interworking network element
  • the user equipment may obtain the network slice instance information corresponding to the S-NSSAI associated with the session in the registration process or the session establishment process. After the user equipment moves, the user equipment may request the same network slice instance as the user equipment by using the core network. The service ensures that the session established by the user equipment before the mobile is not interrupted, improving the user experience. In addition, when the user equipment supports the 4G and 5G interworking, the user equipment can obtain the network slice instance information corresponding to the S-NSSAI associated with the session after establishing the PDN connection in the 4G network.
  • the user equipment can request the user equipment to be served to the core network by using the network splicing instance associated with the current session, thereby ensuring that the session established when the user equipment switches from the 4G network to the 5G network is not interrupted, and the user equipment is improved. user experience.
  • the application also discloses a network slice-based communication method, the method comprising:
  • the first access and mobility management function network element After receiving the registration request, the first access and mobility management function network element receives the first information and the second information from the data management function network element, where the first information is used to indicate the type of the first network slice, and the second information Used to identify a first network slice instance in the first network slice.
  • the first access and mobility management function network element sends the first information to the network slice selection function network element. And second information and indication information indicating that the type of the first network slice and the second access and mobility management function network element of the first network slice instance are supported.
  • the user equipment accesses the first network slice instance in the first network slice before the mobile device, and the user equipment saves the type of the first network slice and the information of the first network slice instance in the data management function network element.
  • the first access and mobility management function network element requests the network slice selection function network element to select a second access and mobility management function network that supports the first network slice type and the first network slice instance.
  • the yuan serves the user equipment.
  • the second access and mobility management function network element can determine the network slice instance served by the user equipment, thereby ensuring that the session established by the user equipment before the mobile is not interrupted, thereby improving the user experience.
  • the method further includes: the first access and mobility management function network element receives the identification information of the second access and mobility management function network element from the network slice selection function network element. Therefore, when there is an access and mobility management function network element supporting the first network slice type and the first network slice instance in the network, the first access and mobility management function network element can obtain the access and mobility.
  • the function network element identifier is managed, and the second access and mobility management function network element is served by the user.
  • the method further includes: the first access and mobility management function network element receives, from the network slice selection function network element, identifier information of the second network slice instance in the first network slice; the first access And the mobility management function network element sends the identifier information of the second network slice instance to the data management function network element. Therefore, when there is no access and mobility management function network element supporting the first network slice type and the first network slice instance in the network, the core network may select the second access and mobility supporting the first network slice type.
  • the management function network element serves the user equipment, and requests the network slice selection function network element to determine that the network slice instance supported by the second access and mobility management function network element serves as the user equipment.
  • the data management function network element saves the selected network slice instance information that is served by the user equipment, so that after the next time the user equipment moves, the core network can select the same network slice instance to serve the user equipment. In this way, it can be ensured that the session currently established by the user equipment is not interrupted after the next move, thereby improving the user experience.
  • the application also discloses a network slice-based communication method, the method comprising:
  • the data management function network element obtains the first information and the second information from the first access and mobility management function network element, where the first information is used to indicate the type of the network slice, and the second information is used to identify the network slice instance in the network slice.
  • the first access and mobility management function network element supports the type of the network slice and the network slice instance.
  • the data management function network element sends the first information and the second information to the second access and mobility management function network element, where the first information and the second information are used for determining the third access and mobility management function network element,
  • the three access and mobility management function network elements support network slice types and network slice instances.
  • the data management function network element stores an instance of the network slice serving the user equipment.
  • the core network can select the same network slice instance as the user equipment before the mobile device.
  • the service ensures that the session established by the user device before the mobile is not interrupted, thereby improving the user experience.
  • the data management function network element saves the network slice instance information before the mobile device, so that the user equipment and the RAN device do not perceive the information of the network slice instance, thereby saving the storage space of the user equipment.
  • the application also discloses a network slice-based communication method, the method comprising:
  • the network slice selection function network element receives the first information, the second information, and the indication information from the first access and mobility management function network element, where the first information is used to indicate the type of the first network slice, and the second information is used to identify the A first network slice instance in a network slice, the indication information being used to request determination of a type of the first network slice and a second access and mobility management function network element of the first network slice instance.
  • the network slice selection function network element determines whether the second access and mobility management function network element exists in the area where the user equipment is located.
  • the user equipment saves the type of the first network slice served by the user equipment and the information of the first network slice instance in the data management function network element before moving.
  • the network slice selection function network element receives the type of the first network slice and the information of the first network slice instance from the first access and mobility management function network element.
  • the network slice selection function network element selects an appropriate access and mobility management function by determining whether the area where the user equipment is located exists to support the type of the first network slice and the access and mobility management function network element of the first network slice instance.
  • the network element serves the user equipment.
  • the method further includes: when the user equipment is located in the area where the second access and mobility management function network element exists, and the network slice selection function network element is directed to the first access and mobility management function network element Sending identification information of the second access and mobility management function network element. Therefore, when there is an access and mobility management function network element supporting the first network slice type and the first network slice instance in the network, the first access and mobility management function network element can obtain the access and mobility.
  • the management function network element identifier is used to request the second access and mobility management function network element to serve the user.
  • the method further includes: when the user equipment is located in the area where the second access and mobility management function network element does not exist, and the network slice selection function network element is directed to the first access and mobility management function network.
  • the element sends the identification information of the second network slice instance in the first network slice. Therefore, when there is no access and mobility management function network element supporting the first network slice type and the first network slice instance in the network, the core network may select the second access and mobility supporting the first network slice type.
  • the management function network element serves the user equipment, and requests the network slice selection function network element to determine that the network slice instance supported by the second access and mobility management function network element serves as the user equipment.
  • the application also discloses a network slice-based communication method, the method comprising:
  • the first access and mobility management function network element obtains the first information and the second information, where the first information is used to indicate the type of the first network slice, and the second information is used to identify the first network slice instance in the first network slice.
  • the first access and mobility management function network element supports the type of the first network slice and the first network slice instance.
  • the first access and mobility management function network element sends the first information and the second information to the user equipment or the data management function network element, where the first information and the second information are used by the second access and mobility management function network element. Determining, wherein the second access and mobility management function network element supports the type of the first network slice and the network slice instance, where the first information and the second information are also used for the network slice instance serving the user equipment in the first network slice Ok.
  • the user equipment or the core network can learn the network slice instance that provides the service for the user equipment.
  • the core network can ensure that the session established by the user equipment before the mobile is not interrupted by selecting the same network sharding instance that is previously served for the user equipment, thereby improving the user experience.
  • the first access and mobility management function network element sends the first information and the second information to the user equipment or the data management function network element, including: the first access and mobility management function.
  • the network element sends a registration accept message to the user equipment, where the registration accept message includes the first information and the second information.
  • the first access and mobility management function network element sends a session establishment accept message to the user equipment, where the session establishment accept message includes the first information and the second information.
  • the user equipment can obtain the type of the network slice serving the user equipment before the mobile and the corresponding network slice instance in the registration process or the session establishment process.
  • the application also discloses a network slice-based communication method, the method comprising:
  • the network slice selection function network element receives the first information and the indication information from the access and mobility management function network element, where the first information is used to indicate the type of the network slice, and the indication information is used to request to determine the network serving the user equipment in the network slice.
  • the access and mobility management function network element supports the type of the network slice and the network slice instance.
  • the network slice selection function network element sends the second information to the access and mobility management function network element, where the second information is used to identify the network slice instance in the network slice.
  • the core network may select the network slice supported by the access and mobility management function network element.
  • An example is a user equipment service.
  • the embodiment of the present application provides a network slice-based communication device, where the network slice-based communication device has a function of implementing the behavior of the wireless access network device in the foregoing method.
  • the functions may be implemented by hardware or by corresponding software implemented by hardware.
  • the hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.
  • the above-described network slice-based communication device includes a processor and a transceiver configured to process the network slice-based communication device to perform a corresponding function in the above method.
  • the transceiver is configured to implement communication between the network slice-based communication device and the user equipment/access and mobility management function network element.
  • the network slice based communication device can also include a memory for coupling with a processor that retains program instructions and data necessary for the network slice based communication device.
  • the embodiment of the present application provides a network slice-based communication device, where the network slice-based communication device has the function of implementing the access and mobility management function network element behavior in the foregoing method.
  • the functions may be implemented by hardware or by corresponding software implemented by hardware.
  • the hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.
  • the above-described network slice-based communication device includes a processor and a transceiver configured to process the network slice-based communication device to perform a corresponding function in the above method.
  • the transceiver is configured to implement communication between the network slice-based communication device and the radio access network device/network slice selection function network element/user equipment.
  • the network slice based communication device can also include a memory for coupling with a processor that retains program instructions and data necessary for the network slice based communication device.
  • the embodiment of the present application provides a user equipment, where the user equipment has a function of implementing user equipment behavior in the foregoing method.
  • the functions may be implemented by hardware or by corresponding software implemented by hardware.
  • the hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.
  • the structure of the user equipment includes a transceiver for implementing user equipment and radio access network equipment/second access and mobility management function network element/third access and mobility. Management communication between the function network element/interworking network element.
  • the user equipment can also include a memory for coupling with a processor that retains program instructions and data necessary for the user equipment.
  • the embodiment of the present application provides a network slice-based communication device, where the network slice-based communication device has the function of implementing the behavior of the first access and mobility management function network element in the foregoing method.
  • the functions may be implemented by hardware or by corresponding software implemented by hardware.
  • the hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.
  • the network slice-based communication device includes a transceiver, and the transceiver is configured to implement the network slice-based communication device and the data management function network element/network slice selection function network element. Communication.
  • the network slice based communication device can also include a memory for coupling with a processor that retains program instructions and data necessary for the network slice based communication device.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides a network slice-based communication device, where the network slice-based communication device has a function of implementing a data management function network element behavior in the foregoing method.
  • the functions may be implemented by hardware or by corresponding software implemented by hardware.
  • the hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.
  • the network slice-based communication device includes a transceiver, and the transceiver is configured to implement the network slice-based communication device and the first access and mobility management function network element/second connection. Communication between the inbound and mobility management function network elements.
  • the network slice based communication device can also include a memory for coupling with a processor that retains program instructions and data necessary for the network slice based communication device.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides a network slice-based communication device, where the network slice-based communication device has a function of implementing a network slice selection function network element behavior in the foregoing method.
  • the functions may be implemented by hardware or by corresponding software implemented by hardware.
  • the hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.
  • the above-described network slice-based communication device includes a processor and a transceiver configured to process the network slice-based communication device to perform a corresponding function in the above method.
  • the transceiver is configured to implement communication between the network slice-based communication device and the first access and mobility management function network element.
  • the network slice based communication device can also include a memory for coupling with a processor that retains program instructions and data necessary for the network slice based communication device.
  • embodiments of the present application provide a computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described in the above aspects.
  • embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product comprising instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described in the various aspects above.
  • the present application provides a chip system including a processor for supporting the above-described network slice-based communication device or user equipment to implement the functions involved in the above aspects, for example, generating or processing the above method The information involved.
  • the chip system further includes a memory for holding program instructions and data necessary for the data transmitting device.
  • the chip system can be composed of chips, and can also include chips and other discrete devices.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a scenario in which a network slice instance is selected before and after a user equipment moves;
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a 5G communication system according to an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 3 is a network slice-based communication method according to an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 4 is a method for determining an instance of a network slice serving a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present application
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a method for determining, by an RAN device, an AMF network element according to an embodiment of the present application
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram of a method for a user equipment to acquire first information and second information from a third AMF network element in a session establishment process according to an embodiment of the present application;
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram of a method for a user equipment to receive first information and second information from an interworking network element according to an embodiment of the present application
  • FIG. 8 is still another network slice-based communication method according to an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 9 is still another network slice-based communication method according to an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 10 is still another network slice-based communication method according to an embodiment of the present application.
  • 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams showing the structure of a network slice-based device/user equipment according to an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a 5G communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • the control plane function and the forwarding plane function of the mobile gateway are decoupled, and the separated control plane functions and the third generation partnership project (3GPP) traditional control network element mobility management
  • 3GPP third generation partnership project
  • MME mobility management entity
  • the user plane function (UPF) network element can implement user plane functions (SGW-U and PGW-U) of a serving gateway (SGW) and a packet data network gateway (PGW).
  • SGW-U and PGW-U user plane functions
  • SGW serving gateway
  • PGW packet data network gateway
  • the unified control plane network element can be decomposed into an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element and a session management function (SMF) network element.
  • AMF access and mobility management function
  • SMF session management function
  • the communication system includes at least a User Equipment (UE) 201, a RAN device 202, an AMF network element 203, a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) network element 205, and unified data management ( Unified Data Management (UDM) network element 207.
  • UE User Equipment
  • AMF Access Management Function
  • NSSF Network Slice Selection Function
  • UDM Unified Data Management
  • the user equipment 201 involved in the system is not limited to a 5G network, and includes: a mobile phone, an Internet of Things device, a smart home device, an industrial control device, a vehicle device, and the like.
  • the user equipment may also be referred to as a terminal equipment, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, an access terminal, or an access terminal.
  • the user terminal (User Terminal) and the user agent (User Agent) are not limited herein.
  • the above-mentioned user equipment may also be a vehicle in a vehicle-to-vehicle communication in communication with a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V).
  • V2V vehicle-to-vehicle
  • the RAN device 202 is a device for providing wireless communication functionality to the user equipment 201.
  • the RAN device 202 can include various forms of base stations, such as macro base stations, micro base stations (also referred to as small stations), relay stations, access points, and the like.
  • base stations such as macro base stations, micro base stations (also referred to as small stations), relay stations, access points, and the like.
  • the name of a device having a base station function may be different, for example, in an LTE system, an evolved Node B (evolved NodeB, eNB or eNodeB), in the third In a 3rd generation (3G) system, it is called a Node B or the like.
  • gNB gNodeB
  • the AMF network element 203 involved in the system may be responsible for registration of the terminal device, mobility management, tracking area update process, and the like.
  • AMF network elements can also be referred to as AMF devices or AMF entities.
  • the NSSF network element 205 involved in the system can select a network slice for the user equipment.
  • the NSSF network element may also be referred to as an NSSF device or an NSSF entity.
  • the UDM network element 207 involved in the system is capable of storing subscription data of the user.
  • the user's subscription data includes contract management data related to mobility management and subscription data related to session management.
  • the UDM network element may also be referred to as a UDM device or a UDM entity.
  • the network device in the 5G communication system shown in FIG. 2 further includes an SMF network element 204.
  • the SMF network element 204 can be responsible for session management of the terminal device.
  • session management includes selection of user plane devices, reselection of user plane devices, internet protocol (IP) address allocation, quality of service (QoS) control, and establishment, modification, or release of sessions.
  • IP internet protocol
  • QoS quality of service
  • the foregoing 5G communication system further includes a Network Function Repository Function (NRF) network element 206.
  • the network element can provide service discovery functions.
  • the NRF network element 206 is further capable of maintaining information of valid network function network elements in the core network.
  • the NRF network element 206 can also maintain a service supported by an effective network function network element in the core network.
  • the user equipment 201 selects an initial AMF network element (for example, the AMF network element 203) through the RAN device 202, and the initial AMF network element will be sent to the UDM network element.
  • 207 acquires subscription data of the user equipment 201. If the initial AMF network element determines that the user equipment 201 cannot be served according to the subscription data, the initial AMF network element requests the NSSF network element 205 to select another AMF network element that can satisfy the user's needs to provide the user equipment 201 with a service.
  • the another AMF network element requests the NSSF network element 205 to select an appropriate NRF network element 206, and then the AMF network element 203 can obtain the SMF network element 204 that meets the requirements by requesting the NRF network element 206, and then pass the SMF.
  • the network element 204 performs the establishment, modification, or release of a session.
  • Each of the foregoing network elements may be a network component implemented on dedicated hardware, an instance of software running on dedicated hardware, or an instance of a virtualization function on an appropriate platform.
  • the virtualization platform may be a cloud platform. .
  • the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to other communication technologies for the future.
  • the network architecture and the service scenario described in this application are for the purpose of more clearly explaining the technical solutions of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation of the technical solutions provided by the present application.
  • Those skilled in the art may know that with the evolution of the network architecture and new business scenarios, The technical solution provided by the present application is equally applicable to similar technical problems.
  • FIG. 3 is a network slice-based communication method according to an embodiment of the present application.
  • the RAN device can determine a first AMF network element capable of supporting a network slice required by the user equipment, and the first AMF network element determines a network slice instance serving the user equipment in the network slice according to the requirement of the user equipment.
  • the method may include:
  • the user equipment acquires the first information and the second information.
  • the first information is used to indicate the type of the first network slice
  • the second information is used to identify the first network slice instance in the first network slice.
  • the user equipment is the user equipment 201 in FIG.
  • the first information may be the first S-NSSAI.
  • the first network slice instance in the network slice indicated by the first S-NSSAI is the first NSI.
  • the second information may be information of the first NSI.
  • the information of the first NSI may be an identifier (ID) of the first NSI.
  • the user equipment acquiring the first information and the second information may be implemented in any one of the following three manners.
  • the user equipment may obtain the first information and the second information during the registration process.
  • the user equipment receives a registration accept message from the second AMF network element, thereby acquiring the first information and the second information.
  • the registration accept message includes the first information and the second information.
  • the second AMF network element supports the type of the first network slice and the first network slice instance.
  • the first network fragment instance in the first network slice is accessed by the second AMF network element, and the session is established by the network element in the first network slice instance.
  • the second AMF network element can obtain the Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (NSSAI) allowed by the current network.
  • NSSAI is a collection of S-NSSAI
  • the allowed NSSAI represents the type of network slice that the user equipment can use in the current network.
  • One or more network slice instances may be deployed in the network slice corresponding to each S-NSSAI in the allowed NSSAI. For example, the correspondence between the network slice corresponding to each S-NSSAI in the allowed NSSAI and the network slice instance is as shown in Table 1.
  • the allowed NSSAIs include S-NSSAI-1 and S-NSSAI-2.
  • the network slice instance deployed in the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI-1 includes the NSI-1 and the NSI-1*, and the network slice instance deployed in the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI-2 has the NSI-2 and the NSI-2. *.
  • the network may determine the network slice instance serving the user equipment in the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI in the allowed NSSAI according to the load condition between the current network slice instances or the type of the user equipment. Therefore, the second AMF network element can obtain the network slice instance information corresponding to the S-NSSAI in the allowed NSSAI.
  • the correspondence between the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI in the allowed NSSAI acquired by the second AMF network element and the network slice instance serving the user equipment is as shown in Table 2.
  • the allowed NSSAI includes S-NSSAI-1 and S-NSSAI-2, and the network slice instance serving the user equipment in the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI-1 acquired by the second AMF network element is NSI. -1.
  • the network slice instance serving the user equipment in the network slice corresponding to S-NSSAI-2 is NSI-2.
  • the correspondence between the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI and the network slice instance served by the user equipment in the allowed NSSAI of the second AMF network element includes the information of the first network slice, that is, the first information, for example, the first The information is S-NSSAI-1; the correspondence further includes information of the first network slice instance in the first network slice, that is, the second information, for example, the second information is information of NSI-1.
  • the second AMF network element may obtain a correspondence between the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI in the allowed NSSAI and the network slice instance served by the user equipment.
  • the first information may include a type of the first network slice that is associated with the session before the user equipment is moved in the multiple group correspondences.
  • the second information may include the first network slice instance corresponding to the first network slice.
  • the multiple sets of correspondences acquired by the user equipment include the correspondence between S-NSSAI-1 and NSI-1 and the correspondence between S-NSSAI-2 and NSI-2.
