WO2022089239A1 - 一种通信方法及对应装置 - Google Patents

一种通信方法及对应装置 Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2022089239A1
WO2022089239A1 PCT/CN2021/124430 CN2021124430W WO2022089239A1 WO 2022089239 A1 WO2022089239 A1 WO 2022089239A1 CN 2021124430 W CN2021124430 W CN 2021124430W WO 2022089239 A1 WO2022089239 A1 WO 2022089239A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
user equipment
network element
session
information
downlink data
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CN2021/124430
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
徐艺珊
诸华林
朱浩仁
Original Assignee
华为技术有限公司
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 华为技术有限公司 filed Critical 华为技术有限公司
Publication of WO2022089239A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022089239A1/zh

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W76/00—Connection management
    • H04W76/10—Connection setup
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W76/00—Connection management
    • H04W76/10—Connection setup
    • H04W76/11—Allocation or use of connection identifiers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W76/00—Connection management
    • H04W76/10—Connection setup
    • H04W76/15—Setup of multiple wireless link connections

Definitions

  • the present application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a communication method and a corresponding device.
  • the network side In order to ensure the reliability of data transmission, the network side currently supports sending data to a target device (target device) through multiple user equipment (UE), that is, the network device copies the downlink data to be sent to the target device in multiple copies, The data are respectively sent to each of the multiple user equipments, and then each user equipment forwards the downlink data to the target device.
  • target device target device
  • UE user equipment
  • Protocol Data Unit Protocol Data Unit
  • Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and a corresponding apparatus, which are used to reduce air interface resource overhead and ensure reliability of data transmission.
  • a first aspect provides a communication method, which can be applied to a network device, or can also be applied to a chip inside the network device.
  • the method includes: a first A network device receives downlink data to be sent to the first user equipment; the first network device sends the downlink data to the first user equipment or the second user equipment according to the operating state of the first user equipment.
  • both the second user equipment and the first user equipment belong to the first group.
  • the priority of the first user equipment is higher than the priority of the second user equipment; or, the first user equipment is the primary user equipment in the first group, and the second user equipment is the first user equipment Alternate user device in the group.
  • the first network device when the network side supports sending data to the target device through the first user equipment and the second user equipment, the first network device can choose to send data to the first user equipment or the second user equipment according to the operating state of the first user equipment Compared with the need to send the same data to multiple user equipments in the prior art, when sending downlink data, the overhead of air interface resources can be reduced on the premise of ensuring the reliability of data transmission.
  • the first network device is a user plane network element.
  • sending the downlink data to the first user equipment or the second user equipment by the first network device according to the operation state of the first user equipment may include: if the operation state of the first user equipment is normal, the first network device passes the data to the first user equipment.
  • the first user plane channel sends downlink data to the network element of the access network, so that the network element of the access network sends the downlink data to the first user equipment, and the first user plane channel is used to transmit the data of the first user equipment; If the running state of a user equipment is abnormal, the first network device sends downlink data to the access network element through the second user plane channel, so that the access network element sends the downlink data to the second user equipment, and the second user plane The channel is used to transmit data of the second user equipment.
  • the user plane network element may decide to send data to the first user equipment or the second user equipment according to the operating state of the first user equipment Downlink data can reduce the overhead of air interface resources while ensuring the reliability of data transmission.
  • the first network device is an access network element.
  • receiving the downlink data to be sent to the first user equipment by the first network device includes: the first network device receives data from a user plane network element. the downlink data; the first network device sends the downlink data to the first user equipment or the second user equipment according to the operating state of the first user equipment, including: if the operating state of the first user equipment is normal, sending the first network device to the first user equipment The first user equipment sends downlink data; or, if the running state of the first user equipment is abnormal, the first network device sends downlink data to the second user equipment.
  • the network element of the access network can make a decision to send data to the first user equipment or the second user equipment according to the operating state of the first user equipment Sending downlink data can reduce the overhead of air interface resources while ensuring the reliability of data transmission.
  • the first network device receiving the downlink data from the user plane network element may include: the first network device receives the downlink data from the user plane channel through the first user plane channel. the downlink data of the user plane network element, the first user plane channel is used to transmit the data of the first user equipment; and, the first network device receives the downlink data from the user plane network element through the second user plane channel, and the second user plane channel for transmitting data of the second user equipment.
  • the user plane network element can simultaneously send downlink data through the second user plane channel and the first user plane channel according to the original method, and the implementation manner is simple.
  • the first network device when the first network device receives downlink data from the user plane network element through the first user plane channel and the second user plane channel, if the running state of the first user equipment is normal, the first The network device discards or deletes the downlink data received through the second user plane channel, or, if the running state of the first user equipment is abnormal, the first network device discards or deletes the downlink data received through the first user plane channel.
  • the first network device can discard or delete redundant data, thereby reducing the overhead of air interface resources.
  • the first network device receiving the downlink data from the user plane network element may include: the first network device receives the downlink data from the user plane channel through the first user plane channel.
  • the downlink data of the user plane network element, the first user plane channel is used to transmit the data of the first user equipment; or, the first network device receives the downlink data from the user plane network element through the second user plane channel, and the second user plane channel used to transmit data of the second user equipment; or, the first network device receives downlink data from a user plane network element through a third user plane channel, and the third user plane channel is data shared by the first user equipment and the second user equipment transmission channel.
  • the user plane network element only needs to transmit downlink data to the access network element through one user plane channel, which can further save network resource overhead.
  • the first network device may generate or receive association information, where the association information is used to indicate that the first user equipment is the primary user equipment in the first group, and the second user equipment is the first user equipment in the first group. or the associated information is used to indicate that the priority of the first user equipment is higher than the priority of the second user equipment in the first group.
  • sending the downlink data to the first user equipment or the second user equipment by the first network device according to the operating state of the first user equipment includes: the first network device sending the downlink data to the first user equipment according to the operating state and associated information of the first user equipment.
  • a user equipment or a second user equipment sends downlink data.
  • the first network device can obtain the associated information, and then send downlink data to the first user equipment or the second user equipment according to the operating state of the first user equipment and the associated information, which can improve the reliability of the solution.
  • the association information may include: the priority of the second user equipment.
  • the association information further includes the priority of the first user equipment.
  • a communication method which can be applied to a network device, or can also be applied to a chip inside the network device.
  • the method includes: applying The functional network element generates association information of the first user equipment and the second user equipment; wherein, the first user equipment and the second user equipment both belong to the first group, and the association information is used to represent: the first user equipment in the first group The priority of the equipment is higher than the priority of the second user equipment, and/or, the first user equipment is the primary user equipment in the first group, and the second user equipment is the standby user equipment in the first group; application function The network element sends the association information to the first network device.
  • the application function network element can generate association information and provide it to the first network device, so that when the first network device sends downlink data, according to the association relationship and the operating status of the first user equipment, the first network device sends the information to the first user equipment.
  • the second user equipment sends downlink data to achieve the technical effect of reducing air interface resource overhead and ensuring the reliability of data transmission.
  • the first network device is a user plane network element or an access network network element.
  • the association information includes: the priority of the second user equipment.
  • the association information further includes the priority of the first user equipment.
  • the generation of the association information between the first user equipment and the second user equipment by the application function network element includes: the application function network element according to the first attribute information of the first user equipment and the second user equipment of the second user equipment. attribute information to generate associated information; wherein the first attribute information is used to characterize the first user equipment as the primary user equipment in the first group, and the second attribute information is used to characterize the second user equipment as the backup user equipment in the first group user equipment; or, the first attribute information is used to represent the priority of the first user equipment in the first group, the second attribute information is used to represent the priority of the second user equipment in the first group, the first user equipment The priority of the device in the first group is higher than the priority of the second user equipment in the first group.
  • a communication method which can be applied to a network device, or can also be applied to a chip inside a network device.
  • the core network network The element acquires first information, where the first information is used to associate the first session and the second session of the user equipment; the core network element determines that there is an association relationship between the first session and the second session according to the first information.
  • the core network element can determine that there is an association relationship between the first session and the second session, and further, when sending data to the user equipment subsequently, the core network element can determine the association relationship between the first session and the second session. Select either the first session or the second session to transmit data as a reference/base.
  • the first information includes second information and third information; wherein the second information includes an association relationship identifier to which the first session belongs, and the third information includes an association relationship identifier to which the second session belongs.
  • the network element of the core network determines that there is an association relationship between the first session and the second session according to the first information, including: when the association relationship identifier to which the first session belongs is the same as the association relationship identifier to which the second session belongs, the core The network element determines that there is an association relationship between the first session and the second session.
  • the network element of the core network can determine that the first session and the second session have an association relationship according to the same association relationship identifier to which the first session belongs and the association relationship to which the second session belongs, and the implementation is simple.
  • the association relationship identifier is carried in the session establishment request message.
  • the system does not need to allocate additional transmission resources for the association relationship identifier, which can save system resource overhead.
  • the first information is used to indicate associating the first session with the second session.
  • the network element of the core network can directly determine that the first session and the second session have an associated relationship according to the indication of the first information, and the implementation manner is simple.
  • the first information includes: first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that: the priority of the first session is higher than the priority of the second session; and/or, the first session is the primary session, and the second session is the standby session.
  • the core network element can also determine the priority relationship and the master-standby relationship between the first session and the second session, and then when sending data to the user equipment subsequently, the core network element can compare the first session and the second session.
  • the priority relationship between the sessions, the master-standby relationship, etc. are used as a reference/base to select the first session or the second session to transmit data.
  • the core network element is a control plane network element
  • the method further includes: the core network element sends second indication information to the user plane network element, where the second indication information is used to represent the first session and the second indication information. Sessions are associated with each other.
  • the user plane network element can determine that there is an association relationship between the first session and the second session according to the instruction of the control plane network element.
  • the core network element is a user plane network element
  • the method further includes: the core network element receives downlink data of the user equipment; if the priority of the first session is higher than the priority of the second session, and If the first session is in the connected or active state, the core network element sends downlink data to the access network element through the first session; or, if the first session is the main session and the first session is in the active or connected state, the core network The network element sends downlink data to the access network element through the first session; or, if the priority of the first session is higher than the priority of the second session or the first session is the main session, and the first session is deactivated or In the release state, the core network element sends downlink data to the access network element through the second session.
  • the user plane network element when the user plane network element sends data to the user equipment, it can preferentially use the first session with high priority to transmit data, and when the first session is deactivated or released, it can switch to use the second session with lower priority to continue.
  • Data transmission can reduce the time of transmission interruption and enhance the reliability of data transmission.
  • a fourth aspect provides a communication method, which can be applied to a user equipment, or can also be applied to a chip inside the user equipment. Taking the method that can be applied to the user equipment as an example, in this method, the user equipment obtains the first information, the first information is used to associate the first session and the second session of the user equipment; the user equipment sends the first information to the core network element, and the first information is used by the core network element to determine the relationship between the first session and the second session have an associated relationship.
  • the user equipment can provide the first information to the core network element, so that the core network element can determine, according to the first information, that there is an associated relationship between the first session and the second session, and then send data to the user equipment subsequently when sending data to the user equipment.
  • the core network element may select the first session or the second session to transmit data by taking the association relationship between the first session and the second session as a reference/base.
  • the first information includes second information and third information; wherein the second information includes an association relationship identifier to which the first session belongs, and the third information includes an association relationship identifier to which the second session belongs.
  • the association relationship identifier is carried in the session establishment request message.
  • the first information is used to indicate associating the first session with the second session.
  • the first information includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that: the priority of the first session is higher than the priority of the second session; and/or, the first session is the main session , the second session is the standby session.
  • a communication apparatus in a fifth aspect, includes a module for executing the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect.
  • the apparatus may include:
  • a transceiver unit configured to receive downlink data to be sent to the first user equipment
  • a processing unit configured to control the transceiver unit to send downlink data to the first user equipment or the second user equipment according to the operating state of the first user equipment;
  • both the second user equipment and the first user equipment belong to the first group
  • the priority of the first user equipment is higher than the priority of the second user equipment; or, the first user equipment is the primary user equipment in the first group, and the second user equipment is the first user equipment Alternate user device in the group.
  • a communication apparatus in a sixth aspect, includes a module for executing the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect.
  • the apparatus may include:
  • a processing unit configured to generate association information of the first user equipment and the second user equipment; wherein, the first user equipment and the second user equipment both belong to the first group, and the association information is used to represent: the first user equipment in the first group The priority of one user equipment is higher than the priority of the second user equipment, and/or the first user equipment is the primary user equipment in the first group, and the second user equipment is the standby user equipment in the first group;
  • the transceiver unit is used for sending associated information to the first network device.
  • a communication apparatus in a seventh aspect, includes a module for performing the method described in the third aspect or any possible implementation manner of the third aspect.
  • the apparatus may include:
  • a transceiver unit configured to acquire first information, where the first information is used to associate the first session and the second session of the user equipment;
  • the processing unit is configured to determine, according to the first information, that there is an association relationship between the first session and the second session.
  • a communication apparatus including a module for performing the method described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect.
  • the apparatus may include:
  • a processing unit configured to obtain first information, where the first information is used to associate the first session and the second session of the user equipment;
  • the transceiver unit is configured to send first information to the core network element, where the first information is used by the core network element to determine that there is an association relationship between the first session and the second session.
  • a communication device comprising: at least one processor; and a memory connected to the at least one processor; the at least one processor causes the device to perform the first operation by executing instructions stored in the memory.
  • a communication device comprising: at least one processor; and a memory connected to the at least one processor; the at least one processor causes the device to perform the second operation by executing instructions stored in the memory.
  • a communication device comprising: at least one processor; and a memory connected to the at least one processor; the at least one processor causes the device to execute an instruction stored in the memory by executing the at least one processor.
  • a communication device comprising: at least one processor; and a memory connected to the at least one processor; the at least one processor causes the device to execute the instructions stored in the memory by executing the instructions stored in the at least one processor.
  • a thirteenth aspect provides a computer-readable storage medium, where a computer program or instruction is stored, and when the computer-readable computer program or instruction is executed, the first aspect or The method described in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, or the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect, or the third aspect or any possible implementation manner of the third aspect The method described in the implementation manner, or the method described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect.
  • a fourteenth aspect provides a chip comprising at least one processor coupled to a memory for reading and executing a software program stored in the memory to implement the first aspect or the first
  • the method described in any possible implementation manner of the aspect, or the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect, or the third aspect or any possible implementation manner of the third aspect The method, or the method described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect.
  • a fifteenth aspect provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the above-mentioned method as described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or as in the second aspect or the method described in any possible implementation manner of the second aspect, or the method described in the third aspect or any possible implementation manner of the third aspect, or the fourth aspect or any possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect The method described in the implementation is executed.
  • a sixteenth aspect provides a communication system, comprising: the communication device of the fifth aspect and the communication device of the sixth aspect; and/or the communication device of the seventh aspect and the eighth aspect communication device;
  • a seventeenth aspect provides a communication system, comprising: the communication device of the ninth aspect and the communication device of the tenth aspect; and/or the communication device of the eleventh aspect and the communication device of the twelfth aspect the communication device described.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a possible network architecture
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another possible network architecture
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of a communication system to which an embodiment of the application is applied;
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a user plane function network element deciding to send downlink data to a first UE or a second UE;
  • Fig. 6 is the flow chart that the application function network element sends the association relation to the unified data management function network element
  • Fig. 7 is the registration flow chart of the first UE
  • Fig. 8 is the flow chart of the session establishment of the first UE
  • Fig. 9 is the flow chart of transmitting downlink data
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an access network network element deciding to send downlink data to a first UE or a second UE;
  • Fig. 11 is the flow chart of the session establishment of the first UE
  • FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an access network network element deciding to send downlink data to a first UE or a second UE;
  • Fig. 15 is the flow chart of the session establishment of the first UE
  • 16 is a flow chart of transmitting downlink data
  • 17 is a flow chart of transmitting downlink data
  • FIG. 18 is a flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a method for transmitting first information provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • 21 is a schematic diagram of a user plane function network element deciding to use the first PDU session or the second PDU session to transmit downlink data;
  • FIG. 22 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication apparatus 2200 provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 23 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication apparatus 2300 according to an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a possible network architecture.
  • the network architecture includes a user equipment (User Equipment, UE), a target device (target device), and also includes the following network elements: Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element , Session Management Function (SMF) network elements, Radio Access Network (RAN) network elements (may be referred to as access network network elements), and User Plane Function (UPF) network elements , Data Network (DN), in which the connection between the access and mobility management function network element and the access network network element is an N2 connection, and the connection between the user plane function network element and the wireless access network network element It is an N3 connection, the connection between the session management function network element and the user plane function network element is an N4 connection, and the connection between the data network and the user plane function network element is an N6 connection.
  • the UE is connected to the target device and the RAN respectively.
  • the target device refers to the destination device to which the downlink data finally arrives, or refers to the device that receives the downlink data forwarded by the UE.
  • the network side device may not perceive the target device.
  • the destination address corresponding to the downlink data on the network side is the address of the UE. downlink data to the UE).
  • the UE forwards the downlink data to the target device. Therefore, although the network side does not know that the final destination device of the downlink data is the target device, or does not know that the UE will forward the downlink data to the target device, the final destination device that the downlink data actually reaches is the target device.
  • the data transmission process includes: the server in the data network sends downlink data to the user plane function network element, the user plane function network element sends the data to the access network element, and the access network element sends the data to the access network element through the air interface.
  • the UE sends the data, and the UE sends the data to the target device. That is, the UE receives the downlink data from the data network through the air interface, and then sends the data to the target device, so that the target device operates normally and processes the data. However, if the UE fails, the data cannot be transmitted to the target device, and the target device cannot operate normally, thereby affecting the reliability of the target device.
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of another possible network architecture.
  • two UEs are deployed in the network architecture to serve the target equipment at the same time, and the two UEs are deployed in the network architecture.
  • the UEs are the primary UE and the backup UE respectively.
  • UE1 is the master UE and UE2 is the backup UE
  • UE1 is the backup UE
  • UE2 is the master UE.
  • the master UE and the backup UE receive the same data from the access network element and send it to the target device. In this way, even when the primary UE or the backup UE fails, the other UE can continue to provide data for the target device, thereby improving the reliability of the device.
  • the access network element sends the same downlink data to the master UE and the backup UE, that is, the access network element uses different spectrum resources to simultaneously send the same downlink data to the master UE and the backup UE respectively.
  • both the master UE and the standby UE can send the downlink data to the target device, so as to improve the reliability of the device.
  • the system consumes twice the spectrum resources, which will result in excessive consumption of air interface resources.
  • embodiments of the present application provide a data transmission method.
  • the network element of the access network only sends data to one of the UEs. Take the example that the network element of the access network sends data to the first UE or the second UE, and the first UE or the second UE sends data to the target device: when the first UE or the second UE sends data to the target device as an example: When the UE is running normally, the network element of the access network only sends data to the first UE, and then the first UE forwards the data to the target device; when the network side recognizes that the first UE is faulty, the network element of the access network sends the data to the second UE.
  • the embodiment of the present application can improve the reliability of data transmission.
  • the air interface resource overhead in the embodiment of the present application is greatly reduced. Therefore, the embodiments of the present application can ensure the reliability of system data transmission without increasing the system air interface resource overhead, thereby improving the reliability of the target device.
  • LTE Long Term Evolution
  • UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
  • CDMA Code Division Multiple Access
  • WLAN Wireless Local Area Network
  • 5th generation, 5G fifth generation
  • NR New Radio
  • 6th generation sixth generation
  • 6G sixth generation
  • FIG. 2 is a communication system to which the embodiments of the present application are applied.
  • the specific architecture has been introduced above and will not be repeated here.
  • the communication system shown in FIG. 2 takes two UEs as an example, and the association relationship between the UEs takes the active and standby UEs as an example.
  • the number of UEs and the specific implementation form of the association relationship between UEs are not limited. In this embodiment of the present application, the number of UEs may also be multiple, and the association relationship between the UEs may also be other relationships, such as belonging to the same UE group, or a priority relationship, and the like.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of another communication system to which the embodiments of the present application are applied.
  • the system includes three UEs, namely UE1, UE2, and UE3, and each UE communicates with an access network element and a target device. connect.
  • FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are only used for example, and are not used to limit the technical solutions of the present application.
  • the communication system may also include other network elements or devices, and the number of each network element or device may also be configured according to specific needs.
  • UE User Equipment
  • terminal equipment includes devices that provide users with voice and/or data connectivity, such as handheld devices with wireless connectivity, or devices connected to A processing device for a wireless modem.
  • the terminal equipment may communicate with the core network via a radio access network (RAN), and exchange voice and/or data with the RAN.
  • RAN radio access network
  • the terminal equipment may include wireless terminal equipment, mobile terminal equipment, device-to-device (D2D) terminal equipment, V2X terminal equipment, machine-to-machine/machine-type communication (machine-to-machine/machine-type) communications, M2M/MTC) terminal equipment, Internet of things (IoT) terminal equipment, subscriber unit (subscriber unit), subscriber station (subscriber station), mobile station (mobile station), remote station (remote station), connection Access point (AP), remote terminal (remote terminal), access terminal (access terminal), user terminal (user terminal), user agent (user agent), or user device (user device), etc.
  • IoT Internet of things
  • these may include mobile telephones (or "cellular" telephones), computers with mobile terminal equipment, portable, pocket-sized, hand-held, computer-embedded mobile devices, and the like.
  • mobile telephones or "cellular" telephones
  • PCS personal communication service
  • SIP session initiation protocol
  • WLL wireless local loop
  • PDA personal digital assistant
  • constrained devices such as devices with lower power consumption, or devices with limited storage capacity, or devices with limited computing power, etc.
  • it includes information sensing devices such as barcodes, radio frequency identification (RFID), sensors, global positioning system (GPS), and laser scanners.
  • RFID radio frequency identification
  • GPS global positioning system
  • the terminal device may also be a wearable device.
  • Wearable devices can also be called wearable smart devices or smart wearable devices, etc. It is a general term for the application of wearable technology to intelligently design daily wear and develop wearable devices, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing and shoes. Wait.
  • a wearable device is a portable device that is worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable device is not only a hardware device, but also realizes powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction.
  • wearable smart devices include full-featured, large-scale, complete or partial functions without relying on smart phones, such as smart watches or smart glasses, and only focus on a certain type of application function, which needs to cooperate with other devices such as smart phones.
  • Use such as all kinds of smart bracelets, smart helmets, smart jewelry, etc. for physical sign monitoring.
  • the various terminal devices described above if they are located on the vehicle (for example, placed in the vehicle or installed in the vehicle), can be considered as on-board terminal equipment.
  • the on-board terminal equipment is also called on-board unit (OBU). ).
  • the target device can establish a communication connection with the UE described in the above (1), and communicate with the network device through the UE, for example, through the UE to receive data (downlink data) from the network device, or through the UE to send data to the network device. data (upstream data), etc.
  • the target device can specifically be industrial equipment, such as printing presses, machine tools, packaging machines, collaborative motion machines, video remote controls, assembly robots or milling machines, mobile cranes, etc.; the target device can also be smart home devices, such as smart TVs, smart refrigerators , smart air conditioner, etc.; the target device can also be a wearable device, such as a headset, a smart watch, a smart speaker, etc.; the target device can also be another UE.
  • the above is only an example and not a limitation, as long as it is a device that can communicate and connect with the UE described in the above part (1), it can be used as the target device in the embodiment of the present application.
  • Radio Access Network (RAN) network element or access network (Access Network, AN) network element: mainly responsible for radio resource management and quality of service (QoS) on the air interface side management, data compression, and encryption.
  • the access network equipment may include various forms of base stations, such as: a macro base station, a micro base station (also referred to as a small cell), a relay station, an access point, and the like.
  • base stations such as: a macro base station, a micro base station (also referred to as a small cell), a relay station, an access point, and the like.
  • the names of devices with base station functions may vary.
  • gNB 5th generation
  • LTE in the LTE system
  • gNB 5th generation
  • the RAN network element may further include a centralized unit (centralized unit, CU) and a distributed unit (distributed unit, DU) in a cloud access network (Cloud Radio Access Network, Cloud RAN) system, or may also include a relay equipment, the embodiments of the present application are not limited.
  • Session Management Function network element: responsible for user plane network element selection, user plane network element redirection, Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation, bearer establishment, modification and release, and QoS control and other functions.
  • IP Internet Protocol
  • Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element it belongs to the core network element and is mainly responsible for the signaling processing part, such as: access control, mobility management, attachment and detachment, and gateway selection, etc.
  • AMF Access and Mobility Management Function
  • the AMF network element provides services for the session in the terminal device, it provides storage resources of the control plane for the session, and stores the session identifier, the SMF network element identifier associated with the session identifier, and the like.
