WO2022032521A1

WO2022032521A1 - Control signaling acquisition method, apparatus and system based on user plane

Info

Publication number: WO2022032521A1
Application number: PCT/CN2020/108646
Authority: WO
Inventors: 余芳; 李岩
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司
Priority date: 2020-08-12
Filing date: 2020-08-12
Publication date: 2022-02-17

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present application is a control signaling acquisition method based on a user plane. The method comprises: acquiring first information, the first information being used to identify user plane data packets comprising control signaling; receiving a first user plane data packet from a communication device; and if the first user plane data packet matches the first information, acquiring control signaling from the first user plane data packet. By means of the method, there is no need to attempt to acquire control signaling from each user plane data packet, so that the control signaling processing performance is improved.

Description

User plane-based control signaling acquisition method, device and system

technical field

The present application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a method, apparatus, and system for obtaining control signaling based on a user plane.

Background technique

In a communication network where edge computing is deployed, an edge application server (EAS) may need to obtain network information from the communication network to support edge computing services. For example, the EAS may need to subscribe to or obtain network congestion information from the communication network, or request the communication network to monitor a quality of service (QoS) status to obtain a QoS measurement report. This is also known as openness of network capabilities or openness of network information. Generally, the above-mentioned network information is provided by access network equipment or user plane network elements. Currently, there are two ways of opening network information, one is network information opening based on the control plane, and the other is network information opening based on the user plane.

The network information opening method based on the control plane means that the application server sends signaling through the control-oriented communication network to subscribe or obtain the required network information. For example, the application server interacts with the control plane network elements (such as mobility management network elements, session management network elements, and policy and control function network elements) of the communication network through the network exposure function (NEF), and subscribes to or obtains the required The above-mentioned network information is then instructed or controlled by the above-mentioned control plane network element or the base station or user plane network element to provide the above-mentioned network information. For some network information with high real-time requirements, the network information opening method based on the control plane may not meet the real-time requirements. In this case, the network information opening method based on the user plane can be adopted.

The user plane-based network information opening method means that the application server sends the signaling of subscribing or acquiring network information to the base station or user plane network element through the user plane, and the base station or user plane network element provides the above-mentioned signaling according to the received signaling. Internet Information. For example, the user plane data packet sent by the application server to the user plane network element carries signaling, and the user plane network element obtains the signaling from the user plane data packet and provides the required network information to the application server. Since the above signaling does not need to pass through the network element of the control plane, it has advantages in real-time performance. However, the processing performance of the control signaling based on the user plane is low and cannot meet the scenario of a large number of signaling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present application are used to provide a method, apparatus and system for obtaining user plane-based control signaling, which are used to improve the processing performance of user plane-based control signaling.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the embodiments of the present application provide the following solutions.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for acquiring control signaling based on a user plane. The method includes: acquiring first information, where the first information is used to identify a user plane data packet including control signaling; The device receives the first user plane data packet; if the first user plane data packet matches the first information, acquires the control signaling from the first user plane data packet.

With the method for acquiring control signaling based on the user plane provided in the first aspect, the control signaling is acquired from the user plane data packet that matches the first information, and the control signaling does not need to be acquired from the user plane that does not match the first information. , so that there is no need to try to obtain control signaling from each user plane data packet, which improves the processing performance of control signaling.

As a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the communication device is an application server; the control signaling is network capability opening signaling, and the network capability opening signaling is used to control network capability opening.

Through the above possible implementation manner, the processing performance of the network capability openness control signaling is improved.

As a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the network capability opening signaling includes: an activation indication, where the activation indication is used to activate the network capability opening.

Through the above-mentioned one possible implementation manner, the method can be used to control the opening of network capabilities, so as to realize flexible control of the opening of network capabilities.

As a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the network capability opening signaling needs to be processed by the access network device; the method further includes: generating a second user plane data packet, the tunneling protocol of the second user plane data packet The header includes the control signaling; the second user plane data packet is sent to the access network device.

Through one of the above possible implementations, the access network device obtains the control signaling through the tunnel protocol header of the user plane data packet, so that it does not need to support complex protocol parsing capabilities and reduces the processing complexity of the control signaling.

As a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first user plane data packet is a user plane data packet of a first session; the first session includes the access network device and the user plane serving the first session a first data channel between network elements; the method further includes: establishing a second data channel between the access network device and the user plane network element for the first session, where the second data channel is used for transmission including the The user plane data packet of the control signaling; the sending the second user plane data packet to the access network device includes: sending the second user plane data packet to the access network device through the second data channel.

Through one of the above possible implementations, the access network device obtains the control signaling from the user plane data packets of the second data channel, so that there is no need to try to obtain the control signaling from each user plane data packet, and the control is improved. Signaling processing performance.

As a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving a third user plane data packet from the access network device through the second data channel, where the third user plane data packet includes the response of the control signaling.

Through the above manner of obtaining the response of the control signaling through the second data channel, it is unnecessary to try to obtain the response of the control signaling from each user plane data packet, and the processing performance of the response of the control signaling is improved.

As a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: acquiring a bearer identifier, where the bearer identifier indicates a first bearer used for transmitting the user plane data packet including the control signaling; sending the second user plane to the access network device The data packet includes: sending the second user plane data packet to the access network device through the first bearer.

Through the above-mentioned one possible implementation manner, the access network device obtains the control signaling from the user plane data packet carried by the first bearer, so that there is no need to try to obtain the control signaling from each user plane data packet, and the control signal is improved. processing performance.

As a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving a fourth user plane data packet from the access network device through the first bearer, where the fourth user plane data packet includes a response of the control signaling.

Through the above manner of obtaining the response of the control signaling through the first bearer, it is unnecessary to try to obtain the response of the control signaling from each user plane data packet, and the processing performance of the response of the control signaling is improved.

As a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first information includes second information, and the second information includes: the IP address of the user plane data packet including the control signaling; or, the information including the control signaling the MAC address of the user plane data packet; or, the virtual local area network (virtual local area network, VLAN) identifier of the user plane data packet including the control signaling; or, the application identifier of the user plane data packet including the control signaling; or, a combination of the above.

Through the above-mentioned method of detecting the user plane data packets including control signaling through one or more information in the IP address, MAC address, VLAN ID, and application ID of the user plane data packets, there is no need to try to obtain data from each user plane data packet. The response of the control signaling is obtained in the packet, which improves the processing performance of the response of the control signaling.

As a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first information further includes third information, where the third information is used to determine whether control signaling exists in the user plane data packet matching the second information; if the first information The user plane data packet matches the first information, and obtaining the control signaling from the first user plane data packet includes: if the first user plane data packet matches the second information, determining the first information according to the third information Whether the control signaling is included in the user plane data packet; if the first user plane data packet includes the control signaling, the control signaling is acquired from the first user plane data packet.

Through one of the above possible implementations, it is further determined whether the user plane data packet matching the second information includes control signaling, which improves the flexibility of using the user plane data packet to send control signaling.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for acquiring control signaling based on a user plane. The method includes: acquiring first information, where the first information is used to identify a user plane data packet including control signaling; The plane network element sends the first information, enabling the user plane network element to identify the first user plane data packet including the control signaling according to the first information, and obtain the control signaling from the first user plane data packet .

With the method for obtaining control signaling based on the user plane provided in the second aspect, the user plane network element obtains the control signaling from the user plane data packets matching the first information, and does not need to obtain the control signaling from the user plane data packets that do not match the first information. The control signaling is acquired, so that it is unnecessary to try to acquire the control signaling from each user plane data packet, and the processing performance of the control signaling is improved.

As a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first information includes: the IP address of the user plane data packet including the control signaling; or, the MAC address of the user plane data packet including the control signaling; or , the application identifier of the user plane data packet including the control signaling; or the VLAN identifier of the user plane data packet including the control signaling; or a combination of the above items.

Through the above-mentioned method of detecting the user plane data packets including control signaling through one or more information in the IP address, MAC address, VLAN ID, and application ID of the user plane data packets, there is no need to try to obtain data from each user plane data packet. The control signaling is obtained in the packet, which improves the processing performance of the control signaling.

As a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first user plane data packet is sent by the application server to the user plane network element; the control signaling is network capability opening signaling, and the network capability opening signaling uses To control the opening of network capabilities.

Through the above possible implementation manner, the method is used for controlling network capability opening, which improves the processing performance of network capability opening control signaling.

As a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the control signaling includes an activation indication, where the activation indication is used to activate network capability opening.

Through the above possible implementation manner, flexible control of network capability opening is realized.

As a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first user plane data packet is a user plane data packet of a first session; the first session includes the access network device and the user plane serving the first session a first data channel between network elements; the method further includes: establishing a second data channel between the access network device and the user plane network element for the first session, where the second data channel is used for transmission including the User plane packets for control signaling.

Through one of the above possible implementations, the access network device can obtain control signaling from the user plane data packets of the second data channel, so that it does not need to try to obtain control signaling from each user plane data packet, which improves the control Signaling processing performance.