  • the first information includes S-NSSAI-1 in Table 2, and the second information includes a network slice instance NSI-1 corresponding to S-NSSAI-1.
  • the first information may include a type of the plurality of first network slices associated with the plurality of sessions.
  • the second information may include multiple first network slice instances respectively corresponding to the plurality of first network slices. For example, the network slice corresponding to S-NSSAI-1 and S-NSSAI-2 is accessed through two sessions before the user equipment moves.
  • the first information includes the S-NSSAI-1 and the S-NSSAI-2 in Table 2, and the second information includes the network slice instance NSI-1 corresponding to the S-NSSAI-1 and the network slice instance NSI corresponding to the S-NSSAI-2. 2.
  • the second AMF network element sends the foregoing correspondence to the user equipment by using a registration accept message, so that the user equipment acquires the first information and the second information.
  • the user equipment establishes a session through the first network slice instance NSI-1 in the first network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI-1 before moving.
  • the user equipment requests the first network slice associated with the session before the mobile to continue to serve the user equipment.
  • the user equipment can learn that the S-NSSAI-1 corresponds to the network slice through the corresponding relationship shown in Table 2.
  • the network slice instance is NSI-1, so the user equipment requests to access the NSI-1 in the first network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI-1 in the new network and establish a session.
  • the user equipment may obtain the first information and the second information during the session establishment process.
  • the user equipment receives a session establishment accept message from the third AMF network element.
  • the session establishment accept message includes first information and second information.
  • the third AMF network element supports the type of the first network slice and the first network slice instance. The process by which the user equipment obtains the first information and the second information from the third AMF network element through the session establishment accept message may be further described in conjunction with FIG. 6.
  • the user equipment receives the first information and the second information from the interworking network element.
  • the interworking network element supports the session management function of the first network and the session management function of the second network.
  • the interworking network element supports the control plane function of the PGW network element in the 4th-generation (4G) communication, and can communicate with the MME network element; and supports the function of the SMF network element in the 5G, and can cooperate with the AMF network. Yuan communicates with each other.
  • the process by which the user equipment receives the first information and the second information from the interworking network element can be further described in conjunction with FIG.
  • the user equipment sends a registration request to the RAN device.
  • the RAN device receives a registration request from the user equipment.
  • the registration request includes a first information and a second information, where the first information and the second information are used for determining the first AMF network element, where the first information and the second information are further used to serve the user equipment in the first network slice. The determination of the network slice instance.
  • the RAN device is the RAN device 202 in FIG.
  • the RAN device determines, according to the type of the first network slice and the first network slice instance, the first AMF network element.
  • the first AMF network element is the AMF network element 203 in FIG.
  • the RAN device acquires the type of the first network slice requested by the user equipment and the first network slice instance in step S302, and the RAN device determines the first AMF network element according to the type of the first network slice and the first network slice instance. For example, if the RAN device determines that the type of the network slice supported by the first AMF network element includes the type of the first network slice, and the network slice instance supported by the first AMF network element includes the first network slice instance, the RAN device determines the first AMF.
  • the network element can provide services for user equipment. The process of the first AMF determining the network slice instance serving the user equipment may be further described by the subsequent step S305.
  • the RAN device determines that the type of the network slice supported by the first AMF network element includes the type of the first network slice, but the network slice instance supported by the first AMF network element does not include the first network slice instance, and the network does not exist at the same time.
  • the RAN device also first determines that the first AMF network element provides services for the user equipment, and the type of the network slice and other AMF network elements of the first network slice instance.
  • the process of determining, by the first AMF network element, a network slice instance served by the user equipment may be further described in connection with the subsequent step S305 and FIG.
  • the process of how the RAN device determines the first AMF network element will be further described in conjunction with FIG.
  • the RAN device sends the foregoing registration request to the first AMF network element.
  • the first AMF network element receives the registration request from the RAN device.
  • the first information and the second information are used for determining the network slice instance.
  • the first AMF network element determines, according to the first information and the second information, a network slice instance serving the user equipment in the first network slice.
  • the first AMF network element acquires the type of the first network slice requested by the user equipment and the first network slice instance in step S304. If the network slice instance supported by the first AMF network element includes the first network slice instance in the network slice corresponding to the type of the first network slice, the first AMF network element determines a network slice instance serving the user equipment in the first network slice An instance of the first network slice. If the network slice instance supported by the first AMF network element does not include the first network slice instance, the process of determining the first AMF network element as a network slice instance served by the user equipment may be further described in conjunction with FIG.
  • the core network can select a network slice instance that meets the requirements of the user equipment to serve the user equipment.
  • the user equipment can learn the network slice instance that provides the user equipment service before the mobile.
  • the user equipment can ensure the session established by the user equipment before the mobile by requesting the same network slice instance from the core network. Not interrupted, which improves the user experience.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a method for determining a network slice instance serving a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present application.
  • the method can be used in the scenario that the network slice instance supported by the first AMF network element served by the user equipment in FIG. 3 does not include the first network slice instance requested by the user equipment.
  • the method may include:
  • the first AMF network element sends the first information and the indication information to the NSSF network element.
  • the NSSF network element receives the first information and the indication information from the first AMF network element.
  • the first information is used to indicate a type of the first network slice, and the indication information is used to request to determine a network slice instance serving the user equipment in the first network slice.
  • the NSSF network element is the NSSF network element 205 in FIG. 2, and the first information may be the first S-NSSAI.
  • the first AMF network element further sends the current location information of the user equipment to the NSSF network element, where the NSSF network element learns the network slice instance in the first network slice that the user equipment can use at the current location.
  • the current location information of the user equipment may be a Tracking Area Identity (TAI).
  • TAI Tracking Area Identity
  • the NSSF network element sends the identifier information of the second network slice instance to the first AMF network element.
  • the first AMF network element receives the identification information of the second network slice instance from the NSSF network element.
  • the identification information of the second network slice instance is used to identify the second network slice instance.
  • the second network slice instance is a network slice instance that is determined by the NSSF network element to serve the user equipment, and the second network slice instance is a network slice instance in the first network slice that the user equipment can use at the current location.
  • the identification information of the second network slice instance may be the ID of the second NSI.
  • the second NSI is a network slice instance in a network slice corresponding to the first S-NSSAI.
  • the first AMF network element sends the identifier information of the second network slice instance to the user equipment.
  • the user equipment receives the identification information of the second network slice instance from the first AMF network element.
  • the user equipment is the user equipment 201 in FIG.
  • the core network may select the network slice instance supported by the AMF network element to serve the user equipment. And the core network sends the network slice instance information that is selected by the user equipment to the user equipment, so that the user equipment requests the core network to select the same network slice instance as the user equipment service after the next move. In this way, it can be ensured that the session currently established by the user equipment is not interrupted after the next move, thereby improving the user experience.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a method for determining, by an RAN device, an AMF network element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the RAN device can select an AMF network element serving the user equipment according to the type of the network slice requested by the user equipment and the network slice instance.
  • the method may include:
  • the first AMF network element sends capability information to the RAN device.
  • the RAN device receives capability information from the first AMF network element.
  • the capability information is used to indicate the type of the network slice supported by the AMF network element and the network slice instance.
  • the first AMF network element is the AMF network element 203 in FIG. 2
  • the RAN device is the RAN device 202 in FIG. 2
  • the type of the network slice can be represented by S-NSSAI
  • the network slice instance can be represented by NSI.
  • the capability information of the first AMF network element is as shown in Table 3.
  • the network slice types supported by the first AMF network element include S-NSSAI-1 and S-NSSAI-2.
  • the first AMF network element supports the network slice instance in the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI-1, including the NSI-1 and the NSI-1*
  • the first AMF network element supports the network in the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI-3. Examples of slices are NSI-3 and NSI-3*.
  • Network slice type supported by the first AMF network element Network slice instance supported by the first AMF network element S-NSSAI-1 NSI-1, NSI-1* S-NSSAI-3 NSI-3, NSI-3*
  • the RAN device may also receive capability information for other AMF network elements from other AMF network elements that communicate with the RAN device.
  • the capability information of other AMF network elements may have the same format as that of Table 3, and details are not described herein again. Thereby, the RAN device obtains capability information of each AMF network element that communicates with the RAN device for selection of subsequent AMF network elements.
  • the RAN device determines, according to the type of the first network slice, the first network slice instance, and the capability information, the first AMF network element.
  • the RAN device obtains capability information of the first AMF network element and other AMF network elements by using the foregoing step S501.
  • the RAN device acquires the type of the first network slice requested by the user equipment and the first network slice instance through step S302 in FIG. For example, if the type of the first network slice is S-NSSAI-1 and the instance of the first network slice is NSI-1, then in step S303, the RAN device discovers the first AMF network according to the capability information of the first AMF network element in Table 3.
  • the type of the network slice supported by the element includes the type of the first network slice, and the network slice instance corresponding to the type of the first network slice supported by the first AMF network element includes the first network slice instance, thereby determining the first AMF network element. For the service of user equipment.
  • the first information obtained in step S302 in FIG. 3 may include the types of the plurality of first network slices associated with the plurality of sessions.
  • the second information may include multiple first network slice instances corresponding to the plurality of first network slices respectively.
  • the first information includes S-NSSAI-1 and S-NSSAI-2 in Table 2, and the second information includes network slice instances corresponding to network slice instances NSI-1 and S-NSSAI-2 corresponding to S-NSSAI-1. NSI-2.
  • the RAN device can select a network slice instance NSI corresponding to the network slice instance NSI-1 and S-NSSAI-2 corresponding to the S-NSSAI-1 according to the acquired capability information of each AMF network element.
  • -2 AMF network element as the first AMF network element.
  • the RAN device can learn the capability of the AMF network element, and then select the AMF network element that supports the network slice type requested by the user equipment and the network slice instance to serve the user equipment. Thereafter, the AMF network element can select the user equipment to request the network slice instance to serve the user equipment, and ensure that the session established by the user equipment before the mobile is not interrupted, thereby improving the user experience.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a method for a user equipment to obtain first information and second information from a third AMF network element in a session establishment process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the method may include:
  • the user equipment sends the first information to the third AMF network element.
  • the third AMF network element receives the first information from the user equipment.
  • the first information is used to indicate the type of the first network slice.
  • the user equipment is the user equipment 201 in FIG.
  • the first information may be the first S-NSSAI.
  • the first network fragment instance in the network slice corresponding to the type of the first network slice is accessed by the third AMF network element, and the network element in the first network slice instance is used.
  • Establish a session The first S-NSSAI is the S-NSSAI associated with the session.
  • the user equipment may send the first information to the third AMF network element by using a session establishment request message.
  • the third AMF network element acquires information about the NRF network element from the NSSF network element.
  • the NSSF network element is the NSSF network element 205 in FIG.
  • the third AMF requests the NSF network element for selecting the SRF network element from the NSSF network element, and the first S - Network slice instance information corresponding to NSSAI.
  • the third AMF network element may send the first S-NSSAI to the NSSF network element by calling the Nnssf_NSSelection_Get service, thereby requesting to acquire information of the NRF network element.
  • the NSSF network element After receiving the request of the third AMF network element, the NSSF network element returns information of the NRF network element to the third AMF network element.
  • the NRF network element is the NRF network element 206 in FIG.
  • the NSSF network element may return the information of the NRF network element to the third AMF network element by sending an Nnssf_NSSelection_Get Response message.
  • the third AMF network element obtains information about the SMF network element from the NRF network element.
  • the third AMF network element requests the NRF network element to obtain the information of the SMF network element according to the information of the NRF network element returned by the NSSF network element in step S602.
  • the third AMF network element may send the first S-NSSAI to the NRF network element by calling the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Resquest service, thereby requesting to acquire information of the SMF network element.
  • the NRF network element invokes the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Resquest service, the NRF network element returns the information of the SMF network element to the third AMF network element.
  • the third AMF may also request the first network slice instance information by calling the Nnssf_NSSelection_Get service.
  • the third AMF network element acquires the second information from the NSSF network element.
  • the second information is used to identify the first network slice instance in the first network slice.
  • the second information may be an ID of the first NSI
  • the first NSI is a network slice instance in the network slice corresponding to the first S-NSSAI.
  • the NSSF network element may return the second information to the third AMF network element by sending an Nnssf_NSSelection_Get Response message.
  • the third AMF network element further sends the second information to the NRF network element when the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Resquest service is invoked. Therefore, the SMF network element determined by the NRF network element is the SMF network element in the first network slice instance indicated by the second information.
  • the third AMF network element may also request the first network slice instance information by calling the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Resquest service. If the third AMF network element does not obtain the second information in step S602, when the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Resquest service is invoked, the second information is not carried, and the NRF network element sends the second information and the first network slice instance indicated by the second information. The SMF network element in the medium returns to the third AMF network element, so that the third AMF network element acquires the second information.
  • the third AMF network element sends a session establishment request to the SMF network element.
  • the SMF network element receives a session establishment request from the third AMF network element.
  • the SMF network element is the SMF network element 204 of FIG.
  • the third AMF network element may send the first S-NSSAI to the SMF network element by calling the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request service, and request to establish a session.
  • step S604 is an optional step, and the third AMF network element may also request to establish a session by other means, and the present invention is not limited thereto.
  • the SMF network element requests a registration session from the UDM network element.
  • the UDM network element is the UDM network element 207 in FIG.
  • the UDM network element can store the address of the SMF network element and the ID of the session by requesting the registration session to the UDM network element.
  • the SMF network element can obtain the subscription data related to the session of the user equipment, and subscribe to the updated subscription of the user equipment to the UDM network element. data.
  • step S605 is an optional step, and the SMF network element can also obtain the subscription data of the user equipment in other manners, and the present invention is not limited thereto.
  • the SMF network element sends a session establishment response to the third AMF network element.
  • the third AMF network element receives the session establishment response from the SMF network element.
  • the SMF network element After calling the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request service, the SMF network element returns a session establishment response to the third AMF network element by sending an Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext response message.
  • step S606 is an optional step, and the SMF network element may also return the session establishment response by other means, and the present invention is not limited thereto.
  • the third AMF network element sends the first information and the second information to the user equipment.
  • the user equipment receives the first information and the second information from the third AMF network element.
  • the first information and the second information obtained by the third AMF network element in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 The information is the type of network slice associated with the current session of the user equipment and the network slice instance. If the user equipment initiates the establishment process of multiple sessions before the mobile, the third AMF may perform the process of FIG. 6 multiple times to obtain the network slice instance information corresponding to each network slice associated with each session, respectively. Sent to the user device. For example, the correspondence between the network slice corresponding to each S-NSSAI and the network slice instance in the multiple sessions received by the user equipment is as shown in Table 4.
  • the user equipment initiates two session establishment procedures: Session-1 and Session-2.
  • the type of the network slice used by the session-1 is S-NSSAI-1
  • the instance of the network slice in the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI-1 is NSI-1
  • the type of the network slice used by the session-2 is S-NSSAI. -2
  • the network slice instance in the network slice corresponding to S-NSSAI-2 is NSI-2.
  • the user equipment when the user equipment obtains only the allowed NSSAI in the registration process, the user equipment can obtain the network slice instance information corresponding to the S-NSSAI associated with the session in the session establishment process. After the user equipment moves, the user equipment can request the user equipment service by requesting the network network instance associated with the current session from the core network, thereby ensuring that the session established by the user equipment before the mobile is not interrupted, thereby improving the user experience.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a method for a user equipment to receive first information and second information from an interworking network element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the method can be used in a scenario where the user equipment supports 4G and 5G interworking. As shown in FIG. 7, the method may include:
  • the user equipment sends a connection request to the MME network element.
  • the MME network element receives the connection request from the user equipment.
  • the user equipment is the user equipment 201 in FIG. 2, and the user equipment is applicable to both the 4G network and the 5G network.
  • the above connection request may be a Packet Data Network (PDN) Connection Request (PDN Connectivity Request) message.
  • the user equipment may further send an Access Point Name (APN) and PDU session identifier information to the MME network element, to request to establish a PDN connection.
  • PDN Packet Data Network
  • APN Access Point Name
  • PDU session identifier information to the MME network element, to request to establish a PDN connection.
  • the MME network element sends a session establishment request to the SGW network element.
  • the SGW network element receives the session establishment request from the MME network element.
  • the session establishment request may be a Create Session Request message, and is used to request the SGW network element to establish a default bearer.
  • the session establishment request message further includes: an International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI) and PDU session identifier information.
  • IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identifier
  • PDU session identifier information PDU session identifier information
  • the SGW network element sends a session establishment request to the interworking network element.
  • the interworking network element receives the session establishment request from the SGW network element.
  • the interworking network element supports both the control plane function of the PGW network element in 4G communication and the function of the SMF network element in the 5G.
  • the above session establishment request may be a create session request message.
  • the SGW network element creates a new EPS bearer in the Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearer list, and sends a create session request message to the interworking network element.
  • EPS Evolved Packet System
  • the interworking network element initiates a session modification request to the user plane network element.
  • the session modification request includes a network protocol (IP) address of the session.
  • IP network protocol
  • the user plane network element supports both the user plane function of the PGW network element in the 4G communication and the function of the UPF network element in the 5G.
  • the interworking network element sends the first information and the second information to the SGW network element.
  • the SGW network element receives the first information and the second information from the interworking network element.
  • the first information is used to indicate the type of the first network slice
  • the second information is used to identify the first network slice instance in the first network slice.
  • the first network slice serves the user equipment in the 5G network.
  • the interworking network element is the SMF network element in the first network slice instance.
  • the first information may be the first S-NSSAI
  • the second information may be the ID of the first NSI
  • the first NSI is a network slice instance in a network slice corresponding to the first S-NSSAI.
  • the interworking network element supports the function of the SMF network element in the 5G
  • the type of the network slice corresponding to the SMF network element and the corresponding network slice instance are configured in the interworking network element.
  • the interworking network element can determine the type of the first network slice serving the user equipment in the 5G network and the first network slice instance according to the foregoing configuration in the PDN connection process of the 4G communication.
  • the interworking network element may send the first information and the second information to the SGW network element by creating a session request message.
  • the SGW network element sends the first information and the second information to the MME network element.
  • the MME network element receives the first information and the second information from the SGW network element.
  • the SGW network element may send the first information and the second information to the MME network element by creating a session request message.
  • the MME network element sends the first information and the second information to the eNB device.
  • the eNB device receives the first information and the second information from the MME network element.
  • the MME network element may send the first information and the second information to the eNB through a PDN Connectivity Accept message.
  • the eNB device sends the first information and the second information to the user equipment.
  • the user equipment receives the first information and the second information from the eNB device.
  • the eNB device may send the first information and the second information to the user equipment through the PDN connection accept message.
  • the user equipment when the user equipment supports the interworking between the 4G and the 5G, the user equipment can obtain the network slice instance information corresponding to the S-NSSAI associated with the session after establishing the PDN connection in the 4G network.
  • the user equipment uses the 5G network, the user equipment can request the user equipment to be served to the core network by using the network splicing instance associated with the current session, thereby ensuring that the session established when the user equipment switches from the 4G network to the 5G network is not interrupted, and the user equipment is improved. user experience.
  • FIG. 8 is still another network slice-based communication method according to an embodiment of the present application.
  • the method may be used to determine, by the core network, a scenario of a network slice instance serving the user equipment according to the type of the network slice and the network slice instance information saved in the UDM network element. As shown in FIG. 8, the method may include:
  • the first AMF network element sends the first information and the second information to the UDM network element.
  • the UDM network element receives the first information and the second information from the first AMF network element.
  • the first information is used to indicate the type of the first network slice
  • the second information is used to identify the first network slice instance in the first network slice.
  • the first AMF network element is an AMF network element in the network before the user equipment moves
  • the UDM network element is the UDM network element 207 in FIG.