  • UPF User Plane Function
  • the user data can be received from the data network and transmitted to the terminal device through the access network device; the UPF network element can also receive the user data from the terminal device through the access network device and forward it to the data network.
  • the transmission resources and scheduling functions that provide services to terminal equipment in the UPF network element are managed and controlled by the SMF network element.
  • PCF Policy Control Function
  • NEF Network Exposure Function
  • Unified Data Management (UDM) network element mainly responsible for generating authentication certificates/authentication parameters, storing and managing permanent user identifiers (such as SUPI), subscription information management, and Short Message Service , SMS) management, UE's service network element registration management (such as AMF, SMF, etc. that currently provide services for the UE).
  • SUPI Secure Digital
  • SMS Short Message Service
  • Unified Data Repository (UDR) network element: It is mainly responsible for storing structured data, including contract data and policy data, externally exposed structured data and application-related data.
  • Application Function (AF) network element mainly supports interaction with the 3GPP core network to provide services, such as influencing data routing decisions, policy control functions, or providing some third-party services to the network side.
  • each network element shown in this document may be a physical concept, for example, it may be a single device physically, or at least two network elements may be integrated on the same physical device, or, the network elements shown in this document It can also be a logical concept, such as a software module or a network function corresponding to the service provided by each network element.
  • a network function can be understood as a virtualized function under the virtualization implementation, and can also be understood as a service provided under the service network. Network features.
  • network element may also be replaced by other names, such as “entity”, or “device” and so on.
  • entity or “device” and so on.
  • user plane function network element can also be written as “user plane function entity” or “user plane function equipment”
  • session management function network element can also be written as “session management function entity” or “session management function equipment” Wait.
  • each network element can also be abbreviated as English abbreviation.
  • “user plane function network element” can also be abbreviated as “UPF network element” or “UPF”
  • “session management function network element” can also be abbreviated as “SMF network element”. or “SMF” etc.
  • Each network element used in the embodiments of this application may have different names in other future communication systems.
  • At least one means one or more, and “plurality” means two or more.
  • And/or which describes the relationship of the associated objects, indicates that there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and/or B, it can indicate that A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A, B can be singular or plural.
  • the character “/” generally indicates that the associated objects are an “or” relationship.
  • At least one item(s) below” or similar expressions thereof refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single item(s) or plural items(s). For example, at least one (a) of a, b, or c may represent: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c.
  • the ordinal numbers such as “first” and “second” mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the order, sequence, priority or priority of multiple objects. Importance.
  • the first priority criterion and the second priority criterion are only for distinguishing different criteria, and do not indicate the difference in content, priority, or importance of the two criteria.
  • any one of the at least two UEs communicates with the access network element and the target device, for example, as shown in FIG. 2
  • UE1 or UE2 communicates with the access network element and the target device, for example, as shown in FIG. 3
  • UE1, UE2 or UE3 communicates with an access network element and a target device.
  • UEs connected to the same target device and the same access network element may be defined as a UE group (group for short, or may have other names, which are not limited here).
  • Each group includes at least two UEs, and the access network element can communicate with the target device through any UE in the group corresponding to the target device.
  • UE1 and UE2 shown in FIG. 2 are a group, and the network element of the access network can communicate with the target device through UE1 or UE2.
  • UE1, UE2 and UE3 shown in FIG. 3 are a group, and the network element of the access network can communicate with the target device through UE1 or UE2 or UE3.
  • the group where the first UE is located is taken as the first group as an example.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a data transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application, the method can be applied to the communication system shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 , and the method includes:
  • a first network device receives downlink data to be sent to a first UE.
  • the first UE is a master UE or a UE with a high priority in the first group.
  • the first group includes UE1, UE2, and UE3.
  • UE1 is the primary UE
  • UE2 is the standby UE
  • the priority of UE1 is higher than that of UE2, then the first UE is UE1.
  • FIG. 3 as an example, UE1 is the master UE, UE2 and UE3 are both backup UEs, and/or the priority of UE1 is higher than that of UE2 and the priority of UE1 is higher than that of UE3, then the first UE is UE1.
  • the first UE is usually only used to forward the downlink data to the target device, and the first UE may be a home gateway, which is not limited.
  • the target device reference may be made to the foregoing relevant description.
  • the final destination of the downlink data is the target device.
  • the first network device may be any network device on the transmission path from the data network to the first UE, or any network device capable of receiving downlink data to be sent to the first UE, which is not limited in this application .
  • the first network device may be a core network element or an access network element.
  • the core network element may be UPF, AMF or SMF, and the access network element may be an NR node.
  • the first network device determines that the downlink data is to be sent to the first UE according to the destination address corresponding to the downlink data.
  • the destination address corresponding to the downlink data is an Internet Protocol (Internet Protocol, IP) address of the first UE.
  • IP Internet Protocol
  • the priority of the UE may be determined according to one or more items of information such as UE capability information, priority information of UE subscription data, slice information for the UE to establish a session, and the like.
  • the strength of the forwarding capability of the UE or the strength of the buffering capability of the UE may be used to determine the priority of the UE.
  • the forwarding capability of the first UE is that it can forward 10 megabytes of data per second
  • the forwarding capability of the second UE is that it can forward 5 megabytes of data per second
  • the forwarding capability of the first UE is higher than that of the second UE.
  • the forwarding capability of the UE is strong, so the priority of the first UE is higher than the priority of the second UE.
  • the buffering capability of the first UE is capable of buffering 100 megabytes of data
  • the buffering capability of the second UE is capable of buffering 50 megabytes of data
  • the buffering capability of the first UE is stronger than that of the second UE, Therefore the priority of the first UE is higher than the priority of the second UE.
  • the priority of the first UE is higher than the priority of the second UE.
  • the first network device sends downlink data to the first UE or the second UE according to the running state of the first UE.
  • both the first UE and the second UE belong to the first group.
  • the priority of the first UE is higher than the priority of the second UE; or, the first UE is the master UE in the first group, and the second user equipment is the first UE in the first group.
  • S401 may include: if the running state of the first UE is normal, the first network device directly sends downlink data to the first UE; or, if the running state of the first UE is abnormal (or the running state is abnormal) , or the operating state is fault), the first network device sends the downlink data to the second UE in the first group.
  • the state of the UE is abnormal, including but not limited to the following situations: the UE is powered off, the UE is automatically shut down, the transmission rate is low (for example, the rate is lower than the preset rate threshold), the forwarding efficiency is slow, buffer overflow, The packet loss rate is high, the UE disconnects from the network, etc.
  • This embodiment of the present application does not limit the number of UEs in the first group. Specifically, if the first group to which the first UE is located includes only one UE in addition to the first UE, the second UE is the one UE. For example, in the scenario shown in FIG. 2 , UE1 is the first UE, and UE2 is the second UE. If the first group further includes multiple UEs in addition to the first UE, the second UE is one UE among the multiple UEs. For example, in the scenario shown in FIG. 3 , UE1 is the first UE, and UE2 or UE3 is the second UE.
  • the first network device may determine one UE from the multiple UEs as the second UE.
  • the second UE is: a UE whose operation status is normal among one or more UEs in the first group except the first UE.
  • the second UE is: a UE in the first group other than the first UE whose operating status is normal and whose priority satisfies a preset condition.
  • the preset condition may be that the priority is the highest, or the priority is greater than or equal to the preset priority, which is not limited here.
  • the second UE is the UE with the highest priority among all the UEs whose operating states are normal except the first UE in the first group.
  • the priority of the UE may be the attribute of the UE in the group or the attribute of the UE in the entire network, which is not limited in this application.
  • the two cases are described below:
  • the priority of the UE is the attribute of the UE in the group to which the UE belongs.
  • the priorities of the UEs in different groups are set separately, in other words, the priorities of the UEs only take effect in the group to which the UE belongs.
  • the first group includes the first UE and the second UE, the priority of the first UE in the first group is 0, and the priority of the second UE is 1;
  • the second group includes the third UE, the first UE For the fourth UE and the fifth UE, the priority of the third UE in the second group is 0, the priority of the fourth UE is 1, and the priority of the fifth UE is 2.
  • the higher the value of the priority the higher or the lower the priority.
  • the priorities of the UEs of the first group and the UEs of the second group are not comparable.
  • the priority order of the UEs in the first group is as follows: the first UE ⁇ the second UE; the priority order of the UEs in the second group (from low to low) priority to high priority) is: third UE ⁇ fourth UE ⁇ fifth UE.
  • the priority of the UE is the attribute of the UE in the whole network.
  • the priorities of UEs in different groups are uniformly set, in other words, the priorities of the UEs can take effect in the entire network.
  • the first group includes the first UE and the second UE, the priority of the first UE in the first group is 0, and the priority of the second UE is 1;
  • the second group includes the third UE, the first UE For the fourth UE and the fifth UE, the priority of the third UE in the second group is 2, the priority of the fourth UE is 3, and the priority of the fifth UE is 4.
  • the UEs of the first group and the UEs of the second group may compare priorities with each other.
  • the higher priority is represented as an example, the priority order of the UEs in the first group and the second group (from low priority to high priority) is: first UE ⁇ second UE ⁇ third UE ⁇ fourth UE ⁇ fifth UE.
  • the first network device may send the downlink data to the first UE or the second UE according to the operating state of the first UE.
  • the first network device can choose to send the downlink data to the first UE or the second UE according to the operating state of the first UE, and the corresponding
  • the embodiments of the present application can reduce the overhead of air interface resources on the basis of ensuring the reliability of data transmission.
  • the first network device is a user plane network element.
  • the first network device sends downlink data to the first UE or the second UE according to the operation state of the first UE, including: if the operation state of the first UE is normal, the first network device passes the first user plane channel Send downlink data to the access network element, so that the access network element sends downlink data to the first UE, and the first user plane channel is used to transmit the data of the first UE; or, if the running state of the first UE is abnormal , the first network device sends downlink data to the access network element through the second user plane channel, so that the access network element sends the downlink data to the second UE, and the second user plane channel is used to transmit the data of the second UE .
  • the user plane network element when the network side supports sending data to the target device through the first user equipment and the second user equipment, the user plane network element can make a decision based on the running state of the first UE to send data from the first UE and the second UE to the target device.
  • a UE to forward downlink data as long as the running state of the first UE is normal, the downlink data will be sent to the first UE first, and once the running state of the first UE is abnormal, it can be switched to send the downlink data to the second UE, so The reliability of data transmission can be guaranteed.
  • the overhead of air interface resources can be reduced.
  • the first network device is an access network element.
  • receiving the downlink data to be sent to the first UE by the first network device includes: the first network device receives the downlink data from the user plane network element; Or the second UE sends downlink data, including: if the operation state of the first UE is normal, the first network device sends downlink data to the first UE; or, if the operation state of the first UE is abnormal, the first network device Send downlink data to the second UE.
  • the network element of the access network decides to send data to the first UE or the second UE according to the operating state of the first UE Downlink data: As long as the running status of the first UE is normal, the downlink data will be sent to the first UE first. Once the running status of the first UE is abnormal, the downlink data will be sent to the second UE, which can ensure the reliability of data transmission. sex. Moreover, since downlink data only needs to be sent to one UE, the overhead of air interface resources can be reduced compared with the prior art.
  • the first network device when the first network device is an access network element, the first network device receives downlink data from a user plane network element, including but not limited to the following two implementations:
  • the first network device receives downlink data from a user plane network element through a first user plane channel, and the first user plane channel is used to transmit data of the first UE; and, the first network device receives through a second user plane channel For downlink data from user plane network elements, the second user plane channel is used to transmit data of the second UE.
  • the user plane network element can send downlink data to the access network element through the second user plane channel and the first user plane channel in the original manner, and the implementation is simple.
  • the first network device discards or deletes the downlink data received through the second user plane channel; or, if the running state of the first UE is abnormal, the first network device discards or deletes the downlink data received through the second user plane channel; The device discards or deletes downlink data received through the first user plane channel.
  • the first network device can release more memory space by discarding or deleting redundant data.
  • Manner 2 The first network device receives downlink data from a user plane network element through a user plane channel.
  • the first network device receives downlink data from a user plane network element through a first user plane channel, and the first user plane channel is used to transmit data of the first UE.
  • the first user plane channel is specially established for transmitting the data of the first UE, it can be used to transmit the data of the second UE, or the data transmitted by the first user channel can also be sent to the second UE.
  • the first network device receives downlink data from a user plane network element through a second user plane channel, and the second user plane channel is used to transmit data of the second UE.
  • the second user plane channel is specially established for transmitting the data of the second UE, it can be used to transmit the data of the first UE, or the data transmitted by the second user channel can also be sent to the first UE.
  • the first network device receives downlink data from a user plane network element through a third user plane channel, where the third user plane channel is a data transmission channel shared by the first UE and the second UE.
  • the third user plane channel is specially established for transmitting the shared data of the first UE and the second UE, or the user plane function network element sends data to the access network network element through the third user plane channel. Distinguish whether the data is sent to the first UE or the data sent to the second UE.
  • the user plane network element only needs to transmit the downlink data to the access network element through one user plane channel, which can further save network resource overhead.
  • the first network device also generates or receives association information.
  • the association information is used to represent the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE, and the association relationship is, for example, the following types:
  • the first UE and the second UE belong to the same group, that is, the first group;
  • the association information is used to indicate that the priority of the first UE is higher than the priority of the second UE in the first group (ie, the priority relationship between the first UE and the second UE);
  • the association information is used to indicate that the first UE is the master UE in the first group, and the second UE is the standby UE in the first group (the master-slave relationship between the first UE and the second UE).
  • association relationship and “association information” can be used interchangeably.
  • the first network device may send downlink data to the first UE or the second UE according to the running state of the first UE and the association information.
  • the first network device randomly selects one of the UEs to send downlink data to it when both the first UE and the second UE are normal.
  • the handover sends downlink data to another UE that operates normally.
  • the first network device when the first UE is normal, because the priority of the first UE is higher than that of the second UE, the first network device will preferentially send downlink data to the first UE with a higher priority, and the first UE goes out of the line
  • the handover sends data to the UE with a lower priority, that is, the second UE.
  • the first network device when the first UE is normal, the first network device will preferentially send downlink data to the first UE because the first UE is the primary UE, and when the first UE goes out abnormally but the second UE is normal, it can switch to the standby UE.
  • the UE that is, the second UE, sends data.
  • the first network device can obtain the association information, and then send downlink data to the first UE or the second UE according to the operation state of the first UE and the association information, which can improve the reliability of the solution.
  • the application function network element generates association information of the first UE and the second UE.
  • the first network device receives the association information from the application function network element.
  • the association information is used to represent: in the first group, the priority of the first UE is higher than the priority of the second UE, and/or the first UE is the master UE in the first group, and the second UE is the standby UE in the first group.
  • the application function network element generates association information and provides it to the first network device, so that when the first network device sends downlink data, it can send the association information to the first user equipment according to the association relationship and the operating state of the first user equipment. Or the second user equipment sends downlink data to achieve the technical effect of reducing air interface resource overhead and ensuring the reliability of data transmission.
  • the application function network element specifically generates the association information according to the first attribute information of the first UE and the second attribute information of the second UE.
  • the first attribute information is used to indicate that the first UE is the master UE in the first group
  • the second attribute information is used to indicate that the second UE is the standby UE of the first group; or, the first attribute information is used to indicate that the second UE is the standby UE in the first group.
  • the second attribute information is used to represent the priority of the second UE in the first group
  • the priority of the first UE in the first group is higher than that of the second UE in the first group The priority of the UE in the first group.
  • the generated association relationship may reflect the priority relationship or the master-standby relationship between the first UE and the second UE.
  • the association information includes: the priority of the second UE.
  • the association information also includes the priority of the second UE; In addition to one UE, it also includes at least two UEs, the association information also includes the priority of each of the at least two UEs, and the second UE is one of the at least two UEs, for example, one of the at least two UEs. the highest priority UE. In this way, it can help the first network device to determine the second UE from the first group.
  • the association information includes the priority of the first UE.
  • the priority of the first UE is higher than the priority of the second UE.
  • the first group includes only one UE (ie, the second UE) in addition to the first UE, the priority of the first UE is higher than the priority of the second UE; if the first group In addition to the first UE, the group further includes at least two UEs, and the priority of the first UE is higher than the priority of each of the at least two UEs.
  • the attribute (main/standby) of the UE or the priority (high/low) of the UE is used by the network side as the basis or reference for the network side to select the UE when sending data. Therefore, in practical applications, the association relationship can not only represent the priority relationship between the first UE and the second UE, and the master/standby relationship between the first UE and the second UE, but also can represent other relationships between the first UE and the second UE.
  • the association relationship as long as the association relationship can be used by the network side as a basis for selecting a UE, is not limited in this application.
  • the first network device is a user plane functional network element.
  • the user plane function network element can learn the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE, and the user plane function network element decides which UE to send downlink data to.
  • the user plane function network element monitors the running status of the first UE and the second UE in real time, and decides to send downlink data to the first UE or the second UE according to the running status and associated information of the first UE, and then the first UE or the second UE sends the downlink data to the first UE or the second UE.
  • the UE sends downlink data to the target device.
  • the user plane function network element When the running state of the first UE is normal, the user plane function network element sends downlink data to the access network element through the first user plane channel, so that the access network element sends the downlink data to the first UE, and the first user
  • the plane channel is used to transmit the data of the first UE, for example, the PDU session of the first UE (or called the session connection of the first UE or the session of the first UE); or, when the running state of the first UE is abnormal,
  • the user plane function network element sends downlink data to the access network element through the second user plane channel, so that the access network network element sends the downlink data to the second UE, and the second user plane channel is used to transmit the data of the second UE,
  • the PDU session of the second UE (or referred to as the session connection of the second UE or the session of the second UE).
  • FIG. 5 it is a schematic diagram of sending downlink data to the first UE or the second UE for the user plane function network
  • the process of obtaining the association relationship and deciding on data forwarding by the user plane functional network element may include the following four stages:
  • Stage 1 The process of updating the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE.
  • the application function network element generates the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE (or association information, in the following, unless otherwise specified, "association relationship” and “association information” can be used interchangeably) .
  • the operation procedure may refer to the operation procedure for the second UE.
  • the application function network element may generate association information according to the first attribute information of the first UE and the second attribute information of the second UE.
  • the first attribute information is used to characterize the first UE as the master UE in the first group, or used to characterize the priority of the first UE;
  • the second attribute information is used to characterize the second UE as the primary UE in the first group standby UE, or used to characterize the priority of the second UE.
  • the association information further includes other information, such as the identifier of the first group, the first identifier of the first UE, the second identifier of the second UE, and the like.
  • the application function network element is specifically based on the UE group identifier (or association identifier) to which the first UE and the second UE belong, the first identifier of the first UE, the second identifier of the second UE, and the identifier of the first UE.
  • the first attribute information and the second attribute information of the second UE, etc. generate association information.
  • association relationship between the first UE and the second UE generated by the application function network element is in the form of an association relationship table.
  • Table 1 is an example of the association table generated by the application function network element:
  • Table 1 The relationship table of the first UE and the second UE generated by the application function network element
  • association relationship table is only an example, and does not mean that the actual association relationship table must be like this.
  • association table it is necessary to show that the first UE and the second UE belong to the same group, and are marked with the attributes (or priorities) of each UE, so that the network can know which UE is the primary UE or which UE is the primary UE. High priority, and then when the primary UE or the high-priority UE operates normally, the downlink data is preferentially sent to the primary UE or the high-priority UE.
  • the external group identifier means that the identifier ID is allocated by the application function network element or by a functional entity other than the core network.
  • the unified data management function network element updates the association relationship, so that the unified data management function network element can subsequently send the association information to the first network device.
  • the application function network element when the application function network element is a trusted application function network element, the application function network element directly sends the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE to the unified data management function network element, so as to realize the unified data management function network element.
  • Update associations when the application function network element is a trusted application function network element, the application function network element directly sends the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE to the unified data management function network element, so as to realize the unified data management function network element. Update associations.
  • the application function network element when the application function network element is an untrusted application function network element, the application function network element sends the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE to the unified data management function network element through the network exposure function network element (NEF). , to realize the unified data management function NE update association relationship.
  • NEF network exposure function network element
  • FIG. 6 it is a flowchart of the application function network element sending the association relationship to the unified data management function network element through the network exposure function network element, including:
  • Network functions can subscribe to the unified data management function network element for user or group subscription information update events, so that when the user or group subscribes After the information is updated, the unified data management function network element can report the update event to the network element subscribed to the event. Specific steps include:
  • the application function network element sends the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE to the network exposure function network element, and the network exposure function network element receives the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE sent by the application function network element;
  • the application function network element sends the parameter information created, updated or deleted to the network exposure function network element through the parameter provision create/update/delete request message (Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create/Update/Delete request), so that the network Expose functional network elements to create/update/delete user or group related information.
  • the application function network element carries the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE in the parameter provision creation/update/deletion request message and sends it to the network exposure function network element.
  • the network exposure function network element sends the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE to the unified data management function network element, and the unified data management function network element receives the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE sent by the network exposure function network element ;
  • the network element of the network exposure function carries the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE in the parameter provision create/update/delete request message (Nudm_ParameterProvision_Create/Update/Delete request) and sends it to the unified data management function. network element.
  • the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE is stored.
  • association relationship stored by the unified data management function network element is in the form of an association relationship table.
  • Table 2 is an example of the association table stored by the unified data management function network element:
  • Table 2 Association relationship table stored in unified data management function network elements
  • the application function network element can directly send the association table shown in Table 1 to the unified data management function network element.
  • the unified data management function network element can further process the association table sent by the application function network element, such as changing the identity of the UE, changing the internal group identity, changing the attributes of the UE, changing the priority of the UE, Adding other information or deleting some information, etc., is not limited here.
  • the unified data management function network element saves the association relationship to a unified data storage (UDR) network element.
  • UDR unified data storage
  • the unified data management function network element sends a response message to the network exposure function network element, where the response message is used to indicate that the update of the association relationship has been completed, and the network exposure function network element receives the response message sent by the unified data management function network element;
  • the network exposure function network element sends a response message to the application function network element, where the response message is used to indicate that the update of the association relationship has been completed, the application function network element receives the response message sent by the network exposure function network element, and the application function network element determines the association Relationship update complete.
  • Stage 2 The first UE and the second UE registration process.
  • the registration process of the first UE is taken as an example for description. Referring to FIG. 7, it is a registration flow chart of the first UE, including:
  • the unified data management function network element has acquired or updated the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE.
  • the first UE sends a registration request (Registration Request) message to an access network element, and the access network element receives the registration request message sent from the first UE;
  • the access network network element selects a suitable access and mobility management function network element for the first UE according to the content of the registration request message, and then forwards the registration request message to the access and mobility management function network element;
  • the access and mobility management function network element acquires the subscription data of the first UE from the unified data management function network element, and acquires the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE according to the subscription data. For example, it is known whether the first UE belongs to a certain first group, the attribute (or priority) of the first UE, and the like. S704, the access and mobility management function network element saves the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE;
  • the access and mobility management function network element sends a registration accept (Registration Accept) message to the first UE, and the first UE receives the registration accept message from the access and mobility management function network element;
  • S706 The first UE sends a registration complete (Registration Complete) message to the access and mobility management function network element, and the access and mobility management function network element receives the registration complete message from the first UE.
  • Registration Complete Registration Complete
  • Stage 3 The session establishment process of the first UE and the second UE.
  • the flow chart of session establishment for the first UE includes:
  • the first UE sends a session establishment request message to the access and mobility management function network element, and the access and mobility management function network element receives the session establishment request message sent by the first UE;
  • the first UE sends a PDU Session Establishment Request (PDU Session Establishment Request) message to the access and mobility management function network element through non-access stratum (Non-Access-Stratum, NAS) signaling.
  • PDU Session Establishment Request PDU Session Establishment Request
  • NAS non-access stratum
  • the access and mobility management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the session management function network element, and indicates the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE in the session establishment request message; the session management function network element receives the session After establishing the request message, learn the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE;
  • the session management function network element establishes an N4 session connection with the user plane function network element, and in this process, the session management function network element sends the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE to the user plane function network element;
  • the session management function network element sends a session establishment accept message to the access and mobility management function network element, and the access and mobility management function network element receives the session establishment accept message sent by the session management function network element;
  • the session management function network element sends a session establishment accept message to the access and mobility management function network element through a communication N1N2 message transfer (Namf_Communication_N1N2 Message Transfer) message;
  • the access and mobility management function network element sends a session establishment accept message to the first UE, and the first UE receives the session establishment accept message sent by the access and mobility management function network element.
  • the session establishment process of the second UE may refer to the session establishment process of the first UE, which will not be repeated here.
