WO2021168671A1

WO2021168671A1 - Communication method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2021168671A1
Application number: PCT/CN2020/076681
Authority: WO
Inventors: 孙飞; 罗海燕; 戴明增
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司
Priority date: 2020-02-25
Filing date: 2020-02-25
Publication date: 2021-09-02
Also published as: CN115136661A

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, for solving problems in the prior art of signaling overheads waste caused by removal and setup of an exclusive tunnel of a terminal device. An access network device notifies at least one terminal device in a network slice of a need for entering a first state from a connected state, and migrates the at least one terminal device from the connected state to the first state. The first state is a state modified from an inactive state, and the modification is replacing a user plane exclusive tunnel for a PDU session between a core network and an access network of the terminal device with a public tunnel for the network slice between the core network and the access network; the network slice is a network slice corresponding to the PDU session of the terminal device. By migrating the terminal device to the first state having the public tunnel for the network slice between the core network and the access network, there is no need to remove and set up an exclusive tunnel when the terminal device moves, and the signaling overheads brought by removing and setting up a tunnel caused by movement of the terminal device under the first state are reduced.

Description

Communication method and device

Technical field

This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device.

Background technique

In the existing protocol, when a terminal device establishes a protocol data unit (PDU) session, it will be established between the access network device and the core network user plane function (CN-UPF) The specific tunnel of the terminal device is used to transmit data packets for the terminal device.

With the development of the fifth generation mobile communication system (5th generation, 5G) communication technology, the data transmission rate will be greatly increased, and the number of connectable terminal devices will also explode. Then, the access of a large number of terminal devices will correspond to a large number of dedicated tunnel connections. When the access network equipment changes due to the movement of the terminal device, the original dedicated tunnel needs to be removed and a new dedicated tunnel is established to serve. Terminal equipment, this will lead to wasted signaling overhead.

Summary of the invention

The present application provides a communication method and device to solve the problem of wasted signaling overhead caused by the removal and establishment of a dedicated tunnel for terminal equipment in the prior art.

In the first aspect, this application provides a communication method. The method may include: an access network device notifies at least one terminal device in a network slice that it needs to enter the first state from the connected state, and removes the at least one terminal device from the connected state. The connected state transitions to the first state; wherein, the first state is a state in which the inactive state is modified, and the modification is to modify the user-oriented PDU session between the core network and the access network of the terminal device The plane-specific tunnel is replaced with a public tunnel for network slicing between the core network and the access network; the network slicing is the network slicing corresponding to the PDU session of the terminal device. By migrating the terminal device to the first state with a public tunnel for network slicing between the core network and the access network, the terminal device does not need to remove and establish a dedicated tunnel when moving like in the prior art, thereby It is possible to reduce the signaling overhead caused by dismantling and establishing a tunnel caused by the movement of the terminal equipment in the first state.

In a possible design, the access network device receives first information from an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, and the first information is used to indicate the access network The device migrates the at least one terminal device to the first state. In this way, when the AMF decides to migrate at least one terminal device to the first state, the access network device can learn that at least one terminal device needs to be migrated to the first state, and then perform subsequent state migration.

In a possible design, when the at least one terminal device is all terminal devices in the network slice that access the access network device, the first information includes the identifier of the network slice. In this way, the access network device can find the corresponding network slice according to the identifier of the network slice, and then identify all terminal devices in the network slice, and realize state transition.

In a possible design, the access network device sends second information to the AMF, where the second information is used to confirm a request from the AMF to instruct the at least one terminal device to migrate to the first state. In this way, the AMF can learn that the access network device has learned that the at least one terminal device needs to be migrated to the first state.

In a possible design, the need for the at least one terminal device to enter the first state from the connected state may be determined by the access network device through AMF. In this way, the AMF can decide which terminal devices to perform state transition, so that subsequent instructions to access network devices.

In a possible design, the access network device receives overload indication information from the AMF, where the overload indication information is used to indicate that the core network resources of the network slice are overloaded; the access network device determines that the at least one The terminal device transitions from the connected state to the first state. In this way, the access network device can decide which terminal devices to migrate to the first state according to the resource overload situation, so that the core network resource overload situation can be alleviated.

In a possible design, the access network device sends third information to the AMF, where the third information is used to indicate that the at least one terminal device will enter the first state from the connected state. In this way, the core network side can subsequently incorporate the at least one terminal device into the corresponding public tunnel of the network slice.

In a possible design, when the at least one terminal device is one terminal device, the third information is also used to instruct to suspend the dedicated tunnel of the one terminal device. In this way, when the public tunnel corresponding to the network slice cannot be used, the data transmission of the terminal device can be performed according to the original dedicated tunnel, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the terminal device's business.

In a possible design, when the at least one terminal device is all terminal devices in the network slice that access the network device, the third information includes the identifier of the network slice. In this way, the AMF can find the corresponding network slice according to the identifier of the network slice, and then identify all the terminal devices in the network slice, and realize that the core network merges all the terminal devices into the public tunnel of the corresponding network slice.

In a possible design, the access network device receives confirmation information for confirming the third information from the AMF. In this way, the access network device can learn that the core network side has completed the incorporation of the terminal device into the public tunnel of the corresponding network slice, and then perform the state transition operation.

In a second aspect, the present application also provides a communication device, which may be an access network device, and the communication device has the function of implementing the access network device in the first aspect or each possible design example of the first aspect. Function. The function can be realized by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.

In a possible design, the structure of the communication device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit, and these units can perform the corresponding functions of the access network equipment in the first aspect or each possible design example of the first aspect. For details, see The detailed description in the method example will not be repeated here.

In a possible design, the structure of the communication device includes a transceiver, a processor, and optionally a memory. The transceiver is used for sending and receiving data and for communicating and interacting with other devices in the communication system. The processor is configured to support the communication device to perform the corresponding function of the access network device in the foregoing first aspect or each possible design example of the first aspect. The memory is coupled with the processor, and it stores program instructions and data necessary for the communication device.

In the third aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication system, which may include the aforementioned terminal equipment, access network equipment, AMF, and so on.

In a fourth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium provided by an embodiment of the present application, the computer-readable storage medium stores program instructions, and when the program instructions run on a computer, the computer executes the first aspect of the embodiments of the present application and its Any possible design. Exemplarily, the computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. Take this as an example but not limited to: computer-readable media may include non-transitory computer-readable media, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and electrically erasable In addition to programmable read-only memory (electrically EPROM, EEPROM), CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or can be used to carry or store desired program codes in the form of instructions or data structures and can Any other medium accessed by the computer.

