WO2021208659A1

WO2021208659A1 - Communication interface switching method and communication apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2021208659A1
Application number: PCT/CN2021/081196
Authority: WO
Inventors: 邢玮俊; 吴问付
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司
Priority date: 2020-04-17
Filing date: 2021-03-17
Publication date: 2021-10-21
Also published as: CN113543241A

Abstract

Provided are a communication interface switching method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: a first network device determining that a first interface switching condition is met, wherein the first interface switching condition is used for switching a communication interface of a first application between a first user equipment and a second user equipment, and the first network device is a core network device; and the first network device transmitting first interface switching information, wherein the first interface switching information is used for the first user equipment to switch the first application from a source communication interface between the first user equipment and the second user equipment to a target communication interface. The technical solution can shorten the time delay of communication interface switching and improve the efficiency of communication interface switching.

Description

Method and communication device for switching communication interface

This application claims the priority of a Chinese patent application filed with the Chinese Patent Office on April 17, 2020, the application number is 202010303064.4, and the application name is "Communication Interface Switching Method and Communication Device", the entire content of which is incorporated into this application by reference .

Technical field

This application relates to the field of communication, and more specifically, to a method and communication device for switching a communication interface.

Background technique

In the field of communication, user equipment can communicate through the cellular communication interface (UE-UTRAN, Uu) interface, and also through the direct communication interface (Near Field Communication). The proximity communication 5, PC5) interface directly performs communication between user equipment, such as proximity-based services (ProSe) communication. In order to improve the communication performance of the user equipment, the user equipment is allowed to select a more appropriate communication interface for communication according to the needs of the application or the network performance of the currently accessed network, and switch between the Uu interface and the PC5 interface.

Therefore, how to achieve efficient switching between communication interfaces has become a problem that needs to be solved.

Summary of the invention

The present application provides a communication interface switching method and communication device, which can reduce the time delay of communication interface switching and improve the efficiency of communication interface switching.

In the first aspect, a method for switching a communication interface is provided, and the method includes:

The first network device determines that a first interface switching condition is met, the first interface switching condition is used to switch the communication interface of the first application between the first user equipment and the second user equipment, and the first network device is a core network device ; The first network device sends first interface switching information, the first interface switching information is used by the first user equipment to switch the first application from the source communication interface between the first user equipment and the second user equipment To the target communication interface.

In the interface switching control of ProSe communication, in the embodiment of the application, when the core network device determines that the first interface switching condition is satisfied, the interface switching information is sent to the user equipment to instruct the user equipment to switch the communication interface. This technical solution can avoid the communication interface. The additional signaling interaction during the handover can reduce the time delay of the communication interface handover and improve the efficiency of the communication interface handover.

It should be understood that the source communication interface may be a Uu interface, and the target communication interface may be a PC5 interface; or, the source communication interface may be a PC5 interface, and the target communication interface may be a Uu interface.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the first network device determining that the first interface switching condition is satisfied includes: the first network device receives status information from the second network device, the status information It is used to indicate that the first interface switching condition is satisfied; the first network device determines that the first interface switching condition is satisfied according to the status information.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network device sends the first interface switching condition to the second network device.

In this technical solution, the first interface switching condition is beneficial for the second network device to determine the communication status of the source communication interface.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network device obtains the communication performance of the source communication interface, and the communication performance of the source communication interface is used to characterize the performance of the source communication interface. Communication status; the first network device determines that the first interface switching condition is satisfied according to the communication performance of the source communication interface.

In this technical solution, the first network device can determine that the first interface switching condition is satisfied according to the communication performance of the source communication interface, so that the first network device can initiate a switching instruction to the user equipment.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the handover indication information includes the identification of the first user equipment and the identification of the first application.

Optionally, the switching instruction information includes the identifier of the first user equipment and the packet data unit PDU session identifier; or the switching instruction information includes the identifier of the first user equipment, the identifier of the first application, and the PDU session identifier; or the The handover instruction information includes the identification of the first user equipment, the identification of the second user equipment, and the identification of the first application.

In this technical solution, the first network device can accurately initiate a handover instruction to the user equipment that needs to switch the communication interface.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first interface switching condition includes one or more of the following: the communication performance of the source communication interface does not meet the QoS requirements of the first application; the source communication The communication performance of the interface does not meet the QoS requirements of the first interface; the communication performance of the source communication interface and the communication performance of the target communication interface both meet the QoS requirements of the first application, and the priority of the target communication interface is higher than the priority of the target communication interface. Priority of the source communication interface; wherein the communication performance of the source communication interface is used to characterize the communication state of the source communication interface, and the communication performance of the target communication interface is used to characterize the communication state of the target communication interface.

Optionally, the communication performance of the source communication interface can also be used to characterize the communication status of using the source communication interface to transmit data of the first application, and the communication performance of the target communication interface is used to characterize the use of the target communication interface to transmit data of the first application ’S communication status.

Based on the above technical solution, the first network device can initiate a switching instruction to the user equipment when the communication performance of the source communication interface used by the user equipment meets the first interface switching condition.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network device sends second interface switching information, and the second interface switching information is used by the second user equipment to use the first The application switches from the source communication interface to the target communication interface.

In this technical solution, the second interface switching information instructs the second user equipment to switch the communication interface, which is beneficial for the user equipment to accurately switch the communication interface.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the source communication interface is a Uu interface and the target communication interface is a PC5 interface; or, the source communication interface is a PC5 interface and the target communication interface is a Uu interface.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network device receives the first interface switching condition from the UDR or the first user equipment.

In a second aspect, a communication interface switching method is provided. The method includes: a first user equipment receives first interface switching information from a first network device; The application switches from the source communication interface between the first user equipment and the second user equipment to the target communication interface.

In this technical solution, the first user equipment switches the communication interface according to the first interface switching information, which can enable the user to obtain a better experience.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the first user equipment sends a first interface switching condition to the first network device, and the first interface switching condition is used to switch the first Applied to the communication interface between the first user equipment and the second user equipment, and the first network equipment is a core network equipment.

In this technical solution, the user equipment does not need to send the first interface switching condition to the core network device through the application server, which can save a certain amount of signaling cost.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first interface switching condition is carried in a discovery parameter request message, and the discovery parameter request message is used to establish a PC5 connection between the first user equipment and the second user equipment .

In this technical solution, the core network device can obtain the first interface switching condition from the discovery parameter request message of the user equipment, which reduces the signaling interaction during the switching process.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the source communication interface is a PC5 interface, and the target communication interface is a Uu interface. The method further includes: the first user equipment notifies the first user equipment through the source communication interface The second user equipment switches the communication interface of the first application between the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

In this technical solution, the core network device only needs to initiate a handover instruction to one of the two or more user equipment participating in direct communication, and the user equipment notifies the other user equipment to switch the communication interface, thereby The signaling interaction between the network equipment and the user equipment during the handover process can be reduced, and the handover efficiency of the communication interface is improved.

In a third aspect, a communication device is provided, including: a processing unit, configured to determine that a first interface switching condition is satisfied, and the first interface switching condition is used to switch a first application between a first user equipment and a second user equipment. The first network device is a core network device; the transceiver unit is configured to send first interface switching information, and the first interface switching information is used by the first user equipment to send the first application from the first user The source communication interface between the device and the second user equipment is switched to the target communication interface.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the apparatus further includes: the transceiver unit receives status information from the second network device, the status information is used to indicate that the first interface switching condition is met; the The processing unit is specifically configured to: the processing unit determines that the first interface switching condition is satisfied according to the state information.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementation manners of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: send the first interface switching condition to the second network device.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the device further includes: the transceiver unit obtains the communication performance of the source communication interface, and the communication performance of the source communication interface is used to characterize the communication status of the source communication interface ; The processing unit determines that the first interface switching condition is satisfied according to the communication performance of the source communication interface.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementation manners of the third aspect, the first interface switching information includes the identification of the first user equipment and the identification of the first application.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first interface switching condition includes one or more of the following: the communication performance of the source communication interface does not meet the QoS requirements of the first application; the source communication The communication performance of the interface does not meet the QoS requirements of the source communication interface; the communication performance of the source communication interface and the communication performance of the target communication interface both meet the QoS requirements of the first application, and the priority of the target communication interface is higher than the priority of the target communication interface. Priority of the source communication interface; wherein the communication performance of the source communication interface is used to characterize the communication state of the source communication interface, and the communication performance of the target communication interface is used to characterize the communication state of the target communication interface.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the transceiving unit is further configured to: send second interface switching information, where the second interface switching information is used by the second user equipment to download the first application from the The source communication interface is switched to the target communication interface.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the source communication interface is a Uu interface, and the target communication interface is a PC5 interface; or, the source communication interface is a PC5 interface, and the target communication interface is a Uu interface.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementation manners of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: receive the first interface switching condition from the UDR or the first user equipment.

In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, including: a transceiving unit, configured to receive first interface switching information from a first network device; and a processing unit, configured to send a first application from the The source communication interface between one user equipment and the second user equipment is switched to the target communication interface.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: send a first interface switching condition to the first network device, and the first interface switching condition is used to switch the first application to the first network device. A communication interface between a user equipment and a second user equipment, where the first network equipment is a core network equipment.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first interface switching condition is carried in a discovery parameter request message, and the discovery parameter request message is used by the first user equipment to obtain the identity of the second user equipment .