As a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: establishing a second data channel between the access network device and the user plane network element for the first session includes: sending first information to the user plane network element , the first information enables the user plane network element to establish the second data channel; the second information is sent to the access network device, the second information enables the user plane network element to establish the second data channel.

As a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending a bearer identification to the user plane network element, where the bearer identification indicates a first bearer used for transmitting the user plane data packet including the control signaling; to the access network The device sends the bearer identification.

Through one of the above possible implementation manners, the access network device can obtain the control signaling from the user plane data packet carried by the first bearer, so that there is no need to try to obtain the control signaling from each user plane data packet, which improves the control signaling. processing performance.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for acquiring control signaling based on a user plane, the method comprising: receiving a first user plane data packet from a user plane network element, and encapsulating the first user plane data packet with a tunnel protocol including control signaling; obtain the control signaling from the tunnel protocol header of the first user plane data packet.

Through the method for obtaining control signaling based on the user plane provided by the third aspect, the control signaling can be obtained from the tunnel protocol header of the first user plane data packet, so that it is not necessary to support complex protocol parsing capabilities, and the control signaling is reduced. processing complexity.

As a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the control signaling is network capability opening signaling, and the network capability opening signaling is used to control network capability opening.

Through the above possible implementation manner, the method can be used to control network capability opening, which reduces the processing complexity of network capability opening control signaling.

As a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first user plane data packet is a user plane data packet of a first session; the first session includes an access network device serving the first session and the user plane a first data channel between network elements; the method further includes: establishing a second data channel between the access network device and the user plane network element for the first session, where the second data channel is used for transmission including the The user plane data packet of the control signaling; the receiving the first user plane data packet from the user plane network element includes: receiving the first user plane data packet from the user plane network element through the second data channel.

By obtaining the control signaling from the user plane data packets of the second data channel, it is unnecessary to try to obtain the control signaling from each user plane data packet, and the processing performance of the control signaling is improved.

As a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: generating a second user plane data packet, where a tunnel protocol header of the second user plane data packet includes a response to the control signaling; sending a message to the user plane through the second data channel The network element sends the second user plane data packet.

Through one of the above possible implementations, the user plane network element can obtain the response of the control signaling through the user plane data packet of the second data channel, so that there is no need to try to obtain the response of the control signaling from each user plane data packet, The processing performance of the response of the control signaling is improved.

As a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: acquiring a bearer identifier, where the bearer identifier indicates a first bearer used for transmitting the user plane data packet including the control signaling; receiving the first user plane from the user plane network element The data packet includes: receiving a first user plane data packet from the user plane network element through the first bearer.

Through the above possible implementation manner, there is no need to try to obtain control signaling from each user plane data packet, which improves the processing performance of the control signaling.

As a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: generating a third user plane data packet, where a tunnel protocol header of the third user plane data packet includes a response to the control signaling; sending a message to the user plane network through the first bearer The element sends the third user plane data packet.

Through the above possible implementation manner, the user plane network element does not need to try to obtain the response of the control signaling from each user plane data packet, which improves the processing performance of the response of the control signaling.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, including a processor, where the processor is configured to read and execute instructions from a memory, so as to implement the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner. Optionally, the communication device further includes the above-mentioned memory.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including a processor, where the processor is configured to read and execute instructions from a memory, so as to implement the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner. Optionally, the communication device further includes the above-mentioned memory.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which is characterized in that it includes a processor, and the processor is configured to read and execute instructions from a memory, so as to implement the third aspect or any possible implementation manner as described above. Methods. Optionally, the communication device further includes the above-mentioned memory.

In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a program product, characterized in that it includes an instruction, when the instruction is executed on a communication device, so that the communication device can implement the first aspect or any possible implementation manner as before. The method in , or the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner, or the method in the third aspect or any possible implementation manner.

In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores the program product provided in the seventh aspect.

A ninth aspect, a communication system, is characterized by comprising one or more communication devices as in the fourth aspect to the sixth aspect.

Description of drawings

In order to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application more clearly, the following briefly introduces the accompanying drawings that are required to be used in the description of the embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for acquiring control signaling provided by an embodiment of the present application;

3 is a flowchart of another method for acquiring control signaling provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an access network device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

detailed description

In order to introduce the technical solutions of the present application more clearly and completely, the embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1 , it is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. In this communication system, terminal equipment accesses the core network through an access network (radio access network, RAN) equipment. The terminal equipment can establish a connection with the data network (DN) through the access network and the core network. The data network is a network that provides services for terminal devices, and can provide, for example, operator services, Internet (Internet) access services, or third-party services. In a 4G communication system, the connection may be a packet data network connection (PDN connection) or a bearer. In a 5G communication system, the connection can be a protocol data unit session (PDU Session). In a future communication system such as a sixth generation (6th generation, 6G) communication system, the connection may be a PDU session, a PDN connection, or other similar concepts, which are not limited in this embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment of the present application, the connection established between the terminal device and the data network is also called a session.

A terminal device is a device used to implement wireless communication functions, such as a terminal or a chip that can be used in a terminal, etc. It can be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as ships, etc.); can also be deployed in the air (such as on airplanes, balloons, satellites, etc.). The terminal may be a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a terminal unit, a terminal station, a mobile station, an access terminal, a terminal unit, a terminal station, a mobile station, a 4G network, a 5G network, or a public land mobile network (PLMN) in the future evolution. Mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, wireless communication device, terminal agent or terminal device, etc. The access terminal may be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless communication Functional handheld devices, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, in-vehicle devices or wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) end devices, augmented reality (AR) end devices, industrial control (industrial) wireless terminal in control), wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety Terminals, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, etc. Terminal equipment can be mobile or fixed.

An access network device is a device that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices. Access network equipment, for example, includes but is not limited to: next generation access network (Next Generation RAN, NG-RAN), next generation base station (gnodeB, gNB), evolved node B (evolved node B, eNB), radio network controller (radio network controller, RNC), node B (node B, NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (base transceiver station, BTS), home base station (for example, home evolved nodeB, or home node B, HNB), baseband unit (baseBand unit, BBU), transmission point (transmitting and receiving point, TRP), transmitting point (transmitting point, TP), mobile switching center, etc.

The core network includes mobility management network elements, session management network elements, and user plane network elements. Optionally, the core network further includes a user data management network element, a network capability opening network element or a policy control network element.

The mobility management network element is a network element that provides mobility management for terminal equipment. Mobility management, such as user location update, user registration network, user switching, etc. In a 4G communication system, the mobility management network element may be a mobility management entity (mobility management etity, MME). In the 5G communication system, the mobility management network element can be an access and mobility management function (AMF).

The session management network element is a network element that provides session management for terminal equipment. Session management, such as session establishment, modification, release, etc. Specific functions include allocating Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to users, and selecting user plane network elements that provide packet forwarding functions. In a 4G communication system, the session management network element may be a serving gateway control plane (SGW-C) or a packet data network gateway control plane (PGW-C) or SGW-C and The network element co-located by the PGW-C. In the 5G system, the session management network element may be a session management function (SMF).

A user plane network element is a network element that forwards user plane data packets between a terminal device and a data network. The user plane network element forwards user data packets according to the routing rules of the session management network element. In a 4G communication system, the user plane network element can be a serving gateway user plane (SGW-U) or a packet data gateway user plane (PGW-U) or SGW-U and PGW -U co-located network element. In a 5G communication system, a user plane network element may be a user plane function (UPF) network element.

The policy control network element is a network element that provides user subscription data management, policy control, charging policy control, and quality of service (QoS) control. In a 4G communication system, the policy control network element may be a policy control and charging function (policy control and charging function, PCRF). In a 5G communication system, the policy control network element may be a policy control function (PCF).

The unified data management network element is a network element responsible for managing subscription information of terminal equipment. In the 4G communication system, the unified data management network element can be a home subscriber server (HSS). In a 5G communication system, the unified data management network element may be unified data management (UDM).

A network element that exposes network capabilities is a network element that opens the capabilities of a communication system to a third party, application service functions, etc., and transfers information between the third party, the application server, and the communication system. In a 4G communication system, a network capability exposure network element may be a service capability exposure function (SCEF). In a 5G communication system, a network capability exposure network element can be a network exposure function (NEF).

In future communication systems such as 6G communication systems, the above network elements or devices can still use their names in 4G or 5G communication systems, or have other names; the functions of the above network elements or devices can be completed by an independent network element, It may also be performed jointly by several network elements, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

In actual deployment, network elements in the core network can be co-located. For example, the mobility management network element can be co-located with the session management network element; the session management network element can be co-located with the user plane network element; the network slice selection function network element, the policy control network element, and the unified data management network element can be co-located. When two network elements are combined, the interaction between the two network elements provided in this embodiment of the present application becomes an internal operation of the combined network element or can be omitted.