In a fifth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product including computer program code or instructions, which when run on a computer, enable the computer to implement the method described in any of the above aspects.

In a sixth aspect, the present application also provides a chip, which is coupled with a memory, and is configured to read and execute program instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods.

Please refer to the description of the technical effects that can be achieved with respect to the various possible solutions in the first aspect for the various aspects of the second to sixth aspects described above and the possible technical effects of each aspect, which will not be repeated here.

Description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a network slicing service architecture provided by this application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the difference between a first state provided by this application and the existing RRC_INACTIVE state;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by this application;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example of a communication method provided by this application;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example of another communication method provided by this application;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example of another communication method provided by this application;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example of another communication method provided by this application;

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by this application;

FIG. 9 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided by this application.

Detailed ways

The embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and device to solve the problem of large signaling overhead caused by the removal and establishment of a dedicated tunnel of a terminal device in the prior art. Among them, the method and device described in the present application are based on the same technical concept. Since the method and the device have similar principles for solving the problem, the implementation of the device and the method can be referred to each other, and the repetition will not be repeated.

In the description of this application, words such as "first" and "second" are only used for the purpose of distinguishing description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, nor as indicating or implying order.

In the description in this application, "at least one (species)" refers to one (species) or multiple (species), and multiple (species) refers to two (species) or more than two (species).

In order to more clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the communication methods and devices provided in the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a possible network slicing service architecture to which the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is applicable. The network slicing service architecture is a network slicing service architecture in a network slicing service scenario in a communication system. The network service slicing service architecture includes terminal equipment, access network equipment, core network network elements, and data network.

Wherein, the network slicing service architecture includes multiple network slices, such as network slice 1, network slice 2, and network slice 3 shown in FIG. 1. Specifically, network slicing is composed of a set of logical network functions that support specific communication services. It can provide customized network services for terminal devices through end-to-end network slicing. Specifically, through the flexible allocation of network resources and on-demand networking, multiple virtualized and isolated networks with different characteristics can be created on the same physical facility. Logical subnets are used to provide services for terminal devices in a targeted manner, that is, to provide different network slices for different types of communication services. For example, eMBB network slices are virtualized for eMBB communication services, mMTC network slices are virtualized for mMTC services, and URLLC network slices are virtualized for URLLC services such as autonomous driving and industrial control. Of course, there are many other network slices, which are not listed here.

Specifically, terminal devices subscribing to the same network slicing service have certain similarities in terms of quality of service (QoS) requirements, and a public tunnel based on network slicing can be established to provide uniformity for terminal devices in the same network slicing. Data transmission services to reduce the overhead of frequent establishment and removal of tunnels after the terminal equipment moves. It should be noted that one terminal device can correspond to the public tunnels of multiple network slices.

The PDU session of the terminal device may correspond to a network slice. For example, in FIG. 1, PDU session 1 corresponds to network slice 1, PDU session 2 corresponds to network slice 2, and PDU session 3 corresponds to network slice 3.

Specifically, the terminal equipment may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile equipment, user terminal, terminal, Wireless communication equipment, user agent or user device. The terminal device in the embodiment of the present application may be a mobile phone (mobile phone), a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with a wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, and an augmented reality (AR) terminal Equipment, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical, wireless terminals in smart grid, transportation safety ( The wireless terminal in transportation safety, the wireless terminal in the smart city, the wireless terminal in the smart home, and so on. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios. In this application, terminal devices with wireless transceiver functions and chips that can be installed in the aforementioned terminal devices are collectively referred to as terminal devices.

The access network (radio access network, RAN) equipment may also be called a base station, and the access network equipment may include, but is not limited to: gNB, radio network controller (RNC), and Node B (Node B). , NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (base transceiver station, BTS), home base station (for example, home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU) ), the access point (AP), wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (transmission and reception point, TRP or transmission point, TP) in the wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, etc. It may also be a network node that constitutes a gNB or transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU), or a distributed unit (DU).

Data network (DN), which can be the Internet, IP Multi-media Service (IMS) network, regional network (ie, local network, such as mobile edge computing (MEC) network) Wait. The data network includes an application server, and the application server provides business services for the terminal device by performing data transmission with the terminal device.

The core network is used to connect the terminal device to a DN that can implement the service of the terminal device. The core network network elements may include: access and mobility management function (AMF) network elements, session management function (SMF) network elements, policy control function (PCF) ) Network elements, user plane function (UPF) network elements, network storage function (network repository function, NRF) network elements, and network slice selection (network slice selection function, NSSF) network elements, etc. in:

The AMF network element can be used to be responsible for terminal equipment registration, mobility management, tracking area update procedures, etc.

The SMF network element can be used to be responsible for the session management of the terminal device (including the establishment, modification and release of the session), the selection and reselection of the UPF network element, the IP address allocation of the terminal device, and the quality of service. service, QoS) control, etc.

The PCF network element can be used to be responsible for policy control decision-making, and provide functions such as service data flow and application detection, gating control, QoS, and flow-based charging control.

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

The NSSF network element can be used to select network slices that provide services for terminal devices.

It should be noted that the name of the above-mentioned network element or device is only an example, and there may be other names in the future communication system, which is not limited in this application.

It should be noted that the network slicing service architecture shown in Figure 1 can be but not limited to the fifth generation (5th Generation, 5G) system, such as the new generation of radio access technology (NR), optional Yes, the method of the embodiment of the present application is also applicable to various future communication systems, such as 6G systems or other communication networks.

Currently, radio resource control (RRC) under 5G NR has three states: idle state (IDLE), inactive state (INACTIVE), and connected state (CONNECTED). The characteristics of each state are as follows:

RRC_IDLE has the following characteristics: public land mobile network (public land mobile ntwork, PLMN) selection, system information broadcasting, cell reselection, called paging initiated by the 5G core (core, C) network, non-access layer (non-access) stratum, NAS) configured for discontinuous reception (DRX) of core network (core notwork, CN) paging.

RRC_INACTIVE has the following features: PLMN selection, system information broadcast, cell reselection, called paging initiated by NG-RAN (access network paging (RAN paging)), RAN-based notification area is managed by NG-RAN (among which, The paging area under IDLE is managed by 5GC), NG-RAN configures DRX for RAN paging, maintains 5GC-NG-RAN connection (user plane and control plane), UE's AS context is stored in NG-RAN and UE, NG-RAN -The RAN knows the RAN notification area (RAN-based notification area, RNA) where the UE is located.