  • the first information may be the first S-NSSAI
  • the second information may be the ID of the first NSI.
  • the first NSI is a network slice instance in a network slice corresponding to the first S-NSSAI.
  • the first AMF network element sending the first information and the second information to the UDM network element may be implemented in any one of the following two manners.
  • the first AMF network element sends the first information and the second information to the UDM network element during the registration process. For example, in the registration process, after receiving the session establishment response message returned by the SMF network element, the first AMF network element sends the network slice instance information corresponding to the S-NSSAI in the allowed NSSAI to the UDM network element.
  • the network slice instance information corresponding to the S-NSSAI in the allowed NSSAI to the UDM network element.
  • the first AMF network element sends the first information and the second information to the UDM network element in the session establishment process.
  • the second AMF network element For the second AMF network element to obtain the second information, reference may be made to the description of step S602 or S603 in FIG. 6 , and details are not described herein again.
  • the first AMF network element After acquiring the second information, the first AMF network element sends the first information and the second information to the UDM network element.
  • the UDM network element sends the first information and the second information to the second AMF network element.
  • the second AMF network element receives the first information and the second information from the UDM network element.
  • the second AMF network element is an AMF network element accessed by the user equipment in the network after the mobile.
  • the second AMF network element requests the UDM network element to acquire the context of the user equipment.
  • the UDM network element sends the first information and the second information to the second AMF network element.
  • the second AMF network element When the second AMF network element does not support the first network slice instance of the second information identifier, the second AMF network element sends the first information, the second information, and the indication information to the NSSF network element.
  • the NSSF network element receives the first information, the second information, and the indication information from the second AMF network element.
  • the indication information is used to request the determination of the type of the first network slice and the third AMF network element of the first network slice instance.
  • the NSSF network element is the NSSF network element 205 in FIG.
  • the second AMF network element determines that the second AMF network element cannot support the first network slice instance in the first network slice, and therefore requests the NSSF network element to select according to the first information and the second information.
  • the third AMF network element supporting the type of the first network slice and the first network slice instance serves the user equipment.
  • the second AMF network element sends the current location information of the user equipment to the NSSF network element, so that the NSSF network element can select a third AMF network element that can serve the user equipment at the current location of the user equipment.
  • the current location information of the user equipment can be identified by the TAI.
  • the NSSF network element determines whether a third AMF network element exists in an area where the user equipment is located.
  • the user equipment is the user equipment 201 in FIG. If the area where the user equipment is located has a third AMF network element capable of supporting the type of the first network slice and the first network slice instance, the NSSF network element sends the identifier information of the third AMF network element to the second AMF network element, the process This can be further described in conjunction with FIG. If the area where the user equipment is located does not have a third AMF network element capable of supporting the type of the first network slice and the first network slice instance, the NSSF determines that the second network slice instance supported by the second AMF network element is a user equipment service, where The process can be further described in conjunction with FIG.
  • the core network before the user equipment moves, stores an instance of the network slice serving the user equipment. After the user equipment moves, the core network can select the same network slice instance as the user equipment before the mobile device. The service ensures that the session established by the user device before the mobile is not interrupted, thereby improving the user experience.
  • the method provided by the embodiment of the present invention saves the network slice instance information before the movement by the core network in the embodiment, and does not use the user equipment and the RAN device to sense the network slice instance. The information thus saves storage space for the user device.
  • FIG. 9 is still another network slice-based communication method according to an embodiment of the present application.
  • the method may be used when the NSSF network element determines that the third AMF network element supporting the first network slice instance exists in the area where the user equipment is located, and the NSSF network element determines the scenario of the third AMF network element served by the user equipment.
  • Figure 9 will be described in conjunction with Figure 8. As shown in FIG. 9, the method may include:
  • the user equipment sends a registration request to the RAN device.
  • the RAN device receives a registration request from the user equipment.
  • the user equipment is the user equipment 201 in FIG. 2 and the RAN equipment is the RAN equipment 202 in FIG.
  • the above registration request may be used to request registration from the network side after the user equipment moves.
  • the foregoing registration request may include an NSSAI requested by the user equipment and a temporary identifier allocated by the first AMF network element to the user equipment.
  • the first AMF network element is an AMF network element that is accessed by the user equipment before the mobile device moves.
  • the temporary identifier may be a 5G Globally Unique Temporary Identity (GUTI).
  • GUI 5G Globally Unique Temporary Identity
  • the RAN device determines a second AMF network element.
  • the RAN device selects the second AMF network element to serve the user equipment according to the requested NSSAI.
  • the second AMF network element can support the network slice corresponding to the NSSAI requested by the user equipment.
  • the RAN device sends a registration request to the second AMF network element.
  • the second AMF network element receives the registration request from the RAN device.
  • the second AMF network element acquires the first information and the second information from the UDM network element.
  • the first information is used to indicate the type of the first network slice
  • the second information is used to identify the first network slice instance in the first network slice.
  • the UDM network element is the UDM network element 207 in FIG.
  • the first information may be the first S-NSSAI, and the second information may be the ID of the first NSI.
  • the first NSI is a network slice instance in a network slice corresponding to the first S-NSSAI.
  • the first network slice instance is a network slice instance that serves the user equipment before the user equipment moves.
  • the second AMF network element After the second AMF network element receives the registration request according to step S903, since the second AMF network element cannot obtain the context of the user equipment from the first AMF network element that allocates the temporary identifier, the second AMF network element is registered with the UDM network element. The context of the user equipment is obtained from the UDM network element.
  • the second AMF network element also acquires the first information and the second information from the UDM network element.
  • the UDM network element can acquire the first information and the second information through step S801 of FIG.
  • the second AMF network element determines that the first network slice instance is not supported.
  • the second AMF network element learns according to step S904 that the user equipment uses the network slice instance NSI-1 in the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI-1 before the mobile, but the capability information of the second AMF network element is not included. NSI-1, so the second AMF network element determines that NSI-1 is not supported.
  • the second AMF network element sends the first information, the second information, and the indication information to the NSSF network element.
  • the NSSF network element receives the first information, the second information, and the indication information from the second AMF network element.
  • the indication information is used to request the determination of the type of the first network slice and the third AMF network element of the first network slice instance.
  • Step S906 can refer to the description of step S803 in FIG. 8, and details are not described herein again.
  • the NSSF network element determines that the third AMF network element exists in the area where the user equipment is located.
  • the NSSF network element determines, according to the first information and the second information, that the area where the user equipment is located has a third AMF network element that supports the type of the first network slice and the first network slice instance.
  • the NSSF network element sends the identifier information of the third AMF network element to the second AMF network element.
  • the second AMF network element receives the identification information of the third AMF network element from the NSSF network element.
  • the second AMF network element sends the identifier information of the third AMF network element to the RAN device.
  • the RAN device receives the identification information of the third AMF network element from the second AMF network element.
  • step S910 the RAN device performs step S910.
  • the RAN device sends a redirect message to the third AMF network element.
  • the third AMF network element receives the redirect message from the RAN device.
  • the redirect message is used to request the third AMF network element to serve the user equipment.
  • the core network can obtain information about the first network slice instance that is served by the user equipment before the mobile device from the UDM network element, and then select the AMF network element that supports the first network slice instance.
  • the user equipment is served to ensure that the session established by the user equipment before the mobile is not interrupted, thereby improving the user experience.
  • the method provided by the embodiment of the present invention saves the network slice instance information before the move by the UDM network element in the core network, instead of the user equipment and the RAN, compared with the method provided by the embodiment in FIG.
  • the device senses the information of the network slice instance, thereby saving the storage space of the user equipment.
  • FIG. 10 is still another network slice-based communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method may be used when the NSSF network element determines that the third AMF network element supporting the first network slice instance does not exist in the area where the user equipment is located, and the NSSF network element determines the scenario of the network slice instance served by the user equipment.
  • Figure 10 will be described in conjunction with Figure 9.
  • Steps S1001 to S1006 may refer to the description of steps S901 to S906 in FIG. 9, and details are not described herein again.
  • the method may further include:
  • the NSSF network element determines that the third AMF network element does not exist in the area where the user equipment is located.
  • the NSSF network element determines, according to the first information and the second information, that the area where the user equipment is located does not have a third AMF network element that supports the first network slice instance in the type of the first network slice.
  • the NSSF network element sends the identifier information of the second network slice instance to the second AMF network element.
  • the second AMF network element receives the identification information of the second network slice instance from the NSSF network element.
  • the second network slice instance is a network slice instance serving the user equipment in the network slice corresponding to the type of the first network slice determined by the NSSF network element.
  • the second AMF network element supports the second network slice instance.
  • the identification information of the second network slice instance may be the ID of the second NSI.
  • the second AMF network element sends the identifier information of the second network slice instance to the UDM network element.
  • the UDM network element receives the identification information of the second network slice instance from the second AMF network element.
  • step S1009 the UDM network element performs step S1010.
  • the UDM network element stores identifier information of the second network slice instance.
  • the UDM network element stores the type of the first network slice serving the user equipment and the identification information of the first network slice instance before the user equipment moves.
  • the information stored in the UDM network element is the type of the first network slice serving the user equipment and the identification information of the second network slice instance after the user equipment moves after the step S1010.
  • the UDM network element sends a deregistration request to the first AMF network element.
  • the first AMF network element receives the registration request from the UDM network element.
  • the deregistration request includes the identifier information of the first network slice and the identifier information of the second network slice instance.
  • the first AMF network element performs step S1012.
  • the first AMF network element learns that the user equipment uses the second network slice instance, and determines that the session established by the user equipment using the first network slice instance before the mobile device cannot be maintained, so the session established in the first network slice instance is released.
  • the core network may select the network slice instance supported by the AMF network element to serve the user equipment.
  • the core network saves the selected network slice instance information for the user equipment, so that the core network can select the same network slice instance to serve the user equipment after the next time the user equipment moves. In this way, it can be ensured that the session currently established by the user equipment is not interrupted after the next move, thereby improving the user experience.
  • the core network may also notify the user equipment to connect to the original AMF network element that was previously connected: the user equipment uses different network slice instances after the move. Thereby, the original AMF network element releases the session, which reduces the signaling processing load of the original AMF network element.
  • each solution of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is introduced from the perspective of the interaction between the network elements and the network elements.
  • each network element and device such as the foregoing radio access network device, the access and mobility management function network element, the user equipment, the data management function network element, and the network slice selection function network element, Contains the corresponding hardware structure and/or software modules for performing various functions.
  • the present application can be implemented in a combination of hardware or hardware and computer software in combination with the elements and algorithm steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein. Whether a function is implemented in hardware or computer software to drive hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the solution. A person skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each particular application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of the present application.
  • the network slice based communication device may include a receiving module 1101, a processing module 1102, and a transmitting module 1103, as shown in FIG. 11A.
  • the network slice based communication device can be used to perform the operations of the radio access network device (e.g., RAN device) of Figures 3 and 5 above.
  • the radio access network device e.g., RAN device
  • the receiving module 1101 is configured to receive a registration request from the user equipment.
  • the registration request includes a first information and a second information, where the first information is used to indicate a type of the first network slice (for example, the first S-NSSAI), and the second information is used to identify the first network in the first network slice.
  • a slice instance eg, the first NSI ID.
  • the processing module 1102 is configured to determine an access and mobility management function network element according to the type of the first network slice and the first network slice instance.
  • the sending module 1103 is configured to send a registration request to the access and mobility management function network element (for example, an AMF network element). The first information and the second information are used for determining the network slice instance.
  • the network slice-based communication device in the embodiment of the present invention can select the type of the first network slice and the access and mobility management function network element of the first network slice instance to serve the user equipment.
  • the access and mobility management function network element further determines a network slice instance that can serve the user equipment according to the requirements of the user equipment.
  • the user equipment can learn the network slice instance that provides the user equipment service before the mobile.
  • the user equipment can ensure the session established by the user equipment before the mobile by requesting the same network slice instance from the core network. Not interrupted, which improves the user experience.
  • the receiving module 1101 is further configured to receive capability information from the access and mobility management function network element.
  • the capability information is used to indicate the type of the network slice supported by the access and mobility management function network element and the network slice instance.
  • the processing module 1102 determines the access and mobility management function network element according to the type of the first network slice and the first network slice instance, and the processing module 1102 determines, according to the type of the first network slice, the first network slice instance, and the capability information. Access and mobility management function network elements.
  • the access and mobility management function network element determined by the processing module 1102 supports the type of the first network slice and the first network slice instance.
  • the receiving module 1101, the processing module 1102, and the sending module 1103 in the network slice-based communication device may further implement other operations or functions of the radio access network device in the foregoing method, and details are not described herein again.
  • the network slice-based communication device shown in FIG. 11A is further configured to perform the first access and mobility management function network element (eg, the first AMF network element) in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 above. operating. E.g:
  • the receiving module 1101 is configured to receive a registration request from a radio access network device (eg, a RAN device).
  • the registration request includes a first information and a second information, where the first information is used to indicate a type of the first network slice, and the second information is used to identify the first network slice instance in the first network slice.
  • the processing module 1102 is configured to determine, according to the first information and the second information, a network slice instance serving the user equipment in the first network slice.
  • the core network can determine a network slice instance that can serve the user equipment according to the requirements of the user equipment.
  • the user equipment can learn the network slice instance that provides the user equipment service before the mobile.
  • the user equipment can ensure the session established by the user equipment before the mobile by requesting the same network slice instance from the core network. Not interrupted, which improves the user experience.
  • the network slice-based communication device further includes a sending module 1103, configured to send capability information to the radio access network device.
  • the capability information is used to indicate a type of the first network slice and a network slice instance supported by the network slice-based communication device in the first network slice.
  • the capability information is used for the determination of the network slice based communication device.
  • the network slice instance serving the user equipment in the foregoing first network slice is the first network slice instance.
  • the processing module 1102 determines, according to the first information and the second information, a network slice instance serving the user equipment in the first network slice, including: when the network slice-based communication device does not support the first network identified by the second information
  • the sending module 1103 sends the first information and the indication information to the network slice selection function network element (for example, the NSSF network element).
  • the indication information is used to request to determine a network slice instance serving the user equipment in the first network slice.
  • the receiving module 1101 receives, from the network slice selection function network element, identification information (eg, a second NSI ID) of the second network slice instance supported by the network slice-based communication device in the first network slice.
  • the sending module 1103 is further configured to send the identifier information of the second network slice instance to the user equipment.
  • the receiving module 1101, the processing module 1102, and the sending module 1103 in the network slice-based communication device may further implement other operations or functions of the access and mobility management function network element in the foregoing method, and details are not described herein.
  • the apparatus shown in FIG. 11A can also be used to perform the operations of the user equipment of FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7 described above.
  • the receiving module 1101 is configured to acquire first information and second information.
  • the first information is used to indicate the type of the first network slice, and the second information is used to identify the first network slice instance in the first network slice.
  • the sending module 1103 is configured to send a registration request to the radio access network device.
  • the registration request includes first information and second information, where the first information and the second information are used for determining the first access and mobility management function network element, and the first information and the second information are further used for the first network slice. The determination of the network slice instance in the service for the user equipment.
  • the user equipment in the embodiment of the present invention can obtain information about a network slice instance accessed before the user equipment moves. After the user equipment moves, the user equipment can serve the user equipment by requesting the same network slice instance from the core network, thereby ensuring that the session established by the user equipment before the mobile is not interrupted, thereby improving the user experience.
  • the receiving module 1101 acquires the foregoing first information and the second information, where the receiving module 1101 receives a registration accept message from the second access and mobility management function network element (for example, the second AMF network element), the registration The receiving message includes the first information and the second information, where the second access and mobility management function network element supports the type of the first network slice and the first network slice instance; or the receiving module 1101 receives the third access and The mobility management function network element (for example, the third AMF network element) receives the session establishment accept message, where the session establishment accept message includes the first information and the second information, where the third access and mobility management function network element supports a first network slice type and a first network slice instance; or, the receiving module 1101 receives the first information and the second information from the interworking network element, wherein the interworking network element supports the session management function of the first network and the second network Session management features.
  • the second access and mobility management function network element for example, the second AMF network element
  • receiving module 1101 and the sending module 1103 in the user equipment can also implement other operations or functions of the user equipment in the foregoing method, and details are not described herein again.
  • the network slice-based communication device shown in FIG. 11A is further configured to perform the second access and mobility management function network element in FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10 (eg, the second AMF network). Yuan) operation.
  • the second access and mobility management function network element in FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10 eg, the second AMF network. Yuan
  • the receiving module 1101 is configured to receive the first information and the second information from a data management function network element (for example, a UDM network element) after receiving the registration request.
  • the first information is used to indicate the type of the first network slice
  • the second information is used to identify the first network slice instance in the first network slice.
  • the sending module 1103 is configured to send the first information, the second information, and the network slice selection function network element (for example, the NSSF network element) Instructing information, wherein the indication information is used to request determination of a type of the first network slice and an access and mobility management function network element of the first network slice instance.
  • the network slice-based communication device in the embodiment of the present invention assumes that the user equipment accesses the first network slice instance in the first network slice before the mobile, and the user equipment types the first network slice and the first
  • the information of the network slice instance is saved in the data management function network element.
  • the first access and mobility management function network element requests the network slice selection function network element to select a second access and mobility management function network that supports the first network slice type and the first network slice instance.
  • the yuan serves the user equipment.
  • the second access and mobility management function network element can determine the network slice instance served by the user equipment, thereby ensuring that the session established by the user equipment before the mobile is not interrupted, thereby improving the user experience.
  • the receiving module 1101 is further configured to receive, by the network slice selection function network element, identifier information of the second network slice instance in the first network slice.
  • the sending module 1103 is further configured to send the identifier information of the second network slice instance to the data management function network element.
  • receiving module 1101 and the sending module 1103 in the network slice-based communication device may further implement other operations or functions of the second access and mobility management function network element in the foregoing method, and details are not described herein again.
  • the network slice-based communication device illustrated in FIG. 11A may also be used to perform operations of the data management function network elements (eg, UDM network elements) of FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 described above.
  • the data management function network elements eg, UDM network elements
  • the receiving module 1101 is configured to obtain the first information and the second information from the first access and mobility management function network element.
  • the first information is used to indicate the type of the network slice
  • the second information is used to identify the network slice instance in the network slice, where the first access and mobility management function network element supports the type of the network slice and the network slice instance.
  • the sending module 1103 is configured to send the first information and the second information to the second access and mobility management function network element.
  • the first information and the second information are used for determining the third access and mobility management function network element, and the third access and mobility management function network element supports the type of the network slice and the network slice instance.
  • the network slice-based communication device in the embodiment of the present invention stores the network slice instance serving the user equipment in the core network before the user equipment moves. After the user equipment moves, the core network can select to satisfy and move. The same network slicing instance used previously served the user equipment. This ensures that the session established by the user equipment before the mobile is not interrupted, thereby improving the user experience.
  • the data management function network element saves the network slice instance information before the mobile device, so that the user equipment and the RAN device do not perceive the information of the network slice instance, thereby saving the storage space of the user equipment.
  • the receiving module 1101 and the sending module 1103 in the network-slice-based communication device can also implement other operations or functions of the data management function network element in the foregoing method, and details are not described herein again.
  • the network slice based communication device shown in FIG. 11A can also be used to perform the operations of the network slice selection function network element (eg, NSSF network element) in FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10 described above.
  • the network slice selection function network element eg, NSSF network element
  • the receiving module 1101 is configured to receive first information, second information, and indication information from the first access and mobility management function network element.
  • the first information is used to indicate the type of the first network slice
  • the second information is used to identify the first network slice instance in the first network slice
  • the indication information is used to request the type of the first network slice and the first network slice.