The service or access point of the service provided by the data network in FIG. 1 may be provided by one or more application servers (application servers, AS) in the data network. For example, in a communication system where edge computing is deployed, an edge application server (EAS) is deployed in the DN. The control plane of the EAS has a network element with an application function, also called an application function (AF) or an edge enabler server (EES). AS/EAS and AF can be set together or separately. When two network elements are combined, the interaction between the two network elements provided in this embodiment of the present application becomes an internal operation of the combined network element or can be omitted. EAS supports edge computing services by obtaining network information, such as network congestion information or QoS measurement reports, from the communication network. A communication network generally needs to obtain the above-mentioned network information from an access network device or a user plane network element. In actual deployment, the EAS is usually deployed locally, that is, deployed at a location close to the access network device of the terminal device. For low-latency transmission on the user plane, correspondingly, network elements on the user plane are also deployed at positions close to the access network equipment of the terminal equipment. On the other hand, for centralized management, the NEF and the control plane network elements of the communication network may be deployed in the central area of the network, such as the operator's computer room, that is, the location of the access network equipment far from the terminal equipment. Therefore, in the network information opening method based on the control plane, there may be a relatively large delay in acquiring network information by the application server from the access network device or the user plane network element through the network element of the control plane. In practical applications, EAS may need to acquire some real-time network information (such as network congestion status information or real-time user plane delay information), and adjust services according to these real-time network information. These real-time network information may change in a short period of time, possibly resulting in frequent control plane signaling interactions. At the same time, the delay in obtaining network information by the EAS through the network elements of the control plane may cause the EAS to fail to obtain real-time network information in time to adjust services.

In the user plane-based network information opening method, the EAS obtains network information by interacting with user plane network elements in user plane data packets. It can be considered that the EAS carries the control signaling for acquiring network information into the user plane data packet and sends it to the user plane network element. Exemplarily, the EAS carries the control signaling for acquiring network information in the Internet Protocol (Internet Protocol, IP) header of the user plane data packet. The user plane network element needs to parse each user plane data packet received from the EAS to determine whether there is a control signaling for acquiring network information, which affects the user plane data packet processing performance of the user plane network element. At the same time, some network information needs to be obtained from the access network device. At this time, the EAS obtains the network information by interacting with the user plane data packets of the access network device. Considering this situation, the access network device needs to parse each received user plane data packet to determine whether there is a control signaling for acquiring network information, thus affecting the user plane data packet processing performance of the access network device. In addition, since the access network equipment needs to parse the user plane data packets, such as parsing the IP header of the user plane data packets, the access network equipment also needs to have the IP layer protocol analysis capability, which increases the implementation complexity of the access network equipment.

Based on the schematic diagram of the communication system shown in FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the present application provides a method for obtaining control signaling based on a user plane. When the terminal device establishes the first session, a first data channel is established between the access network device and the user plane network element for the first session, and the first session is used for transmitting user plane data between the terminal device and the communication device. The user plane network element obtains the control signaling from the first user plane data packet matching the first session for identifying the first information for the user plane data packet including the control signaling. The following describes a method for acquiring control signaling provided by the embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 2, the method includes:

S201: A user plane network element acquires first information, where the first information is used to identify a user plane data packet including control signaling.

As a possible implementation manner, the user plane network element receives the first information from the session management network element.

As another possible implementation manner, the first information is configured on the user plane network element.

S202: The communication device sends a first user plane data packet to a user plane network element, where the first user plane data packet includes control signaling.

Exemplarily, the communication device is an application server/a network element with application functions.

In other words, the user plane network element receives the first user plane data packet from the communication device.

S203: If the first user plane data packet matches the first information, the user plane network element acquires control signaling from the first user plane data packet.

In a possible implementation manner, if the first user plane data packet includes the first information, the first user plane data packet matches the first information.

In another possible implementation manner, if the first user plane data packet satisfies the first information, the first user plane data packet matches the first information.

Through the above S201-S203, the user plane network element obtains the control signaling from the user plane data packet matching the first information for identifying the user plane data packet including the control signaling, and does not obtain the control signaling from the user plane data that does not match the first information The control signaling is acquired in the packet, so that the user plane network element does not need to try to acquire the control signaling from each user plane data packet, which improves the processing performance of the control signaling.

It should be noted that the above method can also be used for access network equipment, that is, the user plane network elements in S201-S203 can also be replaced with access network equipment, or other network elements that process control signaling.

The response to the control signaling may be sent by one or more network elements, or may be sent by multiple network elements and then one network element collects the responses, processes them, and sends them to the communication device.

For example, the control signaling is used to request network information. The network information obtained by the control signaling request is also referred to as the network information corresponding to the control signaling in the following. The network information corresponding to the control signaling may be acquired by one network element, or acquired by multiple network elements, or acquired by multiple network elements and then processed by one network element and then sent to the communication device.

Exemplarily, when the network information corresponding to the control signaling is acquired by the user plane network element, the user plane network element acquires the corresponding network information according to the control signaling, and sends the network information to the communication device.

Optionally, when the control signaling needs to send a response from the access network device, the user plane network element sends the control signaling to the access network device, and receives the response of the control signaling from the access network device.

Optionally, when the access network device does not support matching the first information of the user plane data packet with the first information, the method further includes S204.

S204: The user plane network element sends a second user plane data packet to the access network device, where the tunneling protocol header of the second user plane data packet includes the control signaling.

The second user plane data packet may be any downlink data packet of the first session associated with the first user plane data packet, or a data packet constructed by a user plane network element.

As a possible implementation manner, the user plane network element establishes a second data channel between the user plane network element and the access network device for the first session associated with the first user plane data packet, where the second data channel is used for Transmission of user plane packets including control signaling. The user plane network element sends the second user plane data packet to the access network device through the second data channel. The second data channel may also be referred to as a dedicated transmission data channel for control signaling.

As another possible implementation manner, the user plane network element sends the second user plane data packet to the access network device through the designated bearer of the first session associated with the first user plane data packet. The designated bearer is used for transmitting user plane data packets including control signaling. The designated bearer may also be referred to as a dedicated transport bearer for control signaling.

Correspondingly, the access network device receives the second user plane data packet. The access network device obtains the control signaling from the tunnel protocol header of the second user plane data packet.

Optionally, the access network device sends a third user plane data packet to the user plane network element, and a tunnel protocol header of the third user plane data packet includes a response corresponding to the control signaling. The third user plane data packet may be any uplink data packet of the first session, or a data packet constructed by the access network device.

As a possible implementation manner, the access network device sends the third user plane data packet to the user plane network element through the above-mentioned second data channel.

As another possible implementation manner, the access network device sends the third user plane data packet to the user plane network element through the designated bearer in the first session.

Correspondingly, the user plane network element receives the third user plane data packet. The user plane network element obtains the response corresponding to the control signaling from the tunnel protocol header of the third user plane data packet. The user plane network element obtains the response corresponding to the control signaling from the access network device through the second data channel or the designated bearer, and does not need to detect whether each uplink user plane data packet includes the response corresponding to the control signaling, which improves the control signaling processing performance.

Through the above S204, the user plane network element can send the control signaling to the access network equipment through the newly-built second data channel or the designated bearer between the access network equipment, so that the access network equipment does not need to try to send a message from each user plane to the access network equipment. Obtaining the control signaling from the data packet does not need to support the analytical capability of complex protocols, which improves the processing performance of the control signaling and reduces the processing complexity of the control signaling.

It should be noted that the above method can also be used for other network elements that process control signaling, that is, the user plane network element in S204 can also be replaced with other first information that supports processing control signaling using the first information to match user plane data packets. network element, the access network equipment in S204 can also be replaced by other second network elements that do not support processing control signaling using the first information to match the user plane data packets, correspondingly, the tunneling protocol in S204 is the first network element and the tunneling protocol between the second network element.

It should be noted that the communication device in the above method may be an edge computing server, or may be other application servers or communication network elements.

Based on the schematic diagram of the communication system shown in FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the present application provides another method for obtaining control signaling based on the user plane. As a possible implementation of the method shown in FIG. 2 , the following user plane network elements take UPF as an example, the session management network element takes SMF as an example, the application server/application function takes EAS/AF as an example, and the access network equipment is Taking the NG-RAN as an example, the terminal device takes the UE as an example, and the connection established between the UE and the data network takes the PDU session as an example to introduce the method provided by the embodiment of the present application.

As shown in Figure 3, the method includes:

S301: The UE establishes a PDU session.

This PDU session is used to transmit user plane data between UE and EAS.

Through S301, a first N3 tunnel is established between the NG-RAN and the UPF for the PDU session. The UPF obtains the downlink tunnel endpoint identifier of the first N3 tunnel, and the NG-RAN obtains the uplink tunnel endpoint identifier of the first N3 tunnel. The downlink tunnel endpoint identifier of the first N3 tunnel is used for UPF to send downlink user plane data packets to NG-RAN, and the uplink tunnel endpoint identifier of the first N3 tunnel is used for NG-RAN to send uplink user plane data packets to UPF.

