WO2021168773A1

WO2021168773A1 - Communication method and communication apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2021168773A1
Application number: PCT/CN2020/077091
Authority: WO
Inventors: 于海凤; 于峰; 余芳; 李秉肇
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司
Priority date: 2020-02-28
Filing date: 2020-02-28
Publication date: 2021-09-02

Abstract

Provided are a communication method and a communication apparatus. In the technical solution of the present application, when a slave station device joins or is removed from a group, the dynamic change in the group relationship can be perceived by the slave station device or a master station device, and a terminal apparatus connected to the slave station device or the master station device reports or gives a notification of the current group relationship to a network side (for example, an access network device, a core network device, etc.), such that the network side can perceive the information update of the group, so that the access network device jointly schedules downlink messages and the core network device can perform addressing on the slave station device. Therefore, industrial Ethernet data can be transmitted by means of a wireless network so as to adapt to the requirements of scenarios where industry meets wireless technology.

Description

Communication method and communication device

Technical field

This application relates to the field of communication, and more specifically, to communication methods and communication devices.

Background technique

With the continuous deepening of the concept of Industry 4.0, the world's manufacturing industry is gradually shifting from the digital field to intelligent development, but whether it is a digital factory or an intelligent coexistence, it is inseparable from the support of basic network communication. Industrial Ethernet, that is, the Ethernet used in industrial configuration, has become one of the most popular communication networks due to its low price, stability and reliability, high communication rate, rich software and hardware products, wide application and mature supporting technology. Industrial Ethernet protocols include: EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, EtherCAT (Ethernet for control automation technology), Powerlink, Modbus-TCP, time-sensitive network (time-sensitive network, TSN), etc.

In the industrial Ethernet, the dynamic addition or removal of industrial equipment will cause the dynamic change of the group relationship between the master station equipment and the slave station equipment. Traditional industrial Ethernet communication adopts wired connection, that is, wired connection is adopted between master station equipment and slave station equipment. In this way, the group relationship between the master and slave devices can be maintained or updated through application layer protocols. For example, the group relationship between the master and slave devices can be maintained or updated through the Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP), where IGMP is the transmission control protocol/internet protocol (transmission control protocol/internet protocol). The TCP/IP) protocol family is a protocol responsible for Internet protocol (Internet protocol, IP) multicast member management. It is used to establish and maintain a multicast group membership relationship between an IP host and a router directly adjacent to it.

However, wired connection is not conducive to network expansion, and there are problems such as wiring difficulties, making it a trend to use wireless instead of wired. With the development of wireless networks, more and more people have begun to pay attention to using wireless networks to transmit industrial Ethernet data. In order to realize the transmission of industrial Ethernet data through the wireless network, the network elements in the wireless network need to perceive the dynamic changes of the group relationship between the master station equipment and the slave station equipment, so that the network elements in the wireless network can change according to the dynamic group Relations to deal with accordingly. However, at present, there is no relevant solution that can realize that the network element in the wireless network perceives the dynamic change of the group relationship between the master station device and the slave station device.

Summary of the invention

The present application provides a communication method and a communication device, which can enable network elements in a wireless network to perceive the dynamic change of the group relationship between the master station device and the slave station device.

In the first aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, and the execution subject of the method may be a first terminal device or a module (such as a chip) applied to the first terminal device. The following description will be made by taking the execution subject as the first terminal device as an example. The method is applicable to a first terminal device, and the method includes: determining first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate information of a group, and the group includes at least one slave device and serving the A master station device of at least one slave station device, the at least one slave station device is connected to the first terminal device; and the first indication information is sent to a core network device.

In the above technical solution, the slave station device reports the group information through the first terminal device, so that the network side (for example, access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.) can perceive the update of the group information, thereby achieving The industrial Ethernet data is transmitted through the wireless network to adapt to the needs of the industrial docking wireless scene.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, before the sending the first indication information to the core network device, the method further includes: determining to send the first indication information.

With reference to the first aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the determining to send the first indication information includes: determining that a first timer expires, and the first timer It is started or restarted when the first instruction information is sent; and/or it is determined that the information of the group has changed.

In the above technical solution, the first terminal device reports the current group information to the network side when the first timer expires or when the information of the determined group changes, so that the network side can effectively maintain the accuracy of the group information sex.

Combining the first aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the first indication information includes the identification of the slave device that has joined the group and/or the slave device The identification of the removed slave device; and/or, the first indication information includes the identification of the group and the identification of the at least one slave device; and/or, the first indication information includes joining the The number of slave devices in the group and/or the number of slave devices removed from the group; and/or, the first indication information includes an identifier of the group and the at least one slave station The number of devices.

The first indication information includes the identification of the slave device that has joined the group and/or the identification of the slave device that has been removed from the group, that is, the first terminal device only reports the information of the slave device that has changed. Less resources. The first indication information includes the identification of the group and the identification of at least one slave device, which can indicate the current group relationship more completely. The first indication information includes the number of slave devices added to the group and/or the number of slave devices removed from the group, which occupies less resources. The first indication information includes the identifier of the group and the number of the at least one slave station device, and occupies less resources.

With reference to the first aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the identity of the group is the identity of the master station device.

Combining the first aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving second indication information from the master station device, where the second indication information includes At least one first identifier, and the at least one first identifier corresponds to the at least one slave device one by one; and the identifier of the at least one slave device is updated according to the second indication information. In this way, the slave device can obtain a new identification in order to accurately address the slave device.

Combining the first aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the second indication information is carried in a protocol data unit PDU session modification message or a PDU session reconfiguration message.

In combination with the first aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the first indication information is carried in a protocol data unit PDU session establishment request message or a PDU session modification request message.

Combining the first aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving a concatenated message from an access network device, where the concatenated message includes at least Two target sub-messages, the target sub-messages include the identifiers of the slave devices, the slave devices corresponding to the at least two target sub-messages correspond to the same group, and the at least two target sub-messages Including a first target sub-message; determining that the identifier of the slave device included in the first target sub-message matches the identifier of the slave device connected to the first terminal device; saving the first target sub-message.

In the above technical solution, the access network device sends the downlink messages from the master station device to the first terminal device in the manner of cascading messages. Compared with sending the downlink messages one by one, the signaling overhead can be reduced.

Combining the first aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the concatenated message is received according to group configuration information, and the group configuration information includes group-wireless network The temporary identification G-RNTI and the identification of the group.

Combining the first aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, before the receiving the concatenated message from the access network device, the method further includes: reporting to the access network The device sends third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate information about the ability of the first terminal device to process concatenated packets.

In the above technical solution, the first terminal device reports its own ability to process concatenated messages to the access network device, so that the access network device can send downlink messages to the first terminal device in an appropriate manner, which can improve the success of message transmission. The probability.

In the second aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, and the execution subject of the method may be an access network device or a module (such as a chip) applied to the access network device. The following describes an example where the execution subject is an access network device. The method is applicable to an access network device, and the method includes: receiving first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate information of a group, the group including at least one slave device and serving the A master station device of at least one slave station device, the at least one slave station device is connected to a first terminal device; receiving a downlink message from the master station device, the downlink message including at least one sub-message, so The sub-message includes the identifier of the slave station device corresponding to the sub-message; according to the first indication information, the at least one sub-message is distributed.

In the above technical solution, the access network device can obtain the information of the new group, and then distribute the sub-messages in the downlink message according to the information of the new group, so that the received downlink message can be more accurately distributed. To distribute.

With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the distributing the at least one sub-message according to the first indication information includes: according to the first indication information and the at least one sub-message The identification of the slave station device included in the sub-message determines at least two target sub-messages; a concatenated message is determined according to the at least two target sub-messages, and the slaves corresponding to the at least two target sub-messages The station equipment corresponds to the same group; the concatenated message is sent through a common channel.

In the above technical solution, the access network device combines the messages of the slave devices belonging to the same group into a cascaded message for transmission. In this way, compared to sending the downlink messages one by one, the signaling overhead can be reduced. .

With reference to the second aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the slave device corresponding to the at least one sub-message includes a first slave device and a second slave device, so The first slave device is connected to the first terminal device, and the second slave device is connected to the third terminal device.

With reference to the second aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving third instruction information from the first terminal device, the third instruction information Information used to indicate the ability of the first terminal device to process concatenated messages; said determining at least two targets according to the first indication information and the identification of the slave device included in the at least one sub-message The sub-message includes: determining the at least two target sub-messages according to the first indication information, the identifier of the slave device included in the at least one sub-message, and the third indication information.

In other words, the method further includes: receiving third indication information from the first terminal device, where the third indication information is used to indicate information about the ability of the first terminal device to process concatenated messages; the At least two consecutive target sub-messages are determined according to the first indication information, the identifier of the slave device included in the at least one sub-message, and the third indication information.

In the above technical solution, when the access network device performs cascading processing on the message, it considers the ability of the terminal device to process the cascaded message reported by the terminal device, and can use a suitable method to send the downlink message to the terminal device, which can improve the message The probability of a successful transmission.

With reference to the second aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the first indication information comes from a core network device.

In the third aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, and the execution subject of the method may be a first core network device or a module (for example, a chip) applied to the first core network device. The following description will be made by taking the execution subject as the first core network device as an example. The method is applicable to a first core network device, and includes: determining second indication information, the second indication information includes at least one first identifier, and the at least one first identifier corresponds to at least one slave device one by one, so The at least one slave device is connected to the first terminal device; according to the second indication information, the mapping relationship between the first protocol data unit PDU session and the at least one slave device is determined, and the first PDU session corresponds to The first terminal device.

Optionally, the first core network device may be UPF.

