WO2021218244A1 - 通信方法、装置及系统 - Google Patents

通信方法、装置及系统 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021218244A1
WO2021218244A1 PCT/CN2021/072726 CN2021072726W WO2021218244A1 WO 2021218244 A1 WO2021218244 A1 WO 2021218244A1 CN 2021072726 W CN2021072726 W CN 2021072726W WO 2021218244 A1 WO2021218244 A1 WO 2021218244A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
network element
slice
user plane
information
terminal device
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PCT/CN2021/072726
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
孙海洋
吴义壮
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华为技术有限公司
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Publication of WO2021218244A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021218244A1/zh

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W28/00—Network traffic management; Network resource management
    • H04W28/02—Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control
    • H04W28/0268—Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control using specific QoS parameters for wireless networks, e.g. QoS class identifier [QCI] or guaranteed bit rate [GBR]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W28/00—Network traffic management; Network resource management
    • H04W28/02—Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W28/00—Network traffic management; Network resource management
    • H04W28/16—Central resource management; Negotiation of resources or communication parameters, e.g. negotiating bandwidth or QoS [Quality of Service]
    • H04W28/24—Negotiating SLA [Service Level Agreement]; Negotiating QoS [Quality of Service]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W76/00—Connection management
    • H04W76/10—Connection setup
    • H04W76/12—Setup of transport tunnels

Definitions

  • This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to communication methods, devices and systems.
  • 5G network slicing technology provides isolated network environments for different application scenarios by virtual independent logical networks on the same network infrastructure, so that different application scenarios can customize network functions and features according to their own needs, and can effectively guarantee the performance of different services.
  • Quality of Service (Quality of Service, QoS) requirements The goal of 5G network slicing is to organically combine terminal equipment, access network resources, core network resources, and network operation and maintenance and management systems, so as to provide independent operation and maintenance for different business scenarios or types of services.
  • QoS Quality of Service
  • a network slice allows multiple terminal devices to share, and each terminal device can establish one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions in the shared network slice.
  • PDU protocol data unit
  • This application provides a communication method, device, and system to implement accurate control of the flow of different PDU sessions in a network slice.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, including: a session management network element receives instruction information and information of a first slice; A slice of different protocol data unit PDU sessions selects the same user plane network element, and the user plane network element is used to control the sum of the current bit rates of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice to not exceed The terminal device aggregates the maximum bit rate AMBR in the slice of the first slice.
  • the session management network element selects the same user plane network element for all PDU sessions of the terminal device in the same slice, so that the user plane network element can perform unified flow control according to the slice AMBR of the terminal device in the slice. , Controlling the sum of the current bit rates of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the slice not to exceed the slice AMBR of the terminal device in the first slice, which improves the accuracy of flow control.
  • the session management network element selects the same user plane network element for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice according to the instruction information, including: the session management network The element selects the first user plane network element according to the correspondence between the information of the first slice and the information of the first user plane network element.
  • the corresponding relationship between the information of the user plane network element selected by the terminal device in different PDU sessions of the first slice and the information of the first slice can be stored by the session management network element, which is convenient for management.
  • the session management network element selects the same user plane network element for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice according to the instruction information, including: the session management network The element sends a first request to a network storage network element or a data management network element for requesting that the same user plane network element is selected for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice; the session management network element Receive information of at least one user plane network element from the network storage network element or the data management network element; select a first user plane network element from the at least one user plane network element; and send information to the network storage network element Or the data management network element sends the information of the first user plane network element; or, the session management network element receives the first user plane network element from the network storage network element or the data management network element Information.
  • the network storage network element or the data management network element can store the corresponding relationship between the information of the user plane network element selected by the terminal device in different PDU sessions of the first slice and the information of the first slice, Easy to manage.
  • the session management network element selects the same user plane network element for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice according to the instruction information, including: the session management network According to the instruction information, the element determines that it is the first time to select a user plane network element for the PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice, and then selects the first user plane network element; the session management network element moves to mobility management The network element sends the information of the first user plane network element.
  • the mobility management network element can store the correspondence between the information of the user plane network element selected by the terminal device in different PDU sessions of the first slice and the information of the first slice, which is convenient for management.
  • the session management network element receives the information of the first user plane network element from the mobility management network element; the session management network element is based on the first user plane network element If it is determined that it is not the first time that the user plane network element is selected for the PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice, the first user plane network element is selected.
  • the session management network element receiving the indication information and the information of the first slice includes: the session management network element receives information from a mobility management network element, a data management network element, or a policy control network element Receiving the indication information and the information of the first slice.
  • the user plane network element is a PDU session anchor user plane network element, a user plane network element with only an N9 interface, or a user plane network element with an N3 interface.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, including: a mobility management network element receives first indication information and information of a first slice; the mobility management network element, according to the first indication information, is The terminal device selects the same session management network element for different protocol data unit PDU sessions of the first slice; the mobility management network element sends second indication information and the first slice to the session management network element
  • the second indication information is used to indicate that the same user plane network element is selected for the terminal device in different PDU sessions of the first slice, and the user plane network element is used to control the terminal device in The sum of the current bit rates of the different PDU sessions of the first slice does not exceed the maximum bit rate AMBR of the terminal device in the slice aggregation of the first slice.
  • the session management network element selects the same user plane network element for all PDU sessions of the terminal device in the same slice, so that the user plane network element can perform unified flow control according to the slice AMBR of the terminal device in the slice. , Controlling the sum of the current bit rates of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the slice not to exceed the slice AMBR of the terminal device in the first slice, which improves the accuracy of flow control.
  • the mobility management network element receives the information of the first user plane network element from the session management network element; the mobility management network element records the information of the first slice and Correspondence between the information of the first user plane network element.
  • the mobility management network element receiving the first indication information and the information of the first slice includes: the mobility management network element receives the subscription of the terminal device from the data management network element Data, the subscription data includes the first indication information and the first slice information.
  • the user plane network element is a PDU session anchor user plane network element, a user plane network element with only an N9 interface, or a user plane network element with an N3 interface.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be a session management network element, or a chip used for a session management network element.
  • the device has the function of realizing the foregoing first aspect or each possible implementation method of the first aspect. This function can be realized by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software.
  • the hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be a mobility management network element, or a chip used for a mobility management network element.
  • the device has the function of realizing the foregoing second aspect or each possible implementation method of the second aspect. This function can be realized by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software.
  • the hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device including a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store computer-executable instructions, and when the device is running, the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory to enable The device executes any of the above-mentioned methods of the first aspect to the second aspect, and each of the possible implementation methods of the first aspect to the second aspect.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including a method for executing the methods of the first aspect to the second aspect, and each step of any of the possible implementation methods of the first aspect, the second aspect, and the fifth aspect.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface circuit, where the processor is configured to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the methods of the first aspect to the second aspect.
  • the first aspect To any of the possible implementation methods of the second aspect.
  • the processor includes one or more.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including a processor, configured to be connected to a memory, and configured to call a program stored in the memory to execute the methods of the first aspect to the second aspect, the first Aspect Two: Any of the possible implementation methods of the fifth aspect.
  • the memory can be located inside the device or outside the device.
  • the processor includes one or more.
  • embodiments of the present application also provide a computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions in the computer-readable storage medium, which when run on a computer, causes a processor to execute the first aspect to the second aspect described above. , Any of the possible implementation methods of the first aspect to the second aspect.
  • the embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product, the computer product including a computer program, when the computer program runs, the method of the first aspect to the second aspect, each of the first aspect to the second aspect Any of the possible implementation methods is executed.
  • an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, including: a processor, configured to execute the methods of the first aspect to the second aspect, among the possible implementation methods of the first aspect to the second aspect Any method.
  • an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including: a session management network element and a first network element; the first network element is configured to send indication information and a first slice to the session management network element ⁇ ; The session management network element is configured to receive the indication information and the first slice information from the first network element; according to the indication information, for the terminal device in the first slice.
  • the same user plane network element is selected for different protocol data unit PDU sessions, and the user plane network element is used to control the sum of the current bit rates of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice not to exceed the terminal
  • the device aggregates the maximum bit rate AMBR in the slice of the first slice.
  • an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication method, including: a first network element sends instruction information and first slice information to a session management network element; the session management network element receives from the first network element The indication information and the information of the first slice; according to the indication information, the session management network element selects the same user plane network element for the terminal device in the different protocol data unit PDU sessions of the first slice, so The user plane network element is used to control the sum of the current bit rates of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice not to exceed the slice aggregation maximum bit rate AMBR of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of this application.
  • Figure 2(a) is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service-oriented architecture
  • Figure 2(b) is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a point-to-point interface
  • Figure 3(a) is an example diagram of the relationship between slice AMBR and session AMBR;
  • Figure 3(b) is another example diagram of the relationship between slice AMBR and session AMBR;
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of this application.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application.
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of this application.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of this application.
  • FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of this application.
  • the present application provides a communication system, which includes a session management network element.
  • the system further includes one or more of a policy control network element, a mobility management network element, and a network storage network element.
  • the policy control network element, the mobility management network element, and the network storage network element may also be collectively referred to as the first network element, that is, the first network element may be a policy control network element, a mobility management network element, or a network storage network element. Yuan.
  • the first network element is configured to send indication information and first slice information to the session management network element; the session management network element is configured to receive the indication information and the first slice information from the first network element The information of the first slice; according to the instruction information, the same user plane network element is selected for the terminal device in the different protocol data unit PDU sessions of the first slice, and the user plane network element is used to control the The sum of the current bit rates of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice does not exceed the maximum bit rate AMBR of the terminal device in the slice aggregation of the first slice.
  • the session management network element is configured to select the same user plane network element for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice according to the instruction information, which specifically includes: Selecting the first user plane network element according to the correspondence between the information of the first slice and the information of the first user plane network element.
  • the session management network element is configured to select the same user plane network element for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice according to the instruction information, which specifically includes: Sending a first request to a network storage network element or a data management network element, for requesting that the same user plane network element be selected for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice;
  • the storage network element or the data management network element receives information of at least one user plane network element; selects a first user plane network element from the at least one user plane network element; and stores the network element or the data to the network
  • the management network element sends the information of the first user plane network element; or, is used to receive the information of the first user plane network element from the network storage network element or the data management network element.
  • the session management network element is configured to select the same user plane network element for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice according to the instruction information, which specifically includes: After it is determined according to the instruction information that it is the first time to select a user plane network element for the PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice, the first user plane network element is selected; the session management network element is also used for Send the information of the first user plane network element to the mobility management network element.
  • the session management network element is further configured to receive the information of the first user plane network element from the mobility management network element; according to the information of the first user plane network element If it is determined that it is not the first time that the user plane network element is selected for the PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice, the first user plane network element is selected.
  • the user plane network element is a PDU session anchor user plane network element, a user plane network element with only an N9 interface, or a user plane network element with an N3 interface.
  • the system shown in Figure 1 can be used in the 5G network architecture shown in Figure 2(a) or Figure 2(b). Of course, it can also be used in future network architectures, such as the 6th generation (6G) network architecture. Etc., this application is not limited.
  • the network element or entity corresponding to the session management network element in Figure 1 may be the session management function (SMF) network element in the 5G network architecture shown in Figure 2(a), and the mobility management in Figure 1
  • the network element or entity corresponding to the network element may be an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element in the 5G network architecture shown in Figure 2(a).
  • the network element or entity corresponding to the policy control network element in FIG. 1 may be a policy control function (PCF) network element in the 5G network architecture shown in FIG. 2(a).
  • the network element or entity corresponding to the data storage network element in FIG. 1 may be a network storage function (NRF) network element in the 5G network architecture shown in FIG. 2(a).
  • the 5G network architecture shown in Figure 2(a) may include three parts, namely a terminal equipment part, a data network (DN) and an operator network part.
  • DN data network
  • operator network part The functions of some of the network elements are briefly introduced below.
  • the operator’s network may include one or more of the following network elements: Authentication Server Function (AUSF) network elements, network exposure function (NEF) network elements, PCF network elements, UDM, UDR, NRF network element, AF network element, AMF network element, SMF network element, radio access network (RAN), user plane function (UPF) network element, etc.
  • AUSF Authentication Server Function
  • NEF network exposure function
  • PCF PCF network elements
  • UDM User Data Management Function
  • UDR network exposure function
  • AF AF network element
  • AMF AMF network element
  • SMF radio access network
  • RAN radio access network
  • UPF user plane function
  • the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application may be a device for implementing wireless communication functions.
  • the terminal equipment may be a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a terminal unit, a terminal station, a mobile station, a mobile station in a 5G network or a public land mobile network (PLMN) that will evolve in the future.
  • UE user equipment
  • PLMN public land mobile network
  • the access terminal can 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, vehicle-mounted devices or wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, industrial control (industrial) Wireless terminal in control), wireless terminal in self-driving (self-driving), wireless terminal in remote medical (remote medical), wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety (transportation safety) Terminals, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, etc.
  • the terminal can be mobile or fixed.
  • the above-mentioned terminal device may establish a connection with the operator's network through an interface (such as N1, etc.) provided by the operator's network, and use services such as data and/or voice provided by the operator's network.
  • the terminal device can also access the DN through the operator's network, and use the operator's service deployed on the DN and/or the service provided by a third party.
  • the above-mentioned third party may be a service party other than the operator's network and terminal equipment, and may provide other services such as data and/or voice for the terminal equipment.
  • the specific form of expression of the above-mentioned third party can be determined according to actual application scenarios, and is not limited here.
  • RAN is a sub-network of an operator's network, and an implementation system between service nodes and terminal equipment in the operator's network.
  • the terminal device To access the operator's network, the terminal device first passes through the RAN, and then can be connected to the service node of the operator's network through the RAN.
  • the RAN device in this application is a device that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices, and the RAN device is also called an access network device.
  • the RAN equipment in this application includes but is not limited to: next-generation base stations (gnodeB, gNB), evolved node B (evolved node B, eNB), radio network controller (RNC), node B in 5G (node B, NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (for example, home evolved nodeB, or home node B, HNB), baseband unit (baseBand) unit, BBU), transmission point (transmitting and receiving point, TRP), transmission point (transmitting point, TP), mobile switching center, etc.
  • next-generation base stations gnodeB, gNB
  • evolved node B evolved node B
  • RNC radio network controller
  • node B in 5G node B, NB
  • BSC base station controller
  • BTS base transceiver station
  • home base station for example, home evolved nodeB, or home node B, HNB
  • TRP transmission point
  • the AMF network element mainly performs functions such as mobility management and access authentication/authorization. In addition, it is also responsible for transferring user policies between UE and PCF.
  • the SMF network element mainly performs functions such as session management, execution of control policies issued by PCF, selection of UPF, and UE Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation.
  • functions such as session management, execution of control policies issued by PCF, selection of UPF, and UE Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation.
  • IP Internet Protocol
  • the UPF network element as the interface UPF with the data network, completes functions such as user plane data forwarding, session/stream-based billing statistics, and bandwidth limitation.
  • the UDM network element is mainly responsible for functions such as management of contract data and user access authorization.
  • UDR is mainly responsible for the access function of contract data, strategy data, application data and other types of data.
  • NEF network elements are mainly used to support the opening of capabilities and events.
  • the AF network element mainly transmits the requirements of the application side to the network side, for example, QoS requirements or user status event subscriptions.
  • the AF can be a third-party functional entity, or an application service deployed by an operator, such as an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) voice call service.
  • IMS IP Multimedia Subsystem
  • the PCF network element is mainly responsible for policy control functions such as billing, QoS bandwidth guarantee and mobility management, and UE policy decision-making for the session and service flow levels.
  • the NRF network element can be used to provide the network element discovery function, and provide the network element information corresponding to the network element type based on the request of other network elements.
  • NRF also provides network element management services, such as network element registration, update, de-registration, and network element status subscription and push.
  • AUSF network element Mainly responsible for authenticating users to determine whether users or devices are allowed to access the network.
  • a DN is a network located outside the operator's network.
  • the operator's network can access multiple DNs.
  • a variety of services can be deployed on the DN to provide terminal equipment with services such as data and/or voice.
  • DN is the private network of a smart factory.
  • the sensors installed in the workshop of the smart factory can be terminal devices.
  • a control server for the sensors is deployed in the DN, and the control server can provide services for the sensors.
  • the sensor can communicate with the control server, obtain instructions from the control server, and transmit the collected sensor data to the control server according to the instructions.
  • the DN is the internal office network of a company.
  • the mobile phones or computers of the employees of the company can be terminal devices, and the mobile phones or computers of the employees can access the information and data resources on the internal office network of the company.
  • Nausf, Nnef, Npcf, Nudm, Naf, Namf, Nsmf, N1, N2, N3, N4, and N6 are interface serial numbers.
  • the meaning of these interface serial numbers can refer to the meaning defined in the 3GPP standard protocol, which is not limited here.
  • FIG. 2(b) it is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service-oriented architecture.
  • the network element or entity corresponding to the session management network element in Figure 1 may be the SMF network element in the 5G network architecture shown in Figure 2(b), and the network element or entity corresponding to the mobility management network element in Figure 1 It may be an AMF network element in the 5G network architecture shown in Figure 2(b).
  • the network element or entity corresponding to the policy control network element in FIG. 1 may be a PCF network element in the 5G network architecture shown in FIG. 2(b).
  • the network element or entity corresponding to the data storage network element in FIG. 1 may be the NRF network element in the 5G network architecture shown in FIG. 2(b).
  • Fig. 2(b) For the introduction of the function of the network element in Fig. 2(b), reference may be made to the introduction of the function of the corresponding network element in Fig. 2(a), which will not be repeated.
  • the main difference between Fig. 2(b) and Fig. 2(a) is that the interface between the various network elements in Fig. 2(b) is a point-to-point interface, not a service-oriented interface.
  • N7 The interface between PCF and SMF, used to issue PDU session granularity and service data flow granularity control strategy.
  • N15 The interface between PCF and AMF, used to issue UE policies and access control related policies.
  • N5 Interface between AF and PCF, used for application service request issuance and network event reporting.
  • N4 The interface between SMF and UPF, used to transfer information between the control plane and the user plane, including controlling the issuance of user-oriented forwarding rules, QoS control rules, traffic statistics rules, etc., and user-plane information Reported.
  • N11 Interface between SMF and AMF, used to transfer PDU session tunnel information between RAN and UPF, transfer control messages sent to UE, transfer radio resource control information sent to RAN, etc.
  • N2 The interface between AMF and RAN, used to transfer radio bearer control information from the core network side to the RAN.
  • N1 The interface between the AMF and the UE, which has nothing to do with access, and is used to deliver QoS control rules to the UE.
  • N8 The interface between AMF and UDM, used for AMF to obtain access and mobility management related subscription data and authentication data from UDM, and AMF to register UE current mobility management related information with UDM, etc.
  • N10 Interface between SMF and UDM, used for SMF to obtain session management related subscription data from UDM, and SMF to register UE current session related information with UDM, etc.
  • N35 The interface between UDM and UDR, used for UDM to obtain user subscription data information from UDR.
  • N36 Interface between PCF and UDR, used for PCF to obtain policy-related contract data and application data-related information from UDR.
  • N12 The interface between AMF and AUSF, used for AMF to initiate an authentication process to AUSF, which can carry SUCI as a contract identifier;
  • N13 The interface between UDM and AUSF, used for AUSF to obtain user authentication vector from UDM to execute the authentication process.
  • the aforementioned network elements or functions may be network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (for example, a cloud platform).
  • a platform for example, a cloud platform.
  • the foregoing network element or function may be implemented by one device, or jointly implemented by multiple devices, or may be a functional module in one device, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.
  • the mobility management network element, session management network element, policy control network element, user plane network element, data management network element, database, and network storage network element in this application can be shown in Figure 2(a) or Figure 2(b) respectively.
  • the AMF, SMF, PCF, UPF, UDM, UDR, NRF in the network can also be future communications such as the 6th generation (6G) network with the above AMF, SMF, PCF, UPF, UDM, UDR, NRF functions Network elements, this application is not limited to this.
  • this application uses mobility management network elements, session management network elements, policy control network elements, user plane network elements, data management network elements, databases, and network storage network elements as the above-mentioned AMF, SMF, PCF, UPF, and Take UDM, UDR, and NRF as examples.
  • non-Guaranteed Bit Rate non-Guaranteed Bit Rate
  • Session-AMBR Session Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate
  • the slice AMBR (slice-AMBR) of the terminal device is used to limit the upper limit of the bit rate of a terminal device in a network slice.
  • the slice AMBR only restricting non-GBR resources as an example, it is defined that the sum of the session AMBRs of all PDU sessions of a terminal device in a network slice does not exceed the slice AMBR of the terminal device in the network slice.
  • slice AMBR as an example, which only restricts GBR resources, it is defined that the sum of the MBR of service data flow (Service Data Flow, SDF) that uses GBR resources for all PDU sessions of a terminal device in a network slice does not exceed that of the terminal device.