RRC_CONNECTED has the following characteristics: establish the UE's 5GC-NG-RAN connection (user plane and control plane), the UE's AS context is stored in the NG-RAN and the UE, NG-RAN knows the cell where the UE is located, and can transmit to/from the UE Unicast data and network control of UE mobility include measurement (wherein, the mobility in IDLE and INACTIVE is controlled by the UE (through cell reselection)).

Among them, RRC_INACTIVE is a newly introduced state in 5G. In this state, the RRC and NAS contexts are still partially retained in the terminal equipment, access network equipment, and core network, that is, the terminal equipment remains in the CM-CONNECTED state and can move within the RNA Instead of notifying NG-RAN. When the terminal device is in the RRC_INACTIVE state, the access network device that retains the context of the terminal device is called the anchor point access network device, and the anchor point access network device still retains the NG connection of the AMF and UPF associated with the terminal device. From the perspective of the core network, the terminal equipment is the same as the terminal equipment in the RRC_CONNECTED state; from the perspective of the terminal equipment, the terminal equipment state is almost the same as the RRC_IDLE. The RRC_INACTIVE state in NR can be switched between the CONNECTED state and the IDLE state.

In the existing protocol, for terminal devices in the RRC_INACTIVE state, there is still a dedicated tunnel for the terminal device between the access network device and the core network. When the terminal device is ready to migrate to the connected state or perform RNA update, if the terminal device accesses the access Network equipment changes, the exclusive tunnel between the anchor point access network equipment and the terminal equipment of the core network is removed, and a new exclusive tunnel for accessing the terminal equipment between the access network equipment and the core network is established. In view of the existing protocol, reserved for RRC_INACTIVE state terminal devices the exclusive tunnel between the access network device and the core network, resulting in frequent tunnel teardown and establishment overhead, this application defines a new RRC state of the terminal device to reduce the tunnel overhead The problem.

In the communication method provided in the embodiment of this application, a new RRC state of the terminal device is defined, which is described in the first state in this application. It should be understood that the first state is only an example of a name, and other names may also be used, which is not limited in this application. Specifically, the first state is a state in which the existing inactive state (RRC_INACTIVE) is modified, and the modification is a user plane dedicated tunnel for PDU sessions between the core network and the access network of the terminal device It is replaced by a public tunnel for network slicing between the core network and the access network. It can also be said that the first state is defined on the basis of the existing RRC_INACTIVE state. Based on this, exemplary, the first state may be embodied as RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ , of course, this is only an example.

Specifically, the first state may include the following features: PLMN selection, system information broadcast, cell reselection, called paging initiated by NG-RAN (RAN paging), RAN-based notification area managed by NG-RAN, NG-RAN configures DRX for RAN paging, maintains 5GC-NG-RAN slice-level public connections (user plane and control plane), UE's AS context is stored in NG-RAN and UE, NG-RAN knows the RNA where UE is located . Specifically, the main difference between the first state and the existing RRC_INACTIVE state is that a public tunnel is established between NG-RAN and CN for each network slice, and uniformly provides services for terminal devices that subscribe to the same network slice service (that is, network slice level). The public tunnel replaces the exclusive tunnel of the original terminal equipment). In addition, similar to the RRC_INACTIVE state, for the first state (RRC_INACTIVE+ state), the terminal device, access network device, and core network will retain the terminal device context, and the original terminal device-specific tunnel information is replaced by the public tunnel information of the network slice to which the terminal device belongs . Exemplarily, FIG. 2 shows the main difference between the first state and the existing RRC_INACTIVE state (inactive state).

Exemplarily, the related details of the first state may be introduced as follows:

(1) Tunnel removal and establishment: When the UE transitions from RRC_CONNECTED to the first state (RRC_INACTIVE+ state), the UE-specific tunnel (UE_specific tunnel) is removed, and the UE subscribes to the network slice service identifier (single network slice selection support information (single network)). slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI)) calls an existing slice-specific tunnel (slice_specific tunnel), that is, a public tunnel of a network slice; when the UE migrates from the RRC_INACTIVE+ to the RRC_CONNECTED state, it leaves the slice_specific tunnel and creates a new UE_specific tunnel.

(2) UE mobility impact (cell reselection, RNA update): After the UE changes the access network equipment, the newly visited access equipment obtains the UE context from the anchor point access network equipment and notifies the AMF of the UE location change.

(3) Uplink data transmission: After the UE uplink data arrives at the access network device, the access network device puts the uplink data into the corresponding slice public tunnel for transmission according to the UE identifier.

(4) Downlink data transmission: The downlink data of the core network carries the UE identity. After receiving the downlink data, the access network equipment initiates RAN paging according to the UE identity.

In this application, for the first state, a public tunnel based on network slicing is introduced between the access network and the core network to replace the original UE-specific tunnel. In this state, it can reduce the removal and construction of the dedicated tunnel caused by the movement of the UE. The resulting signaling overhead.

Based on the above description, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which is suitable for the network slicing service architecture shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 3, the specific process of the method may include:

Step 301: The access network device notifies at least one terminal device in a network slice that it needs to enter the first state from the connected state.

Wherein, the first state is a state in which the inactive state is modified, and the modification is to replace the user plane dedicated tunnel for the PDU session between the core network and the access network of the terminal device with the core network and the access network. A public tunnel for network slicing between networks; the network slicing is a network slicing corresponding to the PDU session of the terminal device. Specifically, for the related description of the first state, please refer to the foregoing description of the first state, which will not be described in detail here.

Step 302: The access network device migrates the at least one terminal device from the connected state to the first state.

In an optional implementation manner, it is determined that at least one terminal device needs to enter the first state from the connected state can have the following two situations:

The first case: the AMF determines that at least one terminal device in the network slice transitions from the connected state to the first state. Specifically, the AMF may determine that the at least one terminal device needs to be migrated from the connected state to the first state according to the core network resource occupancy state of the network slice or the terminal device resource load (for example, data exchange frequency, etc.) . In an exemplary implementation, the AMF may decide to migrate one or all terminal devices in the network slice from the connected state to the first state.