Optionally, the first core network device may also be SMF or AMF.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned UPF, SMF, and AMF may also be called other names in future wireless communication networks, which are not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

When the master device determines that the group relationship has changed, it can reassign the identification for the slave device. In the above technical solution, the first core network device can obtain the identity assigned by the master device to the slave device, so that the identity reassigned by the master device to the slave device can be obtained, and the mapping between the slave device and the PDU session can be updated. Relationship, can achieve accurate addressing of slave devices.

With reference to the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending the second indication information to the first terminal device.

With reference to the third aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the second indication information comes from the master station device or the second core network device.

Optionally, the second core network device may be AMF.

Optionally, the second core network device may also be SMF or UPF.

When the user plane signaling is used to send the second indication information, the second indication information comes from the master station equipment, or a terminal device connected to the master station equipment.

When the control plane signaling is used to send the second indication information, the second indication information comes from the second core network device.

With reference to the third aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending first indication information to the master station device and/or the access network device, and the first An indication information comes from the first terminal device device and is used to indicate information of a group, the group including the at least one slave device and the master device serving the at least one slave device.

In the above technical solution, the first access network device sends the first indication information to the master device, so that the master device can determine that the group relationship has changed, so as to re-assign the identifier to the slave device and send the first indication to the master device. The indication information allows the access network device to determine the information of the new group, so as to accurately distribute the downlink message.

With reference to the third aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the first indication information includes the identification of the slave device that joins the group and/or the slave device The identification of the removed slave device; and/or, the first indication information includes the identification of the group and the identification of the at least one slave device; and/or, the first indication information includes joining the The number of slave devices in the group and/or the number of slave devices removed from the group; and/or, the first indication information includes an identifier of the group and the at least one slave station The number of devices.

With reference to the third aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the identity of the group is the identity of the master station device.

With reference to the third aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the first indication information is carried in a PDU session establishment request message or a PDU session modification request message.

With reference to the third aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the second indication information is carried in a PDU session modification message or a PDU session reconfiguration message.

In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method. The execution subject of the method may be a second core network device or a module (for example, a chip) applied to the second core network device. The following description is made by taking the execution subject as the second core network device as an example. The method is applicable to a second core network device, and the method includes: receiving first indication information from a first terminal device, where the first indication information is used to indicate information about a group, and the group includes the at least A slave station device and a master station device serving the at least one slave station device, the at least one slave station device is connected to the first terminal device; sending the first indication information to the master station device; Receiving second indication information from the master station device, where the second indication information includes at least one first identifier, the at least one first identifier corresponds to the at least one slave station device one by one, and the second indication information Is determined according to the first indication information; sending the second indication information to the first core network device.

Optionally, the first core network device is UPF, and the second core network device is AMF.

Optionally, the first core network device and the second core network device may also be other network elements in the future wireless communication network.

In the above technical solution, the first terminal device can report the information of the new group to the master station device through the second core network device; the first core network device can obtain the information of the slave station device from the master station device through the second core network device. Logo.

In the fifth aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, and the execution subject of the method may be a second terminal device, or a module (such as a chip) applied to the second terminal device. The following description will be made by taking the execution subject as the second terminal device as an example. The method is applicable to a second terminal device, and the method includes: determining second indication information, the second indication information includes at least one first identifier, and the at least one first identifier corresponds to at least one slave device one by one , The at least one slave device is connected to the first terminal device; and the second indication information is sent to the core network device.

Among them, the second terminal device is a terminal device connected to the master station device.

In the above technical solution, the second terminal device determines the identification of the slave device and sends the identification of the slave device to the core network device, so that the core network device can update the mapping between the slave device and the PDU session according to the identification of the slave device Relationship, so as to correctly address the slave device.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, before the sending the second indication information to the core network device, the method further includes: determining to send the second indication information.

With reference to the fifth aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the determining to send the second indication information includes: determining that a first timer expires, and the first timer Is activated or restarted when the second instruction information is sent; and/or, it is determined that the information of the group has changed, and the group includes the at least one slave device and the device serving the at least one slave device Master station equipment.

In the above technical solution, the second terminal device sends the identification of the slave device to the core network device when the first timer expires or the information of the determined group changes, so that the core network device can effectively maintain the identification of the slave device Accuracy. With reference to the fifth aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the second indication information is determined according to the first indication information from the first terminal device, and the first An indication information is used to indicate information of a group, and the group includes the at least one slave device and a master device serving the at least one slave device.

That is to say, the slave device perceives the change of the group relationship and reports it to the master device, and the master device reassigns the identifier for the slave device according to the group information reported by the slave device.

With reference to the fifth aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate group information, The group includes the at least one slave device and a master device serving the at least one slave device.

In other words, the master station device perceives the changes in the group relationship and notifies other network elements in the network.

With reference to the fifth aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the first indication information includes the identification of the slave device that joins the group and/or the slave device The identification of the removed slave device; and/or, the first indication information includes the identification of the group and the identification of the at least one slave device; and/or, the first indication information includes joining the The number of slave devices in the group and/or the number of slave devices removed from the group; and/or, the first indication information includes an identifier of the group and the at least one slave station The number of devices.

With reference to the fifth aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the identity of the group is the identity of the master station device.

With reference to the fifth aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the first indication information is carried in a protocol data unit PDU session establishment request message or a PDU session modification request message.

With reference to the fifth aspect and any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the second indication information is carried in a protocol data unit PDU session modification message or a PDU session reconfiguration message.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processing unit and a transceiving unit. The processing unit is configured to determine first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate a group. , The group includes at least one slave device and a master device serving the at least one slave device, the at least one slave device is connected to the first terminal device; the transceiver unit, Used to send the first indication information to the core network device.

Optionally, the above-mentioned communication device is a terminal device.

In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the communication device includes: a transceiver unit and a processing unit, the transceiver unit is configured to receive first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate a group The group includes at least one slave device and a master device serving the at least one slave device, and the at least one slave device is connected to the first terminal device; the transceiver unit also uses For receiving a downlink message from the master station device, the downlink message includes at least one sub-message, and the sub-message includes an identifier of the slave station device corresponding to the sub-message; the processing unit, And configured to perform distribution processing on the at least one sub-message according to the first indication information.

Optionally, the aforementioned communication device is an access network device.

In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processing unit and a transceiving unit. The processing unit is configured to determine second indication information. The second indication information includes at least one first Identification, the at least one first identification corresponds to at least one slave device one by one, and the at least one slave device is connected to the first terminal device; the processing unit is further configured to determine according to the second indication information A mapping relationship between a first protocol data unit PDU session and the at least one slave device, and the first PDU session corresponds to the first terminal device.

Optionally, the aforementioned communication device may be a UPF.

Optionally, the aforementioned communication device may also be SMF or AMF.

In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the communication device includes: a transceiver unit and a processing unit, the transceiver unit is configured to receive first indication information from a first terminal device, the first indication Information is used to indicate information of a group, the group including the at least one slave device and a master device serving the at least one slave device, the at least one slave device and the first terminal device Connected; sending the first indication information to the main station device; receiving second indication information from the main station device, the second indication information including at least one first identifier, the at least one first identifier One-to-one correspondence with the at least one slave station device, the second indication information is determined according to the first indication information; and the second indication information is sent to the first core network device.

Optionally, the aforementioned communication device is UPF, and the second core network device is AMF.

It should be noted that the above UPF and AMF may also be called other names in future wireless communication networks, which are not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the communication device includes: a processing unit and a transceiver unit, the processing unit is configured to determine second indication information, the second indication information includes at least one first Identifier, the at least one first identifier corresponds to at least one slave device one by one, and the at least one slave device is connected to the first terminal device; the transceiver unit is configured to send the second device to the core network device. Instructions.

Optionally, the above-mentioned communication device is a terminal device and is connected to the master station device.

Since the sixth aspect is a communication device corresponding to the first aspect, the seventh aspect is a communication device corresponding to the second aspect, the eighth aspect is a communication device corresponding to the third aspect, and the ninth aspect is a communication device corresponding to the fourth aspect. The communication device corresponding to the aspect, the tenth aspect is the communication device corresponding to the fifth aspect. Therefore, the more detailed implementation of the sixth aspect to the tenth aspect can refer to the first aspect to the fifth aspect, and the sixth aspect to the fifth aspect. The beneficial effects of the ten aspects can also be referred to the first aspect to the fifth aspect, which will not be repeated here.

In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device that includes a processor and a communication interface, the processor and the interface circuit are coupled to each other, and the communication interface is used to communicate with other devices, The processor is configured to implement the method according to the first aspect or any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect, or implement the method according to any one of the second aspect or the second aspect, or to implement the third aspect or the third aspect. The method described in any implementation manner of the aspect, or the method described in any implementation manner of the fourth aspect or the fourth aspect, or the method described in any implementation manner of the fifth aspect or the fifth aspect is implemented.

In a possible implementation manner, the communication device further includes a memory for storing instructions executed by the processor or storing input data required by the processor operating instructions or storing the processor operating instructions to generate The data.

In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a chip that includes a processor and a communication interface, the processor and the interface circuit are coupled with each other, and the communication interface is used to communicate with other devices. The processor is configured to implement the method described in the first aspect or any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect, or implement the method described in the second aspect or any one of the implementation manners of the second aspect, or to implement the third aspect or any of the third aspects The method described in one implementation manner, or the method described in any one of the fourth aspect or the fourth aspect, or the method described in any one of the fifth aspect or the fifth aspect.

In a possible implementation manner, the chip further includes a memory for storing instructions executed by the processor or storing input data required by the processor running instructions or storing data generated after storing the processor running instructions data.

In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product, the computer program product includes computer instructions, when the computer instructions are executed, the foregoing first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect Is executed, or causes the foregoing second aspect or the method in any possible implementation of the second aspect to be executed, or causes the foregoing third aspect or the method in any possible implementation of the third aspect to be executed, or causes the foregoing The method in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect is executed, or the method in any possible implementation of the aforementioned fifth aspect or the fifth aspect is executed.