  • SDF Service Data Flow
  • slice AMBR to simultaneously limit non-GBR resources and GBR resources as an example, it is defined that the sum of session AMBR of all PDU sessions of a terminal device in a network slice and SDF MBR of all PDU sessions using GBR resources does not exceed the terminal.
  • the slice AMBR of the device in the network slice it is defined that the sum of session AMBR of all PDU sessions of a terminal device in a network slice and SDF MBR of all PDU sessions using GBR resources does not exceed the terminal.
  • FIG. 3(a) it is an example diagram of the relationship between slice AMBR and session AMBR.
  • the terminal device establishes 3 PDU sessions in a certain network slice, namely PDU session 1, PDU session 2, and PDU session 3.
  • the session AMBR of PDU session 1 is S1
  • the session AMBR of PDU session 2 is S2
  • the session AMBR of PDU session 3 is S3
  • the slice AMBR of the terminal device in the network slice is T.
  • S1+S2+S3 is required to be less than or equal to T.
  • the UPF corresponding to each PDU session controls the current bit rate of the non-GBR resource of the PDU session not to exceed the session AMBR according to the session AMBR of the PDU session, and controls the use of GBR resources for the PDU session
  • the current bit rate of the SDF does not exceed the MBR of the SDF using GBR resources, and no additional control is required based on the slice AMBR of the terminal device.
  • the slice AMBR in the above-mentioned flow control method is the upper limit of the sum of the session AMBR of each PDU session of the terminal device and/or the MBR of the SDF using GBR resources, so only the sessions of each PDU session need to be allocated in advance.
  • the AMBR and/or the MBR of the SDF using GBR resources, and the sum of the session AMBR of these PDU sessions and/or the MBR of the SDF using GBR resources does not exceed the slice AMBR of the terminal device.
  • Figure 3(a) take the example of Figure 3(a) as an example.
  • the values of S1, S2, and S3 are allocated in advance, and then the UPF corresponding to PDU session 1 (such as UPF1) controls the non-GBR resources of PDU session 1 according to S1
  • the current bit rate of PDU session 2 does not exceed S1
  • the UPF corresponding to PDU session 2 (such as UPF1) controls the non-GBR resource of PDU session 2 according to S2
  • the current bit rate does not exceed S2
  • the UPF corresponding to PDU session 3 (such as UPF3) is controlled according to S3
  • the current bit rate of the non-GBR resource of PDU session 3 does not exceed S3. That is, the flow control method described above only requires that each UPF performs separate flow control according to the pre-allocated session AMBR and/or the MBR of the SDF using GBR resources.
  • FIG. 3(b) it is an example diagram of the relationship between slice AMBR and session AMBR in an embodiment of this application.
  • the terminal device establishes 3 PDU sessions in a certain network slice, namely PDU session 1, PDU session 2, and PDU session 3.
  • the session AMBR of PDU session 1 is S1
  • the current bit rate of non-GBR resources is P1
  • P1 is less than or equal to S1
  • the session AMBR of PDU session 2 is S2
  • the current bit rate of non-GBR resources is P2
  • P2 is less than or equal to S2
  • the session AMBR of PDU session 3 is S3, the current bit rate of the non-GBR resource is P3, and P1 is less than or equal to S3, and the slice AMBR of the terminal device in the network slice is T.
  • P1+P2+P3 is required to be less than or equal to T.
  • S1+S2+S3 is less than T, equal to T, or greater than T, the embodiment of the application does not require it.
  • the embodiments of the present application can implement more accurate flow control through the above-mentioned flow control method.
  • each session AMBR and/or the MBR of the SDF using GBR resources it is not only required that each session AMBR and/or the MBR of the SDF using GBR resources are separately matched.
  • Each PDU session performs flow control.
  • the current bit rate of each PDU session needs to be controlled in real time and uniformly according to the slice AMBR. This is because the slice AMBR is the upper limit of the current bit rate (non-GBR resource and/or GBR resource) of each PDU session, so real-time monitoring needs to be performed.
  • the network element performing slice AMBR control in the embodiment of the present application needs to be able to obtain the real-time traffic (that is, the current bit rate) of each PDU session, which requires that the UPF corresponding to each PDU session must be the same UPF. That is, in the embodiment of the present application, a unified UPF needs to perform centralized control (or called unified control). For example, taking the example in Figure 3(b) as an example, the values of S1, S2, and S3 are allocated in advance according to the value of T.
  • UPF1 controls the current bit rate of non-GBR resources of PDU session 1 according to S1 to not exceed S1, and according to S2
  • the current bit rate of the non-GBR resource of the control PDU session 2 does not exceed S2
  • the current bit rate of the non-GBR resource of the control PDU session 3 does not exceed S3 according to S3
  • the control of P1+P2+P3 does not exceed T according to T.
  • the session AMBR of the PDU session is the upper limit of the bit rate of the non-GBR resources in the PDU session, and the current bit rate of the non-GBR resources of the PDU session is less than or equal to that of the PDU session. Session AMBR.
  • the current bit rate of the PDU session in the embodiment of this application may also be referred to as the actual bit rate of the non-GBR resource of the PDU session , Or called the real-time bit rate of the non-GBR resource of the PDU session, or called the current flow of the non-GBR resource of the PDU session, or called the real-time flow of the non-GBR resource of the PDU session, or called the PDU session The flow of non-GBR resources, etc.
  • the MBR of the SDF using GBR resources in a PDU session is the upper limit of the bit rate of the SDF using GBR resources in the PDU session, and the current bit rate of the SDF using GBR resources in the PDU session is less than or Equal to the MBR of the SDF that uses GBR resources.
  • the current bit rate of the PDU session in the embodiment of the present application may also be referred to as the actual bit rate of the SDF of the PDU session using GBR resources.
  • the current bit rate of the PDU session in the embodiment of the present application may also be referred to as the actual bit rate of the PDU session.
  • the network slice in the embodiment of the present application may also be referred to as a slice for short.
  • the information of the UPF in the embodiment of the present application may be the identifier of the UPF or the address of the UPF, etc., which are described in a unified manner here, and will not be repeated in the following.
  • the indication information in the embodiment of the present application may be slice AMBR (slice AMBR) when implemented, that is, after receiving the slice AMBR, it selects the same network function (Network function, NF) network element.
  • Slice AMBR slice AMBR
  • the AMF receives a slice AMBR of a certain slice
  • SMF receives the same SMF for the PDU session of the slice.
  • SMF receives a slice AMBR of a certain slice
  • the slice AMBR may be a subsribed slice AMBR (subsribed slice AMBR) obtained from UDM or an authorized slice AMBR (authorized slice AMBR) obtained from a PCF.
  • the indication information in the embodiment of the present application may also be other information when implemented, for example, it may be bit information, or bitmap information, or signaling.
  • the AMF receives bit information, bitmap information, or signaling for instructing the terminal device to select the same SMF for a PDU session of a certain slice
  • the AMF selects the same SMF for the PDU session of the slice.
  • the SMF receives bit information, bitmap information, or signaling for instructing the terminal device to select the same UPF for a PDU session of a certain slice
  • the SMF selects the same UPF for the PDU session of the slice.
  • the present application provides a communication method.
  • the method includes the following steps:
  • Step 401 The SMF receives the indication information and the information of the first slice.
  • step 402 the SMF selects the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice according to the instruction information.
  • the selected UPF is used to control the sum of the current bit rates of different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice not to exceed the slice AMBR of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • the SMF selects the same UPF for all PDU sessions of the terminal device in the same slice, so that the UPF can perform unified flow control for the slice AMBR according to the terminal device in the slice. Specifically, the terminal device is controlled differently in the slice. The sum of the current bit rate of the PDU session does not exceed the slice AMBR, which improves the accuracy of flow control.
  • the SMF records the UPF that has been selected for the PDU session of the terminal device in a certain slice, and subsequently when the terminal device establishes a new PDU session in the slice, the SMF selects the same UPF for the new PDU session.
  • the AMF can select the same SMF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice, and then the AMF sends the indication information and the information of the first slice to the SMF (that is, the above step 401 is performed), the indication information It is used to instruct to select the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice. Then, the SMF selects the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice according to the instruction information (that is, the above step 402 is executed).
  • the SMF selects a UPF according to the method in the prior art, which can be called the first UPF, and then records the information of the first slice.
  • the corresponding relationship with the information of the first UPF so that when the terminal device subsequently selects the UPF for the PDU session of the first slice, the first UPF can be directly selected. That is, if it is not the first time that the SMF selects the UPF for the PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice, the SMF selects the first UPF according to the correspondence between the information of the first slice and the information of the first UPF.
  • Implementation method 2 The NRF records the UPF that has been selected for the PDU session of the terminal device in a certain slice, and subsequently when the terminal device establishes a new PDU session in the slice, the SMF selects the same UPF for the new PDU session.
  • UDM or PCF can send indication information and first slice information to SMF (that is, perform step 401 above).
  • the indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device selects the same for different PDU sessions of the first slice.
  • UPF the SMF selects the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice according to the instruction information (that is, the above step 402 is executed).
  • the SMF sends a first request to the NRF for requesting to obtain the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • the NRF can send one or more UPF information to the SMF, and then the SMF selects a UPF from them, for example, the selected UPF is called the first UPF. That is, the UPF selected by the SMF is the first UPF.
  • the SMF also needs to send the information of the first UPF to the NRF, which is stored by the NRF as the correspondence between the information of the first UPF selected by the terminal device in the PDU session of the first slice and the information of the first slice , So that when the terminal device subsequently selects the UPF for the PDU session of the first slice, the NRF can directly feed back the information of the first UPF to the SMF. It should be noted that if the NRF sends only one UPF information to the SMF, the SMF does not need to send the UPF information to the NRF after selecting the UPF, because the NRF can know which UPF the SMF selects.
  • the NRF sends the information of the first UPF to the SMF. That is, SMF also selects the first UPF.
  • UDM records the UPF that has been selected for the PDU session of the terminal device in a certain slice, and subsequently when the terminal device establishes a new PDU session in the slice, the SMF selects the same UPF for the new PDU session.
  • the UDM can send the indication information and the information of the first slice to the SMF (that is, perform the above step 401), and the indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to select the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the first slice. . Then, the SMF selects the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice according to the instruction information (that is, the above step 402 is executed). Specifically, the SMF sends a first request to the UDM for requesting to obtain the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • the NRF can send one or more UPF information to the SMF, and then the SMF selects a UPF from them, for example, the selected UPF is called the first UPF. That is, the UPF selected by the SMF is the first UPF. After that, SMF also needs to send the information of the first UPF to UDM, and the UDM stores the correspondence between the information of the first UPF selected by the terminal device in the PDU session of the first slice and the information of the first slice.
  • the UDM can directly feed back the information of the first UPF to the SMF. It should be noted that if the UDM sends only one UPF information to the SMF, the SMF does not need to send the UPF information to the UDM after selecting the UPF, because the UDM can know which UPF the SMF selects.
  • the UDM sends the information of the first UPF to the SMF. That is, SMF also selects the first UPF.
  • the AMF records the UPF that has been selected for the PDU session of the terminal device in a certain slice, and subsequently when the terminal device establishes a new PDU session in the slice, the SMF selects the same UPF for the new PDU session.
  • the AMF records the UPF that has been selected for the PDU session of the terminal device in a certain slice.
  • the AMF When the AMF does not record the correspondence between the information of the UPF selected for the terminal device in the PDU session of the first slice and the information of the first slice, the AMF sends the indication information and the first slice to the SMF after selecting the SMF.
  • a slice of information (that is, step 401 is executed)
  • SMF determines that it is the first time to select UPF for the PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice according to the instruction information.
  • the slice PDU session selects a UPF, which can be called the first UPF, and then sends the information of the first UPF to the AMF.
  • the AMF After the AMF receives the information of the first UPF, it stores the correspondence between the information of the first UPF selected by the terminal device in the PDU session of the first slice and the information of the first slice.
  • the AMF When the AMF records the correspondence between the UPF information (for example, the information of the first UPF) selected for the terminal device in the PDU session of the first slice and the information of the first slice, then the AMF after selecting the SMF , Send the information of the first UPF to the SMF.
  • the SMF determines that the UPF is not selected for the PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice for the first time, and the SMF selects the first UPF as the terminal device in the first slice. Select the UPF for the PDU session.
  • the SMF records the UPF selected for the PDU session of the terminal device in a certain slice, and subsequently when the terminal device establishes a new PDU session in the slice, the SMF will select the same UPF for the new PDU session.
  • the method includes the following steps:
  • Step 501 The UDM/PCF sends the first indication information and the identifier of the first slice to the AMF.
  • the AMF can receive the first indication information and the information of the first slice.
  • the first indication information is used to instruct to select the same SMF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • the information of the first slice may be, for example, single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI).
  • S-NSSAI single network slice selection assistance information
  • the foregoing step 501 may be executed in the registration process of the terminal device. That is, in the registration process of the terminal device, the AMF receives the first indication information and the first slice information from the UDM or PCF.
  • the AMF obtains the first indication information and the first slice information from the UDM, for example, it may specifically be: the AMF obtains the subscription data of the terminal device from the UDM, and the subscription data includes the first indication information and the first slice. Information.
  • the AMF obtains the indication information and the first slice information from the PCF, for example, it may specifically be: the AMF obtains the policy information of the terminal device from the PCF, and the policy information includes the first indication information and the first slice information.
  • step 502 in the PDU session establishment process, the AMF selects the same SMF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • the AMF is the first to select an SMF for the PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice, an SMF is selected according to the existing technical solution, and then the corresponding relationship between the information of the first slice and the identifier of the SMF is recorded. If it is not the first time that AMF selects SMF for the PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice, the SMF corresponding to the first slice is selected for the PDU session (that is, the SMF selected by the terminal device in other PDU sessions of the first slice) .
  • AMF selects SMF for the first PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice, an SMF is selected according to the existing technical solution, and then the correspondence between the information of the first slice and the identification of the SMF is recorded . If AMF selects SMF for the second PDU session of the first slice of the terminal device, select the SMF corresponding to the first PDU session for the second PDU session.
  • the first PDU session is the first PDU session established by the terminal device in the first slice
  • the second PDU session is other PDU sessions except the first PDU session.
  • Step 503 The AMF sends the second indication information and the identifier of the first slice to the SMF.
  • the SMF can receive the second indication information and the information of the first slice.
  • the second indication information is used to indicate that the same UPF is selected for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • Step 504 SMF selects the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • the UPF can perform flow control according to the slice AMBR of the terminal device in the first slice. Specifically, the UPF controls that the sum of the current bit rates of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice does not exceed the slice AMBR. For example, the UPF controls that the sum of the current bit rates of the non-GBR resources of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice does not exceed the slice AMBR. For another example, the UPF controls that the sum of the current bit rates of the GBR resources of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice does not exceed the slice AMBR. For another example, the UPF controls that the sum of the non-GBR resources of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice and the current bit rate of the GBR resources does not exceed the slice AMBR.
  • the current bit rate of the GBR resource of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice that is, the current bit rate of the SDF of the terminal device using the GBR resource in the different PDU sessions of the first slice. This is described in a unified manner, and will not be described separately in other subsequent embodiments.
  • the SMF is the first to select a UPF for the PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice
  • a UPF is selected according to the existing technical solution, and then the corresponding relationship between the information of the first slice and the information of the UPF is recorded.
  • SMF is not the first to select UPF for the PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice
  • the UPF corresponding to the first slice is selected for the PDU session (that is, the UPF selected by the terminal device in other PDU sessions of the first slice) .
  • the SMF selects the UPF for the first PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice, a UPF is selected according to the existing technical solution, and then the correspondence between the information of the first slice and the information of the UPF is recorded . If SMF selects UPF for the second PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice, select the UPF corresponding to the first PDU session for the second PDU session.
  • the first PDU session is the first PDU session established by the terminal device in the first slice
  • the second PDU session is other PDU sessions except the first PDU session.
  • the same UPF selected by the terminal device in different PDU sessions of the first slice in this step may be a protocol data unit session anchor (PSA) UPF, or a UPF with only an N9 interface, or UPF connected with RAN (that is, UPF with N3 interface).
  • PSA protocol data unit session anchor
  • UPF with only an N9 interface or UPF connected with RAN (that is, UPF with N3 interface).
  • only the UPF with the N9 interface and the UPF with the N3 interface can be used as the uplink offload (Uplink classifier, ULCL) UPF.
  • Uplink classifier, ULCL Uplink classifier
  • the SMF after the SMF first selects the UPF for the terminal device in the PDU session of the first slice, it also records the type of the UPF, such as PSA UPF, or UL CL UPF, or UPF connected to the RAN.
  • PSA UPF may not be selected as the UPF to be selected for unified flow control
  • the UPF connected to the RAN may be selected as the UPF for unified flow control.
  • the SMF when the SMF selects a UPF for the terminal device in the first slice of the PDU session for the first time, it can select at least two UPFs, one of which is the common UPF for all PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice, and the other UPF It can be used for other purposes, such as PSA UPF, etc.
  • the SMF can also reselect a UPF, and then switch the UPF selected for all PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice to the reselected UPF. That is, the SMF can update the UPF that provides services for the PDU session.
  • AMF selects the same SMF for all PDU sessions of the terminal device in the same slice according to the instructions, and then the SMF selects the same UPF for all PDU sessions of the terminal device in the same slice, so that the UPF can be based on the terminal device’s slicing
  • the slice AMBR performs unified flow control. Specifically, the sum of the current bit rates of the different PDU sessions of the control terminal device in the slice does not exceed the slice AMBR, which improves the accuracy of the flow control.
  • the flow control is performed based on the granularity of the terminal device, that is, the flow control is performed for all PDU sessions of a terminal device in the first slice.
  • the foregoing embodiment can also be extended to perform flow control based on slice granularity, that is, perform flow control for all PDU sessions of the first slice (which may come from different terminal devices).
  • the sum of the current bit rates of different PDU sessions in the first slice is controlled to not exceed the slice AMBR of the first slice.
  • the slice AMBR here refers to the upper limit of the bit rate allowed by the entire slice, not the upper limit of the bit rate allowed by a certain terminal device in the first slice.
  • the flow of the PDU sessions of all terminal devices in the first slice is no longer individually controlled for each terminal device, but is controlled as a whole. That is, the UPF controls that the sum of the current bit rates of the non-GBR resources and/or GBR resources of all PDU sessions in the first slice does not exceed the slice AMBR of the first slice. Therefore, all PDU sessions in the first slice correspond to the same UPF.
  • the flow control solution based on slice granularity it is also required that all terminal devices accessing the first slice need to select the same AMF.
  • FIG. 6 another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application.
  • This embodiment is a specific example of the above-mentioned embodiment corresponding to FIG. 4.
  • the NRF records the UPF that has been selected for the PDU session of the terminal device in a certain slice, and subsequently when the terminal device establishes a new PDU session in the slice, the SMF will select the same UPF for the new PDU session.
  • the method includes the following steps:
  • Step 601 The UDM/PCF sends the first indication information and the identification of the first slice to the SMF.
  • the SMF can receive the first indication information and the information of the first slice.
  • the first indication information is used to instruct to select the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • the UPF can perform flow control according to the slice AMBR of the terminal device in the first slice. Specifically, the UPF controls that the sum of the current bit rates of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice does not exceed the slice AMBR. For example, the UPF controls that the sum of the current bit rates of the non-GBR resources of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice does not exceed the slice AMBR. For another example, the UPF controls that the sum of the current bit rates of the GBR resources of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice does not exceed the slice AMBR. For another example, the UPF controls that the sum of the non-GBR resources of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice and the current bit rate of the GBR resources does not exceed the slice AMBR.
  • the information of the first slice may be S-NSSAI, for example.
  • the foregoing step 601 may be performed in the process of establishing a PDU session of the terminal device. That is, in the process of establishing a PDU session, the SMF receives the first indication information and the first slice information from the UDM or PCF.
  • the SMF is the first indication information and the first slice information obtained from UDM, for example, it may be specifically: SMF obtains the subscription data of the terminal device from the UDM, and the subscription data includes the first indication information and the first slice. Information.
  • the SMF obtains the indication information and the information of the first slice from the PCF, for example, it may specifically be: the SMF obtains the policy information of the terminal device from the PCF, and the policy information includes the first indication information and the information of the first slice.
  • Step 602 The SMF sends a first request to the NRF.
  • the first request includes the identifier of the first slice. Accordingly, the NRF can receive the first request.
  • the first request is used to request to select the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • the name of the first request itself can be used to request the selection of the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • the first request also carries second indication information, and the second indication information is used to request the terminal device to select the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the first slice.