The second situation: the access network device determines that at least one terminal device in the network slice is transferred from the connected state to the first state. Specifically, the access network device receives overload indication information from the AMF, where the overload indication information is used to indicate that the core network resources of the network slice are overloaded; and the access network device determines that the at least one terminal is overloaded. The device transitions from the connected state to the first state. Exemplarily, the overload indication information may be an overload start indication, or other indications, which is not limited in this application.

Further, in the first case above, after the AMF makes a decision, the AMF sends first information to the access network device, and the first information is used to instruct the access network device to set the at least A terminal device migrates to the first state.

After the access network device migrates the at least one terminal device from the connected state to the first state, the access network device sends second information to the AMF, and the second information is used to confirm all The AMF indicates a request to migrate the at least one terminal device to the first state.

In an optional implementation manner, when the AMF decides to transfer a terminal device in the network slice from the connected state to the first state, the AMF may request a terminal device context modification request (UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUEST ) Send the first information to the access network device.

Correspondingly, the access network device may send the second information to the AMF through a terminal device context modification response (UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION RESPONSE).

In another optional implementation manner, when the AMF decides to migrate all terminal devices in the network slice that are connected to the access network device from the connected state to the first state, the AMF may pass An AMF configuration update message (AMF CONFIGURATION UPDATE) sends the first information to the access network device, where the first information includes the identifier of the network slice.

Correspondingly, the access network device may send the second information to the AMF through an AMF configuration update response (AMF CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE).

In a possible implementation manner, when the AMF decides to migrate all terminal devices in the network slice from the connected state to the first state, the first information sent by the AMF indicates that the access network device Migrate a terminal device (for example, the first terminal device) to the first state; the first information may also include the identifier of the network slice, indicating that all terminal devices of the network slice will enter the first state. State, at this time, all terminal devices in the network slice include the first terminal device.

In a specific implementation manner, in the second case described above, after the access network device makes a decision, the access network device sends third information to the AMF, and the third information is used to indicate The at least one terminal device will enter the first state from the connected state.

After that, the AMF sends fourth information to the SMF, where the fourth information is used to notify the at least one terminal device that it will enter the first state from the connected state; the SMF sends fifth information to the UPF, the fifth information It is used to notify that the at least one terminal device will enter the first state from the connected state; the UPF sends sixth information to the SMF, and the sixth information is used to confirm the fifth information sent by the SMF. Then, the SMF sends seventh information to the AMF, where the seventh information is used to indicate that the at least one terminal device has been incorporated into the public tunnel of the network slice. Finally, the AMF sends confirmation information for confirming the third information to the access network device. It should be noted that when the at least one terminal device is one terminal device, the fourth information and the fifth information include the identification of the one terminal device; when the at least one terminal device is the network slice When all terminal devices accessing the access network device in the, the fourth information and the fifth information include the identifier of the network slice.

In an example, when the access network device decides to migrate a terminal device in the network slice from the connected state to the first state, the access network device may use the PDU session resource modification indication (PDU SESSION RESOURCE MODIFY INDICATION) sending the third information to the AMF.

After that, the AMF may send fourth information to the SMF by calling the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request service, where the fourth information includes the identification of the terminal device; the SMF may request the N4 Session Modification Request (N4 Session Modification Request) Or a newly added N4 message sends the fifth information to the UPF, where the fifth information includes the identification of the terminal device. Here, the fifth information also indicates that the UPF needs to release the original N3 The exclusive tunnel information of the terminal device of the terminal device is incorporated into the public tunnel of the corresponding network slice; the UPF sends the SMF to the SMF through the N4 Session Modification Response (N4 Session Modification Response) or a newly-added N4 message Sixth information: The SMF may call the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response service to send the seventh information to the AMF. Finally, the AMF may send the confirmation information to the access network device through a PDU session resource modification confirmation (PDU SESSION RESOURCE MODIFY CONFIRM).

In another example, when the access network device decides to migrate a terminal device in the network slice from the connected state to the first state, the access network device may request the N2 Suspend (N2 Suspend Request) Send the third information to the AMF. At this time, the third information also indicates to suspend the dedicated tunnel of the one terminal device. In this way, when the public tunnel of the network slice corresponding to the one terminal device cannot be used, the dedicated tunnel can still be used for data transmission.

Afterwards, the AMF can also send fourth information to the SMF by calling the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request service, where the fourth information includes the identification of the terminal device; the SMF can request the N4 Session Modification Request (N4 Session Modification Request) Or the newly added N4 message sends the fifth information to the UPF, where the fifth information includes the identification of the terminal device. Here, the fifth information also indicates that the UPF needs to change the original N3 The dedicated tunnel of the terminal device is suspended, and the terminal device is merged into the corresponding public tunnel of the network slice; the UPF sends the information to the SMF through the N4 Session Modification Response (N4 Session Modification Response) or the newly added N4 message The sixth information; the SMF may call the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response service to send the seventh information to the AMF. Finally, the AMF may send the confirmation information to the access network device through an N2 Suspend Response (N2 Suspend Response).

In another example, when the access network device decides to migrate all terminal devices connected to the network device in the network slice from the connected state to the first state, the access network device may add The information slice-level PDU session resource release indication (SLICE BASED PDU SESSION RESOURCE RELEASE INDICATION) or the existing access network configuration update message (RAN CONFIGURATION UPDATE) sends the third information to the AMF. At this time, the third information The information includes the identifier of the network slice.

After that, the AMF may send fourth information to the SMF by calling the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request service, where the fourth information includes the identifier of the network slice; the SMF may send a new N4 message to the UPF The fifth information is sent, where the fifth information includes the identifier of the network slice. Here, the fifth information also instructs the UPF to release the dedicated tunnels of all N3 terminal devices in the network slice, and remove all The terminal device is incorporated into the corresponding public tunnel of the network slice. The UPF sends the sixth information to the SMF through the newly added N4 message; the SMF may call the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContextResponse service to send the seventh information to the AMF. Finally, the AMF can send a new information slice-level PDU session resource release confirmation (SLICE BASED PDU SESSION RESOURCE RELEASE CONFIRM) or an existing access network configuration update response (RAN CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE) to the access network device The confirmation information.