With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first interface is a PC5 interface, the second interface is a Uu interface, and the processing unit is further configured to: notify the second user through the source communication interface The device switches the communication interface of the first application between the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

In a fifth aspect, a network device is provided, including: a processor, a memory, and an instruction stored on the memory and executable on the processor, and when the instruction is executed, the network device is caused to execute the first aspect The method of any one of.

In a sixth aspect, a user equipment is provided, including: a processor, a memory, and instructions stored on the memory and executable on the processor, and when the instructions are executed, the user equipment is executed The method of any one of the second aspect.

In a seventh aspect, a chip is provided, including a processor, configured to call and run a computer program from a memory, so that a device installed with the chip executes the method described in any one of the first aspects.

In an eighth aspect, a chip is provided, including a processor, configured to call and run a computer program from a memory, so that a device installed with the chip executes the method described in any one of the second aspects.

In a ninth aspect, a communication system is provided, including: a processor and a memory, the memory is used to store a computer program, the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory, and execute the first aspect to the second aspect The method of any one of the aspects.

In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing instructions that, when the instructions run on a computer, cause the computer to execute the instructions of the method in any one of the possible implementation manners of the first aspect .

In an eleventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing instructions. When the instructions run on a computer, the computer can execute any of the above aspects or the second aspect of the various aspects. The instruction of the method in the implementation mode.

In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes: a computer program (also called code, or instruction), which when the computer program is executed, causes the computer to execute the first to the first The method in any one of the two possible implementation modes.

Description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system framework provided by an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 2 is a schematic flowchart of a method for switching a communication interface according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a method for switching a communication interface according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 4 is a schematic interaction diagram of a method for switching a communication interface according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 5 is a schematic interaction diagram of another communication interface switching method according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 6 is a schematic interaction diagram of a method for switching a communication interface according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 7 is a schematic interaction diagram of another communication interface switching method according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 8 is a schematic interaction diagram of another communication interface switching method according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a method for switching a communication interface according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed ways

The technical solution in this application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, for example: global system of mobile communication (GSM) system, code division multiple access (CDMA) system, broadband code division multiple access (wideband code division multiple access, WCDMA) system, general packet radio service (GPRS), long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE Time division duplex (TDD), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, the future fifth generation (5th generation, 5G) system or new radio (NR), etc.

The terminal equipment in the embodiments of this application may refer to user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile equipment, user terminal, terminal, wireless Communication equipment, user agent or user device. The terminal device 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 (PDA), with wireless communication Functional handheld devices, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in the future 5G network, or future evolution of the public land mobile network (PLMN) Terminal equipment, etc., this embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

As an example and not a limitation, in the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may also be a wearable device. Wearable devices can also be called wearable smart devices. It is a general term for using wearable technology to intelligently design everyday wear and develop wearable devices, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing and shoes. A wearable device is a portable device that is directly worn on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories. Wearable devices are not only a kind of hardware device, but also realize powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. In a broad sense, wearable smart devices include full-featured, large-sized, complete or partial functions that can be achieved without relying on smart phones, such as smart watches or smart glasses, and only focus on a certain type of application function, and need to cooperate with other devices such as smart phones. Use, such as all kinds of smart bracelets and smart jewelry for physical sign monitoring.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may also be a terminal device in the Internet of Things (IoT) system. IoT is an important part of the development of information technology in the future. Its main technical feature is to pass items through communication technology. Connect with the network to realize the intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and interconnection of things.

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

In the embodiment of the present application, the PC5 interface can be a reference point between two UEs, and can be used to complete signaling and data transmission of the control plane and the user plane, proximity service discovery, direct communication, and so on. The PC5 interface can be used for short-distance direct communication or direct connection communication between UEs, and can be referred to as PC5 communication or PC5 interface communication for short. The UE communicating through the PC5 interface may be located in the network coverage area or without network coverage. The network may be a 4G communication network or a 5G communication network, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

In the embodiment of the present application, the Uu interface may be an interface between the UE and the access network device. Among them, the access network equipment may be a base station in the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Access Network (UMTS terrestrial radio access network, UTRAN), or a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) base station, or a 4G network There are no restrictions on the evolved base station (evolutional node B, eNodeB or eNB) in the 5G network, the base station (generation node B, gNodeB or gNB) in the 5G network, or the base station in the subsequent evolved network. The Uu interface may be used for communication between two or more UEs through an access network device, and this communication may be referred to as Uu communication or Uu interface communication for short.

(A) in FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the fourth generation (4th generation, 4G) system architecture of ProSe communication. As shown in (a) in Figure 1, the system framework may include the following network elements:

1. User equipment (UE), which may also be referred to as terminal equipment.

2. The evolved universal mobile telecommunications system terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN), that is, the mobile communication wireless network in the long term evolution (LTE).

3. Serving gateway (SGW): It is a gateway that terminates at the E-UTRAN interface. The main functions of this device include: when switching between evolved node B (eNodeB), it can be used as a local anchor point and assist Complete the reordering function of eNodeB; have reordering function; perform legal interception function; perform data packet routing and forwarding; perform packet marking at the uplink and downlink transmission layers; in idle state, downlink packet buffering and initiate network-triggered services Request function; used for billing between operators, etc.

4. Packet data network gateway (PGW): Mainly used to provide user session management and bearer control, data forwarding, internet protocol (IP) address allocation for interconnection between networks, and non-3GPP user access And other functions.

5. Mobility management entity (MME): It is mainly used for functions such as mobility management, bearer management, user authentication and authentication, MME selection during cross-MME handover, and SGW and PGW selection.

6. Home Subscriber Server (HSS): The main user database of the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network entity that is mainly used to process calls/sessions. It contains user configuration files, performs user authentication and authorization, and can provide information about the user's physical location.

7. Secure user plane location platform (SLP): It is mainly used to provide UE location information for network-side network elements.

In the 4G architecture formulated by the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), the ProSe function of the user plane logic network element (ProSe Function) manages and controls the ProSe communication of the UE. Its functions mainly include:

ProSe communication parameter allocation, including the range in which the UE can use ProSe communication, that is, in which public land mobile network (PLMN) the UE can use ProSe communication, and the ProSe communication frequency band that the UE can use when the UE is outside the network coverage Wait.

ProSe communication discovery management function, including allocating parameters for ProSe communication node discovery for UE.

Interaction functions with 4G core network, that is, evolved packet core (EPC) network elements, including interaction with HSS for UE ProSe communication authorization and authentication.

Among them, each PLMN has only one user plane network element where ProSe Function is deployed. When the UE needs to use ProSe communication, it needs to apply to the UE's home PLMN (home PLMN, HPLMN) for ProSe service related parameters such as ProSe discovery parameters. If the UE is served by another PLMN (ie, visiting PLMN, VPLMN), the UE needs to apply for ProSe service related parameters such as ProSe discovery parameters from the ProSe Function in the HPLMN through the ProSe function in the VPLMN.

Since the communication interface switching method of this application may be based on the 5th generation (5G) mobile communication technology and other future mobile communication technologies, the following will introduce another example of this application in conjunction with Figure 1 (b). A system architecture.

(B) in FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G system architecture according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in (b) in Figure 1, the system framework may include the following network elements:

1. UE.

2. Radio access network (RAN): The access network based on wireless communication technology to realize the access network function can be called RAN. RAN is mainly used to provide the interface for UEs to wirelessly access the mobile network and can manage wireless resources. , Provide access services for the UE, and then complete the forwarding of control signals and user data between the UE and the core network. For example, the RAN equipment may be a base station. The radio access network used in the 5G system is the next generation radio access network (NG-RAN). For example, the access network equipment in the 5G system is called the next generation Node Base station, gNB).

3. Access and mobility management function (AMF): Mainly used for mobility management and access management. Specifically, the AMF can be used to implement other functions in addition to session management in the functions of a mobility management entity (MME), for example, functions such as lawful interception, or access authorization (or authentication).

4. Session management function (SMF): Mainly used for session management, UE's Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management, selection of manageable user plane functions, policy control, or charging function interfaces The terminal point and downlink data notification, routing information for the user plane function configuration, etc.

5. Policy control function (PCF): 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.).

6. Unified data management (UDM): used to process user identification, access authentication, registration, or mobility management, etc.

7. User plane function (UPF): used for packet routing and forwarding, or quality of service (QoS) processing of user plane data, etc. UPF is specifically divided into intermediate-UPF (intermediate-UPF, I-UPF) and anchor point UPF (anchor-UPF, A-UPF). Among them, the I-UPF is connected to the access network RAN, and the A-UPF is the UPF of the session anchor, and the A-UPF may also be referred to as the PDU session anchor (PSA).

8. Application function (AF): It mainly supports the interaction with the core network of the 3rd generation partnership project (3rd generation partnership project, 3GPP) to provide services, such as influencing data routing decisions, policy control functions, or to the network side Provide some third-party services. It can be understood as a third-party server, for example, an application server in the Internet, which provides relevant service information, including providing service quality requirement information corresponding to the service to the PCF, and sending user plane data information of the service to the PSA-UPF. AF may also be a service provider (content provider, CP). In the embodiment of this application, the ProSe application server is a kind of AF.

9. The network exposure function (NEF) connects the core network elements and external application servers, and provides services such as authentication and data forwarding when the external application server initiates a business request to the core network.

10. Data network (DN): A network used to provide data transmission, such as an Internet network.

11. Unified data repository (UDR): used to provide storage and retrieval for PCF strategies, open structured data storage and retrieval, and storage and retrieval of user information requested by application functions, etc.