In a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium that stores computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed, the foregoing first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect The method of is executed, or the method in the foregoing second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect is executed, or the method in the foregoing third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect is executed, or The foregoing fourth aspect or any possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect is caused to be executed, or the foregoing fifth aspect or any possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect is caused to be executed.

In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, the communication system including the communication device according to any one of the sixth aspect to the eleventh aspect.

Based on the foregoing, in the embodiments of the present application, when a slave device is added to or removed from the group, the slave device or the master device can perceive the dynamic change of the above-mentioned group relationship and communicate with the slave device. The device or the terminal device connected to the master station device reports or informs the network side (for example, access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.) of the current group relationship, so that the network side can perceive the update of group information to facilitate access to the network The equipment performs joint scheduling on the downlink message and the core network equipment addresses the slave equipment, so that the industrial Ethernet data can be transmitted through the wireless network to meet the requirements of the industrial docking wireless scene.

Description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of an EtherCAT frame.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario that can be applied to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of another communication scenario that can be applied to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of another communication scenario that can be applied to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of another communication scenario that can be applied to an embodiment of the present application.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the system architecture of the EtherCAT docking 5G communication system.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the protocol stack of the user plane of the 5G network.

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the MAC addressing process.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart corresponding to the communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another process corresponding to the communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 11 is a cascaded message structure provided by an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 12 is a schematic flowchart of the transmission of a downlink packet provided by an embodiment of the present application.

Figure 13 is a specific implementation of the first embodiment.

Figure 14 is another specific implementation of the first embodiment.

Figure 15 is a specific implementation of the second embodiment.

Figure 16 is another specific implementation of the second embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed ways

The terms "first" and "second" in the description of the application and the drawings are used to distinguish different objects, or to distinguish different processing of the same object, rather than describing a specific order of the objects. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof mentioned in the description of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally includes other steps or units that are not listed, or optionally also Including other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products or equipment. It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used as examples, illustrations, or illustrations. Any embodiment or design solution described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be construed as being more preferable or advantageous than other embodiments or design solutions. To be precise, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to present related concepts in a specific manner.

In order to facilitate the understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, first, the network elements, terms, technologies, etc. involved in the embodiments of the present application will be described.

(1) Master, slave and group

Taking the industrial Ethernet field as an example, the communication system includes master station equipment and slave station equipment. Among them, the master station equipment and the slave station equipment adopt wired connection for communication connection. The number of slave devices is denoted as N, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1. A wired connection is also used between the slave station equipment and the slave station equipment for communication connection. The slave equipment is controlled by the master equipment. Both the master station device and the slave station device include a transmitting unit (transmit unit) and a receiving unit (receive unit).

A master device can have one or more slave devices. The one or more slave devices and the master device form a group. The master device can assign addresses to the slave devices for the master device and the slave device To communicate. The subordination relationship between the master station device and the slave station device is the group relationship in the embodiment of the present application.

The master station equipment and the slave station equipment can be connected to a terminal device with a wireless communication function, thereby realizing the wireless connection between the master station equipment and the slave station equipment through a wireless communication network.

In the embodiments of the present application, the master station device may also be referred to as a master device, a master node, a master station, a master station, a control station, etc. For the convenience of description, the master station device is collectively referred to as a master station device below.

In the embodiments of the present application, the slave device may also be referred to as a slave device, a slave device, a slave node, a slave station, a slave node, a slave station, etc., for convenience of description, they are collectively referred to as a slave device in the following.

In the embodiments of the present application, the group relationship may also be referred to as a subordination relationship, an attribution relationship, an association relationship, a device grouping, etc., for the convenience of description, collectively referred to as a group relationship hereinafter.

(2) Terminal device

In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device is a device with a wireless communication function, and can be connected to a slave station device or a master station device. The terminal device can be set independently. Alternatively, the terminal device may be integrated with the slave station device or the master station device. In this case, the terminal device may refer to the part of the physical entity that integrates the terminal device and the slave station device or the master station device that integrates wireless communication functions. , For example, chip or system-on-chip, etc. Terminal devices may include wireless terminals in industrial control, or terminals with similar requirements in other control systems, such as wireless terminals in self-driving and remote medical surgery. Wireless terminal, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, or wireless terminal in smart home, etc. The terminal device may also be referred to as a terminal. For the convenience of description, it is collectively referred to as a terminal device below.

The terminal device can be connected to one or more slave devices. When the terminal device is used to receive downlink (DL) data sent by a network device, it judges whether it is sent to itself by the network device through the received data. If it is sent to the slave device connected to the terminal device, the terminal device forwards the received downlink data to the responding slave device; otherwise, if it is sent to itself, the terminal device does not forward it.

In some cases, the terminal device may also be connected to one or more master station equipment to implement the wireless communication process of the master station equipment.

When the terminal device is separated from the slave station device or the master station device, the terminal device may refer to user equipment, access terminal device, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal device, mobile device, user terminal Device, terminal device, wireless communication device, user agent or user device. The terminal device can also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (personal digital assistant, PDA), with wireless communication Functional handheld devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, terminal devices in the future 5G network, or terminal devices in the future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., implemented in this application The example does not limit this.

(3) Access network equipment

The access network equipment is used to forward data sent by the terminal device/core network equipment, receive data and request messages reported by the terminal device, and send synchronization, broadcast, and control instructions to the terminal device.

The access network equipment in the embodiments of the present application may be equipment used to communicate with terminal devices, and the access network equipment may be a global system for mobile communications (GSM) system or code division multiple access (code division multiple). The base transceiver station (BTS) in access, CDMA) can also be the base station (NodeB, NB) in the wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, or the evolution of the LTE system Evolved NodeB (evolved NodeB, eNB or eNodeB), it can also be a wireless controller in the cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, or the access network device can be a relay station, an access point, or a vehicle-mounted device , Wearable devices and access network equipment in the future 5G network or access network equipment in the future evolved PLMN network, etc., which are not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

(4) User plane function (UPF) network element

The functions supported by a single UPF include intra-radio access technology (intra-RAT)/inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) mobility anchor points and protocol data Unit (protocol, data unit, PDU) session and data network interconnection, packet routing and forwarding, data packet inspection, user plane quality of service (QoS) processing, etc.

(5) Access and mobility management function (AMF) network elements

AMF mainly performs access authentication and mobility management control functions. The functions supported by a single AMF include registration management, connection management, mobility management, access authentication, and access authorization.

(6) Session management function (SMF) network element

SMF is mainly for session management. The functions supported by a single SMF include session management, session establishment/modification/release, terminal device IP address allocation and management, support for interaction with external data networks (DN) to transmit PDU session authorization/ Signaling for external DN authentication.

(7) Network exposure function (NEF) network elements are used for the collection, analysis and reorganization of network capabilities.

(8) Policy control function (PCF) network element, a unified policy framework used to guide network behavior, and provide policy rule information for control plane function network elements (such as AMF, SMF network elements, etc.).

(9) Application function (AF) network element. The AF may be an application server that interacts with the core network for policy and charging control.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned network elements may also be called other names in future wireless communication networks, which are not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

(10) Addressing mode of EtherCAT protocol

Method 1: Self-incremental addressing

When the position addressing mode is adopted, the address of the slave device is an auto-incremental address. If the type of the first address of the slave device is a self-incremental address, for example, when the first address is a 16-bit negative self-increment address, in a possible way, the slave device may store its own relative to the master The position offset of the station device. When a downlink message distributed by the network device reaches a slave station device, if there is a second address in the downlink message and the position offset stored by the slave station device, the sum is 0X0000, the slave device can extract the data content sent by the master device to the slave device from the first sub-message including the second address, and can also insert the slave device into the first sub-message The data content that needs to be sent to the master station device; in another possible way, when a downlink message distributed by the network device reaches a slave station device, the slave station device first sends each first in the downlink message The second address included in the sub-message is increased by 1. After that, if there is a first sub-message with a second address of 0X0000 in the downlink message, the slave device can extract the master station from the first sub-message The data content sent by the device to the slave station device may also insert the data content that the slave station device needs to send to the master station device into the first sub-message.

Method 2: Node addressing

When using node addressing, each slave device has a fixed address (16bit), which can be called a node address. If the type of the first address of the slave device is a node address, for example, the first address of the slave device can be a 16-bit fixed address, and each slave device can store its own first address separately. When the network device distributes one When a downlink message arrives at a slave device, if there is a second address in the downlink message that is the same as the first address stored by the slave device, the slave device can access the first sub-message that includes the second address. Extract the data content sent by the master station device to the slave station device, and insert the data content that the slave station device needs to send to the master station device into the first sub-message.

Mode 3: Logical addressing

When the logical addressing mode is adopted, the address of the slave device is the logical address. If the type of the first address of the slave device is a logical address, the physical address of each slave is mapped to a specified logical address through the FFMU (fieldbus memory management unit) register, and the downlink message from the network device is based on the first The second address included in the sub-message is transmitted, and the slave station device can determine whether there is a first sub-message including the data content sent by the master station device to the slave station device in the downlink message according to the FFMU.

For the above three addressing modes, only one is used at the same time. The specific addressing mode can be instructed according to the relevant instructions in the EtherCAT message.

(11) EtherCAT frame

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of an EtherCAT frame. The standard Ethernet frame is divided into Ethernet header, Ethernet data, and frame check sequence (FCS). EtherCAT has been modified based on the standard Ethernet frame. As shown in Figure 1, the EtherCAT frame mainly includes an Ethernet header, EtherCAT data, and FCS. Among them, the Ethernet header can include the destination address, source address, and frame type. The destination address here refers to the broadcast/multicast address; the EtherCAT data includes the EtherCAT frame header and the EtherCAT message, and the EtherCAT message can include multiple sub-messages. Each sub-message is composed of a sub-message header, a data body, and a working counter (WKC). Further, the sub-message header includes fields such as command type Cmd, frame index number Idx, and slave device address.