  • the user plane function network element may maintain an association relationship table about the first UE and the second UE.
  • the association relationship table maintained by the user plane function network element can also contain other information, such as the information established by each UE, in addition to reflecting that the first UE and the second UE belong to the same group and the attributes (or priorities) of each UE. N4 session identifier, AN tunnel information, etc. corresponding to the session, so as to facilitate data forwarding by the user plane function network element.
  • Table 3 it is an example of the association table stored by the user plane functional network elements:
  • Table 3 Association relationship table stored in user plane functional network elements
  • the AN TEID is the AN tunnel identifier, and the user plane function network element can determine which access network element to send the downlink data to according to this identifier (the AN TEID will be associated with the IP address of the access network element).
  • the user plane function network element can obtain the AN TEID1 corresponding to the downlink data through the lookup table 3, and send it through the tunnel. to the corresponding access network element.
  • the user plane function network element can select the tunnel of the second UE for forwarding according to Table 3.
  • the AN tunnel information may not be included in Table 3.
  • the user plane function network element can find the context information according to the N4 session identifier of the first UE, and obtain the context information from the context information. Find the tunnel information corresponding to the first UE.
  • the association relationship is transmitted from the application function network element to the user plane function network element.
  • the application function network element first transmits the associated information to the unified data management function network element, and then the unified data management function network element transmits the associated information to the user plane function network element (first network device) The associated information is transmitted, so as to realize the transmission of the associated information from the application function network element to the user plane function network element.
  • other transmission methods can also be used to transmit the associated information from the application function network element to the user plane function network element.
  • the application function network element directly sends the associated information to the user plane function network element. This application does not address this. make restrictions.
  • the application function network element generates the association information between the first UE and the second UE, and the application function network element transmits the association information to the first network device (that is, the user plane). functional network element).
  • the association information may also be generated by the first network device.
  • the application function network element may provide the user plane function network element with relevant information required for generating the association information, and then the user plane function network element generates the association information based on the relevant information.
  • the process of providing the relevant information to the user plane function network element by the application function network element can refer to the above-mentioned stages 1 to 3. The only difference is that the above-mentioned stages 1 to 3 transmit the associated information, and here the transmission is Relevant information required to generate the association information, for example, the relevant information may include the first group identity or association identity to which the first UE and the second UE belong, the first identity of the first UE, the second identity of the second UE, the first The first attribute information of the UE and the second attribute information of the second UE, etc.
  • the information of the first UE in the relevant information required to generate the association information (for example, the first group identifier or association identifier to which the first UE belongs, the first identifier of the first UE, the first attribute of the first UE) information, etc.) and the information of the second UE (for example, the first group identity or association identity to which the second UE belongs, the second identity of the second UE, the second attribute information of the second UE, etc.)
  • the user plane functional network element may also be transmitted to the user plane functional network element at the same time, which is not limited here.
  • the user plane function network element can learn that the first UE and the second UE are associated through the same group identification or association identification provided by the application layer, so as to generate association information based on the above-mentioned relevant information.
  • the user plane function network element After the user plane function network element obtains the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE, the user plane function network element can control the handover data forwarding after the first UE is abnormal. For the specific process, refer to stage 4.
  • Stage 4 Data sending and the process of switching data forwarding on the network side after the first UE is abnormal.
  • the user plane function network element may monitor the running states of the first UE and the second UE in real time.
  • Monitoring programs include but are not limited to the following:
  • the user plane function network element sends an Internet packet explorer (Packet Internet Groper, PING) packet to the first UE and the second UE to monitor its connectivity; if the connectivity monitoring of a certain UE fails, it can be considered that the UE Abnormal;
  • IP packet explorer Packet Internet Groper, PING
  • the user plane function network element tests the round-trip delay (Round-Trip-Time, RTT) (that is, the round-trip time) of sending the data packet to the first UE and the round-trip delay of sending the data packet to the second UE. If a certain UE corresponds to The round-trip time is long (for example, reaching a certain upper limit), it is considered that the UE is abnormal.
  • RTT Round-Trip-Time
  • FIG. 9 it is a flow chart of downlink data transmission, including: S901, the user plane function network element monitors the running status of the first UE and the second UE in real time;
  • the data network sends downlink data to the user plane functional network element, and the user plane functional network element receives the downlink data from the data network;
  • the user plane function network element detects that the running state of the first UE is normal, and the user plane function network element sends the downlink data to the access network element through the PDU session (first user plane channel) of the first UE;
  • the incoming network element receives downlink data from the first user plane channel;
  • the network element of the access network forwards the downlink data to the first UE.
  • the user plane function network element detects that the running state of the first UE is abnormal or abnormal, and the running state of the second UE is normal, then the user plane function network element passes the PDU session (second user plane channel) of the second UE. sending the downlink data to the network element of the access network;
  • the network element of the access network receives the downlink data from the second user plane channel, and forwards the downlink data to the second UE.
  • the unified data management function network element sends the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE to the user plane function network element, so that the user plane function network element can maintain their associations. Furthermore, in the process of data transmission, the user plane function network element can monitor the status of the first UE and the second UE, and when one of the UEs is abnormal, switch and send data to the other UE according to the association relationship, so as not to increase the number of UEs. While reducing the overhead of air interface resources, the reliability of the device is improved.
  • the first network device is an access network element
  • the access network element can learn the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE, and the access network element decides which UE to send downlink data to;
  • the network access element monitors the running status of the first UE and the second UE in real time, and decides to send downlink data to the first UE or the second UE according to the running status and associated information of the first UE.
  • the user plane function network element receives the downlink data of the primary UE, it will make a copy of the data and pass it through the user plane channel of the first UE (that is, the first user plane channel, such as the PDU session of the first UE) and the second UE.
  • the user plane channel of the UE (that is, the second user plane channel, for example, the PDU session of the second UE) is sent to the network element of the access network.
  • the access network element may receive downlink data from the user plane function network element through the first user plane channel, and receive downlink data from the user plane function network element through the second user plane channel. If the running state of the first UE is normal, the access network element will send the data from the first user plane channel to the first UE, and discard or delete the downlink data received through the second user plane channel; or, If the running state of the first UE is abnormal, the access network element will send data from the second user plane channel to the second UE, and discard or delete downlink data received through the first user plane channel. As shown in FIG. 10 , it is a schematic diagram for the network element of the access network to decide to send downlink data to the first UE or the second UE.
  • the process of user plane function network element acquiring association relationship and deciding data forwarding can include the following four stages:
  • Stage 1 The process of updating the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE.
  • Stage 2 The first UE and the second UE registration process.
  • Stage 3 The session establishment process of the first UE and the second UE.
  • the flow chart of session establishment for the first UE includes:
  • the first UE sends a session establishment request message to the access and mobility management function network element, and the access and mobility management function network element receives the session establishment request message sent by the first UE;
  • the first UE may send a PDU session establishment request message to the access and mobility management function network element through NAS signaling;
  • the access and mobility management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the session management function network element, and indicates the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE in the session establishment request message; the session management function network element receives the session After establishing the request message, learn the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE;
  • the session management function network element establishes an N4 session connection with the user plane function network element, and in this process, the session management function network element sends the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE to the user plane function network element;
  • the session management function network element sends a session establishment accept message to the access and mobility management function network element;
  • the access and mobility management function network element sends an N2 message to the access network element, which includes the session establishment accept message and the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE.
  • the network element of the access network sends a session establishment accept message to the first UE;
  • the process shown in FIG. 11 is basically the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 in Embodiment 1, and the difference is only that S1105 to S1106 are different from the above-mentioned S805. That is, compared with Embodiment 1, the association table here can be sent to the access network element in addition to the user plane functional network element.
  • the session establishment process of the second UE may refer to the session establishment process of the first UE, which will not be repeated here.
  • the user plane function network element may maintain an association relationship table about the first UE and the second UE. As shown in Table 4 below, it is an example of the association table stored by the user plane functional network elements:
  • Table 4 Association table stored in user plane functional network elements
  • the page in Table 4 may not contain AN tunnel information.
  • the user plane function network element can find the context information according to the N4 session identifier of the first UE, The tunnel information corresponding to the first UE is found from the context information.
  • the network element of the access network may also maintain an association table about the first UE and the second UE, as shown in Table 5 below, which is stored by the network element of the access network.
  • Table 5 Association relationship table stored by access network elements
  • the access network element can select which radio bearer (DRB) to send data according to Table 5 (it can be understood as which corresponding air interface resource is selected to send data).
  • DRB radio bearer
  • the network element of the access network sends data from the first user plane channel (for example, the PDU session identified by PDU Session ID 1) to the first UE through the DRB 1 of the first UE, and Discard or delete data from the second user plane channel (eg the PDU session identified by PDU Session ID 2).
  • the network element of the access network sends the data from the first user plane channel to the second UE through the DRB 2 of the second UE, and discards or deletes the data from the second user plane channel .
  • the association relationship table stored by the access network element (ie, Table 5) stores the UE ID and the user plane function network element.
  • the UE IDs corresponding to the same UE in Table 4) may be different, but all can be used to identify the UE.
  • the association relationship is transmitted from the application function network element to the access network element.
  • the access network element After the access network element obtains the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE, the access network element can control the handover data forwarding after the first UE is abnormal. For the specific process, refer to stage 4.
  • Stage 4 Data sending and the process of switching data forwarding on the network side after the first UE is abnormal.
  • the network element of the access network may monitor the running states of the first UE and the second UE in real time.
  • the monitoring programs include but are not limited to the following:
  • the network element of the access network sends a PING packet to the first UE and the second UE to monitor its connectivity; if the connectivity monitoring fails, it can be considered that the UE is abnormal;
  • the network element of the access network tests the round-trip time for sending the test data packet to the UE. If the round-trip time is longer (eg, reaching a certain upper limit), it is considered that the UE is abnormal.
  • a network element of an access network monitors the running states of the first UE and the second UE in real time;
  • the data network sends downlink data to the user plane function network element, and the user plane function network element receives the downlink data from the data network;
  • the user plane function network element copies the downlink data in multiple copies according to the association relationship, and sends the downlink data to the access network element through the first user plane channel and the second user plane channel respectively;
  • the plane channel and the second user plane channel receive downlink data from the user plane functional network element;
  • the access network element monitors that the running state of the first UE is normal, and the access network element sends the data from the first user plane channel to the first UE, and can also discard or delete the data received through the second user plane channel The received downlink data;
  • the access network element detects that the running state of the first UE is abnormal and the running state of the second UE is normal, and the access network element sends the data from the second user plane channel to the second UE, and can also discard the data Or delete downlink data received through the first user plane channel.
  • the unified data management function network element in the process of establishing a session between the first UE and the second UE, sends the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE to the user plane function network element and the access network network element, so that User plane functional network elements and access network network elements can maintain their associations. Furthermore, in the process of data transmission, the network element of the access network monitors the status of the first UE and the second UE, and when one of the UEs is abnormal, switches to send data to the other UE, so as to save the air interface resource overhead. At the same time, improve the reliability of the equipment.
  • the first network device is an access network element, and the access network element decides which UE to send downlink data to.
  • the first UE and the second UE can share the same session connection.
  • the user plane function network element receives the downlink data of the master UE, it can forward the arriving downlink data to the user plane channel shared by the first UE and the second UE.
  • Access network element If the running state of the first UE is normal, the network element of the access network sends the downlink data to the first UE; or, if the running state of the first UE is abnormal, the network element of the access network sends the downlink data to the second UE UE.
  • FIG. 13 it is a schematic diagram for the network element of the access network to decide to send downlink data to the first UE or the second UE.
  • this embodiment can be further divided into two scenarios:
  • the specific implementation of the user plane channel shared by the first UE and the second UE is as follows: the user plane channel shared by the first UE and the second UE neither belongs to the user plane channel of the first UE nor the second UE.
  • User plane channel In other words, the shared user plane channel is specially established for transmitting the shared data of the first UE and the second UE, or when the user plane function network element sends data to the access network element through the channel, it is not Distinguish whether the data is sent to the first UE or the data sent to the second UE.
  • the specific implementation manner of the user plane channel shared by the first UE and the second UE is: the user plane channel shared by the first UE and the second UE belongs to the user plane channel of the first UE or the second UE.
  • the shared user plane channel is specially established for transmitting the data of the first UE, but can be used to transmit the data of the second UE, or the data transmitted by the channel can also be sent to the second UE; or , the shared user plane channel is specially configured for transmitting the data of the second UE, but can be used to transmit the data of the first UE, or the data transmitted by the channel can also be sent to the first UE.
  • the process of user plane functional network elements acquiring association relationships and deciding on data forwarding can include the following five stages:
  • Stage 1 The process of updating the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE.
  • Stage 2 The first UE and the second UE registration process.
  • Stage 3 The sharing session establishment process of the first UE and the second UE.
  • the shared session establishment process is different from the session establishment process in the foregoing embodiment 1 or embodiment 2.
  • FIG. 14 it is a flowchart of a method for establishing a shared session, including:
  • the session management function network element sends a shared tunnel request message to the user plane function network element, and the user plane function network element receives the shared tunnel request message sent by the session management function network element; the user plane function network element returns the user to the session management function network element.
  • the tunnel information on the NE side of the plane function (such as the tunnel identifier on the side of the NE with the user plane function) and the address information of the NE with the function on the user plane (such as the IP address of the NE with the function on the user plane).
  • the session management function network element may obtain tunnel-related policy information from an operation and maintenance management system (Operation Administration and Maintenance, OAM) and/or a policy control function network element (PCF). Furthermore, when the session management function network element sends the shared tunnel request message to the user plane function network element, it carries the tunnel-related policy information in the shared tunnel request message and sends it to the user plane function network element together.
  • OAM Opera and maintenance management system
  • PCF policy control function network element
  • the session management function network element sends a shared tunnel request message to the access and mobility management function network element, where the shared tunnel request message carries the tunnel information on the side of the user plane function network element and the address information of the user plane function network element.
  • the network element of the property management function receives the shared tunnel request message sent by the network element of the session management function;
  • the access and mobility management function network element sends a shared tunnel request message to the access network element, which carries the tunnel information on the side of the user plane function network element and the address information of the user plane function network element, and the access network element receives the access network element.
  • a shared tunnel request message sent with the mobility management function network element the access network element returns the access network element side tunnel information (such as the access network element side tunnel identifier) to the access and mobility management function network element; and Access network element address information (for example, the IP address of the access network element), the access and mobility management function network element receives the access network element side tunnel information sent by the access network element and the access network element Address information;
  • the access and mobility management function network element sends a shared tunnel response message to the session management function network element, where the shared tunnel response message carries the access network element side tunnel information and the access network element address information, and the session management function
  • the network element receives the shared tunnel response message sent by the access and mobility management function network element;
  • the session management function network element sends the access network element side tunnel information and the access network network element address information to the user plane function network element, and the user plane function network element receives the access information sent by the access and mobility management function network element.
  • Network element side tunnel information and access network element address information are examples of network element side tunnel information and access network element address information.
  • Stage 4 Session establishment flow of the first UE and the second UE.
  • the flow chart of session establishment for the first UE includes:
  • the first UE sends a session establishment request message to the access and mobility management function network element, and the access and mobility management function network element receives the session establishment request message sent by the first UE;
  • the access and mobility management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the session management function network element, and the message carries the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE; the session management function network element receives the access and mobility The session establishment request message sent by the network element of the sex management function;
  • the session management function network element determines whether the first UE and the second UE have established a shared session (or shared tunnel) according to the association relationship;
  • the session management function network element sends the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE to the user plane function network element, and the user plane function network element receives the association relationship sent by the session management function network element;
  • the session management function network element sends a session establishment accept message to the access and mobility management function network element, and the access and mobility management function network element receives the session establishment accept message sent by the session management function network element;
  • the access and mobility management function network element sends an N2 message to the access network element, where the N2 message includes a session establishment acceptance message and an association relationship; the access network element receives the message sent by the access and mobility management function network element. N2 message;
  • the access network element sends a session establishment accept message to the first UE, and the first UE receives the session establishment accept message sent by the access network element.
  • Table 6 is an example of the association table stored by the user plane functional network element:
  • Table 7 is an example of the association table stored by the network element of the access network:
  • Table 7 Association relationship table stored by access network elements
  • the association table stored by the network element of the access network is mainly used to let the network element of the access network know which radio bearer can be selected to send data when the first UE operates normally or is abnormal (it can be understood as which corresponding air interface to select). resources to send data); for example, when the first UE operates normally, the access network element can send the data from the shared tunnel to the first UE through DRB 1 according to the association table stored by the access network element; When a UE runs abnormally, the network element of the access network may send the data from the shared tunnel to the second UE through the DRB 2 according to the association table stored by the network element of the access network.
  • the association relationship table stored by the access network element ie, Table 7 between the UE ID and the user plane function network element (ie, The UE IDs corresponding to the same UE in Table 6) may be different, but both can be used to identify the UE.
  • the association relationship is transmitted from the application function network element to the access network element.
  • Stage 5 Data transmission and the process of switching data forwarding on the network side after the first UE is abnormal
  • the network element of the access network can monitor the running states of the first UE and the second UE in real time.
  • the specific monitoring scheme reference may be made to the monitoring method introduced in stage 4 in the above embodiment 2, and details are not repeated here.
  • a network element of an access network monitors the running states of the first UE and the second UE in real time
  • the data network sends downlink data to the user plane function network element, and the user plane function network element receives the downlink data from the data network;
  • the user plane function network element sends downlink data to the access network element through the user plane channel shared by the first UE and the second UE according to the association relationship; the access network element sends the downlink data through the user plane channel shared by the first UE and the second UE;
  • the user plane channel receives downlink data from user plane functional network elements;
  • the network element of the access network detects that the running state of the first UE is normal, and the network element of the access network sends the downlink data to the first UE;
  • the network element of the access network detects that the running state of the first UE is abnormal and the running state of the second UE is normal, and the network element of the access network sends the downlink data to the second UE.
  • the process of user plane function network elements acquiring association relationships and deciding on data forwarding can include the following four stages:
  • Stage 1 The process of updating the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE.
  • Stage 2 The first UE and the second UE registration process.
  • Stage 3 The session establishment process of the first UE and the second UE.
  • the association relationship is transmitted from the application function network element to the access network element.
  • Stage 4 Data sending and the process of switching data forwarding on the network side after the first UE is abnormal.
  • the network element of the access network can monitor the running states of the first UE and the second UE in real time.
  • the monitoring scheme reference may be made to the monitoring method described in Phase 4 in Embodiment 2 above, which will not be repeated here.
  • a network element of an access network monitors the running states of the first UE and the second UE in real time;
  • the data network sends downlink data to the user plane functional network element, and the user plane functional network element receives the downlink data from the data network;
  • the user plane function network element sends downlink data to the access network element through the first user plane channel (the user plane channel of the first UE) or the second user plane channel (the user plane channel of the second UE) according to the association relationship ; the access network element receives downlink data from the user plane functional network element through the first user plane channel or the second user plane channel;
  • the network element of the access network detects that the running state of the first UE is normal, and the network element of the access network sends downlink data to the first UE;
  • the access network element detects that the running state of the first UE is abnormal and the running state of the second UE is normal, and the access network element sends downlink data to the second UE.
  • the network element of the unified data management function sends the association relationship between the first UE and the second UE to the network element of the access network, so that the network element of the access network can maintain their associations.
  • the network element of the access network monitors the status of the first UE and the second UE, and when one of the UEs is abnormal, it switches to send data to the other UE, so that the air interface resource overhead is not increased at the same time. , improve the reliability of the equipment.
  • the user plane function network element sends downlink data to the access network network element through the session connection shared by the first UE and the second UE, so there is no need to perform redundant data transmission, which can further save network resource overhead.
  • the same UE may request to establish at least two session connections to provide reliability assurance for the target device.
  • the core network element can learn that at least two sessions corresponding to the same UE have an association relationship, and in the process of sending data to the UE, when the session connection currently used for data transmission is abnormal, the session connection is switched, and then the session connection is switched. Reduce equipment interruption time and enhance equipment reliability.
  • FIG. 18 which is a flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application, the method can be applied to the communication system shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 , and the method includes:
  • a core network element acquires first information, where the first information is used to associate the first session and the second session of the UE.
  • the UE here may be any UE in the scenario shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 , which is not limited.
  • the UE may establish at least two sessions, where the first session and the second session are taken as an example.
  • the core network element determines, according to the first information, that there is an association relationship between the first session and the second session.
  • the relationship between the first session and the second session specifically means that the first session and the second session can be used to transmit the same data.
  • the first session and the second session correspond to the same UE, that is, the first session and the second session can transmit data of the same UE; or, for example, the first session and the second session belong to the same session group, that is, the first session and the second session belong to the same session group.
  • a session and a second session may transmit data of the same session group; or, for example, the first session and the second session may be used to transmit data of the same quintuple; or, for example, the first session and the second session may use to serve the same sender and receiver.
  • the first session or the second session can be selected according to the association relationship.
  • Two-session sending sends data to the UE.
  • the first information is explicit indication information, for example, the first information includes seventh indication information, and the seventh indication information is used to indicate that there is an association relationship between the first session and the second session or to indicate The first session and the second session may be used to transmit the same data.
  • the network element of the core network determines that there is an association relationship between the first session and the second session according to the first information. Specifically, the network element of the core network determines that there is an association relationship between the first session and the second session according to the seventh indication information. .
  • the first information further includes related information about the association relationship between the first session and the second session, such as first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate any one or more of the following: the priority of the first session , the attribute of the first session, the priority of the second session, the attribute of the second session.
  • the attribute can be used to indicate whether the session is the primary session or the backup session.
  • the priority of the first session is higher than the priority of the second session; and/or the attribute of the first session is the primary session, and the attribute of the second session is the backup session.
  • the core network element may further determine, in addition to determining that the first session and the second session are associated, The priority relationship between the first session and the second session, for example, the priority of the first session is higher than the priority of the second session. If the first information further includes the attribute of the first session and/or the attribute of the second session, the core network element may further determine that the first session and the second session are associated with each other in addition to determining that the first session and the second session are associated. The attribute relationship of the two sessions, for example, the first session is the primary session, and the second session is the standby session. Wherein, the association relationship includes the priority relationship and/or the attribute relationship.
  • the first information is implicit indication information, for example, the first information only includes relevant information about the association relationship between the first session and the second session.
  • the core network element determining the association relationship between the first session and the second session according to the first information is specifically: the core network network element obtains the association relationship between the first session and the second session according to the first information, and then determines the first session and the second session. There is an association relationship between a session and a second session.
  • the related information of the association relationship between the first session and the second session is the above-mentioned first indication information.
  • the core network element obtains the priority relationship or the attribute relationship between the first session and the second session according to the relevant information, and further determines that there is an association relationship between the first session and the second session.
  • the related information of the association relationship between the first session and the second session is the session group information to which the first session belongs and the session group information to which the second session belongs, wherein the session group information to which the first session belongs and the second session
  • the information of the session group for the session is the same, and the core network element determines that the first session and the second session belong to the same session group according to the relevant information, and further determines that the first session and the second session have an association relationship.
  • the core network element further generates and saves the association relationship between the first session and the second session according to the first information.
  • the association relationship can be used as the basis or reference for the core network element to select a session from the first session and the second session when the core network element sends data to the UE.
  • the association relationship between the first session and the second session includes the first session and the second session.
  • the core network element may directly store the first information as the association relationship, that is, without performing the operation of generating the association relationship.
  • the attribute of the session or the priority of the session is used by the network side as a basis or reference for the network side to select a session when sending data. Therefore, in practical applications, the association relationship can not only represent the priority relationship between the first session and the second session, the master-standby relationship between the first session and the second session, etc., but also can represent the relationship between the first session and the second session. For other relationships, as long as the association relationship can be used by the network side as a basis for selecting a session, this application does not limit it.
  • the first information is provided by the UE to the core network element.
  • the UE obtains the first information, and sends the first information to the core network element.
  • the manner in which the first UE obtains the first information is, for example, that the first UE generates the first information, or, for example, that the first UE receives the first information sent by other devices, which is not limited here.
  • the first information is sent to the core network element during the process of establishing the session connection by the UE, for example, the first information is carried in a session establishment request message and sent to the core network element.
  • the core network element may be a control plane network element, such as a session management function network element SMF, or a user plane network element, such as a user plane function network element UPF, which is not limited in this application .
  • a control plane network element such as a session management function network element SMF
  • a user plane network element such as a user plane function network element UPF
  • the control plane network element when the core network element is a control plane network element, after the core network element determines that there is an association relationship between the first session and the second session, the control plane network element also sends a second indication to the user plane network element.