S302: The AF sends the first information to the SMF. The first information is used to identify user plane data packets including control signaling.

Exemplarily, the first information includes second information, and the second information is an IP address (including but not limited to IPv4, IPv6, IPv6 prefix, source IP address, destination IP address, IP three tuple or IP quintuple, etc.); or, the second information is the MAC address of the user plane data packet including control signaling (including but not limited to source MAC address or destination MAC address, etc.); or the second information is including control signaling The VLAN identification of the user plane data packet of the signaling; or, the second information is the application identification of the user plane data packet including the control signaling; or, the second information is the flow identification of the user plane data packet including the control signaling; Or The second information is a combination of one or more of the above information.

Optionally, the first information further includes third information, and the third information is used to determine whether the user plane data packet matching the second information includes control signaling. Exemplarily, the third information indicates the value of the specific data field in the encapsulation header of the user plane data packet including the control signaling. For example, the second information indicates that the first bit (bit) of the option field of the IP encapsulation header of the user plane data packet including the control signaling takes a value of 1.

Optionally, the third information further indicates the type of network information corresponding to the control signaling. Exemplarily, the third information indicates that when the value of the second bit of the optional field of the IP encapsulation header is both 1, the control signaling is used to obtain the QoS monitoring result; or, when the optional field of the IP encapsulation header is When the value of the third bit is all 1, the control signaling is used to obtain the location of the UE.

Optionally, the control signaling is used to request network information. For example, the control signaling is network capability opening control signaling. Network capability opening control signaling is used to control network capability opening. Exemplarily, the network capability opening control signaling includes network capability opening acquisition signaling, network capability opening modifying signaling, network capability opening stop signaling, and the like. The network capability opening acquisition signaling is used for requesting to acquire network information; the network capability opening modification signaling is used for requesting modification of configuration parameters for acquiring network information; the network capability opening stop signaling is used for requesting to stop acquiring network information. The foregoing network information is hereinafter referred to as network information corresponding to the control signaling.

Optionally, the AF also sends the configuration parameters of the network information corresponding to the control signaling to the SMF. The configuration parameter of the network information indicates the network information that the control signaling needs to acquire.

Wherein, the configuration parameter of the network information includes the network information type. Exemplarily, the type of network information includes network congestion information, QoS monitoring results, or location information of the UE, and the like.

Optionally, the configuration parameters of the network information further include network information acquisition conditions. Exemplarily, the network information acquisition conditions include a network congestion reporting threshold value, a QoS monitoring result acquisition cycle, or an acquisition range of UE location information, and the like. For example, when the network congestion reporting threshold is set to 80%, it means that when the network load exceeds 80%, the network needs to report network congestion information; when the acquisition range of UE location information is set to a certain tracking area list, it means that when the UE When within the range of the tracking area list, the network reports the location information of the UE.

Optionally, the AF further sends a first user plane control indication to the SMF, where the first user plane control indication indicates that the EAS will control the network capability opening through a user plane data packet. In other words, the first user plane control indication indicates that the EAS will control the acquisition of network information through user plane data packets. For example, after the communication network receives the user plane data packet sent by the EAS, if the user plane data packet includes the network capability openness control signaling for obtaining network information, the communication network will use the network capability openness control signaling according to the corresponding network information. The configuration parameters send user plane packets carrying network information to the EAS.

It should be noted that the first user plane control indication may also be an implicit indication. Exemplarily, the first information sent by the AF to the SMF itself is used as the first user plane control indication, and no additional indication needs to be sent.

Optionally, the AF also sends the protocol between the UPF and the EAS corresponding to the PDU session to the SMF. This protocol is used to instruct the communication network to obtain control signaling from the protocol layer of the data packet sent by the EAS.

As a way for the AF to send the above information to the SMF, the AF sends the above information to the SMF through the NEF. Optionally, the NEF and/or the SMF judges whether the network allows to use user plane control, that is, whether to allow the use of user plane data packets to carry control signaling and send network information.

As another way for the AF to send the above information to the SMF, the AF sends the above information to the SMF through the NEF and the PCF. Optionally, the NEF and/or the PCF determine whether the network allows to use user plane control, that is, whether to allow the use of user plane data packets to carry control signaling and send network information. if not allowed

As another way for the AF to send the above-mentioned information to the SMF, the AF sends the above-mentioned information to the SMF through the PCF. Optionally, the PCF and/or the SMF determines whether the network allows to use user plane control, that is, whether to allow the use of user plane data packets to carry control signaling and send network information.

Optionally, in the above three ways for the AF to send the above information to the SMF, if the network element determines that the network does not allow the use of user plane control, it feeds back the information that the use of user plane control is not allowed to the AF; in this case, Optionally use the control plane-based network information opening mechanism. If user plane control is allowed, continue with the method below.

Optionally, the AF obtains the above information sent to the SMF from the EAS.

Optionally, the above information sent by the AF to the SMF may also be configured on the SMF.

S303: The SMF sends the above-mentioned first information to the UPF.

Exemplarily, the SMF sends an N4 session modification request to the UPF, where the N4 session modification request includes data packet detection information, and the data packet detection information includes the first information.

Optionally, the data packet detection information further includes continued detection information, where the continued detection information instructs the UPF to continue to detect the user plane data packet after determining that the user plane data packet matches the second information. In other words, the continued detection information instructs the UPF to continue to use the third information to detect whether there is control signaling in the user plane data packet.

Optionally, the SMF also sends the configuration parameters of the network information received in S302 to the UPF.

Optionally, the configuration parameters of the network information are configured on the UPF. UPF obtains the configuration parameters of network information according to the configuration.

In a possible implementation manner, optionally, the SMF further sends a first bearer identifier to the UPF, where the bearer indicated by the first bearer identifier is used to transmit control signaling for acquiring network information to the NG-RAN. In other words, when the UPF receives a data packet including control signaling, if the control signaling needs to obtain a response from the NG-RAN, the UPF uses the bearer indicated by the first bearer identifier of the first session to send the data packet to the NG-RAN. control signaling. The first bearer may also be referred to as a dedicated transport bearer for control signaling.

Exemplarily, in this embodiment of the present application, the bearer may be a quality of service flow (QoS flow) or an evolved packet system bearer (evolved packet system bearer), and the first bearer identifier may be a quality flow identifier (QoS flow identifier, QFI) or Evolved packet system bearer ID (evolved packet system bearer ID, EBI).

Optionally, the bearer indicated by the first bearer identifier is also used for the NG-RAN to send the network information corresponding to the control signaling to the UPF.

In another possible implementation manner, optionally, the SMF further sends fourth information to the UPF, where the fourth information instructs the UPF to establish a second N3 tunnel, and the second N3 tunnel is used to transmit the acquired network information to the NG-RAN control signaling. In other words, when the UPF receives the data packet including the control signaling, if the control signaling needs to obtain a response from the NG-RAN, it sends the control signaling to the NG-RAN using the second N3 tunnel. The second N3 tunnel may also be referred to as a dedicated transmission tunnel for control signaling.

Optionally, the second N3 tunnel is also used for the NG-RAN to send the network information corresponding to the control signaling to the UPF.

Optionally, in response to the fourth information, the UPF allocates an uplink tunnel endpoint identifier for the second N3 tunnel, and sends the uplink tunnel endpoint identifier of the second N3 tunnel to the SMF.

Optionally, when the SMF determines that it needs to acquire the network information from the NG-RAN according to the received configuration parameters of the network information, the SMF sends the above-mentioned first bearer identifier or fourth information to the UPF.

Optionally, the SMF also sends the second user plane control indication to the UPF. The second user plane control instruction may be the first user plane control instruction received in S402, or may be generated by the SMF according to the first user plane control instruction received in S402. The second user plane control indication is used to instruct the UPF to acquire control signaling and/or send network information through user plane data packets.

It should be noted that the second user plane control indication may also be an implicit indication. Exemplarily, when the SMF sends the first information to the UPF, it indicates that the UPF needs to acquire control signaling and/or transmission network information through user plane data packets. Or, exemplarily, when the UPF receives the user plane data packet sent by the EAS, if the user plane data packet includes the control signaling for acquiring network information, the UPF determines that the control signaling needs to be acquired and sent through the user plane data packet. Internet Information.

Optionally, the SMF also sends the protocol between the UPF and the EAS corresponding to the PDU session to the UPF. This protocol is used to instruct the UPF to obtain control signaling from this protocol layer of the data packets sent by the EAS.

Exemplarily, the SMF also sends to the UPF that the protocol between the UPF and the EAS corresponding to the PDU session is SRv6, then when the UPF receives the user plane data packet from the EAS, the SRv6 protocol layer (SRv6 header of the data packet) is sent to the UPF. or data field) to obtain control signaling.