Since the destination address of the Ethernet header is filled with a broadcast/multicast address, for example, a broadcast or multicast MAC address, the corresponding slave device cannot be found through the broadcast/multicast address, that is, the addressing is completed. For addressing, EtherCAT uses the slave device address in the sub-message header. For the convenience of description, the destination address/source address of the Ethernet header is referred to as the first-level address, the slave device address in the sub-message header is the second-level address, and the second-level address is allocated by the master device.

The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to scenarios where industrial Ethernet is connected to wireless communication, and specifically, can be applied to wireless industrial fields such as engineering automation and process control.

The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application can be applied to various wireless communication systems, such as: long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (time division) duplex, TDD), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, the future 5th generation (5G) system or new wireless (new radio, NR) etc.

Taking a 5G system as an example, FIGS. 2 to 5 show schematic diagrams of communication scenarios that can be applied to the embodiments of the present application.

In the communication scenario shown in Figure 2, the master station device provides services for three slave station devices. The master station device and the slave station devices are connected through a wireless communication system, and the master station device is connected to the core network device in the wireless communication system. Connection, the terminal device is connected to one of the three slave devices (such as slave device 1), and the slave devices still use wired connections.

In the communication scenario shown in Figure 3, the master station equipment provides services for the slave station equipment 1-4, the master station equipment and the slave station equipment are connected through a wireless communication system, and the master station equipment is connected to the core network in the wireless communication system. Device connection, multiple slave devices are connected to the terminal device, for example, the terminal device 1 is connected to the slave device 1, the terminal device 2 is connected to the slave device 4, and the terminal device 3 is connected to the slave device 3; Wired connection between.

In the communication scenario shown in Figure 4, the master station equipment 1 and the master station equipment 2 share the access network equipment and core network equipment, the master station equipment 1 provides services for the slave station equipment 1 and 2, and the master station equipment 2 is the slave station The devices 3 and 4 provide services. The master station equipment and the slave station equipment are connected through a communication system, the master station equipment is connected with the core network equipment in the wireless communication system, and the slave station equipment is wiredly connected.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of another communication scenario applicable to an embodiment of the present application. In the actual network deployment, the core network equipment is usually located in a remote computer room, and the distance between the master station equipment and the slave station equipment in the factory building is not that far, so there is a scene as shown in Figure 5. In the communication scenario shown in Figure 5, the master station device provides services for the slave station devices 1 and 2. The master station device and the slave station device are connected through a wireless communication system, and the master station device and the terminal device (such as terminal device 2 ) Connection, another terminal device (such as terminal device 1) is connected to the first slave device (such as slave device 1) among multiple slave devices. The terminal device 1 and the terminal device 2 are under the coverage of the same access network device, but when the master device and the slave device communicate, although the distance between the master device and the slave device is not that far, the communication between the two is still Need to pass through each network element equipment (for example, access network equipment, core network equipment) in the wireless communication system.

For descriptions of slave station equipment, master station equipment, terminal equipment, access network equipment, and core network equipment in FIGS. 2 to 5, reference may be made to the relevant description above, which will not be repeated here.

It should be noted that the access network equipment and the core network equipment in Figures 2 to 5 are put together. In an actual wireless communication system, the access network equipment and the core network equipment may be separated, but for ease of description, the separation of the access network equipment and the core network equipment is not shown in the figure.

It should also be noted that Figures 2 to 5 are only exemplary, where the number of master station equipment, slave station equipment, etc. can be more or less; the communication scenario can also be any of the four scenarios shown in Figures 2 to 5 In combination or modification, the embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this. In Figures 2 to 5, the master station equipment and the slave station equipment are nodes that follow the industrial Ethernet protocol for communication. In the embodiment of the present application, the industrial Ethernet protocol may be EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, EtherCAT, Powerlink, Modbus-TCP, TSN, etc., which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application. For the convenience of description, the following uses EtherCAT as an example to describe the embodiments of the present application.

Figures 2 to 5 show schematic diagrams of scenarios that are intensively applicable to the embodiments of the present application. The following takes EtherCAT as an example to describe the specific system architecture of the industrial Ethernet docking 5G communication system.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the system architecture of the EtherCAT docking 5G communication system. The functions of each network element in FIG. 6 can be referred to the relevant description above, which will not be repeated here. As shown in Figure 6, the communication protocol used between the master device and the slave device is the EtherCAT protocol. The AF or master device is connected to NEF or PCF through the Nnef interface, and to UPF through the N6 interface; NEF or PCF through the N7 interface Connected to SMF; UPF is connected to SMF through N4 interface and connected to access network equipment through N3 interface; SMF is connected to AMF through N11 interface; AMF is connected to access network equipment through N2 interface; Access network equipment is connected to slave stations The terminal device of the device is connected. Through the above-mentioned various interfaces and network elements, wireless transmission of data based on the EtherCAT protocol between the master station device and the slave station device can be realized.

At present, the 5G network supports the addressing of the first-level address mentioned above. Taking MAC addressing as an example, the addressing of the first-level address is described. First, the protocol stack of the user plane of the 5G network is described.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the protocol stack of the user plane of the 5G network. As shown in Figure 7, between the terminal device and the 5G-access network equipment, between the 5G-access network equipment and the UPF, and between UPF and UPF (PDU session anchor), there are equal Protocol stack structure. Among them, UPF (PDU Session Anchor) can be understood as a gateway node. Both the node and the terminal device have a PDU layer. UPF (PDU Session Anchor) can perform IP/MAC address identification in the PDU layer, and then the MAC address Mapping with the PDU session to send data to the corresponding terminal device. Among them, the PDU session is a tunnel used for data transmission between the terminal device and the UPF.

The following describes the specific process of MAC addressing.

For terminal devices that use the industrial Ethernet protocol, the current MAC addressing process will establish an Ethernet PDU session for the terminal device, and search through the MAC address (first-level address) carried in the Ethernet header. site. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the MAC addressing process. Specifically, steps 801 to step 814 as shown in FIG. 8 can be performed, where steps 801 to step 808 are the PDU session establishment process, steps 809 to step 811 are the downlink traffic processing process, and steps 812 to step 814 It is the processing process of uplink data (uplink traffic).

1) PDU session establishment process

Step 801: The terminal device sends a PDU Session Establishment Request message (PDU Session Establishment Request) to the AMF, and the request message carries a type indication for indicating the PDU session that the terminal device requests to establish. Among them, the type indication includes Ethernet PDU session.

In step 802, the AMF receives the PDU session establishment request message sent by the terminal device, and completes the SMF selection.

Step 803: The AMF sends a Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSNContext request message (Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSNContext Request) to the selected SMF.

Step 804: The SMF sends a Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSNContext response message (Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSNContext Response) to the AMF.

Through steps 803 and 804, AMF and SMF exchange Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSNContext information, thereby establishing a tunnel between AMF and SMF.

Step 805, PDU Session authentication/authorization, to perform authentication/authentication on the established PDU session.

Step 806: After passing the authentication/authentication, the DN sends DN authorization data (DN authorization data for the established PDU Session) for the established PDU session to the SMF. Among them, the DN authentication data carries a list of allowed MAC addresses for the PDU session (a list of allowed MAC addresses for the PDU Session, up to 16), and/or a list of allowed VIDs for the session (a list of allowed VIDs For the PDU Session).

In step 807, the SMF sends a UDP Ethernet packet filter set (UPF Ethernet Packet Filter Set) and a forwarding rule (forwarding rule) to the UPF to instruct the UPF to process and forward the Ethernet data rules. In addition, the SMF will also forward the MAC address table allowed by the PDU session in step 806 to the UPF.

In step 808, the UPF processes and forwards the Ethernet data according to the information forwarded by the SMF in step 807. There are two relationships between the PDU session and the N6 interface (the interface between UPF and DN). Which relationship is actually used depends on the operator's configuration. The technical solution of the embodiment of the present application is based on the second type of relationship adopted by the operator.

The first relationship: There is a 1:1 mapping relationship between the PDU session and the N6 interface. At this time, the N6 interface from which the UPF receives the Ethernet frame will map the Ethernet frame to the corresponding PDU session without identifying the Ethernet frame carrying MAC address.

The second relationship: There is a many-to-one mapping relationship between the PDU session and the N6 interface. At this time, as the anchor of the PDU session, the UPF needs to determine the MAC address of the terminal device carried in the Ethernet frame, and based on the information forwarded by the SMF, complete the N6 The mapping with the PDU conversation, and then complete the Ethernet frame forwarding.

After completing the establishment of the PDU session, when Ethernet data needs to be transmitted, the UPF will forward the Ethernet data according to the allowed MAC address table obtained in the above-mentioned establishment process.

2) Processing process of downlink data

In step 809, the UPF receives a downlink Ethernet frame (downlink Ethernet frame) from the DN and carried on the N6 tunnel.

In step 810, the UPF identifies the destination MAC address carried in the downlink Ethernet frame, and maps the downlink Ethernet frame to the corresponding destination MAC address and the mapping relationship between the pre-stored PDU session and the MAC address allowed by the PDU session PDU session.

Step 811, the UPF sends a downlink Ethernet frame to the terminal device in the corresponding PDU session.

3) Processing process of uplink data (downlink traffic)

Step 812: If the terminal device has an uplink Ethernet frame (uplink Ethernet frame) that needs to be sent, the terminal device sends an uplink Ethernet frame to the UPF, where the uplink Ethernet frame carries the MAC address.