  • information (optionally, the second indication information is the association relationship between the first session and the second session), and the second indication information is used to represent the association relationship between the first session and the second session, so that the user plane network element can
  • the association relationship determines that the downlink data is sent to the UE through the first session or the second session; or, after receiving the first information, the control plane network element sends the first information to the user plane network element, thereby enabling the user plane network element according to the
  • the first information determines that there is an association relationship between the first session and the second session (optionally, the user plane network element further determines the specific content of the association relationship), and according to the association
  • the UE sends downlink data.
  • the core network element is a user plane network element
  • the user plane network element determines that there is an association relationship between the first session and the second session according to the first information
  • the user plane network element receives downlink data to be sent to the UE
  • the user plane network element determines to send downlink data to the UE through the first session or the second session according to the association relationship.
  • the first information includes the second information and the third information.
  • the second information includes related information of the first session, for example, the second information includes an association relationship identifier to which the first session belongs, and optionally, the second information further includes the priority and/or attribute of the first session.
  • the third information includes related information of the second session.
  • the third information includes an association relationship identifier to which the second session belongs.
  • the third information further includes the priority and/or attribute of the second session.
  • the core network element determines, according to the first information, that the association relationship identifier to which the first session belongs is the same as the association relationship identifier to which the second session belongs, the core network element determines that there is an association relationship between the first session and the second session. . If the second information further includes the priority and/or attribute of the first session, and the third information also includes the priority and/or attribute of the second session, the core network element may further determine the priority and/or attribute of the first session and the second session. Priority relationships and/or attribute relationships.
  • the above association relationship identifier is carried in the session establishment request message.
  • the second information is sent in the process of establishing the first session by the UE, and the session establishment request message for establishing the first session carries the second information (the second information includes the association relationship identifier to which the first session belongs); the third information It is sent in the process of establishing the second session by the UE, and the session establishment request message for establishing the second session carries third information (the third information includes the association relationship identifier to which the second session belongs).
  • the UE sends the second information and the third information to the session management function network element and the user plane function network element as an example, referring to FIG. 19 , and the specific process includes:
  • the UE sends a session establishment request (PDU Session Establishment Request) message to the access and mobility management function network element, where the message is used to request the establishment of a first session (or a first PDU session); the message carries the second information,
  • the second information includes an association ID (or a group ID).
  • the Association ID is used as association information to tell the core network which association ID the first PDU session established this time belongs to (which can be understood as yes Which group it belongs to, that is, the PDU session with the same Association ID has an associated relationship);
  • the second information further includes third indication information (or attribute information) for indicating whether the first PDU session is a primary PDU session or a backup PDU session.
  • third indication information or attribute information
  • the second information further includes fourth indication information (or priority information) for indicating the priority of the first PDU session.
  • fourth indication information or priority information
  • the access and mobility management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the session management function network element, where the message carries the second information;
  • the session management function network element establishes an N4 connection with the user plane function network element, and the user plane function network element may acquire the second information from the session management function network element in the process;
  • the session management function network element sends a session establishment accept message to the access and mobility management function network element;
  • the access and mobility management function network element sends a session establishment accept message to the UE;
  • the above S1901 to S1905 are the process of establishing the first PDU session.
  • the UE sends a session establishment request message to the access and mobility management function network element, where the message is used to request the establishment of a second session (or a second PDU session); the message carries third information, and the third information includes an association identifier (Association ID) (or group ID), the Association ID is used as association information to tell the core network which association ID the second PDU session established by this request belongs to (it can be understood as which group it belongs to, that is, the same PDU sessions with association IDs are associated);
  • Association ID association identifier
  • group ID group ID
  • the second information further includes fifth indication information (or attribute information), which is used to indicate whether the second PDU session is a primary PDU session or a backup PDU session.
  • fifth indication information or attribute information
  • the second information further includes sixth indication information (or priority information) for indicating the priority of the second PDU session.
  • the access and mobility management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the session management function network element, where the message is used to request the establishment of a second PDU session, and the message carries third information;
  • the session management function network element establishes an N4 connection with the user plane function network element, and in the process, the user plane function network element can obtain the third information from the session management function network element;
  • the session management function network element sends a session establishment accept message to the access and mobility management function network element;
  • the access and mobility management function network element sends a session establishment accept message to the UE.
  • the above S1906 to S1910 are the process of establishing the second PDU session.
  • the process of establishing the second PDU session initiated by the UE is basically the same as the process of establishing the first PDU session initiated by the UE.
  • the additional information carried is the second information
  • the additionally carried information is Information is third information.
  • the Association ID (that is, the Association ID in the third information) sent by the UE is the same as the Association ID (that is, the Association ID in the second information) in the process of establishing the first PDU session. ID) is consistent, so that the session management function network element and the user plane function network element can know that the two PDU sessions are associated.
  • the session management function network element or the user plane function network element After receiving the second information and the third information, the session management function network element or the user plane function network element establishes an association relationship between the first PDU session and the second PDU session according to the second information and the third information.
  • S1911 when S1911 is specifically the session management function network element establishing the association relationship between the first PDU session and the second PDU session according to the second information and the third information, S1911 can be executed at any time after S1907, for example, before S1908, Execute before S1909, before S1910, or after S1910.
  • S1911 when S1911 is specifically the user plane function network element establishing the association relationship between the first PDU session and the second PDU session according to the second information and the third information, S1911 can be executed at any time after S1908, for example, before S1909, before S1910 or Execute after S1910.
  • the session management function network element can send the second information and the third information to the user plane function network element so that the user plane function network element can generate an association relationship according to the second information and the third information.
  • the management function network element can also directly send the association relationship between the first PDU session and the second PDU session to the user plane function network element after generating the association relationship, so that the user plane function network element can directly save the association relationship without executing the The process of establishing an association relationship between the second information and the third information.
  • the session management function network element and the user plane function network element can also learn the attribute information of the two PDU sessions, that is, to know which PDU session is the primary, Which PDU session is for standby. If the session management function network element and the user plane function network element do not receive the information, the session management function network element may indicate the attribute information about the session to the user plane function network element.
  • the session management function network element and the user plane function network element can also learn the priority information of the two PDU sessions, that is, know which PDU session has priority. higher, which PDU session has lower priority. If the session management function network element and the user plane function network element do not receive the information, the session management function network element may indicate the priority information of the session to the user plane function network element.
  • association relationship between the first PDU session and the second PDU session is in the form of an association relationship table.
  • Table 8 is an example of the association table between the first PDU session and the second PDU session:
  • Table 8 Association table between the first PDU session and the second PDU session
  • association relationship table is only an example, which does not mean that the association relationship table is necessarily the same.
  • the association table it is necessary to reflect that the first PDU session and the second PDU session belong to the same group, and are marked with the attributes (or priorities) of each PDU session, so that the network side can know which PDU session is the primary PDU.
  • the session or which PDU session is of high priority which in turn will be used to send data preferentially when the PDU session is running normally.
  • the first information is divided into two parts, the second information and the third information, which are provided by the UE to the network in the first session establishment process and the second session establishment process respectively, and the system does not need to provide the second information and the third information.
  • Three additional information transmission resources are configured, which can save system overhead.
  • the first information is used to indicate associating the first session with the second session.
  • the network element of the core network determines that there is an association relationship between the first session and the second session according to the first information.
  • the first information is sent in the process of establishing the first session or the second session by the UE.
  • the UE does not carry the first information, but in the process of establishing the second PDU session subsequently.
  • the UE carries the first information, indicating that the second PDU session is associated with the previously established first PDU session, so that the session management function network element and the user plane function network element can know that the two PDU sessions are associated.
  • the UE in the process of establishing the first PDU session, the UE carries the first information, indicating that the first PDU session is associated with the second PDU session established later, while in the process of establishing the second PDU session subsequently, the UE does not carry the first information.
  • the first information can also enable the session management function network element and the user plane function network element to know that the two PDU sessions are associated.
  • the specific process includes:
  • the UE sends a session establishment request message to the access and mobility management function network element, where the message is used to request the establishment of a second PDU session; the message carries first information, and the first information includes association information, and the association information indicates that the The second PDU session is associated with the previously established first PDU session;
  • the first information further includes attribute information, which is used to indicate the master/slave relationship between the second PDU session and the previously established first PDU session.
  • the first information further includes priority information, which is used to indicate a priority relationship between the second PDU session and the previously established first PDU session.
  • the access and mobility management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the session management function network element, where the message carries the first information;
  • the session management function network element establishes an N4 connection with the user plane function network element, and in the process, the user plane function network element obtains the first information from the session management function network element;
  • the session management function network element sends a session establishment accept message to the access and mobility management function network element;
  • the access and mobility management function network element sends a session establishment accept message to the UE.
  • the session management function network element or the user plane function network element After receiving the first information, the session management function network element or the user plane function network element establishes an association relationship between the first PDU session and the second PDU session according to the first information.
  • S2006 when S2006 is specifically the session management function network element establishing the association relationship between the first PDU session and the second PDU session according to the first information, S2006 can be executed at any time after S2002, for example, before S2003, before S2004, and S2005 Executed before or after S2005.
  • S2006 when S2006 is specifically the user plane function network element establishing the association relationship between the first PDU session and the second PDU session according to the first information, S2006 can be executed at any time after S2003, for example, can be executed before S2004, before S2005 or after S2005.
  • the session management function network element can send the first information to the user plane function network element so that the user plane function network element can generate an association relationship according to the first information, and the session management function network element can also generate After the association relationship, the association relationship between the first PDU session and the second PDU session is directly sent to the user plane function network element, so that the user plane function network element can directly save the association relationship without performing the establishment of the second information and the third information.
  • the flow of the association relationship can send the first information to the user plane function network element so that the user plane function network element can generate an association relationship according to the first information
  • the session management function network element can also generate After the association relationship, the association relationship between the first PDU session and the second PDU session is directly sent to the user plane function network element, so that the user plane function network element can directly save the association relationship without performing the establishment of the second information and the third information.
  • the session management function network element and the user plane function network element can also learn the attribute information of the two PDU sessions, that is, to know which PDU session is the primary and which PDU session is the primary one. ready. If the session management function network element and the user plane function network element do not receive the information, the session management function network element may indicate the attribute information about the session to the user plane function network element.
  • the session management function network element and the user plane function network element can also learn the priority information of the two PDU sessions, that is, learn which PDU session has a higher priority and which one has a higher priority. PDU sessions have low priority. If the session management function network element and the user plane function network element do not receive the information, the session management function network element may indicate the priority information of the session to the user plane function network element.
  • the system does not need to additionally configure transmission resources for the first information, which can save system overhead.
  • the UE only needs to send the first information in one session establishment process, and the implementation is simple.
  • the session for sending downlink data can be selected according to the following rules:
  • the core network element sends downlink data to the access network element through the first session;
  • the core network element sends downlink data to the access network element through the first session;
  • the core network element sends the message to the access network element through the second session. Downlink data.
  • the core network element sends the information to the access network through the second session.
  • the element sends downlink data, including: if the priority of the first session is higher than the priority of the second session or the first session is the main session, and the first session is in the deactivated or released state, and the second session is in the activated or connected state , the core network element sends downlink data to the access network element through the second session. In this way, it can be ensured that the first session is available after session switching, which further improves the reliability of the solution.
  • the user plane network element adopts the above rules to select the session for sending downlink data, it can preferentially use the first session with high priority to transmit data.
  • the first session is deactivated or released, it can switch to use the second session with lower priority.
  • the session continues to transmit data, thereby reducing the transmission interruption time and enhancing the reliability of data transmission.
  • FIG. 21 it is a schematic diagram of a user plane function network element deciding to send downlink data through the first PDU session or the second PDU session.
  • the UE When the user plane function network element receives the downlink data, the UE provides the attribute information of the first PDU session or the second PDU session (the first PDU session is the main session) or the priority information (the first PDU session has a higher priority than the second PDU session). PDU session priority), then when the first PDU session is in the active or connected state, the user plane function network element will preferentially select the first PDU session to send. When the first PDU session is deactivated or released, and the second PDU session is in the active or connected state, the user plane function network element will use the second PDU session to transmit the data when it receives downlink data, thereby reducing the number of The time of transmission interruption enhances the reliability of data transmission.
  • the user plane function network element When the user plane function network element receives the downlink data, if the UE does not provide the attribute information or priority information of the first PDU session or the second PDU session, the user plane function network element will select one of the active or connected PDU sessions. Transmission, for example, selects the first PDU session. When the first PDU session is deactivated or released, and the second PDU session is in the active or connected state, the user plane function network element will use the second PDU session to transmit the data when it receives downlink data, thereby reducing the number of Equipment outage time, enhance equipment reliability.
  • the above content takes the UE establishing two PDU sessions for data transmission as an example.
  • the UE may also establish more PDU sessions for data transmission.
  • the method for associating the third PDU session with the first PDU session or the second PDU session may refer to the above-mentioned method for associating the first PDU session and the second PDU session, which will not be repeated here.
  • FIG. 4 and FIG. 18 can be implemented simultaneously, switching from the active and standby UEs and switching between the active and standby PDU sessions. To improve the reliability of data transmission.
  • the device may be divided into functional units according to the foregoing method examples.
  • each functional unit may be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one unit.
  • the above-mentioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware, or may be implemented in the form of software functional units.
  • FIG. 22 shows a possible exemplary block diagram of the communication device involved in the embodiment of the present application.
  • the communication apparatus 2200 may include: a processing unit 2201 and a transceiver unit 2202 .
  • the processing unit 2201 is used to control and manage the operation of the communication device 2200 .
  • the transceiver unit 2202 is used to support the communication between the communication apparatus 2200 and other devices.
  • the transceiver unit 2202 is also referred to as a communication unit 2202, and may include a receiving unit and/or a sending unit, which are respectively configured to perform receiving and sending operations.
  • the apparatus 2200 may further include a storage unit 2203 for storing program codes and/or data of the apparatus 2200 .
  • the storage unit 2203 is optional to the communication device 2200 to represent that the storage unit 2203 is optional with a dotted box.
  • the apparatus 2200 may be the first network device in the related embodiments shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 17 , or may also be a chip provided in the first network device.
  • the processing unit 2201 may support the apparatus 2200 to perform the action of the first network device.
  • the processing unit 2201 mainly performs internal actions of the first network device, and the transceiver unit 2202 may support communication between the apparatus 2200 and other devices.
  • the transceiver unit 2202 is used to receive downlink data to be sent to the first user equipment; the processing unit 2201 is used to: control the transceiver unit to send the data to the first user equipment according to the operating state of the first user equipment.
  • the user equipment or the second user equipment sends downlink data;
  • both the second user equipment and the first user equipment belong to the first group; wherein, in the first group, the priority of the first user equipment is higher than the priority of the second user equipment; or, the first user equipment is the primary user equipment in the first group, and the second user equipment is the standby user equipment in the first group.
  • the apparatus 2200 may also be an application function network element in the relevant embodiments shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 17 , or may also be a chip provided in the application function network element.
  • the processing unit 2201 may support the apparatus 2200 to perform the actions of the application function network element.
  • the processing unit 2201 mainly performs the internal actions of the application function network element, and the transceiver unit 2202 may support the communication between the apparatus 2200 and other devices.
  • the processing unit 2201 is configured to generate association information between the first user equipment and the second user equipment; wherein, the first user equipment and the second user equipment both belong to the first group, and the association information uses It is characterized by: the priority of the first user equipment in the first group is higher than the priority of the second user equipment, and/or, the first user equipment is the primary user equipment in the first group, and the second user equipment is The standby user equipment in the first group; the transceiver unit 2202 is configured to send associated information to the first network device.
  • the apparatus 2200 may also be a core network element in the related embodiments shown in FIG. 18 to FIG. 21 , or may also be a chip provided in the core network element.
  • the processing unit 2201 may support the apparatus 2200 to perform actions of core network elements. Alternatively, the processing unit 2201 mainly performs internal operations of the core network element, and the transceiver unit 2202 may support communication between the apparatus 2200 and other devices.
  • the transceiver unit 2202 is configured to acquire first information, and the first information is used to associate the first session and the second session of the user equipment; the processing unit 2201 is configured to determine the first session according to the first information. There is an association relationship between a session and a second session.
  • the apparatus 2200 may also be the UE in the related embodiments shown in FIG. 18 to FIG. 21 , or may also be a chip provided in the UE.
  • the processing unit 2201 may support the apparatus 2200 to perform actions of the UE.
  • the processing unit 2201 mainly performs internal actions of the UE, and the transceiver unit 2202 may support communication between the apparatus 2200 and other devices.
  • the processing unit 2201 is configured to obtain first information, where the first information is used to associate the first session and the second session of the user equipment; the transceiver unit 2202 is configured to send the first session to the core network element A piece of information, where the first information is used by the core network element to determine that there is an association relationship between the first session and the second session.
  • an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device 2300, including: at least one processor 2301; and a memory 2302 connected to the at least one processor 2301; the at least one processor
  • the controller 2301 causes the communication device 2300 to execute the methods in the above method embodiments by executing the instructions stored in the memory 2002 .
  • the processor 2301 and the memory 2302 may be coupled through an interface circuit, or may be integrated together, which is not limited here.
  • the communication apparatus 2300 further includes a communication interface 2303 for supporting the communication between the communication apparatus 2300 and other devices.
  • the communication interface 2303 is optional to the communication device 2300 is represented by a dashed box.
  • the specific connection medium between the processor 2301, the memory 2302, and the communication interface 2303 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.
  • the processor 2301, the memory 2302, and the communication interface 2303 are connected through a bus 2304 in FIG. 23.
  • the bus is represented by a thick line in FIG. 23.
  • the connection mode between other components is only for schematic illustration. , is not limited.
  • the bus 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 shown in FIG. 23, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.
  • the processor mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by hardware or software.
  • the processor When implemented in hardware, the processor may be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, or the like.
  • the processor When implemented in software, the processor may be a general-purpose processor implemented by reading software codes stored in memory.
  • the processor may be a central processing unit (Central Processing Unit, CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (Digital Signal Processor, DSP), application specific integrated circuit (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC) , Off-the-shelf Programmable Gate Array (Field Programmable Gate Array, FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc.
  • a general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.
  • the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory.
  • the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (Read-Only Memory, ROM), a programmable read-only memory (Programmable ROM, PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (Erasable PROM, EPROM), an electrically programmable read-only memory (Erasable PROM, EPROM). 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.
  • RAM Static RAM
  • DRAM Dynamic RAM
  • SDRAM Synchronous DRAM
  • SDRAM double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory
  • Double Data Eate SDRAM DDR SDRAM
  • enhanced SDRAM ESDRAM
  • synchronous link dynamic random access memory Synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM
  • Direct Rambus RAM Direct Rambus RAM
  • the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components
  • the memory storage module
  • memory described herein is intended to include, but not be limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.
  • an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, where a computer program or instruction is stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer-readable computer program or instruction is executed by the communication device , to implement the methods in the above method embodiments.
  • an embodiment of the present application also provides a chip, including at least one processor, where the at least one processor is coupled to a memory and configured to read and execute a software program stored in the memory, so as to realize the above methods in the method examples.
  • an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the methods in the above method embodiments to be executed.
  • the apparatuses provided in the embodiments of the present application can be used to execute the corresponding methods in the embodiments shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 21 , the technical effects obtained by the apparatuses can refer to the above method embodiments, which are not repeated here.
  • the embodiments of the present application may be provided as a method, a system, or a computer program product. Accordingly, the present application may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present application may take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) having computer-usable program code embodied therein.
  • computer-usable storage media including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.