  • the first situation is that the SMF requests the NRF for the first time to obtain the information of the UPF allocated for the terminal device in the PDU session of the first slice.
  • the second scenario is that the SMF subsequently (that is not the first time) requests the NRF to obtain the information of the UPF allocated for the PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • step 603 the NRF sends at least one UPF information to the SMF, and accordingly, the SMF can receive the at least one UPF information.
  • the NRF After receiving the above first request, the NRF determines according to the first request that it needs to select the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice, and then tries to obtain the UPF corresponding to the first slice locally, and finds that there is no local storage. UPF corresponding to the first slice. Therefore, the NRF sends at least one UPF information to the SMF, and the SMF selects one UPF from it.
  • step 604 the SMF selects the first UPF from at least one UPF.
  • the SMF may select one UPF from the at least one UPF according to the strategy of the prior art, for example, the selected UPF is called the first UPF.
  • Step 605 The SMF sends the information of the first UPF to the NRF, and accordingly, the NRF can receive the information of the first UPF.
  • Step 606 The NRF records the correspondence between the information of the first slice and the information of the first UPF.
  • the NRF records the correspondence between the information of the first slice and the information of the first UPF, so that when the subsequent SMF requests to allocate UPF for the terminal device in the PDU session of the first slice again, it can return the information of the first UPF to the SMF. , To achieve the purpose of selecting the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • step 603 the NRF sends only one UPF information to the SMF, then in step 604, the SMF selects the UPF as the first UPF, that is, as the UPF for performing unified flow control, then the step 605 can be No need to execute. Because NRF can know which UPF is selected by SMF.
  • Case two includes the following step 607.
  • step 607 the NRF sends the information of the first UPF to the SMF, and accordingly, the SMF can receive the information of the first UPF.
  • the NRF After receiving the above first request, the NRF determines according to the first request that it needs to select the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice, and then tries to obtain the UPF corresponding to the first slice locally, and finds that there are The first UPF information corresponding to the first slice, the NRF sends the first UPF information to the SMF.
  • the SMF selects the UPF for the PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice, it can also be recorded in the type of UPF, such as PSA UPF, or UPF with only N9 interface, or UPF connected with RAN (that is, it has UPF for N3 interface).
  • UPF such as PSA UPF
  • UPF with only N9 interface or UPF connected with RAN (that is, it has UPF for N3 interface).
  • only UPF with N9 interface and UPF with N3 interface can be used as ULCL UPF.
  • PSA UPF may not be selected as the UPF to be selected for unified flow control
  • the UPF connected to the RAN may be selected as the UPF for unified flow control.
  • the SMF when it selects a UPF for the terminal device in the first slice of the PDU session for the first time, it can select at least two UPFs.
  • One of the UPFs is selected by the method from step 603 to step 606 above and can be used as the terminal device in UPF common to all PDU sessions of the first slice.
  • Other UPFs can be selected according to the method of the prior art, and can be used for other purposes, such as PSA UPF and so on.
  • the SMF can also reselect a UPF, and then switch the UPF selected for all PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice to the reselected UPF. That is, the SMF can update the UPF that provides services for the PDU session. Since in the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 6, the SMFs corresponding to different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice may be different, when one of the SMFs updates the UPF serving the PDU session, it needs to notify the other The updated UPF information stored in the SMF. That is, the UPF information stored in the SMF corresponding to the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice needs to remain the same.
  • the SMF can also send the updated UPF information to the NRF, and then the NRF sends the updated UPF information to other SMFs that select the original UPF.
  • the SMF may also send the updated UPF information to the AMF, UDM, or PCF, and then the AMF, UDM, or PCF may send the updated UPF information to other SMFs that select the original UPF.
  • SMF selects the same UPF for all PDU sessions of the terminal device in the same slice, so that the UPF can perform unified flow control according to the slice AMBR of the terminal device in the slice. Specifically, it controls the different PDUs of the terminal device in the slice. The sum of the current bit rate of the session does not exceed the slice AMBR, which improves the accuracy of flow control.
  • the flow control is performed based on the granularity of the terminal device, that is, the flow control is performed for all PDU sessions of a terminal device in the first slice.
  • the foregoing embodiment can also be extended to perform flow control based on slice granularity, that is, perform flow control for all PDU sessions of the first slice (which may come from different terminal devices).
  • the sum of the current bit rates of different PDU sessions in the first slice is controlled to not exceed the slice AMBR of the first slice.
  • the slice AMBR here refers to the upper limit of the bit rate allowed by the entire slice, not the upper limit of the bit rate allowed by a certain terminal device in the first slice.
  • the flow of the PDU sessions of all terminal devices in the first slice is no longer individually controlled for each terminal device, but is controlled as a whole. That is, the UPF controls that the sum of the current bit rates of the non-GBR resources and/or GBR resources of all PDU sessions in the first slice does not exceed the slice AMBR of the first slice. Therefore, all PDU sessions in the first slice correspond to the same UPF, and what is recorded in the NRF is the UPF selected for all PDU sessions of the first slice.
  • the UDM records the UPF that has been selected for the PDU session of the terminal device in a certain slice, and subsequently when the terminal device establishes a new PDU session in the slice, the SMF will select the same UPF for the new PDU session.
  • the method includes the following steps:
  • Step 701 The UDM sends the first indication information and the identifier of the first slice to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF can receive the first indication information and the information of the first slice.
  • the first indication information is used to instruct to select the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • the UPF can perform flow control according to the slice AMBR of the terminal device in the first slice. Specifically, the UPF controls that the sum of the current bit rates of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice does not exceed the slice AMBR. For example, the UPF controls that the sum of the current bit rates of the non-GBR resources of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice does not exceed the slice AMBR. For another example, the UPF controls that the sum of the current bit rates of the GBR resources of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice does not exceed the slice AMBR. For another example, the UPF controls that the sum of the non-GBR resources of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice and the current bit rate of the GBR resources does not exceed the slice AMBR.
  • the information of the first slice may be S-NSSAI, for example.
  • the foregoing step 701 may be performed in the process of establishing a PDU session of the terminal device. That is, in the process of establishing a PDU session, the SMF receives the first indication information and the first slice information from the UDM.
  • the SMF is the first indication information and the first slice information obtained from UDM, for example, it may be specifically: SMF obtains the subscription data of the terminal device from the UDM, and the subscription data includes the first indication information and the first slice. Information.
  • Step 702 The SMF sends a first request to the UDM.
  • the first request includes the identifier of the first slice. Accordingly, the UDM can receive the first request.
  • the first request is used to request to select the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • the name of the first request itself can be used to request the selection of the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • the first request also carries second indication information, and the second indication information is used to request the terminal device to select the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the first slice.
  • the first situation is that the SMF requests the UDM for the first time to obtain the information of the UPF allocated for the PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • the second scenario is that the SMF subsequently (that is, not for the first time) requests the UDM to obtain the information of the UPF allocated for the PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • step 703 the UDM sends at least one UPF information to the SMF, and accordingly, the SMF can receive the at least one UPF information.
  • the UDM After receiving the above first request, the UDM determines according to the first request that the same UPF needs to be selected for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice, and then tries to obtain the UPF corresponding to the first slice locally, and finds that there is no local storage. UPF corresponding to the first slice. Therefore, the UDM sends at least one UPF information to the SMF, and the SMF selects one UPF from it.
  • step 704 the SMF selects the first UPF from at least one UPF.
  • the SMF may select one UPF from the at least one UPF according to the strategy of the prior art, for example, the selected UPF is called the first UPF.
  • step 705 the SMF sends the information of the first UPF to the UDM, and accordingly, the UDM can receive the information of the first UPF.
  • Step 706 The UDM records the correspondence between the information of the first slice and the information of the first UPF.
  • the UDM records the correspondence between the information of the first slice and the information of the first UPF, so that when the subsequent SMF requests again to allocate UPF for the terminal device in the PDU session of the first slice, the information of the first UPF can be returned to the SMF , To achieve the purpose of selecting the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • step 703 UDM sends only one UPF information to SMF, then in step 704, SMF selects this UPF as the first UPF, that is, as the UPF for performing unified flow control, then step 705 can be No need to execute. Because UDM can know which UPF is selected by SMF.
  • Case two includes the following step 707.
  • step 707 the UDM sends the information of the first UPF to the SMF, and accordingly, the SMF can receive the information of the first UPF.
  • the UDM After receiving the above first request, the UDM determines according to the first request that the same UPF needs to be selected for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice, and then tries to obtain the UPF corresponding to the first slice locally, and finds that there are The first UPF information corresponding to the first slice, the UDM sends the first UPF information to the SMF.
  • the SMF selects the UPF for the PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice, it can also be recorded in the type of UPF, such as PSA UPF, or UPF with only N9 interface, or UPF connected with RAN (that is, it has UPF for N3 interface).
  • UPF such as PSA UPF
  • UPF with only N9 interface or UPF connected with RAN (that is, it has UPF for N3 interface).
  • only UPF with N9 interface and UPF with N3 interface can be used as ULCL UPF.
  • PSA UPF may not be selected as the UPF to be selected for unified flow control
  • the UPF connected to the RAN may be selected as the UPF for unified flow control.
  • the SMF when the SMF selects at least two UPFs for the terminal device in the first slice of the PDU session for the first time, it can select at least two UPFs.
  • UPF common to all PDU sessions of the first slice.
  • Other UPFs can be selected according to the method of the prior art, and can be used for other purposes, such as PSA UPF and so on.
  • the SMF can also reselect a UPF, and then switch the UPF selected for all PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice to the reselected UPF. That is, the SMF can update the UPF that provides services for the PDU session. Since in the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 7, the SMFs corresponding to different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice may be different, when one of the SMFs updates the UPF serving the PDU session, it needs to notify the other SMFs. The updated UPF information stored in the SMF. That is, the UPF information stored in the SMF corresponding to the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice needs to remain the same.
  • the SMF can also send the updated UPF information to the UDM, and then the UDM sends the updated UPF information to other SMFs that select the original UPF.
  • the SMF may also send the updated UPF information to the AMF, PCF, or NEF, and then the AMF, PCF, or NEF may send the updated UPF information to other SMFs that select the original UPF.
  • SMF selects the same UPF for all PDU sessions of the terminal device in the same slice, so that the UPF can perform unified flow control according to the slice AMBR of the terminal device in the slice. Specifically, it controls the different PDUs of the terminal device in the slice. The sum of the current bit rate of the session does not exceed the slice AMBR, which improves the accuracy of flow control.
  • the flow control is performed based on the granularity of the terminal device, that is, the flow control is performed for all PDU sessions of a terminal device in the first slice.
  • the foregoing embodiment can also be extended to perform flow control based on slice granularity, that is, perform flow control for all PDU sessions of the first slice (which may come from different terminal devices).
  • the sum of the current bit rates of different PDU sessions in the first slice is controlled to not exceed the slice AMBR of the first slice.
  • the slice AMBR here refers to the upper limit of the bit rate allowed by the entire slice, not the upper limit of the bit rate allowed by a certain terminal device in the first slice.
  • the flow of the PDU sessions of all terminal devices in the first slice is no longer individually controlled for each terminal device, but is controlled as a whole. That is, the UPF controls that the sum of the current bit rates of the non-GBR resources and/or GBR resources of all PDU sessions in the first slice does not exceed the slice AMBR of the first slice. Therefore, all PDU sessions in the first slice correspond to the same UPF, and what is recorded in the UDM or UDR is the UPF selected for all PDU sessions of the first slice.
  • the operation performed by the UDM can also be replaced by the PCF and the UDR.
  • the SMF and UDM interaction is replaced by the SMF and PCF/NEF interaction
  • the UDR records the correspondence between the information of the first slice and the information of the first UPF. That is, the above steps 701 to 705, and step 707 are replaced with the interaction between SMF and PCF/NEF, and step 706 is replaced with the operation of UDR.
  • the interaction between the PCF/NEF and the UDR is further increased, for example, including: the PCF/NEF obtains information of at least one UPF from the UDR, and sends the information of the first UPF selected by the SMF to the UDR. That is, the SMF interacts with the PCF/NEF, and the PCF/NEF interacts with the UDR.
  • the UDR serves as a database for storing the correspondence between the information of the first slice and the information of the first UPF.
  • step 706 can also be replaced with the operation of UDR.
  • the interaction between the UDM and the UDR is further increased, for example, including: the UDM obtains at least one UPF information from the UDR, and sends the information of the first UPF selected by the SMF to the UDR. That is, the SMF interacts with the UDM, and the UDM interacts with the UDR.
  • the UDR serves as a database for storing the correspondence between the information of the first slice and the information of the first UPF.
  • FIG. 8 it is another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application.
  • This embodiment is a specific example of the embodiment corresponding to Fig. 4 above.
  • the AMF records the UPF that has been selected for the PDU session of the terminal device in a certain slice, and subsequently when the terminal device establishes a new PDU session in the slice, the SMF will select the same UPF for the new PDU session.
  • the method includes the following steps:
  • step 801 the UDM/PCF sends the first indication information and the identifier of the first slice to the AMF, and accordingly, the AMF can receive the first indication information and the information of the first slice.
  • the first indication information is used to instruct to select the same SMF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • the information of the first slice may be S-NSSAI, for example.
  • the above step 801 may be executed in the registration process of the terminal device. That is, in the registration process of the terminal device, the AMF receives the first indication information and the first slice information from the UDM or PCF.
  • the AMF obtains the first indication information and the first slice information from the UDM, for example, it may specifically be: the AMF obtains the subscription data of the terminal device from the UDM, and the subscription data includes the first indication information and the first slice. Information.
  • the AMF obtains the indication information and the first slice information from the PCF, for example, it may specifically be: the AMF obtains the policy information of the terminal device from the PCF, and the policy information includes the first indication information and the first slice information.
  • the first situation is that the AMF selects the SMF for the first time, and the AMF does not store the information of the UPF corresponding to the information of the first slice.
  • the second scenario is that the AMF subsequently (not for the first time) selects the SMF, and the AMF sends the information of the first UPF corresponding to the stored information of the first slice to the SMF.
  • step 802 the AMF sends the second indication information and the information of the first slice to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF can receive the second indication information and the information of the first slice.
  • the second indication information is used to request the terminal device to select the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the first slice.
  • the UPF can perform flow control according to the slice AMBR of the terminal device in the first slice. Specifically, the UPF controls that the sum of the current bit rates of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice does not exceed the slice AMBR. For example, the UPF controls that the sum of the current bit rates of the non-GBR resources of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice does not exceed the slice AMBR. For another example, the UPF controls that the sum of the current bit rates of the GBR resources of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice does not exceed the slice AMBR. For another example, the UPF controls that the sum of the non-GBR resources of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice and the current bit rate of the GBR resources does not exceed the slice AMBR.
  • step 803 the SMF selects the first UPF.
  • the SMF After receiving the second indication information, the SMF selects a UPF for the PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice, for example, the selected UPF is called the first UPF. Then, the SMF also needs to send the information of the first UPF to the AMF for storage.
  • step 804 the SMF sends the information of the first UPF to the AMF, and accordingly, the AMF can receive the information of the first UPF.
  • Step 805 The AMF records the correspondence between the information of the first slice and the information of the first UPF.
  • the AMF records the correspondence between the information of the first slice and the information of the first UPF, so that after the terminal device selects the same SMF for other PDU sessions of the first slice subsequently, the information of the first slice corresponds to the information of the first slice.
  • the information of the first UPF is sent to the SMF to ensure that the SMF selects the same UPF to perform flow control.
  • Case two includes the following step 806.
  • step 806 the AMF sends the information of the first UPF to the SMF, and accordingly, the SMF can receive the information of the first UPF.
  • the AMF obtains locally the information of the first UPF corresponding to the information of the first slice, and sends the information of the first UPF to the SMF.
  • the SMF selects the UPF for the PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice, it can also be recorded in the type of UPF, such as PSA UPF, or UPF with only N9 interface, or UPF connected with RAN (that is, it has UPF for N3 interface).
  • UPF such as PSA UPF
  • UPF with only N9 interface or UPF connected with RAN (that is, it has UPF for N3 interface).
  • only UPF with N9 interface and UPF with N3 interface can be used as ULCL UPF.
  • PSA UPF may not be selected as the UPF to be selected for unified flow control
  • the UPF connected to the RAN may be selected as the UPF for unified flow control.
  • At least two UPFs can be selected.
  • Other UPFs can be selected according to the method of the prior art, and can be used for other purposes, such as PSA UPF and so on.
  • the SMF can also reselect a UPF, and then switch the UPF selected for all PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice to the reselected UPF. That is, the SMF can update the UPF that provides services for the PDU session. Since in the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 8, the SMFs corresponding to different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice may be different, when one of the SMFs updates the UPF serving the PDU session, it needs to notify other SMFs. The updated UPF information stored in the SMF. That is, the UPF information stored in the SMF corresponding to the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice needs to remain the same.
  • SMF needs to send updated UPF information to AMF.
  • AMF can send updated UPF information to other SMFs that select the original UPF.
  • SMF can also send the updated UPF information to UDM or PCF or NEF (possibly further sent to UDR, as described in the corresponding embodiment in Figure 7), and then UDM or PCF or NEF can send to other selection sources.
  • SMF with UPF sends updated UPF information.
  • SMF selects the same UPF for all PDU sessions of the terminal device in the same slice, so that the UPF can perform unified flow control according to the slice AMBR of the terminal device in the slice. Specifically, it controls the different PDUs of the terminal device in the slice. The sum of the current bit rate of the session does not exceed the slice AMBR, which improves the accuracy of flow control.
  • the flow control is performed based on the granularity of the terminal device, that is, the flow control is performed for all PDU sessions of a terminal device in the first slice.
  • the foregoing embodiment can also be extended to perform flow control based on slice granularity, that is, perform flow control for all PDU sessions of the first slice (which may come from different terminal devices).
  • the sum of the current bit rates of different PDU sessions in the first slice is controlled to not exceed the slice AMBR of the first slice.
  • the slice AMBR here refers to the upper limit of the bit rate allowed by the entire slice, not the upper limit of the bit rate allowed by a certain terminal device in the first slice.
  • the flow of the PDU sessions of all terminal devices in the first slice is no longer individually controlled for each terminal device, but is controlled as a whole. That is, the UPF controls that the sum of the current bit rates of non-GBR resources and/or GBR resources of all PDU sessions in the first slice does not exceed the slice AMBR of the first slice. Therefore, all PDU sessions in the first slice correspond to the same UPF, and what is recorded in the AMF is the UPF selected for all PDU sessions of the first slice. In addition, in the flow control solution based on slice granularity, it is also required that all terminal devices accessing the first slice need to select the same AMF.
  • the AMF selects the same SMF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice, and the SMF can perform PDU session control according to the slice AMBR of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • SMF is not required to select the same UPF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice. Therefore, when the SMF selects the same and different UPF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice, it cannot It is ensured that the sum of the current bit rates of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice controlled by the UPF does not exceed the slice AMBR of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • the sum of the current bit rate of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice exceeds the AMBR of the terminal device in the first slice slice (for example, the current bit rate reported by the corresponding UPF), modify or release
  • the sum of the current bit rates of different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice does not exceed the slice AMBR of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • the method includes the following steps:
  • Steps 901 to 902 are the same as steps 501 to 502 in the embodiment of FIG. 5, and reference may be made to the foregoing description.
  • step 903 the AMF sends a PDU session establishment request to the SMF, and accordingly, the SMF can receive the PDU session establishment request.
  • the PDU session establishment request is used to request the establishment of a PDU session.
  • step 904 the SMF performs PDU session control according to the slice AMBR of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • the SMF can obtain the slice AMBR of the terminal device in the first slice from PCF, UPF, UDM, or UDR.
  • the SMF can obtain the current bit rate of each PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice.
  • each UPF may report the current bit rate of the PDU session of the terminal in the first slice to the SMF.
  • SMF is triggered to release or modify part or all of the PDU sessions, so that the terminal device is in The sum of the current bit rates of the different PDU sessions of the first slice does not exceed the slice AMBR of the terminal device in the first slice, thereby achieving the purpose of controlling traffic.
  • AMF selects the same SMF for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice, and this SMF can perform PDU session control based on the AMBR of the terminal device in the first slice, thereby improving the accuracy of flow control .
  • each network element described above includes hardware structures and/or software modules corresponding to each function.
  • the present invention can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed by hardware or computer software-driven hardware depends on the specific application 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 as going beyond the scope of the present invention.
  • the steps or operations implemented by the mobility management network element can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) configured in the mobility management network element, corresponding to the session management network.
  • the steps or operations implemented by the element can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) configured in the session management network element.
  • the data management network element it can also be implemented by components ( For example, chip or circuit), corresponding to the steps or operations implemented by the database, or by components (such as chips or circuits) configured in the database, corresponding to the steps or operations implemented by the network storage network element, or by configuring the steps or operations in the network
  • the components (such as chips or circuits) of the storage network element are implemented.