Step 813: After receiving the uplink Ethernet frame, the UPF parses the MAC address in the uplink Ethernet frame, and determines whether the corresponding MAC address is in the MAC address table allowed by the PDU session. If the corresponding MAC address is in the allowable MAC address table corresponding to the current PDU session, perform step 814 to map it to the corresponding N6 tunnel and send it; if the corresponding MAC address is not the allowable MAC address corresponding to the current PDU session In the table, the uplink Ethernet frame is discarded.

Step 814: Send an uplink Ethernet frame on the N6 tunnel.

Judging from the content described above, currently, the network elements in the wireless network only perceive the first-level address, not the second-level address. In other words, the network elements in the wireless network cannot perceive the dynamic change of the group relationship between the master station device and the slave station device. Therefore, how to realize that the network element in the wireless network perceives the dynamic change of the group relationship between the master station device and the slave station device becomes a problem that needs to be solved urgently.

In response to the foregoing problems, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and a communication device, which can realize that the network element in the wireless network perceives the dynamic change of the group relationship between the master station device and the slave station device. The communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application will be described below.

Example one

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a flow corresponding to the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. In an embodiment of the present application, the slave device can perceive the dynamic change of the group relationship and report it to the network side and the master device. The method shown in Figure 9 includes:

Step 910: The first terminal device determines first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate group information.

The group includes at least one slave device and a master device serving the at least one slave device, and the at least one slave device is connected to the first terminal device. That is, the first indication information is used to indicate the information of the group corresponding to the slave device connected to the first terminal device.

The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the connection manner between the first terminal device and at least one slave station device. For example, the first slave device in the at least one slave device is integrated with the first terminal device and connected through an internal interface, and at least one slave device is connected by a wired connection. For another example, at least one slave device is respectively connected to the first terminal device through a wired connection or a wireless connection.

The information of the group includes at least one of the following information: the identification of the slave device joining the group, the identification of the slave device removed from the group, the identification of the group, and at least one slave connected to the first terminal device. The identification of the station device, the number of slave devices that have joined the group, the number of slave devices removed from the group, and the number of at least one slave device connected to the first terminal device.

For example, the first indication information includes the identification of the slave device that has joined the group and/or the identification of the slave device that has been removed from the group. In this way, the first terminal device only reports the information of the changed slave device, and can use less resources to send the first indication information.

For another example, the first indication information includes an identification of the group and an identification of at least one slave device connected to the first apparatus. This can indicate the current group relationship more completely.

For another example, the first indication information includes the number of slave devices added to the group and/or the number of slave devices removed from the group. In this way, fewer resources can be used to send the first indication information.

For another example, the first indication information includes the identity of the group and the number of at least one slave device connected to the first terminal device. In this way, fewer resources can be used to send the first indication information. The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the form of the identification of the slave device. For example, the identification of the slave device may be the self-incremental address, node address, or logical address of the slave device. The specific meaning of the self-increment address, node address and logical address can be referred to the relevant description above, which will not be repeated here.

The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the form of the group identification. For example, the identity of the group may be the identity of the master station equipment included in the group. For another example, the identification of the group may be a symbol, a number, etc. configured by the master station device that can uniquely identify the group.

The first terminal device determines the first indication information. In a possible implementation manner, the first terminal device determines the first indication information according to information from the group of slave devices. That is, the first terminal device acquires the information of the group from the slave device. The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the manner in which the slave device determines the information of the group. For example, the slave device may use an application layer discovery protocol (link layer discovery protocol, LLDP) to sense that the slave device joins or removes from the group, thereby determining the information of the group. For another example, the slave device can sense that the slave device joins or removes from the group through the addition or disappearance of the hot plug signal, thereby determining the information of the group.

Step 920: The first terminal device sends first indication information to the core network device.

Correspondingly, the core network device receives the first indication information from the first terminal device.

The core network equipment may be UPF, SMF, AMF or other core network equipment.

The core network equipment may also be other network elements that can implement the above-mentioned functions in the future wireless communication network.

Optionally, before the first terminal device sends the first indication information to the core network device, the first terminal device determines to send the first indication information.

In a possible implementation, when the first terminal device determines that the first timer expires, the first terminal device device sends the first indication information. The first timer is a periodic timer corresponding to sending the first indication information, and is started or restarted when the first indication information is sent.

In another possible implementation manner, when the first terminal device determines that the group information has changed, the first terminal device sends the first indication information. For example, the first terminal device may compare the information of the group received this time with the information of the group sent last time. When the information of the two groups is inconsistent, it is determined that the information of the group has changed (for example, there is The slave station device joins or removes from the group), the first terminal device sends first indication information to the core network device, indicating the current group information of the core network device.

Of course, the above determination action may also be performed by the slave station device. When it is determined that the slave station device determines that the first timer expires or the group information has changed, the group information is sent to the first terminal device. At this time, for the first terminal device, it is only necessary to send the information from the group of slave station devices to the core network device through the first instruction information.

Step 930: The core network device sends the first indication information to the second terminal device device, and correspondingly, the second terminal device receives the first indication information from the core network device. Wherein, the second terminal device is connected with the main station equipment.

The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the manner in which the second terminal device is connected to the master station device. For example, when the second terminal device is integrated with the main station device, the second terminal device and the main station device may be connected through an internal interface. For another example, when the second terminal device and the main station device are independently set up, the second terminal device and the main station device may be connected in a wired or wireless manner.

Step 940: The second terminal device determines second indication information, where the second indication information includes at least one first identifier.

Wherein, the at least one first identifier corresponds to the slave device currently connected to the first terminal device one by one, and is an identifier re-allocated by the master device for the slave device.

Optionally, the at least one first identifier may be an auto-incremental address, a node address, or a logical address.

The second terminal device determines the second indication information. In a possible implementation manner, after receiving the first indication information, the second terminal device sends the first indication information to the master station device, and the master station device determines the group information according to the first indication information, and is the slave device. The station equipment reassigns the identifier, and then sends the reassigned identifier to the second terminal device; the second terminal device determines the second indication information according to the reassigned identifier from the master station device.

Step 950: The second terminal device sends second indication information to the core network device, and correspondingly, the core network device receives the second indication information from the second terminal device.

Step 960: The core network device determines the mapping relationship between the first PDU session and the at least one slave device according to the second indication information, where the first PDU session corresponds to the first terminal device, and the at least one slave device is the current and the first The slave device connected to the terminal device. In other words, the core network device updates the mapping relationship between the first PDU session and the at least one slave device according to the reassigned identity after receiving the reassigned identifier for the slave device by the master device.

The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the form of the mapping relationship between the first PDU session and the at least one slave device. For example, the first PDU session corresponds to an identification table, and the identification in the identification table is the identification of the slave device that is allowed to transmit data through the first PDU session.

In this way, the core network device can transmit the uplink message or the downlink message according to the updated mapping relationship.

Step 970: The core network device sends second indication information to the first terminal device, and correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the second indication information from the core network device.

It should be understood that the core network device sending the second instruction information to the first terminal device does not mean that the core network device must directly send the second instruction information to the first terminal device, and may also be forwarded by other network elements or transparently transmitted.

Optionally, after the first terminal device receives the second indication information, the second indication information may be forwarded to the slave station device connected to the first terminal device, so that the slave station device updates its own identity.

After the above steps, it is possible to realize that the core network equipment in the wireless network perceives the dynamic change of the group relationship.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 10, after step 920, step 1010 and step 1020 may be performed, that is, after the core network device receives the first indication information, it may also forward the first indication to the access network device. Information, so that the access network device can distribute the downlink message according to the information of the new group.

Specifically, the access network device receives first indication information from the core network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate information about the group; the access network device receives a downlink message from the master station device, and the downlink message includes at least one A sub-message, where the sub-message includes the identifier of the slave station device corresponding to the sub-message; the access network device distributes the above-mentioned at least one sub-message according to the first indication information.

Optionally, the access network device may distribute and process the at least one sub-message in the following manner: the access network device determines at least two sub-messages according to the first indication information and the identification of the slave device included in the at least one sub-message. A target sub-message; a concatenated message is determined according to the obtained at least two target sub-messages, and the slave devices corresponding to the at least two target sub-messages correspond to the same group; the access network device is on a common channel Concatenated messages obtained by transmission. That is to say, the access network equipment will merge the sub-messages of the same group into a concatenated message, and send the concatenated message on the common channel corresponding to the group, compared to each terminal device alone. Sending data can reduce signaling overhead.

Specifically, the access network device determines the above-mentioned at least two target sub-messages according to the first indication information and the identification of the slave device included in the at least one sub-message; further, it is determined that the at least two target sub-messages are determined For sub-messages belonging to the same terminal device, the sub-messages belonging to the same terminal device and the identification of the corresponding terminal device are combined into one concatenated sub-message to obtain at least one concatenated sub-message. Messages correspond to different terminal devices one by one, and the slave devices connected to these terminal devices belong to the same group; further merge at least one cascaded sub-message obtained into a cascaded message, and put it on the common channel Send the concatenated message.

Fig. 11 shows a cascaded message structure provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 11, each slave device connected to the first terminal device and each slave device connected to the third terminal device belong to the same group (or subordinate to the same master device), and data 1 includes The sub-message of each slave device connected by the first terminal device, and the data 2 includes the sub-message of each slave device connected by the third terminal device. The identity of the first terminal device and data 1 constitute a concatenated sub-message 1, and the identity of the third terminal device and data 2 constitute a concatenated sub-message 2. The concatenated sub-message 1 and the concatenated sub-message 2 together constitute a concatenated message.

Optionally, each terminal device may also send third instruction information to the access network device, and the access network device receives third instruction information from each terminal device, where the third instruction information is used to instruct the terminal device to process the concatenated message Ability. In other words, the terminal device can report its ability to process concatenated messages to the access network equipment.