  • These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory capable of directing a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory result in an article of manufacture comprising instruction means, the instructions
  • the apparatus implements the functions specified in the flow or flow of the flowcharts and/or the block or blocks of the block diagrams.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Abstract

本申请实施例提供一种通信方法及对应装置，用于降低空口资源开销和保证数据传输的可靠性。当网络侧支持通过多个用户设备(例如第一用户设备和第二用户设备)向目标设备发送数据时，网络中的第一网络设备可以根据其中一个用户设备(例如第一用户设备)的运行状态，从该多个用户设备中选择一个用户用设备来转发数据(例如第一网络设备向第一用户设备或第二用户设备发送下行数据)。相较于现有技术网络需要将相同的数据同时发送给多个用户设备而言，本申请实施例可以降低空口资源的开销。

Description

一种通信方法及对应装置
相关申请的交叉引用
本申请要求在2020年10月29日提交中国专利局、申请号为202011179352.X、申请名称为“一种通信方法及对应装置”的中国专利申请的优先权，其全部内容通过引用结合在本申请中。
技术领域
本申请涉及通信技术领域，尤其涉及一种通信方法及对应装置。
背景技术
为了保证数据传输的可靠性，目前网络侧支持通过多个用户设备(User Equipment，UE)向目标设备(target device)发送数据，即：网络设备将待发给目标设备的下行数据复制多份，分别发送给多个用户设备中的每个用户设备，然后每个用户设备均向该目标设备转发下行数据。但这种方案会导致较大的空口开销，降低空口资源的利用率。网络设备如何选择用户设备来转发下行数据给目标设备，在降低空口资源开销的同时还保证数据传输的可靠性，是本申请所要解决的问题之一。
为了保证数据传输的可靠性，目前还支持在一个用户设备和网络设备之间可创建多个协议数据单元(Protocol Data Unit，PDU)会话。但这种方案同样会导致较大的空口开销，降低空口资源的利用率。因此，网络设备如何选择PDU会话来传输数据，在降低空口资源开销的同时还保证数据传输的可靠性，是本申请所要解决的问题之二。
发明内容
本申请实施例提供一种通信方法及对应装置，用于降低空口资源开销且保证数据传输的可靠性。
第一方面，提供一种通信方法，该方法可以应用于网络设备，或者也可以应用于网络设备内部的芯片，以该方法可以应用于第一网络设备为例，在该方法中，包括：第一网络设备接收待发送给第一用户设备的下行数据；第一网络设备根据第一用户设备的运行状态，向第一用户设备或第二用户设备发送下行数据。其中，第二用户设备与第一用户设备均属于第一群组。其中，在第一群组中，第一用户设备的优先级高于第二用户设备的优先级；或者，第一用户设备为第一群组中的主用户设备，第二用户设备为第一群组中的备用户设备。
采用上述方式，当网络侧支持通过第一用户设备和第二用户设备向目标设备发送数据时，第一网络设备可以根据第一用户设备的运行状态，选择向第一用户设备或第二用户设备发送下行数据，相较于现有技术需要将相同的数据发送给多个用户设备而言，可以在能够保证数据传输的可靠性的前提下，降低空口资源的开销。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一网络设备为用户面网元。相应的，第一网络设备根据第 一用户设备的运行状态，向第一用户设备或第二用户设备发送下行数据，可以包括：若第一用户设备的运行状态为正常，则第一网络设备通过第一用户面通道向接入网网元发送下行数据，以使得接入网网元向第一用户设备发送下行数据，第一用户面通道用于传输第一用户设备的数据；或者，若第一用户设备的运行状态为异常，则第一网络设备通过第二用户面通道向接入网网元发送下行数据，以使得接入网网元向第二用户设备发送下行数据，第二用户面通道用于传输第二用户设备的数据。
采用上述方式，当网络侧支持通过第一用户设备和第二用户设备向目标设备发送数据时，用户面网元可以根据第一用户设备的运行状态决策向第一用户设备或第二用户设备发送下行数据，可以在保证数据传输的可靠性同时降低空口资源的开销。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一网络设备为接入网网元，相应的，第一网络设备接收待发送给第一用户设备的下行数据，包括：第一网络设备接收来自用户面网元的下行数据；第一网络设备根据第一用户设备的运行状态，向第一用户设备或第二用户设备发送下行数据，包括：若第一用户设备的运行状态为正常，则第一网络设备向第一用户设备发送下行数据；或者，若第一用户设备的运行状态为异常，则第一网络设备向第二用户设备发送下行数据。
采用上述方式，当网络侧支持通过第一用户设备和第二用户设备向目标设备发送数据时，接入网网元可以根据第一用户设备的运行状态决策向第一用户设备或第二用户设备发送下行数据，可以在保证数据传输的可靠性同时降低空口资源的开销。
一种可能的实现方式中，当第一网络设备为接入网网元时，第一网络设备接收来自用户面网元的下行数据，可以包括：第一网络设备通过第一用户面通道接收来自用户面网元的下行数据，第一用户面通道用于传输第一用户设备的数据；和，第一网络设备通过第二用户面通道接收来自用户面网元的下行数据，第二用户面通道用于传输第二用户设备的数据。
采用上述方式，用户面网元可以按照原有方式同时通过第二用户面通道和第一用户面通道发送下行数据，实现方式简单。
一种可能的实现方式中，当第一网络设备通过第一用户面通道和第二用户面通道接收来自用户面网元的下行数据时，若第一用户设备的运行状态为正常，则第一网络设备丢弃或删除通过第二用户面通道接收到的下行数据，或者，若第一用户设备的运行状态为异常，则第一网络设备丢弃或删除通过第一用户面通道接收到的下行数据。
采用上述方式，第一网络设备可以丢弃或删除冗余的数据，降低空口资源的开销。
一种可能的实现方式中，当第一网络设备为接入网网元时，第一网络设备接收来自用户面网元的下行数据，可以包括：第一网络设备通过第一用户面通道接收来自用户面网元的下行数据，第一用户面通道用于传输第一用户设备的数据；或，第一网络设备通过第二用户面通道接收来自用户面网元的下行数据，第二用户面通道用于传输第二用户设备的数据；或，第一网络设备通过第三用户面通道接收来自用户面网元的下行数据，第三用户面通道为第一用户设备和第二用户设备共享的数据传输通道。
采用上述方式，用户面网元只需要将下行数据通过一个用户面通道传输给接入网网元，可以进一步节省网络资源开销。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一网络设备可以生成或接收关联信息，关联信息用于表征第一用户设备为第一群组中的主用户设备，第二用户设备为第一群组中的备用户设备；或 者关联信息用于表征在第一群组中第一用户设备的优先级高于第二用户设备的优先级。相应的，第一网络设备根据第一用户设备的运行状态，向第一用户设备或第二用户设备发送下行数据，包括：第一网络设备根据第一用户设备的运行状态和关联信息，向第一用户设备或第二用户设备发送下行数据。
采用上述方式，第一网络设备可以获知关联信息，进而根据第一用户设备的运行状态和该关联信息，向第一用户设备或第二用户设备发送下行数据，可以提高方案的可靠性。
一种可能的实现方式中，关联信息可以包括：第二用户设备的优先级。可选的，关联信息还包括第一用户设备的优先级。
第二方面，提供一种通信方法，该方法可以应用于网络设备，或者也可以应用于网络设备内部的芯片，以该方法可以应用于应用功能网元为例，在该方法中，包括：应用功能网元生成第一用户设备和第二用户设备的关联信息；其中，第一用户设备和第二用户设备均属于第一群组，关联信息用于表征：在第一群组中第一用户设备的优先级高于第二用户设备的优先级，和/或，第一用户设备为第一群组中的主用户设备，第二用户设备为第一群组中的备用户设备；应用功能网元向第一网络设备发送关联信息。
采用上述方式，应用功能网元可以生成关联信息并提供给第一网络设备，进而使得第一网络设备在发送下行数据时，根据该关联关系以及第一用户设备的运行状态，向第一用户设备或第二用户设备发送下行数据，实现降低空口资源开销和保证数据传输的可靠性的技术效果。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一网络设备为用户面网元或接入网网元。
一种可能的实现方式中，关联信息包括：第二用户设备的优先级。可选的，关联信息还包括第一用户设备的优先级。
一种可能的实现方式中，应用功能网元生成第一用户设备和第二用户设备的关联信息，包括：应用功能网元根据第一用户设备的第一属性信息以及第二用户设备的第二属性信息，生成关联信息；其中，第一属性信息用于表征第一用户设备为第一群组中的主用户设备，第二属性信息用于表征第二用户设备为第一群组中的备用户设备；或者，第一属性信息用于表征第一用户设备在第一群组中的优先级，第二属性信息用于表征第二用户设备在第一群组中的优先级，第一用户设备在第一群组中的优先级高于第二用户设备在第一群组中的优先级。
上述第二方面中各实现方式的有益效果可以参考第一方面中对应实现方式的有益效果，此处不再赘述。
第三方面，提供一种通信方法，该方法可以应用于网络设备，或者也可以应用于网络设备内部的芯片，以该方法可以应用于核心网网元为例，在该方法中，核心网网元获取第一信息，第一信息用于关联用户设备的第一会话和第二会话；核心网网元根据第一信息，确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系。
采用上述方式，核心网网元可以确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系，进而在后续向用户设备发送数据时，核心网网元将第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系作为参考/依据选择第一会话或第二会话传输数据。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一信息包括第二信息和第三信息；其中，第二信息包括第一会话所属的关联关系标识，第三信息包括第二会话所属的关联关系标识。相应的，核心网网元根据第一信息，确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系，包括：当第一会话所 属的关联关系标识与第二会话所属的关联关系标识相同时，核心网网元确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系。
采用上述方式，核心网网元可以根据第一会话所属的关联关系标识与第二会话所属的关联关系相同确定第一会话和第二会话具有关联关系，实现方式简单。
一种可能的实现方式中，关联关系标识携带在会话建立请求消息中。
采用上述方式，系统可以不用为关联关系标识额外分配传输资源，可以节省系统资源开销。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一信息用于指示关联第一会话与第二会话。
采用上述方式，核心网网元可以直接根据第一信息的指示确定第一会话和第二会话具有关联关系，实现方式简单。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一信息包括：第一指示信息，第一指示信息用于指示：第一会话的优先级高于第二会话的优先级；和/或，第一会话为主会话，第二会话为备会话。
采用上述方式，核心网网元还可以确定第一会话和第二会话的优先级关系、主备关系等，进而在后续向用户设备发送数据时，核心网网元可以将第一会话和第二会话之间的优先级关系、主备关系等作为参考/依据选择第一会话或第二会话传输数据。
一种可能的实现方式中，核心网网元为控制面网元，方法还包括：核心网网元向用户面网元发送第二指示信息，第二指示信息用于表征第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系。
采用上述方式，用户面网元能够根据控制面网元的指示确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系。
一种可能的实现方式中，核心网网元为用户面网元，方法还包括：核心网网元接收用户设备的下行数据；若第一会话的优先级高于第二会话的优先级，且第一会话为连接或激活状态，则核心网网元通过第一会话向接入网网元发送下行数据；或者，若第一会话为主会话，且第一会话为激活或连接状态，则核心网网元通过第一会话向接入网网元发送下行数据；或者，若第一会话的优先级高于第二会话的优先级或第一会话为主会话，且第一会话为去激活或释放状态，则核心网网元通过第二会话向接入网网元发送下行数据。
采用上述方式，用户面网元向用户设备发送数据时，可以优先使用高优先级的第一会话传输数据，当第一会话被去激活或释放后，可以切换使用低优先级的第二会话继续传输数据，可以减少传输中断的时间，增强数据传输的可靠性。
第四方面，提供一种通信方法，该方法可以应用于用户设备，或者也可以应用于用户设备内部的芯片，以该方法可以应用于用户设备为例，在该方法中，用户设备获得第一信息，第一信息用于关联用户设备的第一会话和第二会话；用户设备向核心网网元发送第一信息，第一信息用于核心网网元确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系。
采用上述方式，用户设备可以提供第一信息给核心网网元，使得核心网网元可以根据第一信息确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系，进而在后续向用户设备发送数据时，核心网网元可以将第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系作为参考/依据选择第一会话或第二会话传输数据。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一信息包括第二信息和第三信息；其中，第二信息包括第一会话所属的关联关系标识，第三信息包括第二会话所属的关联关系标识。
一种可能的实现方式中，关联关系标识携带在会话建立请求消息中。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一信息用于指示关联第一会话与第二会话。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一信息包括第一指示信息，第一指示信息用于指示：第一会话的优先级高于第二会话的优先级；和/或，第一会话为主会话，第二会话为备会话。
上述第四方面中各实现方式的有益效果可以参考第三方面中对应实现方式的有益效果，此处不再赘述。
第五方面，提供一种通信装置，该装置包括用于执行上述第一方面或第一方面任一种可能的实现方式所述方法的模块。
示例性的，该装置可以包括：
收发单元，用于接收待发送给第一用户设备的下行数据；
处理单元，用于根据第一用户设备的运行状态，控制收发单元向第一用户设备或第二用户设备发送下行数据；
其中，第二用户设备与第一用户设备均属于第一群组；
其中，在第一群组中，第一用户设备的优先级高于第二用户设备的优先级；或者，第一用户设备为第一群组中的主用户设备，第二用户设备为第一群组中的备用户设备。
第六方面，提供一种通信装置，该装置包括用于执行上述第二方面或第二方面任一种可能的实现方式所述方法的模块。
示例性的，该装置可以包括：
处理单元，用于生成第一用户设备和第二用户设备的关联信息；其中，第一用户设备和第二用户设备均属于第一群组，关联信息用于表征：在第一群组中第一用户设备的优先级高于第二用户设备的优先级，和/或，第一用户设备为第一群组中的主用户设备，第二用户设备为第一群组中的备用户设备；
收发单元，用于向第一网络设备发送关联信息。
第七方面，提供一种通信装置，该装置包括用于执行上述第三方面或第三方面任一种可能的实现方式所述方法的模块。
示例性的，该装置可以包括：
收发单元，用于获取第一信息，第一信息用于关联用户设备的第一会话和第二会话；
处理单元，用于根据第一信息，确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系。
第八方面，提供一种通信装置，该装置包括用于执行上述第四方面或第四方面任一种可能的实现方式所述方法的模块。
示例性的，该装置可以包括：
处理单元，用于获得第一信息，第一信息用于关联用户设备的第一会话和第二会话；
收发单元，用于向核心网网元发送第一信息，第一信息用于核心网网元确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系。
第九方面，提供一种通信装置，包括：至少一个处理器；以及，与该至少一个处理器连接的存储器；该至少一个处理器通过执行所述存储器存储的指令，使得该装置执行如第一方面或第一方面任一种可能的实现方式中所述方法。
第十方面，提供一种通信装置，包括：至少一个处理器；以及，与该至少一个处理器连接的存储器；该至少一个处理器通过执行所述存储器存储的指令，使得该装置执行如第二方面或第二方面任一种可能的实现方式中所述方法。
第十一方面，提供一种通信装置，包括：至少一个处理器；以及，与该至少一个处理器连接的存储器；该至少一个处理器通过执行所述存储器存储的指令，使得该装置执行如 第三方面或第三方面任一种可能的实现方式中所述方法。
第十二方面，提供一种通信装置，包括：至少一个处理器；以及，与该至少一个处理器连接的存储器；该至少一个处理器通过执行所述存储器存储的指令，使得该装置执行如第四方面或第四方面任一种可能的实现方式中所述方法。
第十三方面，提供一种计算机可读存储介质，所述该计算机可读存储介质中存储有计算机程序或指令，当所述计算机可读计算机程序或指令被执行时，实现如第一方面或第一方面任一种可能的实现方式所述的方法，或者如第二方面或第二方面任一种可能的实现方式所述的方法，或者如第三方面或第三方面任一种可能的实现方式所述的方法，或者如第四方面或第四方面任一种可能的实现方式所述的方法。
第十四方面，提供一种芯片，包括至少一个处理器，所述至少一个处理器与存储器耦合，用于读取并执行所述存储器中存储的软件程序，以实现如第一方面或第一方面任一种可能的实现方式所述的方法，或者如第二方面或第二方面任一种可能的实现方式所述的方法，或者如第三方面或第三方面任一种可能的实现方式所述的方法，或者如第四方面或第四方面任一种可能的实现方式所述的方法。
第十五方面，提供一种计算机程序产品，包括指令，当其在计算机上运行时，使得上述如第一方面或第一方面任一种可能的实现方式所述的方法，或者如第二方面或第二方面任一种可能的实现方式所述的方法，或者如第三方面或第三方面任一种可能的实现方式所述的方法，或者如第四方面或第四方面任一种可能的实现方式中所述方法被执行。
第十六方面，提供一种通信系统，包括：第五方面所述的通信装置和第六方面所述的通信装置；和/或，第七方面所述的通信装置和第八方面所述的通信装置；
第十七方面，提供一种通信系统，包括：第九方面所述的通信装置和第十方面所述的通信装置；和/或，第十一方面所述的通信装置和第十二方面所述的通信装置。
本申请的这些方面或其它方面在以下实施例的描述中会更加简明易懂。
附图说明
图1为一种可能的网络架构示意图；
图2为另一种可能的网络架构示意图；
图3为本申请实施例适用的一种通信系统的网络架构示意图；
图4为本申请实施例提供的一种数据传输方法的流程图；
图5为用户面功能网元决策将下行数据发给第一UE或第二UE的示意图；
图6为应用功能网元向统一数据管理功能网元发送关联关系的流程图；
图7为第一UE的注册流程图；
图8为第一UE的会话建立的流程图；
图9为传输下行数据的流程图；
图10为接入网网元决策将下行数据发给第一UE或第二UE的示意图；
图11为第一UE的会话建立的流程图；
图12为传输下行数据的流程图；
图13为接入网网元决策将下行数据发给第一UE或第二UE的示意图；
图14为共享会话建立方法的流程图；
图15为第一UE的会话建立的流程图；
图16为传输下行数据的流程图；
图17为传输下行数据的流程图；
图18为本申请实施例提供的另一种通信方法的流程图；
图19为本申请实施例提供的一种传输第一信息的方法的流程图；
图20为本申请实施例提供的另一种传输第一信息的方法的流程图；
图21为用户面功能网元决策采用第一PDU会话或第二PDU会话传输下行数据的示意图；
图22为本申请实施例提供的通信装置2200的结构示意图；
图23为本申请实施例提供的通信装置2300的结构示意图。
具体实施方式
根据第五代工业互联与自动化(5th-Generation Alliance for Connected Industries and Automation,5G-ACIA)的白皮书公开的内容，多数工业应用(例如印刷机、机床、包装机、协同运动机、视频遥控器、装配机器人或铣床、移动式起重机等)对于可靠性(Availability)的要求是非常高的，基本上都在99.9999％以上，并且这些可靠性要求高的应用，对于时延的要求也很高。
图1为一种可能的网络架构示意图。如图1所示，该网络架构包括用户设备(User Equipment，UE)、目标设备(target device)，还包括以下网元：接入与移动性管理功能(Access and Mobility Management Function，AMF)网元、会话管理功能(Session Management Function，SMF)网元、无线接入网(Radio Access Network，RAN)网元(可简称为接入网网元)、用户面功能(User Plane Funtion，UPF)网元、数据网络(Data Network，DN)，其中接入与移动性管理功能网元和接入网网元之间的连接为N2连接，用户面功能网元和无线接入网网元之间的连接为N3连接，会话管理功能网元和用户面功能网元之间的连接为N4连接，数据网络和用户面功能网元之间的连接为N6连接。UE分别与目标设备、RAN连接。
在本文中，目标设备，是指下行数据最终到达的目的端设备，或者是指接收UE转发的下行数据的设备。
应理解，对于网络侧设备而言，可能感知不到目标设备，例如下行数据在网络侧对应的目的地址是UE的地址，网络侧会认为下行数据最终到达的目的端设备是UE(是待发送给UE的下行数据)。但是，UE在接收到下行数据后，会将下行数据转发给目标设备。因此，虽然网络侧不知道下行数据的最终到达的目的端设备是目标设备，或者说不知道UE会转发下行数据给目标设备，但是下行数据最终实际所到达的目的端设备是目标设备。
在该网络架构中，数据的传输过程包括：数据网络中的服务器向用户面功能网元发送下行数据，用户面功能网元向接入网网元发送该数据，接入网网元通过空口向UE发送该数据，UE再向目标设备发送该数据。即UE通过空口接收来自数据网络的下行数据，然后向目标设备发送该数据，使目标设备正常运行处理数据。但若UE出现故障，数据则无法传给目标设备，目标设备会因此无法正常运行，进而影响目标设备的可靠性。
图2为另一种可能的网络架构示意图，与图1不同的是，为了满足企业园区中各工业应用对可靠性的需求，在该网络架构中部署两个UE来同时为目标设备服务，两个UE分别为主UE和备UE。例如，UE1为主UE、UE2为备UE，或者，UE1为备UE、UE2为主UE。主UE和备UE从接入网网元接收同样的数据，并发送给目标设备。这样，即使其 中主UE或者备UE出现故障时，另一个UE也能继续为目标设备提供数据，提高设备的可靠性。
但是，在该架构部署下，接入网网元向主UE和备UE发送同样的下行数据，即接入网网元采用不同的频谱资源同时分别向主UE和备UE发送同样的下行数据。主UE和备UE收到下行数据后，均可以向目标设备发送该下行数据，以提高设备的可靠性。但由于主UE和备UE传输的数据是一样的，这与通常数据传输(例如图1所示的方案)相比，系统耗费两倍的频谱资源，会造成空口资源耗费过大。同时，由于分配给工业行业的频谱资源很少，在这稀缺频谱资源的条件下，系统还消耗两倍频谱资源，代价很大。另外，系统为了支持超高可靠性低时延的业务，即使是控制类的小业务(即数据量不大的业务)，空口资源消耗也很大，容量很低。因此该技术方案的成本代价太高，不适用。
鉴于此，本申请实施例提供一种数据传输方法。接入网网元只向其中一个UE发送数据，以接入网网元向第一UE或第二UE发送数据，并由第一UE或第二UE向目标设备发送数据为例：当第一UE运行正常时，接入网网元只向第一UE发送数据，进而由第一UE将数据转发给目标设备；当网络侧识别第一UE出现故障后，接入网网元向第二UE发送数据，进而由第二UE将数据转发给目标设备。相比图1所示的方案，本申请实施例能提高数据传输的可靠性。相比图2所示的方案，本申请实施例的空口资源开销大大减小。所以，本申请实施例可以在不增加系统空口资源开销的同时，保证系统数据传输的可靠性，进而提高目标设备的可靠性。
本申请实施例技术方案可以应用于各种通信系统，例如：长期演进(Long Term Evolution，LTE)，通用移动通信系统(Universal Mobile Telecommunications System，UMTS)系统，码分多址(Code Division Multiple Access，CDMA)系统，无线局域网(Wireless Local Area Network，WLAN)，第五代(5th generation，5G)通信系统，如新空口(New Radio，NR)系统，以及未来的通信系统，如第六代(6th generation，6G)通信系统，或未来的其他演进系统，或其他各种采用无线接入技术的无线通信系统等，只要该通信系统中存在数据传输的需求，则均可以采用本申请实施例的技术方案。
例如，图2是本申请实施例适用的一种通信系统。具体架构在上文已有介绍，这里不再赘述。
需要说明的是，图2中所示的通信系统是以两个UE为例，且UE之间的关联关系是以主备UE为例。但本申请实施例中，并不限定UE的数量，以及UE之间的关联关系的具体实现形式。本申请实施例中UE的数量还可以是多个，UE之间的关联关系还可以是其它关系，例如属于同一个UE群组，或者优先级关系等。
例如，图3是本申请实施例适用的另一种通信系统的网络架构示意图，该系统中包括三个UE，即UE1、UE2和UE3，每个UE都与接入网网元和目标设备通信连接。