  • the processing module 1102 is configured to determine whether the second access and mobility management function network element exists in the area where the user equipment is located.
  • the user equipment saves the type of the first network slice served by the user equipment and the information of the first network slice instance in the data management function network element before moving.
  • the network slice selection function network element receives the type of the first network slice and the information of the first network slice instance from the first access and mobility management function network element.
  • the network slice selection function network element selects an appropriate access and mobility management function by determining whether the area where the user equipment is located exists to support the type of the first network slice and the access and mobility management function network element of the first network slice instance.
  • the network element serves the user equipment.
  • the network slice-based communication device further includes a sending module 1103.
  • the sending module 1103 is configured to send the second access and mobility management function network element to the first access and mobility management function network element. Identification information.
  • the sending module 1103 is configured to send the second network slice to the first access and mobility management function network element. Identification information of the network slice instance.
  • the receiving module 1101, the processing module 1102, and the sending module 1103 in the network slice-based communication device may further implement other operations or functions of the network slice selection function network element in the foregoing method, and details are not described herein again.
  • the network slice-based communication apparatus shown in FIG. 11A is further configured to perform the operations of the third access and mobility management function network element (eg, the third AMF network element) in FIG. 6 above. And the operations of the first access and mobility management function network element (e.g., the first AMF network element) in Figures 8 and 10.
  • the third access and mobility management function network element e.g., the third AMF network element
  • the first access and mobility management function network element e.g., the first AMF network element
  • the receiving module 1101 is configured to acquire first information and second information.
  • the first information is used to indicate the type of the first network slice
  • the second information is used to identify the first network slice instance in the first network slice, where the first access and mobility management function network element supports the first network slice. Type and first network slice instance.
  • the sending module 1103 is configured to send the first information and the second information to the user equipment or the data management function network element.
  • the first information and the second information are used for determining the second access and mobility management function network element, wherein the second access and mobility management function network element supports the type of the first network slice and the network slice instance, first
  • the information and the second information are also used for the determination of the network slice instance serving the user equipment in the first network slice.
  • the user equipment or the core network can learn the network slice instance that provides the service for the user equipment.
  • the core network can ensure that the session established by the user equipment before the mobile is not interrupted by selecting the same network sharding instance that is previously served for the user equipment, thereby improving the user experience.
  • the sending module 1103 sends the first information and the second information to the user equipment or the data management function network element, where the sending module 1103 sends a registration accept message to the user equipment, where the registration accept message includes the first information and the first Second, the sending module 1103 sends a session establishment accept message to the user equipment, where the session establishment accept message includes the first information and the second information.
  • receiving module 1101 and the sending module 1103 in the network slice-based communication device may further implement other operations or functions of the access and mobility management function network element in the foregoing method, and details are not described herein again.
  • the network slice based communication device shown in FIG. 11A can also be used to perform the operations of the network slice selection function network element (eg, NSSF network element) in FIG. 4 above.
  • the network slice selection function network element eg, NSSF network element
  • the receiving module 1101 is configured to receive first information and indication information from the access and mobility management function network element.
  • the first information is used to indicate the type of the network slice
  • the indication information is used to request to determine a network slice instance serving the user equipment in the network slice
  • the access and mobility management function network element supports the type of the network slice and the network slice instance.
  • the sending module 1103 is configured to send second information to the access and mobility management function network element, where the second information is used to identify a network slice instance in the network slice.
  • the core network when there is no access and mobility management function network element supporting the first network slice type and the first network slice instance in the network, the core network may be selected.
  • the network slice instance supported by the ingress and mobility management function network element serves as a user equipment.
  • receiving module 1101 and the sending module 1103 in the network slice-based communication device may further implement other operations or functions of the network slice selection function network element in the foregoing method, and details are not described herein again.
  • FIG. 11B is a schematic diagram showing another possible structure of the network slice-based communication device/user equipment involved in the above embodiment.
  • the network slice based communication device/user equipment includes a transceiver 1104 and a processor 1105, as shown in Figure 11B.
  • the processor 1105 can be a general purpose microprocessor, a data processing circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) circuit.
  • the network slice based communication device/user device may also include a memory 1106, for example, the memory is a random access memory (RAM).
  • the memory is for coupling with a processor 1105 that holds a computer program 11061 necessary for the network slice based communication device/user device.
  • the network slice-based communication method involved in the foregoing embodiment further provides a carrier 1107 in which the computer program 11071 of the network slice-based communication device/user equipment is stored, and the computer program 11071 can be loaded. Go to processor 1105.
  • the carrier may be an optical signal, an electrical signal, an electromagnetic signal, or a computer readable storage medium (eg, a hard disk).
  • the computer program 11061 or 11071 described above is run on a computer (e.g., the processor 1105), the computer can be caused to perform the method described above.
  • processor 1105 is configured as other operations or functions of a wireless access network device.
  • the transceiver 1104 is configured to implement communication between the network slice based communication device and the user equipment/access and mobility management function network element.
  • the processor 1105 is configured to access and other operations or functions of the mobility management function network element.
  • the transceiver 1104 is configured to implement communication between the network slice based communication device and the radio access network device/network slice selection function network element/user equipment.
  • the processor 1105 is configured as other operations or functions of the user equipment.
  • the transceiver 1104 is configured to implement communication between the user equipment and the radio access network device/second access and mobility management function network element/third access and mobility management function network element/interworking network element.
  • the processor 1105 is configured as other operations or functions of the first access and mobility management function network element.
  • the transceiver 1104 is configured to implement communication between the network slice based communication device and the data management function network element/network slice selection function network element.
  • the processor 1105 is configured as other operations or functions of the data management function network element.
  • the transceiver 1104 is configured to implement communication between the network slice-based communication device and the first access and mobility management function network element/second access and mobility management function network element.
  • the processor 1105 is configured as other operations or functions of the network slice selection function network element.
  • the transceiver 1104 is configured to implement communication between the network slice based communication device and the first access and mobility management function network element.
  • the controller/processor for performing the above wireless access network device of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a field programmable gate array. (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. It is possible to implement or carry out the various illustrative logical blocks, modules and circuits described in connection with the present disclosure.
  • the processor may also be a combination of computing functions, for example, including one or more microprocessor combinations, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, and the like.
  • the steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the present disclosure may be implemented in a hardware or may be implemented by a processor executing software instructions.
  • the software instructions may be comprised of corresponding software modules that may be stored in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, removable hard disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage well known in the art.
  • An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor to enable the processor to read information from, and write information to, the storage medium.
  • the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor.
  • the processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC can be located in a wireless access network device.
  • the processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the radio access network device.
  • the above embodiments it may be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof.
  • software it may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product.
  • the computer program product includes one or more computer instructions.
  • the computer program instructions When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in accordance with embodiments of the present invention are generated in whole or in part.
  • the computer can be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device.