Based on this, the access network device may also distribute and process the at least one sub-message in the following manner: the access network device according to the first indication information, the identification of the slave device included in the at least one sub-message, and each terminal device The sent third indication information determines at least two target sub-messages; determines a concatenated message according to the obtained at least two target sub-messages; the access network device transmits the obtained concatenated message on the common channel. In other words, when the access network device distributes each sub-message, it will consider the ability of each terminal device to process concatenated messages. In this way, different message distribution methods are used for terminal devices of different capabilities. For example, when the terminal device does not have the ability to process concatenated messages, the access network equipment can send corresponding messages to the terminal device alone; when the terminal device has the ability to process concatenated messages, it can only send the corresponding messages to it. Union message. In this way, the probability of message transmission failure can be reduced.

Alternatively, the access network device may also perform distribution processing on the at least one sub-message described above in the following manner: the access network device determines at least two target sub-messages according to the third instruction information sent by each terminal device; Two target sub-messages determine a concatenation message; the access network device transmits the concatenation message obtained on the common channel. In other words, the access network equipment can perform cascading processing on downlink messages only according to the ability of each terminal device to process cascaded messages.

In other embodiments, the access network device may also receive the aforementioned first indication information from the first terminal device.

Correspondingly, each terminal device can monitor the common channel corresponding to the group according to the group configuration information obtained in advance. After listening to the concatenated message, each terminal device determines which part of the concatenated message belongs to itself according to the identification of the terminal device carried in the concatenated message. Among them, the group configuration information may include a group-radio network temporary identifier (G-RNTI) and an identifier of the group.

Taking the first terminal device as an example, the first terminal device receives a concatenated message from an access network device, and the concatenated message includes at least two target sub-messages; the first terminal device determines each target sub-message separately Whether the included identifier of the slave device matches the identifier of the slave device connected to the first terminal device;

When the first terminal device determines that the identifier of the slave device included in a certain target sub-message matches the identifier of the slave device connected to the first terminal device, the first terminal device determines that the target sub-message is sent to itself , So that the first terminal device processes the target sub-message. For example, the first terminal device saves the target sub-message, or the first terminal device forwards the target sub-message to the corresponding slave device.

When the first terminal device determines that the identifier of the slave device included in a certain target sub-message does not match the identifier of the slave device connected to the first terminal device, the first terminal device discards the target sub-message or discards all target sub-messages. Message.

When the identifier of the slave device included in the target sub-message is among the identifiers of at least one slave device connected to the first terminal device, the first terminal device determines that the identifier of the slave device included in the target sub-message is the same as the first terminal device. The identification of the slave device connected to the terminal device matches; on the contrary, it does not match.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic flow chart of transmitting a downlink packet provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 12 takes the first terminal device connected to the slave station device 1 and the third terminal device connected to the slave station device 2 as an example, where the slave station device 1 and the slave station device 2 belong to the same master station device.

As shown in Figure 12, in step 1204 and step 1205, the master station device sends data 1 and data 2 to the core network device, where data 1 is data sent to the slave device 1, and data 2 is sent to the slave station. Data for device 2. Among them, data 1 and data 2 may correspond to the above downlink message.

Step 1206: The core network device maps data 1 and data 2 to the corresponding PDU sessions according to the mapping relationship between the PDU session and the slave station device. In Figure 12, slave device 1 has a mapping relationship with PDU session 1, and slave device 2 has a mapping relationship with PDU session 2. Therefore, the core network device maps data 1 to PDU session 1, and data 2 to PDU session 2 on.

Optionally, before step 1206, steps 1201-1203 can be performed to establish PDU session 1 for the first terminal device, establish PDU session 2 for the third terminal device, and establish a slave connection between PDU session 1 and the first terminal device. The mapping relationship between the station device 1 and the mapping relationship between the PDU session 2 and the slave station device 2 connected to the third terminal device.

Through step 1207 and step 1208, the core network device sends data 1 to the access network device in PDU session 1, and sends data 2 to the access network device in PDU session 2.

Step 1209: The access network equipment determines whether to perform cascading processing on data 1 and data 2 according to the pre-stored group relationship between the master station equipment and the slave station equipment. In Figure 12, the slave device 1 and the slave device 2 belong to the same master device, so the access network device determines that the data 1 and the data 2 are in a group, so the data 1 and the data 2 are cascaded.

Step 1210: The access network device cascades processing data 1 and data 2, and jointly encodes them to form a cascaded message, and uses the common channel corresponding to the group to send the cascaded message.

Step 1211: The access network equipment transmits the concatenated message on the common channel, and the first terminal device and the third terminal device receive the concatenated message on the common channel.

Step 1212, taking the first terminal device as an example, the first terminal device judges whether the identifier of the slave device included in data 1 and the identifier of the slave device included in data 2 in the cascading message is a slave device connected to itself The logo is the same. If they are the same, then receive the corresponding data; if they are not the same, then discard the corresponding data or all the data. In FIG. 12, data 1 is sent to the slave device 1. Therefore, the first terminal device will receive the data 1.

On the basis of the process of transmitting downlink messages shown in Figure 12, the slave device perceives the dynamic change of the group relationship and reports it to the core network device and the access network device, which can make the core network device and the access network device Perceive the dynamic changes of the group relationship, so that the core network device updates the mapping relationship between the PDU session and the slave device, and the access network device updates the slave device that is jointly scheduled to realize the transmission of industrial Ethernet data through the wireless network.

After the slave device perceives the dynamic change of the group relationship, it is reported to the network side by the terminal device connected to the slave device. The terminal device may report through user plane signaling, and may also report through control plane signaling, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

Figure 13 shows a specific implementation of the first embodiment. In FIG. 13, the terminal device reports the dynamic change of the group relationship through user plane signaling. As shown in Figure 13, the first terminal device sends the first indication information to the UPF, and then the UPF sends it to the second terminal device, SMF, NEF/PVF, gNB, and other network elements, so that each network element can perceive changes in the group relationship .

Specifically, in step 1302, the first terminal device determines the first indication information.

Optionally, before step 1302, step 1301 may also be performed, that is, the slave device determines the group information and transmits it to the first terminal device.

Step 1303: The first terminal device sends the first indication information to the UPF, and accordingly, the UPF receives the first indication information from the first terminal device.

Step 1304, the first indication information is exchanged between UPF, SMF, NEF/PVF, the second terminal device and the master station device.

Step 1305: After receiving the first indication information, the master station device reassigns an identifier to the slave station device connected to the first terminal device.

Step 1306, the second indication information is exchanged between UPF, SMF, NEF/PVF, the second terminal device and the master station device, the second indication information includes at least one identifier, and the at least one identifier is the reassigned identifier in step 1305 .

Step 1307: The UPF updates the mapping relationship between the PDU session and the slave station device according to the received second indication information. The PDU session is a PDU session established by the first terminal device.

Step 1308, the UPF sends the second indication information to the first terminal device, and accordingly, the first terminal device receives the second indication information from the UPF.

Step 1309: The first terminal device forwards the second indication information to the slave device.

On the other hand, after the UPF receives the first indication information, the UPF executes step 1310, that is, sends the first indication information to the gNB.

Step 1311: The gNB determines the slave device to be jointly scheduled according to the received first indication information. Among them, the slave devices of the joint scheduling are slave devices that belong to the same group or belong to the same master device.

Step 1312: According to the updated mapping relationship and the determined joint-scheduled slave device, the subsequent data is transmitted.

The detailed description of each step in FIG. 13 can be referred to the above, and will not be repeated here.

It should be noted that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the sequence of step 1304 and step 1310. According to actual conditions, the two can be executed sequentially or simultaneously.

FIG. 14 shows another specific implementation manner of the first embodiment. In FIG. 14, the terminal device reports a schematic flow chart of the dynamic change of the group relationship through the control plane signaling. As shown in Figure 14, the first terminal device sends the first indication information to the AMF, and the AMF sends it to the second terminal device, SMF, NEF/PVF, gNB, and other network elements, so that each network element can sense the changes in the group relationship .

Specifically, in step 1402, the first terminal device determines the first indication information.

Optionally, before step 1402, step 1401 may also be performed, that is, the slave device determines the group information and transmits it to the first terminal device.

Step 1403: The first terminal device sends the first indication information to the AMF, and accordingly, the AMF receives the first indication information from the first terminal device.

Step 1404, the first indication information is exchanged between the AMF, SMF, NEF/PVF, the second terminal device and the master station device.

Step 1405: After receiving the first indication information, the master station device reassigns an identifier to the slave station device connected to the first terminal device.

Step 1406, the second indication information is exchanged between the AMF, SMF, NEF/PVF, the second terminal device, and the master station device, the second indication information includes at least one identifier, and the at least one identifier is the reassigned identifier in step 1405 .

Step 1407: The AMF sends the second indication information to the UPF, and accordingly, the UPF receives the second indication information from the AMF.

Step 1408: The UPF updates the mapping relationship between the PDU session and the slave station device according to the received second indication information. The PDU session is a PDU session established by the first terminal device.

Step 1409: The UPF sends the second indication information to the first terminal device, and accordingly, the first terminal device receives the second indication information from the UPF.

In step 1410, the first terminal device forwards the second indication information to the slave device.

On the other hand, after the SMF receives the first indication information, step 1411 is executed, that is, the first indication information is sent to the gNB.

Step 1412: The gNB determines the slave device for joint scheduling according to the received first indication information. Among them, the slave devices of the joint scheduling are slave devices that belong to the same group or belong to the same master device.

The detailed description of each step in FIG. 14 can be referred to the above, and will not be repeated here.

Example two

In the embodiment of the present application, the master station device may also perceive the dynamic change of the group relationship and send it to the slave station device.