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of this application.
  • the device is used to implement the steps performed by the corresponding session management network element in any of the embodiments in FIG. 4 to FIG. 9.
  • the device 1000 includes a transceiver unit 1010 and a selection unit 1020.
  • the transceiver unit 1010 is configured to receive indication information and the information of the first slice; the selection unit 1020 is configured to select the same user for the terminal device in different protocol data unit PDU sessions of the first slice according to the indication information A plane network element, where the user plane network element is used to control that the sum of the current bit rates of the different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice does not exceed the slice aggregation of the terminal device in the first slice
  • the maximum bit rate AMBR The maximum bit rate AMBR.
  • the selection unit 1020 is specifically configured to select the first user according to the correspondence between the information of the first slice and the information of the first user plane network element Surface network element.
  • the selection unit 1020 is specifically configured to: send a first request to a network storage network element or a data management network element through the transceiver unit 1010 for requesting that the terminal device is Different PDU sessions of the first slice select the same user plane network element; receive information of at least one user plane network element from the network storage network element or the data management network element through the transceiver unit 1010; Selecting a first user plane network element among the at least one user plane network element; and sending the information of the first user plane network element to the network storage network element or the data management network element through the transceiver unit 1010; or , Receiving the information of the first user plane network element from the network storage network element or the data management network element through the transceiver unit 1010.
  • the selection unit 1020 is specifically configured to determine, according to the instruction information, that it is the first time to select a user plane network element for the PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice, then select The first user plane network element; the transceiving unit 1010 is also used to send the information of the first user plane network element to the mobility management network element.
  • the transceiving unit 1010 is further configured to receive information of the first user plane network element from the mobility management network element; the selection unit 1020 is further configured to According to the information of the first user plane network element, if it is determined that it is not the first time that the user plane network element is selected for the PDU session of the terminal device in the first slice, the first user plane network element is selected.
  • the transceiving unit 1010 is configured to receive the indication information and the first slice information, specifically including: being configured to receive from a mobility management network element, a data management network element, or a policy control network element The indication information and the information of the first slice.
  • the user plane network element is a PDU session anchor user plane network element, a user plane network element with only an N9 interface, or a user plane network element with an N3 interface.
  • the above-mentioned communication device 1000 may further include a storage unit for storing data or instructions (also referred to as codes or programs), and each of the above-mentioned units may interact or couple with the storage unit to implement the corresponding method or Function.
  • the selection unit 1020 may read data or instructions in the storage unit, so that the communication device implements the method in the foregoing embodiment.
  • each unit in the device can be a separate processing element, or it can be integrated in a certain chip of the device for implementation.
  • it can also be stored in the memory in the form of a program, which is called and executed by a certain processing element of the device. Function.
  • all or part of these units can be integrated together or implemented independently.
  • the processing element described here can also become a processor, which can be an integrated circuit with signal processing capabilities.
  • each step of the above method or each of the above units may be implemented by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in a processor element or implemented in a form of being called by software through a processing element.
  • the unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, for example: one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or, one or Multiple microprocessors (digital singnal processors, DSPs), or, one or more field programmable gate arrays (Field Programmable Gate Arrays, FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuits.
  • ASICs application specific integrated circuits
  • DSPs digital singnal processors
  • FPGAs Field Programmable Gate Arrays
  • the unit in the device can be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler
  • the processing element can be a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or other processors that can call programs.
  • CPU central processing unit
  • these units can be integrated together and implemented in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SOC).
  • the above transceiver unit 1010 is an interface circuit of the device for receiving signals from other devices.
  • the transceiver unit 1010 is an interface circuit for the chip to transmit and receive signals from other chips or devices.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of this application.
  • the device is used to implement the steps performed by the corresponding mobility management network element in the above embodiment in FIG. 5.
  • the device 1100 includes a transceiver unit 1110 and a selection unit 1120.
  • the device 1100 further includes a recording unit 1130.
  • the transceiving unit 1110 is configured to receive the first indication information and the information of the first slice; the selection unit 1120 is configured to determine the different protocols of the terminal device in the first slice according to the first indication information.
  • the data unit PDU session selects the same session management network element; the transceiver unit 1110 is further configured to send second indication information and information of the first slice to the session management network element, and the second indication information is used for Instructing to select the same user plane network element for different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice, and the user plane network element is used to control different PDU sessions of the terminal device in the first slice
  • the sum of the current bit rates does not exceed the maximum bit rate AMBR of the terminal device in the slice aggregation of the first slice.
  • the transceiving unit 1110 is further configured to receive the information of the first user plane network element from the session management network element; the recording unit 1130 is configured to record the information of the first slice Correspondence with the information of the first user plane network element.
  • the transceiving unit 1110 is configured to receive the first indication information and the first slice information, specifically including: being configured to receive the subscription data of the terminal device from the data management network element, so The subscription data includes the first indication information and the first slice information.
  • the user plane network element is a PDU session anchor user plane network element, a user plane network element with only an N9 interface, or a user plane network element with an N3 interface.
  • the aforementioned communication device 1100 may further include a storage unit for storing data or instructions (also referred to as codes or programs), and each of the aforementioned units may interact or couple with the storage unit to implement corresponding methods or Function.
  • a storage unit for storing data or instructions (also referred to as codes or programs), and each of the aforementioned units may interact or couple with the storage unit to implement corresponding methods or Function.
  • each unit in the device can be all implemented in the form of software called by processing elements; they can also be all implemented in the form of hardware; part of the units can also be implemented in the form of software called by the processing elements, and some of the units can be implemented in the form of hardware.
  • each unit can be a separate processing element, or it can be integrated in a certain chip of the device for implementation.
  • it can also be stored in the memory in the form of a program, which is called and executed by a certain processing element of the device. Function.
  • each step of the above method or each of the above units may be implemented by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in a processor element or implemented in a form of being called by software through a processing element.
  • the unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above method, for example: one or more specific integrated circuits (ASIC), or, one or more microprocessors (DSP), or, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.
  • ASIC specific integrated circuits
  • DSP microprocessors
  • FPGA field programmable gate arrays
  • the unit in the device can be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler
  • the processing element can be a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or other processors that can call programs.
  • CPU central processing unit
  • these units can be integrated together and implemented in the form of a system-on-chip (SOC).
  • SOC system-on-chip
  • the above transceiver unit 1110 is an interface circuit of the device for receiving signals from other devices.
  • the transceiver unit 1110 is an interface circuit for the chip to send and receive signals from other chips or devices.
  • each unit in the device can be all implemented in the form of software called by processing elements; they can also be all implemented in the form of hardware; part of the units can also be implemented in the form of software called by the processing elements, and some of the units can be implemented in the form of hardware.
  • each unit can be a separate processing element, or it can be integrated in a certain chip of the device for implementation.
  • it can also be stored in the memory in the form of a program, which is called and executed by a certain processing element of the device. Function.
  • each step of the above method or each of the above units may be implemented by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in a processor element or implemented in a form of being called by software through a processing element.
  • the unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above method, for example: one or more specific integrated circuits (ASIC), or, one or more microprocessors (DSP), or, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.
  • ASIC specific integrated circuits
  • DSP microprocessors
  • FPGA field programmable gate arrays
  • the unit in the device can be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler
  • the processing element can be a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or other processors that can call programs.
  • CPU central processing unit
  • these units can be integrated together and implemented in the form of a system-on-chip (SOC).
  • SOC system-on-chip
  • FIG. 12 another schematic diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of this application is used to implement the operations of the mobility management network element or the session management network element in the above embodiment.
  • the communication device includes a processor 1210 and an interface 1230.
  • the communication device further includes a memory 1220.
  • the interface 1230 is used to implement communication with other devices.
  • the method executed by the mobility management network element or the session management network element in the above embodiment can be called by the processor 1210 in the memory (it can be the mobility management network element or the memory 1220 in the session management network element, or it can be an external memory).
  • the apparatus for the mobility management network element or the session management network element may include a processor 1210, and the processor 1210 executes the mobility management network element or the session management network element in the above method embodiment by calling a program in the memory.
  • the processor here may be an integrated circuit with signal processing capability, such as a CPU.
  • the apparatus for the mobility management network element or the session management network element may be implemented by one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above method. For example: one or more ASICs, or, one or more microprocessors DSP, or, one or more FPGAs, etc., or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms. Or, the above implementations can be combined.