  • the computer instructions can be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transferred from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions can be from a website site, computer, server or data center Transfer to another website site, computer, server, or data center by wire (eg, coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless (eg, infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.).
  • the computer readable storage medium can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, or the like that includes one or more available media.
  • the usable medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (such as a solid state disk (SSD)).

Abstract

本申请涉及无线通信技术领域，提供了一种基于网络切片的通信方法，包括：无线接入网设备从用户设备接收注册请求，其中，注册请求包括第一信息和第二信息，第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，第二信息用于标识第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例。无线接入网设备根据第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例确定接入及移动性管理功能网元。无线接入网设备向接入及移动性管理功能网元发送注册请求，第一信息和第二信息用于网络切片实例的确定。通过本实施例提供的方案，用户设备在移动之后可以选择并使用与移动前相同的网络切片实例，进而保持移动前的会话不中断，从而提高了用户体验。

Description

一种基于网络切片的通信方法及装置
本申请要求于2018年3月14日提交中国国家知识产权局、申请号为201810207671.3、申请名称为“一种基于网络切片的通信方法及装置”的中国专利申请的优先权，其全部内容通过引用结合在本申请中。
技术领域
本发明涉及通信技术领域，特别涉及一种基于网络切片的通信方法及装置。
背景技术
第五代(the 5th-Generation，5G)通信时代将有数以千亿计的物联网设备接入网络，不同类型的应用场景对网络的需求是差异化的。网络切片技术通过在同一网络基础设施上虚拟独立逻辑网络的方式，为不同的应用场景提供相互隔离的网络环境，使得不同应用场景可以按照各自的需求定制网络功能和特性，从而保障不同业务的需求。
由于用户设备对速率、容量、覆盖率、延迟、可靠性、安全性和带宽的需求不同，所以需要的网络切片类型也不同。不同的网络切片类型可以通过网络切片标识信息进行标识，例如，网络切片标识信息为单网络切片选择辅助信息(Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information，S-NSSAI)。
针对不同的业务需求，运营商可以通过在网络切片上部署不同的网络切片实例(Network Slice Instance,NSI)来为用户设备提供不同的服务。例如：核心网中网络切片标识信息为S-NSSAI-1的网络切片部署了两个网络切片实例：NSI-1，NSI-2。接入到NSI-1的用户可以免费使用S-NSSAI-1所标识的网络切片的服务，但是接入到NSI-2的用户需要付费使用S-NSSAI-1所标识的网络切片的服务。以此，运营商可以针对不同的网络切片实例实现一些功能优化或者计费差异。
目前，当用户设备需要接入到某个网络切片时，用户设备向核心网提供用户设备所需要的网络切片的标识信息，核心网根据该标识信息确定满足网络切片类型的网络切片，并选择该网络切片上部署的某个网络切片实例为用户设备服务。在用户设备发生移动之后，需要接入新的网络切片实例。根据现有技术中的方案，用户设备根据网络切片标识信息选择的网络切片实例仅仅满足用户设备所需要的网络切片类型，移动之后的网络切片实例与移动之前的网络切片实例可能会不同，导致用户在移动之前的会话无法保持，从而降低了用户体验。
例如，用户设备发生移动前和移动后选择网络切片实例的场景如图1所示：用户设备在移动之前位于无线接入网(Radio Access Network，RAN)RAN-1覆盖范围内，核心网中网络切片标识信息为S-NSSAI-1的网络切片部署了两个网络切片实例：NSI-1和NSI-2。用户设备接入网络切片实例NSI-1，并通过NSI-1中的网元建立会话。当用户设备移动到无线接入网RAN-2的覆盖区域内时，核心网中网络切片标识信息为S-NSSAI-1的网络切片部署了NSI-1和NSI-3两个网络切片实例。核心网根据用户设备提供的网络切片标识信息确定网络切片标识信息为S-NSSAI-1的网络切片，然后选择了网络切片实例NSI-3为用户设备服务。由于网络切片实例NSI-3中提供会话服务的网元与NSI-1中的不同，所以会造成移动之前的会话无法继续保持。
发明内容
本发明实施例提供了一种基于网络切片的通信方法及装置。
一方面，本申请的实施例提供了一种基于网络切片的通信方法，该方法包括：
无线接入网设备(例如，RAN设备)从用户设备接收注册请求。其中，注册请求包括第一信息和第二信息，第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型(例如，第一S-NSSAI)，第二信息用于标识第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例(例如，第一NSI)。无线接入网设备根据第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例确定接入及移动性管理功能网元(例如，AMF网元)。无线接入网设备向接入及移动性管理功能网元发送注册请求，第一信息和第二信息用于网络切片实例的确定。
根据上述方法，无线网络设备能够选择支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的接入及移动性管理功能网元为用户设备服务。上述接入及移动性管理功能网元进而根据用户设备的需求确定能够为用户设备服务的网络切片实例。当用户设备发生移动时，用户设备可以获知在移动之前为用户设备提供服务的网络切片实例，在移动之后用户设备通过向核心网请求相同的网络切片实例，可以保证用户设备在移动之前建立的会话不被中断，从而提高了用户体验。
在一种可能的设计中，该方法还包括：无线接入网设备从接入及移动性管理功能网元接收能力信息，能力信息用于指示接入及移动性管理功能网元支持的网络切片的类型和网络切片实例。无线接入网设备根据第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例确定接入及移动性管理功能网元，包括：无线接入网设备根据第一网络切片的类型、第一网络切片实例和能力信息，确定接入及移动性管理功能网元。由此，无线接入网设备能够获取接入及移动性管理功能网元支持的网络切片的类型和网络切片实例，然后根据用户设备请求的第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例，选择接入及移动性管理功能网元为用户设备服务。
在一种可能的设计中，确定的接入及移动性管理功能网元支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例。由此，假设用户设备在移动之前接入的是第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例，用户设备在移动之后，无线接入网设备能够选择支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的接入及移动性管理功能网元为用户服务。
又一方面，本申请还公开了一种基于网络切片的通信方法，该方法包括：
接入及移动性管理功能网元从无线接入网设备接收注册请求。其中，注册请求包括第一信息和第二信息，第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，第二信息用于标识第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例。接入及移动性管理功能网元根据第一信息和第二信息确定第一网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例。
根据上述方法，接入及移动性管理功能网元可以根据用户设备的需求确定能够为用户设备服务的网络切片实例。当用户设备发生移动时，用户设备可以获知在移动之前为用户设备提供服务的网络切片实例，在移动之后用户设备通过向核心网请求相同的网络切片实例，可以保证用户设备在移动之前建立的会话不被中断，从而提高了用户体验。
在一种可能的设计中，该方法还包括：接入及移动性管理功能网元向无线接入网设备发送能力信息。其中，能力信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片中接入及移动性管理功能网元支持的网络切片实例，能力信息用于接入及移动性管理功能网元的确定。由此，无线接入网设备能够获取接入及移动性管理功能网元支持的网络切片的类型和网络切片实例，然后根据用户设备请求的第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例，选择接入及移动性 管理功能网元为用户设备服务。
在一种可能的设计中，第一网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例为第一网络切片实例。由此，用户设备在移动之后通过向核心网请求与用户设备移动之前接入的相同的网络切片实例，可以保证用户设备在移动之前建立的会话不被中断，从而提高了用户体验。
在一种可能的设计中，接入及移动性管理功能网元根据第一信息和第二信息确定第一网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例，包括：当接入及移动性管理功能网元不支持第二信息标识的第一网络切片实例时，接入及移动性管理功能网元向网络切片选择功能网元发送第一信息和指示信息，其中，指示信息用于请求确定第一网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例；接入及移动性管理功能网元从网络切片选择功能网元接收第一网络切片中接入及移动性管理功能网元支持的第二网络切片实例的标识信息。由此，当为用户设备服务的接入及移动性管理功能网元不支持用户设备请求的网络切片实例时，核心网可以选择接入及移动性管理功能网元支持的网络切片实例为用户设备服务。
在一种可能的设计中，该方法还包括：接入及移动性管理功能网元向用户设备发送第二网络切片实例的标识信息。由此，当为用户设备服务的接入及移动性管理功能网元不支持用户设备请求的网络切片实例时，核心网将选择的为用户设备服务的网络切片实例信息发送给用户设备，使用户设备在下次移动后请求核心网选择相同的网络切片实例为用户设备服务。以此，可以保证用户设备当前建立的会话在下次移动之后不被中断，从而提高了用户体验。
又一方面，本申请还公开了一种基于网络切片的通信方法，该方法包括：
用户设备获取第一信息和第二信息。其中，第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，第二信息用于标识第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例。用户设备向无线接入网设备发送注册请求，其中，注册请求包括第一信息和第二信息，第一信息和第二信息用于第一接入及移动性管理功能网元的确定，第一信息和第二信息还用于第一网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例的确定。
根据上述方法，用户设备能够获取用户设备移动之前所接入的网络切片实例的信息。当用户设备移动之后，用户设备可以通过向核心网请求相同的网络切片实例为用户设备服务，从而保证用户设备在移动之前建立的会话不被中断，提高了用户体验。
在一种可能的设计中，用户设备获取第一信息和第二信息，包括：用户设备从第二接入及移动性管理功能网元接收注册接受消息，注册接受消息包括第一信息和第二信息，其中，第二接入及移动性管理功能网元支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例；或者，用户设备从第三接入及移动性管理功能网元接收会话建立接受消息，会话建立接受消息包括第一信息和第二信息，其中，第三接入及移动性管理功能网元支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例；或者，用户设备从互通网元接收第一信息和第二信息，其中，互通网元支持第一网络的会话管理功能和第二网络的会话管理功能。由此，用户设备可以在注册流程或者会话建立流程中获取会话关联的S-NSSAI对应的网络切片实例信息，当用户设备移动之后，用户设备可以通过向核心网请求相同的网络切片实例为用户设备服务，从而保证用户设备在移动之前建立的会话不被中断，提高了用户体验。此外，当用户设备支持4G和5G互通时，用户设备在4G网络中建立PDN连接后能够获取会话关联的S-NSSAI对应的网络切片实例信息。当用户设备使用5G网络时，用户设备可以通过向核心网请求与当前会话关联的网络切片实例为用户设备服务，从而保证用户设备从4G网络切换到5G网络时建立的会话不被中断，提高了用户体验。
又一方面，本申请还公开了一种基于网络切片的通信方法，该方法包括：
第一接入及移动性管理功能网元收到注册请求后，从数据管理功能网元接收第一信息和第二信息，其中，第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，第二信息用于标识第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例。当第一接入及移动性管理功能网元不支持第二信息标识的第一网络切片实例时，第一接入及移动性管理功能网元向网络切片选择功能网元发送第一信息、第二信息和指示信息，指示信息用于请求支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的第二接入及移动性管理功能网元的确定。
根据上述方法，假设用户设备在移动之前接入的是第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例，用户设备将第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的信息保存在数据管理功能网元中。当用户设备发生移动之后，第一接入及移动性管理功能网元向网络切片选择功能网元请求选择支持第一网络切片类型和第一网络切片实例的第二接入及移动性管理功能网元为用户设备服务。进而，第二接入及移动性管理功能网元能够确定为用户设备服务的网络切片实例，以此保证用户设备在移动之前建立的会话不被中断，从而提高了用户体验。
在一种可能的设计中，该方法还包括：第一接入及移动性管理功能网元从网络切片选择功能网元接收第二接入及移动性管理功能网元的标识信息。由此，当网络中存在支持第一网络切片类型和第一网络切片实例的接入及移动性管理功能网元时，第一接入及移动性管理功能网元能够获取上述接入及移动性管理功能网元标识，进而使第二接入及移动性管理功能网元为用户服务。
在一种可能的设计中，该方法还包括：第一接入及移动性管理功能网元从网络切片选择功能网元接收第一网络切片中第二网络切片实例的标识信息；第一接入及移动性管理功能网元向数据管理功能网元发送第二网络切片实例的标识信息。由此，当网络中不存在支持第一网络切片类型和第一网络切片实例的接入及移动性管理功能网元时，核心网可以选择支持第一网络切片类型的第二接入及移动性管理功能网元为用户设备服务，并请求网络切片选择功能网元确定第二接入及移动性管理功能网元支持的网络切片实例为用户设备服务。并且数据管理功能网元会保存所选择的为用户设备服务的网络切片实例信息，使用户设备在下次移动后，核心网能够选择相同的网络切片实例为用户设备服务。以此，可以保证用户设备当前建立的会话在下次移动之后不被中断，从而提高了用户体验。
又一方面，本申请还公开了一种基于网络切片的通信方法，该方法包括：
数据管理功能网元从第一接入及移动性管理功能网元获取第一信息和第二信息，第一信息用于指示网络切片的类型，第二信息用于标识网络切片中的网络切片实例，其中，第一接入及移动性管理功能网元支持网络切片的类型和网络切片实例。数据管理功能网元向第二接入及移动性管理功能网元发送第一信息和第二信息，第一信息和第二信息用于第三接入及移动性管理功能网元的确定，第三接入及移动性管理功能网元支持网络切片的类型和网络切片实例。
根据上述方法，用户设备在移动之前，数据管理功能网元中保存有为用户设备服务的网络切片实例，当用户设备发生移动之后，核心网能够选择满足和移动之前相同的网络切片实例为用户设备服务，以此保证用户设备在移动之前建立的会话不被中断，从而提高了用户体验。此外，由数据管理功能网元保存移动之前的网络切片实例信息，可以使用户设备和RAN设备不感知网络切片实例的信息，从而可以节省用户设备的存储空间。
又一方面，本申请还公开了一种基于网络切片的通信方法，该方法包括：
网络切片选择功能网元从第一接入及移动性管理功能网元接收第一信息、第二信息和指示信息，第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，第二信息用于标识第一网络切片中的第一 网络切片实例，指示信息用于请求支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的第二接入及移动性管理功能网元的确定。网络切片选择功能网元判断用户设备所在的区域是否存在第二接入及移动性管理功能网元。
根据上述方法，用户设备在移动之前将为用户设备服务的第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的信息保存在数据管理功能网元中。当用户设备发生移动之后，网络切片选择功能网元从第一接入及移动性管理功能网元接收上述第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的信息。网络切片选择功能网元通过判断用户设备所在的区域是否存在支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的接入及移动性管理功能网元，从而选择合适的接入及移动性管理功能网元为用户设备服务。
在一种可能的设计中，该方法还包括：当用户设备所在的区域存在第二接入及移动性管理功能网元，网络切片选择功能网元向第一接入及移动性管理功能网元发送第二接入及移动性管理功能网元的标识信息。由此，当网络中存在支持第一网络切片类型和第一网络切片实例的接入及移动性管理功能网元时，第一接入及移动性管理功能网元能够获取上述接入及移动性管理功能网元标识，进而请求第二接入及移动性管理功能网元为用户服务。
在一种可能的设计中，该方法还包括：当用户设备所在的区域不存在第二接入及移动性管理功能网元，网络切片选择功能网元向第一接入及移动性管理功能网元发送第一网络切片中第二网络切片实例的标识信息。由此，当网络中不存在支持第一网络切片类型和第一网络切片实例的接入及移动性管理功能网元时，核心网可以选择支持第一网络切片类型的第二接入及移动性管理功能网元为用户设备服务，并请求网络切片选择功能网元确定第二接入及移动性管理功能网元支持的网络切片实例为用户设备服务。
又一方面，本申请还公开了一种基于网络切片的通信方法，该方法包括：
第一接入及移动性管理功能网元获取第一信息和第二信息，第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，第二信息用于标识第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例，其中，第一接入及移动性管理功能网元支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例。第一接入及移动性管理功能网元向用户设备或者数据管理功能网元发送第一信息和第二信息，第一信息和第二信息用于第二接入及移动性管理功能网元的确定，其中，第二接入及移动性管理功能网元支持第一网络切片的类型和网络切片实例，第一信息和第二信息还用于第一网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例的确定。
根据上述方法，当用户设备发生移动之前，用户设备或者核心网可以获知为用户设备提供服务的网络切片实例。在用户设备移动之后，核心网通过选择与移动之前为用户设备服务的相同的网络切片实例，可以保证用户设备在移动之前建立的会话不被中断，从而提高了用户体验。
在一种可能的设计中，第一接入及移动性管理功能网元向用户设备或者数据管理功能网元发送第一信息和所述第二信息，包括：第一接入及移动性管理功能网元向用户设备发送注册接受消息，注册接受消息包括第一信息和第二信息。或者，第一接入及移动性管理功能网元向用户设备发送会话建立接受消息，会话建立接受消息包括第一信息和第二信息。由此，用户设备可以在注册过程或者会话建立过程中获取移动之前为用户设备服务的网络切片的类型以及对应的网络切片实例。
又一方面，本申请还公开了一种基于网络切片的通信方法，该方法包括：
网络切片选择功能网元从接入及移动性管理功能网元接收第一信息和指示信息，第一信息用于指示网络切片的类型，指示信息用于请求确定网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片 实例，上述接入及移动性管理功能网元支持网络切片的类型和网络切片实例。网络切片选择功能网元向接入及移动性管理功能网元发送第二信息，第二信息用于标识网络切片中的网络切片实例。
根据上述方法，当网络中不存在支持第一网络切片类型和第一网络切片实例的接入及移动性管理功能网元时，核心网可以选择接入及移动性管理功能网元支持的网络切片实例为用户设备服务。
又一方面，本申请实施例提供了一种基于网络切片的通信装置，该基于网络切片的通信装置具有实现上述方法中无线接入网设备行为的功能。所述功能可以通过硬件实现，也可以通过硬件执行相应的软件实现。所述硬件或软件包括一个或多个与上述功能相对应的模块。在一个可能的设计中，上述基于网络切片的通信装置的结构中包括处理器和收发器，所述处理器被配置为处理该基于网络切片的通信装置执行上述方法中相应的功能。所述收发器用于实现上述基于网络切片的通信装置与用户设备/接入及移动性管理功能网元之间的通信。所述基于网络切片的通信装置还可以包括存储器，所述存储器用于与处理器耦合，其保存该基于网络切片的通信装置必要的程序指令和数据。
又一方面，本申请实施例提供了一种基于网络切片的通信装置，该基于网络切片的通信装置具有实现上述方法中接入及移动性管理功能网元行为的功能。所述功能可以通过硬件实现，也可以通过硬件执行相应的软件实现。所述硬件或软件包括一个或多个与上述功能相对应的模块。在一个可能的设计中，上述基于网络切片的通信装置的结构中包括处理器和收发器，所述处理器被配置为处理该基于网络切片的通信装置执行上述方法中相应的功能。所述收发器用于实现上述基于网络切片的通信装置与无线接入网设备/网络切片选择功能网元/用户设备之间的通信。所述基于网络切片的通信装置还可以包括存储器，所述存储器用于与处理器耦合，其保存该基于网络切片的通信装置必要的程序指令和数据。
又一方面，本申请实施例提供了一种用户设备，该用户设备具有实现上述方法中用户设备行为的功能。所述功能可以通过硬件实现，也可以通过硬件执行相应的软件实现。所述硬件或软件包括一个或多个与上述功能相对应的模块。在一个可能的设计中，用户设备的结构中包括收发器，所述收发器用于实现用户设备与无线接入网设备/第二接入及移动性管理功能网元/第三接入及移动性管理功能网元/互通网元之间的通信。所述用户设备还可以包括存储器，所述存储器用于与处理器耦合，其保存该用户设备必要的程序指令和数据。
又一方面，本申请实施例提供了一种基于网络切片的通信装置，该基于网络切片的通信装置具有实现上述方法中第一接入及移动性管理功能网元行为的功能。所述功能可以通过硬件实现，也可以通过硬件执行相应的软件实现。所述硬件或软件包括一个或多个与上述功能相对应的模块。在一个可能的设计中，上述基于网络切片的通信装置的结构中包括收发器，所述收发器用于实现上述基于网络切片的通信装置与数据管理功能网元/网络切片选择功能网元之间的通信。所述基于网络切片的通信装置还可以包括存储器，所述存储器用于与处理器耦合，其保存该基于网络切片的通信装置必要的程序指令和数据。
又一方面，本申请实施例提供了一种基于网络切片的通信装置，该基于网络切片的通信装置具有实现上述方法中数据管理功能网元行为的功能。所述功能可以通过硬件实现，也可以通过硬件执行相应的软件实现。所述硬件或软件包括一个或多个与上述功能相对应的模块。在一个可能的设计中，上述基于网络切片的通信装置的结构中包括收发器，所述收发器用于实现上述基于网络切片的通信装置与第一接入及移动性管理功能网元/第二接入及移动性管 理功能网元之间的通信。所述基于网络切片的通信装置还可以包括存储器，所述存储器用于与处理器耦合，其保存该基于网络切片的通信装置必要的程序指令和数据。
又一方面，本申请实施例提供了一种基于网络切片的通信装置，该基于网络切片的通信装置具有实现上述方法中网络切片选择功能网元行为的功能。所述功能可以通过硬件实现，也可以通过硬件执行相应的软件实现。所述硬件或软件包括一个或多个与上述功能相对应的模块。在一个可能的设计中，上述基于网络切片的通信装置的结构中包括处理器和收发器，所述处理器被配置为处理该基于网络切片的通信装置执行上述方法中相应的功能。所述收发器用于实现上述基于网络切片的通信装置与第一接入及移动性管理功能网元之间的通信。所述基于网络切片的通信装置还可以包括存储器，所述存储器用于与处理器耦合，其保存该基于网络切片的通信装置必要的程序指令和数据。
又一方面，本申请实施例提供了一种计算机可读存储介质，所述计算机可读存储介质中存储有指令，当其在计算机上运行时，使得计算机执行上述各方面所述的方法。
又一方面，本申请实施例提供了一种包含指令的计算机程序产品，当其在计算机上运行时，使得计算机执行上述各方面所述的方法。
又一方面，本申请提供了一种芯片系统，该芯片系统包括处理器，用于支持上述基于网络切片的通信装置或用户设备实现上述方面中所涉及的功能，例如，生成或处理上述方法中所涉及的信息。在一种可能的设计中，所述芯片系统还包括存储器，所述存储器，用于保存数据发送设备必要的程序指令和数据。该芯片系统，可以由芯片构成，也可以包含芯片和其他分立器件。