In a specific implementation manner, in the first case described above, after the AMF makes a decision, before the AMF sends the first information to the access network device, the AMF sends the SMF Send eighth information, where the eighth information is used to notify that the at least one terminal device will enter the first state from the connected state; the SMF sends ninth information to the UPF, and the ninth information is used to notify the At least one terminal device will enter the first state from the connected state, and instruct UPF to release the exclusive tunnel information of at least one terminal device originally in N3, and merge the at least one terminal device into the public tunnel of the corresponding network slice; the UPF Send tenth information to the SMF, where the tenth information is used to confirm the ninth information sent by the SMF; the SMF sends the eleventh information to the AMF, and the eleventh information is used to indicate The at least one terminal device has been incorporated into the public tunnel of the network slice. It should be noted that when the at least one terminal device is one terminal device, the eight information and the ninth information include the identification of the one terminal device; when the at least one terminal device is the network slice When all terminal devices accessing the access network device in the, the eight information and the ninth information include the identifier of the network slice.

For example, when the at least one terminal device is one terminal device, the AMF may send the eighth information to the SMF by calling the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request service; the SMF may use the N4 Session Modification Request (N4 Session Modification Request) or The newly added N4 message sends the ninth information to the UPF; the UPF may send the tenth information to the SMF through the N4 Session Modification Response (N4 Session Modification Response) or the newly added N4 message; the SMF may Invoke the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response service to send the eleventh information to the AMF.

Exemplarily, when the at least one terminal device is all terminal devices that access the access network device in the network slice, the AMF may send the eighth information to the SMF by calling the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request service; The SMF may send the ninth information to the UPF through a newly added N4 message. The UPF may send the tenth information to the SMF through a newly added N4 message; the SMF may call the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response service to send the eleventh information to the AMF.

It should be noted that in the above description, the message of the carrier of the information is only an example, and it should be understood that any one of the first information to the eleventh information can be sent through other one or more types of messages. This application does not limit this.

By adopting the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application, by migrating the terminal device to the first state with a public tunnel for network slicing between the core network and the access network, the terminal device can be moved without being as in the prior art. The dedicated tunnel must be dismantled and established in the same way, so that the signaling overhead caused by dismantling and establishing the tunnel caused by the movement of the terminal equipment in the first state can be reduced.

Based on the above embodiments, the following uses specific examples, such as the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, to describe in detail the communication methods provided by the embodiments of the present application. In the following example, the terminal device is the UE, the access network device is the gNB, and the first state is the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state.

As shown in FIG. 4, the embodiment of the present application provides an example of a communication method. In this example, the AMF decides that one or all UEs in the network slice will enter the first state from the connected state. Specifically, the process of this example may include:

Step 401: The AMF determines that at least one UE in the network slice transitions from the connected state to the first state (RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state).

Exemplarily, the AMF decides to migrate a certain UE or all UEs in the network slice from the connected state to the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state.

Specifically, the AMF may determine that the at least one terminal device needs to be migrated from the connected state to the first state according to the core network resource occupancy state of the network slice or the UE resource load (for example, data exchange frequency, etc.).

Step 402: The AMF sends eighth information to the SMF, where the eighth information is used to notify the SMF that the at least one UE will enter the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state from the connected state.

Exemplarily, the AMF may send the eighth information to the SMF by invoking the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request service.

It should be noted that when the at least one terminal device is one terminal device, the eight pieces of information include the identification of the one terminal device; when the at least one terminal device is the network slice that accesses the interface When all the terminal devices of the networked device are connected, the eight pieces of information include the identifier of the network slice.

Step 403: The SMF sends ninth information to the UPF, the ninth information is used to notify the UPF that the at least one UE will enter the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state from the connected state, and instruct the UPF to release the N3 original dedicated tunnel information of at least one UE , And merge the at least one UE into the public tunnel of the corresponding network slice.

Exemplarily, when the at least one terminal device is one terminal device, the SMF may start the N4 session modification process, and send the ninth information to the UPF through the N4 Session Modification Request or the newly added N4 message.

Exemplarily, when the at least one terminal device is all terminal devices in the network slice that access the access network device, the SMF may send the ninth to the UPF through a newly added N4 message. information.

It should be noted that when the at least one terminal device is one terminal device, the ninth information includes the identification of the one terminal device; when the at least one terminal device is the network slice that accesses the When all the terminal devices of the network device are accessed, the ninth information includes the identifier of the network slice.

Step 404: The UPF sends tenth information to the SMF, where the tenth information is used to confirm the ninth information sent by the SMF.

Exemplarily, when the at least one terminal device is one terminal device, the UPF may send the tenth information to the SMF through N4 Session Modification Response or a newly-added N4 message to confirm the SMF sent The request indicated by the ninth message.

Exemplarily, when the at least one terminal device is all terminal devices in the network slice that access the access network device, the UPF may send the tenth to the SMF through a newly added N4 message. information.

Step 405: The SMF sends eleventh information to the AMF, where the eleventh information is used to indicate that the at least one UE has been incorporated into the public tunnel of the network slice.

Exemplarily, the SMF may call the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response service to send the eleventh information to the AMF.

Step 406: The AMF sends first information to the gNB, where the first information is used to instruct the gNB to migrate the at least one UE to the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state.

In an example, when the at least one UE is one UE, the AMF may send the first information to the gNB through UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUEST.

In another example, when the at least one UE is all UEs that access the gNB in the network slice, the AMF may send the first information to the gNB through AMF CONFIGURATION UPDATE, where the The first information includes the identifier of the network slice.

Step 407: The gNB releases the RRC connection of at least one UE, and notifies at least one UE to enter the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state.

Step 408: The gNB migrates the at least one UE from the connected state to the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state.

Step 409: The gNB sends second information to the AMF, where the second information is used to confirm that the AMF indicates a request ^{to migrate the at least one UE to the RRC_INACTIVE+ state.}

In an example, when the at least one UE is one UE, the gNB sends second information to the AMF through the UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION RESPONSE to confirm the AMF request.

In another example, when the at least one UE is all UEs that access the gNB in the network slice, the gNB may send second information to the AMF through AMF CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE to confirm the AMF request.

In the above example, the AMF decides to move at least one UE from the connected state to the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state, so that the UE does not need to remove and establish a dedicated tunnel when moving, and can directly use the existing public tunnel of the network slice, thereby reducing the number of users in the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state. The signaling overhead caused by the removal and establishment of the tunnel caused by the movement of the lower UE.

As shown in Figure 5, the embodiment of the present application provides an example of a communication method. In this example, the AMF provides network slice load reference information, and the gNB decides that a UE will enter the first state from the connected state and remove the UE. Exclusive tunnel. Specifically, the process of this example may include:

Step 501: The gNB receives overload indication information from the AMF, where the overload indication information is used to indicate that the core network resources of the network slice are overloaded.