In the embodiment of this application, the operator may deploy multiple PCFs in the PLMN. In this case, in the 5G ProSe architecture, one PCF may be designated to undertake the generation and issuance of dynamic parameters such as the ProSe function of the ProSe function. Therefore, the PCF that allocates the cellular communication session strategy for the UE in the embodiment of the present application and the PCF that allocates the direct communication parameters for the UE (that is, the PCF that executes the ProSe Function) may not be the same PCF, or may be the same PCF.

In addition, in the 5G system, ProSe Function may also follow the 4G deployment mode, that is, there is a user plane network element in each PLMN that integrates ProSe Function, and its specific functions are the same as those in the 4G deployment described above. The functions of the user plane network elements are the same.

In some cases, when the UE has the capability of PC5 interface communication and Uu interface communication, the UE can select the communication interface according to the requirements of the used application or the network performance. For example, both UE1 and UE2 can use the PC5 interface to communicate. When UE1 needs to communicate with UE2, the PC5 interface can be used for communication, or the Uu interface can also be used for communication. For different communication scenarios, the communication quality that can be achieved by different communication interfaces may be different. For example, when the number of UEs using the Uu interface for communication in a cell is large, the communication quality of the Uu interface may not be guaranteed. , The UE’s experience is not good. If the UEs can communicate directly through the PC5 interface, a better communication experience may be obtained. At this time, the UE can switch the communication interface used from the Uu interface to the PC5 interface. Correspondingly, a UE that uses the PC5 interface for direct communication may increase the distance between the UEs due to movement, so the communication quality of the UE using the PC5 interface for communication may not be guaranteed. In this case, the UE can choose Uu Interface for communication.

Controlling whether the communication interface used by the UE is switched is generally determined by a third-party application server. The application server can decide whether to instruct the UE to switch the communication interface according to the feedback report given by the UE or the 3GPP core network. This switching method may cost extra The signaling interaction increases the delay of the UE communication interface switching.

The embodiment of the present application provides a communication interface switching method, which can reduce the delay of communication interface switching and improve the efficiency of communication interface switching.

The method for switching the communication interface of the present application will be described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

Fig. 2 is a schematic flowchart of a method for switching a communication interface according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Fig. 2, the method includes step S210 to step S240.

S210: The first network device determines that the first interface switching condition is satisfied.

The first interface switching condition may be used to switch the communication interface of the first application between the first user equipment and the second user equipment, and the first network device is a core network device.

It should be understood that the first network device may be a core network device (core network element), and the core network may be a 5G core network or a 4G core network. For example, the first network device is a core network element PCF, AMF, or SMF.

The first interface switching condition is used to switch the communication interface of the first application between the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

Wherein, the first interface switching condition may be used to indicate that the communication interface used to transmit the service of the first application is switched (for example, from the PC5 interface when the data transmission of the first application is used between UE1 and UE2). Switch to Uu interface, or switch from Uu interface to PC5 interface) to meet the conditions.

In an example, the transmission status of the communication interface currently used for transmitting the service of the first application cannot meet the requirements of the first application. For example, the transmission delay of the communication interface currently used to transmit the service of the first application is greater than the delay requirement of the first application, or the transmission data of the communication interface currently used to transmit the service of the first application The packet loss rate is greater than the packet loss rate requirement of the first application.

In another example, the transmission status of the communication interface currently used for transmitting the service of the first application cannot meet the requirements of the communication interface. The requirement of the communication interface may be a quality of service (QoS) requirement, for example, the transmission delay of the communication interface currently used to transmit the service of the first application is greater than the delay requirement of the current communication interface, or The packet loss rate of the communication interface used to transmit the service of the first application is greater than the packet loss rate requirement of the current communication interface.

In another example, the priority of the communication interface currently used for transmitting the service of the first application is lower than the priority of the target communication interface to be switched to. For example, the communication interface currently used for transmitting the service of the first application is the Uu interface, the target communication interface is the PC5 interface, and the priority of the Uu interface is lower than the priority of the PC5 interface.

Optionally, the first network device receives status information from a second network device, where the status information is used to indicate that the first interface switching condition is met; the first network device determines the status information according to the status information The first interface switching condition is satisfied.

In an example, the first network device is PCF and the second network device is AMF, that is, the PCF receives the status information sent by the AMF, and the status information is used to indicate that the first interface switching condition is met; the PCF according to the status information It is determined that the first interface switching condition is satisfied.

In another example, the first network device is a PCF, and the second network device is an SMF, that is, the PCF receives status information sent by the AMF, and the status information is used to indicate that the first interface switching condition is met; the PCF according to the status The information determines that the first interface switching condition is satisfied.

In another example, the first network device is SMF and the second network device is AMF, that is, the SMF receives status information sent by AMF, and the status information is used to indicate that the first interface switching condition is met; SMF according to the status The information determines that the first interface switching condition is satisfied.

In the embodiment of the present application, the AMF may send indication information to the RAN device for instructing the RAN device to feed back to the AMF the communication performance of the communication interface for transmitting the service data of the first application between the UEs. When the AMF judges that the communication performance of the source communication interface meets the first interface switching condition according to the feedback information of the RAN device, it sends to the PCF or SMF the status information that the communication performance of the source communication interface meets the first interface switching condition.

The AMF may also carry the first interface handover condition in the indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate that the RAN equipment will monitor the communication performance of the communication interface for transmitting the service data of the first application between the UEs to meet the first interface. During the switching condition, the information that the communication performance of the source communication interface meets the switching condition of the first interface is fed back to the AMF, and the information may be the state information described above.

Optionally, the first network device sends the first interface switching condition to the second network device.

For example, the first network device may be a PCF, and the second network device may be an SMF.

Optionally, the first network device acquires the communication performance of the source communication interface, and the communication performance of the source communication interface is used to characterize the communication status of using the source communication interface; the first network device is based on the The communication performance of the source communication interface determines that the first interface switching condition is satisfied.

It should be understood that the communication performance of the source communication interface can be used to characterize the communication status of using the source communication interface, and can also be used to characterize the communication status of the source communication interface to transmit data of the first application, and is not limited.

The first network device may obtain the communication performance of the source communication interface from the RAN device. The communication performance can be characterized by the QoS parameters when the source communication interface transmits data, such as bandwidth, delay, and packet loss rate. The first network device determines that the first interface switching condition is satisfied according to the communication performance of the source communication interface.

In an example, the communication performance is characterized by bandwidth. When the bandwidth of the source communication interface acquired (received) by the first network device is less than the bandwidth requirement of the source communication interface, or less than the communication interface for transmitting data of the first application If the bandwidth is required, the first network device determines that the first interface condition is satisfied. Alternatively, the bandwidth of the source communication interface can meet the bandwidth requirement of the source communication interface and/or the bandwidth requirement of the source communication interface to transmit the data of the first application, but the priority of the target communication interface is higher than the priority of the source communication interface. At this time, the first network device may also determine that the first interface switching condition is satisfied.

In another example, the communication performance is characterized by delay, when the delay of the source communication interface acquired (received) by the first network device is greater than the delay requirement of the source communication interface, or greater than the communication interface for transmitting the first application The first network device determines that the first interface condition is satisfied. Alternatively, the delay of the source communication interface can meet the delay requirement of the source communication interface and/or the delay requirement of the source communication interface for transmitting the data of the first application, but the priority of the target communication interface is higher than the priority of the source communication interface At this time, the first network device may also determine that the first interface switching condition is satisfied.

In another example, the communication performance is characterized by the packet loss rate, when the packet loss rate of the source communication interface acquired (received) by the first network device is greater than the packet loss rate requirement of the source communication interface, or greater than the communication interface To transmit the packet loss rate requirement of the data of the first application, the first network device determines that the first interface condition is satisfied. Alternatively, the packet loss rate of the source communication interface can meet the packet loss rate requirement of the source communication interface and/or the packet loss rate requirement of the source communication interface to transmit data of the first application, but the priority of the target communication interface is higher than that of the source communication Priority of the interface. At this time, the first network device may also determine that the first interface switching condition is satisfied.

Optionally, the first network device receives the first interface switching condition from the UDR or the first user equipment. It should be understood that the first network device may also receive the first interface switching condition from the second user equipment.

S220: The first network device sends first interface switching information.

Wherein, the first interface switching information may be used by the first user equipment to transfer the first application from the source communication interface between the first user equipment (UE1) and the second user equipment (UE2) Switch to the target communication interface.

It should be understood that the first interface switching information may be used to instruct the first user equipment or the second user equipment to switch the communication interface used for transmitting the service of the first application. The source communication interface is the communication interface currently used by the first user equipment and the second user equipment to transmit the service of the first application. The source communication interface can be a PC5 interface or a Uu interface; the target communication interface is the switching source communication interface After that, the first user equipment and the second user equipment are used to transmit the communication interface used by the service of the first application, and the target communication interface may be a Uu interface or a PC5 interface.

Exemplarily, when the source communication interface is a PC5 interface, the target communication interface is a Uu interface; when the source communication interface is a Uu interface, the target communication interface is a PC5 interface.

The first user equipment switches the communication interface used to transmit the data of the first application from the source communication interface to the target communication interface, that is, when UE1 and UE2 transmit the service data of the first application, UE1 will transmit the service data of the first application. The communication interface used is switched from the current source communication interface to the target communication interface.