附图说明
为了更清楚地说明本发明实施例中的技术方案，下面将对本发明实施例或背景技术中所需要使用的附图进行说明。
图1为用户设备发生移动前和移动后选择网络切片实例的场景示意图；
图2为根据本申请实施例提供的5G通信系统示意图；
图3为根据本申请实施例提供的一种基于网络切片的通信方法；
图4为根据本申请实施例提供的一种确定为用户设备服务的网络切片实例的方法；
图5为根据本申请实施例提供的一种RAN设备确定AMF网元的方法；
图6为根据本申请实施例提供的一种用户设备从第三AMF网元在会话建立过程中获取第一信息和第二信息的方法；
图7为根据本申请实施例提供的一种用户设备从互通网元接收第一信息和第二信息的方法；
图8为根据本申请实施例提供的又一种基于网络切片的通信方法；
图9为根据本申请实施例中提供的又一种基于网络切片的通信方法；
图10为根据本申请实施例中提供的又一种基于网络切片的通信方法；
图11A、11B为根据本申请实施例中提供的一种基于网络切片的装置/用户设备的结构示意图。
具体实施方式
下面将结合本申请实施例中的附图，对本申请实施例中的技术方案进行清楚地描述。本申请中，“多个”是指两个或两个以上。
图2示出了本申请实施例提供的5G通信系统示意图。在5G移动网络架构中，移动网关的控制面功能和转发面功能解耦，其分离出来的控制面功能与第三代合作伙伴计划(third generation partnership project，3GPP)传统的控制网元移动性管理实体(mobility management entity，MME)等合并成统一的控制面(control plane)。用户面功能(User plane function，UPF)网元能实现服务网关(serving gateway，SGW)和分组数据网络网关(packet data network gateway，PGW)的用户面功能(SGW-U和PGW-U)。进一步的，统一的控制面网元可以分解成接入和移动性管理功能(access and mobility management function，AMF)网元和会话管理功能(session management function，SMF)网元。
如图2所示，该通信系统至少包括用户设备(User Equipment，UE)201、RAN设备202、AMF网元203、网络切片选择功能(Network Slice Selection Function，NSSF)网元205和统一数据管理(Unified Data Management，UDM)网元207。
其中，本系统中所涉及到的用户设备201不受限于5G网络，包括：手机、物联网设备、智能家居设备、工业控制设备、车辆设备等等。所述用户设备也可以称为终端设备(Terminal Equipment)、移动站(Mobile Station)、移动台(Mobile)、远程站(Remote Station)、远程终端(Remote Terminal)、接入终端(Access Terminal)、用户设备(User Terminal)、用户代理(User Agent)，在此不作限定。上述用户设备还可以车与车(Vehicle-to-vehicle，V2V)通信中的汽车、机器类通信中的机器等。
RAN设备202是一种用于为用户设备201提供无线通信功能的装置。RAN设备202可以包括各种形式的基站，例如：宏基站，微基站(也称为小站)，中继站，接入点等。在采用不同的无线接入技术的系统中，具备基站功能的设备的名称可能会有所不同，例如，在LTE系统中，称为演进的节点B(evolved NodeB，eNB或者eNodeB),在第三代(3rd generation，3G)系统中，称为节点B(Node B)等。在新一代系统中，称为gNB(gNodeB)。
本系统中所涉及到的AMF网元203可负责终端设备的注册、移动性管理、跟踪区更新流程等。AMF网元也可称为AMF设备或AMF实体。
本系统中所涉及到的NSSF网元205能为用户设备选择网络切片。所述NSSF网元也可称为NSSF设备或NSSF实体。
本系统中所涉及到的UDM网元207能够存储用户的签约数据。例如，用户的签约数据包括移动性管理相关的签约数据以及会话管理相关的签约数据。所述UDM网元也可称为UDM设备或UDM实体。
可选的，图2所示的5G通信系统中的网络设备还包括SMF网元204。SMF网元204可负责终端设备的会话管理。例如，会话管理包括用户面设备的选择、用户面设备的重选、网络协议(internet protocol，IP)地址分配、服务质量(quality of service，QoS)控制，以及会话的建立、修改或释放等。
可选的，上述5G通信系统中还包括网络功能存储功能(Network Function Repository Function，NRF)网元206。该网元能够提供服务发现功能。可选的，NRF网元206还能够维护核心网中有效的网络功能网元的信息。可选的，NRF网元206还能够维护核心网中有效的网络功能网元支持的服务。
在图2所示的5G通信系统中，用户设备201在注册过程中，会通过RAN设备202选择一个初始的AMF网元(例如，AMF网元203)，初始的AMF网元会向UDM网元207获取用户设备201的签约数据。如果初始的AMF网元根据签约数据确定不能为用户设备201提供服务时， 则初始的AMF网元请求NSSF网元205选择能满足用户需求的另一AMF网元为用户设备201提供服务。用户设备接入网络后，上述另一AMF网元请求NSSF网元205选择合适的NRF网元206，然后AMF网元203通过请求NRF网元206可以获得满足要求的SMF网元204，进而通过SMF网元204进行会话的建立、修改或释放。
上述各网元既可以是在专用硬件上实现的网络元件，也可以是在专用硬件上运行的软件实例，或者是在适当平台上虚拟化功能的实例，例如，上述虚拟化平台可以为云平台。
此外，本申请实施例还可以适用于面向未来的其他通信技术。本申请描述的网络架构以及业务场景是为了更加清楚的说明本申请的技术方案，并不构成对本申请提供的技术方案的限定，本领域普通技术人员可知，随着网络架构的演变和新业务场景的出现，本申请提供的技术方案对于类似的技术问题，同样适用。
下面以图2所示的5G通信系统为例，通过一些实施例对本申请的技术方案进行详细说明。下面这几个实施例可以相互结合，对于相同或相似的概念或过程可能在某些实施例不再赘述。
图3为本申请实施例提供的一种基于网络切片的通信方法。通过该方法，RAN设备可确定能够支持用户设备所需的网络切片的第一AMF网元，并由第一AMF网元根据用户设备的需求确定网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例。如图3所示，该方法可以包括：
S301、用户设备获取第一信息和第二信息。其中，第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，第二信息用于标识第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例。
例如，用户设备为图2中的用户设备201。第一信息可以为第一S-NSSAI。第一S-NSSAI指示的网络切片中的第一网络切片实例为第一NSI。第二信息可以为第一NSI的信息。例如，第一NSI的信息可以为第一NSI的标识符(identifier,ID)。
例如，用户设备获取第一信息和第二信息可以通过以下三种方式中的任一种来实现。
在第一种可能的实现方式中，用户设备可以在注册过程中获取第一信息和第二信息。
例如，用户设备从第二AMF网元接收注册接受消息，从而获取第一信息和第二信息。其中，注册接受消息包括第一信息和第二信息。第二AMF网元支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例。
例如，用户设备移动之前，在网络中注册后通过第二AMF网元接入第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例，并通过第一网络切片实例中的网元建立会话。在此注册的过程中，第二AMF网元可以获得当前网络允许的网络切片选择辅助信息(Network Slice Selection Assistance Information，NSSAI)。其中，NSSAI是S-NSSAI的集合，允许的NSSAI代表用户设备在当前网络中可以使用的网络切片的类型。允许的NSSAI中每个S-NSSAI对应的网络切片中可以部署一个或者多个网络切片实例。例如，允许的NSSAI中每个S-NSSAI对应的网络切片与网络切片实例的对应关系如表1所示。在表1的例子中：允许的NSSAI包括S-NSSAI-1和S-NSSAI-2。其中，S-NSSAI-1对应的网络切片中部署的网络切片实例包括NSI-1和NSI-1*，S-NSSAI-2对应的网络切片中部署的网络切片实例有NSI-2和NSI-2*。
表1
允许的NSSAI中的S-NSSAI 网络切片实例
S-NSSAI-1 NSI-1，NSI-1*
S-NSSAI-2 NSI-2，NSI-2*
在注册过程中，网络可以根据当前不同的网络切片实例之间的负载情况，或者根据用户设备的类型，确定允许的NSSAI中S-NSSAI对应的网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实 例。由此，第二AMF网元可以获取允许的NSSAI中S-NSSAI对应的网络切片实例信息。例如，第二AMF网元获取的允许的NSSAI中S-NSSAI对应的网络切片与为用户设备服务的网络切片实例的对应关系如表2所示。在表2的例子中：允许的NSSAI包括S-NSSAI-1和S-NSSAI-2，第二AMF网元获取的S-NSSAI-1对应的网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例是NSI-1，S-NSSAI-2对应的网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例是NSI-2。
表2
允许的NSSAI中的S-NSSAI 为用户设备服务的网络切片实例
S-NSSAI-1 NSI-1
S-NSSAI-2 NSI-2
第二AMF网元获取的允许的NSSAI中S-NSSAI对应的网络切片与为用户设备服务的网络切片实例的对应关系中，包括了第一网络切片的信息，即第一信息，例如，第一信息为S-NSSAI-1；该对应关系中还包括了第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例的信息，即第二信息，例如，第二信息为NSI-1的信息。
进一步地，第二AMF网元可获取多组允许的NSSAI中S-NSSAI对应的网络切片与为用户设备服务的网络切片实例的对应关系。第一信息中可以包括该多组对应关系中与用户设备移动之前的会话相关联的第一网络切片的类型，相应的，第二信息中可以包括第一网络切片对应的第一网络切片实例。例如，用户设备获取到的多组对应关系包括S-NSSAI-1和NSI-1的对应关系以及S-NSSAI-2和NSI-2的对应关系。第一信息包括表2中的S-NSSAI-1，第二信息包括S-NSSAI-1对应的网络切片实例NSI-1。
进一步可选的，若用户设备移动之前建立了多个会话，那么第一信息可以包括与这多个会话关联的多个第一网络切片的类型。相应的，第二信息中可以包括分别与多个第一网络切片对应的多个第一网络切片实例。例如，用户设备移动之前分别通过两个会话访问S-NSSAI-1和S-NSSAI-2对应的网络切片。第一信息包括表2中的S-NSSAI-1和S-NSSAI-2，第二信息包括S-NSSAI-1对应的网络切片实例NSI-1和S-NSSAI-2对应的网络切片实例NSI-2。
然后第二AMF网元通过注册接受消息将上述对应关系发送给用户设备，从而使用户设备获取到第一信息和第二信息。例如，用户设备在移动之前通过S-NSSAI-1对应的第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例NSI-1建立了会话。在移动之后，用户设备请求与移动之前的会话相关联的第一网络切片继续为用户设备服务，此时用户设备通过表2所示的对应关系，可以获知S-NSSAI-1对应网络切片中的网络切片实例为NSI-1，所以用户设备请求在新的网络中接入S-NSSAI-1对应的第一网络切片中的NSI-1并建立会话。
在第二种可能的实现方式中，用户设备可以在会话建立过程中获取第一信息和第二信息。
例如，在会话建立过程中，用户设备从第三AMF网元接收会话建立接受消息。其中，会话建立接受消息包括第一信息和第二信息。第三AMF网元支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例。用户设备从第三AMF网元通过会话建立接受消息获取第一信息和第二信息的过程可以结合图6进一步描述。
在第三种可能的实现方式中，用户设备从互通网元接收第一信息和第二信息。其中，互通网元支持第一网络的会话管理功能和第二网络的会话管理功能。例如，互通网元既支持第四代(the 4th-Generation，4G)通信中PGW网元的控制面功能，可以与MME网元互相通信；又支持5G中SMF网元的功能，可以与AMF网元互相通信。用户设备从互通网元接收第一信息和第二信息的过程可以结合图7进一步描述。
S302、用户设备向RAN设备发送注册请求。相应的，RAN设备从用户设备接收注册请求。 其中，注册请求包括第一信息和第二信息，第一信息和第二信息用于第一AMF网元的确定，第一信息和第二信息还用于第一网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例的确定。
例如，RAN设备为图2中的RAN设备202。
S303、RAN设备根据第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例确定第一AMF网元。
例如，第一AMF网元为图2中的AMF网元203。例如，RAN设备在步骤S302中获取了用户设备请求的第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例，RAN设备根据第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例确定第一AMF网元。例如，如果RAN设备判断第一AMF网元支持的网络切片的类型包括第一网络切片的类型，且第一AMF网元支持的网络切片实例包括第一网络切片实例，则RAN设备确定第一AMF网元可以为用户设备提供服务。第一AMF确定为用户设备服务的网络切片实例的过程可以通过后续步骤S305进一步描述。如果RAN设备判断第一AMF网元支持的网络切片的类型包括第一网络切片的类型，但是第一AMF网元支持的网络切片实例不包括第一网络切片实例，且网络中不存在同时支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的其他AMF网元，则RAN设备也先确定第一AMF网元为用户设备提供服务。第一AMF网元确定为用户设备服务的网络切片实例的过程可以结合后续步骤S305和图4进一步描述。RAN设备如何确定第一AMF网元的过程将结合图5进一步描述。
S304、RAN设备向第一AMF网元发送上述注册请求。相应的，第一AMF网元从RAN设备接收注册请求。其中，第一信息和第二信息用于网络切片实例的确定。
S305、第一AMF网元根据第一信息和第二信息确定第一网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例。
例如，第一AMF网元在步骤S304中获取了用户设备请求的第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例。如果第一AMF网元支持的网络切片实例包括第一网络切片的类型对应的网络切片中的第一网络切片实例，则第一AMF网元确定第一网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例为第一网络切片实例。如果第一AMF网元支持的网络切片实例不包括第一网络切片实例，则第一AMF网元确定为用户设备服务的网络切片实例的过程可以结合图4进一步描述。
根据本发明实施例的方法，核心网能够选择满足用户设备需求的网络切片实例为用户设备服务。当用户设备发生移动时，用户设备可以获知在移动之前为用户设备提供服务的网络切片实例，在移动之后用户设备通过向核心网请求相同的网络切片实例，可以保证用户设备在移动之前建立的会话不被中断，从而提高了用户体验。
图4为本申请实施例提供的一种确定为用户设备服务的网络切片实例的方法。该方法可用于图3中为用户设备服务的第一AMF网元支持的网络切片实例不包括用户设备请求的第一网络切片实例的场景。如图4所示，该方法可以包括：
S401、第一AMF网元向NSSF网元发送第一信息和指示信息。相应的，NSSF网元从第一AMF网元接收第一信息和指示信息。其中，第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，指示信息用于请求确定第一网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例。
例如，NSSF网元为图2中的NSSF网元205，第一信息可以为第一S-NSSAI。可选的，第一AMF网元还向NSSF网元发送用户设备当前的位置信息，用于NSSF网元获知用户设备在当前位置可以使用的第一网络切片中的网络切片实例。例如，用户设备当前的位置信息可以为跟踪区域标识(Tracking Area Identity,TAI)。
S402、NSSF网元向第一AMF网元发送第二网络切片实例的标识信息。相应的，第一AMF网元从NSSF网元接收第二网络切片实例的标识信息。其中，第二网络切片实例的标识信息用 于标识第二网络切片实例。第二网络切片实例为NSSF网元确定为用户设备服务的网络切片实例，第二网络切片实例为用户设备在当前位置可以使用的第一网络切片中的网络切片实例。
例如，第二网络切片实例的标识信息可以为第二NSI的ID。其中，第二NSI为第一S-NSSAI对应的网络切片中的网络切片实例。
S403、第一AMF网元向用户设备发送第二网络切片实例的标识信息。相应的，用户设备从第一AMF网元接收第二网络切片实例的标识信息。
例如，用户设备为图2中的用户设备201。
根据本发明实施例的方法，当为用户设备服务的AMF网元不支持用户设备请求的网络切片实例时，核心网可以选择AMF网元支持的网络切片实例为用户设备服务。并且核心网将选择的为用户设备服务的网络切片实例信息发送给用户设备，使用户设备在下次移动后请求核心网选择相同的网络切片实例为用户设备服务。以此，可以保证用户设备当前建立的会话在下次移动之后不被中断，从而提高了用户体验。
图5为本申请实施例提供的一种RAN设备确定AMF网元的方法。根据该方法，RAN设备可以根据用户设备请求的网络切片的类型和网络切片实例选择为用户设备服务的AMF网元。如图5所示，该方法可以包括：
S501、第一AMF网元向RAN设备发送能力信息。相应的，RAN设备从第一AMF网元接收能力信息。其中，能力信息用于指示AMF网元支持的网络切片的类型和网络切片实例。
例如，第一AMF网元为图2中的AMF网元203，RAN设备为图2中的RAN设备202，网络切片的类型可以用S-NSSAI表示，网络切片实例可以用NSI表示。例如，第一AMF网元的能力信息如表3所示。在表3的例子中：第一AMF网元支持的网络切片类型包括S-NSSAI-1和S-NSSAI-2。其中，第一AMF网元支持S-NSSAI-1对应的网络切片中的网络切片实例包括NSI-1和NSI-1*，第一AMF网元支持S-NSSAI-3对应的网络切片中的网络切片实例有NSI-3和NSI-3*。
表3
第一AMF网元支持的网络切片类型 第一AMF网元支持的网络切片实例
S-NSSAI-1 NSI-1，NSI-1*
S-NSSAI-3 NSI-3，NSI-3*
类似的，RAN设备还可从与RAN设备通信的其他AMF网元接收其他AMF网元的能力信息。其他AMF网元的能力信息可具有表3相同的格式，此处不再赘述。由此，RAN设备获得了与RAN设备通信的各个AMF网元的能力信息，以供后续AMF网元的选择。
S502、RAN设备根据第一网络切片的类型、第一网络切片实例和能力信息，确定第一AMF网元。
例如，RAN设备通过上述步骤S501获得了第一AMF网元和其他AMF网元的能力信息。在注册过程中，RAN设备通过图3中的步骤S302获取了用户设备请求的第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例。例如，第一网络切片的类型为S-NSSAI-1，第一网络切片实例为NSI-1，则在步骤S303中，RAN设备根据表3中第一AMF网元的能力信息发现第一AMF网元支持的网络切片的类型包括第一网络切片的类型，且第一AMF网元支持的与第一网络切片的类型对应的网络切片实例包括第一网络切片实例，从而确定第一AMF网元用于为用户设备服务。
若用户设备移动之前建立了多个会话，那么图3中的步骤S302获得的第一信息可以包括与这多个会话关联的多个第一网络切片的类型。相应的，第二信息中可以包括分别与多个第 一网络切片对应的多个第一网络切片实例。例如，第一信息包括表2中的S-NSSAI-1和S-NSSAI-2，第二信息包括S-NSSAI-1对应的网络切片实例NSI-1和S-NSSAI-2对应的网络切片实例NSI-2。那么，步骤S502中，RAN设备根据获取到的各AMF网元的能力信息，可以选择一个同时支持S-NSSAI-1对应的网络切片实例NSI-1和S-NSSAI-2对应的网络切片实例NSI-2的AMF网元作为第一AMF网元。
根据本发明实施例的方法，RAN设备可以获知AMF网元的能力，然后选择支持用户设备请求的网络切片类型和网络切片实例的AMF网元为用户设备服务。此后，AMF网元可以选择用户设备请求网络切片实例为用户设备服务，保证用户设备在移动之前建立的会话不被中断，从而提高了用户体验。
图6为本申请实施例提供的一种用户设备从第三AMF网元在会话建立过程中获取第一信息和第二信息的方法。如图6所示，该方法可以包括：
S601、用户设备向第三AMF网元发送第一信息。相应的，第三AMF网元从用户设备接收第一信息。其中，第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型。
例如，用户设备为图2中的用户设备201。第一信息可以为第一S-NSSAI。
例如，用户设备移动之前，在网络中注册后，通过第三AMF网元接入第一网络切片的类型对应的网络切片中的第一网络切片实例，并通过第一网络切片实例中的网元建立会话。其中，第一S-NSSAI是和该会话关联的S-NSSAI。例如，用户设备可以通过会话建立请求消息向第三AMF网元发送第一信息。
S602、第三AMF网元从NSSF网元获取NRF网元的信息。例如，NSSF网元为图2中的NSSF网元205。
如果第三AMF网元在注册过程中只获取了允许的NSSAI，即获取了第一S-NSSAI，则第三AMF向NSSF网元请求用于选择SMF网元的NRF网元，以及第一S-NSSAI对应的网络切片实例信息。例如，第三AMF网元可以通过调用Nnssf_NSSelection_Get服务，向NSSF网元发送第一S-NSSAI，从而请求获取NRF网元的信息。
NSSF网元接收到第三AMF网元的请求后，向第三AMF网元返回NRF网元的信息。例如，NRF网元为图2中的NRF网元206。例如，NSSF网元可以通过发送Nnssf_NSSelection_Get Response消息，向第三AMF网元返回NRF网元的信息。
S603、第三AMF网元从NRF网元获取SMF网元的信息。
第三AMF网元根据步骤S602中NSSF网元返回的NRF网元的信息,向NRF网元请求获取SMF网元的信息。例如，第三AMF网元可以通过调用Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Resquest服务，向NRF网元发送第一S-NSSAI，从而请求获取SMF网元的信息。第三AMF网元调用Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Resquest服务之后，NRF网元向第三AMF网元返回SMF网元的信息。
在一种可能的实现方式中，上述步骤S602中，第三AMF通过调用Nnssf_NSSelection_Get服务，还可以请求第一网络切片实例信息。由此，第三AMF网元从NSSF网元获取第二信息。其中，第二信息用于标识第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例。例如，第二信息可以为第一NSI的ID，且第一NSI为第一S-NSSAI对应的网络切片中的网络切片实例。例如，NSSF网元可以通过发送Nnssf_NSSelection_Get Response消息，向第三AMF网元返回第二信息。
那么，在上述步骤S603中，第三AMF网元在调用Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Resquest服务时还向NRF网元发送第二信息。由此，NRF网元确定的SMF网元为第二信息指示的第一网络切片实例中的SMF网元。
在另一种可能的实现方式中，上述步骤S603中，第三AMF网元通过调用Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Resquest服务，还可以请求第一网络切片实例信息。如果第三AMF网元在步骤S602中没有获取到第二信息，则在调用Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Resquest服务时，不携带第二信息，那么NRF网元会将第二信息以及第二信息指示的第一网络切片实例中的SMF网元返回至第三AMF网元，以此第三AMF网元获取了第二信息。
S604、第三AMF网元向SMF网元发送会话建立请求。相应的，SMF网元从第三AMF网元接收会话建立请求。
例如，SMF网元为图2中的SMF网元204。第三AMF网元可以通过调用Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request服务，向SMF网元发送第一S-NSSAI，并请求建立会话。
以上步骤S604为可选步骤，第三AMF网元也可通过其他方式请求建立会话，本发明并不在此限制。
S605、SMF网元向UDM网元请求注册会话。
例如，UDM网元为图2中的UDM网元207。通过向UDM网元请求注册会话，UDM网元可以存储SMF网元的地址和会话的ID；SMF网元可以获取用户设备与会话相关的签约数据，并向UDM网元订阅用户设备更新后的签约数据。
以上步骤S605为可选步骤，SMF网元也可通过其他方式获取用户设备的签约数据，本发明并不在此限制。
S606、SMF网元向第三AMF网元发送会话建立响应。相应的，第三AMF网元从SMF网元接收会话建立响应。
例如，SMF网元在调用Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request服务之后，通过发送Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext response消息，向第三AMF网元返回会话建立响应。