应当理解的是，图2和图3所示的架构示例仅用于举例，并非用于限制本申请的技术方案。本领域的技术人员应当明白，在具体实现流程中，通信系统还可能包括其他网元或设备，同时也可根据具体需要来配置各个网元或设备的数量。
以下对本申请实施例中涉及的部分概念进行介绍。
(1)用户设备(User Equipment，UE)，又可称为终端设备或终端，包括向用户提供语音和/或数据连通性的设备，例如可以包括具有无线连接功能的手持式设备、或连接到无线调制解调器的处理设备。该终端设备可以经无线接入网(radio access network，RAN) 与核心网进行通信，与RAN交换语音和/或数据。该终端设备可以包括无线终端设备、移动终端设备、设备到设备通信(device-to-device，D2D)终端设备、V2X终端设备、机器到机器/机器类通信(machine-to-machine/machine-type communications，M2M/MTC)终端设备、物联网(internet of things，IoT)终端设备、订户单元(subscriber unit)、订户站(subscriber station)，移动站(mobile station)、远程站(remote station)、接入点(access point，AP)、远程终端(remote terminal)、接入终端(access terminal)、用户终端(user terminal)、用户代理(user agent)、或用户装备(user device)等。例如，可以包括移动电话(或称为“蜂窝”电话)，具有移动终端设备的计算机，便携式、袖珍式、手持式、计算机内置的移动装置等。例如，个人通信业务(personal communication service，PCS)电话、无绳电话、会话发起协议(session initiation protocol，SIP)话机、无线本地环路(wireless local loop，WLL)站、个人数字助理(personal digital assistant，PDA)、等设备。还包括受限设备，例如功耗较低的设备，或存储能力有限的设备，或计算能力有限的设备等。例如包括条码、射频识别(radio frequency identification，RFID)、传感器、全球定位系统(global positioning system，GPS)、激光扫描器等信息传感设备。
作为示例而非限定，在本申请实施例中，该终端设备还可以是可穿戴设备。可穿戴设备也可以称为穿戴式智能设备或智能穿戴式设备等，是应用穿戴式技术对日常穿戴进行智能化设计、开发出可以穿戴的设备的总称，如眼镜、手套、手表、服饰及鞋等。可穿戴设备即直接穿在身上，或是整合到用户的衣服或配件的一种便携式设备。可穿戴设备不仅仅是一种硬件设备，更是通过软件支持以及数据交互、云端交互来实现强大的功能。广义穿戴式智能设备包括功能全、尺寸大、可不依赖智能手机实现完整或者部分的功能，例如：智能手表或智能眼镜等，以及只专注于某一类应用功能，需要和其它设备如智能手机配合使用，如各类进行体征监测的智能手环、智能头盔、智能首饰等。
而如上介绍的各种终端设备，如果位于车辆上(例如放置在车辆内或安装在车辆内)，都可以认为是车载终端设备，车载终端设备例如也称为车载单元(on-board unit，OBU)。
(2)目标设备，可以与上述第(1)部分介绍的UE建立通信连接，并通过UE与网络设备通信，例如通过UE接收来自网络设备的数据(下行数据)，或者通过UE向网络设备发送数据(上行数据)等。目标设备具体可以是工业设备，例如印刷机、机床、包装机、协同运动机、视频遥控器、装配机器人或铣床、移动式起重机等；目标设备还可以是智能家居设备，例如智能电视、智能冰箱、智能空调等；目标设备还可以是可穿戴式设备，例如耳机、智能手表、智能音响等；目标设备还可以是另一个UE。当然，以上仅为举例而非限定，只要是能够与上述第(1)部分介绍的UE通信连接的设备，均可以作为本申请实施例中的目标设备。
(3)无线接入网(Radio Access Network，RAN)网元，或者称为接入网(Access Network，AN)网元：主要负责空口侧的无线资源管理、服务质量(quality of service，QoS)管理、数据压缩和加密等功能。所述接入网设备可以包括各种形式的基站，例如：宏基站，微基站(也称为小站)，中继站，接入点等。在采用不同的无线接入技术的系统中，具备基站功能的设备的名称可能会有所不同，例如，在第五代(5th generation，5G)系统中，称为gNB；在LTE系统中，称为演进的节点B(evolved NodeB，eNB或者eNodeB)；在第三代(3rd generation，3G)系统中，称为节点B(Node B)等。另外，RAN网元还可以包括云接入网(Cloud Radio Access Network，Cloud RAN)系统中的集中式单元(centralized unit， CU)和分布式单元(distributed unit，DU)，或者还可以包括中继设备，本申请实施例并不限定。
4)会话管理功能(Session Management Function，SMF)网元：负责用户面网元选择，用户面网元重定向，因特网协议(Internet Protocol，IP)地址分配，承载的建立、修改和释放以及QoS控制等功能。
5)接入和移动性管理功能(Access and Mobility Management Function，AMF)网元：属于核心网网元，主要负责信令处理部分，例如：接入控制、移动性管理、附着与去附着以及网关选择等功能。AMF网元为终端设备中的会话提供服务的情况下，会为该会话提供控制面的存储资源，以及存储会话标识、与会话标识关联的SMF网元标识等。
6)用户面功能(User Plane Function，UPF)网元：负责终端设备中用户数据的转发和接收。可以从数据网络接收用户数据，通过接入网设备传输给终端设备；UPF网元还可以通过接入网设备从终端设备接收用户数据，转发到数据网络。UPF网元中为终端设备提供服务的传输资源和调度功能由SMF网元管理控制的。
7)策略控制功能(Policy Control Function，PCF)网元：主要支持提供统一的策略框架来控制网络行为，提供策略规则给控制层网络功能，同时负责获取与策略相关的用户签约信息。
8)网络暴露功能(Network Exposure Function，NEF)网元：主要支持3GPP网络和第三方应用安全的交互，NEF能够安全的向第三方暴露网络能力和事件，用于加强或者改善应用服务质量，3GPP网络同样可以安全的从第三方获取相关数据，用以增强网络的智能决策；同时该网元支持从统一数据库恢复结构化数据或者向统一数据库中存储结构化数据。
9)统一数据管理功能(Unified Data Management，UDM)网元：主要负责产生鉴权证书/鉴权参数、存储和管理永久性用户标识(如SUPI)、订阅信息管理、短消息业务(Short Message Service，SMS)管理、UE的服务网元注册管理(比如当前为UE提供业务的AMF、SMF等)。
10)统一数据存储(Unified Data Repository，UDR)网元：主要负责存储结构化数据，存储的内容包括签约数据和策略数据、对外暴露的结构化数据和应用相关的数据。
11)应用功能(Application Function，AF)网元：主要支持与3GPP核心网交互来提供服务，例如影响数据路由决策，策略控制功能或者向网络侧提供第三方的一些服务。
应理解，本文中所示的各个网元可以是物理概念，例如在物理上可以是单个的设备，也可以将至少两个网元集成在同一个物理设备上，或者，本文所示的网元也可以是逻辑概念，例如为软件模块或者为与各个网元提供的服务对应的网络功能，网络功能可以理解为虚拟化实现下的一个虚拟化功能，还可以理解为服务化网络下提供服务的网络功能。
一些可能的实施例中，术语“网元”还可以被替换为其它名称，例如“实体”、或“设备”等。例如“用户面功能网元”还可以写为“用户面功能实体”或“用户面功能设备”，“会话管理功能网元”还可以写为“会话管理功能实体”或“会话管理功能设备”等。
另外，各网元还可以采用英文缩写简写，例如“用户面功能网元”还可以简写为“UPF网元”或“UPF”，“会话管理功能网元”还可以简写为“SMF网元”或“SMF”等。
本申请实施例中所使用的各个网元，在未来的其它通信系统中，名称可以不同。
本申请实施例中的术语“系统”和“网络”可被互换使用。“至少一个”是指一个或者多个， “多个”是指两个或两个以上。“和/或”，描述关联对象的关联关系，表示可以存在三种关系，例如，A和/或B，可以表示：单独存在A，同时存在A和B，单独存在B的情况，其中A,B可以是单数或者复数。字符“/”一般表示前后关联对象是一种“或”的关系。“以下至少一项(个)”或其类似表达，是指的这些项中的任意组合，包括单项(个)或复数项(个)的任意组合。例如，a,b,或c中的至少一项(个)，可以表示：a，b，c，a和b，a和c，b和c，或a和b和c。
以及，除非有相反的说明，本申请实施例提及“第一”、“第二”等序数词是用于对多个对象进行区分，不用于限定多个对象的顺序、时序、优先级或者重要程度。例如，第一优先级准则和第二优先级准则，只是为了区分不同的准则，而并不是表示这两种准则的内容、优先级或者重要程度等的不同。
此外，本申请实施例和权利要求书及附图中的术语“包括”和“具有”不是排他的。例如，包括了一系列步骤或模块的过程、方法、系统、产品或设备，不限定于已列出的步骤或模块，还可以包括没有列出的步骤或模块。
在本申请实施例中，至少两个UE中的任一UE与接入网网元和目标设备通信，例如图2所示，UE1或UE2与接入网网元和目标设备通信，例如图3所示，UE1、UE2或UE3与接入网网元和目标设备通信。
在本申请实施例中，可以将与同一目标设备和同一接入网网元连接的UE定义为一个UE群组(简称群组，或者还可以有其它名称，这里不做限制)。每个群组包含至少两个UE，接入网网元可以通过目标设备对应的群组中的任一UE与目标设备通信。例如，图2所示的UE1和UE2为一个群组，接入网网元可以通过UE1或UE2与目标设备通信。例如，图3所示的UE1、UE2和UE3为一个群组，接入网网元可以通过UE1或UE2或UE3与目标设备通信。在接下来的实施例中，以第一UE所在的群组为第一群组为例。
以下结合附图以及具体实施例对本申请技术方案做详细的说明。
参见图4，为本申请实施例提供的一种数据传输方法的流程图，该方法可以应用于图2或图3所示的通信系统，方法包括：
S401、第一网络设备接收待发送给第一UE的下行数据。
其中，第一UE为第一群组中的主UE或者优先级高的UE。以图2为例，第一群组包括UE1、UE2、UE3。UE1为主UE，UE2为备UE，和/或，UE1的优先级高于UE2的优先级，则第一UE为UE1。以图3为例，UE1为主UE，UE2和UE3均为备UE，和/或，UE1的优先级高于UE2的优先级且UE1的优先级高于UE3的优先级，则第一UE为UE1。
需要指出的是，第一UE通常仅用于转发该下行数据给目标设备，该第一UE可以是家庭网关，不予限制。其中，目标设备的相关描述可以参见前述相关描述。其中，该下行数据的最终目的端为目标设备。
其中，第一网络设备可以为从数据网络到第一UE的传输路径上的任一网络设备，或者说是能够接收待发送给第一UE的下行数据的任一网络设备，本申请不做限制。例如第一网络设备可以是核心网网元或接入网网元。进一步地，核心网网元可以为UPF，AMF或SMF，接入网网元可以为NR节点。
第一网络设备根据下行数据对应的目的地址确定下行数据是待发送给第一UE。例如该下行数据对应的目的地址是第一UE的互联网协议(Internet Protocol，IP)地址。
在本申请实施例中，UE的优先级可以根据UE能力信息、UE签约数据的优先级信息、 UE建立会话的切片信息等信息中的一项或多项确定。例如，UE的转发能力的强弱或UE的缓存能力的强弱可以用于确定UE优先级的高低。
示例性的，第一UE的转发能力为每秒钟可转发10兆字节数据，第二UE的转发能力为每秒钟可转发5兆字节数据，则第一UE的转发能力比第二UE的转发能力强，因此第一UE的优先级高于第二UE的优先级。
示例性的，第一UE的缓存能力为可缓存100兆字节数据，第二UE的缓存能力为可缓存50兆字节数据，则第一UE的缓存能力比第二UE的缓存能力强，因此第一UE的优先级高于第二UE的优先级。
示例性的，第一UE签约数据中的优先级高于第二UE签约数据中的优先级，则第一UE的优先级高于第二UE的优先级。
S402、第一网络设备根据第一UE的运行状态，向第一UE或第二UE发送下行数据。
其中，第一UE和第二UE均属于第一群组。
其中，在第一群组中，第一UE的优先级高于第二UE的优先级；或者，第一UE为第一群组中的主UE，第二用户设备为第一群组中的备UE。
示例性的，S401可以包括：若第一UE的运行状态为正常，则第一网络设备直接向第一UE发送下行数据；或者，若第一UE的运行状态为异常(或运行状态为非正常，或运行状态为故障)，则第一网络设备向第一群组中第二UE发送该下行数据。
在本申请实施例中，UE的状态为异常，包括但不限于以下几种情况：UE关机、UE自动停机、传输速率低(例如速率低于预设速率阈值)、转发效率慢、缓存溢出、丢包率高、UE断开网络连接等。
本申请实施例对第一群组中UE的数量不做限制。具体的，如果第一UE所在的第一群组中除了第一UE之外，仅包含一个UE，则第二UE是该一个UE。例如，在图2所示的场景中，UE1为第一UE，则UE2为第二UE。如果第一群组中除了第一UE之外，还包含多个UE，则第二UE是该多个UE中的一个UE。例如，在图3所示的场景中，UE1为第一UE，则UE2或UE3为第二UE。
进一步的，如果第一群组中除了第一UE之外，还包含多个UE，则第一网络设备可以从该多个UE中确定出一个UE作为第二UE。
示例性的，第二UE是：第一群组中除第一UE以外的一个或多个UE中运行状态为正常的UE。
示例性的，第二UE是：第一群组中除第一UE以外的运行状态为正常且优先级满足预设条件的UE。可选的，该预设条件可以是优先级为最高，或者优先级大于或等于预设优先级，这里不做限制。例如，第二UE是第一群组中除第一UE以外的所有运行状态为正常的UE中优先级最高的UE。
当然，以上几种确定第二UE的方式仅为举例而非限定，本申请不限定确定第二UE的具体实现方式。
需要说明的是，在本申请实施例中，UE的优先级可以是UE在群组内的属性，也可以是UE在全网中的属性，本申请不做限制。下面对这两种情况分别进行说明：
情况1、UE的优先级是UE在该UE所属的群组内的属性。
需要说明的是，不同群组的UE分别单独设置优先级，换而言之，UE的优先级仅在该UE所属的群组内生效。
例如：第一群组包括第一UE和第二UE，在第一群组内的第一UE的优先级为0，第二UE的优先级为1；第二群组包括第三UE、第四UE和第五UE，第二群组内第三UE的优先级为0，第四UE的优先级为1，第五UE的优先级为2。
其中，优先级的数值越高代表优先级越高或越低。第一群组UE和第二群组的UE的优先级不具备比较性。
以优先级的数值越高代表优先级越高为例，第一群组的UE的优先级高低排序为：第一UE<第二UE；第二群组的UE的优先级高低排序(从低优先级到高优先级)为：第三UE<第四UE<第五UE。
情况2、UE的优先级是UE在全网中的属性。
需要说明的是，不同群组的UE统一设置优先级，换而言之，UE的优先级可以在全网内生效。
例如：第一群组包括第一UE和第二UE，在第一群组内的第一UE的优先级为0，第二UE的优先级为1；第二群组包括第三UE、第四UE和第五UE，第二群组内第三UE的优先级为2，第四UE的优先级为3，第五UE的优先级为4。
其中，优先级的数值越高代表优先级越高或越低。第一群组UE和第二群组的UE可以相互比较优先级。
以优先级的数值越高代表优先级越高为例，第一群组以及第二群组的UE的优先级高低排序(从低优先级到高优先级)为：第一UE<第二UE<第三UE<第四UE<第五UE。
在上述方案中，第一网络设备接收待发送给第一UE的下行数据之后，可以根据第一UE的运行状态，向第一UE或第二UE发送下行数据。这样，当网络侧支持通过第一用户设备和第二用户设备向目标设备发送数据时，第一网络设备可以根据第一UE的运行状态，选择向第一UE或第二UE发送下行数据，相较于现有技术需要将相同的数据发送给第一UE和第二UE而言，本申请实施例可以在保证数据传输的可靠性的基础上，降低空口资源的开销。
可选的，第一网络设备为用户面网元。相应的，第一网络设备根据第一UE的运行状态，向第一UE或第二UE发送下行数据，包括：若第一UE的运行状态为正常，则第一网络设备通过第一用户面通道向接入网网元发送下行数据，以使得接入网网元向第一UE发送下行数据，第一用户面通道用于传输第一UE的数据；或者，若第一UE的运行状态为异常，则第一网络设备通过第二用户面通道向接入网网元发送下行数据，以使得接入网网元向第二UE发送下行数据，第二用户面通道用于传输第二UE的数据。
在本实施方式中，当网络侧支持通过第一用户设备和第二用户设备向目标设备发送数据时，用户面网元就可以根据第一UE的运行状态决策由第一UE和第二UE中的一个UE来转发下行数据：只要第一UE的运行状态为正常，则优先向第一UE发送下行数据，一旦第一UE的运行状态出现异常，则可以切换向第二UE发送下行数据，如此可以保证数据传输的可靠性。并且，由于只需向一个UE发送下行数据，所说义相较于现有技术可以降低空口资源的开销。
可选的，第一网络设备为接入网网元。相应的，第一网络设备接收待发送给第一UE的下行数据，包括：第一网络设备接收来自用户面网元的下行数据；第一网络设备根据第一UE的运行状态，向第一UE或第二UE发送下行数据，包括：若第一UE的运行状态为正常，则第一网络设备向第一UE发送下行数据；或者，若第一UE的运行状态为异常， 则第一网络设备向第二UE发送下行数据。
在本申请实施例中，当网络侧支持通过第一用户设备和第二用户设备向目标设备发送数据时，接入网网元根据第一UE的运行状态决策向第一UE或第二UE发送下行数据：只要第一UE的运行状态为正常，则优先向第一UE发送下行数据，一旦第一UE的运行状态出现异常，则切换向第二UE发送下行数据，如此可以保证数据传输的可靠性。并且，由于只需向一个UE发送下行数据，相较于现有技术可以降低空口资源的开销。
进一步的，当第一网络设备为接入网网元时，第一网络设备接收来自用户面网元的下行数据，包括但不限于以下两种实现方式：
方式1、第一网络设备通过第一用户面通道接收来自用户面网元的下行数据，第一用户面通道用于传输第一UE的数据；和，第一网络设备通过第二用户面通道接收来自用户面网元的下行数据，第二用户面通道用于传输第二UE的数据。
采用上述方式1，用户面网元可以按照原有方式即同时通过第二用户面通道和第一用户面通道向接入网网元发送下行数据，实现方式简单。
可选的，若第一UE的运行状态为正常，则第一网络设备丢弃或删除通过第二用户面通道接收到的下行数据；或者，若第一UE的运行状态为异常，则第一网络设备丢弃或删除通过第一用户面通道接收到的下行数据。
这样，第一网络设备通过丢弃或删除冗余的数据，可以释放更多内存空间。
方式2、第一网络设备通过一个用户面通道接收来自用户面网元的下行数据。
例如，第一网络设备通过第一用户面通道接收来自用户面网元的下行数据，第一用户面通道用于传输第一UE的数据。应理解，虽然第一用户面通道是专门为传输第一UE的数据所建立的，但是可以用于传输第二UE的数据，或者说第一用户通道传输的数据也可以发给第二UE。
或者例如，第一网络设备通过第二用户面通道接收来自用户面网元的下行数据，第二用户面通道用于传输第二UE的数据。应理解，虽然第二用户面通道是专门为传输第二UE的数据所建立的，但是可以用于传输第一UE的数据，或者说第二用户通道传输的数据也可以发给第一UE。
或者例如，第一网络设备通过第三用户面通道接收来自用户面网元的下行数据，第三用户面通道为第一UE和第二UE共享的数据传输通道。应理解，第三用户面通道是专门为传输第一UE和第二UE的共享数据所建立的，或者说用户面功能网元通过第三用户面通道向接入网网元发送数据时，不区分数据是发给第一UE的数据还是发给第二UE的数据。
采用上述方式2，用户面网元只需要将下行数据通过一个用户面通道传输给接入网网元，可以进一步节省网络资源开销。
可选的，第一网络设备还生成或接收关联信息。
其中，关联信息用于表征第一UE和第二UE的关联关系，关联关系例如是以下几种：
1)第一UE和第二UE属于同一个群组，即第一群组；
2)关联信息用于表征在第一群组中第一UE的优先级高于第二UE的优先级(即第一UE和第二UE的优先级关系)；
3)关联信息用于表征第一UE为第一群组中的主UE，第二UE为第一群组中的备UE(第一UE和第二UE的主备关系)。
在接下来的实施例中，除非有特别说明之外，“关联关系”和“关联信息”可以相互替用。
第一网络设备在获得该关联关系之后，可以根据第一UE的运行状态和关联信息，向第一UE或第二UE发送下行数据。
例如，关联关系包括第一UE和第二UE属于同一个群组时，第一网络设备在第一UE、第二UE均正常时，随机选择其中一个UE向其发送下行数据，一旦被选择的UE发生异常，则切换向另一个运行正常的UE发送下行数据。
例如，第一网络设备在第一UE正常时，由于第一UE的优先级高于第二UE的优先级，所以会优先将下行数据发送给优先级高的第一UE，而第一UE出线异常但是第二UE正常时，切换向优先级低的UE即第二UE发送数据。
例如，第一网络设备在第一UE正常时，由于第一UE是主UE，所以会优先将下行数据发送给第一UE，而第一UE出线异常但是第二UE正常时，可以切换向备UE即第二UE发送数据。
采用上述方式，第一网络设备可以获知关联信息，进而根据第一UE的运行状态和该关联信息，向第一UE或第二UE发送下行数据，可以提高方案的可靠性。
可选的，应用功能网元生成第一UE和第二UE的关联信息。相应的，第一网络设备接收来自应用功能网元的关联信息。其中，第一UE和第二UE均属于第一群组，关联信息用于表征：在第一群组中第一UE的优先级高于第二UE的优先级，和/或，第一UE为第一群组中的主UE，第二UE为第一群组中的备UE。
采用上述方式，应用功能网元生成关联信息并提供给第一网络设备，进而使得第一网络设备在发送下行数据时，可以根据该关联关系以及第一用户设备的运行状态，向第一用户设备或第二用户设备发送下行数据，实现降低空口资源开销和保证数据传输的可靠性的技术效果。
进一步可选的，应用功能网元具体根据第一UE的第一属性信息以及第二UE的第二属性信息，生成关联信息。其中，第一属性信息用于表征第一UE为第一群组中的主UE，第二属性信息用于表征第二UE为第一群组中的备UE；或者，第一属性信息用于表征第一UE在第一群组中的优先级，第二属性信息用于表征第二UE在第一群组中的优先级，第一UE在第一群组中的优先级高于第二UE在第一群组中的优先级。
这样，生成的关联关系可以体现第一UE和第二UE的优先级关系或主备关系。
进一步可选的，关联信息包括：第二UE的优先级。
可以理解的是，如果第一群组中除了第一UE之外，仅包含一个UE(即第二UE)，则关联信息还包括该第二UE的优先级；如果第一群组中除了第一UE之外，还包含至少两个UE，则关联信息还包括至少两个UE中每个UE的优先级，第二UE为该至少两个UE中的一个，例如为该至少两个UE中的优先级最高的UE。这样，可以帮助第一网络设备从第一群组中确定出第二UE。
进一步可选的，关联信息包括第一UE的优先级。其中，第一UE的优先级高于第二UE的优先级。
可以理解的是，如果第一群组中除了第一UE之外，仅包含一个UE(即第二UE)，则第一UE的优先级高于该第二UE的优先级；如果第一群组中除了第一UE之外，还包含至少两个UE，则第一UE的优先级高于该至少两个UE中每个UE的优先级。
需要强调的是，在本申请实施例中，UE的属性(主/备)或者UE的优先级(高/低)， 是用于网络侧在发送数据时作为网络侧选择UE的依据或参考。因此，在实际应用中，关联关系除了可以表征第一UE和第二UE的优先级关系、第一UE和第二UE的主备关系之外，还可以表征第一UE和第二UE的其它关联关系，只要该关联关系可以用于网络侧作为选择UE的依据即可，本申请不做限定。
应理解，上述各实施方式可以相互结合以实现不同的技术效果。以下列举几个可能的详细实施例。
实施例1
在本实施例中，第一网络设备是用户面功能网元。用户面功能网元可以获知第一UE、第二UE的关联关系，由用户面功能网元决策向哪个UE发送下行数据。用户面功能网元实时监测第一UE和第二UE的运行状态，根据第一UE的运行状态和关联信息，决定向第一UE或第二UE发送下行数据，进而由第一UE或第二UE向目标设备发送下行数据。当第一UE的运行状态为正常时，用户面功能网元通过第一用户面通道向接入网网元发送下行数据，以使得接入网网元向第一UE发送下行数据，第一用户面通道用于传输第一UE的数据，例如是第一UE的PDU会话(或者称为第一UE的会话连接或第一UE的会话)；或者，当第一UE的运行状态为异常时，用户面功能网元通过第二用户面通道向接入网网元发送下行数据，以使得接入网网元向第二UE发送下行数据，第二用户面通道用于传输第二UE的数据，例如是第二UE的PDU会话(或者称为第二UE的会话连接或第二UE的会话)。如图5所示，为用户面功能网元决策将下行数据发给第一UE或第二UE的示意图。
具体的，用户面功能网元获取关联关系以及决策数据转发的过程可以包括以下四个阶段：
阶段1：第一UE、第二UE的关联关系更新流程。
首先，应用功能网元(AF)生成第一UE和第二UE的关联关系(或者关联信息，在后文中，除非有特别说明之外，“关联关系”和“关联信息”可以相互替换使用)。
应理解，本申请实施例中，在第一群组中除第一UE之外包括多个UE时，则针对该多个UE中每个UE的操作过程和针对第二UE的操作过程是相同的，所以在接下来介绍关联关系的相关实施例中，以第一群组中包括第一UE、第二UE为例，在第一群组中还包括其它UE的情况下，针对其它UE的操作过程可以参考针对第二UE的操作过程。
具体的，应用功能网元可以根据第一UE的第一属性信息以及第二UE的第二属性信息生成关联信息。其中，第一属性信息用于表征第一UE为第一群组中的主UE，或用于表征第一UE的优先级；第二属性信息用于表征第二UE为第一群组中的备UE，或用于表征第二UE的优先级。
可选的，关联信息中还包含有其它信息，如第一群组的标识、第一UE的第一标识、第二UE的第二标识等。相应的，应用功能网元具体根据第一UE和第二UE所属的UE群组标识(或称为关联标识)、第一UE的第一标识、第二UE的第二标识、第一UE的第一属性信息以及第二UE的第二属性信息等生成关联信息。
可选的，应用功能网元生成的第一UE和第二UE的关联关系是关联关系表的形式。例如，表1为应用功能网元生成的关联关系表的一种示例：
表1：应用功能网元生成第一UE、第二UE的关联关系表
Figure PCTCN2021124430-appb-000001