  • the functions/implementation process of the transceiver unit 1010 and the selection unit 1020 in FIG. 10 may be implemented by the processor 1210 in the communication device 1200 shown in FIG. 12 calling computer executable instructions stored in the memory 1220.
  • the function/implementation process of the selection unit 1020 in FIG. 10 may be implemented by the processor 1210 in the communication device 1200 shown in FIG. /The implementation process can be implemented through the interface 1230 in the communication device 1200 shown in FIG. 12.
  • the functions/implementation process of the transceiver unit 1110, the selection unit 1120, and the recording unit 1130 in FIG. 11 can be implemented by the processor 1210 in the communication device 1200 shown in FIG. 12 calling the computer executable instructions stored in the memory 1220.
  • the function/implementation process of the selection unit 1120 and the recording unit 1130 in FIG. 11 can be implemented by the processor 1210 in the communication device 1200 shown in FIG.
  • the function/implementation process of the unit 1110 can be implemented through the interface 1230 in the communication device 1200 shown in FIG. 12.
  • the computer program product includes one or more computer instructions.
  • the computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices.
  • the computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center.
  • the computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or a data center integrated with one or more available media.
  • the usable medium may be a magnetic medium (for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, and a magnetic tape), an optical medium (for example, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (for example, a solid state disk (SSD)).
  • the various illustrative logic units and circuits described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by general-purpose processors, digital signal processors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, Discrete gates or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination of the above are designed to implement or operate the described functions.
  • the general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor.
  • the general-purpose processor may also be any traditional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine.
  • the processor can also be implemented by a combination of computing devices, such as a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a digital signal processor core, or any other similar configuration. accomplish.
  • the steps of the method or algorithm described in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embedded in hardware, a software unit executed by a processor, or a combination of the two.
  • the software unit can be stored in random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (Read-Only Memory, ROM), EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROM or notebooks. Any other storage media in the field.
  • the storage medium may be connected to the processor, so that the processor can read information from the storage medium, and can store and write information to the storage medium.
  • the storage medium may also be integrated into the processor.
  • the processor and the storage medium can be arranged in the ASIC.
  • These computer program instructions can also be loaded on a computer or other programmable data processing equipment, so that a series of operation steps are executed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce computer-implemented processing, so as to execute on the computer or other programmable equipment.
  • the instructions provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one process or multiple processes in the flowchart and/or one block or multiple blocks in the block diagram.
  • the aforementioned functions described in this application can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination of the three. If implemented in software, these functions can be stored on a computer-readable medium, or transmitted on the computer-readable medium in the form of one or more instructions or codes.
  • Computer-readable media include computer storage media and communication media that facilitate the transfer of computer programs from one place to another. The storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special computer.
  • Such computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other device that can be used to carry or store instructions or data structures and Other program code media that can be read by general-purpose or special computers, or general-purpose or special processors.
  • any connection can be appropriately defined as a computer-readable medium, for example, if the software is from a website, server, or other remote source through a coaxial cable, fiber optic computer, twisted pair, or digital subscriber line (DSL) Or transmitted by wireless means such as infrared, wireless and microwave are also included in the definition of computer-readable media.
  • DSL digital subscriber line
  • the said disks and discs include compressed disks, laser disks, optical discs, digital versatile discs (English: Digital Versatile Disc, abbreviated as: DVD), floppy disks and Blu-ray discs.
  • Disks usually copy data with magnetism.
  • Discs usually use lasers to copy data optically.
  • the combination of the above can also be contained in a computer readable medium.
  • the functions described in this application can be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, these functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on the computer-readable medium.
  • the computer-readable medium includes a computer storage medium and a communication medium, where the communication medium includes any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another.
  • the storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

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Abstract

本申请提供通信方法、装置及系统。该方法包括：会话管理网元接收指示信息和第一切片的信息; 会话管理网元根据指示信息，为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，该用户面网元用于控制终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过终端设备在第一切片的切片AMBR。基于该方案，由会话管理网元为终端设备在同一切片的所有PDU会话选择同一用户面网元，从而该用户面网元可以为根据终端设备在切片的切片AMBR执行统一的流量控制，具体的，控制终端设备在该切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过终端设备在第一切片的切片AMBR，提升了流量控制的精确性。

Description

通信方法、装置及系统
相关申请的交叉引用
本申请要求在2020年04月30日提交中国专利局、申请号为202010365047.3、申请名称为“通信方法、装置及系统”的中国专利申请的优先权，其全部内容通过引用结合在本申请中。
技术领域
本申请涉及通信技术领域，尤其涉及通信方法、装置及系统。
背景技术
第五代(5th generation，5G)时代,将有数以千亿计的物联网设备接入网络，不同类型应用场景对网络的需求是差异化的，有的甚至是相互冲突的。通过单一网络同时为不同类型应用场景提供服务，会导致网络架构异常复杂、网络管理效率和资源利用效率低下。
5G网络切片技术通过在同一网络基础设施上虚拟独立逻辑网络的方式为不同的应用场景提供相互隔离的网络环境，使得不同应用场景可以按照各自的需求定制网络功能和特性，能够切实保障不同业务的服务质量(Quality of Service，QoS)需求。5G网络切片要实现的目标是将终端设备、接入网资源、核心网资源以及网络运维和管理系统等进行有机组合，为不同商业场景或者业务类型提供能够独立运维的、相互隔离的完整网络。
一个网络切片(network slice)允许多个终端设备共享，每个终端设备可以在该共享的网络切片内建立一个或多个协议数据单元(protocol data unit，PDU)会话。
如何对一个网络切片的不同PDU会话的流量进行准确的控制，目前还没有很好的方法。
发明内容
本申请提供通信方法、装置及系统，用以实现对一个网络切片的不同PDU会话的流量进行准确的控制。
第一方面，本申请实施例提供一种通信方法，包括：会话管理网元接收指示信息和第一切片的信息；所述会话管理网元根据所述指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同协议数据单元PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，所述用户面网元用于控制所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过所述终端设备在所述第一切片的切片聚合最大比特率AMBR。
基于上述方案，由会话管理网元为终端设备在同一切片的所有PDU会话选择同一用户面网元，从而该用户面网元可以为根据终端设备在切片的切片AMBR执行统一的流量控制，具体的，控制终端设备在该切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过终端设备在第一切片的切片AMBR，提升了流量控制的精确性。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述会话管理网元根据所述指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，包括：所述会话管理网元根据所述第 一切片的信息与所述第一用户面网元的信息之间的对应关系，选择所述第一用户面网元。
基于该实现方法，可以由会话管理网元存储为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择的用户面网元的信息与第一切片的信息之间的对应关系，便于管理。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述会话管理网元根据所述指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，包括：所述会话管理网元向网络存储网元或数据管理网元发送第一请求，用于请求获取为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元；所述会话管理网元从所述网络存储网元或所述数据管理网元接收至少一个用户面网元的信息；从所述至少一个用户面网元中选择第一用户面网元；以及向所述网络存储网元或所述数据管理网元发送所述第一用户面网元的信息；或者，所述会话管理网元从所述网络存储网元或所述数据管理网元接收所述第一用户面网元的信息。
基于该实现方法，可以由网络存储网元或数据管理网元存储为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择的用户面网元的信息与第一切片的信息之间的对应关系，便于管理。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述会话管理网元根据所述指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，包括：所述会话管理网元根据所述指示信息，确定是首次为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的PDU会话选择用户面网元，则选择第一用户面网元；所述会话管理网元向移动性管理网元发送所述第一用户面网元的信息。
基于该实现方法，可以由移动性管理网元存储为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择的用户面网元的信息与第一切片的信息之间的对应关系，便于管理。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述会话管理网元从所述移动性管理网元接收所述第一用户面网元的信息；所述会话管理网元根据所述第一用户面网元的信息，确定不是首次为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的PDU会话选择用户面网元，则选择所述第一用户面网元。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述会话管理网元接收指示信息和第一切片的信息，包括：所述会话管理网元从移动性管理网元、数据管理网元或策略控制网元接收所述指示信息和所述第一切片的信息。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述用户面网元是PDU会话锚点用户面网元、只有N9接口的用户面网元、或具有N3接口的用户面网元。
第二方面，本申请实施例提供一种通信方法，包括：移动性管理网元接收第一指示信息和第一切片的信息；所述移动性管理网元根据所述第一指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同协议数据单元PDU会话选择相同的会话管理网元；所述移动性管理网元向所述会话管理网元发送第二指示信息和所述第一切片的信息，所述第二指示信息用于指示为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，所述用户面网元用于控制所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过所述终端设备在所述第一切片的切片聚合最大比特率AMBR。
基于上述方案，由会话管理网元为终端设备在同一切片的所有PDU会话选择同一用户面网元，从而该用户面网元可以为根据终端设备在切片的切片AMBR执行统一的流量控制，具体的，控制终端设备在该切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过终端设备在第一切片的切片AMBR，提升了流量控制的精确性。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述移动性管理网元从所述会话管理网元接收第一用户面网元的信息；所述移动性管理网元记录所述第一切片的信息与所述第一用户面网元的信息 之间的对应关系。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述移动性管理网元接收第一指示信息和第一切片的信息，包括：所述移动性管理网元从数据管理网元接收所述终端设备的签约数据，所述签约数据包含所述第一指示信息和所述第一切片的信息。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述用户面网元是PDU会话锚点用户面网元、只有N9接口的用户面网元、或具有N3接口的用户面网元。
第三方面，本申请实施例提供一种通信装置，该装置可以是会话管理网元，还可以是用于会话管理网元的芯片。该装置具有实现上述第一方面、或第一方面的各可能的实现方法的功能。该功能可以通过硬件实现，也可以通过硬件执行相应的软件实现。该硬件或软件包括一个或多个与上述功能相对应的模块。
第四方面，本申请实施例提供一种通信装置，该装置可以是移动性管理网元，还可以是用于移动性管理网元的芯片。该装置具有实现上述第二方面、或第二方面的各可能的实现方法的功能。该功能可以通过硬件实现，也可以通过硬件执行相应的软件实现。该硬件或软件包括一个或多个与上述功能相对应的模块。
第五方面，本申请实施例提供一种通信装置，包括处理器和存储器；该存储器用于存储计算机执行指令，当该装置运行时，该处理器执行该存储器存储的该计算机执行指令，以使该装置执行如上述第一方面至第二方面的方法，第一方面至第二方面的各可能的实现方法中的任意方法。
第六方面，本申请实施例提供一种通信装置，包括用于执行上述第一方面至第二方面的方法，第一方面二第五方面的各可能的实现方法中的任意方法的各个步骤的单元或手段(means)。
第七方面，本申请实施例提供一种通信装置，包括处理器和接口电路，所述处理器用于通过接口电路与其它装置通信，并执行上述第一方面至第二方面的方法，第一方面至第二方面的各可能的实现方法中的任意方法。该处理器包括一个或多个。
第八方面，本申请实施例提供一种通信装置，包括处理器，用于与存储器相连，用于调用所述存储器中存储的程序，以执行上述第一方面至第二方面的方法，第一方面二第五方面的各可能的实现方法中的任意方法。该存储器可以位于该装置之内，也可以位于该装置之外。且该处理器包括一个或多个。
第九方面，本申请实施例还提供一种计算机可读存储介质，所述计算机可读存储介质中存储有指令，当其在计算机上运行时，使得处理器执行上述第一方面至第二方面的方法，第一方面至第二方面的各可能的实现方法中的任意方法。
第十方面，本申请实施例还提供一种计算机程序产品，该计算机产品包括计算机程序，当计算机程序运行时，使得上述第一方面至第二方面的方法，第一方面至第二方面的各可能的实现方法中的任意方法被执行。
第十一方面，本申请实施例还提供一种芯片系统，包括：处理器，用于执行上述第一方面至第二方面的方法，第一方面至第二方面的各可能的实现方法中的任意方法。
第十二方面，本申请实施例还提供一种通信系统，包括：会话管理网元和第一网元；第一网元，用于向所述会话管理网元发送指示信息和第一切片的信息；所述会话管理网元，用于从所述第一网元接收所述指示信息和所述第一切片的信息；根据所述指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同协议数据单元PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，所述用户 面网元用于控制所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过所述终端设备在所述第一切片的切片聚合最大比特率AMBR。
第十三方面，本申请实施例还提供一种通信方法，包括：第一网元向会话管理网元发送指示信息和第一切片的信息；会话管理网元从所述第一网元接收所述指示信息和所述第一切片的信息；会话管理网元根据所述指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同协议数据单元PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，所述用户面网元用于控制所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过所述终端设备在所述第一切片的切片聚合最大比特率AMBR。
附图说明
图1为本申请实施例提供的一种通信系统示意图；
图2(a)为基于服务化架构的5G网络架构示意图；
图2(b)为基于点对点接口的5G网络架构示意图；
图3(a)为切片AMBR与会话AMBR之间的关系的一个示例图；
图3(b)为切片AMBR与会话AMBR之间的关系的又一个示例图；
图4为本申请实施例提供的一种通信方法流程示意图；
图5为本申请实施例提供的又一种通信方法流程示意图；
图6为本申请实施例提供的又一种通信方法流程示意图；
图7为本申请实施例提供的又一种通信方法流程示意图；
图8为本申请实施例提供的又一种通信方法流程示意图；
图9为本申请实施例提供的又一种通信方法流程示意图；
图10为本申请实施例提供的一种通信装置示意图；
图11为本申请实施例提供的又一种通信装置示意图；
图12为本申请实施例提供的又一种通信装置示意图。
具体实施方式
为了使本申请的目的、技术方案和优点更加清楚，下面将结合附图对本申请作进一步地详细描述。方法实施例中的具体操作方法也可以应用于装置实施例或系统实施例中。其中，在本申请的描述中，除非另有说明，“多个”的含义是两个或两个以上。
为解决背景技术中提到的问题，如图1所示，本申请提供一种通信系统，该系统包括会话管理网元。可选的，该系统还包括策略控制网元、移动性管理网元、网络存储网元中的一个或多个。其中，也可以将策略控制网元、移动性管理网元、网络存储网元统称为第一网元，也即第一网元可以是策略控制网元、移动性管理网元、或网络存储网元。
所述第一网元，用于向所述会话管理网元发送指示信息和第一切片的信息；所述会话管理网元，用于从所述第一网元接收所述指示信息和所述第一切片的信息；根据所述指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同协议数据单元PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，所述用户面网元用于控制所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过所述终端设备在所述第一切片的切片聚合最大比特率AMBR。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述会话管理网元，用于根据所述指示信息，为终端设备 在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，具体包括：用于根据所述第一切片的信息与所述第一用户面网元的信息之间的对应关系，选择所述第一用户面网元。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述会话管理网元，用于根据所述指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，具体包括：用于向网络存储网元或数据管理网元发送第一请求，用于请求获取为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元；用于从所述网络存储网元或所述数据管理网元接收至少一个用户面网元的信息；从所述至少一个用户面网元中选择第一用户面网元；以及向所述网络存储网元或所述数据管理网元发送所述第一用户面网元的信息；或者，用于从所述网络存储网元或所述数据管理网元接收所述第一用户面网元的信息。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述会话管理网元，用于根据所述指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，具体包括：用于根据所述指示信息，确定是首次为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的PDU会话选择用户面网元，则选择第一用户面网元；所述会话管理网元，还用于向移动性管理网元发送所述第一用户面网元的信息。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述会话管理网元，还用于从所述移动性管理网元接收所述第一用户面网元的信息；根据所述第一用户面网元的信息，确定不是首次为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的PDU会话选择用户面网元，则选择所述第一用户面网元。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述用户面网元是PDU会话锚点用户面网元、只有N9接口的用户面网元、或具有N3接口的用户面网元。
其中，上述方案的具体实现将在后续方法实施例部分详细阐述，在此不再赘述。
图1所示的系统可以用在图2(a)或图2(b)所示的5G网络架构中，当然，也可以用在未来网络架构，比如第六代(6th generation，6G)网络架构等，本申请不做限定。
示例性的，假设图1所示的通信系统应用于5G网络架构，如图2(a)所示，为基于服务化架构的5G网络架构示意图。图1中的会话管理网元所对应的网元或者实体可以为图2(a)所示的5G网络架构中的会话管理功能(session management function，SMF)网元，图1中的移动性管理网元所对应的网元或者实体可以为图2(a)所示的5G网络架构中的接入与移动性管理功能(Access and Mobility Management Function，AMF)网元。图1中的策略控制网元所对应的网元或者实体可以为图2(a)所示的5G网络架构中的策略控制功能(Policy Control Function，PCF)网元。图1中的数据存储网元所对应的网元或者实体可以为图2(a)所示的5G网络架构中的网络存储功能(Network Repository Function，NRF)网元。