以上步骤S606为可选步骤，SMF网元也可通过其他方式返回会话建立响应，本发明并不在此限制。
S607、第三AMF网元向用户设备发送第一信息和第二信息。相应的，用户设备从第三AMF网元接收第一信息和第二信息。
需要说明的是，与用户设备从第二AMF网元接收注册接受消息从而获取第一信息和第二信息不同，图6所示的实施例中第三AMF网元获得的第一信息和第二信息为与用户设备当前会话相关的网络切片的类型以及网络切片实例。如果用户设备在移动之前发起了多个会话的建立流程，则第三AMF可以执行多次图6的流程，来分别获取与每个会话关联的每一个网络切片对应的网络切片实例信息，并分别发送给用户设备。例如，用户设备接收的多个会话中每个S-NSSAI对应的网络切片与网络切片实例的对应关系如表4所示。在表4的例子中：用户设备发起了2个会话建立流程：会话-1和会话-2。其中，会话-1使用的网络切片的类型为S-NSSAI-1，S-NSSAI-1对应的网络切片中的网络切片实例为NSI-1；会话-2使用的网络切片的类型为S-NSSAI-2，S-NSSAI-2对应的网络切片中的网络切片实例为NSI-2。
表4
用户设备的会话 网络切片类型 网络切片实例
会话-1 S-NSSAI-1 NSI-1
会话-2 S-NSSAI-2 NSI-2
根据本发明实施例的方法，当用户设备在注册流程中只获取了允许的NSSAI，用户设备能够在会话建立流程中获取会话关联的S-NSSAI对应的网络切片实例信息。当用户设备移动 之后，用户设备可以通过向核心网请求与当前会话关联的网络切片实例为用户设备服务，从而保证用户设备在移动之前建立的会话不被中断，提高了用户体验。
图7为本申请实施例提供的一种用户设备从互通网元接收第一信息和第二信息的方法。该方法可用于用户设备支持4G和5G互通的场景。如图7所示，该方法可以包括：
S701、用户设备向MME网元发送连接请求。相应的，MME网元从用户设备接收连接请求。
例如，用户设备为图2中的用户设备201，该用户设备既适用于4G网络也适用于5G网络。上述连接请求可以为分组数据网络(Packet Data Network，PDN)连接请求(PDN Connectivity Request)消息。可选的，用户设备还可以向MME网元发送接入点名称(Access Point Name，APN)和PDU会话标识信息，用于请求建立PDN连接。
S702、MME网元向SGW网元发送会话建立请求。相应的，SGW网元从MME网元接收会话建立请求。
例如，上述会话建立请求可以为创建会话请求(Create Session Request)消息，用于向SGW网元请求建立缺省承载。可选的，会话建立请求消息中还包含：国际移动用户标识符(International Mobile Subscriber Identifier，IMSI)和PDU会话标识信息。
S703、SGW网元向互通网元发送会话建立请求。相应的，互通网元从SGW网元接收会话建立请求。
例如，互通网元既支持4G通信中PGW网元的控制面功能，又支持5G中SMF网元的功能。上述会话建立请求可以为创建会话请求消息。SGW网元在演进分组系统(Evolved Packet System，EPS)承载列表中创建一个新的EPS承载，并向互通网元发送创建会话请求消息。
S704、互通网元向用户面网元发起会话修改请求。其中，会话修改请求中包括会话的网络协议(Internet Protocol，IP)地址。
例如，用户面网元既支持4G通信中PGW网元的用户面功能，又支持5G中UPF网元的功能。
S705、互通网元向SGW网元发送第一信息和第二信息。相应的，SGW网元从互通网元接收第一信息和第二信息。其中，第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，第二信息用于标识第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例。第一网络切片在5G网络中为用户设备服务，此时，互通网元为第一网络切片实例中的SMF网元。
例如，第一信息可以为第一S-NSSAI，第二信息可以为第一NSI的ID。其中，第一NSI为第一S-NSSAI对应的网络切片中的网络切片实例。由于互通网元支持5G中SMF网元的功能，所以互通网元中配置有SMF网元对应的网络切片的类型和对应的网络切片实例。互通网元在4G通信的PDN连接过程中根据上述的配置可以确定在5G网络为用户设备服务的第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例。例如，互通网元可以通过创建会话请求消息向SGW网元发送上述第一信息和第二信息。
S706、SGW网元向MME网元发送第一信息和第二信息。相应的，MME网元从SGW网元接收第一信息和第二信息。
例如，SGW网元可以通过创建会话请求消息向MME网元发送第一信息和第二信息。
S707、MME网元向eNB设备发送第一信息和第二信息。相应的，eNB设备从MME网元接收第一信息和第二信息。
例如，MME网元可以通过PDN连接接受(PDN Connectivity Accept)消息向eNB发送第一信息和第二信息。
S708、eNB设备向用户设备发送第一信息和第二信息。相应的，用户设备从eNB设备接收第一信息和第二信息。
例如，eNB设备可以通过PDN连接接受消息将第一信息和第二信息发送给用户设备。
根据本发明实施例的方法，当用户设备支持4G和5G互通时，用户设备在4G网络中建立PDN连接后能够获取会话关联的S-NSSAI对应的网络切片实例信息。当用户设备使用5G网络时，用户设备可以通过向核心网请求与当前会话关联的网络切片实例为用户设备服务，从而保证用户设备从4G网络切换到5G网络时建立的会话不被中断，提高了用户体验。
图8为本申请实施例提供的又一种基于网络切片的通信方法。该方法可用于核心网根据UDM网元中保存的网络切片的类型和网络切片实例信息确定为用户设备服务的网络切片实例的场景。如图8所示，该方法可以包括：
S801、第一AMF网元向UDM网元发送第一信息和第二信息。相应的，UDM网元从第一AMF网元接收第一信息和第二信息。其中，第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，第二信息用于标识第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例。
例如，第一AMF网元为用户设备在移动之前的网络中的AMF网元，UDM网元为图2中的UDM网元207。第一信息可以为第一S-NSSAI，第二信息可以为第一NSI的ID。其中，第一NSI为第一S-NSSAI对应的网络切片中的网络切片实例。
例如，第一AMF网元向UDM网元发送第一信息和第二信息可以通过以下两种方式中的任一种来实现。
在一种可能的实现方式中，第一AMF网元在注册过程中向UDM网元发送第一信息和第二信息。例如，在注册过程中，第一AMF网元接收到SMF网元返回的会话建立响应消息之后，将允许的NSSAI中S-NSSAI对应的网络切片实例信息发送给UDM网元。UDM网元接收到的允许的NSSAI中S-NSSAI对应的网络切片与为用户设备服务的网络切片实例的对应关系可参考图3中的表2，此处不再赘述。
在另一种可能的实现方式中，第一AMF网元在会话建立流程中向UDM网元发送第一信息和第二信息。其中，第一AMF网元获取第二信息可参考图6中步骤S602或者S603的描述，此处不再赘述。第一AMF网元在获取到第二信息之后，将第一信息和第二信息发送给UDM网元。
S802、UDM网元向第二AMF网元发送第一信息和第二信息。相应的，第二AMF网元从UDM网元接收第一信息和第二信息。
例如，第二AMF网元为用户设备在移动之后的网络中接入的AMF网元。
例如，第二AMF网元接收到用户设备的注册请求后，向UDM网元请求获取用户设备的上下文。UDM网元接收到第二AMF网元获取用户设备的上下文的请求消息之后，向第二AMF网元发送第一信息和第二信息。
S803、当第二AMF网元不支持所述第二信息标识的所述第一网络切片实例时，第二AMF网元向NSSF网元发送第一信息、第二信息和指示信息。相应的，NSSF网元从第二AMF网元接收第一信息、第二信息和指示信息。其中，指示信息用于请求支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的第三AMF网元的确定。
例如，NSSF网元为图2中的NSSF网元205。第二AMF网元接收到第一信息和第二信息后，判断第二AMF网元无法支持第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例，因此请求NSSF网元根据第一信息和第二信息选择支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的第三AMF网元为用户 设备服务。
可选的，第二AMF网元向NSSF网元发送用户设备当前的位置信息，使NSSF网元能够选择出在用户设备的当前位置能够为用户设备服务的第三AMF网元。例如，用户设备当前的位置信息可以用TAI标识。
S804、NSSF网元判断用户设备所在的区域是否存在第三AMF网元。
例如，用户设备为图2中的用户设备201。如果用户设备所在的区域存在能够支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的第三AMF网元，则NSSF网元向第二AMF网元发送第三AMF网元的标识信息，该过程可以结合图9进一步描述。如果用户设备所在的区域不存在能够支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的第三AMF网元，则NSSF确定第二AMF网元支持的第二网络切片实例为用户设备服务，该过程可以结合图10进一步描述。
根据本发明实施例的方法，用户设备移动之前，核心网中保存有为用户设备服务的网络切片实例，当用户设备发生移动之后，核心网能够选择满足和移动之前相同的网络切片实例为用户设备服务，以此保证用户设备在移动之前建立的会话不被中断，从而提高了用户体验。此外，本发明实施例提供的方法与图3所述的实施例提供的方法相比，本实施例中由核心网保存移动之前的网络切片实例信息，而不用用户设备和RAN设备感知网络切片实例的信息，从而可以节省了用户设备的存储空间。
图9为本申请实施例提供的又一种基于网络切片的通信方法。该方法可用于当NSSF网元判断用户设备所在的区域存在支持第一网络切片实例的第三AMF网元时，NSSF网元确定为用户设备服务的第三AMF网元的场景。图9将结合图8进行描述。如图9所示，该方法可以包括：
S901、用户设备向RAN设备发送注册请求。相应的，RAN设备从用户设备接收注册请求。
例如，用户设备为图2中的用户设备201，RAN设备为图2中的RAN设备202。上述注册请求可用于用户设备发生移动后向网络侧请求注册。可选的，上述注册请求中可以包括用户设备请求的NSSAI以及第一AMF网元为用户设备分配的临时标识。其中，第一AMF网元为用户设备在移动之前接入的AMF网元。例如，上述临时标识可以为5G全球唯一临时标识(Globally Unique Temporary Identity，GUTI)。
S902、RAN设备确定第二AMF网元。
例如，当RAN设备根据临时标识无法连接到第一AMF网元时，RAN设备根据请求的NSSAI选择第二AMF网元为用户设备服务。其中，第二AMF网元能够支持用户设备请求的NSSAI所对应的网络切片。
S903、RAN设备向第二AMF网元发送注册请求。相应的，第二AMF网元从RAN设备接收注册请求。
S904、第二AMF网元从UDM网元获取第一信息和第二信息。其中，第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，第二信息用于标识第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例。
例如，UDM网元为图2中的UDM网元207。第一信息可以为第一S-NSSAI，第二信息可以为第一NSI的ID。其中，第一NSI为第一S-NSSAI对应的网络切片中的网络切片实例。例如，第一网络切片实例为在用户设备移动之前，为用户设备服务的网络切片实例。
第二AMF网元根据步骤S903接收到注册请求之后，由于第二AMF网元无法向分配该临时标识的第一AMF网元获取用户设备的上下文，所以第二AMF网元在向UDM网元注册时，从UDM网元获取用户设备的上下文。此外，第二AMF网元还从UDM网元获取了第一信息和第二信息。 例如，UDM网元可以通过图8的步骤S801获取第一信息和第二信息。
S905、第二AMF网元确定不支持第一网络切片实例。
例如，第二AMF网元根据步骤S904获知，用户设备在移动之前使用的是S-NSSAI-1对应的网络切片中的网络切片实例NSI-1，然而第二AMF网元的能力信息中不包括NSI-1，所以第二AMF网元确定不支持NSI-1。
S906、第二AMF网元向NSSF网元发送第一信息、第二信息和指示信息。相应的，NSSF网元从第二AMF网元接收第一信息、第二信息和指示信息。其中，指示信息用于请求支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的第三AMF网元的确定。
步骤S906可参考图8中步骤S803的描述，此处不再赘述。
S907、NSSF网元判断用户设备所在的区域存在第三AMF网元。
例如，NSSF网元根据第一信息和第二信息，判断用户设备所在的区域存在支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的第三AMF网元。
S908、NSSF网元向第二AMF网元发送第三AMF网元的标识信息。相应的，第二AMF网元从NSSF网元接收第三AMF网元的标识信息。
S909、第二AMF网元向RAN设备发送第三AMF网元的标识信息。相应的，RAN设备从第二AMF网元接收第三AMF网元的标识信息。
可选的，在步骤S909执行之后，RAN设备执行步骤S910。
S910、RAN设备向第三AMF网元发送重定向消息。相应的，第三AMF网元从RAN设备接收重定向消息。其中，重定向消息用于请求第三AMF网元为用户设备服务。
根据本发明实施例的方法，当用户设备发生移动之后，核心网能够从UDM网元获取移动之前为用户设备服务的第一网络切片实例的信息，然后选择支持第一网络切片实例的AMF网元为用户设备服务，以此保证用户设备在移动之前建立的会话不被中断，从而提高了用户体验。此外，本发明实施例提供的方法与图3所述的实施例提供的方法相比，本实施例中由核心网中的UDM网元保存移动之前的网络切片实例信息，而不用用户设备和RAN设备感知网络切片实例的信息，从而可以节省了用户设备的存储空间。
图10为本申请实施例提供的又一种基于网络切片的通信方法。该方法可用于当NSSF网元判断用户设备所在的区域不存在支持第一网络切片实例的第三AMF网元时，NSSF网元确定为用户设备服务的网络切片实例的场景。图10将结合图9进行描述。
步骤S1001至S1006可参考图9中步骤S901至S906的描述，此处不再赘述。
在图10的例子中，该方法还可以包括：
S1007、NSSF网元判断用户设备所在的区域不存在第三AMF网元。
例如，NSSF网元根据第一信息和第二信息，判断用户设备所在的区域不存在支持第一网络切片的类型中第一网络切片实例的第三AMF网元。
S1008、NSSF网元向第二AMF网元发送第二网络切片实例的标识信息。相应的，第二AMF网元从NSSF网元接收第二网络切片实例的标识信息。其中，第二网络切片实例为NSSF网元确定的第一网络切片的类型对应的网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例。第二AMF网元支持第二网络切片实例。
例如，第二网络切片实例的标识信息可以为第二NSI的ID。
S1009、第二AMF网元向UDM网元发送第二网络切片实例的标识信息。相应的,UDM网元从第二AMF网元接收第二网络切片实例的标识信息。
可选的，在步骤S1009执行之后，UDM网元执行步骤S1010。
S1010、UDM网元存储第二网络切片实例的标识信息。
例如，在步骤S1009之前，UDM网元中存储的是用户设备在移动之前，为用户设备服务的第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的标识信息。通过步骤S1010，UDM网元中存储的是用户设备在移动之后，为用户设备服务的第一网络切片的类型和第二网络切片实例的标识信息。
S1011、UDM网元向第一AMF网元发送去注册请求。相应的，第一AMF网元从UDM网元接收去注册请求。其中，去注册请求中包括第一网络切片的标识信息和第二网络切片实例的标识信息。
可选的，在S1011执行之后，第一AMF网元执行步骤S1012。
S1012、第一AMF网元释放会话。
例如，第一AMF网元获知用户设备使用第二网络切片实例，判断用户设备在移动之前使用第一网络切片实例建立的会话无法保持，所以释放第一网络切片实例中建立的会话。
根据本发明实施例的方法，当网络中不存在支持用户设备请求的网络切片实例的AMF网元时，核心网可以选择AMF网元支持的网络切片实例为用户设备服务。并且核心网会保存所选择的为用户设备服务的网络切片实例信息，使用户设备在下次移动后，核心网能够选择相同的网络切片实例为用户设备服务。以此，可以保证用户设备当前建立的会话在下次移动之后不被中断，从而提高了用户体验。此外，核心网还可以通知用户设备移动之前所连接的原始AMF网元：用户设备在移动后使用了不同的网络切片实例。从而使原始AMF网元释放会话，减少了原始AMF网元的信令处理负荷。
上述本申请提供的实施例中，分别从各个网元本身、以及从各个网元之间交互的角度对本申请实施例提供的通信方法的各方案进行了介绍。可以理解的是，各个网元和设备，例如上述无线接入网设备、接入及移动性管理功能网元、用户设备、数据管理功能网元和网络切片选择功能网元为了实现上述功能，其包含了执行各个功能相应的硬件结构和/或软件模块。本领域技术人员应该很容易意识到，结合本文中所公开的实施例描述的各示例的单元及算法步骤，本申请能够以硬件或硬件和计算机软件的结合形式来实现。某个功能究竟以硬件还是计算机软件驱动硬件的方式来执行，取决于技术方案的特定应用和设计约束条件。专业技术人员可以对每个特定的应用来使用不同方法来实现所描述的功能，但是这种实现不应认为超出本申请的范围。
例如，当上述网元通过软件模块来实现相应的功能。基于网络切片的通信装置可包括接收模块1101、处理模块1102和发送模块1103，如图11A所示。
在一个实施例中，该基于网络切片的通信装置可用于执行上述图3和图5中无线接入网设备(例如，RAN设备)的操作。例如：
接收模块1101用于从用户设备接收注册请求。其中，注册请求包括第一信息和第二信息，第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型(例如，第一S-NSSAI)，第二信息用于标识第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例(例如，第一NSI ID)。处理模块1102用于根据第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例确定接入及移动性管理功能网元。发送模块1103用于向接入及移动性管理功能网元(例如，AMF网元)发送注册请求。其中，第一信息和第二信息用于网络切片实例的确定。
由此，本发明实施例中基于网络切片的通信装置能够选择支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的接入及移动性管理功能网元为用户设备服务。上述接入及移动性管理功能 网元进而根据用户设备的需求确定能够为用户设备服务的网络切片实例。当用户设备发生移动时，用户设备可以获知在移动之前为用户设备提供服务的网络切片实例，在移动之后用户设备通过向核心网请求相同的网络切片实例，可以保证用户设备在移动之前建立的会话不被中断，从而提高了用户体验。
可选的，接收模块1101还用于从接入及移动性管理功能网元接收能力信息。其中，能力信息用于指示接入及移动性管理功能网元支持的网络切片的类型和网络切片实例。处理模块1102根据第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例确定接入及移动性管理功能网元，包括：处理模块1102根据第一网络切片的类型、第一网络切片实例和能力信息，确定接入及移动性管理功能网元。
可选的，处理模块1102确定的接入及移动性管理功能网元支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例。
此外，基于网络切片的通信装置中的接收模块1101、处理模块1102和发送模块1103还可实现上述方法中无线接入网设备的其他操作或功能，此处不再赘述。
在另一个实施例中，图11A所示的基于网络切片的通信装置还可用于执行上述图3和图4中第一接入及移动性管理功能网元(例如，第一AMF网元)的操作。例如：
接收模块1101用于从无线接入网设备(例如，RAN设备)接收注册请求。其中，注册请求包括第一信息和第二信息，第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，第二信息用于标识所述第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例。处理模块1102用于根据第一信息和第二信息确定第一网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例。
由此，通过本发明实施例中基于网络切片的通信装置，核心网可以根据用户设备的需求确定能够为用户设备服务的网络切片实例。当用户设备发生移动时，用户设备可以获知在移动之前为用户设备提供服务的网络切片实例，在移动之后用户设备通过向核心网请求相同的网络切片实例，可以保证用户设备在移动之前建立的会话不被中断，从而提高了用户体验。
可选的，上述基于网络切片的通信装置还包括发送模块1103，用于向无线接入网设备发送能力信息。其中，能力信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片中该基于网络切片的通信装置支持的网络切片实例。能力信息用于该基于网络切片的通信装置的确定。
可选的，上述第一网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例为第一网络切片实例。
可选的，处理模块1102根据第一信息和第二信息确定第一网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例，包括：当该基于网络切片的通信装置不支持第二信息标识的第一网络切片实例时，发送模块1103向网络切片选择功能网元(例如，NSSF网元)发送第一信息和指示信息。其中，指示信息用于请求确定第一网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例。接收模块1101从网络切片选择功能网元接收第一网络切片中该基于网络切片的通信装置支持的第二网络切片实例的标识信息(例如，第二NSI ID)。
可选的，发送模块1103还用于向用户设备发送第二网络切片实例的标识信息。
此外，基于网络切片的通信装置中的接收模块1101、处理模块1102和发送模块1103还可实现上述方法中接入及移动性管理功能网元的其他操作或功能，此处不再赘述。
在另一个实施例中，图11A所示的装置还可用于执行上述图3、图4、图6和图7中用户设备的操作。例如：
接收模块1101用于获取第一信息和第二信息。其中，第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，第二信息用于标识第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例。发送模块1103，用于向无线接入网设备发送注册请求。其中，注册请求包括第一信息和第二信息，第一信息和第二信息 用于第一接入及移动性管理功能网元的确定，第一信息和第二信息还用于第一网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例的确定。
由此，本发明实施例中的用户设备能够获取用户设备移动之前所接入的网络切片实例的信息。当用户设备移动之后，用户设备可以通过向核心网请求相同的网络切片实例为用户设备服务，从而保证用户设备在移动之前建立的会话不被中断，提高了用户体验。
可选的，接收模块1101获取上述第一信息和第二信息，包括：接收模块1101从第二接入及移动性管理功能网元(例如，第二AMF网元)接收注册接受消息，该注册接受消息包括第一信息和第二信息，其中，上述第二接入及移动性管理功能网元支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例；或者，接收模块1101从第三接入及移动性管理功能网元(例如，第三AMF网元)接收会话建立接受消息，该会话建立接受消息包括第一信息和第二信息，其中，上述第三接入及移动性管理功能网元支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例；或者，接收模块1101从互通网元接收第一信息和第二信息，其中，上述互通网元支持第一网络的会话管理功能和第二网络的会话管理功能。
此外，用户设备中的接收模块1101和发送模块1103还可实现上述方法中用户设备的其他操作或功能，此处不再赘述。
在另一个实施例中，图11A所示的基于网络切片的通信装置还可用于执行上述图8、图9和图10中第二接入及移动性管理功能网元(例如，第二AMF网元)的操作。例如：
接收模块1101用于收到注册请求后，从数据管理功能网元(例如，UDM网元)接收第一信息和第二信息。其中，第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，第二信息用于标识第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例。当该基于网络切片的通信装置不支持第二信息标识的第一网络切片实例时，发送模块1103用于向网络切片选择功能网元(例如，NSSF网元)发送第一信息、第二信息和指示信息，其中，指示信息用于请求支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的接入及移动性管理功能网元的确定。
由此，通过本发明实施例中基于网络切片的通信装置，假设用户设备在移动之前接入的是第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例，用户设备将第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的信息保存在数据管理功能网元中。当用户设备发生移动之后，第一接入及移动性管理功能网元向网络切片选择功能网元请求选择支持第一网络切片类型和第一网络切片实例的第二接入及移动性管理功能网元为用户设备服务。进而，第二接入及移动性管理功能网元能够确定为用户设备服务的网络切片实例，以此保证用户设备在移动之前建立的会话不被中断，从而提高了用户体验。