Figure 15 shows a specific implementation of the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15, in step 1502, the master station device reassigns an identifier for the slave station device currently connected to the first terminal device.

Optionally, before step 1502, step 1501 can also be performed, that is, the master station device determines the information of the group, where the group includes at least one slave station device and the master station device serving the at least one slave station device. At least one slave device is connected to the first terminal device.

For another example, the first indication information includes the identity of the group and the number of at least one slave device connected to the first terminal device. In this way, fewer resources can be used to send the first indication information.

The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the form of the identification of the slave device. For example, the identification of the slave device may be the self-incremental address, node address, or logical address of the slave device. The specific meaning of the self-increment address, node address and logical address can be referred to the relevant description above, which will not be repeated here.

There are many ways for the master station device to determine the information of the group, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application. For example, the master station device may use the application layer discovery protocol (link layer discovery protocol, LLDP) to sense that the slave station device joins or removes from the group, so as to determine the information of the group. For another example, the master station device can detect that the slave station device joins or removes from the group through the addition or disappearance of the hot plug signal, thereby determining the information of the group.

Step 1503: The master station device sends fourth indication information to the core network device through the second terminal device, so that the core network device (for example, SMF, NEF/PCF, etc.) perceives the dynamic change of the group relationship. Wherein, the fourth indication information includes group information and/or at least one identifier. At least one identifier corresponds to the slave devices included in the current group in a one-to-one correspondence.

In some embodiments, when the third timer expires, the master station device reassigns identifiers to the slave station devices in the current group according to the information of the determined group.

In other embodiments, when the information of the group changes, the master station device reassigns the identifiers to the slave station devices in the current group according to the determined group information.

For the case where the master station device determines whether to re-allocate identifiers to the slave station devices in the group, the second terminal device only needs to send the re-allocated identifier and the information of the determined group through the fourth instruction information.

Of course, the second terminal device may also determine whether to send the fourth instruction information. As an example, when the second terminal device determines that the second timer expires, the second terminal device device sends fourth indication information. The second timer is a periodic timer corresponding to sending the fourth instruction information, and is started or restarted when the fourth instruction information is sent. As another example, when the second terminal device determines that the information of the group has changed, the second terminal device sends fourth indication information. For example, the second terminal device may compare the information of the group received this time with the information of the group sent last time, and when the information of the two groups are inconsistent, it is determined that the information of the group has changed (for example, there is The slave station device joins or removes from the group), the second terminal device sends fourth instruction information to the core network device. As another example, when the second terminal device determines that at least one identifier has changed, the second terminal device sends fourth indication information.

Step 1504: The SMF sends the second indication information to the UPF, and accordingly, the UPF receives the second indication information from the SMF. The second indication information includes at least one first identifier, and the specific description of the second indication information can refer to the relevant description above, which will not be repeated here.

In step 1505, the UPF updates the mapping relationship between the PDU session and the slave station device according to the received second indication information, and the PDU session is the PDU session established by the first terminal device.

Step 1506: The UPF sends the second indication information to the first terminal device, and accordingly, the first terminal device receives the second indication information from the UPF.

Step 1507: The first terminal device forwards the second indication information to the slave device.

When the master device sends a downlink message to the slave device, UPF can use the updated mapping relationship between the PDU session and the slave device to address the downlink message (that is, map the downlink message to the corresponding PDU session) Perform transmission), that is, step 1508 and step 1509 can be performed.

On the other hand, after the SMF receives the fourth indication information, step 1510 is executed, that is, the SMF sends the first indication information to the gNB, and accordingly, the gNB receives the first indication information from the SMF. Wherein, the first indication information is used to indicate group information. For the specific description of the first indication information, please refer to the relevant description above, which will not be repeated here.

Step 1511: The gNB determines the slave station equipment to be jointly scheduled according to the received first indication information. Among them, the slave devices of the joint scheduling are slave devices that belong to the same group or belong to the same master device.

Step 1512: According to the determined slave station equipment of the joint scheduling, the subsequent data is transmitted.

For detailed descriptions of steps 1504-step 1509 and step 1510-step 1512 in the above steps, please refer to the above, and will not be repeated here.

When considering the actual network deployment, the core network equipment is usually located in a remote computer room, and the distance between the master station equipment and the slave station equipment in the factory building is often not very far, so there may be a possible scenario. In this scenario, the second terminal device connected to the master station device and the first terminal device connected to the slave station device are under the coverage of the same gNB, and the master station device and the slave station device still communicate through the core network device. For this scenario, this application provides another specific implementation manner of the second embodiment.

Figure 16 shows another specific implementation of the second embodiment. In FIG. 16, the master station device perceives the dynamic change of the group relationship, and the master station device reports to the network side through the second terminal device. Specifically, it can be as shown in FIG. 16. Steps 1601-1612 in FIG. 16 are similar to steps 1501-1512 in FIG. 15, and reference may be made to related descriptions in FIG. The difference from FIG. 15 is that the second terminal device also needs to report the initial group information. For example, the initial group information may be in the form of {identification of the master device-identification of the constituent members {identification of the slave device 1, identification of the slave device 2...}}. In addition, the slave device needs to report the group to which it belongs through the first terminal device connected to it. For example, the slave device reports the identity of the group to which it belongs or the identity of the slave master device.

It should be noted that each signaling shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 may be user plane signaling or control plane signaling. For specific implementation, refer to related descriptions in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14.

The first indication information in each embodiment of the present application may be carried in an AS or NAS message. Specifically, the first indication information may be carried in a PDU session establishment request message or a PDU session modification request message.

The second indication information or the fourth indication information in the embodiments of the present application may also be carried in the AS or NAS message. Specifically, the second indication information or the fourth indication information may be carried in the PDU session modification message or the PDU session reconfiguration message.

It should also be noted that in this application, the same information can be transmitted in the same form between different network elements, or can be in different forms. For example, the first instruction information sent by the first terminal device to the core network device and the first instruction information sent by the core network device to the second terminal device may take different forms, that is, the core network device receives the first instruction After the information is received, the first instruction information can be processed to obtain the first instruction information in another form and send it to the second terminal device.

It should be noted that each of the above-mentioned embodiments can be implemented separately or in a reasonable combination.

It can be understood that, in order to implement the functions in the foregoing embodiments, the communication device includes hardware structures and/or software modules corresponding to various functions. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and method steps of the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed by hardware or computer software-driven hardware depends on the specific application scenarios and design constraints of the technical solution.

Figures 17 and 18 are schematic structural diagrams of possible communication devices provided by embodiments of this application.

These devices can be used to implement the functions of the first terminal device, the second terminal device, UPF, AMF, or access network equipment in the foregoing method embodiment, and therefore can also achieve the beneficial effects of the foregoing method embodiment. In the embodiment of the present application, the communication device may be a first terminal device, an access network device, UPF, AMF, or a second terminal device, and may also be applied to the first terminal device, access network device, UPF, AMF Or a module (such as a chip) of the second terminal device.

As shown in FIG. 17, the communication device 1700 includes a processing unit 1710 and a transceiving unit 1720. The communication device 1700 is configured to implement the functions of the first terminal device, the access network device, the UPF, the AMF, or the second terminal device in the foregoing method embodiment.

When the communication device 1700 is used to implement the function of the first terminal device in the method embodiment: the processing unit 1710 is used to determine first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate information of a group, and the group includes at least A slave station device and a master station device serving the at least one slave station device, where the at least one slave station device is connected to the first terminal device; the transceiver unit 1710 is configured to send the first terminal device to the core network device. Instructions.

When the communication device 1700 is used for the function of the access network device in the method embodiment: the transceiver unit 1720 is used to receive first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate information of a group, and the group includes at least one A slave station device and a master station device serving the at least one slave station device, where the at least one slave station device is connected to a first terminal device; the transceiver unit 1720 is further configured to receive a downlink message from the master station device , The downlink message includes at least one sub-message, and the sub-message includes the identifier of the slave device corresponding to the sub-message; the processing unit 1710 is configured to: A sub-message is distributed and processed.

When the communication device 1700 is used to implement the function of the UPF in the method embodiment: the processing unit 1710 is used to determine the second indication information, the second indication information includes at least one first identifier, and the at least one first identifier corresponds to one-to-one For at least one slave device, the at least one slave device is connected to the first terminal device; the processing unit 1710 is further configured to determine, according to the second indication information, that the first protocol data unit PDU session is connected to the at least one slave device. The mapping relationship of the station equipment, the first PDU session corresponds to the first terminal device.

When the communication device 1700 is used to implement the AMF function in the method embodiment: the transceiving unit 1720 is used to receive the first indication information from the first terminal device, the first indication information is used to indicate the information of the group, and the group The group includes the at least one slave device and the master device serving the at least one slave device, and the at least one slave device is connected to the first terminal device; the transceiver unit 1720 is also used to send the The master station device sends the first indication information; the transceiver unit 1720 is further configured to receive second indication information from the master station device, where the second indication information includes at least one first identifier, and the at least one first identifier One-to-one correspondence to the at least one slave device, the second indication information is determined according to the first indication information; the transceiver unit 1720 is further configured to send the second indication information to the first core network device.

When the communication device 1700 is used to implement the function of the second terminal device in the method embodiment: the processing unit 1710 is used to determine second indication information, where the second indication information includes at least one first identifier, and the at least one first identifier One-to-one correspondence with at least one slave device, and the at least one slave device is connected to the first terminal device; the transceiver unit 1720 is configured to send the second indication information to the core network device.

More detailed descriptions of the processing unit 1710 and the transceiver unit 1720 can be obtained directly by referring to the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

As shown in FIG. 18, the communication device 1800 includes a processor 1810 and an interface circuit 1820. The processor 1810 and the interface circuit 1820 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 1820 may be a transceiver or an input/output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1800 may further include a memory 1830 configured to store instructions executed by the processor 1810 or input data required by the processor 1810 to run the instructions or store data generated after the processor 1810 runs the instructions.