As an implementation manner of S201, through S302-S303, it is implemented that the user plane network element obtains the first information for identifying the user plane data packet including the control signaling.

S304: The SMF sends fifth information to the NG-RAN. The fifth information indicates that the NG-RAN receives control signaling through user plane data packets.

Exemplarily, the SMF sends an N2 session management message to the NG-RAN, where the N2 session management message instructs the NG-RAN to receive control signaling through user plane data packets.

Optionally, as a possible implementation manner for the SMF to send the fifth information to the NG-RAN, the N2 session management message includes a third user plane control indication. The third user plane control instruction may be the first user plane control instruction received in S302, or may be generated by the SMF according to the first user plane control instruction received in S302. The third user plane control indication is used to instruct the NG-RAN to acquire control signaling and/or send network information through user plane data packets.

Optionally, as another possible implementation manner for the SMF to send the fifth information to the NG-RAN, the SMF sends the first bearer identifier in S303 to the NG-RAN. The first bearer identifier instructs the NG-RAN to obtain control signaling from the bearer corresponding to the first bearer identifier. Optionally, the first bearer identifier further instructs the NG-RAN to send the network information corresponding to the control signaling to the UPF through the bearer indicated by the first bearer identifier.

Optionally, as another possible implementation manner in which the SMF sends the fifth information to the NG-RAN, the SMF sends the sixth information to the NG-RAN, where the sixth information instructs the NG-RAN to establish a second N3 tunnel, the second The user plane data packets transmitted by the N3 tunnel include control signaling. In other words, when the NG-RAN receives the user plane data packet from the second N3 tunnel, it acquires the control signaling from the user plane data packet.

Optionally, the SMF also sends the uplink tunnel endpoint identifier of the second N3 tunnel received in S303 to the NG-RAN.

Optionally, in response to the sixth information, the NG-RAN allocates a downlink tunnel endpoint identifier for the second N3 tunnel, and sends the downlink tunnel endpoint identifier of the second N3 tunnel to the SMF. The SMF will send the downlink tunnel endpoint identifier of the second N3 tunnel to the UPF.

Optionally, the SMF also sends the configuration parameters of the network information received in S302 to the NG-RAN.

Optionally, when the NG-RAN supports using the first information to match the user plane data packets, the SMF also sends the first information in S302 to the NG-RAN. When the NG-RAN receives the user plane data packet, it acquires control signaling from the user plane data packet matching the first information.

S305: The EAS sends a first user plane data packet to the UPF, where the first user plane data packet includes control signaling.

Therefore, the first user plane data packet matches the first information.

Optionally, the control signaling is used to activate the process of acquiring network information.

Exemplarily, the control signaling is a network capability opening activation message, and the network capability opening activation message is used to activate a corresponding network information acquisition process.

In a possible implementation, the control signaling includes an activation indication. The activation indication is used to activate the configuration parameters of the network information acquired by the UPF through S303. In other words, the activation instruction is used to request to acquire network information according to the configuration parameters of the network information acquired through S303. After receiving the activation instruction, the UPF sends a user plane data packet carrying the network information to the EAS according to the configuration parameters of the network information.

It should be noted that the activation indication may be an implicit indication. That is, the control signaling itself is used to activate the configuration parameters of the network information obtained by the UPF through S303.

In another possible implementation manner, the control signaling includes configuration parameters of network information. For the configuration parameters of the network information, refer to the description in S302.

Optionally, the control signaling is further used to request to modify the configuration parameters of the network information, and obtain corresponding network information according to the modified configuration parameters of the network information. As an implementation manner of S202, through S305, it is implemented that the communication device sends a first user plane data packet to the user plane network element, where the first user plane data packet includes control signaling.

Optionally, the EAS sends a second user plane data packet to the UPF, where the second user plane data packet does not include control signaling.

S306: The UPF determines that the first user plane data packet matches the first information, and obtains control signaling from the first user plane data packet.

Exemplarily, when the first information is the source IP address of the user plane data packet including the control signaling, then when the source IP address carried in the first user plane data packet is the same as the source IP address indicated by the first information, the UPF determines The first user plane data packet matches the first information; or, the first information is the source MAC address of the user plane data packet including the control signaling, then when the source MAC address carried in the first user plane data packet is the same as that indicated by the first information. When the source MAC addresses are the same, the UPF determines that the first user plane data packet matches the first information; or, the first information is the VLAN identifier of the user plane data packet including the control signaling, then when the VLAN identifier carried by the first user plane data packet is When the VLAN identifier indicated by the first information is the same, the UPF determines that the first user plane data packet matches the first information; or, the first information is the application identifier of the user plane data packet including the control signaling, then when the first user plane data packet When the application identifier corresponding to the packet is the same as the application identifier indicated by the first information, the UPF determines that the first user plane data packet matches the first information; or, the first information is the flow identifier of the user plane data packet including the control signaling, then when When the flow identifier corresponding to the first user plane data packet is the same as the flow identifier indicated by the first information, the UPF determines that the first user plane data packet matches the first information.

If the UPF receives the second user plane data packet in S305, the UPF determines that the second user plane data packet does not match the first information. Exemplarily, when the first information is the source IP address of the user plane data packet including the control signaling, then when the source IP address carried in the second user plane data packet is different from the source IP address indicated by the first information, the UPF determines The second user plane data packet does not match the first information; or, the first information is the source MAC address of the user plane data packet including control signaling, then when the source MAC address carried in the second user plane data packet and the first information indicate When the source MAC addresses are different, the UPF determines that the second user plane data packet does not match the first information; or, the first information is the VLAN identifier of the user plane data packet including the control signaling, then when the second user plane data packet carries When the VLAN identifier is different from the VLAN identifier indicated by the first information, the UPF determines that the second user plane data packet does not match the first information; or, the first information is the application identifier of the user plane data packet including the control signaling, then when the second user plane data packet When the application identifier corresponding to the user plane data packet is different from the application identifier indicated by the first information, the UPF determines that the second user plane data packet does not match the first information; or, the first information is a flow of user plane data packets including control signaling identifier, when the flow identifier corresponding to the first user plane data packet is different from the application identifier indicated by the first information, the UPF determines that the first user plane data packet does not match the first information. UPF will process the second user plane packet according to the routing rules. Exemplarily, the UPF forwards the second user plane data packet to the access network device according to the routing rule.

Exemplarily, the IP header of the first user plane data packet includes control signaling, and the UPF obtains the control signaling from the IP header of the first user plane data packet; or, the SRv6 header of the first user plane data packet includes: Control signaling, the UPF obtains the control signaling from the SRv6 header of the first user plane data packet.

Optionally, the UPF determines that control signaling exists in the first user plane data packet according to the continued detection information in the data packet detection information received in S303.

Optionally, the UPF acquires the control signaling from the protocol layer of the first user plane data packet corresponding to the protocol according to the protocol between the UPF and the EAS corresponding to the PDU session acquired in S303.

As an implementation manner of S203, through S306, it is realized that the user plane network element obtains the control signaling from the first user plane data packet.

Optionally, when the network information corresponding to the control signaling needs to be acquired from the NG-RAN, the method further includes S307-S311. In other words, when the network information corresponding to the control signaling does not need to be acquired from the NG-RAN, S307-S311 are not executed.

Optionally, the UPF determines, according to the network information type corresponding to the control signaling, that the network information corresponding to the control signaling needs to be acquired from the NG-RAN. Exemplarily, when the type of network information corresponding to the control signaling is a QoS monitoring report, the UPF determines that the QoS monitoring report needs to be obtained from the NG-RAN. The UPF may acquire the network information type corresponding to the control signaling according to the third information.

S307: The UPF generates a third user plane data packet.

In a possible implementation manner, the UPF uses the N3 tunneling protocol to encapsulate the first user plane data packet including the control signaling to generate the third user plane data packet. This possible implementation can be used in a scenario where the NG-RAN supports matching user plane data packets using the first information. In this possible implementation:

As a possible implementation manner for the UPF to generate the third user plane data packet, the UPF uses the protocol of the first N3 tunnel to generate the third user plane data packet. That is, the UPF uses the protocol of the first N3 tunnel to encapsulate the first user plane data packet including the control signaling to obtain the third user plane data packet.

As another possible implementation manner for the UPF to generate the third user plane data packet, if the UPF establishes the second N3 tunnel according to S304, the UPF uses the protocol of the second N3 tunnel to encapsulate the first user plane data packet including the control signaling, Get the third user plane packet.

In another possible implementation manner, the UPF includes the control signaling obtained in S306 in the N3 tunneling protocol header of the third user plane data packet. This possible implementation can be used in a scenario where the NG-RAN does not support using the first information to match user plane data packets. In this possible implementation:

As a possible implementation manner for the UPF to generate the third user plane data packet, the UPF uses the protocol of the first N3 tunnel to generate the third user plane data packet. The UPF can use the protocol of the first N3 tunnel to encapsulate the first user plane data packet to obtain the third user plane data packet; the UPF can also use the protocol of the first N3 tunnel to encapsulate another downlink user plane data packet of the PDU session to obtain the third user plane data packet. Three user plane data packets; UPF may also generate an empty data packet, and encapsulate the data packet using the protocol of the first N3 tunnel to obtain a third user plane data packet.