可选的，接收模块1101还用于从网络切片选择功能网元接收第一网络切片中第二网络切片实例的标识信息。发送模块1103还用于向上述数据管理功能网元发送第二网络切片实例的标识信息。
此外，基于网络切片的通信装置中的接收模块1101和发送模块1103还可实现上述方法中第二接入及移动性管理功能网元的其他操作或功能，此处不再赘述。
在另一个实施例中，图11A所示的基于网络切片的通信装置还可用于执行上述图8、图9和图10中数据管理功能网元(例如，UDM网元)的操作。例如：
接收模块1101用于从第一接入及移动性管理功能网元获取第一信息和第二信息。第一信息用于指示网络切片的类型，第二信息用于标识网络切片中的网络切片实例，其中，第一接入及移动性管理功能网元支持上述网络切片的类型和上述网络切片实例。发送模块1103用于向第二接入及移动性管理功能网元发送第一信息和第二信息。其中，第一信息和第二信息用 于第三接入及移动性管理功能网元的确定，第三接入及移动性管理功能网元支持上述网络切片的类型和上述网络切片实例。
由此，通过本发明实施例中基于网络切片的通信装置，用户设备在移动之前，核心网中保存有为用户设备服务的网络切片实例，当用户设备发生移动之后，核心网能够选择满足和移动之前相同的网络切片实例为用户设备服务。以此保证用户设备在移动之前建立的会话不被中断，从而提高了用户体验。此外，由数据管理功能网元保存移动之前的网络切片实例信息，可以使用户设备和RAN设备不感知网络切片实例的信息，从而可以节省用户设备的存储空间。
此外，基于网络切片的通信装置中的接收模块1101和发送模块1103还可实现上述方法中数据管理功能网元的其他操作或功能，此处不再赘述。
在另一个实施例中，图11A所示的基于网络切片的通信装置还可用于执行上述图8、图9和图10中网络切片选择功能网元(例如，NSSF网元)的操作。例如：
接收模块1101用于从第一接入及移动性管理功能网元接收第一信息、第二信息和指示信息。其中，第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，第二信息用于标识第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例，指示信息用于请求支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的第二接入及移动性管理功能网元的确定。处理模块1102用于判断用户设备所在的区域是否存在第二接入及移动性管理功能网元。
由此，通过本发明实施例中基于网络切片的通信装置，用户设备在移动之前将为用户设备服务的第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的信息保存在数据管理功能网元中。当用户设备发生移动之后，网络切片选择功能网元从第一接入及移动性管理功能网元接收上述第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的信息。网络切片选择功能网元通过判断用户设备所在的区域是否存在支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例的接入及移动性管理功能网元，从而选择合适的接入及移动性管理功能网元为用户设备服务。
可选的，上述基于网络切片的通信装置还包括发送模块1103。当用户设备所在的区域存在第二接入及移动性管理功能网元时，发送模块1103用于向第一接入及移动性管理功能网元发送第二接入及移动性管理功能网元的标识信息。
可选的，当用户设备所在的区域不存在第二接入及移动性管理功能网元时，发送模块1103用于向第一接入及移动性管理功能网元发送第一网络切片中第二网络切片实例的标识信息。
此外，基于网络切片的通信装置中的接收模块1101、处理模块1102和发送模块1103还可实现上述方法中网络切片选择功能网元的其他操作或功能，此处不再赘述。
在另一个实施例中，图11A所示的基于网络切片的通信装置还可用于执行上述图6中的第三接入及移动性管理功能网元(例如，第三AMF网元)的操作，以及图8和图10中的第一接入及移动性管理功能网元(例如，第一AMF网元)的操作。例如：
接收模块1101用于获取第一信息和第二信息。第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，第二信息用于标识第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例，其中，第一接入及移动性管理功能网元支持第一网络切片的类型和第一网络切片实例。发送模块1103用于向用户设备或者数据管理功能网元发送上述第一信息和第二信息。第一信息和第二信息用于第二接入及移动性管理功能网元的确定，其中，第二接入及移动性管理功能网元支持第一网络切片的类型和网络切片实例，第一信息和第二信息还用于第一网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例的确定。
由此，通过本发明实施例中基于网络切片的通信装置，当用户设备发生移动之前，用户 设备或者核心网可以获知为用户设备提供服务的网络切片实例。在用户设备移动之后，核心网通过选择与移动之前为用户设备服务的相同的网络切片实例，可以保证用户设备在移动之前建立的会话不被中断，从而提高了用户体验。
可选的，发送模块1103向用户设备或者数据管理功能网元发送上述第一信息和第二信息，包括：发送模块1103向用户设备发送注册接受消息，其中，注册接受消息包括第一信息和第二信息；或者，发送模块1103向用户设备发送会话建立接受消息，该会话建立接受消息包括第一信息和第二信息。
此外，基于网络切片的通信装置中的接收模块1101和发送模块1103还可实现上述方法中接入及移动性管理功能网元的其他操作或功能，此处不再赘述。
在另一个实施例中，图11A所示的基于网络切片的通信装置还可用于执行上述图4中网络切片选择功能网元(例如，NSSF网元)的操作。例如：
接收模块1101用于从接入及移动性管理功能网元接收第一信息和指示信息。其中，第一信息用于指示网络切片的类型，指示信息用于请求确定网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例，接入及移动性管理功能网元支持网络切片的类型和网络切片实例。发送模块1103用于向接入及移动性管理功能网元发送第二信息，其中，第二信息用于标识网络切片中的网络切片实例。
由此，通过本发明实施例中基于网络切片的通信装置，当网络中不存在支持第一网络切片类型和第一网络切片实例的接入及移动性管理功能网元时，核心网可以选择接入及移动性管理功能网元支持的网络切片实例为用户设备服务。
此外，基于网络切片的通信装置中的接收模块1101和发送模块1103还可实现上述方法中网络切片选择功能网元的其他操作或功能，此处不再赘述。
图11B示出了上述实施例中所涉及的基于网络切片的通信装置/用户设备的另一种可能的结构示意图。基于网络切片的通信装置/用户设备包括收发器1104和处理器1105，如图11B所示。例如，处理器1105可以为通用微处理器、数据处理电路、专用集成电路(application specific integrated circuit，ASIC)或者现场可编程门阵列(field-programmable gate arrays，FPGA)电路。所述基于网络切片的通信装置/用户设备还可以包括存储器1106，例如，存储器为随机存取存储器(random access memory，RAM)。所述存储器用于与处理器1105耦合，其保存该基于网络切片的通信装置/用户设备必要的计算机程序11061。
此外，上述实施例中所涉及的基于网络切片的通信方法还提供了一种载体1107，所述载体内保存有该基于网络切片的通信装置/用户设备的计算机程序11071，可以将计算机程序11071加载到处理器1105中。上述载体可以为光信号、电信号、电磁信号或者计算机可读存储介质(例如，硬盘)。
当上述计算机程序11061或11071在计算机(例如，处理器1105)上运行时，可使得计算机执行上述的方法。
例如，在一个实施例中，处理器1105被配置为无线接入网设备的其他操作或功能。收发器1104用于实现基于网络切片的通信装置与用户设备/接入及移动性管理功能网元之间的通信。
在另一个实施例中，处理器1105被配置为接入及移动性管理功能网元的其他操作或功能。收发器1104用于实现基于网络切片的通信装置与无线接入网设备/网络切片选择功能网元/用户设备之间的通信。
在另一个实施例中，处理器1105被配置为用户设备的其他操作或功能。收发器1104用于实现用户设备与无线接入网设备/第二接入及移动性管理功能网元/第三接入及移动性管理功能网元/互通网元之间的通信。
在另一个实施例中，处理器1105被配置为第一接入及移动性管理功能网元的其他操作或功能。收发器1104用于实现基于网络切片的通信装置与数据管理功能网元/网络切片选择功能网元之间的通信。
在另一个实施例中，处理器1105被配置为数据管理功能网元的其他操作或功能。收发器1104用于实现基于网络切片的通信装置与第一接入及移动性管理功能网元/第二接入及移动性管理功能网元之间的通信。
在另一个实施例中，处理器1105被配置为网络切片选择功能网元的其他操作或功能。收发器1104用于实现基于网络切片的通信装置与第一接入及移动性管理功能网元之间的通信。
用于执行本申请上述无线接入网设备的控制器/处理器可以是中央处理器(CPU)，通用处理器、数字信号处理器(DSP)、专用集成电路(ASIC)，现场可编程门阵列(FPGA)或者其他可编程逻辑器件、晶体管逻辑器件，硬件部件或者其任意组合。其可以实现或执行结合本申请公开内容所描述的各种示例性的逻辑方框，模块和电路。所述处理器也可以是实现计算功能的组合，例如包含一个或多个微处理器组合，DSP和微处理器的组合等等。
结合本申请公开内容所描述的方法或者算法的步骤可以硬件的方式来实现，也可以是由处理器执行软件指令的方式来实现。软件指令可以由相应的软件模块组成，软件模块可以被存放于RAM存储器、闪存、ROM存储器、EPROM存储器、EEPROM存储器、寄存器、硬盘、移动硬盘、CD-ROM或者本领域熟知的任何其它形式的存储介质中。一种示例性的存储介质耦合至处理器，从而使处理器能够从该存储介质读取信息，且可向该存储介质写入信息。当然，存储介质也可以是处理器的组成部分。处理器和存储介质可以位于ASIC中。另外，该ASIC可以位于无线接入网设备中。当然，处理器和存储介质也可以作为分立组件存在于无线接入网设备中。
在上述实施例中，可以全部或部分地通过软件、硬件、固件或者其任意组合来实现。当使用软件实现时，可以全部或部分地以计算机程序产品的形式实现。所述计算机程序产品包括一个或多个计算机指令。在计算机上加载和执行所述计算机程序指令时，全部或部分地产生按照本发明实施例所述的流程或功能。所述计算机可以是通用计算机、专用计算机、计算机网络、或者其他可编程装置。所述计算机指令可以存储在计算机可读存储介质中，或者从一个计算机可读存储介质向另一个计算机可读存储介质传输，例如，所述计算机指令可以从一个网站站点、计算机、服务器或数据中心通过有线(例如同轴电缆、光纤、数字用户线(DSL))或无线(例如红外、无线、微波等)方式向另一个网站站点、计算机、服务器或数据中心进行传输。所述计算机可读存储介质可以是计算机能够存取的任何可用介质或者是包含一个或多个可用介质集成的服务器、数据中心等数据存储设备。所述可用介质可以是磁性介质，(例如，软盘、硬盘、磁带)、光介质(例如，DVD)、或者半导体介质(例如固态硬盘Solid State Disk(SSD))等。
以上所述的具体实施方式，对本发明的目的、技术方案和有益效果进行了进一步详细说明，所应理解的是，以上所述仅为本发明的具体实施方式而已，并不用于限定本发明的保护范围，凡在本发明的技术方案的基础之上，所做的任何修改、等同替换、改进等，均应包括在本发明的保护范围之内。

Claims (30)

  1. 一种基于网络切片的通信方法，其特征在于，包括：
    无线接入网设备从用户设备接收注册请求，所述注册请求包括第一信息和第二信息，所述第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，所述第二信息用于标识所述第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例；
    所述无线接入网设备根据所述第一网络切片的类型和所述第一网络切片实例确定接入及移动性管理功能网元；
    所述无线接入网设备向所述接入及移动性管理功能网元发送所述注册请求，所述第一信息和所述第二信息用于网络切片实例的确定。
  2. 根据权利要求1所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括：
    所述无线接入网设备从所述接入及移动性管理功能网元接收能力信息，所述能力信息用于指示所述接入及移动性管理功能网元支持的网络切片的类型和网络切片实例；
    所述无线接入网设备根据所述第一网络切片的类型和所述第一网络切片实例确定接入及移动性管理功能网元，包括：
    所述无线接入网设备根据所述第一网络切片的类型、所述第一网络切片实例和所述能力信息，确定所述接入及移动性管理功能网元。
  3. 根据权利要求1或2所述的方法，其特征在于，所述确定的接入及移动性管理功能网元支持所述第一网络切片的类型和所述第一网络切片实例。
  4. 一种基于网络切片的通信方法，其特征在于，包括：
    接入及移动性管理功能网元从无线接入网设备接收注册请求，所述注册请求包括第一信息和第二信息，所述第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，所述第二信息用于标识所述第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例；
    所述接入及移动性管理功能网元根据所述第一信息和所述第二信息确定所述第一网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例。
  5. 根据权利要求4所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括：
    所述接入及移动性管理功能网元向所述无线接入网设备发送能力信息，所述能力信息用于指示所述第一网络切片的类型和所述第一网络切片中所述接入及移动性管理功能网元支持的网络切片实例，所述能力信息用于所述接入及移动性管理功能网元的确定。
  6. 根据权利要求4或5所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例为所述第一网络切片实例。
  7. 根据权利要求4或5所述的方法，其特征在于，所述接入及移动性管理功能网元根据所述第一信息和所述第二信息确定所述第一网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例，包括：
    当所述接入及移动性管理功能网元不支持所述第二信息标识的所述第一网络切片实例时，所述接入及移动性管理功能网元向网络切片选择功能网元发送所述第一信息和指示信息，所述指示信息用于请求确定所述第一网络切片中为所述用户设备服务的网络切片实例；
    所述接入及移动性管理功能网元从所述网络切片选择功能网元接收所述第一网络切片中所述接入及移动性管理功能网元支持的第二网络切片实例的标识信息。
  8. 根据权利要求7所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括：
    所述接入及移动性管理功能网元向所述用户设备发送所述第二网络切片实例的标识信息。
  9. 一种基于网络切片的通信方法，其特征在于，包括：
    用户设备获取第一信息和第二信息，所述第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，所述第二信息用于标识所述第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例；
    所述用户设备向无线接入网设备发送注册请求，所述注册请求包括所述第一信息和所述第二信息，所述第一信息和所述第二信息用于第一接入及移动性管理功能网元的确定，所述第一信息和所述第二信息还用于所述第一网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例的确定。
  10. 根据权利要求9所述的方法，其特征在于，所述用户设备获取第一信息和第二信息，包括：
    所述用户设备从第二接入及移动性管理功能网元接收注册接受消息，所述注册接受消息包括所述第一信息和所述第二信息，其中，所述第二接入及移动性管理功能网元支持所述第一网络切片的类型和所述第一网络切片实例；
    或者，所述用户设备从第三接入及移动性管理功能网元接收会话建立接受消息，所述会话建立接受消息包括所述第一信息和所述第二信息，其中，所述第三接入及移动性管理功能网元支持所述第一网络切片的类型和所述第一网络切片实例；
    或者，所述用户设备从互通网元接收所述第一信息和所述第二信息，其中，所述互通网元支持第一网络的会话管理功能和第二网络的会话管理功能。
  11. 一种基于网络切片的通信方法，其特征在于，包括：
    第一接入及移动性管理功能网元收到注册请求后，从数据管理功能网元接收第一信息和第二信息，所述第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，所述第二信息用于标识所述第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例；
    当所述第一接入及移动性管理功能网元不支持所述第二信息标识的所述第一网络切片实例时，所述第一接入及移动性管理功能网元向网络切片选择功能网元发送所述第一信息、所述第二信息和指示信息，所述指示信息用于请求支持所述第一网络切片的类型和所述第一网络切片实例的第二接入及移动性管理功能网元的确定。
  12. 根据权利要求11所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括：
    所述第一接入及移动性管理功能网元从所述网络切片选择功能网元接收所述第二接入及移动性管理功能网元的标识信息。
  13. 根据权利要求11所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括：
    所述第一接入及移动性管理功能网元从所述网络切片选择功能网元接收所述第一网络切片中第二网络切片实例的标识信息；
    所述第一接入及移动性管理功能网元向所述数据管理功能网元发送所述第二网络切片实例的标识信息。
  14. 一种基于网络切片的通信方法，其特征在于，包括：
    数据管理功能网元从第一接入及移动性管理功能网元获取第一信息和第二信息，所述第一信息用于指示网络切片的类型，所述第二信息用于标识所述网络切片中的网络切片实例，其中，所述第一接入及移动性管理功能网元支持所述网络切片的类型和所述网络切片实例；
    所述数据管理功能网元向第二接入及移动性管理功能网元发送所述第一信息和所述第二信息，所述第一信息和所述第二信息用于第三接入及移动性管理功能网元的确定，所述第三接入及移动性管理功能网元支持所述网络切片的类型和所述网络切片实例。
  15. 一种基于网络切片的通信方法，其特征在于，包括：
    网络切片选择功能网元从第一接入及移动性管理功能网元接收第一信息、第二信息和指示信息，所述第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，所述第二信息用于标识所述第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例，所述指示信息用于请求支持所述第一网络切片的类型和所述第一网络切片实例的第二接入及移动性管理功能网元的确定；
    所述网络切片选择功能网元判断用户设备所在的区域是否存在所述第二接入及移动性管理功能网元。
  16. 根据权利要求15所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括：
    当所述用户设备所在的区域存在所述第二接入及移动性管理功能网元，所述网络切片选择功能网元向所述第一接入及移动性管理功能网元发送所述第二接入及移动性管理功能网元的标识信息。
  17. 根据权利要求15所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括：
    当所述用户设备所在的区域不存在所述第二接入及移动性管理功能网元，所述网络切片选择功能网元向所述第一接入及移动性管理功能网元发送所述第一网络切片中第二网络切片实例的标识信息。
  18. 一种基于网络切片的通信装置，其特征在于，包括：
    接收模块，用于从用户设备接收注册请求，所述注册请求包括第一信息和第二信息，所述第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，所述第二信息用于标识所述第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例；
    处理模块，用于根据所述第一网络切片的类型和所述第一网络切片实例确定接入及移动性管理功能网元；
    发送模块，用于向所述接入及移动性管理功能网元发送所述注册请求，所述第一信息和所述第二信息用于网络切片实例的确定。
  19. 根据权利要求18所述的基于网络切片的通信装置，其特征在于，
    所述接收模块还用于从所述接入及移动性管理功能网元接收能力信息，所述能力信息用于指示所述接入及移动性管理功能网元支持的网络切片的类型和网络切片实例；
    所述处理模块根据所述第一网络切片的类型和所述第一网络切片实例确定接入及移动性管理功能网元，包括：
    所述处理模块根据所述第一网络切片的类型、所述第一网络切片实例和所述能力信息，确定所述接入及移动性管理功能网元。
  20. 根据权利要求18或19所述的基于网络切片的通信装置，其特征在于，所述确定的接入及移动性管理功能网元支持所述第一网络切片的类型和所述第一网络切片实例。
  21. 一种基于网络切片的通信装置，其特征在于，包括：
    接收模块，用于从无线接入网设备接收注册请求，所述注册请求包括第一信息和第二信息，所述第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，所述第二信息用于标识所述第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例；
    处理模块，用于根据所述第一信息和所述第二信息确定所述第一网络切片中为用户设备服务的网络切片实例。
  22. 根据权利要求21所述的基于网络切片的通信装置，其特征在于，还包括：
    发送模块，用于向所述无线接入网设备发送能力信息，所述能力信息用于指示所述第一网络切片的类型和所述第一网络切片中所述基于网络切片的通信装置支持的网络切片实例，所述能力信息用于所述基于网络切片的通信装置的确定。
  23. 一种用户设备，其特征在于，包括：
    接收模块，用于获取第一信息和第二信息，所述第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，所述第二信息用于标识所述第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例；
    发送模块，用于向无线接入网设备发送注册请求，所述注册请求包括所述第一信息和所述第二信息，所述第一信息和所述第二信息用于第一接入及移动性管理功能网元的确定，所述第一信息和所述第二信息还用于所述第一网络切片中为所述用户设备服务的网络切片实例的确定。
  24. 根据权利要求23所述的用户设备，其特征在于，所述接收模块获取第一信息和第二信息，包括：
    所述接收模块从第二接入及移动性管理功能网元接收注册接受消息，所述注册接受消息包括所述第一信息和所述第二信息，其中，所述第二接入及移动性管理功能网元支持所述第一网络切片的类型和所述第一网络切片实例；
    或者，所述接收模块从第三接入及移动性管理功能网元接收会话建立接受消息，所述会话建立接受消息包括所述第一信息和所述第二信息，其中，所述第三接入及移动性管理功能网元支持所述第一网络切片的类型和所述第一网络切片实例；
    或者，所述接收模块从互通网元接收所述第一信息和所述第二信息，其中，所述互通网元支持第一网络的会话管理功能和第二网络的会话管理功能。
  25. 一种基于网络切片的通信装置，其特征在于，包括：
    接收模块，用于收到注册请求后，从数据管理功能网元接收第一信息和第二信息，所述第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，所述第二信息用于标识所述第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例；
    发送模块，当所述基于网络切片的通信装置不支持所述第二信息标识的所述第一网络切片实例时，用于向网络切片选择功能网元发送所述第一信息、所述第二信息和指示信息，所述指示信息用于请求支持所述第一网络切片的类型和所述第一网络切片实例的接入及移动性管理功能网元的确定。
  26. 一种基于网络切片的通信装置，其特征在于，包括：
    接收模块，用于从第一接入及移动性管理功能网元获取第一信息和第二信息，所述第一信息用于指示网络切片的类型，所述第二信息用于标识所述网络切片中的网络切片实例，其中，所述第一接入及移动性管理功能网元支持所述网络切片的类型和所述网络切片实例；
    发送模块，用于向第二接入及移动性管理功能网元发送所述第一信息和所述第二信息，所述第一信息和所述第二信息用于第三接入及移动性管理功能网元的确定，所述第三接入及移动性管理功能网元支持所述网络切片的类型和所述网络切片实例。
  27. 一种基于网络切片的通信装置，其特征在于，包括：
    接收模块，用于从第一接入及移动性管理功能网元接收第一信息、第二信息和指示信息，所述第一信息用于指示第一网络切片的类型，所述第二信息用于标识所述第一网络切片中的第一网络切片实例，所述指示信息用于请求支持所述第一网络切片的类型和所述第一网络切片实例的第二接入及移动性管理功能网元的确定；
    处理模块，用于判断用户设备所在的区域是否存在所述第二接入及移动性管理功能网元。
  28. 根据权利要求27所述的基于网络切片的通信装置，其特征在于，还包括：
    发送模块，当所述用户设备所在的区域存在所述第二接入及移动性管理功能网元，用于向所述第一接入及移动性管理功能网元发送所述第二接入及移动性管理功能网元的标识信息。
  29. 根据权利要求27所述的基于网络切片的通信装置，其特征在于，还包括：
    发送模块，当所述用户设备所在的区域不存在所述第二接入及移动性管理功能网元，用于向所述第一接入及移动性管理功能网元发送所述第一网络切片中第二网络切片实例的标识信息。
  30. 一种计算机可读存储介质，包括指令，当其在计算机上运行时，使得计算机执行如权利要求1至17任意一项所述的方法。
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