应理解，上述的关联关系表仅为一种示例，不代表实际的关联关系表一定如此。但在关联关系表中，需体现出第一UE、第二UE是属于同一组，并且标有各UE的属性(或优先级)，以便于让网络侧知道哪个UE为主UE或哪个UE为高优先级，进而在主UE或高优先级的UE运行正常时，优先向主UE或高优先级的UE发送下行数据。其中，外部组标识的意思是，该标识ID是由应用功能网元分配或由核心网以外的功能实体分配的。
然后，统一数据管理功能网元更新关联关系，以使统一数据管理功能网元后续可以向第一网络设备发送该关联信息。
可选的，当应用功能网元为可信的应用功能网元时，应用功能网元直接向统一数据管理功能网元发送第一UE和第二UE的关联关系，实现统一数据管理功能网元更新关联关系。
可替换的，当应用功能网元是不可信的应用功能网元时，应用功能网元通过网络暴露功能网元(NEF)向统一数据管理功能网元发送第一UE和第二UE的关联关系，实现统一数据管理功能网元更新关联关系。
参见图6，为应用功能网元通过网络暴露功能网元向统一数据管理功能网元发送关联关系的流程图，包括：
网络功能(如接入与移动性管理功能网元或会话管理功能网元等网元)可向统一数据管理功能网元订阅用户或群组订阅信息更新的事件，从而当该用户或群组订阅信息更新后，统一数据管理功能网元可将该更新事件上报给订阅了该事件的网元。具体步骤包括：
S601、应用功能网元向网络暴露功能网元发送第一UE和第二UE的关联关系，网络暴露功能网元接收应用功能网元发送的第一UE和第二UE的关联关系；
一种可能的实现方式中，应用功能网元将创建或更新或删除的参数信息通过参数提供创建/更新/删除请求消息(Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create/Update/Delete request)发给网络暴露功能网元，以使得网络暴露功能网元创建/更新/删除用户或群组等相关信息。应用功能网元将第一UE和第二UE的关联关系携带于参数提供创建/更新/删除请求消息中发送给网络暴露功能网元。
S602、网络暴露功能网元向统一数据管理功能网元发送第一UE和第二UE的关联关系，统一数据管理功能网元接收网络暴露功能网元发送的第一UE和第二UE的关联关系；
一种可能的实现方式中，网络暴露功能网元将第一UE和第二UE的关联关系携带于参数提供创建/更新/删除请求消息(Nudm_ParameterProvision_Create/Update/Delete request)中发送给统一数据管理功能网元。
当统一数据管理功能网元接收第一UE和第二UE的关联关系之后，存储该第一UE和第二UE的关联关系。
可选的，统一数据管理功能网元存放的关联关系是关联关系表的形式。例如，表2为统一数据管理功能网元存放的关联关系表的一种示例：
表2：统一数据管理功能网元存放的关联关系表
Figure PCTCN2021124430-appb-000002
可以理解的是，这里例举表2和上述表1的内容是相同的，换而言之，应用功能网元可以直接将表1所示的关联关系表发送给统一数据管理功能网元。但在实际应用中，统一数据管理功能网元还可以对应用功能网元发送的关联关系表进行进一步处理，例如更改UE的标识、更改内部组标识、更改UE的属性、更改UE的优先级、添加其它信息或删除部分信息等，这里不做限制。
可选的，S603、统一数据管理功能网元将关联关系保存至统一数据存储(UDR)网元。
S604、统一数据管理功能网元向网络暴露功能网元发送响应消息，该响应消息用于指示已完成关联关系的更新，网络暴露功能网元接收统一数据管理功能网元发送的响应消息；
S605、网络暴露功能网元向应用功能网元发送响应消息，该响应消息用于指示已完成关联关系的更新，应用功能网元接收网络暴露功能网元发送的响应消息，应用功能网元确定关联关系更新完成。
阶段2：第一UE、第二UE注册流程。
以第一UE的注册流程为例进行阐述。参见图7，为第一UE的注册流程图，包括：
应理解，在第一UE、第二UE执行注册流程之前，统一数据管理功能网元已获取或更新第一UE和第二UE的关联关系。
S701、第一UE向接入网网元发送注册请求(Registration Request)消息，接入网网元接收来自第一UE发送的注册请求消息；
S702、接入网网元根据注册请求消息的内容，为第一UE选择合适的接入与移动性管理功能网元，之后将该注册请求消息转发给接入与移动性管理功能网元；
S703、接入与移动性管理功能网元从统一数据管理功能网元获取第一UE的签约数据，根据该签约数据获知第一UE和第二UE的关联关系。例如获知第一UE是属于某个第一群组、第一UE的属性(或优先级)等。S704、接入与移动性管理功能网元保存第一UE和第二UE的关联关系；
S705、接入与移动性管理功能网元向第一UE发送注册接受(Registration Accept)消息，第一UE接收来自接入与移动性管理功能网元的注册接受消息；
S706、第一UE向接入与移动性管理功能网元发送注册完成(Registration Complete)消息，接入与移动性管理功能网元接收来自第一UE的注册完成消息。
第二UE的注册流程可以参考上述第一UE的注册流程，这里不再赘述。
阶段3：第一UE、第二UE的会话建立流程。
以下以第一UE的会话建立流程为例进行阐述。参见图8，为第一UE的会话建立的流程图，包括：
S801、第一UE向接入与移动性管理功能网元发送会话建立请求消息，接入与移动性管理功能网元接收第一UE发送的会话建立请求消息；
一种可能的实现方式中，第一UE通过非接入层(Non-Access-Stratum，NAS)信令向接入与移动性管理功能网元发送PDU会话建立请求(PDU Session Establishment Request) 消息。
S802、接入与移动性管理功能网元向会话管理功能网元发送会话建立请求消息，且在该会话建立请求消息中指示第一UE和第二UE的关联关系；会话管理功能网元接收会话建立请求消息后，获知第一UE和第二UE的关联关系；
S803、会话管理功能网元与用户面功能网元建立N4会话连接，在该过程中，会话管理功能网元向用户面功能网元发送第一UE和第二UE的关联关系；
S804、会话管理功能网元向接入与移动性管理功能网元发送会话建立接受消息，接入与移动性管理功能网元接收会话管理功能网元发送的会话建立接受消息；
一种可能的实现方式中，会话管理功能网元通过通信N1N2消息传输(Namf_Communication_N1N2Message Transfer)消息向接入与移动性管理功能网元发送会话建立接受消息；
S805、接入与移动性管理功能网元向第一UE发送会话建立接受消息，第一UE接收接入与移动性管理功能网元发送的会话建立接受消息。
第二UE的会话建立流程参考第一UE的会话建立流程即可，这里不再赘述。
当第一UE和第二UE的会话建立完成后，用户面功能网元可以维护一张关于第一UE和第二UE的关联关系表。用户面功能网元维护的关联关系表除了可以体现出第一UE、第二UE是属于同一组，以及各UE的属性(或优先级)之外，还可以包含其他信息，例如各UE建立的会话对应的N4会话标识、AN隧道信息等，以便于用户面功能网元转发数据。如下表3所示，为用户面功能网元存放的关联关系表的一种示例：
表3：用户面功能网元存放的关联关系表
Figure PCTCN2021124430-appb-000003
其中，AN TEID是AN隧道标识，用户面功能网元可以根据这个标识，确定将下行数据发给哪个接入网网元(AN TEID会与接入网网元的IP地址关联在一起)。在第一UE运行状态为正常时，当发送给第一UE的下行数据到达用户面功能网元时，用户面功能网元可以通过查询表3获得下行数据对应的AN TEID1，并通过该隧道发给对应的接入网网元。当用户面功能网元识别到第一UE出现异常后，当发送给第一UE的下行数据到达用户面功能网元时，用户面功能网元可以根据表3选择第二UE的隧道进行转发。
表3中可以不包含AN隧道信息，当发送给第一UE的下行数据到达用户面功能网元时，用户面功能网元可以根据第一UE的N4会话标识查找到上下文信息，从该上下文信息找到第一UE对应的隧道信息。
通过上述阶段1～阶段3，关联关系从应用功能网元传输到用户面功能网元。
需要说明的是，以上阶段1～阶段3介绍的是应用功能网元先向统一数据管理功能网元传输关联信息，再由统一数据管理功能网元向用户面功能网元(第一网络设备)传输关联信息，进而实现关联信息从应用功能网元传输到用户面功能网元。但在实际应用中，还可以采用其它传输方式实现关联信息从应用功能网元传输到用户面功能网元，例如应用功能 网元直接向到用户面功能网元发送关联信息，本申请对此不做限制。
需要说明的是，以上阶段1～阶段3介绍的是由应用功能网元生成第一UE和第二UE的关联信息，并且由应用功能网元将关联信息传输给第一网络设备(即用户面功能网元)的方案。在本申请实施例中，还可以由第一网络设备生成该关联信息。
具体的，应用功能网元可以将生成关联信息所需要的相关信息提供给用户面功能网元，然后由用户面功能网元基于这些相关信息生成关联信息。其中应用功能网元将该些相关信息提供给用户面功能网元的过程可以参考上述阶段1～阶段3，不同之处仅在于上述阶段1～阶段3传输的是关联信息，而这里传输的是生成关联信息所需要的相关信息，例如相关信息可以包括第一UE和第二UE所属的第一群组标识或关联标识、第一UE的第一标识、第二UE的第二标识、第一UE的第一属性信息以及第二UE的第二属性信息等。
可以理解的是，生成关联信息所需要的相关信息中第一UE的信息(例如第一UE所属的第一群组标识或关联标识、第一UE的第一标识、第一UE的第一属性信息等)和第二UE的信息(例如第二UE所属的第一群组标识或关联标识、第二UE的第二标识、第二UE的第二属性信息等)可以分批次先后提供给用户面功能网元，也可以在同时传输给用户面功能网元，这里不做限定。用户面功能网元通过应用层提供的同一个群组标识或关联标识，可以获知第一UE和第二UE是关联的，从而基于上述相关信息生成关联信息。
当用户面功能网元获取到第一UE和第二UE的关联关系之后，用户面功能网元就可以在第一UE出现异常后控制切换数据转发，具体过程参见阶段4。
阶段4：数据发送以及第一UE出现异常后网络侧切换数据转发的流程。
在本申请实施例中，用户面功能网元可以实时监测第一UE和第二UE的运行状态。监测的方案包括但不限于以下几种：
1)用户面功能网元发送因特网包探索器(Packet Internet Groper，PING)包给第一UE和第二UE，以监测其连通性；若某个UE的连通性监测失败，则可认为该UE出现异常；
2)用户面功能网元测试数据包发送给第一UE的往返时延(Round-Trip-Time，RTT)(即来回时间)和数据包发送第二UE的往返时延，若某个UE对应的来回时间较长(如达到某个上限)，则认为该UE出现异常。
应理解，以上两种监测方案仅为示例而非限定。
参见图9，为下行数据的传输流程图，包括：S901、用户面功能网元实时监测第一UE与第二UE的运行状态；
S902、数据网络向用户面功能网元发送下行数据，用户面功能网元接收来自数据网络的下行数据；
当第一UE运行正常时：
S903A、用户面功能网元监测到第一UE的运行状态为正常，则用户面功能网元通过第一UE的PDU会话(第一用户面通道)向接入网网元发送该下行数据；接入网网元从第一用户面通道接收下行数据；
S904A、接入网网元向第一UE转发该下行数据。
当第一UE运行异常时：
S903B、用户面功能网元监测到第一UE的运行状态为异常或异常，且第二UE的运行状态为正常，则用户面功能网元通过第二UE的PDU会话(第二用户面通道)向接入网网元发送该下行数据；
S904B、接入网网元从第二用户面通道接收下行数据，并向第二UE转发该下行数据。
本实施例1在第一UE和第二UE建立会话的过程中，统一数据管理功能网元将第一UE和第二UE的关联关系发送给用户面功能网元，使用户面功能网元能维护它们的关联关系。进而在数据传输过程中，用户面功能网元可以监测第一UE和第二UE的状态，并在其中某个UE出现异常的时候，根据关联关系切换发送数据给另一个UE，从而在不增加空口资源开销的同时，提高设备的可靠性。
实施例2
在本实施例中，第一网络设备是接入网网元，接入网网元可以获知第一UE、第二UE的关联关系，由接入网网元决策向哪个UE发送下行数据；接入网网元实时监测第一UE和第二UE的运行状态，根据第一UE的运行状态和关联信息，决定向第一UE或第二UE发送下行数据。用户面功能网元在接收到主UE的下行数据时，会将数据复制一份，分别通过第一UE的用户面通道(即第一用户面通道，例如第一UE的PDU会话)和第二UE的用户面通道(即第二用户面通道，例如第二UE的PDU会话)向接入网网元发送。接入网网元可以通过第一用户面通道接收来自用户面功能网元的下行数据，和，通过第二用户面通道接收来自用户面功能网元的下行数据。若第一UE的运行状态为正常，则接入网网元会将来自第一用户面通道的数据发送给第一UE，且丢弃或删除通过第二用户面通道接收到的下行数据；或者，若第一UE的运行状态为异常，则接入网网元会将来自第二用户面通道的数据发送给第二UE，且丢弃或删除通过第一用户面通道接收到的下行数据。如图10所示，为接入网网元决策将下行数据发给第一UE或第二UE的示意图。
用户面功能网元获取关联关系以及决策数据转发的过程可以包括以下四个阶段：
阶段1：第一UE、第二UE的关联关系更新流程。
具体实现方式可以参考上文实施例1中阶段1的具体实现方式，这里不再赘述。
阶段2：第一UE、第二UE注册流程。
具体实现方式可以参考上文实施例1中阶段2的具体实现方式，这里不再赘述。
阶段3：第一UE、第二UE的会话建立流程。
以下以第一UE的会话建立流程为例进行阐述。参见图11，为第一UE的会话建立的流程图，包括：
S1101、第一UE向接入与移动性管理功能网元发送会话建立请求消息，接入与移动性管理功能网元接收第一UE发送的会话建立请求消息；
一种可能的实现方式中，第一UE可以通过NAS信令向接入与移动性管理功能网元发送PDU会话建立请求消息；
S1102、接入与移动性管理功能网元向会话管理功能网元发送会话建立请求消息，且在该会话建立请求消息中指示第一UE和第二UE的关联关系；会话管理功能网元接收会话建立请求消息后，获知第一UE和第二UE的关联关系；
S1113、会话管理功能网元与用户面功能网元建立N4会话连接，在该过程中，会话管理功能网元向用户面功能网元发送第一UE和第二UE的关联关系；
S1104、会话管理功能网元向接入与移动性管理功能网元发送会话建立接受消息；
S1105、接入与移动性管理功能网元向接入网网元发送N2消息，其中包括了会话建立接受消息以及第一UE和第二UE的关联关系。
S1106、接入网网元向第一UE发送会话建立接受消息；
这里图11所示的流程与实施例1中图8所示实施例的流程基本一致，区别仅在于S1105～S1106与上述S805不同。即与实施例1相比，这里关联关系表除了可以发给用户面功能网元外，还可以发给接入网网元。
第二UE的会话建立流程参考第一UE的会话建立流程即可，这里不再赘述。
当第一UE和第二UE的会话建立完成后，用户面功能网元可以维护一张关于第一UE和第二UE的关联关系表。如下表4所示，为用户面功能网元存放的关联关系表的一种示例：
表4：用户面功能网元存放的关联关系表
Figure PCTCN2021124430-appb-000004
类似的，表4中页可以不包含AN隧道信息，当发送给第一UE的下行数据到达用户面功能网元时，用户面功能网元可以根据第一UE的N4会话标识查找到上下文信息，从该上下文信息找到第一UE对应的隧道信息。
当第一UE和第二UE的会话建立完成后，接入网网元也可以维护的关于第一UE和第二UE的关联关系表，如下表5所示，为接入网网元存放的关联关系表的一种示例：
表5：接入网网元存放的关联关系表
Figure PCTCN2021124430-appb-000005
当第一UE运行正常或出现异常时，接入网网元可以根据表5选择哪个无线承载(DRB)来发送数据(可以理解为选择哪个对应的空口资源来发送数据)。例如，当第一UE运行正常时，接入网网元将来自第一用户面通道(例如PDU Session ID 1所标识的PDU会话)的 数据通过第一UE的DRB 1发送给第一UE，并丢弃或删除来自第二用户面通道(例如PDU Session ID 2所标识的PDU会话)的数据。例如，当第一UE运行出现异常时，接入网网元将来自第一用户面通道的数据通过第二UE的DRB 2发送给第二UE，并丢弃或删除来自第二用户面通道的数据。
需要注意的是，不同网元可以用不同的标识来识别UE，所以接入网网元存放的关联关系表(即表5)当中的UE ID与用户面功能网元存放的关联关系表(即表4)中同一UE对应的UE ID可以不同，但都可以用于标识该UE。
通过上述阶段1～阶段3，关联关系从应用功能网元传输到接入网网元。
当接入网网元获取到第一UE和第二UE的关联关系之后，接入网网元就可以在第一UE出现异常后控制切换数据转发，具体过程参见阶段4。
阶段4：数据发送以及第一UE出现异常后网络侧切换数据转发的流程。
在本申请实施例中，接入网网元可以实时监测第一UE和第二UE的运行状态。
具体的，监测的方案包括但不限于以下几种：
1)接入网网元发送PING包给第一UE和第二UE，以监测其连通性；若连通性监测失败，则可认为该UE出现异常；
2)接入网网元测试测试数据包发送给UE的来回时间，若来回时间较长(如达到某个上限)，则认为该UE出现异常。
应理解，以上两种监测方案仅为示例而非限定。
参见图12，为下行数据的传输流程图，包括：
S1201、接入网网元实时监测第一UE与第二UE的运行状态；
S1202、数据网络向用户面功能网元发送下行数据，用户面功能网元接收来自数据网络的下行数据；
S1203、用户面功能网元根据关联关系，将下行数据复制多份，分别通过第一用户面通道和第二用户面通道向接入网网元发送下行数据；接入网网元通过第一用户面通道和第二用户面通道接收来自用户面功能网元的下行数据；
当第一UE运行正常时：
S1204A、接入网网元监测到第一UE的运行状态为正常，接入网网元将来自第一用户面通道的数据发送给第一UE，还可以丢弃或删除通过第二用户面通道接收到的下行数据；
当第一UE运行异常时：
S1204B、接入网网元监测到第一UE的运行状态为异常且第二UE的运行状态为正常，接入网网元将来自第二用户面通道的数据发送给第二UE，还可以丢弃或删除通过第一用户面通道接收到的下行数据。
本实施例2在第一UE和第二UE建立会话的过程中，统一数据管理功能网元将第一UE和第二UE的关联关系发送给用户面功能网元和接入网网元，使用户面功能网元和接入网网元能维护它们的关联关系。进而在数据传输过程中，接入网网元监测第一UE和第二UE的状态，并在其中某个UE出现异常的时候，切换发送数据给另一个UE，从而在不增加空口资源开销的同时，提高设备的可靠性。
实施例3
在本实施例中，第一网络设备是接入网网元，接入网网元决策向哪个UE发送下行数据。第一UE与第二UE可以共享同一个会话连接，用户面功能网元在接收到主UE的下 行数据时，可以将到达的下行数据通过第一UE和第二UE共享的用户面通道转发给接入网网元。若第一UE的运行状态为正常，则接入网网元将下行数据发送给第一UE；或者，若第一UE的运行状态为异常，则接入网网元将下行数据发送给第二UE。如图13所示，为接入网网元决策将下行数据发给第一UE或第二UE的示意图。
根据第一UE和第二UE共享的用户面通道的不同实现方式，本实施例可以进一步分为两种场景：
场景一、第一UE和第二UE共享的用户面通道的具体实现方式是：第一UE和第二UE共享的用户面通道既不属于第一UE的用户面通道，也不属于第二UE用户面通道。换而言之，该共享的用户面通道是专门为传输第一UE和第二UE的共享数据所建立的，或者说用户面功能网元通过该通道向接入网网元发送数据时，不区分数据是发给第一UE的数据还是发给第二UE的数据。
场景二、第一UE和第二UE共享的用户面通道的具体实现方式是：第一UE和第二UE共享的用户面通道属于第一UE或第二UE的用户面通道。换而言之，共享的用户面通道是专门为传输第一UE的数据所建立的，但是可以用于传输第二UE的数据，或者说该通道传输的数据也可以发给第二UE；或者，共享的用户面通道是专门为传输第二UE的数据所配置的，但是可以用于传输第一UE的数据，或者说该通道传输的数据也可以发给第一UE。
对于场景一，用户面功能网元获取关联关系以及决策数据转发的过程可以包括以下五个阶段：
阶段1：第一UE、第二UE的关联关系更新流程。
具体实现方式可以参考上文实施例1中阶段1的具体实现方式，这里不再赘述。
阶段2：第一UE、第二UE注册流程。
具体实现方式可以参考上文实施例1中阶段2的具体实现方式，这里不再赘述。
阶段3：第一UE、第二UE的共享会话建立流程。
由于第一UE及第二UE共享用户面功能网元与接入网网元之间的会话连接，因此共享会话建立流程与前述实施例1或实施例2中的会话建立流程有所差别。
参见图14，为共享会话建立方法的流程图，包括：
S1401、会话管理功能网元向用户面功能网元发送共享隧道请求消息，用户面功能网元接收会话管理功能网元发送的共享隧道请求消息；用户面功能网元向会话管理功能网元返回用户面功能网元侧隧道信息(例如用户面功能网元侧隧道标识)以及用户面功能网元地址信息(例如用户面功能网元的IP地址)，会话管理功能网元接收用户面功能网元发送的用户面功能网元侧隧道信息和用户面功能网元地址信息；
可选的，在此之前，会话管理功能网元可以从运维管理系统(Operation Administration and Maintenance，OAM)和/或策略控制功能网元(PCF)获取隧道相关策略信息。进而会话管理功能网元向用户面功能网元发送共享隧道请求消息时，并把该隧道相关策略信息携带于共享隧道请求消息中一同发给用户面功能网元。
S1402、会话管理功能网元向接入与移动性管理功能网元发送共享隧道请求消息，该共享隧道请求消息携带用户面功能网元侧隧道信息以及用户面功能网元地址信息，接入与移动性管理功能网元接收会话管理功能网元发送的共享隧道请求消息；
S1403、接入与移动性管理功能网元向接入网网元发送共享隧道请求消息，其中携带 用户面功能网元侧隧道信息以及用户面功能网元地址信息，接入网网元接收接入与移动性管理功能网元发送的共享隧道请求消息；接入网网元向接入与移动性管理功能网元返回接入网网元侧隧道信息(例如接入网网元侧隧道标识)以及接入网网元地址信息(例如接入网网元的IP地址)，接入与移动性管理功能网元接收接入网网元发送的接入网网元侧隧道信息以及接入网网元地址信息；
S1404、接入与移动性管理功能网元向会话管理功能网元发送共享隧道响应消息，该共享隧道响应消息中携带接入网网元侧隧道信息以及接入网网元地址信息，会话管理功能网元接收接入与移动性管理功能网元发送的共享隧道响应消息；
S1405、会话管理功能网元向用户面功能网元发送接入网网元侧隧道信息以及接入网网元地址信息，用户面功能网元接收接入与移动性管理功能网元发送的接入网网元侧隧道信息以及接入网网元地址信息。
阶段4：第一UE、第二UE的会话建立流程。
以下以第一UE的会话建立流程为例进行阐述。参见图15，为第一UE的会话建立的流程图，包括：
S1501、第一UE向接入与移动性管理功能网元发送会话建立请求消息，接入与移动性管理功能网元接收第一UE发送的会话建立请求消息；
S1502、接入与移动性管理功能网元向会话管理功能网元发送会话建立请求消息，并在该消息中携带第一UE和第二UE的关联关系；会话管理功能网元接收接入与移动性管理功能网元发送的会话建立请求消息；
S1503、会话管理功能网元根据关联关系判断第一UE和第二UE是否已经建立共享会话(或共享隧道)；
若第一UE和第二UE未建立共享会话，则执行上述阶段三的流程；当第一UE和第二UE共享会话建立完成后，继续执行S1504～S1507的流程；
若第一UE和第二UE已建立共享隧道，则直接执行S1504～S1507的流程；
S1504、会话管理功能网元向用户面功能网元发送第一UE与第二UE的关联关系，用户面功能网元接收会话管理功能网元发送的关联关系；
S1505、会话管理功能网元向接入与移动性管理功能网元发送会话建立接受消息，接入与移动性管理功能网元接收会话管理功能网元发送的会话建立接受消息；
S1506、接入与移动性管理功能网元向接入网网元发送N2消息，N2消息中包含会话建立接受消息和关联关系；接入网网元接收接入与移动性管理功能网元发送的N2消息；
S1507、接入网网元向第一UE发送会话建立接受消息，第一UE接收接入网网元发送的会话建立接受消息。
表6为用户面功能网元存放的关联关系表的一种示例：
表6：用户面功能网元存放的关联关系表
Figure PCTCN2021124430-appb-000006
Figure PCTCN2021124430-appb-000007
表7为接入网网元存放的关联关系表的一种示例：
表7：接入网网元存放的关联关系表
Figure PCTCN2021124430-appb-000008
其中，接入网网元存放的关联关系表主要用于让接入网网元知道当第一UE运行正常或出现异常时，可以选择哪个无线承载来发送数据(可以理解为选择哪个对应的空口资源来发送数据)；例如，当第一UE运行正常时，接入网网元可以根据接入网网元存放的关联关系表将来自共享隧道的数据通过DRB 1发送给第一UE；当第一UE运行出现异常时，接入网网元可以根据接入网网元存放的关联关系表将来自共享隧道的数据通过DRB 2发送给第二UE。
需要注意的是，不同网元可以用不同的标识来识别UE，所以接入网网元存放的关联关系表(即表7)当中的UE ID与用户面功能网元存放的关联关系表(即表6)中同一UE对应的UE ID可以不同，但都可以用于标识该UE。
通过上述阶段1～阶段4，关联关系从应用功能网元传输到接入网网元。
阶段5：数据发送以及第一UE出现异常后网络侧切换数据转发的流程
接入网网元可以实时监测第一UE和第二UE的运行状态。具体监测方案可以参考上文实施例2中阶段4所介绍的监测方法，这里不再赘述。
参见图16，为下行数据的传输流程图，包括：
S1601、接入网网元实时监测第一UE与第二UE的运行状态；
S1602、数据网络向用户面功能网元发送下行数据，用户面功能网元接收来自数据网络的下行数据；
S1603、用户面功能网元根据关联关系，通过第一UE和第二UE共享的用户面通道向接入网网元发送下行数据；接入网网元通过通过第一UE和第二UE共享的用户面通道接收来自用户面功能网元的下行数据；
当第一UE运行正常时：
S1604A、接入网网元监测到第一UE的运行状态为正常，接入网网元将下行数据发送给第一UE；
当第一UE运行异常时：
S1604B、接入网网元监测到第一UE的运行状态为异常且第二UE的运行状态为正常，接入网网元将下行数据发送给第二UE。
对于场景二，用户面功能网元获取关联关系以及决策数据转发的过程可以包括以下四个阶段：
阶段1：第一UE、第二UE的关联关系更新流程。
具体实现方式可以参考上文实施例1中阶段1的具体实现方式，这里不再赘述。
阶段2：第一UE、第二UE注册流程。
具体实现方式可以参考上文实施例1中阶段2的具体实现方式，这里不再赘述。
阶段3：第一UE、第二UE的会话建立流程。