Exemplarily, the overload indication information may be OVERLOAD START.

Step 502: The gNB determines to migrate a certain UE in the network slice from the connected state to the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state.

Step 503: The gNB sends third information to the AMF, where the third information is used to indicate that the UE will enter the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state from the connected state.

Exemplarily, the gNB sends the third information to the AMF through PDU SESSION RESOURCE MODIFY INDICATION.

Step 504: The AMF sends fourth information to the SMF. The fourth information is used to notify the SMF that the UE will enter the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state from the connected state, and the fourth information includes the UE's identity.

Exemplarily, the AMF may send the fourth information to the SMF by calling the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request service.

Step 505: The SMF sends fifth information to the UPF, the fifth information is used to notify the UE that the UE will enter the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state from the connected state, and the fifth information also indicates that the UPF needs to release the original UE of N3 The dedicated tunnel information of the UE is incorporated into the public tunnel of the corresponding network slice. The fifth information includes the identity of the UE.

Exemplarily, the SMF may initiate an N4 session modification process, and send the fifth information to the UPF through an N4 Session Modification Request or a newly-added N4 message.

Step 506: The UPF sends sixth information to the SMF, where the sixth information is used to confirm the fifth information sent by the SMF.

Exemplarily, the UPF may send the sixth information to the SMF through N4 Session Modification Response or a newly-added N4 message to confirm the request indicated by the fifth information sent by the SMF.

Step 507: The SMF sends seventh information to the AMF, where the seventh information is used to indicate that the UE has been incorporated into the public tunnel of the network slice.

Exemplarily, the SMF may call the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response service to send the seventh information to the AMF.

Step 508: The AMF sends confirmation information for confirming the third information to the gNB.

Exemplarily, the AMF sends the confirmation information to the gNB through PDU SESSION RESOURCE MODIFY CONFIRM to confirm the request indicated by the third information sent by the gNB.

Step 509: The gNB releases the RRC connection of the UE, and notifies the UE to enter the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state.

Step 510: The gNB migrates the UE from the connected state to the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state.

In the above example, the gNB decides to migrate a UE in the resource-overloaded network slice from the connected state to the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state, and remove the original dedicated tunnel of the UE, which can realize that the UE does not need to remove and establish the dedicated tunnel when it moves, and can be used directly The existing public tunnel of network slicing can reduce the signaling overhead caused by the removal and establishment of the tunnel caused by the UE movement ^{in the RRC_INACTIVE+ state.}

As shown in Figure 6, the embodiment of the present application provides an example of a communication method. In this example, the AMF provides network slice load reference information, and the gNB decides that a UE will enter the first state from the connected state and suspend it. Dedicated tunnel for UE. Specifically, the process of this example may include:

Step 601: The gNB receives overload indication information from the AMF, where the overload indication information is used to indicate that the core network resources of the network slice are overloaded.

Exemplarily, the overload indication information may be OVERLOAD START.

Step 602: The gNB determines to migrate a certain UE in the network slice from the connected state to the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state.

Step 603: The gNB sends third information to the AMF, and the third information is used to indicate that the UE will enter the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state from the connected state, and suspend the UE's dedicated tunnel.

Exemplarily, the gNB sends the third information to the AMF through the N2 Suspend Request.

Step 604: The AMF sends fourth information to the SMF. The fourth information is used to notify the SMF that the UE will enter the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state from the connected state, and the fourth information includes the UE's identity.

Step 605: The SMF sends fifth information to the UPF. The fifth information is used to notify the UE that the UE will enter the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state from the connected state, and indicate that the UPF needs to suspend the original UE's dedicated tunnel in N3 To incorporate the UE into the public tunnel of the corresponding network slice. The fifth information includes the identity of the UE.

Exemplarily, the SMF may start the N4 session modification process, and send the fifth information to the UPF through a newly added N4 message or N4 Session Modification Request.

Step 606: The UPF sends sixth information to the SMF, where the sixth information is used to confirm the fifth information sent by the SMF.

Exemplarily, the UPF may send the sixth information to the SMF through a newly added N4 message or N4 Session Modification Response to confirm the request indicated by the fifth information sent by the SMF.

Step 607: The SMF sends seventh information to the AMF, where the seventh information is used to indicate that the UE has been incorporated into the public tunnel of the network slice.

Step 608: The AMF sends confirmation information for confirming the third information to the gNB.

Exemplarily, the AMF sends the confirmation information to the gNB through N2 Suspend Response to confirm the request indicated by the third information sent by the gNB.

Step 609: The gNB releases the RRC connection of the UE, and notifies the UE to enter the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state.

Step 610: The gNB migrates the UE from the connected state to the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state.

In the above example, the gNB decides to migrate a UE in the resource-overloaded network slice from the connected state to the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state, and suspend the UE-specific tunnel, so that the UE does not need to dismantle and establish a dedicated tunnel when moving, and can directly use the existing The public tunnel of the network slice, which can reduce ^{the signaling overhead caused by the removal and establishment of the tunnel caused by the UE movement in the RRC_INACTIVE+} state, and can still use the dedicated tunnel for data transmission when the public tunnel is unavailable , So as to ensure UE services.

As shown in FIG. 7, the embodiment of the present application provides an example of a communication method. In this example, the AMF provides network slice load reference information, and the gNB decides that all UEs in the network slice will enter the first state from the connected state. Specifically, the process of this example may include:

Step 701: The gNB receives overload indication information from the AMF, where the overload indication information is used to indicate that a core network resource of a network slice is overloaded.

Exemplarily, the overload indication information may be OVERLOAD START.

Step 702: The gNB determines to migrate all UEs in the network slice from the connected state to the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state.

Step 703: The gNB sends third information to the AMF, the third information is used to indicate that all UEs will enter the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state from the connected state, and the third information includes the identifier of the network slice.

Exemplarily, the gNB sends the third information to the AMF through the newly added information SLICE BASED PDU SESSION RESOURCE RELEASE INDICATION, or the existing message RAN CONFIGURATION UPDATE.

Step 704: The AMF sends fourth information to the SMF. The fourth information is used to notify the SMF that all UEs will enter the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state from the connected state, and the fourth information includes the identifier of the network slice.

Step 705: The SMF sends fifth information to the UPF. The fifth information is used to notify all UEs that they will enter the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state from the connected state, and indicate that the UPF needs to release all N3 original UE-specific tunnel information. Incorporate all UEs into the public tunnel of the corresponding network slice. The fifth information includes the identifier of the network slice.