Exemplarily, the first application is WeChat, the source communication interface is a Uu interface, and the target communication interface is a PC5 interface. The communication interface currently used for transmitting WeChat service data between UE1 and UE2 is the Uu interface, and the first interface switching indication information is used to instruct UE1 and/or UE2 to switch the communication interface used for transmitting WeChat data from the Uu interface to PC5 interface.

It should be pointed out that the transmission mentioned in this application can include sending and/or receiving without limitation.

Optionally, the first interface switching information includes the identification of the first user equipment and the identification of the first application.

The first interface switching information may further include the identification of the first user equipment and the PDU session identification, or the first interface switching information may also include the identification of the first user equipment, the identification of the first application, and the PDU session identification.

Optionally, the method further includes: the first network device sending second interface switching information, where the second interface switching information is used by the second user equipment to switch the first application from the source communication interface to the target communication interface.

Exemplarily, the first network device sends the first interface switching information to UE1, and sends the second interface switching information to UE2.

It should be understood that the first interface switching information and the second interface switching information may be the same interface switching information, or may be different interface switching information, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

S230: The first user equipment receives first interface switching information from the first network device.

It should be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the second user equipment may also receive the first interface switching information from the first network device, or both the first user equipment and the second user equipment may receive the first interface switching information, which is not limited.

It should be understood that the first network device may be PCF, or AMF, or SMF, which is not limited.

S240: The first user equipment switches the communication interface used for transmitting the data of the first application from the source communication interface to the target communication interface according to the first interface switching information.

It should be understood that, in the embodiment of the present application, the second user equipment may also switch the communication interface used for transmitting the data of the first application from the source communication interface to the target communication interface according to the first interface switching information.

For example, the interface switching information may be switching indication information for instructing the UE to switch the communication interface used for transmitting the data of the first application from the source communication interface to the target communication interface, or the interface switching information may also be notification information The notification information is used to notify the UE to switch the communication interface used for transmitting the data of the first application.

It should be understood that the source communication interface may be a Uu interface, and the target communication interface may be a PC5 interface; or, the source communication interface may be a PC5 interface, and the target communication interface may be a Uu interface, which is not specifically limited.

Based on the above technical solution, the core network device determines that the first interface condition is satisfied, and sends interface switching information to the UE according to the first interface condition being satisfied, so that the core network device can control the switching of the communication interface. This technical solution avoids communication. The additional signaling interaction during interface switching reduces the delay of communication interface switching and improves user experience.

Fig. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a method for switching a communication interface according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Fig. 3, the method may include step S310 to step S330.

S310: The AMF obtains the communication performance of the source communication interface.

Optionally, the AMF obtains (or receives) the communication performance of the source communication interface from a radio access network RAN device.

Specifically, when the source communication interface between UEs is the Uu interface, the AMF can periodically receive the communication performance of the source communication interface sent by the RAN device, and the AMF can also send the interface switching condition to the RAN device and instruct the RAN device to When the communication performance of the network accessed by the UE meets the interface switching condition, the status information that meets the interface switching condition is reported to the AMF, so that the AMF initiates a switching instruction to the UE according to the status information. When the source communication interface between UEs is the PC5 interface, the UE will periodically report the communication performance of the PC5 interface to the RAN equipment (such as a base station), and the AMF will periodically receive the communication performance of the PC5 interface from the RAN equipment. Or the AMF may also send the interface switching condition to the RAN device, and instruct the RAN device to report the status information that the communication performance meets the interface switching condition to the AMF when the communication performance of the PC5 interface meets the interface switching condition.

Wherein, the communication performance is used to characterize the communication state of the communication interface, or used to characterize the communication state of the communication interface used for transmitting the data of the first application, for example, it may include: bandwidth, delay, packet loss rate, etc.

Among them, the first application may also be referred to as the first application service, for example, it may be file transmission, video transmission, games, and so on.

S320: The AMF determines that the first interface switching condition is satisfied according to the communication performance of the source communication interface.

Optionally, the AMF may obtain the first interface switching condition from the SMF, and the AMF may also obtain the first interface switching condition from the PCF.

It should be understood that the interface switching condition may be used to indicate that the communication interface used to transmit the service of the first application is switched when the UE is performing data transmission of the first application (for example, switching from the PC5 interface to the Uu interface, or Switch from Uu port to PC5 port) to meet the conditions.

The communication performance can be bandwidth, delay, or packet loss rate.

In an example, the transmission state of the communication interface currently used for transmitting the service of the first application cannot meet the QoS requirement of the first application. For example, the transmission delay of the communication interface currently used to transmit the service of the first application is greater than the delay requirement of the first application, or the packet loss rate is greater than the packet loss rate requirement of the first application, or the bandwidth is less than the first application. The bandwidth requirements of the application.

In another example, the transmission state of the communication interface currently used for transmitting the service of the first application cannot meet the QoS requirement of the communication interface. For example, the transmission delay of the communication interface currently used to transmit the service of the first application is greater than the delay requirement of the communication interface, or the packet loss rate is greater than the packet loss rate requirement of the communication interface, or the bandwidth is less than the communication interface. The bandwidth requirement of the interface.

In another example, the transmission status of the source communication interface and the target communication interface used to transmit the service of the first application can meet the QoS requirements of the first application, but the priority of the target communication interface is higher than that of the source communication. The priority of the interface.

For example, if the source communication interface is a Uu interface, and the target communication interface is a PC5 interface, and the communication performance of the Uu interface and the PC5 interface can meet the delay requirement of the first application, the UE may preferentially use the PC5 interface.

S330. The AMF sends first interface switching information, where the first interface switching information is used by the first user equipment to switch the first application from the source communication interface between the first user equipment and the second user equipment to the target communication interface.

Wherein, the interface switching information is used for the UE to switch the communication interface used for transmitting the data of the first application from the source communication interface to the target communication interface. For example, the interface switching information may be switching indication information for instructing the UE to switch the communication interface used for transmitting the data of the first application from the source communication interface to the target communication interface, or the interface switching information may be notification information, The notification information is used to notify the UE to switch the communication interface used for transmitting the data of the first application.

Optionally, the handover indication information may include the identification of the UE (identification, ID) and the identity of the first application; or the handover indication information may include the identity of the UE and the packet data unit PDU session identifier; or the handover indication information may include The identity of the UE, the identity of the first application, and the PDU session identity.

Optionally, the AMF sends second interface switching information, where the second interface switching information is used by the second user equipment to switch the communication interface used for transmitting the data of the first application from the source communication interface to the target communication interface.

In this technical solution, the network-side device AMF controls the communication interface used by the UE to transmit the data of the first application to switch when the communication performance of the source communication interface through which the UE transmits the data of the first application satisfies the interface switching condition. It can realize the switching control of the communication interface from the core network equipment. Compared with the switching solution of the third-party application server controlling the communication interface, this technical solution avoids additional signaling interaction, reduces the delay of the communication interface switching, and improves user experience.

FIG. 4 is a schematic interaction diagram of a method for switching a communication interface according to an embodiment of the present application. The method includes step S410 to step S450. In this embodiment, the first interface switching information is the first switching instruction information, the first user equipment is UE1, and the second user equipment is UE2 as an example for description, and it is not limited.

S410: The first network device sends a first interface switching condition to the AMF.

The first interface switching condition may be used to indicate that when the UE 1 is performing data transmission of the first application, the communication interface used to transmit the service of the first application is switched (for example, switching from the PC5 interface to the Uu interface, or Switch from Uu port to PC5 port) to meet the conditions.

Optionally, the first network device may be SMF or PCF.

When the first network device is a PCF, the method may further include:

The PCF receives the first interface switching condition from the unified data storage function UDR.

Optionally, the PCF may also receive the first interface switching condition from the UE1. For example, the UE 1 may initiate a PC5 connection discovery parameter request message, and the discovery parameter request message carries the first interface switching condition. Through the PC5 connection discovery parameter request message, the PCF can obtain the first interface switching condition.

S420: The AMF obtains the communication performance of the source communication interface.

In a possible implementation, the AMF may send indication information to the RAN device, the indication information is used to instruct the RAN device to periodically report the detected communication performance of the source communication interface, and the communication performance may be bandwidth or delay. Or packet loss rate, etc.

In another possible implementation manner, the AMF may send the interface switching condition to the RAN device and instruct the RAN device to detect that the communication performance of the source communication interface meets the interface switching condition when the communication performance meets the interface switching condition. Status information is sent to AMF.

Exemplarily, if the RAN device detects that the bandwidth of the network accessed by the UE is less than a preset value, or the RAN device detects that the delay or packet loss rate of the network accessed by the UE is greater than the preset value, it means that the UE transmits the first time at this time. The communication status of the source communication interface used by the data of an application is not good, and it is necessary to switch from the source communication interface to the target communication interface.

According to specific circumstances, the source communication interface may be a PC5 interface, and the target communication interface may be a Uu interface; or, the source communication interface may be a Uu interface, and the target communication interface may be a PC5 interface.

S430: The first network device receives the status information sent by the AMF.

Wherein, the status information may be used to indicate that the first interface switching condition is satisfied.

It should be understood that the status information may be used to indicate that the first interface switching condition is satisfied, that is, the communication performance of the source communication interface meets the first interface switching condition.

Optionally, the AMF determines whether the communication performance meets the first interface switching condition according to the communication performance of the source communication interface received from the RAN device. If the communication performance meets the first interface switching condition, the status information is sent to the PCF or SMF, and the status information is used to indicate that the communication performance of the source communication interface meets the first interface switching condition.