Exemplarily, the protocol of the first N3 tunnel is the general packet radio service tunneling protocol user plane (general packet radio service tunneling protocol user plane, GTP-U), then the UPF uses the downlink tunnel endpoint identifier of the first N3 tunnel obtained by S301. The first user plane data packet is encapsulated, and the encapsulated data packet is the third user plane data packet; or, the UPF uses the downlink tunnel endpoint identifier of the first N3 tunnel obtained through S301 to encapsulate another downlink user plane of the PDU session data packet, the encapsulated data packet is the third user plane data packet; or, UPF constructs an IP packet whose data field is empty, and uses the downlink tunnel endpoint identifier of the first N3 tunnel obtained through S301 to encapsulate the IP packet to obtain The third user plane packet. The UPF includes the control signaling obtained in S306 in the GTP-U header of the third user plane data packet.

As another possible implementation manner for the UPF to generate the third user plane data packet, if the UPF establishes the second N3 tunnel according to S304, the UPF uses the protocol of the second N3 tunnel to encapsulate the first user plane data packet to obtain the third user plane data packet. data packet; or the UPF generates an empty data packet, and uses the protocol of the second N3 tunnel to encapsulate the data packet to obtain a third user plane data packet.

Exemplarily, the protocol of the second N3 tunnel is GTP-U, and the UPF uses the downlink tunnel endpoint identifier of the second N3 tunnel obtained through S304 to generate the third user plane data packet. Refer to the above-mentioned UPF to use the downlink tunnel endpoint of the first N3 tunnel. Identifies the description for generating the third user plane data packet. The UPF includes the control signaling obtained in S306 in the GTP-U header of the third user plane data packet.

S308: The UPF sends the third user plane data packet to the NG-RAN.

In a possible implementation manner, the UPF sends the third user plane data packet to the NG-RAN through the bearer associated with the first user plane data packet. The UPF may obtain the bearer associated with the first user plane data packet from the SMF.

In another possible implementation manner, the UPF sends the third user plane data packet to the NG-RAN through the bearer indicated by the first bearer identifier according to the first bearer identifier received in S303. Optionally, the UPF carries the bearer identifier of the first bearer in the N3 tunneling protocol header of the third user plane data packet.

In another possible implementation manner, the UPF sends the third user plane data packet to the NG-RAN through the second N3 tunnel according to the fourth information received in S303. S309: The NG-RAN obtains the control signaling from the third user plane data packet.

In a possible implementation manner, the NG-RAN determines that the third user plane data packet matches the first information, and acquires the control signaling from the first user plane data packet. For the NG-RAN to determine that the third user plane data packet matches the first information, reference may be made to the method of S306UPF for determining that the first user plane data packet matches the first information.

In another possible implementation manner, the NG-RAN obtains the third user plane data packet through the bearer indicated by the first bearer identification according to the first bearer identification received in S304, and obtains the third user plane data packet from the third user plane data packet. Control signaling is obtained from the N3 tunneling protocol header.

In another possible implementation manner, the NG-RAN obtains the third user plane data packet through the bearer indicated by the first bearer identification according to the first bearer identification received in S304, and obtains the third user plane data packet from the third user plane data packet. Obtain control signaling. The NG-RAN obtains the control signaling from the encapsulation of the specified protocol of the third user plane data packet. The specified protocol can be configured in NG-RAN or obtained from SMF.

In another possible implementation manner, the NG-RAN obtains the third user plane data packet through the second N3 tunnel according to the second N3 tunnel established in S304, and obtains the third user plane data packet from the N3 tunnel protocol header of the third user plane data packet to obtain control signaling.

In another possible implementation manner, the NG-RAN obtains the third user plane data packet through the second N3 tunnel according to the second N3 tunnel established in S304, and obtains the control signaling from the third user plane data packet . The NG-RAN obtains the control signaling from the encapsulation of the specified protocol of the third user plane data packet. The specified protocol can be configured in NG-RAN or obtained from SMF.

As an implementation manner of S204, through S307-S309, it is realized that the user plane network element sends the third user plane data packet to the access network device, and the tunnel protocol header of the third user plane data packet includes the control signaling.

S310: The NG-RAN generates a fourth user plane data packet.

The network information corresponding to the control signaling, that is, the network information obtained according to the control signaling and/or network information configuration parameters.

In a possible implementation, the NG-RAN generates the fourth user plane data packet using the protocol of the first N3 tunnel. NG-RAN can use the protocol of the first N3 tunnel to encapsulate any uplink user plane data packet of the PDU session to obtain a fourth user plane data packet; NG-RAN can also generate an empty data packet and use the first N3 tunnel The protocol encapsulates the data packet to obtain a fourth user plane data packet.

Exemplarily, the protocol of the first N3 tunnel is GTP-U, then the NG-RAN uses the uplink tunnel endpoint identifier of the first N3 tunnel obtained through S301 to encapsulate any uplink user plane data packet of the PDU session, and the encapsulated The data packet is the fourth user plane data packet; or, NG-RAN constructs an IP packet whose data field is empty, and uses the uplink tunnel endpoint identifier of the first N3 tunnel obtained through S301 to encapsulate the IP packet to obtain the fourth user plane data Bag.

In another possible implementation manner, if the NG-RAN establishes the second N3 tunnel according to the description of S304, the NG-RAN generates the third user plane data packet by using the protocol of the second N3 tunnel.

Exemplarily, the protocol of the second N3 tunnel is GTP-U, and the NG-RAN uses the uplink tunnel endpoint identifier of the second N3 tunnel obtained through S304 to generate the fourth user plane data packet. Refer to the above-mentioned NG-RAN using the first N3 tunnel. The identifier of the downlink tunnel endpoint generates a description of the fourth user plane data packet.

In the above two possible implementation manners, the NG-RAN includes the network information corresponding to the control signaling in the generated fourth user plane data packet.

As a possible implementation manner in which the NG-RAN includes the network information corresponding to the control signaling in the fourth user plane data packet, the NG-RAN includes the control signaling corresponding to the GTP-U header of the fourth user plane data packet. network information.

As another possible implementation manner in which the NG-RAN includes the network information corresponding to the control signaling in the fourth user plane data packet, if the NG-RAN obtains the control signal from the encapsulation of the specified protocol in the third user plane data packet in S309 signaling, the NG-RAN includes the network information corresponding to the control signaling in the encapsulation header of the specified protocol of the fourth user plane data packet.

S311: The NG-RAN sends the fourth user plane data packet to the UPF.

In a possible implementation manner, the NG-RAN sends the fourth user plane data packet to the UPF through the bearer associated with the third user plane data packet.

In another possible implementation manner, the NG-RAN sends the fourth user plane data packet to the UPF through the bearer indicated by the first bearer identifier according to the first bearer identifier received in S304.

In another possible implementation manner, the NG-RAN sends the fourth user plane data packet to the UPF through the second N3 tunnel according to the second N3 tunnel established in S304.

S312: The UPF acquires network information corresponding to the control signaling.

In a possible implementation manner, the UPF obtains the fourth user plane data packet through the bearer indicated by the first bearer identification according to the first bearer identification received in S303, and obtains the fourth user plane data packet from the N3 tunneling protocol of the fourth user plane data packet. Get network information from the header.

In another possible implementation manner, the UPF obtains the fourth user plane data packet through the second N3 tunnel according to the second N3 tunnel established in S303, and obtains the fourth user plane data packet from the N3 tunnel protocol header of the fourth user plane data packet Internet Information.

In another possible implementation manner, the UPF decapsulates the N3 tunneling protocol header of the fourth user plane data packet, that is, the UPF removes the N3 tunneling protocol header of the fourth user plane data packet to obtain network information.

In another possible implementation manner, the UPF acquires the network information corresponding to the control signaling according to the configuration parameters of the control signaling and/or the network information.

Optionally, the UPF may determine the network information finally sent to the EAS according to the network information obtained from the fourth user plane data packet and the network information obtained by the UPF.

Exemplarily, the UPF obtains the air interface data packet transmission delay information between the UE and the NG-RAN from the fourth user plane data packet, the UPF obtains the data packet transmission delay information of the N3 interface between the UPF and the NG-RAN, and the UPF will The above-mentioned two delay information are added to obtain the data packet transmission delay information in the communication system, which is used as the network information sent to the EAS.

As an implementation manner of S204, through S310-S312, it is realized that the access network device sends the fourth user plane data packet to the user plane network element, and the tunnel protocol header of the fourth user plane data packet includes the corresponding control signaling network information.

S313: The UPF sends the network information corresponding to the control signaling to the EAS.