Exemplarily, the SMF may initiate an N4 session modification process, and send the fifth information to the UPF through a newly added N4 message.

Step 706: The UPF sends sixth information to the SMF, where the sixth information is used to confirm the fifth information sent by the SMF.

Exemplarily, the UPF may send the sixth information to the SMF through a newly added N4 message to confirm the request indicated by the fifth information sent by the SMF.

Step 707: The SMF sends seventh information to the AMF, where the seventh information is used to indicate that all UEs in the network slice have been incorporated into the public tunnel of the network slice.

Step 708: The AMF sends confirmation information for confirming the third information to the gNB.

Exemplarily, the AMF sends the confirmation information to the gNB through the newly added information SLICEBASEDPDU SESSIONRESOURCERELEASECONFIRM, or the existing information RANCONFIGURATIONUPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE to confirm the third information sent by the gNB. Instructed request.

Step 709: The gNB releases the RRC connection of the UE, and notifies all UEs to enter the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state.

Step 710: The gNB migrates all UEs from the connected state to the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state.

In the above example, the gNB decides to migrate all UEs in the network slice in the resource-overloaded network slice from the connected state to the RRC_INACTIVE ⁺ state, so that the UE does not need to remove and establish a dedicated tunnel when moving, and can directly use the existing network slice. The public tunnel can reduce the signaling overhead caused by the removal and establishment of the tunnel caused by the UE movement ^{in the RRC_INACTIVE+ state.}

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiment describes the related process of the terminal device transitioning from the connected state to the first state. It should be understood that in a possible situation, when the existing inactive state (RRC_INACTIVE) and the above-mentioned When the first state coexists, the terminal device may also need to migrate from the existing inactive state to the first state, which is not limited in this application. Specifically, when the terminal device needs to migrate from the existing inactive state to the first state, one possible way is: the migration process can omit the need for the access network device to notify the terminal device that it needs to enter the first state in the foregoing embodiment. Steps, other processes are similar to the above processes and can be referred to each other; another possible way is: first execute the process of migrating the terminal device from the existing inactive state to the connected state, and then execute the process of connecting the terminal device from the connected state. For the process of transitioning the terminal device from the connected state to the first state, refer to the related description in the foregoing embodiment.

Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device. As shown in FIG. 8, the communication device 800 may include a transceiver unit 801 and a processing unit 802. Wherein, the transceiving unit 801 is used for the communication device 800 to receive information (message or data) or to send information (message or data), and the processing unit 802 is used to control and manage the actions of the communication device 800. The processing unit 802 may also control the steps performed by the transceiver unit 801.

Exemplarily, the communication apparatus 800 may be the access network device in the foregoing embodiment, and specifically may be a processor, or a chip or a chip system, or a functional module in the access network device. Specifically, when the communication apparatus 800 is used to implement the function of the access network device in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, it may specifically include:

The transceiving unit 801 is used to notify at least one terminal device in a network slice that it needs to enter the first state from the connected state; wherein, the first state is a state in which the inactive state is modified, and the modification is to change the terminal The user plane-specific tunnel between the core network and the access network of the device for the PDU session is replaced with a public tunnel between the core network and the access network for the network slice; the network slice is the network corresponding to the PDU session of the terminal device Slice; the processing unit 802 is configured to migrate the at least one terminal device from the connected state to the first state.

In an optional implementation manner, the transceiving unit 801 is further configured to receive first information from the AMF, and the first information is used to instruct the access network device to migrate the at least one terminal device to the The first state.

Specifically, when the at least one terminal device is all terminal devices in the network slice that access the access network device, the first information includes the identifier of the network slice.

In a possible implementation manner, the transceiving unit 801 is further configured to send second information to the AMF, and the second information is used to confirm that the AMF instructs to migrate the at least one terminal device to the first state Request.

Specifically, it is determined by AMF that the at least one terminal device needs to enter the first state from the connected state.

In another optional implementation manner, the transceiving unit 801 is further configured to receive overload indication information from the AMF, and the overload indication information is used to indicate that the core network resources of the network slice are overloaded; the processing unit 802 is further configured to It is used to determine to migrate the at least one terminal device from the connected state to the first state.

Exemplarily, the transceiver unit 801 is further configured to send third information to the AMF, where the third information is used to indicate that the at least one terminal device will enter the first state from the connected state.

Specifically, when the at least one terminal device is one terminal device, the third information further indicates to suspend the dedicated tunnel of the one terminal device.

Specifically, when the at least one terminal device is all terminal devices in the network slice that access the network device, the third information includes the identifier of the network slice.

In an example, the transceiving unit 801 is further configured to receive confirmation information for confirming the third information from the AMF.

It should be noted that the division of units in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. The functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional unit.

If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application essentially or the part that contributes to the existing technology or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium , Including several instructions to make a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor (processor) execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage media include: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (read-only memory, ROM), random access memory (random access memory, RAM), magnetic disks or optical disks and other media that can store program codes. .

Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device. As shown in FIG. 9, the communication device 900 may include a transceiver 901 and a processor 902. Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a memory 903. Wherein, the memory 903 may be provided inside the communication device 900, and may also be provided outside the communication device 900. Wherein, the processor 902 can control the transceiver 901 to receive and send data.

Specifically, the processor 902 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), or a combination of CPU and NP. The processor 902 may further include a hardware chip. The above-mentioned hardware chip may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD) or a combination thereof. The above-mentioned PLD may be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof.

Wherein, the transceiver 901, the processor 902, and the memory 903 are connected to each other. Optionally, the transceiver 901, the processor 902, and the memory 903 are connected to each other through a bus 904; the bus 904 may be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard Structure (Extended Industry Standard Architecture, EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and so on. For ease of representation, only one thick line is used in FIG. 9, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

In an optional implementation manner, the memory 903 is used to store programs and the like. Specifically, the program may include program code, and the program code includes computer operation instructions. The memory 903 may include RAM, or may also include non-volatile memory, such as one or more disk memories. The processor 902 executes the application program stored in the memory 903 to realize the above-mentioned functions, thereby realizing the functions of the communication device 900.