Optionally, the AMF receives the indication information from the RAN device that the communication performance meets the first interface switching condition, and sends the status information to the PCF or SMF according to the indication information.

S440: The first network device sends first handover indication information to UE1 according to the status information.

Exemplarily, the PCF or SMF may send the first handover indication to the UE1 according to the status indication information (that is, the status information) that the communication performance of the source communication interface used by the UE1 to transmit the data of the first application satisfies the first interface handover condition The first switching instruction information is used to instruct the UE1 to switch the communication interface used for transmitting the data of the first application from the source communication interface to the target communication interface.

Optionally, the method may further include:

S441: The first network device sends second handover indication information (that is, second interface handover information) to UE2 according to the status information.

The second switching indication information is used to instruct the UE2 to switch the communication interface used for transmitting the data of the first application from the source communication interface to the target communication interface.

Or S442: UE1 sends second handover indication information to UE2 according to the first handover indication information.

Optionally, the handover indication information includes the identity of the UE and the identity of the first application; or the handover indication information includes the identity of the UE and the PDU session identifier of the packet data unit; or the handover indication information includes the identity of the UE and the identity of the first application. ID and PDU session ID.

S450: The UE1 receives the first switching instruction information, and switches the source communication interface used for transmitting the data of the first application to the target communication interface according to the first switching instruction information.

Exemplarily, the source communication interface being used to transmit the data of the first application between UE1 and UE2 is the Uu interface. At a certain moment, UE1 receives the first handover instruction information, and UE1 will transmit the data of the first application. The communication interface used is switched from the Uu interface to the PC5 interface.

Optionally, the method may further include:

S451: The UE2 receives the second handover instruction information sent by the first network device, and the UE2 switches the communication interface used for transmitting the data of the first application from the source communication interface to the target communication interface according to the second handover instruction information.

Or S452: UE2 receives the second handover indication information sent by UE1, and UE2 switches the communication interface used for transmitting the data of the first application from the source communication interface to the target communication interface according to the second handover indication information.

Exemplarily, the communication interface used to transmit the data of the first application between UE1 and UE2 is the PC5 interface. At a certain moment, both UE1 and UE2 receive the handover instruction information sent by PCF or SMF (for example, UE1 receives the first Interface switching information, UE2 has received the second interface switching information; or UE1 has received the second interface switching information, and UE2 has received the first interface switching information; or the first interface switching information and the second interface switching information are the same interface Switching information), the communication interface used to transmit the data of the first application is switched from the PC5 interface to the Uu interface; or, UE1 receives the switching instruction information sent by PCF or SMF (first interface switching information or second interface switching Information), at this time, UE1 can send the switching instruction information to UE2 through the established PC5 link, instructing UE2 to switch the communication interface used by the first application from the PC5 interface to the Uu interface.

Exemplarily, multiple UE1, UE2, ..., UEn in the embodiment of the present application are in the same communication group, for example, a multiplayer online game. There may be a UE1 (primary user equipment) with a server function in the communication group, which transmits game data to other terminal devices (slave user equipment) in the communication group. The transmission mode between the master UE and the slave UE device can be direct communication via the PC5 interface, or cellular communication via the Uu interface. In order to ensure the continuity of communication and the game experience of each UE, when the communication quality of the PC5 interface between the master UE and the slave UE is not good, the master UE can notify via the PC5 link after receiving the PCF or SMF switching instruction information The other slave UEs in the communication group switch the communication interface being used from the PC5 interface to the Uu interface.

In the above technical solution, the network-side device PCF or SMF controls the communication interface used by the UE to transmit the data of the first application to switch when the communication performance of the source communication interface through which the UE transmits the data of the first application satisfies the interface switching condition. The technical solution can realize the switching control of the communication interface from the core network equipment. Compared with the switching solution of the third-party application server controlling the communication interface, the technical solution avoids additional signaling interaction and reduces the delay of the communication interface switching. Improved user experience.

FIG. 5 is a schematic interaction diagram of another communication interface switching method according to an embodiment of the present application. In the embodiment of this application, switching from the PC5 interface to the Uu interface is taken as an example. In addition, PCF1, which allocates cellular communication session strategies for the UE, and PCF2, which allocates direct communication parameters for the UE (that is, the PCF that executes the ProSe function), may not be the same. One PCF may also be the same PCF, there is no restriction. The interface switching conditions in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as interface switching trigger conditions or switching trigger conditions, and the communication performance in this application may also be referred to as network performance, which is not limited.

The following describes the first handover method in the embodiment of the present application. As shown in (a) of FIG. 5, the method may include step S501a to step S506a.

S501a, a PC5 interface communication connection is established between UE1 and UE2.

This step is optional, that is, this embodiment may be based on the establishment of a PC5 connection between UE1 and UE2.

S502a, UE1 and/or UE2 sends the communication performance of the PC5 interface to the RAN device.

For example, UE1 and/or UE2 periodically send their respective location information, PC5 link quality, etc. to the RAN device.

S503a. The RAN device sends the communication performance of the PC5 interface to the AMF.

In an example, the RAN device may periodically send the communication performance of the PC5 interface to the AMF. For example, the RAN device periodically sends the delay, bandwidth, and packet loss rate when transmitting data on the PC5 interface to the AMF.

In another example, the RAN device may send status information to the AMF, and the status information is used to indicate that the communication performance of the PC5 interface meets the interface switching condition.

S504a: The AMF sends the status information that the communication performance meets the interface switching condition to the PCF2.

In a possible implementation manner, the AMF judges that the communication performance meets the interface switching condition according to the communication performance of the PC5 received from the RAN device, and then sends the status information to the PCF2.

In another possible implementation manner, the AMF directly receives the status information from the RAN device, and then sends the status information to PCF2.

As an alternative implementation of step S504a:

S504a1, AMF sends the status information to SMF;

S504a2, SMF sends the status information to PCF2.

As another alternative implementation of step S504a, if ProSe Function is integrated in a certain user plane network element, AMF sends the status information to the user plane network element, or AMF forwards the status information to the user plane network element through PCF1 User plane network element.

S505a: PCF2 sends interface switching indication information to UE1 and/or UE2.

Wherein, the interface switching instruction information is used for UE1 and/or UE2 to switch the communication interface used for transmitting the data of the first application from the PC5 interface to the Uu interface.

As an alternative implementation of step S505a, ProSe Function is integrated in a certain user plane network element, and the user plane network element can send interface switching instruction information to UE1 and/or UE2 through the user plane interface.

S506a: UE1 and/or UE2 switch the communication interface from the PC5 interface to the Uu interface according to the interface switching instruction information.

In an example, if the Uu interface communication connection already exists, that is, the establishment of the Uu interface communication connection is before the establishment of the PC5 interface communication connection, UE1 and/or UE2 switch the communication interface from the PC5 interface to the Uu interface.

In another example, if the Uu interface communication connection does not exist, before the communication interface is switched, the method further includes: establishing a Uu interface communication connection between UE1 and UE2.

The process of establishing a Uu interface communication connection between UE1 and UE2 is as follows. The following takes UE1 to establish a Uu interface communication connection as an example for description.

S507a: UE1 sends a PDU session establishment request message to AMF.

For example, the UE1 sends a PDU session establishment request message to the AMF through the base station through a non-access-stratum (NAS) message.

S508a. The AMF selects an SMF according to the PDU session establishment request message, and sends the PDU session establishment request message to the selected SMF.

For example, AMF can use the single network slice selection support information (S-NSSAI), data network name (DNN), PDU session ID, etc. carried in the PDU session establishment request message carried by the UE1. SMF choice.

S509a: The SMF creates a session management message according to the PDU session establishment request message sent by the AMF.

For example, SMF generates a session management message for UE1 and sends the message ID to AMF.

S510a: The PCF1 sends the application information of the first application to the SMF.

Wherein, the application information may be newly created application information, or may be application information obtained after updating the first application that has been created before. The application information may include interface switching conditions, UE1 identification, and so on.

S511a: The SMF selects the UPF according to the application information, and provides routing services for data transmission between the UE1 and the AF.

For example, the SMF can select a UPF closer to the AF, and the UPF is used to provide routing services for data transmission between the UE1 and the AF.

S512a, the SMF sends the interface switching condition and N2 information to the AMF.

Wherein, the N2 information may include: core network tunnel information, QoS configuration information, DNN and/or S-NSSAI associated with the PDU session, etc.

S513a: The AMF sends the N2 information, or the N2 information and the interface switching condition to the RAN device.

In an example, the AMF sends the N2 information to the RAN device and instructs the RAN device to periodically send the communication performance of the PC5 interface to the AMF.

In another example, the AMF sends the N2 information and the interface switching condition to the RAN device, and instructs the RAN device to send the status information to the AMF when the communication performance of the PC5 interface meets the interface switching condition.

S514a: Establish a radio resource control (radio resource control, RRC) connection between the RAN device and the UE1, and allocate communication resources of the Uu interface for the UE.

It should be understood that the process of UE2 establishing a Uu interface communication connection is the same as that of UE1, and will not be repeated here.

So far, a Uu interface communication connection has been established between UE1 and UE2, and UE1 and/or UE2 switch the communication interface from the PC5 interface to the Uu interface according to the interface switching instruction information.

It should also be understood that the Uu interface communication connection that already exists before the PC5 interface communication connection is established is also established through the above steps.

Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the application information sent by the PCF1 may be obtained from the AF. Specifically, the process may include the following steps.

Step 1: AF sends the application information to NEF.

Wherein, the application information may include interface switching conditions.

Step 2: NEF verifies the application information, and stores the application information in the UDR after the verification is passed.

Step 3: UDR sends the application information to PCF1.

The following describes the second handover method in the embodiment of the present application. As shown in (b) of FIG. 5, the method may include steps S501b to S505b.

S501b, UE1 and UE2 establish a PC5 interface communication connection.

S502b, UE1 and/or UE2 sends the communication performance of the PC5 interface to the RAN device.

S503b. The RAN device sends the communication performance of the PC5 interface to the AMF.

It should be understood that the implementation process in step S501b to step S503b is the same as the implementation process in S501a to S503a, and will not be repeated here.

S504b: The AMF sends interface switching indication information to UE1 and/or UE2.

In a possible implementation manner, after determining that the communication performance meets the interface switching condition according to the communication performance of the PC5 interface received from the RAN device, the AMF sends interface switching instruction information to UE1 and/or UE2.

In another possible implementation manner, the AMF sends interface switching instruction information to UE1 and/or UE2 according to the status information received from the RAN device.

As an alternative step of step S504b:

S504b1: The AMF sends the state information that the communication performance meets the interface switching condition to the SMF;

In a possible implementation manner, the AMF judges that the communication performance meets the interface switching condition according to the communication performance of the PC5 interface received from the RAN device, and then sends the status information to the SMF.

In another possible implementation manner, the AMF directly receives the status information from the RAN device, and then sends the status information to the SMF.

S504b2: The SMF sends interface switching indication information to UE1 and/or UE2.

S505b: UE1 and/or UE2 switch the communication interface from the PC5 interface to the Uu interface according to the interface switching instruction information.

In another example, if the Uu interface communication connection does not exist, the method further includes: establishing a Uu interface communication connection between UE1 and UE2.

It should be understood that the process of establishing a Uu interface communication connection between UE1 and UE2 is the same as that in the first handover mode, and will not be described again.

Based on the above solution, the 5G core network device PCF or AMF or SMF instructs the UE to switch the PC5 interface to the Uu interface when the communication performance of the Uu interface meets the interface switching condition. This technical solution can realize the switching control of the communication interface from the core network side, avoiding additional signaling interaction, reducing the time delay of the communication interface switching, and improving the user experience.

Fig. 6 is a schematic interaction diagram of a method for switching a communication interface according to an embodiment of the present application. In the embodiment of this application, switching from the Uu interface to the PC5 interface is taken as an example. In addition, PCF1, which allocates a cellular communication session strategy for the UE, and PCF2, which allocates direct communication parameters for the UE (that is, the PCF that executes the ProSe function), may not be the same. One PCF may also be the same PCF, there is no restriction.

The following describes the first handover method of the embodiment of the present application. As shown in (a) of FIG. 6, the method may include step S601a to step S605a.

S601a: Establish a Uu interface communication connection between UE1 and UE2.

It should be understood that the process of establishing a Uu interface communication connection between UE1 and UE2 in the embodiment of the present application may refer to the process of establishing a Uu interface communication connection between UE1 and UE2 in FIG. 5, and details are not described herein again.

S602a: The RAN device sends the communication performance of the Uu interface to the AMF.

S603a: The AMF sends the status information that the communication performance meets the interface switching condition to the PCF2.

As an alternative implementation of step S603a:

S603a1, AMF sends the status information to SMF;

S603a2, SMF sends the status information to PCF2.

As another alternative implementation of step S603a, if ProSe Function is integrated in a certain user plane network element, AMF sends the state information to the user plane network element, or AMF forwards the state information to the user plane network element through PCF1 User plane network element.

S604a: PCF2 sends interface switching instruction information to UE1 and/or UE2.

As an alternative implementation of step S604a, if ProSe Function is integrated in a certain user plane network element, the user plane network element can send interface switching instruction information to UE1 and/or UE2 through the user plane interface.

S605a: UE1 and/or UE2 switch the communication interface from the Uu interface to the PC5 interface according to the interface switching instruction information.

In an example, if the PC5 interface communication connection already exists, that is, the establishment of the PC5 interface communication connection is before the establishment of the Uu interface communication connection, UE1 and/or UE2 switch the communication interface from the Uu interface to the PC5 interface.

In another example, if the PC5 interface communication connection does not exist, before the communication interface is switched, the method further includes:

S606a, a PC5 interface communication connection is established between UE1 and UE2.

For example, UE1 and/or UE2 may send a PC5 connection discovery parameter request message to PCF2, where the discovery parameter request message is used to establish a PC5 interface communication connection between UE1 and UE2.

It should be understood that the above steps in the embodiment of the present application are the same as the steps in the embodiment in FIG. 5, and reference may be made to the description in FIG. 5. For brevity, details are not repeated.

The following describes the second handover method of the embodiment of the present application. As shown in (b) of FIG. 6, the method may include steps S601b to S604b.

S601b: Establish a Uu interface communication connection between UE1 and UE2.

S602b: The RAN device sends the communication performance of the Uu interface to the AMF.

S603b: The AMF sends interface switching indication information to UE1 and/or UE2.

As an alternative step of step S603b:

S603b1: The AMF sends the status information that the communication performance meets the interface switching condition to the SMF;

S603b2: The SMF sends interface switching indication information to UE1 and/or UE2.

S604b: UE1 and/or UE2 switch the communication interface from the Uu interface to the PC5 interface according to the interface switching instruction information.

S605b: Establish a PC5 interface communication connection between UE1 and UE2.

It should be understood that the process of establishing a PC5 interface communication connection between UE1 and UE2 in this step is the same as that described in the first handover manner in the embodiment of the present application, and will not be repeated here.

It should also be understood that the above steps in the embodiment of the present application are the same as the steps in the embodiment in FIG. 5, and reference may be made to the description in FIG. 5. For brevity, details are not repeated.

Based on the above solution, the 5G core network device PCF or AMF or SMF instructs the UE to switch the Uu interface to the PC5 interface when the communication performance of the Uu interface meets the interface switching condition. This technical solution can realize the switching control of the communication interface from the core network side, avoiding additional signaling interaction, reducing the time delay of the communication interface switching, and improving the user experience.

FIG. 7 is a schematic interaction diagram of a method for switching a communication interface according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 7, the method may include: step S701 to step S707. In the embodiment of this application, switching from the Uu interface to the PC5 interface is taken as an example. In addition, PCF1, which allocates a cellular communication session strategy for the UE, and PCF2, which allocates direct communication parameters for the UE (that is, the PCF that executes the ProSe function), may not be the same. One PCF may also be the same PCF, there is no restriction.

S701: Establish a Uu interface communication connection between UE1 and UE2.

It should be understood that the specific process of establishing a Uu interface communication connection between UE1 and UE2 can refer to the process of establishing a Uu interface communication connection in FIG. 5, and details are not described herein again.

S702: UE1 and/or UE2 sends a PC5 connection discovery parameter request message to PCF2.

Wherein, the UE sends the application information of the first application to the PCF2 through the discovery parameter request message, and the application information may include the identity of the communication peer UE of the PC5 and interface switching conditions.

It should be understood that the communication peer UE is the UE that participates in PC5 interface communication. For example, if UE1 and UE2 communicate using the PC5 interface, then the communication peer UE of UE1 is UE2, and the communication peer UE of UE2 is UE1.

As an alternative step of S702, if the ProSe function is integrated in a certain user plane network element, UE1 and/or UE2 sends a PC5 connection discovery parameter request message to the user plane network element.

S703: PCF2 sends the application information to AMF.

S704. The AMF sends the application information to the RAN device.

For example, the AMF sends the application information to the RAN device to which the UE is connected. Specifically, the AMF may determine the RAN device that the UE is connected to according to the identification information of the UE, and instruct the RAN device to use the status information when detecting that the communication performance of the UE's communication interface meets the interface switching condition (the communication performance meets the interface switching condition) Send to AMF.

Alternatively, the AMF sends indication information to the RAN device, and the indication information is used to instruct the RAN device to periodically send the communication performance of the communication interface to the AMF.

For example, the AMF sends indication information to the RAN device, and the indication information is used to instruct the RAN device to periodically send the communication performance of the communication interface used by the UE, such as bandwidth, delay, and packet loss rate.

Alternatively, if the ProSe Function is integrated in the user plane network element, the user plane network element can directly send interface switching conditions or instructions to the RAN device, or the user plane network element has the same action as PCF2, that is, the user plane network element sends to the RAN through the AMF The device sends interface switching conditions or instructions.

S705: The RAN device sends state information that the communication performance of the Uu interface meets the interface switching condition to the AMF.

For example, if the RAN device detects that the communication performance of UE1 and/or UE2 using the Uu interface meets the interface conditions, the RAN device sends the status information to the AMF.

Alternatively, the RAN device periodically sends the communication performance of the Uu interface to the AMF according to the instruction information of the RAN device.

For example, the RAN device periodically sends the Uu interface transmission data delay, bandwidth, and packet loss rate to the AMF.

S706: The AMF sends interface switching indication information to UE1 and/or UE2 according to the state information.

Alternatively, the AMF judges that the communication performance satisfies the interface switching condition according to the received communication performance of the Uu interface, and the AMF sends the interface switching instruction information to the UE1 and/or UE2.