图2(a)所示的5G网络架构中可包括三部分，分别是终端设备部分、数据网络(data network，DN)和运营商网络部分。下面对其中的部分网元的功能进行简单介绍说明。
其中，运营商网络可包括以下网元中的一个或多个：鉴权服务器功能(Authentication Server Function，AUSF)网元、网络开放功能(network exposure function，NEF)网元、PCF网元、UDM、UDR、NRF网元、AF网元、AMF网元、SMF网元、无线接入网(radio access network，RAN)以及用户面功能(user plane function，UPF)网元等。上述运营商网络中，除无线接入网部分之外的部分可以称为核心网络部分。
在具体实现中，本申请实施例中的终端设备，可以是用于实现无线通信功能的设备。其中，终端设备可以是5G网络或者未来演进的公共陆地移动网络(public land mobile  network，PLMN)中的用户设备(user equipment，UE)、接入终端、终端单元、终端站、移动站、移动台、远方站、远程终端、移动设备、无线通信设备、终端代理或终端装置等。接入终端可以是蜂窝电话、无绳电话、会话启动协议(session initiation protocol，SIP)电话、无线本地环路(wireless local loop，WLL)站、个人数字助理(personal digital assistant，PDA)、具有无线通信功能的手持设备、计算设备或连接到无线调制解调器的其它处理设备、车载设备或可穿戴设备，虚拟现实(virtual reality，VR)终端设备、增强现实(augmented reality，AR)终端设备、工业控制(industrial control)中的无线终端、无人驾驶(self driving)中的无线终端、远程医疗(remote medical)中的无线终端、智能电网(smart grid)中的无线终端、运输安全(transportation safety)中的无线终端、智慧城市(smart city)中的无线终端、智慧家庭(smart home)中的无线终端等。终端可以是移动的，也可以是固定的。
上述终端设备可通过运营商网络提供的接口(例如N1等)与运营商网络建立连接，使用运营商网络提供的数据和/或语音等服务。终端设备还可通过运营商网络访问DN，使用DN上部署的运营商业务，和/或第三方提供的业务。其中，上述第三方可为运营商网络和终端设备之外的服务方，可为终端设备提供他数据和/或语音等服务。其中，上述第三方的具体表现形式，具体可根据实际应用场景确定，在此不做限制。
RAN是运营商网络的子网络，是运营商网络中业务节点与终端设备之间的实施系统。终端设备要接入运营商网络，首先是经过RAN，进而可通过RAN与运营商网络的业务节点连接。本申请中的RAN设备，是一种为终端设备提供无线通信功能的设备，RAN设备也称为接入网设备。本申请中的RAN设备包括但不限于：5G中的下一代基站(g nodeB，gNB)、演进型节点B(evolved node B，eNB)、无线网络控制器(radio network controller，RNC)、节点B(node B，NB)、基站控制器(base station controller，BSC)、基站收发台(base transceiver station，BTS)、家庭基站(例如，home evolved nodeB，或home node B，HNB)、基带单元(baseBand unit，BBU)、传输点(transmitting and receiving point，TRP)、发射点(transmitting point，TP)、移动交换中心等。
AMF网元，主要进行移动性管理、接入鉴权/授权等功能。此外，还负责在UE与PCF间传递用户策略。
SMF网元，主要进行会话管理、PCF下发控制策略的执行、UPF的选择、UE互联网协议(internet protocol，IP)地址分配等功能。
UPF网元，作为和数据网络的接口UPF，完成用户面数据转发、基于会话/流级的计费统计，带宽限制等功能。
UDM网元，主要负责管理签约数据、用户接入授权等功能。
UDR，主要负责签约数据、策略数据、应用数据等类型数据的存取功能。
NEF网元，主要用于支持能力和事件的开放。
AF网元，主要传递应用侧对网络侧的需求，例如，QoS需求或用户状态事件订阅等。AF可以是第三方功能实体，也可以是运营商部署的应用服务，如IP多媒体子系统(IP Multimedia Subsystem，IMS)语音呼叫业务。
PCF网元，主要负责针对会话、业务流级别进行计费、QoS带宽保障及移动性管理、UE策略决策等策略控制功能。
NRF网元，可用于提供网元发现功能，基于其他网元的请求，提供网元类型对应的网元信息。NRF还提供网元管理服务，如网元注册、更新、去注册以及网元状态订阅和推送 等。
AUSF网元：主要负责对用户进行鉴权，以确定是否允许用户或设备接入网络。
DN，是位于运营商网络之外的网络，运营商网络可以接入多个DN，DN上可部署多种业务，可为终端设备提供数据和/或语音等服务。例如，DN是某智能工厂的私有网络，智能工厂安装在车间的传感器可为终端设备，DN中部署了传感器的控制服务器，控制服务器可为传感器提供服务。传感器可与控制服务器通信，获取控制服务器的指令，根据指令将采集的传感器数据传送给控制服务器等。又例如，DN是某公司的内部办公网络，该公司员工的手机或者电脑可为终端设备，员工的手机或者电脑可以访问公司内部办公网络上的信息、数据资源等。
图2(a)中Nausf、Nnef、Npcf、Nudm、Naf、Namf、Nsmf、N1、N2、N3、N4，以及N6为接口序列号。这些接口序列号的含义可参见3GPP标准协议中定义的含义，在此不做限制。
示例性的，假设图1所示的通信系统应用于5G网络架构，如图2(b)所示，为基于服务化架构的5G网络架构示意图。图1中的会话管理网元所对应的网元或者实体可以为图2(b)所示的5G网络架构中的SMF网元，图1中的移动性管理网元所对应的网元或者实体可以为图2(b)所示的5G网络架构中的AMF网元。图1中的策略控制网元所对应的网元或者实体可以为图2(b)所示的5G网络架构中的PCF网元。图1中的数据存储网元所对应的网元或者实体可以为图2(b)所示的5G网络架构中的NRF网元。
图2(b)中的网元的功能的介绍可以参考图2(a)中对应的网元的功能的介绍，不再赘述。图2(b)与图2(a)的主要区别在于：图2(b)中的各个网元之间的接口是点对点的接口，而不是服务化的接口。
在图2(b)所示的架构中，各个网元之间的接口名称及功能如下：
1)、N7：PCF与SMF之间的接口，用于下发PDU会话粒度以及业务数据流粒度控制策略。
2)、N15：PCF与AMF之间的接口，用于下发UE策略及接入控制相关策略。
3)、N5：AF与PCF之间的接口，用于应用业务请求下发以及网络事件上报。
4)、N4：SMF与UPF之间的接口，用于控制面与用户面之间传递信息，包括控制面向用户面的转发规则、QoS控制规则、流量统计规则等的下发以及用户面的信息上报。
5)、N11：SMF与AMF之间的接口，用于传递RAN和UPF之间的PDU会话隧道信息、传递发送给UE的控制消息、传递发送给RAN的无线资源控制信息等。
6)、N2：AMF与RAN之间的接口，用于传递核心网侧至RAN的无线承载控制信息等。
7)、N1：AMF与UE之间的接口，接入无关，用于向UE传递QoS控制规则等。
8)、N8：AMF与UDM间的接口，用于AMF向UDM获取接入与移动性管理相关签约数据与鉴权数据，以及AMF向UDM注册UE当前移动性管理相关信息等。
9)、N10：SMF与UDM间的接口，用于SMF向UDM获取会话管理相关签约数据，以及SMF向UDM注册UE当前会话相关信息等。
10)、N35：UDM与UDR间的接口，用于UDM从UDR中获取用户签约数据信息。
11)、N36：PCF与UDR间的接口，用于PCF从UDR中获取策略相关签约数据以及 应用数据相关信息。
12)、N12：AMF和AUSF间的接口，用于AMF向AUSF发起鉴权流程，其中可携带SUCI作为签约标识；
13)、N13：UDM与AUSF间的接口，用于AUSF向UDM获取用户鉴权向量，以执行鉴权流程。
可以理解的是，上述网元或者功能既可以是硬件设备中的网络元件，也可以是在专用硬件上运行软件功能，或者是平台(例如，云平台)上实例化的虚拟化功能。可选的，上述网元或者功能可以由一个设备实现，也可以由多个设备共同实现，还可以是一个设备内的一个功能模块，本申请实施例对此不作具体限定。
本申请中的移动性管理网元、会话管理网元、策略控制网元、用户面网元、数据管理网元、数据库、网络存储网元分别可以是图2(a)或图2(b)中的AMF、SMF、PCF、UPF、UDM、UDR、NRF，也可以是未来通信如第六代(6th generation，6G)网络中具有上述AMF、SMF、PCF、UPF、UDM、UDR、NRF的功能的网元，本申请对此不限定。为方便说明，本申请以移动性管理网元、会话管理网元、策略控制网元、用户面网元、数据管理网元、数据库、网络存储网元分别为上述AMF、SMF、PCF、UPF、UDM、UDR、NRF为例进行说明。
目前，针对非保证比特率(non-Guaranteed Bit Rate，non-GBR)资源，可以通过会话聚合最大比特率(Session Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate，Session-AMBR)限制一个特定PDU会话的所有non-GBR资源的聚合带宽。也即，会话AMBR是一个PDU会话的比特率上限。针对GBR资源，可以通过MBR限制一个特定PDU会话的所有GBR资源的聚合带宽。
通过终端设备的切片AMBR(slice-AMBR)来限制一个终端设备在一个网络切片内的比特率上限。以切片AMBR只限制non-GBR资源为例，则定义一个终端设备在一个网络切片内的所有PDU会话的会话AMBR的总和不超过该终端设备在该网络切片内的切片AMBR。以切片AMBR只限制GBR资源为例，则定义一个终端设备在一个网络切片内的所有PDU会话的使用GBR资源的业务数据流(Service Data Flow，SDF)的MBR的总和不超过该终端设备在该网络切片内的切片AMBR。以切片AMBR同时限制non-GBR资源和GBR资源为例，则定义一个终端设备在一个网络切片内的所有PDU会话的会话AMBR以及所有PDU会话的使用GBR资源的SDF的MBR的总和不超过该终端设备在该网络切片内的切片AMBR。
为便于说明，下面以单独针对non-GBR资源的流量控制方法为例，来说明上述方案存在的问题。对于单独针对GBR资源的流量控制方法，以及针对non-GBR资源和GBR资源的流量联合控制方法，其存在的问题是类似的，不再单独说明。
如图3(a)所示，为切片AMBR与会话AMBR之间的关系的一个示例图。其中，终端设备在某个网络切片内建立了3个PDU会话，分别为PDU会话1，PDU会话2和PDU会话3。其中，PDU会话1的会话AMBR为S1，PDU会话2的会话AMBR为S2，PDU会话3的会话AMBR为S3，且该终端设备在该网络切片的切片AMBR为T。按照目前定义，则要求S1+S2+S3小于或等于T。
按照上述描述的流量控制方法，由各个PDU会话对应的UPF根据该PDU会话的会话 AMBR，控制该PDU会话的non-GBR资源的当前比特率不超过会话AMBR，以及控制该PDU会话的使用GBR资源的SDF的当前比特率不超过使用GBR资源的SDF的MBR，并不需要根据终端设备的切片AMBR做额外的控制。这是因为，上述流量控制方法中的切片AMBR是终端设备的各个PDU会话的会话AMBR和/或使用GBR资源的SDF的MBR的总和的上限值，因此只需要预先分配好各个PDU会话的会话AMBR和/或使用GBR资源的SDF的MBR，且这些PDU会话的会话AMBR和/或使用GBR资源的SDF的MBR的总和不超过终端设备的切片AMBR即可。例如，以图3(a)的示例为例，预先根据T值，分配S1，S2，S3的取值，然后PDU会话1对应的UPF(如UPF1)根据S1控制PDU会话1的non-GBR资源的当前比特率不超过S1，PDU会话2对应的UPF(如UPF1)根据S2控制PDU会话2的non-GBR的资源当前比特率不超过S2，PDU会话3对应的UPF(如UPF3)根据S3控制PDU会话3的non-GBR资源的当前比特率不超过S3。也即，上述描述的流量控制方法只需要各个UPF分别根据预先分配的会话AMBR和/或使用GBR资源的SDF的MBR执行流量分开控制即可。
然而，在实际应用中，并不需要限定一个终端设备在一个网络切片内的所有PDU会话的会话AMBR的总和不超过该终端设备在该网络切片内的切片AMBR，而只需要限定一个终端设备在一个网络切片内的所有PDU会话的non-GBR资源的当前比特率的总和不超过该终端设备在该网络切片内的切片AMBR即可。如图3(b)所示，为本申请实施例中切片AMBR与会话AMBR之间的关系示例图。其中，终端设备在某个网络切片内建立了3个PDU会话，分别为PDU会话1，PDU会话2和PDU会话3。其中，PDU会话1的会话AMBR为S1、non-GBR资源的当前比特率为P1，且P1小于或等于S1，PDU会话2的会话AMBR为S2、non-GBR资源的当前比特率为P2，且P2小于或等于S2，PDU会话3的会话AMBR为S3、non-GBR资源的当前比特率为P3，且P1小于或等于S3，且该终端设备在该网络切片的切片AMBR为T。按照本申请实施例的定义，要求P1+P2+P3小于或等于T。至于S1+S2+S3是小于T，等于T，还是大于T，本申请实施例不做要求。
本申请实施例通过上述流量控制方法，可以实现更加精确地流量控制。
进一步地，按照本申请上述对于切片AMBR与会话AMBR和/或使用GBR资源的SDF的MBR之间的关系的规定，则不仅要求需要根据各个会话AMBR和/或使用GBR资源的SDF的MBR分别对每个PDU会话执行流量控制，同时还需要根据切片AMBR对各个PDU会话的当前比特率进行实时、统一地控制。这是因为切片AMBR是各个PDU会话的(non-GBR资源和/或GBR资源)当前比特率的上限，因此需要执行实时监控。并且，本申请实施例中执行切片AMBR控制的网元需要能够获取到每个PDU会话的实时流量(也即当前比特率)，这就要求各个PDU会话对应的UPF必须是同一个UPF。也即，本申请实施例中，需要由一个统一的UPF执行集中控制(或称为统一控制)。例如，以图3(b)的示例为例，预先根据T值，分配S1，S2，S3的取值，UPF1根据S1控制PDU会话1的non-GBR资源的当前比特率不超过S1，根据S2控制PDU会话2的non-GBR资源的当前比特率不超过S2，根据S3控制PDU会话3的non-GBR资源的当前比特率不超过S3，以及根据T控制P1+P2+P3不超过T。
基于上述描述，下面需要解决的问题是：如何选择一个用于集中控制的UPF。
需要说明的是，本申请实施例中，PDU会话的会话AMBR是该PDU会话内的non-GBR资源的比特率上限，该PDU会话的non-GBR资源的当前比特率小于或者等于该PDU会话的会话AMBR。其中，针对使用切片AMBR来限定PDU会话的non-GBR资源的比特率的场景，则本申请实施例中的PDU会话的当前比特率，也可以称为PDU会话的non-GBR资源的实际比特率，或称为PDU会话的non-GBR资源的实时比特率，或称为PDU会话的non-GBR资源的当前流量，或称为PDU会话的non-GBR资源的实时流量，或称为PDU会话的non-GBR资源的流量，等等。
本申请实施例中，PDU会话中的使用GBR资源的SDF的MBR是该PDU会话内的该使用GBR资源的SDF的比特率上限，该PDU会话中的使用GBR资源的SDF的当前比特率小于或者等于该使用GBR资源的SDF的MBR。其中，针对使用切片AMBR来限定PDU会话的GBR资源的比特率的场景，则本申请实施例中的PDU会话的当前比特率，也可以称为PDU会话的使用GBR资源的SDF的实际比特率，或称为PDU会话的使用GBR资源的SDF的实时比特率，或称为PDU会话的使用GBR资源的SDF的当前流量，或称为PDU会话的使用GBR资源的SDF的实时流量，或称为PDU会话的使用GBR资源的SDF的流量，等等。
本申请实施例中，针对使用切片AMBR来限定PDU会话的GBR资源和non-GBR资源的比特率的场景，则本申请实施例中的PDU会话的当前比特率，也可以称为PDU会话的实际比特率，或称为PDU会话的实时比特率，或称为PDU会话的当前流量，或称为PDU会话的实时流量，或称为PDU会话的流量。
本申请实施例中的网络切片也可以简称为切片，本申请实施例中的UPF的信息可以是UPF的标识或UPF的地址等，这里统一说明，后续不再赘述。
本申请实施例中的指示信息在实现时可以就是切片AMBR(slice AMBR)，即收到切片AMBR后就去选择同一网络功能(Network function，NF)网元。比如，AMF收到某一切片的切片AMBR，则为该切片的PDU会话选择相同的SMF。再比如，SMF收到某一切片的切片AMBR，则为该切片的PDU会话选择相同的UPF。例如，切片AMBR可以是从UDM获取到的签约切片AMBR(subsribed slice AMBR)或者从PCF获取到的授权切片AMBR(authorized slice AMBR)。
或者，本申请实施例的指示信息在实现时还可以是其他信息，比如可以是比特信息，或位图信息，或信令等。比如，AMF收到用于指示为终端设备在某一切片的PDU会话选择相同的SMF的比特信息、位图信息、或信令时，则AMF为该切片的PDU会话选择相同的SMF。再比如，SMF收到用于指示为终端设备在某一切片的PDU会话选择相同的UPF的比特信息、位图信息、或信令时，则SMF为该切片的PDU会话选择相同的UPF。
为解决上述选择同一个UPF的问题，基于图2(a)或图2(b)所示的网络架构，如图4所示，本申请提供一种通信方法。该方法包括以下步骤：
步骤401，SMF接收指示信息和第一切片的信息。
步骤402，SMF根据指示信息，为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF。
该被选择的UPF用于控制终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和 不超过终端设备在第一切片的切片AMBR。
基于上述方案，由SMF为终端设备在同一切片的所有PDU会话选择同一UPF，从而该UPF可以为根据终端设备在切片的切片AMBR执行统一的流量控制，具体的，控制终端设备在该切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过该切片AMBR，提升了流量控制的精确性。
下面给出上述方案的四种不同的实现方法。
实现方法一，由SMF记录为终端设备在某个切片中的PDU会话已经选择的UPF，后续当该终端设备在该切片建立新的PDU会话时，则SMF为新PDU会话选择相同的UPF。
基于该实现方法，可以由AMF为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的SMF，然后AMF向SMF发送指示信息和第一切片的信息(即执行上述步骤401)，该指示信息用于指示为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF。然后，SMF根据指示信息，为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF(即执行上述步骤402)。具体的，若SMF是首次为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择UPF，则SMF根据现有技术的方法，选择一个UPF，可以称为第一UPF，然后还记录第一切片的信息与第一UPF的信息之间的对应关系，以便于后续再为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择UPF时，可以直接选择该第一UPF。也即，若SMF不是首次为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择UPF，则SMF根据第一切片的信息与第一UPF的信息之间的对应关系，选择该第一UPF。
以下图5对应的实施例，包括该实现方法一的具体示例，可以参考以下具体描述。
实现方法二，由NRF记录为终端设备在某个切片中的PDU会话已经选择的UPF，后续当该终端设备在该切片建立新的PDU会话时，则SMF为新PDU会话选择相同的UPF。
基于该实现方法，可以由UDM或PCF向SMF发送指示信息和第一切片的信息(即执行上述步骤401)，该指示信息用于指示为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF。然后，SMF根据指示信息，为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF(即执行上述步骤402)。具体的，SMF向NRF发送第一请求，用于请求获取为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF。
若第一请求是首次请求为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择UPF，则此时NRF中还没有存储为终端设备选择的UPF的信息与第一切片的信息之间的对应关系，该情形下，NRF可以向SMF发送一个或多个UPF的信息，然后SMF从中选择一个UPF，比如选择的UPF称为第一UPF。也即，SMF选择的UPF是第一UPF。在这之后，SMF还需要将第一UPF的信息发送至NRF，由NRF存储为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择的第一UPF的信息与第一切片的信息之间的对应关系，以便于后续再为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择UPF时，NRF可以向SMF直接反馈第一UPF的信息。需要说明的是，若NRF向SMF发送的仅是一个UPF的信息，则SMF在选择该UPF之后可以不用向NRF发送该UPF的信息，因为NRF可以知道SMF选择的是哪个UPF。
若第一请求不是首次请求为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择UPF，则NRF向SMF发送第一UPF的信息。也即SMF选择的也是第一UPF。
以下图6对应的实施例，包括该实现方法二的具体示例，可以参考以下具体描述。
实现方法三，由UDM记录为终端设备在某个切片中的PDU会话已经选择的UPF，后 续当该终端设备在该切片建立新的PDU会话时，则SMF为新PDU会话选择相同的UPF。
基于该实现方法，可以由UDM向SMF发送指示信息和第一切片的信息(即执行上述步骤401)，该指示信息用于指示为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF。然后，SMF根据指示信息，为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF(即执行上述步骤402)。具体的，SMF向UDM发送第一请求，用于请求获取为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF。
若第一请求是首次请求为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择UPF，则此时UDM中还没有存储为终端设备选择的UPF的信息与第一切片的信息之间的对应关系，该情形下，NRF可以向SMF发送一个或多个UPF的信息，然后SMF从中选择一个UPF，比如选择的UPF称为第一UPF。也即，SMF选择的UPF是第一UPF。在这之后，SMF还需要将第一UPF的信息发送至UDM，由UDM存储为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择的第一UPF的信息与第一切片的信息之间的对应关系，以便于后续再为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择UPF时，UDM可以向SMF直接反馈第一UPF的信息。需要说明的是，若UDM向SMF发送的仅是一个UPF的信息，则SMF在选择该UPF之后可以不用向UDM发送该UPF的信息，因为UDM可以知道SMF选择的是哪个UPF。
若第一请求不是首次请求为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择UPF，则UDM向SMF发送第一UPF的信息。也即SMF选择的也是第一UPF。
以下图7对应的实施例，包括该实现方法三的具体示例，可以参考以下具体描述。
实现方法四，由AMF记录为终端设备在某个切片中的PDU会话已经选择的UPF，后续当该终端设备在该切片建立新的PDU会话时，则SMF为新PDU会话选择相同的UPF。
基于该实现方法，由AMF记录为终端设备在某个切片中的PDU会话已经选择的UPF。
当AMF是没有记录为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择的UPF的信息与第一切片的信息之间的对应关系时，则AMF在选择了SMF之后，向SMF发送指示信息和第一切片的信息(即执行上述步骤401)，SMF根据指示信息，确定是首次为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择UPF，则SMF按照现有技术方法，为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择一个UPF，可以称为第一UPF，然后将第一UPF的信息发送至AMF。AMF接收到第一UPF的信息之后，存储为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择的第一UPF的信息与第一切片的信息之间的对应关系。
当AMF是记录有为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择的UPF的信息(例如第一UPF的信息)与第一切片的信息之间的对应关系时，则AMF在选择了SMF之后，向SMF发送第一UPF的信息，SMF根据第一UPF的信息，确定不是首次为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择UPF，则SMF选择该第一UPF作为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择的UPF。
以下图8对应的实施例，包括该实现方法四的具体示例，可以参考以下具体描述。
下面结合具体示例，对上述图4所示的通信方法进行说明。
如图5所示，为本申请实施例提供的又一种通信方法。该实施例是上述图4对应的实施例的一种具体示例。该方法是由SMF记录为终端设备在某个切片中的PDU会话已经选择的UPF，后续当该终端设备在该切片建立新的PDU会话时，则SMF会为新PDU会话 选择相同的UPF。
该方法包括以下步骤：
步骤501，UDM/PCF向AMF发送第一指示信息和第一切片的标识，相应地，AMF可以接收到该第一指示信息和第一切片的信息。
该第一指示信息用于指示为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的SMF。
第一切片的信息比如可以是单网络切片选择辅助信息(single network slice selection assistance information，S-NSSAI)。
作为一种实现方法，可以是在终端设备的注册流程中执行上述步骤501。也即，在终端设备的注册流程中，AMF从UDM或PCF接收到第一指示信息和第一切片的信息。
其中，若AMF是从UDM获取到第一指示信息和第一切片的信息，比如具体可以是：AMF从UDM获取到终端设备的签约数据，该签约数据包含第一指示信息和第一切片的信息。
若AMF是从PCF获取到指示信息和第一切片的信息，比如具体可以是：AMF从PCF获取到终端设备的策略信息，该策略信息包含第一指示信息和第一切片的信息。
步骤502，在PDU会话建立流程中，AMF为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的SMF。
其中，若AMF是首次为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择SMF，则按照现有技术方案选择一个SMF，然后记录第一切片的信息与该SMF的标识之间的对应关系。若AMF不是首次为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择SMF，则为该PDU会话选择第一切片对应的SMF(也即为终端设备在第一切片的其他PDU会话选择的SMF)。
或者表述为：若AMF为终端设备在第一切片的第一PDU会话选择SMF，则按照现有技术方案选择一个SMF，然后记录第一切片的信息与该SMF的标识之间的对应关系。若AMF为终端设备在第一切片的第二PDU会话选择SMF，则为第二PDU会话选择第一PDU会话对应的SMF。其中，第一PDU会话是终端设备在第一切片建立的第一个PDU会话，第二PDU会话是除第一PDU会话外的其他PDU会话。
步骤503，AMF向SMF发送第二指示信息和第一切片的标识，相应地，SMF可以接收到该第二指示信息和第一切片的信息。
该第二指示信息用于指示为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF。
步骤504，SMF为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF。
该UPF可以根据终端设备在第一切片的切片AMBR，执行流量控制。具体的，UPF控制终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过该切片AMBR。比如，UPF控制终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的non-GBR资源的当前比特率的总和不超过切片AMBR。再比如，UPF控制终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的GBR资源的当前比特率的总和不超过切片AMBR。再比如，UPF控制终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的non-GBR资源以及GBR资源的当前比特率的总和不超过切片AMBR。
其中，终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的GBR资源的当前比特率，也即终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的使用GBR资源的SDF的当前比特率。这里统一说明，后续其他实施例中不再单独说明。
其中，若SMF是首次为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择UPF，则按照现有技术方案选择一个UPF，然后记录第一切片的信息与该UPF的信息之间的对应关系。若SMF 不是首次为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择UPF，则为该PDU会话选择第一切片对应的UPF(也即为终端设备在第一切片的其他PDU会话选择的UPF)。