When the communication device 1800 is used to implement the method shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 11 or FIG.

When the foregoing communication device is a chip applied to the first terminal device, the chip implements the function of the first terminal device in the foregoing method embodiment. The chip receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the first terminal device, and the information is sent to the first terminal device by other network elements; or, the chip sends information to other modules in the first terminal device (such as The radio frequency module or antenna) sends information, which is sent by the first terminal device to other network elements.

When the foregoing communication device is a chip applied to an access network device, the chip implements the function of the access network device in the foregoing method embodiment. The chip receives information from other modules in the access network equipment (such as radio frequency modules or antennas), and the information is sent by other network elements to the access network equipment; or, the chip sends information to other modules in the access network equipment (such as The radio frequency module or antenna) sends information, which is sent by the access network equipment to other network elements.

When the above-mentioned communication device is a chip applied to UPF, the chip realizes the function of the UPF in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The chip receives information from other modules in UPF (such as radio frequency modules or antennas), and the information is sent to UPF by other network elements; or, the chip sends information to other modules in UPF (such as radio frequency modules or antennas). The information is sent by UPF to other network elements.

When the above-mentioned communication device is a chip applied to AMF, the chip realizes the function of the AMF in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The chip receives information from other modules in the AMF (such as radio frequency modules or antennas), and the information is sent to AMF by other network elements; or, the chip sends information to other modules in the AMF (such as radio frequency modules or antennas). The information is sent by AMF to other network elements.

When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to the second terminal device, the chip implements the function of the second terminal device in the foregoing method embodiment. The chip receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the second terminal device, and the information is sent to the second terminal device by other network elements; or, the chip sends information to other modules in the second terminal device (such as The radio frequency module or antenna) sends information, which is sent by the second terminal device to other network elements.

It is understandable that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (Central Processing Unit, CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (Digital Signal Processors, DSPs), and application specific integrated circuits. (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Array (Field Programmable Gate Array, FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware, and can also be implemented by a processor executing software instructions. Software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (Read-Only Memory, ROM), and programmable read-only memory (Programmable ROM) , PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (Erasable PROM, EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (Electrically EPROM, EEPROM), register, hard disk, mobile hard disk, CD-ROM or well-known in the art Any other form of storage medium. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium may be located in the ASIC. In addition, the ASIC may be located in the first node, the donor node, or the first upper-level node. Of course, the processor and the storage medium may also exist as discrete components in the first node, the donor node, or the first upper-level node.

In the above embodiments, it may be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, it can be implemented in the form of a computer program product in whole or in part. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instruction is loaded and executed on the computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is executed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer program or instruction may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted through the computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server integrating one or more available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, and a magnetic tape; it may also be an optical medium, such as a DVD; and it may also be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid state disk (SSD).

In the various embodiments of this application, if there are no special instructions and logical conflicts, the terms and/or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be mutually cited. The technical features in different embodiments are based on their inherent Logical relationships can be combined to form new embodiments.

In this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "multiple" refers to two or more. "And/or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships, for example, A and/or B, which can mean: A alone exists, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A, B can be singular or plural. In the text description of this application, the character "/" generally indicates that the associated object before and after is an "or" relationship; in the formula of this application, the character "/" indicates that the associated object before and after is a kind of "division" Relationship.

It can be understood that the various numerical numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only for easy distinction for description, and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the sequence number of the above processes does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

A person of ordinary skill in the art may realize that the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed by hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraint conditions of the technical solution. Professionals and technicians can use different methods for each specific application to implement the described functions, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and conciseness of description, the specific working process of the system, device and unit described above can refer to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device, and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and there may be other divisions in actual implementation, for example, multiple units or components may be combined or It can be integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not implemented. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and may be in electrical, mechanical or other forms.

The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place, or they may be distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the objectives of the solutions of the embodiments.

In addition, the functional units in the various 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.

If the function 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 the 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 are used to make a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) 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. .

The above are only specific implementations of this application, but the protection scope of this application is not limited to this. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application. Should be covered within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

A communication method, characterized in that the method is applicable to a first terminal device, and the method includes:

Determine first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate information of a group, and the group includes at least one slave device and a master device serving the at least one slave device, and the at least one slave device Station equipment is connected with the first terminal device;

Sending the first indication information to the core network device.
The method according to claim 1, wherein before the sending the first indication information to a core network device, the method further comprises:

Determine to send the first instruction information.
The method according to claim 2, wherein the determining to send the first indication information comprises:

It is determined that the first timer has expired, and the first timer is started or restarted when the first indication information is sent; and/or,

It is determined that the information of the group has changed.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that:

The first indication information includes the identification of the slave device that has joined the group and/or the identification of the slave device that has been removed from the group; and/or

The first indication information includes the identity of the group and the identity of the at least one slave device; and/or

The first indication information includes the number of slave devices added to the group and/or the number of slave devices removed from the group; and/or

The first indication information includes the identifier of the group and the number of the at least one slave device.
The method according to claim 4, wherein the identity of the group is the identity of the master station device.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the method further comprises:

Receiving second indication information from the master station device, where the second indication information includes at least one first identifier, and the at least one first identifier corresponds to the at least one slave station device one by one;

According to the second indication information, the identification of the at least one slave device is updated.
The method according to claim 6, wherein the second indication information is carried in a protocol data unit PDU session modification message or a PDU session reconfiguration message.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first indication information is carried in a PDU session establishment request message or a PDU session modification request message.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the method further comprises:

Receive a concatenated message from an access network device, where the concatenated message includes at least two target sub-messages, the target sub-message includes the identifier of the slave device, and the at least two target sub-messages correspond to The slave station equipment of corresponds to the same group, and the at least two target sub-messages include a first target sub-message;

Determining that the identifier of the slave device included in the first target sub-message matches the identifier of the slave device connected to the first terminal device;

Save the first target sub-message.
The method according to claim 9, wherein the concatenated message is received according to group configuration information, and the group configuration information includes the group-radio network temporary identifier G-RNTI and the group information Logo.
The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein before the receiving the concatenated message from the access network device, the method further comprises:

Send third indication information to the access network device, where the third indication information is used to indicate information about the ability of the first terminal device to process concatenated packets.
A communication method, characterized in that the method is suitable for access network equipment, and includes:

Receive first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate information of a group, the group including at least one slave device and a master device serving the at least one slave device, and the at least one slave device The station equipment is connected with the first terminal device;

Receiving a downlink message from the master station device, the downlink message including at least one sub-message, the sub-message including the identifier of the slave station device corresponding to the sub-message;

Distribute the at least one sub-message according to the first indication information.
The method according to claim 12, wherein the distributing the at least one sub-message according to the first indication information comprises:

Determine at least two target sub-messages according to the first indication information and the identifier of the slave device included in the at least one sub-message;

Determining a concatenated message according to the at least two target sub-messages, and the slave devices corresponding to the at least two target sub-messages correspond to the same group;

The concatenated message is sent through a common channel.
The method according to claim 13, wherein the slave devices corresponding to the at least two target sub-messages include a first slave device and a second slave device, and the first slave device and the The first terminal device is connected, and the second slave device is connected to the third terminal device.
The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the method further comprises:

Receiving third indication information from the first terminal device, where the third indication information is used to indicate information about the ability of the first terminal device to process concatenated messages;

The determining at least two target sub-messages according to the first indication information and the identification of the slave device included in the at least one sub-message includes:

Determine the at least two target sub-messages according to the first indication information, the identifier of the slave device included in the at least one sub-message, and the third indication information.
The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the first indication information comes from a core network device.
A communication method, characterized in that the method is applicable to a first core network device, and includes:

Determine second indication information, where the second indication information includes at least one first identifier, and the at least one first identifier corresponds to at least one slave device one by one, and the at least one slave device is connected to the first terminal device ；

According to the second indication information, a mapping relationship between a first protocol data unit PDU session and the at least one slave device is determined, and the first PDU session corresponds to the first terminal device.
The method according to claim 17, wherein the method further comprises:

Sending the second instruction information to the first terminal device.
The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein:

The second indication information comes from the master station device or the second core network device.
The method according to claim 19, wherein the method further comprises:

Send first indication information to the master station equipment and/or the access network equipment, the first indication information comes from the first terminal device equipment and is used to indicate information about a group, the group including the at least one slave station equipment And a master station device serving the at least one slave station device.
The method of claim 20, wherein:

The first indication information includes the identification of the slave device that has joined the group and/or the identification of the slave device that has been removed from the group; and/or

The first indication information includes the identity of the group and the identity of the at least one slave device; and/or

The first indication information includes the number of slave devices added to the group and/or the number of slave devices removed from the group; and/or

The first indication information includes the identifier of the group and the number of the at least one slave device.
The method according to claim 21, wherein the identity of the group is the identity of the master station device.
The method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the first indication information is carried in a PDU session establishment request message or a PDU session modification request message.
The method according to any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein the second indication information is carried in a PDU session modification message or a PDU session reconfiguration message.
A communication device, characterized by comprising a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 12 to 16 , Or a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 17 to 24.
A communication device, characterized by comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices other than the communication device and transmit them to the processor or transfer signals from the processor The signal is sent to other communication devices other than the communication device, and the processor is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 through logic circuits or execute code instructions, or to implement The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, or for implementing the method according to any one of claims 17 to 24.
A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that a computer program or instruction is stored in the storage medium, and when the computer program or instruction is executed by a communication device, the computer program or instruction is implemented as described in any one of claims 1 to 11 The method is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, or is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 17 to 24.