As an alternative step of S706:

S706a1, AMF sends the status information to PCF2;

S706a2: PCF2 sends interface switching instruction information to UE1 and/or UE2.

S707: UE1 and/or UE2 switch the communication interface from the Uu interface to the PC5 interface according to the interface switching instruction information.

In an example, if the PC5 interface communication connection already exists, that is, in step S702, the PC5 connection discovery parameter request message has established the PC5 interface communication connection between UE1 and UE2, then UE1 and/or UE2 will connect the communication interface from The Uu interface is switched to the PC5 interface.

S708: Establish a PC5 interface communication connection between UE1 and UE2.

It should be understood that the above steps in the embodiment of the present application are the same as the steps in the embodiment in FIG. 5, and reference may be made to the description in FIG. 5. For brevity, details are not repeated here.

Based on the above solution, the UE sends the interface switching condition and UE identification to the core network device through the PC5 connection discovery parameter request message, and the 5G core network device PCF or AMF instructs the UE to change the interface switching condition according to the communication performance of the Uu interface. The Uu interface is switched to the PC5 interface. This technical solution can realize the switching control of the communication interface from the core network side, avoiding additional signaling interaction, reducing the time delay of the communication interface switching, and improving the user experience.

FIG. 8 is a schematic interaction diagram of a method for switching a communication interface according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Fig. 8, the method may include step S801 to step S808. In the embodiment of this application, switching from the PC5 interface to the Uu interface is taken as an example. In addition, PCF1, which allocates cellular communication session strategies for the UE, and PCF2, which allocates direct communication parameters for the UE (that is, the PCF that executes the ProSe function), may not be the same. One PCF may also be the same PCF, there is no restriction.

S801: UE1 and/or UE2 sends a PC5 connection discovery parameter request message to PCF2.

S802: Establish a PC5 interface communication connection between UE1 and UE2.

S803: The PCF2 sends the application information to the AMF.

S804: The AMF sends the application information to the RAN device.

S805, UE1 and/or UE2 sends the communication performance of the PC5 interface to the RAN device.

S806: The RAN device sends the status information that the communication performance of the PC5 interface meets the interface switching condition to the AMF.

S807: The AMF sends interface switching indication information to UE1 and/or UE2 according to the status information.

As an alternative step of S807:

S807a1, AMF sends the status information to PCF2;

S807a2: PCF2 sends interface switching instruction information to UE1 and/or UE2.

S808: UE1 and/or UE2 switch the communication interface from the Uu interface to the PC5 interface according to the interface switching instruction information.

In an example, if the Uu interface communication connection already exists, UE1 and/or UE2 switch the communication interface from the PC5 interface to the Uu interface.

In another example, if the Uu interface communication connection does not exist, before the communication interface is switched, the method further includes:

S809: Establish a Uu interface communication connection between UE1 and UE2.

It should be understood that the establishment process of the Uu interface communication connection can refer to the establishment process in FIG. 5, and details are not described again.

It should also be understood that the above steps in the embodiment of the present application are the same as the steps in the embodiment in FIG. 5, and reference may be made to the description in FIG. 5, and for brevity, details are not repeated.

Based on the above solution, the UE sends the interface switching condition and UE identification to the core network device through the PC5 connection discovery parameter request message, and the 5G core network device PCF or AMF instructs the UE to change the interface switching condition according to the communication performance of the Uu interface. The PC5 interface is switched to the Uu interface. This technical solution can realize the switching control of the communication interface from the core network side, avoiding additional signaling interaction, reducing the time delay of the communication interface switching, and improving the user experience.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a method for switching a communication interface according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 9, the method includes step S910 to step S920.

S910. The first user equipment receives first interface switching information from the first network device.

UE1 receives the first interface switching information sent by PCF or AMF or SMF. The first interface switching information may be switching indication information, which is used to instruct the UE1 to switch the communication interface used for transmitting the data of the first application from the source communication interface to the target communication interface; the first interface switching information may also be a switching notification The information is used to notify the UE1 to switch the communication interface used to transmit the data of the first application.

S920: The first user equipment switches the first application from the source communication interface between the first user equipment and the second user equipment to the target communication interface according to the first interface switching information.

Exemplarily, the UE1 switches the communication interface used for transmitting the data of the first application from the PC5 interface to the Uu interface according to the received first interface switching information; or, the UE1 switches according to the received first interface switching information, Switch the communication interface used to transmit the data of the first application from the Uu interface to the PC5 interface.

Optionally, the method may further include step S930. The first user equipment sends a first interface switching condition to the first network device, where the first interface switching condition is used to switch between the first application on the first user equipment and the second user equipment. For the communication interface between devices, the first network device is a core network device.

In the embodiment of the present application, the second user equipment may also send the first interface switching condition to the first network device, which is not limited.

In the embodiment of the present application, the first network device may be a PCF.

Optionally, the first interface switching condition is carried in a discovery parameter request message, and the discovery parameter request message is used for establishing a PC5 connection between the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

In the embodiment of the present application, the first user equipment or the second user equipment may send a PC5 connection discovery parameter request message to the PCF, and the discovery parameter request message may include the first interface switching condition.

Optionally, the source communication interface is a PC5 interface, and the target communication interface is a Uu interface. The method may further include: the first user equipment notifies the second user equipment to switch the first application through the source communication interface, namely the PC5 interface. A communication interface between the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

In the embodiment of the present application, the second user equipment may also notify the first user equipment to switch the communication between the first user equipment and the second user equipment through the PC5 interface (PC5 link). interface.

Optionally, after UE1 receives the first interface switching information, it sends second interface switching information to UE2 through the PC5 interface. The second interface switching information is used to instruct UE2 to transfer the communication interface used by the first application from PC5. The interface is switched to the Uu interface.

Or, after UE1 receives the first interface switching information, it sends the second interface switching information to other UEs in the communication group where UE1 is located, and the second interface switching information is used to indicate that other UEs in the communication group will transmit the first interface switching information. The communication interface used by the application is switched from the PC5 interface to the Uu interface.

In this technical solution, multiple UEs can form a communication group, and one UE in the communication group receives the handover instruction information sent by the network-side network element, and the UE can instruct other UEs in the communication group according to the handover instruction information Switch the communication interface used to transmit the first application from the PC5 interface to the Uu interface. This technical solution can reduce the signaling interaction between the network device and the UE during the switching process of the communication interface, thereby improving the switching efficiency of the communication interface.

Fig. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 10, the device 1000 includes: a processing unit 1010 and a transceiver unit 1020.

The processing unit 1010 is configured to determine that a first interface switching condition is satisfied, and the first interface switching condition is used to switch the communication interface of the first application between the first user equipment and the second user equipment, and the first network device is the core Network equipment; the transceiver unit 1020 is used to send first interface switching information, the first interface switching information is used by the first user equipment to transfer the first application from the source between the first user equipment and the second user equipment The communication interface is switched to the target communication interface.

Optionally, the source communication interface may be a Uu interface, and the target communication interface may be a PC5 interface; or, the source communication interface may be a PC5 interface, and the target communication interface may be a Uu interface.

Optionally, the apparatus 1000 further includes: the transceiver unit 1020 receives status information from the second network device, the status information is used to indicate that the first interface switching condition is met; the processing unit 1010 is specifically configured to , It is determined that the first interface switching condition is satisfied.

Optionally, the transceiver unit 1020 is further configured to send the first interface switching condition to the second network device.

Optionally, the device 1000 further includes: the transceiving unit 1020 is configured to obtain the communication performance of the source communication interface, and the communication performance of the source communication interface is used to characterize the communication status of the source communication interface; the processing unit 1010 is configured according to The communication performance of the source communication interface determines that the first interface switching condition is satisfied.

Optionally, the first interface switching condition includes one or more of the following: the communication performance of the source communication interface does not meet the QoS requirement of the first application; the communication performance of the source communication interface does not meet the QoS of the source communication interface Demand; the communication performance of the source communication interface and the communication performance of the target communication interface meet the QoS requirements of the first application, and the priority of the target communication interface is higher than the priority of the source communication interface; wherein, the source communication The communication performance of the interface is used to characterize the communication status of the source communication interface, and the communication performance of the target communication interface is used to characterize the communication status of the target communication interface.

Optionally, the transceiver unit 1020 is further configured to send second interface switching information, where the second interface switching information is used by the second user equipment to switch the first application from the source communication interface to the target communication interface.

Optionally, the source communication interface is a Uu interface, and the target communication interface is a PC5 interface; or, the source communication interface is a PC5 interface, and the target communication interface is a Uu interface.

Optionally, the transceiver unit 1020 is further configured to: receive the first interface switching condition from the UDR or the first user equipment.

It should be noted that the communication device 1000 may be a network device or a module in a network device, where the network device may specifically be the first network device in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, or may also be the network device shown in FIGS. 3-9. The PCF or AMF or SMF in the embodiment is not limited.

In addition, nouns or actions mentioned in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 may refer to related or similar descriptions in the foregoing method embodiments, and details are not described herein again.

Fig. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 11, the apparatus 1100 may include: a transceiver unit 1110 and a processing unit 1120.

The transceiving unit 1110 is configured to receive first interface switching information from the first network device; the processing unit 1120 is configured to transfer the first application from the first user equipment to the second user equipment according to the first interface switching information. The source communication interface is switched to the target communication interface.

Optionally, the source communication interface may be a Uu interface, and the target interface may be a PC5 interface; or, the source communication interface may be a PC5 interface, and the target communication interface may be a Uu interface.