或者表述为：若SMF为终端设备在第一切片的第一PDU会话选择UPF，则按照现有技术方案选择一个UPF，然后记录第一切片的信息与该UPF的信息之间的对应关系。若SMF为终端设备在第一切片的第二PDU会话选择UPF，则为第二PDU会话选择第一PDU会话对应的UPF。其中，第一PDU会话是终端设备在第一切片建立的第一个PDU会话，第二PDU会话是除第一PDU会话外的其他PDU会话。
其中，该步骤中为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择的相同的UPF，可以是协议数据单元会话锚点(PDU Session Anchor，PSA)UPF，或者是只有N9接口的UPF，或者是与RAN连接的UPF(也即具有N3接口的UPF)。其中，只有N9接口的UPF和具有N3接口的UPF可以作为上行分流(Uplink classifier，ULCL)UPF。
可选的，SMF在为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话首次选择UPF之后，还记录在UPF的类型，如PSA UPF、或UL CL UPF、或与RAN连接的UPF。例如，PDU会话本身需要多锚点的时候可以不选择PSA UPF作为要选择的统一执行流量控制的UPF，而选择与RAN连接的UPF作为统一执行流量控制的UPF。
可选的，SMF在为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话首次选择UPF时，可以选择至少两个UPF，其中一个UPF作为终端设备在第一切片的所有PDU会话公用的UPF，其他UPF可以作为其他用途，比如作为PSA UPF等。
可选的，SMF在选择了UPF之后，还可以重新选择一个UPF，然后将为终端设备在第一切片的所有PDU会话选择的UPF切换为该重新选择的UPF。也即，SMF可以更新为PDU会话提供服务的UPF。
基于上述方案，AMF根据指示为终端设备在同一切片的所有PDU会话选择同一个SMF，进而由SMF为终端设备在同一切片的所有PDU会话选择同一UPF，从而该UPF可以为根据终端设备在切片的切片AMBR执行统一的流量控制，具体的，控制终端设备在该切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过该切片AMBR，提升了流量控制的精确性。
上述实施例中，是基于终端设备粒度执行流量控制的，也即针对一个终端设备在第一个切片的所有PDU会话执行流量控制。作为另一种实现方案，也可以将上述实施例扩展为基于切片粒度执行流量控制，也即针对第一切片的所有PDU会话(可能来自不同的终端设备)执行流量控制。具体的，控制第一切片内的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过该第一切片的切片AMBR。这里的切片AMBR指的是整个切片允许的比特率上限，而不是某个终端设备在该第一切片内允许的比特率上限。也即，在该实现方案中，针对第一切片内的所有终端设备的PDU会话的流量，不再针对每个终端设备单独进行控制，而是作为一个整体进行控制。也即，由UPF控制第一切片内的所有PDU会话的non-GBR资源和/或GBR资源的当前比特率的总和不超过第一切片的切片AMBR。因此，第一切片内的所有PDU会话对应的是同一个UPF。并且，该基于切片粒度的流量控制方案中，还要求接入该第一切片的所有终端设备需要选择同一个AMF。
如图6所示，为本申请实施例提供的又一种通信方法。该实施例是上述图4对应的实施例的一种具体示例。该方法是由NRF记录为终端设备在某个切片中的PDU会话已经选 择的UPF，后续当该终端设备在该切片建立新的PDU会话时，则SMF会为新PDU会话选择相同的UPF。
该方法包括以下步骤：
步骤601，UDM/PCF向SMF发送第一指示信息和第一切片的标识，相应地，SMF可以接收到该第一指示信息和第一切片的信息。
该第一指示信息用于指示为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF。该UPF可以根据终端设备在第一切片的切片AMBR，执行流量控制。具体的，UPF控制终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过该切片AMBR。比如，UPF控制终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的non-GBR资源的当前比特率的总和不超过切片AMBR。再比如，UPF控制终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的GBR资源的当前比特率的总和不超过切片AMBR。再比如，UPF控制终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的non-GBR资源以及GBR资源的当前比特率的总和不超过切片AMBR。
第一切片的信息比如可以是S-NSSAI。
作为一种实现方法，可以是在终端设备的建立PDU会话的流程中执行上述步骤601。也即，在PDU会话的建立流程中，SMF从UDM或PCF接收到第一指示信息和第一切片的信息。
其中，若SMF是从UDM获取到第一指示信息和第一切片的信息，比如具体可以是：SMF从UDM获取到终端设备的签约数据，该签约数据包含第一指示信息和第一切片的信息。
若SMF是从PCF获取到指示信息和第一切片的信息，比如具体可以是：SMF从PCF获取到终端设备的策略信息，该策略信息包含第一指示信息和第一切片的信息。
步骤602，SMF向NRF发送第一请求，第一请求包含第一切片的标识，相应地，NRF可以接收到该第一请求。
该第一请求用于请求为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF。作为一种实现方法，该第一请求的名称本身可以用于请求为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF。作为另一种实现方法，第一请求中还携带第二指示信息，该第二指示信息用于请求为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF。
下面分两种情形来描述。
其中，情形一是SMF首次向NRF请求获取为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话分配的UPF的信息。
情形二是SMF后续(即非首次)向NRF请求获取为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话分配的UPF的信息。
情形一，包括以下步骤603至步骤606。
步骤603，NRF向SMF发送至少一个UPF的信息，相应地，SMF可以接收到该至少一个UPF的信息。
NRF在接收到上述第一请求后，根据第一请求确定需要为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF，则尝试从本地获取第一切片对应的UPF，发现本地没有存储第一切片对应的UPF。从而NRF向SMF发送至少一个UPF的信息，由SMF从中选择一个UPF。
步骤604，SMF从至少一个UPF中选择第一UPF。
SMF可以根据现有技术的策略，从该至少一个UPF中选择一个UPF，比如选择的UPF称为第一UPF。
步骤605，SMF向NRF发送第一UPF的信息，相应地，NRF可以接收到该第一UPF的信息。
步骤606，NRF记录第一切片的信息与第一UPF的信息之间的对应关系。
NRF记录第一切片的信息与第一UPF的信息之间的对应关系，以便于后续SMF再次请求为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话分配UPF时，可以向SMF返回第一UPF的信息，达到为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF的目的。
需要说明的是，若上述步骤603中，NRF向SMF仅发送了一个UPF的信息，则步骤604中SMF选择该UPF作为第一UPF，也即作为执行统一流量控制的UPF，则上述步骤605可以不需要执行。因为NRF可以知道SMF选择的是哪个UPF。
情形二，包括以下步骤607。
步骤607，NRF向SMF发送第一UPF的信息，相应地，SMF可以接收到第一UPF的信息。
NRF在接收到上述第一请求后，根据第一请求确定需要为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF，则尝试从本地获取第一切片对应的UPF，发现本地存储有第一切片对应的第一UPF的信息，则NRF向SMF发送第一UPF的信息。
可选的，SMF在为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择UPF之后，还可以记录在UPF的类型，如PSA UPF、或只有N9接口的UPF、或与RAN连接的UPF(也即具有N3接口的UPF)。其中，只有N9接口的UPF和具有N3接口的UPF可以作为ULCL UPF。例如，PDU会话本身需要多锚点的时候可以不选择PSA UPF作为要选择的统一执行流量控制的UPF，而选择与RAN连接的UPF作为统一执行流量控制的UPF。
可选的，SMF在为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话首次选择UPF时，可以选择至少两个UPF，其中一个UPF是通过上述步骤603至步骤606的方法选择的，可以作为终端设备在第一切片的所有PDU会话公用的UPF。其他UPF可以是按照现有技术的方法选择的，可以作为其他用途，比如作为PSA UPF等。
可选的，SMF在选择了UPF之后，还可以重新选择一个UPF，然后将为终端设备在第一切片的所有PDU会话选择的UPF切换为该重新选择的UPF。也即，SMF可以更新为PDU会话提供服务的UPF。由于该图6对应的实施例中，终端设备在第一切片内的不同PDU会话对应的SMF可能是不同的，因此当其中一个SMF更新了为PDU会话提供服务的UPF之后，还需要通知其他SMF存储的更新后的UPF的信息。也即，终端设备在第一切片内的不同PDU会话分别对应的SMF所存储的UPF的信息需要保持相同。作为一种实现方式，SMF也可以将更新的UPF信息发送给NRF，然后由NRF向其他选择原有UPF的SMF发送更新的UPF信息。作为另一种实现方式，SMF也可以将更新的UPF信息发送给AMF或UDM或PCF，然后由AMF或UDM或PCF向其他选择原有UPF的SMF发送更新的UPF信息。
基于上述方案，SMF为终端设备在同一切片的所有PDU会话选择同一UPF，从而该UPF可以为根据终端设备在切片的切片AMBR执行统一的流量控制，具体的，控制终端设备在该切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过该切片AMBR，提升了流量控 制的精确性。
上述实施例中，是基于终端设备粒度执行流量控制的，也即针对一个终端设备在第一个切片的所有PDU会话执行流量控制。作为另一种实现方案，也可以将上述实施例扩展为基于切片粒度执行流量控制，也即针对第一切片的所有PDU会话(可能来自不同的终端设备)执行流量控制。具体的，控制第一切片内的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过该第一切片的切片AMBR。这里的切片AMBR指的是整个切片允许的比特率上限，而不是某个终端设备在该第一切片内允许的比特率上限。也即，在该实现方案中，针对第一切片内的所有终端设备的PDU会话的流量，不再针对每个终端设备单独进行控制，而是作为一个整体进行控制。也即，由UPF控制第一切片内的所有PDU会话的non-GBR资源和/或GBR资源的当前比特率的总和不超过第一切片的切片AMBR。因此，第一切片内的所有PDU会话对应的是同一个UPF，在NRF中记录的是为第一切片的所有PDU会话选择的UPF。
如图7所示，为本申请实施例提供的又一种通信方法。该实施例是上述图4对应的实施例的一种具体示例。该方法是由UDM记录为终端设备在某个切片中的PDU会话已经选择的UPF，后续当该终端设备在该切片建立新的PDU会话时，则SMF会为新PDU会话选择相同的UPF。
该方法包括以下步骤：
步骤701，UDM向SMF发送第一指示信息和第一切片的标识，相应地，SMF可以接收到该第一指示信息和第一切片的信息。
该第一指示信息用于指示为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF。该UPF可以根据终端设备在第一切片的切片AMBR，执行流量控制。具体的，UPF控制终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过该切片AMBR。比如，UPF控制终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的non-GBR资源的当前比特率的总和不超过切片AMBR。再比如，UPF控制终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的GBR资源的当前比特率的总和不超过切片AMBR。再比如，UPF控制终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的non-GBR资源以及GBR资源的当前比特率的总和不超过切片AMBR。
第一切片的信息比如可以是S-NSSAI。
作为一种实现方法，可以是在终端设备的建立PDU会话的流程中执行上述步骤701。也即，在PDU会话的建立流程中，SMF从UDM接收到第一指示信息和第一切片的信息。
其中，若SMF是从UDM获取到第一指示信息和第一切片的信息，比如具体可以是：SMF从UDM获取到终端设备的签约数据，该签约数据包含第一指示信息和第一切片的信息。
步骤702，SMF向UDM发送第一请求，第一请求包含第一切片的标识，相应地，UDM可以接收到该第一请求。
该第一请求用于请求为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF。作为一种实现方法，该第一请求的名称本身可以用于请求为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF。作为另一种实现方法，第一请求中还携带第二指示信息，该第二指示信息用于请求为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF。
下面分两种情形来描述。
其中，情形一是SMF首次向UDM请求获取为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话分配的UPF的信息。
情形二是SMF后续(即非首次)向UDM请求获取为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话分配的UPF的信息。
情形一，包括以下步骤703至步骤706。
步骤703，UDM向SMF发送至少一个UPF的信息，相应地，SMF可以接收到该至少一个UPF的信息。
UDM在接收到上述第一请求后，根据第一请求确定需要为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF，则尝试从本地获取第一切片对应的UPF，发现本地没有存储第一切片对应的UPF。从而UDM向SMF发送至少一个UPF的信息，由SMF从中选择一个UPF。
步骤704，SMF从至少一个UPF中选择第一UPF。
SMF可以根据现有技术的策略，从该至少一个UPF中选择一个UPF，比如选择的UPF称为第一UPF。
步骤705，SMF向UDM发送第一UPF的信息，相应地，UDM可以接收到该第一UPF的信息。
步骤706，UDM记录第一切片的信息与第一UPF的信息之间的对应关系。
UDM记录第一切片的信息与第一UPF的信息之间的对应关系，以便于后续SMF再次请求为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话分配UPF时，可以向SMF返回第一UPF的信息，达到为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF的目的。
需要说明的是，若上述步骤703中，UDM向SMF仅发送了一个UPF的信息，则步骤704中SMF选择该UPF作为第一UPF，也即作为执行统一流量控制的UPF，则上述步骤705可以不需要执行。因为UDM可以知道SMF选择的是哪个UPF。
情形二，包括以下步骤707。
步骤707，UDM向SMF发送第一UPF的信息，相应地，SMF可以接收到第一UPF的信息。
UDM在接收到上述第一请求后，根据第一请求确定需要为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF，则尝试从本地获取第一切片对应的UPF，发现本地存储有第一切片对应的第一UPF的信息，则UDM向SMF发送第一UPF的信息。
可选的，SMF在为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择UPF之后，还可以记录在UPF的类型，如PSA UPF、或只有N9接口的UPF、或与RAN连接的UPF(也即具有N3接口的UPF)。其中，只有N9接口的UPF和具有N3接口的UPF可以作为ULCL UPF。例如，PDU会话本身需要多锚点的时候可以不选择PSA UPF作为要选择的统一执行流量控制的UPF，而选择与RAN连接的UPF作为统一执行流量控制的UPF。
可选的，SMF在为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话首次选择UPF时，可以选择至少两个UPF，其中一个UPF是通过上述步骤703至步骤706的方法选择的，可以作为终端设备在第一切片的所有PDU会话公用的UPF。其他UPF可以是按照现有技术的方法选择的，可以作为其他用途，比如作为PSA UPF等。
可选的，SMF在选择了UPF之后，还可以重新选择一个UPF，然后将为终端设备在第一切片的所有PDU会话选择的UPF切换为该重新选择的UPF。也即，SMF可以更新为PDU会话提供服务的UPF。由于该图7对应的实施例中，终端设备在第一切片内的不同PDU会话对应的SMF可能是不同的，因此当其中一个SMF更新了为PDU会话提供服务的UPF之后，还需要通知其他SMF存储的更新后的UPF的信息。也即，终端设备在第一切片内的不同PDU会话分别对应的SMF所存储的UPF的信息需要保持相同。作为一种实现方式，SMF也可以将更新的UPF信息发送给UDM，然后由UDM向其他选择原有UPF的SMF发送更新的UPF信息。作为另一种实现方式，SMF也可以将更新的UPF信息发送给AMF或PCF或NEF，然后由AMF或PCF或NEF向其他选择原有UPF的SMF发送更新的UPF信息。
基于上述方案，SMF为终端设备在同一切片的所有PDU会话选择同一UPF，从而该UPF可以为根据终端设备在切片的切片AMBR执行统一的流量控制，具体的，控制终端设备在该切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过该切片AMBR，提升了流量控制的精确性。
上述实施例中，是基于终端设备粒度执行流量控制的，也即针对一个终端设备在第一个切片的所有PDU会话执行流量控制。作为另一种实现方案，也可以将上述实施例扩展为基于切片粒度执行流量控制，也即针对第一切片的所有PDU会话(可能来自不同的终端设备)执行流量控制。具体的，控制第一切片内的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过该第一切片的切片AMBR。这里的切片AMBR指的是整个切片允许的比特率上限，而不是某个终端设备在该第一切片内允许的比特率上限。也即，在该实现方案中，针对第一切片内的所有终端设备的PDU会话的流量，不再针对每个终端设备单独进行控制，而是作为一个整体进行控制。也即，由UPF控制第一切片内的所有PDU会话的non-GBR资源和/或GBR资源的当前比特率的总和不超过第一切片的切片AMBR。因此，第一切片内的所有PDU会话对应的是同一个UPF，在UDM或UDR中记录的是为第一切片的所有PDU会话选择的UPF。
针对图7对应的实施例，作为另一种实现方案，也可以将UDM执行的操作替换为由PCF和UDR执行。比如，将SMF与UDM交互替换为SMF与PCF/NEF交互，且由UDR记录第一切片的信息与第一UPF的信息之间的对应关系。也即，上述步骤701至步骤705，以及步骤707替换为SMF与PCF/NEF之间的交互，且将步骤706替换为UDR的操作。进一步还增加PCF/NEF与UDR之间的交互，比如包括：PCF/NEF从UDR获取至少一个UPF的信息，以及向UDR发送SMF选择的第一UPF的信息。也即，SMF与PCF/NEF交互，PCF/NEF与UDR交互，UDR作为一个数据库，用于存储第一切片的信息与第一UPF的信息之间的对应关系。
针对图7对应的实施例，作为另一种实现方案，也可以将步骤706替换为UDR的操作。进一步还增加UDM与UDR之间的交互，比如包括：UDM从UDR获取至少一个UPF的信息，以及向UDR发送SMF选择的第一UPF的信息。也即，SMF与UDM交互，UDM与UDR交互，UDR作为一个数据库，用于存储第一切片的信息与第一UPF的信息之间的对应关系。
如图8所示，为本申请实施例提供的又一种通信方法。该实施例是上述图4对应的实 施例的一种具体示例。该方法是由AMF记录为终端设备在某个切片中的PDU会话已经选择的UPF，后续当该终端设备在该切片建立新的PDU会话时，则SMF会为新PDU会话选择相同的UPF。
该方法包括以下步骤：
步骤801，UDM/PCF向AMF发送第一指示信息和第一切片的标识，相应地，AMF可以接收到该第一指示信息和第一切片的信息。
该第一指示信息用于指示为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的SMF。
第一切片的信息比如可以是S-NSSAI。
作为一种实现方法，可以是在终端设备的注册流程中执行上述步骤801。也即，在终端设备的注册流程中，AMF从UDM或PCF接收到第一指示信息和第一切片的信息。
其中，若AMF是从UDM获取到第一指示信息和第一切片的信息，比如具体可以是：AMF从UDM获取到终端设备的签约数据，该签约数据包含第一指示信息和第一切片的信息。
若AMF是从PCF获取到指示信息和第一切片的信息，比如具体可以是：AMF从PCF获取到终端设备的策略信息，该策略信息包含第一指示信息和第一切片的信息。
下面分两种情形来描述。
其中，情形一是AMF首次选择SMF，则AMF没有存储第一切片的信息对应的UPF的信息。
情形二是AMF后续(非首次)选择SMF，且AMF将已经存储的第一切片的信息对应的第一UPF的信息发送给SMF。
情形一，包括以下步骤802至步骤805。
步骤802，AMF向SMF发送第二指示信息和第一切片的信息，相应地，SMF可以接收到第二指示信息和第一切片的信息。
第二指示信息用于请求为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF。该UPF可以根据终端设备在第一切片的切片AMBR，执行流量控制。具体的，UPF控制终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过该切片AMBR。比如，UPF控制终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的non-GBR资源的当前比特率的总和不超过切片AMBR。再比如，UPF控制终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的GBR资源的当前比特率的总和不超过切片AMBR。再比如，UPF控制终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的non-GBR资源以及GBR资源的当前比特率的总和不超过切片AMBR。
步骤803，SMF选择第一UPF。
SMF接收到第二指示信息后，为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择一个UPF，比如将选择的UPF称为第一UPF。然后，SMF还需要将第一UPF的信息发送至AMF进行存储。
步骤804，SMF向AMF发送第一UPF的信息，相应地，AMF可以接收到该第一UPF的信息。
步骤805，AMF记录第一切片的信息与第一UPF的信息之间的对应关系。
AMF记录第一切片的信息与第一UPF的信息之间的对应关系，以便于后续为终端设备在第一切片的其他PDU会话选择了相同的SMF之后，将第一切片的信息对应的第一UPF 的信息发送至SMF，以保证SMF选择相同的UPF执行流量控制。
情形二，包括以下步骤806。
步骤806，AMF向SMF发送第一UPF的信息，相应地，SMF可以接收到第一UPF的信息。
AMF若不是首次为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择SMF，则AMF从本地获取第一切片的信息对应的第一UPF的信息，并向SMF发送第一UPF的信息。
可选的，SMF在为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话选择UPF之后，还可以记录在UPF的类型，如PSA UPF、或只有N9接口的UPF、或与RAN连接的UPF(也即具有N3接口的UPF)。其中，只有N9接口的UPF和具有N3接口的UPF可以作为ULCL UPF。例如，PDU会话本身需要多锚点的时候可以不选择PSA UPF作为要选择的统一执行流量控制的UPF，而选择与RAN连接的UPF作为统一执行流量控制的UPF。
可选的，SMF在为终端设备在第一切片的PDU会话首次选择UPF时，可以选择至少两个UPF，其中一个UPF是通过上述步骤802至步骤805的方法选择的，可以作为终端设备在第一切片的所有PDU会话公用的UPF。其他UPF可以是按照现有技术的方法选择的，可以作为其他用途，比如作为PSA UPF等。
可选的，SMF在选择了UPF之后，还可以重新选择一个UPF，然后将为终端设备在第一切片的所有PDU会话选择的UPF切换为该重新选择的UPF。也即，SMF可以更新为PDU会话提供服务的UPF。由于该图8对应的实施例中，终端设备在第一切片内的不同PDU会话对应的SMF可能是不同的，因此当其中一个SMF更新了为PDU会话提供服务的UPF之后，还需要通知其他SMF存储的更新后的UPF的信息。也即，终端设备在第一切片内的不同PDU会话分别对应的SMF所存储的UPF的信息需要保持相同。作为一种实现方式，SMF需要将更新的UPF信息发送给AMF。AMF可以向其他选择原有UPF的SMF发送更新的UPF信息。作为另一种实现方式，SMF也可以将更新的UPF信息发送给UDM或PCF或NEF(可能进一步发送给UDR，如图7对应的实施例描述)，然后由UDM或PCF或NEF向其他选择原有UPF的SMF发送更新的UPF信息。
基于上述方案，SMF为终端设备在同一切片的所有PDU会话选择同一UPF，从而该UPF可以为根据终端设备在切片的切片AMBR执行统一的流量控制，具体的，控制终端设备在该切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过该切片AMBR，提升了流量控制的精确性。
上述实施例中，是基于终端设备粒度执行流量控制的，也即针对一个终端设备在第一个切片的所有PDU会话执行流量控制。作为另一种实现方案，也可以将上述实施例扩展为基于切片粒度执行流量控制，也即针对第一切片的所有PDU会话(可能来自不同的终端设备)执行流量控制。具体的，控制第一切片内的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过该第一切片的切片AMBR。这里的切片AMBR指的是整个切片允许的比特率上限，而不是某个终端设备在该第一切片内允许的比特率上限。也即，在该实现方案中，针对第一切片内的所有终端设备的PDU会话的流量，不再针对每个终端设备单独进行控制，而是作为一个整体进行控制。也即，由UPF控制第一切片内的所有PDU会话的non-GBR资源和/或GBR资源的当前比特率的总和不超过第一切片的切片AMBR。因此，第一切片内 的所有PDU会话对应的是同一个UPF，在AMF中记录的是为第一切片的所有PDU会话选择的UPF。并且，该基于切片粒度的流量控制方案中，还要求接入该第一切片的所有终端设备需要选择同一个AMF。
如图9所示，为本申请实施例提供的又一种通信方法。该方法由AMF为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的SMF，且该SMF可以根据终端设备在第一切片的切片AMBR执行PDU会话的控制。该实施例中，并不要求SMF为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的UPF，因此当SMF为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同了不同的UPF时，无法做到由UPF控制终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过终端设备在第一切片的切片AMBR。但可以由SMF发现终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和超过终端设备在第一切片的切片AMBR的时候(比如通过对应UPF上报的当前比特率)，修改或释放某些PDU会话，以使得终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过终端设备在第一切片的切片AMBR。
该方法包括以下步骤：
步骤901至步骤902，同图5实施例的步骤501至步骤502，可参考前述描述。
步骤903，AMF向SMF发送PDU会话建立请求，相应地，SMF可以接收到该PDU会话建立请求。
PDU会话建立请求用于请求建立PDU会话。
步骤904，SMF根据终端设备在第一切片的切片AMBR，执行PDU会话控制。
其中，SMF可以从PCF、UPF、UDM或UDR中获取终端设备在第一切片的切片AMBR。
后续，在PDU会话建立后，SMF可以获取终端设备在第一切片内的各个PDU会话的当前比特率，比如可以是各个UPF将终端在第一切片的PDU会话的当前比特率上报给SMF。当终端设备在第一切片内的各个PDU会话的当前比特率的总和，超过终端设备在第一切片的切片AMBR，则触发SMF释放或修改部分或全部的PDU会话，以使得终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过终端设备在第一切片的切片AMBR，从而达到控制流量的目的。
基于上述方案，AMF为终端设备在第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的SMF，且该SMF可以根据终端设备在第一切片的切片AMBR执行PDU会话的控制，从而提高流量控制的精确度。
上述主要从各个网元之间交互的角度对本申请提供的方案进行了介绍。可以理解的是，上述实现各网元为了实现上述功能，其包含了执行各个功能相应的硬件结构和/或软件模块。本领域技术人员应该很容易意识到，结合本文中所公开的实施例描述的各示例的单元及算法步骤，本发明能够以硬件或硬件和计算机软件的结合形式来实现。某个功能究竟以硬件还是计算机软件驱动硬件的方式来执行，取决于技术方案的特定应用和设计约束条件。专业技术人员可以对每个特定的应用来使用不同方法来实现所描述的功能，但是这种实现不应认为超出本发明的范围。