Optionally, the UPF constructs a fifth user plane data packet according to the protocol between the UPF and the EAS corresponding to the PDU session received in S303, and the header of the fifth user plane data packet includes network information corresponding to the control signaling.

The above method can also be used in a scenario where the communication device requests to stop acquiring the corresponding network information. Exemplarily, the control signaling is used to request to stop acquiring the corresponding network information. In this case, S310-S312 are not executed.

In the above method, the user plane network element obtains the first information for identifying the user plane data packet including the control signaling, uses the first information to match the received user plane data packet, and obtains the user plane data packet from the user plane data packet matching the first information. The user plane network element can also send control signaling to the access network equipment through the designated bearer or N3 tunnel and obtain the network information corresponding to the control signaling, so that the user plane network element and the access network equipment do not need to try Obtain control signaling or network information corresponding to control signaling from each user plane data packet. Access network equipment does not need to support the parsing capability of protocols other than the N3 tunneling protocol, which improves the processing performance of network information opening and reduces the It reduces the processing complexity of network information opening.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 400 according to an embodiment of the present application.

The communication device includes a processing module 401 and a transceiver module 402 . The processing module 401 is used to realize the processing of data by the communication device. The transceiver module 402 is used to implement content interaction between the communication device and other units or network elements. It should be understood that the processing module 401 in this embodiment of the present application may be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit component (or referred to as a processing circuit), and the transceiver module 402 may be implemented by a transceiver or a transceiver-related circuit component.

Exemplarily, the communication apparatus 400 may be a communication apparatus, or may be a chip applied in the communication apparatus or other combined devices, components and the like having the functions of the above communication apparatus.

Exemplarily, the communication apparatus 400 may be the user plane network element in FIG. 2 or the UPF in FIG. 3 .

The processing module 401 may be configured to perform the user plane network element in FIG. 2 or the data processing operation performed by the UPF in FIG. 3 . For example, S201, S203, S306, S307, S312, and/or other processes for supporting the techniques described herein.

The transceiver module 402 may be configured to perform the transceiver operation performed by the user plane network element in FIG. 2 or the UPF in FIG. 3 . For example, S204, S205, S303, S305, S308, S311, S313, and/or other processes for supporting the techniques described herein.

Exemplarily, the communication apparatus 400 may be the SMF in FIG. 3 .

The processing module 401 may be used to perform the data processing operations performed by the SMF in FIG. 3 . For example, the data processing operations in S301, S302, and/or other processes for supporting the techniques described herein.

The transceiver module 402 may be used to perform the transceiver operations performed by the SMF in FIG. 3 . For example, S302, S303, and/or other processes for supporting the techniques described herein.

Exemplarily, the communication apparatus 400 may be the access network device in FIG. 2 or the NG-RAN in FIG. 3 .

The processing module 401 may be configured to perform the data processing operations performed by the access network device in FIG. 2 or the NG-RAN in FIG. 3 . For example, S309, S310, and/or other processes for supporting the techniques described herein.

The transceiving module 402 may be configured to perform the transceiving operation performed by the access network device in FIG. 2 or the NG-RAN in FIG. 3 . For example, S204, S205, S304, S308, S311, and/or other processes for supporting the techniques described herein.

An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, as shown in FIG. 5 , including: a processor 501 , a communication interface 502 , and a memory 503 . The processor 501, the communication interface 502 and the memory 503 can be connected to each other through a bus 504; the bus 504 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus etc. The above-mentioned bus 504 can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like. For ease of presentation, only one thick line is used in FIG. 9, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus. The processor 501 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), or a combination of CPU and NP. The processor may further include a hardware chip. The above-mentioned hardware chip may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD) or a combination thereof. The above-mentioned PLD can be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a general-purpose array logic (Generic Array Logic, GAL) or any combination thereof. Memory 503 may be volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically programmable Erase programmable read-only memory (electrically EPROM, EEPROM) or flash memory. Volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM), which acts as an external cache.

The communication apparatus shown in FIG. 5 may be the user plane network element in FIG. 2 or the UPF in FIG. 3 , so as to complete corresponding functions.

Exemplarily, the processor 501 is configured to implement data processing operations of the communication device. For example, S201, S203, S306, S307, S312, and/or other processes for supporting the techniques described herein.

Exemplarily, the communication interface 502 is used to implement the transceiving operation of the communication device. For example, the transceiving operations in S204, S205, S303, S305, S308, S311, S313, and/or other processes for supporting the techniques described herein.

The communication device shown in FIG. 5 may be the SMF shown in FIG. 3 to complete corresponding functions.

Exemplarily, the processor 501 is configured to implement data processing operations of the communication device. For example, the data processing operations in S301, S302, and/or other processes for supporting the techniques described herein.

Exemplarily, the communication interface 502 is used to implement the transceiving operation of the communication device. For example, S302, S303, and/or other processes for supporting the techniques described herein.

The communication apparatus shown in FIG. 5 may be the access network device in FIG. 2 or the NG-RAN in FIG. 3 , so as to complete corresponding functions.

Exemplarily, the processor 501 is configured to implement data processing operations of the communication device. For example, S309, S310, and/or other processes for supporting the techniques described herein.

Exemplarily, the communication interface 502 is used to implement the transceiving operation of the communication device. For example, S204, S205, S304, S308, S311, and/or other processes for supporting the techniques described herein.

The embodiment of the present application further provides an access network device, as shown in FIG. 6 . The apparatus 600 includes one or more radio frequency units, such as a remote radio unit (RRU) 610 and one or more baseband units (BBU) (also referred to as digital units, digital units, DU) 620 . The RRU 610 may be called a transceiver module, and the transceiver module may include a sending module and a receiving module, or the transceiver module may be a module capable of transmitting and receiving functions. The transceiver module may correspond to the transceiver module 402 in FIG. 4 . Optionally, the transceiver module may also be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, or a transceiver, etc., which may include at least one antenna 611 and a radio frequency unit 612 . The part of the RRU 610 is mainly used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals and converting radio frequency signals and baseband signals, for example, for sending indication information to terminal equipment. The part of the BBU 620 is mainly used to perform baseband processing, control the base station, and the like. The RRU 610 and the BBU 620 may be physically set together, or may be physically separated, that is, a distributed base station.

The BBU 620 is the control center of the base station, and can also be referred to as a processing module, which can correspond to the processing module 401 in FIG. 4 , and is mainly used to complete baseband processing functions, such as channel coding, multiplexing, modulation, spread spectrum, and the like. For example, the BBU (processing module) may be used to control the base station to perform the operation procedure of the network device in the foregoing method embodiments, for example, to generate the foregoing indication information and the like.

In an example, the BBU 620 may be composed of one or more boards, and the multiple boards may jointly support a wireless access network (such as an LTE network) of a single access standard, or may respectively support a wireless access network of different access standards. Radio access network (such as LTE network, 5G network or other network). The BBU 620 also includes a memory 621 and a processor 622. The memory 621 is used to store necessary instructions and data. The processor 622 is configured to control the base station to perform necessary actions, for example, to control the base station to perform the operation procedure of the network device in the foregoing method embodiments. The memory 621 and processor 622 may serve one or more single boards. That is to say, the memory and processor can be provided separately on each single board. It can also be that multiple boards share the same memory and processor. In addition, necessary circuits may also be provided on each single board.

The embodiments of the present application provide a communication system, which includes the aforementioned user plane network element, access network equipment, or one or more of UPF, SMF, and NG-RAN.

Embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium, where a computer program is stored in the computer-readable storage medium. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the method shown in FIG. 2 provided by the foregoing method embodiments. The process related to the user plane network element in the embodiment, or the process related to the UPF in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

Embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium, where a computer program is stored in the computer-readable storage medium. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the method shown in FIG. 3 provided by the foregoing method embodiments. Processes related to SMF in the embodiment.

Embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium, where a computer program is stored in the computer-readable storage medium. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the method shown in FIG. 2 provided by the foregoing method embodiments. The process related to the access network device in the embodiment, or the process related to the NG-RAN in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

Embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product, where the computer program product is used to store a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 provided by the above method embodiment. The process related to the user plane network element, or the process related to the UPF in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, where the computer program product is used to store a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 provided by the foregoing method embodiment. Processes related to SMF.

Embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product, where the computer program product is used to store a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 provided by the above method embodiment. The process related to the access network device, or the process related to the NG-RAN in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

The present application also provides a chip including a processor. The processor is configured to read and run the computer program stored in the memory to execute the corresponding operations and/or processes performed by the user plane network element or the UPF in the user plane-based control signaling acquisition method provided in this application. Optionally, the chip further includes a memory, the memory and the processor are connected to the memory through a circuit or a wire, and the processor is used for reading and executing the computer program in the memory. Further optionally, the chip further includes a communication interface, and the processor is connected to the communication interface. The communication interface is used to receive processed data and/or information, and the processor acquires the data and/or information from the communication interface and processes the data and/or information. The communication interface may be an input/output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin or a related circuit on the chip, and the like. The processor may also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

The present application also provides a chip including a processor. The processor is configured to read and run the computer program stored in the memory, so as to execute the corresponding operations and/or processes performed by the SMF in the user plane-based control signaling acquisition method provided in this application. Optionally, the chip further includes a memory, the memory and the processor are connected to the memory through a circuit or a wire, and the processor is used for reading and executing the computer program in the memory. Further optionally, the chip further includes a communication interface, and the processor is connected to the communication interface. The communication interface is used to receive processed data and/or information, and the processor acquires the data and/or information from the communication interface and processes the data and/or information. The communication interface may be an input/output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin or a related circuit on the chip, and the like. The processor may also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

The present application also provides a chip including a processor. The processor is configured to read and run the computer program stored in the memory to execute the corresponding operations and/or procedures performed by the access network device or the NG-RAN in the user plane-based control signaling acquisition method provided in this application. Optionally, the chip further includes a memory, the memory and the processor are connected to the memory through a circuit or a wire, and the processor is used for reading and executing the computer program in the memory. Further optionally, the chip further includes a communication interface, and the processor is connected to the communication interface. The communication interface is used to receive processed data and/or information, and the processor acquires the data and/or information from the communication interface and processes the data and/or information. The communication interface may be an input/output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin or a related circuit on the chip, and the like. The processor may also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

The above-mentioned chip can also be replaced by a chip system, which will not be repeated here.

The terms "comprising" and "having" in this application, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product or device comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to the explicitly listed Those steps or units listed may instead include other steps or units not expressly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality using different methods for each particular application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working process of the above-described systems, devices and units may refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

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

The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, may be located in one place, or may be distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual conditions to achieve the purpose of the solution in this embodiment.

In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically alone, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

The functions, if implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application can be embodied in the form of a software product in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art or the part of the technical solution, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including Several instructions are used to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk or optical disk and other media that can store program codes .

In addition, the term "and/or" in this application is only an association relationship to describe associated objects, which means that there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and/or B, which can mean that A exists alone, and A and B exist at the same time. , there are three cases of B alone. In addition, the character "/" in this document generally indicates that the contextual object is an "or" relationship; the term "at least one" in this application can mean "one" and "two or more", for example, A At least one of , B, and C can mean: A alone exists, B exists alone, C exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, A and C exist simultaneously, C and B exist simultaneously, and A and B and C exist simultaneously. seven situations.

The above are only specific embodiments of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited to this. should be covered within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

A method for obtaining control signaling based on a user plane, comprising:

acquiring first information, where the first information is used to identify a user plane data packet including control signaling;

receiving a first user plane data packet from the communication device;

If the first user plane data packet matches the first information, the control signaling is acquired from the first user plane data packet.
The method of claim 1, wherein the communication device is an application server;

The control signaling is network capability opening signaling, and the network capability opening signaling is used to control network capability opening.
The method according to claim 2, wherein the network capability opening signaling comprises:

An activation instruction, where the activation instruction is used to activate network capability opening.
The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the network capability opening signaling requires processing by an access network device;

The method also includes:

generating a second user plane data packet, where the tunneling protocol header of the second user plane data packet includes the control signaling;

Send the second user plane data packet to the access network device.
The method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the first user plane data packet is a user plane data packet of a first session; the first session includes the access network device and the device serving the a first data channel between user plane network elements of the first session;

The method also includes:

establishing a second data channel between the access network device and the user plane network element for the first session, where the second data channel is used to transmit user plane data packets including the control signaling;

The sending the second user plane data packet to the access network device includes:

Send the second user plane data packet to the access network device through the second data channel.
The method of claim 5, wherein the method further comprises:

A third user plane data packet is received from the access network device through the second data channel, and the third user plane data packet includes a response to the control signaling.
The method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the method further comprises:

acquiring a bearer identifier, where the bearer identifier indicates a first bearer used for transmitting the user plane data packet including the control signaling;

The sending the second user plane data packet to the access network device includes:

The second user plane data packet is sent to the access network device through the first bearer.
The method of claim 7, wherein the method further comprises:

A fourth user plane data packet is received from the access network device through the first bearer, the fourth user plane data packet including the response of the control signaling.
The method according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the first information includes second information, and the second information includes:

the IP address of the user plane data packet including the control signaling; or,

the MAC address of the user plane data packet including the control signaling; or,

Described including the VLAN identification of the user plane data packet of control signaling; Or,

the application identifier of the user plane data packet including the control signaling; or,

a combination of the above.
The method according to claim 9, wherein the first information further includes third information, and the third information is used to determine whether control signaling exists in a user plane data packet matching the second information;

If the first user plane data packet matches the first information, acquiring the control signaling from the first user plane data packet includes:

If the first user plane data packet matches the second information, determine whether the control signaling is included in the first user plane data packet according to the third information;

If the first user plane data packet includes the control signaling, obtain the control signaling from the first user plane data packet.
A method for obtaining control signaling based on a user plane, comprising:

acquiring first information, where the first information is used to identify a user plane data packet including control signaling;

Sending the first information to the user plane network element, enabling the user plane network element to identify the first user plane data packet including the control signaling according to the first information, and to obtain the first user plane data packet from the first user plane data The control signaling is obtained in the packet.
The method of claim 11, wherein the first information comprises:

the IP address of the user plane data packet including the control signaling; or,

the MAC address of the user plane data packet including the control signaling; or,

Described including the VLAN identification of the user plane data packet of control signaling; Or,

the application identifier of the user plane data packet including the control signaling; or,

a combination of the above.
The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the first user plane data packet is sent by an application server to the user plane network element;

The control signaling is network capability opening signaling, and the network capability opening signaling is used to control network capability opening.
The method of claim 13, wherein the control signaling comprises:

An activation instruction, where the activation instruction is used to activate network capability opening.
The method according to any one of claims 11-14, wherein the first user plane data packet is a user plane data packet of a first session; the first session includes the access network device and the a first data channel between user plane network elements of the first session;

The method also includes:

A second data channel between the access network device and the user plane network element is established for the first session, where the second data channel is used for transmitting user plane data packets including the control signaling.
The method according to claim 15, wherein the establishing a second data channel between the access network device and the user plane network element for the first session comprises:

sending first information to the user plane network element, where the first information enables the user plane network element to establish the second data channel;

Send the second information to the access network device, where the second information enables the user plane network element to establish the second data channel.
The method according to any one of claims 11-14, wherein the method further comprises:

sending a bearer identification to the user plane network element, where the bearer identification indicates a first bearer used for transmitting the user plane data packet including the control signaling;

Send the bearer identifier to the access network device.
A method for obtaining control signaling based on a user plane, comprising:

receiving a first user plane data packet from a user plane network element, where the tunneling protocol encapsulation of the first user plane data packet includes control signaling;

The control signaling is obtained from the tunneling protocol header of the first user plane data packet.
The method according to claim 18, wherein the control signaling is network capability opening signaling, and the network capability opening signaling is used to control network capability opening.
The method according to claim 19, wherein the network capability opening signaling comprises:

An activation instruction, where the activation instruction is used to activate network capability opening.
The method according to any one of claims 18-20, wherein the first user plane data packet is a user plane data packet of a first session; the first session includes an access network serving the first session a first data channel between the device and the user plane network element;

The method also includes:

establishing a second data channel between the access network device and the user plane network element for the first session, where the second data channel is used to transmit user plane data packets including the control signaling;

The receiving the first user plane data packet from the user plane network element includes:

The first user plane data packet is received from the user plane network element through the second data channel.
The method of claim 21, wherein the method further comprises:

generating a second user plane data packet, the tunneling protocol header of the second user plane data packet including the response of the control signaling;

Send the second user plane data packet to the user plane network element through the second data channel.
The method according to any one of claims 18-21, wherein the method further comprises:

acquiring a bearer identifier, where the bearer identifier indicates a first bearer used for transmitting the user plane data packet including the control signaling;

The receiving the first user plane data packet from the user plane network element includes:

A first user plane data packet is received from the user plane network element through the first bearer.
The method of claim 23, wherein the method further comprises:

generating a third user plane data packet, the tunneling protocol header of the third user plane data packet including the response of the control signaling;

The third user plane data packet is sent to the user plane network element through the first bearer.
A communication device, comprising a processor;

The processor is configured to read and run a program from the memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-10.
A communication device, comprising a processor;

The processor is configured to read and execute the program from the memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 11-17.
A communication device, comprising a processor;

The processor is used to read and run a program from the memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 18-24.
A communication system comprising one or more communication devices as claimed in claims 25-27.
A computer program product, characterized by comprising instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-10, or as claimed in claim 11 - The method of any one of 17, or the method of any one of claims 18-24.
A computer-readable storage medium comprising the computer program product of claim 29.