Exemplarily, the communication apparatus 900 may be an access network device. When the communication device 900 is used to implement the function of the access network device in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, it may specifically include:

The transceiver 901 is used to notify at least one terminal device in a network slice that it needs to enter the first state from the connected state; wherein, the first state is a state in which the inactive state is modified, and the modification is to change the terminal The user plane-specific tunnel between the core network and the access network of the device for the PDU session is replaced with a public tunnel between the core network and the access network for the network slice; the network slice is the network corresponding to the PDU session of the terminal device Slice; the processor 902 is configured to migrate the at least one terminal device from the connected state to the first state.

In an optional implementation manner, the transceiver 901 is further configured to receive first information from the AMF, and the first information is used to instruct the access network device to migrate the at least one terminal device to the The first state.

In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver 901 is further configured to send second information to the AMF, and the second information is used to confirm that the AMF instructs to migrate the at least one terminal device to the first state Request.

In another optional implementation manner, the transceiver 901 is further configured to receive overload indication information from the AMF, and the overload indication information is used to indicate that the core network resources of the network slice are overloaded; the processor 902 is further configured to It is used to determine to migrate the at least one terminal device from the connected state to the first state.

Exemplarily, the transceiver 901 is further configured to send third information to the AMF, where the third information is used to indicate that the at least one terminal device will enter the first state from the connected state.

Specifically, when the at least one terminal device is one terminal device, the third information is also used to instruct to suspend the dedicated tunnel of the one terminal device.

In an example, the transceiver 901 is further configured to receive confirmation information for confirming the third information from the AMF.

Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication system, which may include the terminal equipment, access network equipment, AMF, etc. involved in the above embodiments.

The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer-readable storage medium, where the computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the communication method provided in the above method embodiment.

The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product, where the computer program product is used to store a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the communication method provided in the foregoing method embodiment.

An embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, which is coupled with a memory, and the chip is used to implement the communication method provided in the foregoing method embodiment.

Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application may adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware. Moreover, this application may adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program codes.

This application is described with reference to flowcharts and/or block diagrams of methods, equipment (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each process and/or block in the flowchart and/or block diagram, and the combination of processes and/or blocks in the flowchart and/or block diagram can be realized by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to the processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing equipment to generate a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing equipment are used to generate It is a device that realizes the functions specified in one process or multiple processes in the flowchart and/or one block or multiple blocks in the block diagram.

These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can guide a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to work in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including the instruction device. The device implements the functions specified in one process or multiple processes in the flowchart and/or one block or multiple blocks in the block diagram.

These computer program instructions can also be loaded on a computer or other programmable data processing equipment, so that a series of operation steps are executed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce computer-implemented processing, so as to execute on the computer or other programmable equipment. The instructions provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one process or multiple processes in the flowchart and/or one block or multiple blocks in the block diagram.

Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to this application without departing from the protection scope of this application. In this way, if these modifications and variations of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalent technologies, then this application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

A communication method, characterized in that it comprises:

The access network device notifies at least one terminal device in a network slice that it needs to enter the first state from the connected state; wherein, the first state is a state in which the inactive state is modified, and the modification is to change the core of the terminal device The user plane dedicated tunnel for protocol data unit PDU sessions between the network and the access network is replaced with a public tunnel for network slicing between the core network and the access network; the network slicing is the network corresponding to the PDU session of the terminal device slice;

The access network device migrates the at least one terminal device from the connected state to the first state.
The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

The access network device receives first information from the access and mobility management function network element AMF, where the first information is used to instruct the access network device to migrate the at least one terminal device to the first state .
The method according to claim 2, wherein when the at least one terminal device is all terminal devices in the network slice that access the access network device, the first information includes the network The identity of the slice.
The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the method further comprises:

The access network device sends second information to the AMF, where the second information is used to confirm the request from the AMF to transfer the at least one terminal device to the first state.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the need for the at least one terminal device to enter the first state from the connected state is determined by the access network device through AMF.
The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

The access network device receives overload indication information from the AMF, where the overload indication information is used to indicate that the core network resources of the network slice are overloaded;

The access network device determines to migrate the at least one terminal device from the connected state to the first state.
The method according to claim 1 or 6, wherein the method further comprises:

The access network device sends third information to the AMF, where the third information is used to indicate that the at least one terminal device will enter the first state from the connected state.
The method according to claim 7, wherein when the at least one terminal device is one terminal device, the third information is further used to instruct to suspend the dedicated tunnel of the one terminal device.
The method according to claim 7, wherein when the at least one terminal device is all the terminal devices that access the network device in the network slice, the third information includes information about the network slice Logo.
9. The method according to any one of claims 7-9, wherein the method further comprises:

The access network device receives confirmation information for confirming the third information from the AMF.
A communication device, characterized in that it comprises:

The transceiver unit is used to notify at least one terminal device in a network slice that it needs to enter the first state from the connected state; wherein, the first state is a state in which the inactive state is modified, and the modification is to change the terminal device's The user plane-specific tunnel between the core network and the access network for the PDU session of the protocol data unit is replaced with a public tunnel between the core network and the access network for the network slice; the network slice corresponds to the PDU session of the terminal device Network slicing

The processing unit is configured to migrate the at least one terminal device from the connected state to the first state.
The communication device according to claim 11, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to:

First information is received from the access and mobility management function network element AMF, where the first information is used to instruct the access network device to migrate the at least one terminal device to the first state.
The communication device according to claim 12, wherein when the at least one terminal device is all terminal devices in the network slice that access the access network device, the first information includes the The ID of the network slice.
The communication device according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to:

Sending second information to the AMF, where the second information is used to confirm a request from the AMF to transfer the at least one terminal device to the first state.
The communication device according to any one of claims 11-14, wherein the need for the at least one terminal device to enter the first state from the connected state is determined by AMF.
The communication device according to claim 11, wherein:

The transceiver unit is further configured to: receive overload indication information from the AMF, where the overload indication information is used to indicate that the core network resources of the network slice are overloaded;

The processing unit is further configured to: determine to migrate the at least one terminal device from the connected state to the first state.
The communication device according to claim 11 or 16, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to:

Send third information to the AMF, where the third information is used to indicate that the at least one terminal device will enter the first state from the connected state.
The communication device according to claim 17, wherein when the at least one terminal device is one terminal device, the third information is further used to instruct to suspend the dedicated tunnel of the one terminal device.
The communication device according to claim 17, wherein when the at least one terminal device is all terminal devices in the network slice that access the network device, the third information includes the network slice Of the logo.
The communication device according to any one of claims 17-19, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to:

Receiving confirmation information for confirming the third information from the AMF.