Optionally, the transceiver unit 1110 may also be used to send a first interface switching condition to the first network device, where the first interface switching condition is used to switch the first application between the first user equipment and the second user equipment. The first network device is a core network device.

Optionally, the first interface switching condition is carried in a discovery parameter request message, and the discovery parameter request message is used by the first user equipment to obtain the identity of the second user equipment.

Optionally, the first interface is a PC5 interface, the second interface is a Uu interface, and the processing unit 1120 is further configured to: through the source communication interface, notify the second user equipment to switch the first application to the first user The communication interface between the device and the second user equipment.

It should be noted that the communication apparatus 1100 may be a user equipment or a module in a user equipment, where the user equipment may specifically be the first user equipment, the second user equipment, UE1 or UE2 in the foregoing method embodiment, without limitation .

In addition, nouns or actions mentioned in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 may refer to related or similar descriptions in the foregoing method embodiments, and details are not described herein again.

An embodiment of the present application also provides a network device, including a processor and a memory, and instructions stored on the memory and executable on the processor. When the instructions are executed, the network device is caused to execute The method in the embodiment of this application.

Optionally, the network device may specifically be PCF, AMF, or SMF in the embodiments of this application, and the network device may implement the corresponding methods implemented by the first network device or PCF or AMF or SMF in the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, the process will not be repeated.

The embodiments of the present application also provide a user equipment, including a processor, a memory, and instructions stored on the memory and executable on the processor, and when the instructions are executed, the user equipment is caused to execute this Apply the method in the example.

The user equipment may specifically be the first user equipment, the second user equipment, UE1, or UE2 in the embodiments of this application, and the user equipment may implement the corresponding procedures implemented by the user equipment in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity ,No longer.

The embodiment of the present application also provides a chip, including a processor, configured to call and run a computer program from the memory, so that the device installed with the chip executes the method in the embodiment of the present application.

The chip can be applied to the PCF or AMF or SMF or UE in the embodiments of this application, and the chip can implement the corresponding procedures implemented by the PCF or AMF or SMF or UE in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. Go into details.

The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, including a processor and a memory, the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory to execute the computer program in the embodiment of the present application. The method described.

The communication system can be applied to the PCF or AMF or SMF or UE in the embodiments of the present application, and the communication system can implement the corresponding procedures implemented by the PCF or AMF or SMF or UE in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, No longer.

The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer programs.

The computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the PCF or AMF or SMF or UE in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer-readable storage medium can implement the PCF or AMF or SMF or UE in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, the corresponding process will not be repeated.

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 merely 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 method for switching a communication interface, which is characterized in that it comprises:

The first network device determines that a first interface switching condition is met, the first interface switching condition is used to switch the communication interface of the first application between the first user equipment and the second user equipment, and the first network device is the core Network equipment

The first network device sends first interface switching information, where the first interface switching information is used by the first user equipment to transfer the first application from between the first user equipment and the second user equipment The source communication interface is switched to the target communication interface.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

Receiving, by the first network device, status information from a second network device, where the status information is used to indicate that the first interface switching condition is met;

The first network device determines that the first interface switching condition is satisfied, including:

The first network device determines that the first interface switching condition is satisfied according to the status information.
The method according to claim 2, wherein the method further comprises:

The first network device sends the first interface switching condition to the second network device.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

Acquiring, by the first network device, the communication performance of the source communication interface, where the communication performance of the source communication interface is used to characterize the communication status of the source communication interface;

The first network device determines that the first interface switching condition is satisfied according to the communication performance of the source communication interface.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first interface switching information includes an identification of the first user equipment and an identification of the first application.
The method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the first interface switching condition includes one or more of the following:

The communication performance of the source communication interface does not meet the QoS requirement of the first application;

The communication performance of the source communication interface does not meet the QoS requirement of the source communication interface;

Both the communication performance of the source communication interface and the communication performance of the target communication interface meet the QoS requirements of the first application, and the priority of the target communication interface is higher than the priority of the source communication interface;

Wherein, the communication performance of the source communication interface is used to characterize the communication state of using the source communication interface to transmit the data of the first application, and the communication performance of the target communication interface is used to characterize the use of the target communication interface to transmit the first application. The communication status of an application's data.
The method according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the method further comprises:

The first network device sends second interface switching information, where the second interface switching information is used by the second user equipment to switch the first application from the source communication interface to the target communication interface.
The method according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the source communication interface is a Uu interface, and the target communication interface is a PC5 interface; or,

The source communication interface is a PC5 interface, and the target communication interface is a Uu interface.
The method according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the method further comprises:

The first network device receives the first interface switching condition from the UDR or the first user equipment.
A method for switching a communication interface, which is characterized in that it comprises:

The first user equipment receives first interface switching information from the first network device;

The first user equipment switches the first application from the source communication interface between the first user equipment and the second user equipment to the target communication interface according to the first interface switching information.
The method according to claim 10, wherein the method further comprises:

The first user equipment sends a first interface switching condition to the first network device, where the first interface switching condition is used to switch the communication interface of the first application between the first user equipment and the second user equipment, so The first network device is a core network device.
The method according to claim 11, wherein the first interface switching condition is carried in a discovery parameter request message, and the discovery parameter request message is used to establish a PC5 connection between the first user equipment and the second user equipment .
The method according to any one of claims 10-12, wherein the source communication interface is a PC5 interface, the target communication interface is a Uu interface, and the method further comprises:

The first user equipment notifies the second user equipment to switch the communication interface of the first application between the first user equipment and the second user equipment through the source communication interface.
A communication device, characterized in that it comprises:

A processing unit, configured to determine that a first interface switching condition is met, the first interface switching condition is used to switch the communication interface of the first application between the first user equipment and the second user equipment, and the first network device is Core network equipment;

The transceiver unit is configured to send first interface switching information, where the first interface switching information is used by the first user equipment to transfer the first application from the first user equipment to the second user equipment. The source communication interface is switched to the target communication interface.
The device according to claim 14, wherein the device further comprises:

The transceiver unit receives status information from the second network device, where the status information is used to indicate that the first interface switching condition is met;

The processing unit is specifically configured to determine, according to the state information, that the first interface switching condition is satisfied.
The device according to claim 15, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to:

Sending the first interface switching condition to the second network device.
The device according to claim 14, wherein the device further comprises:

Acquiring, by the transceiver unit, the communication performance of the source communication interface, and the communication performance of the source communication interface is used to characterize the communication state of the source communication interface;

The processing unit determines that the first interface switching condition is satisfied according to the communication performance of the source communication interface.
The apparatus according to any one of claims 14-17, wherein the first interface switching information includes an identification of the first user equipment and an identification of the first application.
The device according to any one of claims 14-18, wherein the first interface switching condition comprises one or more of the following:

The communication performance of the source communication interface does not meet the QoS requirement of the first application;

The communication performance of the source communication interface does not meet the QoS requirement of the source communication interface;

Both the communication performance of the source communication interface and the communication performance of the target communication interface meet the QoS requirements of the first application, and the priority of the target communication interface is higher than the priority of the source communication interface;

Wherein, the communication performance of the source communication interface is used to characterize the communication state of the source communication interface, and the communication performance of the target communication interface is used to characterize the communication state of the target communication interface.
The device according to any one of claims 14-19, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to:

Sending second interface switching information, where the second interface switching information is used by the second user equipment to switch the first application from the source communication interface to the target communication interface.
The device according to any one of claims 14-20, wherein the source communication interface is a Uu interface, and the target communication interface is a PC5 interface; or,

The source communication interface is a PC5 interface, and the target communication interface is a Uu interface.
The device according to any one of claims 14-21, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to:

Receiving the first interface switching condition from the UDR or the first user equipment.
A communication device, characterized in that it comprises:

The transceiver unit is configured to receive first interface switching information from the first network device;

The processing unit is configured to switch the first application from the source communication interface between the first user equipment and the second user equipment to the target communication interface according to the first interface switching information.
The device according to claim 23, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to:

A first interface switching condition is sent to the first network device, where the first interface switching condition is used to switch the communication interface of the first application between the first user equipment and the second user equipment, and the first network device is Core network equipment.
The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the first interface switching condition is carried in a discovery parameter request message, and the discovery parameter request message is used by the first user equipment to obtain the information of the second user equipment. Logo.
The device according to any one of claims 23-25, wherein the first interface is a PC5 interface, the second interface is a Uu interface, and the processing unit is further configured to:

Through the source communication interface, the second user equipment is notified to switch the communication interface of the first application between the first user equipment and the second user equipment.
A network device, characterized by comprising: a processor, a memory, and instructions stored on the memory and executable on the processor, and when the instructions are executed, the network device executes the claims The method of any one of 1 to 9.
A user equipment, which is characterized by comprising: a processor, a memory, and instructions stored on the memory and executable on the processor, and when the instructions are executed, the user equipment executes the claims The method of any one of 10-13.
A chip, characterized by comprising: a processor, configured to call and run a computer program from a memory, so that a device installed with the chip executes the method according to any one of claims 1-9.
A chip, characterized by comprising: a processor, configured to call and run a computer program from a memory, so that a device installed with the chip executes the method according to any one of claims 10-13.
A communication system, characterized by comprising: a processor and a memory, the memory is used to store a computer program, the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory, and execute as claimed in claims 1-13 Any of the methods.
A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that it is used to store a computer program that enables a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-9.
A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that it is used to store a computer program that enables a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 10-13.