可以理解的是，上述各个方法实施例中，对应由移动性管理网元实现的步骤或者操作，也可以由配置于移动性管理网元的部件(例如芯片或者电路)实现，对应由会话管理网元实现的步骤或者操作，也可以由配置于会话管理网元的部件(例如芯片或者电路)实现， 对应由数据管理网元实现的步骤或者操作，也可以由配置于数据管理网元的部件(例如芯片或者电路)实现，对应由数据库实现的步骤或者操作，也可以由配置于数据库的部件(例如芯片或者电路)实现，对应由网络存储网元实现的步骤或者操作，也可以由配置于网络存储网元的部件(例如芯片或者电路)实现。
参考图10，为本申请实施例提供的一种通信装置的示意图。该装置用于实现上述图4至图9任意实施例中对应会话管理网元所执行的各个步骤，如图10所示，该装置1000包括收发单元1010和选择单元1020。
收发单元1010，用于接收指示信息和第一切片的信息；选择单元1020，用于根据所述指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同协议数据单元PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，所述用户面网元用于控制所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过所述终端设备在所述第一切片的切片聚合最大比特率AMBR。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述选择单元1020，具体用于根据所述第一切片的信息与所述第一用户面网元的信息之间的对应关系，选择所述第一用户面网元。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述选择单元1020，具体用于：通过所述收发单元1010向网络存储网元或数据管理网元发送第一请求，用于请求获取为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元；通过所述收发单元1010从所述网络存储网元或所述数据管理网元接收至少一个用户面网元的信息；从所述至少一个用户面网元中选择第一用户面网元；以及通过所述收发单元1010向所述网络存储网元或所述数据管理网元发送所述第一用户面网元的信息；或者，通过所述收发单元1010从所述网络存储网元或所述数据管理网元接收所述第一用户面网元的信息。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述选择单元1020，具体用于根据所述指示信息，确定是首次为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的PDU会话选择用户面网元，则选择第一用户面网元；所述收发单元1010，还用于向移动性管理网元发送所述第一用户面网元的信息。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述收发单元1010，还用于从所述移动性管理网元接收所述第一用户面网元的信息；所述选择单元1020，还用于根据所述第一用户面网元的信息，确定不是首次为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的PDU会话选择用户面网元，则选择所述第一用户面网元。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述收发单元1010，用于接收指示信息和第一切片的信息，具体包括：用于从移动性管理网元、数据管理网元或策略控制网元接收所述指示信息和所述第一切片的信息。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述用户面网元是PDU会话锚点用户面网元、只有N9接口的用户面网元、或具有N3接口的用户面网元。
可选的，上述通信装置1000还可以包括存储单元，该存储单元用于存储数据或者指令(也可以称为代码或者程序)，上述各个单元可以和存储单元交互或者耦合，以实现对应的方法或者功能。例如，选择单元1020可以读取存储单元中的数据或者指令，使得通信装置实现上述实施例中的方法。
应理解以上装置中单元的划分仅仅是一种逻辑功能的划分，实际实现时可以全部或部分集成到一个物理实体上，也可以物理上分开。且装置中的单元可以全部以软件通过处理元件调用的形式实现；也可以全部以硬件的形式实现；还可以部分单元以软件通过处理元 件调用的形式实现，部分单元以硬件的形式实现。例如，各个单元可以为单独设立的处理元件，也可以集成在装置的某一个芯片中实现，此外，也可以以程序的形式存储于存储器中，由装置的某一个处理元件调用并执行该单元的功能。此外这些单元全部或部分可以集成在一起，也可以独立实现。这里所述的处理元件又可以成为处理器，可以是一种具有信号的处理能力的集成电路。在实现过程中，上述方法的各步骤或以上各个单元可以通过处理器元件中的硬件的集成逻辑电路实现或者以软件通过处理元件调用的形式实现。
在一个例子中，以上任一装置中的单元可以是被配置成实施以上方法的一个或多个集成电路，例如：一个或多个特定集成电路(Application Specific Integrated Circuit，ASIC)，或，一个或多个微处理器(digital singnal processor，DSP)，或，一个或者多个现场可编程门阵列(Field Programmable Gate Array，FPGA)，或这些集成电路形式中至少两种的组合。再如，当装置中的单元可以通过处理元件调度程序的形式实现时，该处理元件可以是通用处理器，例如中央处理器(Central Processing Unit，CPU)或其它可以调用程序的处理器。再如，这些单元可以集成在一起，以片上系统(system-on-a-chip，SOC)的形式实现。
以上收发单元1010是一种该装置的接口电路，用于从其它装置接收信号。例如，当该装置以芯片的方式实现时，该收发单元1010是该芯片用于从其它芯片或装置收发信号的接口电路。
参考图11，为本申请实施例提供的又一种通信装置的示意图。该装置用于实现上述图5实施例中对应移动性管理网元所执行的各个步骤，如图11所示，该装置1100包括收发单元1110和选择单元1120。可选的，该装置1100还包括记录单元1130。
所述收发单元1110，用于接收第一指示信息和第一切片的信息；所述选择单元1120，用于根据所述第一指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同协议数据单元PDU会话选择相同的会话管理网元；所述收发单元1110，还用于向所述会话管理网元发送第二指示信息和所述第一切片的信息，所述第二指示信息用于指示为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，所述用户面网元用于控制所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过所述终端设备在所述第一切片的切片聚合最大比特率AMBR。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述收发单元1110，还用于从所述会话管理网元接收第一用户面网元的信息；记录单元1130，用于记录所述第一切片的信息与所述第一用户面网元的信息之间的对应关系。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述收发单元1110，用于接收第一指示信息和第一切片的信息，具体包括：用于从数据管理网元接收所述终端设备的签约数据，所述签约数据包含所述第一指示信息和所述第一切片的信息。
在一种可能的实现方法中，所述用户面网元是PDU会话锚点用户面网元、只有N9接口的用户面网元、或具有N3接口的用户面网元。
可选的，上述通信装置1100还可以包括存储单元，该存储单元用于存储数据或者指令(也可以称为代码或者程序)，上述各个单元可以和存储单元交互或者耦合，以实现对应的方法或者功能。
应理解以上装置中单元的划分仅仅是一种逻辑功能的划分，实际实现时可以全部或部分集成到一个物理实体上，也可以物理上分开。且装置中的单元可以全部以软件通过处理 元件调用的形式实现；也可以全部以硬件的形式实现；还可以部分单元以软件通过处理元件调用的形式实现，部分单元以硬件的形式实现。例如，各个单元可以为单独设立的处理元件，也可以集成在装置的某一个芯片中实现，此外，也可以以程序的形式存储于存储器中，由装置的某一个处理元件调用并执行该单元的功能。此外这些单元全部或部分可以集成在一起，也可以独立实现。这里所述的处理元件又可以成为处理器，可以是一种具有信号的处理能力的集成电路。在实现过程中，上述方法的各步骤或以上各个单元可以通过处理器元件中的硬件的集成逻辑电路实现或者以软件通过处理元件调用的形式实现。
在一个例子中，以上任一装置中的单元可以是被配置成实施以上方法的一个或多个集成电路，例如：一个或多个特定集成电路(ASIC)，或，一个或多个微处理器(DSP)，或，一个或者多个现场可编程门阵列(FPGA)，或这些集成电路形式中至少两种的组合。再如，当装置中的单元可以通过处理元件调度程序的形式实现时，该处理元件可以是通用处理器，例如中央处理器(CPU)或其它可以调用程序的处理器。再如，这些单元可以集成在一起，以片上系统(SOC)的形式实现。
以上收发单元1110是一种该装置的接口电路，用于从其它装置接收信号。例如，当该装置以芯片的方式实现时，该收发单元1110是该芯片用于从其它芯片或装置收发信号的接口电路。
应理解以上装置中单元的划分仅仅是一种逻辑功能的划分，实际实现时可以全部或部分集成到一个物理实体上，也可以物理上分开。且装置中的单元可以全部以软件通过处理元件调用的形式实现；也可以全部以硬件的形式实现；还可以部分单元以软件通过处理元件调用的形式实现，部分单元以硬件的形式实现。例如，各个单元可以为单独设立的处理元件，也可以集成在装置的某一个芯片中实现，此外，也可以以程序的形式存储于存储器中，由装置的某一个处理元件调用并执行该单元的功能。此外这些单元全部或部分可以集成在一起，也可以独立实现。这里所述的处理元件又可以成为处理器，可以是一种具有信号的处理能力的集成电路。在实现过程中，上述方法的各步骤或以上各个单元可以通过处理器元件中的硬件的集成逻辑电路实现或者以软件通过处理元件调用的形式实现。
在一个例子中，以上任一装置中的单元可以是被配置成实施以上方法的一个或多个集成电路，例如：一个或多个特定集成电路(ASIC)，或，一个或多个微处理器(DSP)，或，一个或者多个现场可编程门阵列(FPGA)，或这些集成电路形式中至少两种的组合。再如，当装置中的单元可以通过处理元件调度程序的形式实现时，该处理元件可以是通用处理器，例如中央处理器(CPU)或其它可以调用程序的处理器。再如，这些单元可以集成在一起，以片上系统(SOC)的形式实现。
参考图12，为本申请实施例提供的又一种通信装置示意图，用于实现以上实施例中移动性管理网元、或会话管理网元的操作。如图12所示，该通信装置包括：处理器1210和接口1230，可选的，该通信装置还包括存储器1220。接口1230用于实现与其他设备进行通信。
以上实施例中移动性管理网元、或会话管理网元执行的方法可以通过处理器1210调用存储器(可以是移动性管理网元、或会话管理网元中的存储器1220，也可以是外部存储器)中存储的程序来实现。即，用于移动性管理网元、或会话管理网元的装置可以包括处理器1210，该处理器1210通过调用存储器中的程序，以执行以上方法实施例中的移动性 管理网元、或会话管理网元执行的方法。这里的处理器可以是一种具有信号的处理能力的集成电路，例如CPU。用于移动性管理网元、或会话管理网元的装置可以通过配置成实施以上方法的一个或多个集成电路来实现。例如：一个或多个ASIC，或，一个或多个微处理器DSP，或，一个或者多个FPGA等，或这些集成电路形式中至少两种的组合。或者，可以结合以上实现方式。
具体的，图10中的收发单元1010和选择单元1020的功能/实现过程可以通过图12所示的通信装置1200中的处理器1210调用存储器1220中存储的计算机可执行指令来实现。或者，图10中的选择单元1020的功能/实现过程可以通过图12所示的通信装置1200中的处理器1210调用存储器1220中存储的计算机执行指令来实现，图10中的收发单元1010的功能/实现过程可以通过图12中所示的通信装置1200中的接口1230来实现。
具体的，图11中的收发单元1110、选择单元1120和记录单元1130的功能/实现过程可以通过图12所示的通信装置1200中的处理器1210调用存储器1220中存储的计算机可执行指令来实现。或者，图11中的选择单元1120和记录单元1130的功能/实现过程可以通过图12所示的通信装置1200中的处理器1210调用存储器1220中存储的计算机执行指令来实现，图11中的收发单元1110的功能/实现过程可以通过图12中所示的通信装置1200中的接口1230来实现。
在上述实施例中，可以全部或部分地通过软件、硬件、固件或者其任意组合来实现。当使用软件实现时，可以全部或部分地以计算机程序产品的形式实现。所述计算机程序产品包括一个或多个计算机指令。在计算机上加载和执行所述计算机程序指令时，全部或部分地产生按照本申请实施例所述的流程或功能。所述计算机可以是通用计算机、专用计算机、计算机网络、或者其他可编程装置。所述计算机指令可以存储在计算机可读存储介质中，或者从一个计算机可读存储介质向另一个计算机可读存储介质传输，例如，所述计算机指令可以从一个网站站点、计算机、服务器或数据中心通过有线(例如同轴电缆、光纤、数字用户线(DSL))或无线(例如红外、无线、微波等)方式向另一个网站站点、计算机、服务器或数据中心进行传输。所述计算机可读存储介质可以是计算机能够存取的任何可用介质或者是包括一个或多个可用介质集成的服务器、数据中心等数据存储设备。所述可用介质可以是磁性介质，(例如，软盘、硬盘、磁带)、光介质(例如，DVD)、或者半导体介质(例如固态硬盘(solid state disk，SSD))等。
本申请实施例中所描述的各种说明性的逻辑单元和电路可以通过通用处理器，数字信号处理器，专用集成电路(ASIC)，现场可编程门阵列(FPGA)或其它可编程逻辑装置，离散门或晶体管逻辑，离散硬件部件，或上述任何组合的设计来实现或操作所描述的功能。通用处理器可以为微处理器，可选地，该通用处理器也可以为任何传统的处理器、控制器、微控制器或状态机。处理器也可以通过计算装置的组合来实现，例如数字信号处理器和微处理器，多个微处理器，一个或多个微处理器联合一个数字信号处理器核，或任何其它类似的配置来实现。
本申请实施例中所描述的方法或算法的步骤可以直接嵌入硬件、处理器执行的软件单元、或者这两者的结合。软件单元可以存储于随机存取存储器(Random Access Memory，RAM)、闪存、只读存储器(Read-Only Memory，ROM)、EPROM存储器、EEPROM存储器、寄存器、硬盘、可移动磁盘、CD-ROM或本领域中其它任意形式的存储媒介中。示例性地，存储媒介可以与处理器连接，以使得处理器可以从存储媒介中读取信息，并可以 向存储媒介存写信息。可选地，存储媒介还可以集成到处理器中。处理器和存储媒介可以设置于ASIC中。
这些计算机程序指令也可装载到计算机或其他可编程数据处理设备上，使得在计算机或其他可编程设备上执行一系列操作步骤以产生计算机实现的处理，从而在计算机或其他可编程设备上执行的指令提供用于实现在流程图一个流程或多个流程和/或方框图一个方框或多个方框中指定的功能的步骤。
在一个或多个示例性的设计中，本申请所描述的上述功能可以在硬件、软件、固件或这三者的任意组合来实现。如果在软件中实现，这些功能可以存储与电脑可读的媒介上，或以一个或多个指令或代码形式传输于电脑可读的媒介上。电脑可读媒介包括电脑存储媒介和便于使得让电脑程序从一个地方转移到其它地方的通信媒介。存储媒介可以是任何通用或特殊电脑可以接入访问的可用媒体。例如，这样的电脑可读媒体可以包括但不限于RAM、ROM、EEPROM、CD-ROM或其它光盘存储、磁盘存储或其它磁性存储装置，或其它任何可以用于承载或存储以指令或数据结构和其它可被通用或特殊电脑、或通用或特殊处理器读取形式的程序代码的媒介。此外，任何连接都可以被适当地定义为电脑可读媒介，例如，如果软件是从一个网站站点、服务器或其它远程资源通过一个同轴电缆、光纤电脑、双绞线、数字用户线(DSL)或以例如红外、无线和微波等无线方式传输的也被包含在所定义的电脑可读媒介中。所述的碟片(disk)和磁盘(disc)包括压缩磁盘、镭射盘、光盘、数字通用光盘(英文：Digital Versatile Disc，简称：DVD)、软盘和蓝光光盘，磁盘通常以磁性复制数据，而碟片通常以激光进行光学复制数据。上述的组合也可以包含在电脑可读媒介中。
本领域技术人员应该可以意识到，在上述一个或多个示例中，本申请所描述的功能可以用硬件、软件、固件或它们的任意组合来实现。当使用软件实现时，可以将这些功能存储在计算机可读介质中或者作为计算机可读介质上的一个或多个指令或代码进行传输。计算机可读介质包括计算机存储介质和通信介质，其中通信介质包括便于从一个地方向另一个地方传送计算机程序的任何介质。存储介质可以是通用或专用计算机能够存取的任何可用介质。
以上所述的具体实施方式，对本申请的目的、技术方案和有益效果进行了进一步详细说明，所应理解的是，以上所述仅为本申请的具体实施方式而已，并不用于限定本申请的保护范围，凡在本申请的技术方案的基础之上，所做的任何修改、等同替换、改进等，均应包括在本申请的保护范围之内。本申请说明书的上述描述可以使得本领域技术任何可以利用或实现本申请的内容，任何基于所公开内容的修改都应该被认为是本领域显而易见的，本申请所描述的基本原则可以应用到其它变形中而不偏离本申请的发明本质和范围。因此，本申请所公开的内容不仅仅局限于所描述的实施例和设计，还可以扩展到与本申请原则和所公开的新特征一致的最大范围。
尽管结合具体特征及其实施例对本申请进行了描述，显而易见的，在不脱离本申请的精神和范围的情况下，可对其进行各种修改和组合。相应地，本说明书和附图仅仅是所附权利要求所界定的本申请的示例性说明，且视为已覆盖本申请范围内的任意和所有修改、变化、组合或等同物。显然，本领域的技术人员可以对本申请进行各种改动和变型而不脱离本申请的范围。这样，倘若本申请的这些修改和变型属于本申请权利要求及其等同技术的范围之内，则本申请也意图包括这些改动和变型在内。

Claims (33)

  1. 一种通信方法，其特征在于，包括：
    会话管理网元接收指示信息和第一切片的信息；
    所述会话管理网元根据所述指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同协议数据单元PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，所述用户面网元用于控制所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过所述终端设备在所述第一切片的切片聚合最大比特率AMBR。
  2. 如权利要求1所述的通信方法，其特征在于，
    所述会话管理网元根据所述指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，包括：
    所述会话管理网元根据所述第一切片的信息与所述第一用户面网元的信息之间的对应关系，选择所述第一用户面网元。
  3. 如权利要求1所述的通信方法，其特征在于，
    所述会话管理网元根据所述指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，包括：
    所述会话管理网元向网络存储网元或数据管理网元发送第一请求，用于请求获取为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元；
    所述会话管理网元从所述网络存储网元或所述数据管理网元接收至少一个用户面网元的信息；从所述至少一个用户面网元中选择第一用户面网元；以及向所述网络存储网元或所述数据管理网元发送所述第一用户面网元的信息；或者，
    所述会话管理网元从所述网络存储网元或所述数据管理网元接收所述第一用户面网元的信息。
  4. 如权利要求1所述的通信方法，其特征在于，
    所述会话管理网元根据所述指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，包括：
    所述会话管理网元根据所述指示信息，确定是首次为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的PDU会话选择用户面网元，则选择第一用户面网元；
    所述方法还包括：
    所述会话管理网元向移动性管理网元发送所述第一用户面网元的信息。
  5. 如权利要求4所述的通信方法，其特征在于，还包括：
    所述会话管理网元从所述移动性管理网元接收所述第一用户面网元的信息；
    所述会话管理网元根据所述第一用户面网元的信息，确定不是首次为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的PDU会话选择用户面网元，则选择所述第一用户面网元。
  6. 如权利要求1-5任一所述的通信方法，其特征在于，所述会话管理网元接收指示信息和第一切片的信息，包括：
    所述会话管理网元从移动性管理网元、数据管理网元或策略控制网元接收所述指示信息和所述第一切片的信息。
  7. 如权利要求1-6任一所述的通信方法，其特征在于，所述用户面网元是PDU会话锚点用户面网元、只有N9接口的用户面网元、或具有N3接口的用户面网元。
  8. 一种通信方法，其特征在于，包括：
    移动性管理网元接收第一指示信息和第一切片的信息；
    所述移动性管理网元根据所述第一指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同协议数据单元PDU会话选择相同的会话管理网元；
    所述移动性管理网元向所述会话管理网元发送第二指示信息和所述第一切片的信息，所述第二指示信息用于指示为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，所述用户面网元用于控制所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过所述终端设备在所述第一切片的切片聚合最大比特率AMBR。
  9. 如权利要求8所述的通信方法，其特征在于，还包括：
    所述移动性管理网元从所述会话管理网元接收第一用户面网元的信息；
    所述移动性管理网元记录所述第一切片的信息与所述第一用户面网元的信息之间的对应关系。
  10. 如权利要求8或9所述的通信方法，其特征在于，所述移动性管理网元接收第一指示信息和第一切片的信息，包括：
    所述移动性管理网元从数据管理网元接收所述终端设备的签约数据，所述签约数据包含所述第一指示信息和所述第一切片的信息。
  11. 如权利要求8-10任一所述的通信方法，其特征在于，所述用户面网元是PDU会话锚点用户面网元、只有N9接口的用户面网元、或具有N3接口的用户面网元。
  12. 一种通信装置，其特征在于，包括：
    收发单元，用于接收指示信息和第一切片的信息；
    选择单元，用于根据所述指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同协议数据单元PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，所述用户面网元用于控制所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过所述终端设备在所述第一切片的切片聚合最大比特率AMBR。
  13. 如权利要求12所述的通信装置，其特征在于，所述选择单元，具体用于根据所述第一切片的信息与所述第一用户面网元的信息之间的对应关系，选择所述第一用户面网元。
  14. 如权利要求12所述的通信装置，其特征在于，所述选择单元，具体用于：
    通过所述收发单元向网络存储网元或数据管理网元发送第一请求，用于请求获取为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元；
    通过所述收发单元从所述网络存储网元或所述数据管理网元接收至少一个用户面网元的信息；从所述至少一个用户面网元中选择第一用户面网元；以及通过所述收发单元向所述网络存储网元或所述数据管理网元发送所述第一用户面网元的信息；或者，
    通过所述收发单元从所述网络存储网元或所述数据管理网元接收所述第一用户面网元的信息。
  15. 如权利要求12所述的通信装置，其特征在于，所述选择单元，具体用于根据所述指示信息，确定是首次为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的PDU会话选择用户面网元，则选择第一用户面网元；
    所述收发单元，还用于向移动性管理网元发送所述第一用户面网元的信息。
  16. 如权利要求15所述的通信装置，其特征在于，所述收发单元，还用于从所述移 动性管理网元接收所述第一用户面网元的信息；
    所述选择单元，还用于根据所述第一用户面网元的信息，确定不是首次为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的PDU会话选择用户面网元，则选择所述第一用户面网元。
  17. 如权利要求12-16任一所述的通信装置，其特征在于，所述收发单元，用于接收指示信息和第一切片的信息，具体包括：
    用于从移动性管理网元、数据管理网元或策略控制网元接收所述指示信息和所述第一切片的信息。
  18. 如权利要求12-17任一所述的通信装置，其特征在于，所述用户面网元是PDU会话锚点用户面网元、只有N9接口的用户面网元、或具有N3接口的用户面网元。
  19. 一种通信装置，其特征在于，包括收发单元和选择单元；
    所述收发单元，用于接收第一指示信息和第一切片的信息；
    所述选择单元，用于根据所述第一指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同协议数据单元PDU会话选择相同的会话管理网元；
    所述收发单元，还用于向所述会话管理网元发送第二指示信息和所述第一切片的信息，所述第二指示信息用于指示为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，所述用户面网元用于控制所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过所述终端设备在所述第一切片的切片聚合最大比特率AMBR。
  20. 如权利要求19所述的通信装置，其特征在于，所述收发单元，还用于从所述会话管理网元接收第一用户面网元的信息；
    所述通信装置还包括记录单元，用于记录所述第一切片的信息与所述第一用户面网元的信息之间的对应关系。
  21. 如权利要求19或20所述的通信装置，其特征在于，所述收发单元，用于接收第一指示信息和第一切片的信息，具体包括：
    用于从数据管理网元接收所述终端设备的签约数据，所述签约数据包含所述第一指示信息和所述第一切片的信息。
  22. 如权利要求19-21任一所述的通信装置，其特征在于，所述用户面网元是PDU会话锚点用户面网元、只有N9接口的用户面网元、或具有N3接口的用户面网元。
  23. 一种通信系统，其特征在于，包括：会话管理网元和第一网元；
    所述第一网元，用于向所述会话管理网元发送指示信息和第一切片的信息；
    所述会话管理网元，用于从所述第一网元接收所述指示信息和所述第一切片的信息；根据所述指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同协议数据单元PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，所述用户面网元用于控制所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话的当前比特率的总和不超过所述终端设备在所述第一切片的切片聚合最大比特率AMBR。
  24. 如权利要求23所述的通信系统，其特征在于，所述会话管理网元，用于根据所述指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，具体包括：
    用于根据所述第一切片的信息与所述第一用户面网元的信息之间的对应关系，选择所述第一用户面网元。
  25. 如权利要求23所述的通信系统，其特征在于，所述会话管理网元，用于根据所述指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，具体 包括：
    用于向网络存储网元或数据管理网元发送第一请求，用于请求获取为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元；
    用于从所述网络存储网元或所述数据管理网元接收至少一个用户面网元的信息；从所述至少一个用户面网元中选择第一用户面网元；以及向所述网络存储网元或所述数据管理网元发送所述第一用户面网元的信息；或者，
    用于从所述网络存储网元或所述数据管理网元接收所述第一用户面网元的信息。
  26. 如权利要求23所述的通信系统，其特征在于，所述会话管理网元，用于根据所述指示信息，为终端设备在所述第一切片的不同PDU会话选择相同的用户面网元，具体包括：
    用于根据所述指示信息，确定是首次为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的PDU会话选择用户面网元，则选择第一用户面网元；
    所述会话管理网元，还用于向移动性管理网元发送所述第一用户面网元的信息。
  27. 如权利要求26所述的通信系统，其特征在于，所述会话管理网元，还用于：
    从所述移动性管理网元接收所述第一用户面网元的信息；
    根据所述第一用户面网元的信息，确定不是首次为所述终端设备在所述第一切片的PDU会话选择用户面网元，则选择所述第一用户面网元。
  28. 如权利要求23-27任一所述的通信系统，其特征在于，所述第一网元是移动性管理网元、数据管理网元或策略控制网元。
  29. 如权利要求23-28任一所述的通信系统，其特征在于，所述用户面网元是PDU会话锚点用户面网元、只有N9接口的用户面网元、或具有N3接口的用户面网元。
  30. 一种计算机可读存储介质，其特征在于，包括指令，当其在计算机上运行时，使得计算机执行如权利要求1-11任一所述的方法。
  31. 一种通信装置，其特征在于，包括：处理器，所述处理器与存储器耦合，所述存储器用于存储程序或指令，当所述程序或指令被所述处理器执行时，使得所述装置执行如权利要求1-7任一所述的方法，或使得所述装置执行如权利要求8-11任一项所述的方法。
  32. 一种通信装置，其特征在于，包括：处理器和接口；
    所述处理器用于控制所述装置执行如权利要求1-7任一项所述的方法，或控制所述装置执行如权利要求8-11任一所述的方法；
    所述处理器还用于控制所述接口与其他装置通信。
  33. 一种计算机程序产品，其特征在于，所述计算机程序产品包括计算机程序，当所述计算机程序运行时，使得权利要求1-11任一所述方法被执行。
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