具体实现方式可以参考上文实施例2中阶段3的具体实现方式，这里不再赘述。
通过上述阶段1～阶段3，关联关系从应用功能网元传输到接入网网元。
阶段4：数据发送以及第一UE出现异常后网络侧切换数据转发的流程。
接入网网元可以实时监测第一UE和第二UE的运行状态。监测的方案可以参考上文实施例2中阶段4所介绍的监测方法，这里不再赘述。
参见图17，为下行数据的传输流程图，包括：
S1701、接入网网元实时监测第一UE与第二UE的运行状态；
S1702、数据网络向用户面功能网元发送下行数据，用户面功能网元接收来自数据网络的下行数据；
S1703、用户面功能网元根据关联关系，通过第一用户面通道(第一UE的用户面通道)或第二用户面通道(第二UE的用户面通道)向接入网网元发送下行数据；接入网网元通过第一用户面通道或第二用户面通道接收来自用户面功能网元的下行数据；
当第一UE运行正常时：
S1704A、接入网网元监测到第一UE的运行状态为正常，接入网网元向第一UE发送下行数据；
当第一UE运行异常时：
S1704B、接入网网元监测到第一UE的运行状态为异常且第二UE的运行状态为正常，接入网网元向第二UE发送下行数据。
本实施例3在第一UE和第二UE建立会话的过程中，统一数据管理功能网元将第一UE和第二UE的关联关系发送给接入网网元，使接入网网元能维护它们的关联关系。在数据传输过程中，接入网网元监测第一UE和第二UE的状态，并在其中某个UE出现异常的时候，切换发送数据给另一个UE，从而在不增加空口资源开销的同时，提高设备的可靠性。并且，用户面功能网元通过第一UE和第二UE共享的会话连接向接入网网元发送下行数据，所以无需将数据进行冗余传输，可以进一步节省网络资源开销。
为了进一步满足各工业应用对可靠性的需求，在本申请实施例中，同一个UE可以请求建立至少两个会话连接以为目标设备提供可靠性保障。进一步的，核心网网元可以获知同一个UE对应的至少两个会话具有关联关系，进而在向UE发送数据的过程中，在当前用于传输数据的会话连接发生异常时，切换会话连接，进而减少设备中断的时间，增强设备的可靠性。
参见图18，为本申请实施例提供的另一种通信方法的流程图，该方法可以应用于图1 或图2或图3所示的通信系统，方法包括：
S1801、核心网网元获取第一信息，第一信息用于关联UE的第一会话和第二会话。
应理解，这里的UE可以是上述图1或图2或图3所示场景中的任意一个UE，不做限制。该UE可以建立至少两个会话，这里以第一会话和第二会话为例。
S1802、核心网网元根据第一信息确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系。
可以理解的是，本申请实施例中第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系具体指第一会话和第二会话可以用于传输相同的数据。例如，第一会话和第二会话对应同一个UE，即第一会话和第二会话可以传输该同一个UE的数据；或者例如，第一会话和第二会话属于同一个会话群组，即第一会话和第二会话可以传输该同一个会话群组的数据；或者例如，第一会话和第二会话可以用于传输相同五元组的数据；或者例如，第一会话和第二会话可以用于服务于相同的发送端与接收端。
在本申请实施例中，当核心网网元采用上述方法确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系后，后续在向UE发送数据时，就可以根据该关联关系选择第一会话或第二会话发送向UE发送数据。
一种可能设计中，第一信息是一个显性的指示信息，例如第一信息包含第七指示信息，第七指示信息用于指示第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系或用于指示第一会话和第二会话可以用于传输相同的数据。相应的，核心网网元根据第一信息确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系具体是：核心网网元根据第七指示信息，确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系。
可选的，第一信息还包含第一会话和第二会话的关联关系的相关信息，例如第一指示信息，第一指示信息用于指示以下任意一项或多项：第一会话的优先级、第一会话的属性、第二会话的优先级、第二会话的属性。其中，属性可以用于指示会话是主会话还是备会话。其中，第一会话的优先级高于第二会话的优先级；和/或，第一会话的属性为主会话，第二会话的属性为备会话。
相应的，如果第一信息还包括第一会话的优先级和/或第二会话的优先级，则核心网网元除了可以确定第一会话和第二会话具有关联关系之外，还可以进一步确定第一会话和第二会话的优先级关系，例如第一会话的优先级高于第二会话的优先级。如果第一信息还包括第一会话的属性和/或第二会话的属性，则核心网网元除了可以确定第一会话和第二会话具有关联关系之外，还可以进一步确定第一会话和第二会话的属性关系，例如第一会话为主会话，第二会话为备会话等。其中，关联关系包括该优先级关系和/或该属性关系。
另一种可能设计中，第一信息是一个隐性的指示信息，例如第一信息仅包含第一会话和第二会话的关联关系的相关信息。相应的，核心网网元根据第一信息确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系具体是：核心网网元根据第一信息获得第一会话和第二会话的关联关系，进而确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系。
例如，第一会话和第二会话的关联关系的相关信息为上述的第一指示信息。核心网网元根据该相关信息获得第一会话和第二会话的优先级关系或属性关系，进而确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系。
例如，第一会话和第二会话的关联关系的相关信息为第一会话所属的会话群组信息和第二会话该的会话群组的信息，其中第一会话所属的会话群组信息和第二会话该的会话群组的信息相同，核心网网元根据该相关信息确定第一会话和第二会话属于同一个会话群组， 进而确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系。
可选的，核心网网元还根据第一信息生成并保存第一会话和第二会话的关联关系。该关联关系可以在核心网网元在向UE发送数据时，作为核心网网元从第一会话、第二会话中选择会话的依据或参考，例如第一会话和第二会话的关联关系包括第一会话和第二会话的优先级和/或属性关系。
应理解，如果第一信息本身就是第一会话和第二会话的关联关系的话，核心网网元可以直接将第一信息作为关联关系进行保存，即不用执行生成关联关系的操作。
需要说明的是，在本申请实施例中，会话的属性或者会话的优先级，是用于网络侧在发送数据时作为网络侧选择会话的依据或参考。因此，在实际应用中，关联关系除了可以表征第一会话和第二会话的优先级关系、第一会话和第二会话的主备关系等之外，还可以表征第一会话和第二会话的其它关系，只要该关联关系可以用于网络侧作为选择会话的依据即可，本申请不做限定。
可选的，第一信息是UE提供给核心网网元。例如，UE获得第一信息，并向核心网网元发送该第一信息。
第一UE获得第一信息的方式，例如是第一UE生成第一信息，或者例如是第一UE接收其它设备发送的第一信息，这里不做限制。
可选的，第一信息是在UE建立会话连接的过程中发送给核心网网元，例如将第一信息携带于会话建立请求消息中发送给核心网网元。
在本申请实施例中，该核心网网元可以是控制面网元，例如会话管理功能网元SMF，还可以是用户面网元，例如用户面功能网元UPF，本申请对此不做限制。
可选的，当核心网网元为控制面网元时，核心网网元在确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系之后，控制面网元还向用户面网元发送第二指示信息(可选的，第二指示信息是第一会话和第二会话的关联关系)，第二指示信息用于表征第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系，进而使得用户面网元根据该关联关系确定通过第一会话或第二会话向UE发送下行数据；或者，控制面网元在收到第一信息之后，向用户面网元发送该第一信息，进而使得用户面网元根据第一信息确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系(可选的，用户面网元还进一步确定关联关系的具体内容)，并根据该关联关系确定通过第一会话或第二会话向UE发送下行数据。
如果核心网网元为用户面网元，则在用户面网元根据第一信息确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系之后，如果用户面网元接收待发送给UE的下行数据，用户面网元根据该关联关系确定通过第一会话或第二会话向UE发送下行数据。
一种可能的设计中，第一信息包括第二信息和第三信息。
其中，第二信息包括第一会话的相关信息，例如第二信息包括第一会话所属的关联关系标识，可选的，第二信息还包括第一会话的优先级和/或属性。第三信息包括第二会话的相关信息，例如第三信息包括第二会话所属的关联关系标识，可选的，第三信息还包括第二会话的优先级和/或属性。
相应的，核心网网元根据第一信息，确定第一会话所属的关联关系标识与第二会话所属的关联关系标识相同时，核心网网元确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系。如果第二信息还包括第一会话的优先级和/或属性，第三信息还包括第二会话的优先级和/或属性，则核心网网元还可以进一步确定第一会话和第二会话的优先级关系和/或属性关系。
可选的，上述关联关系标识携带在会话建立请求消息中。
例如，第二信息在UE建立第一会话流程中发送，且在用于建立第一会话的会话建立请求消息携带第二信息(第二信息包括第一会话所属的关联关系标识)；第三信息在UE建立第二会话流程中发送，且在用于建立第二会话的会话建立请求消息携带第三信息(第三信息包括第二会话所属的关联关系标识)。
下面以UE在建立会话的过程中，将第二信息和第三信息先后分别发送给会话管理功能网元和用户面功能网元为例，参见图19，具体流程包括：
S1901、UE向接入与移动性管理功能网元发送会话建立请求(PDU Session Establishment Request)消息，该消息用于请求建立第一会话(或第一PDU会话)；该消息中携带第二信息，第二信息包括关联标识(Association ID)(或者称为组标识)，该Association ID作为关联信息，用于告诉核心网，本次请求建立的第一PDU会话是属于哪个关联标识(可以理解为是属于哪个组，即同个Association ID的PDU会话具有关联关系)；
可选的，第二信息还包括第三指示信息(或属性信息)，用于指示该第一PDU会话为主PDU会话还是备PDU会话。
可选的，第二信息还包括第四指示信息(或优先级信息)，用于指示该第一PDU会话的优先级。
S1902、接入与移动性管理功能网元向会话管理功能网元发送会话建立请求消息，该消息中携带第二信息；
S1903、会话管理功能网元与用户面功能网元建立N4连接，在该过程中用户面功能网元可以从会话管理功能网元获取到第二信息；
S1904、会话管理功能网元向接入与移动性管理功能网元发送会话建立接受消息；
S1905、接入与移动性管理功能网元向UE发送会话建立接受消息；
以上S1901～S1905为第一PDU会话的建立过程。
S1906、UE向接入与移动性管理功能网元发送会话建立请求消息，该消息用于请求建立第二会话(或第二PDU会话)；该消息中携带第三信息，第三信息包括关联标识(Association ID)(或者称为组标识)，该Association ID作为关联信息，用于告诉核心网，本次请求建立的第二PDU会话是属于哪个关联标识(可以理解为是属于哪个组，即同个Association ID的PDU会话具有关联关系)；
可选的，第二信息还包括第五指示信息(或属性信息)，用于指示该第二PDU会话为主PDU会话还是备PDU会话。
可选的，第二信息还包括第六指示信息(或优先级信息)，用于指示该第二PDU会话的优先级。
S1907、接入与移动性管理功能网元向会话管理功能网元发送会话建立请求消息，该消息用于请求建立第二PDU会话，该消息中携带第三信息；
S1908、会话管理功能网元与用户面功能网元建立N4连接，在该过程中用户面功能网元可以从会话管理功能网元获取到第三信息；
S1909、会话管理功能网元向接入与移动性管理功能网元发送会话建立接受消息；
S1910、接入与移动性管理功能网元向UE发送会话建立接受消息。
以上S1906～S1910为第二PDU会话的建立过程。
需要注意的是，UE发起第二PDU会话的建立流程与UE发起第一PDU会话的建立流 程基本一致，不同之处仅在于：第一PDU会话的建立流程中，UE向接入与移动性管理功能网元发送会话建立请求消息时，额外携带的信息是第二信息，而第二PDU会话的建立流程中，UE向接入与移动性管理功能网元发送会话建立请求消息时，额外携带的信息是第三信息。
需要强调的是，在第二PDU会话建立的过程中，UE发送的Association ID(即第三信息中的Association ID)与第一PDU会话建立的过程中的Association ID(即第二信息中的Association ID)一致，从而可以使会话管理功能网元、用户面功能网元获知这两个PDU会话是关联在一起的。
S1911、会话管理功能网元或用户面功能网元在收到第二信息和第三信息之后，根据第二信息和第三信息建立第一PDU会话和第二PDU会话的关联关系。
应理解，当S1911具体是会话管理功能网元根据第二信息和第三信息建立第一PDU会话和第二PDU会话的关联关系时，S1911可以在S1907之后任意时刻执行，例如可以在S1908之前、S1909之前、S1910之前或S1910之后执行。当S1911具体是用户面功能网元根据第二信息和第三信息建立第一PDU会话和第二PDU会话的关联关系时，S1911可以在S1908之后任意时刻执行，例如可以在S1909之前、S1910之前或S1910之后执行。
在本申请实施例中，会话管理功能网元除了可以将第二信息、第三信息发送给用户面功能网元使得用户面功能网元根据第二信息、第三信息生成关联关系之外，会话管理功能网元也可以在生成关联关系之后，直接将第一PDU会话和第二PDU会话的关联关系发送给用户面功能网元，使得用户面功能网元可以直接保存该关联关系，不用执行根据第二信息和第三信息建立关联关系的流程。
可选的，若第二信息和第三信息中携带有属性信息，则会话管理功能网元、用户面功能网元还可以获知这两个PDU会话的属性信息，即获知哪个PDU会话为主，哪个PDU会话为备。若会话管理功能网元、用户面功能网元无收到该信息，则会话管理功能网元可以指示用户面功能网元关于会话的属性信息。
可选的，若第二信息和第三信息中携带有优先级信息，则会话管理功能网元、用户面功能网元还可以获知这两个PDU会话的优先级信息，即获知哪个PDU会话优先级高，哪个PDU会话优先级低。若会话管理功能网元、用户面功能网元无收到该信息，则会话管理功能网元可以指示用户面功能网元关于会话的优先级信息。
可选的，第一PDU会话和第二PDU会话的关联关系是关联关系表的形式。例如，表8为第一PDU会话和第二PDU会话的关联关系表的一种示例：
表8：第一PDU会话和第二PDU会话的关联关系表
Figure PCTCN2021124430-appb-000009
应理解，上述的关联关系表仅为一种示例，不代表关联关系表一定如此。但在关联关系表中，需体现出第一PDU会话、第二PDU会话是属于同一组，并且标有各PDU会话的属性(或优先级)，以便于让网络侧知道哪个PDU会话为主PDU会话或哪个PDU会话为高优先级，进而会在该PDU会话运行正常时，优先使用该PDU会话发送数据。
通过图19所示的方法，第一信息分成第二信息和第三信息两部分，分别在第一会话 建立流程和第二会话建立流程中由UE提供给网络，系统无需为第二信息和第三信息额外配置传输资源，可以节省系统开销。
另一种可能的设计中，第一信息用于指示关联第一会话与第二会话。相应的，核心网网元根据第一信息，确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系。
可选的，第一信息在UE建立第一会话或第二会话流程中发送，例如，在建立的第一PDU会话过程中，UE不携带第一信息，而在后续建立的第二PDU会话过程中，UE携带第一信息，指示将该第二PDU会话关联到之前建立的第一PDU会话，从而可以使会话管理功能网元、用户面功能网元获知这两个PDU会话是关联的。
例如，在建立的第一PDU会话过程中，UE携带第一信息，指示将该第一PDU会话关联到之后建立的第二PDU会话，而在后续建立的第二PDU会话过程中，UE不携带第一信息，同样可以使会话管理功能网元、用户面功能网元获知这两个PDU会话是关联的。
参见图20，以UE在建立第二PDU会话的过程中，将第一信息提供给会话管理功能网元和用户面功能网元为例，具体流程包括：
S2001、UE向接入与移动性管理功能网元发送会话建立请求消息，该消息用于请求建立第二PDU会话；该消息中携带第一信息，第一信息包括关联信息，该关联信息指示将第二PDU会话关联到之前建立的第一PDU会话；
可选的，第一信息还包括属性信息，用于指示该第二PDU会话与之前建立的第一PDU会话的主备关系。
可选的，第一信息还包括优先级信息，用于指示该第二PDU会话与之前建立的第一PDU会话优先级关系。
S2002、接入与移动性管理功能网元向会话管理功能网元发送会话建立请求消息，该消息中携带第一信息；
S2003、会话管理功能网元与用户面功能网元建立N4连接，在该过程中用户面功能网元从会话管理功能网元获取到第一信息；
S2004、会话管理功能网元向接入与移动性管理功能网元发送会话建立接受消息；
S2005、接入与移动性管理功能网元向UE发送会话建立接受消息。
以上S2001～S2005为第二PDU会话的建立过程。
S2006、会话管理功能网元或用户面功能网元在收到第一信息之后，根据第一信息建立第一PDU会话和第二PDU会话的关联关系。
应理解，当S2006具体是会话管理功能网元根据第一信息建立第一PDU会话和第二PDU会话的关联关系时，S2006可以在S2002之后任意时刻执行，例如可以在S2003之前、S2004之前、S2005之前或S2005之后执行。当S2006具体是用户面功能网元根据第一信息建立第一PDU会话和第二PDU会话的关联关系时，S2006可以在S2003之后任意时刻执行，例如可以在S2004之前、S2005之前或S2005之后执行。
在本申请实施例中，会话管理功能网元除了可以将第一信息发送给用户面功能网元使得用户面功能网元根据第一信息生成关联关系之外，会话管理功能网元也可以在生成关联关系之后，直接将第一PDU会话和第二PDU会话的关联关系发送给用户面功能网元，使得用户面功能网元可以直接保存该关联关系，不用执行根据第二信息和第三信息建立关联关系的流程。
可选的，若第一信息中携带有属性信息，则会话管理功能网元、用户面功能网元还可 以获知这两个PDU会话的属性信息，即获知哪个PDU会话为主，哪个PDU会话为备。若会话管理功能网元、用户面功能网元无收到该信息，则会话管理功能网元可以指示用户面功能网元关于会话的属性信息。
可选的，若第一信息中携带有优先级信息，则会话管理功能网元、用户面功能网元还可以获知这两个PDU会话的优先级信息，即获知哪个PDU会话优先级高，哪个PDU会话优先级低。若会话管理功能网元、用户面功能网元无收到该信息，则会话管理功能网元可以指示用户面功能网元关于会话的优先级信息。
通过图20所示的方法，系统无需为第一信息额外配置传输资源，可以节省系统开销。且UE只需在一个会话建立流程中发送第一信息，实现方式简单。
一些可能的实施例中，当用户面网元确定第一会话和第二会话关联关系之后(用户面网元生成关联关系，或者用户面网元从其他网元接收关联关系)，当接收到待发送给UE的下行数据时，可以根据以下规则选择用于发送下行数据的会话：
若第一会话的优先级高于第二会话的优先级，且第一会话为连接或激活状态，则核心网网元通过第一会话向接入网网元发送下行数据；或者，
若第一会话为主会话，且第一会话为激活或连接状态，则核心网网元通过第一会话向接入网网元发送下行数据；或者，
若第一会话的优先级高于第二会话的优先级或第一会话为主会话，且第一会话为去激活或释放状态，则核心网网元通过第二会话向接入网网元发送下行数据。
其中，若第一会话的优先级高于第二会话的优先级或第一会话为主会话，且第一会话为去激活或释放状态，则核心网网元通过第二会话向接入网网元发送下行数据，包括：若第一会话的优先级高于第二会话的优先级或第一会话为主会话，且第一会话为去激活或释放状态，且第二会话为激活或连接状态，则核心网网元通过第二会话向接入网网元发送下行数据。这样可以确保会话切换之后第一会话是可用的，进一步提高方案的可靠性。
用户面网元采用上述规则选择用于发送下行数据的会话时，可以优先使用高优先级的第一会话传输数据，当第一会话被去激活或释放后，可以切换使用低优先级的第二会话继续传输数据，进而可以减少传输中断的时间，增强数据传输的可靠性。
例如，图21所示，为用户面功能网元决策通过第一PDU会话或第二PDU会话发送下行数据的示意图。
用户面功能网元收到下行数据时，UE提供了第一PDU会话或第二PDU会话的属性信息(第一PDU会话为主会话)或优先级信息(第一PDU会话优先级高于第二PDU会话的优先级)，则当第一PDU会话为激活或连接状态，则用户面功能网元会优先选择第一PDU会话进行发送。当第一PDU会话被去激活或被释放了，而第二PDU会话为激活或连接状态，则用户面功能网元会在收到下行数据时，采用第二PDU会话来传输该数据，从而减少传输中断的时间，增强数据传输的可靠性。
用户面功能网元收到下行数据时，若UE未提供第一PDU会话或第二PDU会话的属性信息或优先级信息，则用户面功能网元会选择其中一个激活或连接状态的PDU会话来传输，例如选择第一PDU会话。当第一PDU会话被去激活或被释放了，而第二PDU会话为激活或连接状态，则用户面功能网元会在收到下行数据时，采用第二PDU会话来传输该数据，从而减少设备中断的时间，增强设备的可靠性。
应理解，以上内容是以UE建立两个PDU会话进行数据传输为例，在实际应用中， UE还可以建立更多的PDU会话进行数据传输，例如除了第一PDU会话、第二PDU会话以外，还包括第三PDU会话，其中将第三PDU会话与第一PDU会话或第二PDU会话进行关联的方法可以参考上述关联第一PDU会话、第二PDU会话的方法，这里不再赘述。应理解，一个PDU会话组里只有一个主PDU会话(优先级最高)，但可以有多个备PDU会话。
需要说明的是，本申请实施例中的各实施方式可以相互结合以实现不同的技术效果。例如，在同一个通信系统(例如图2或图3所示的通信系统)中，可以同时实施上述图4和图18所示的方法流程，从主备UE切换和主备PDU会话切换两个方面来提高数据传输的可靠性。
以上结合附图4～图21介绍了本申请实施例提供的方法，以下结合附图22～图23介绍本申请实施例提供的装置。
本申请实施例可以根据上述方法示例对设备进行功能单元的划分，例如，可以对应各个功能划分各个功能单元，也可以将两个或两个以上的功能集成在一个单元中。上述集成的单元既可以采用硬件的形式实现，也可以采用软件功能单元的形式实现。
在采用集成的单元的情况下，图22示出了本申请实施例中所涉及的通信装置的一种可能的示例性框图。
参见图22，通信装置2200可以包括：处理单元2201和收发单元2202。处理单元2201用于对通信装置2200的动作进行控制管理。收发单元2202用于支持通信装置2200与其他设备的通信。可选的，收发单元2202也称为通信单元2202，可以包括接收单元和/或发送单元，分别用于执行接收和发送操作。可选的，装置2200还可以包括存储单元2203，用于存储装置2200的程序代码和/或数据。在图22中，用虚线框代表存储单元2203对于通信装置2200是可选的。
该装置2200可以为图4～图17所示相关实施例中的第一网络设备，或者还可以为设置在第一网络设备中的芯片。处理单元2201可以支持装置2200执行第一网络设备的动作。或者，处理单元2201主要执行第一网络设备的内部动作，收发单元2202可以支持装置2200与其它设备之间的通信。
具体地，在一个实施例中，收发单元2202，用于接收待发送给第一用户设备的下行数据；处理单元2201用于：用于根据第一用户设备的运行状态，控制收发单元向第一用户设备或第二用户设备发送下行数据；
其中，第二用户设备与第一用户设备均属于第一群组；其中，在第一群组中，第一用户设备的优先级高于第二用户设备的优先级；或者，第一用户设备为第一群组中的主用户设备，第二用户设备为第一群组中的备用户设备。
该装置2200还可以为图4～图17所示相关实施例中的应用功能网元，或者还可以为设置在应用功能网元中的芯片。处理单元2201可以支持装置2200执行应用功能网元的动作。或者，处理单元2201主要执行应用功能网元的内部动作，收发单元2202可以支持装置2200与其它设备之间的通信。
具体地，在一个实施例中，处理单元2201，用于生成第一用户设备和第二用户设备的关联信息；其中，第一用户设备和第二用户设备均属于第一群组，关联信息用于表征：在第一群组中第一用户设备的优先级高于第二用户设备的优先级，和/或，第一用户设备为第一群组中的主用户设备，第二用户设备为第一群组中的备用户设备；收发单元2202，用于 向第一网络设备发送关联信息。
该装置2200还可以为图18～图21所示相关实施例中的核心网网元，或者还可以为设置在核心网网元中的芯片。处理单元2201可以支持装置2200执行核心网网元的动作。或者，处理单元2201主要执行核心网网元的内部动作，收发单元2202可以支持装置2200与其它设备之间的通信。
具体地，在一个实施例中，收发单元2202，用于获取第一信息，第一信息用于关联用户设备的第一会话和第二会话；处理单元2201，用于根据第一信息，确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系。
该装置2200还可以为图18～图21所示相关实施例中的UE，或者还可以为设置在UE中的芯片。处理单元2201可以支持装置2200执行UE的动作。或者，处理单元2201主要执行UE的内部动作，收发单元2202可以支持装置2200与其它设备之间的通信。
具体地，在一个实施例中，处理单元2201，用于获得第一信息，第一信息用于关联用户设备的第一会话和第二会话；收发单元2202，用于向核心网网元发送第一信息，第一信息用于核心网网元确定第一会话和第二会话之间具有关联关系。
应理解，上述方法实施例涉及的各步骤的所有相关内容均可以援引到对应功能模块的功能描述，在此不再赘述。
以上介绍了本申请实施例所涉及的通信装置，以下介绍本申请实施例中所涉及的通信装置的一些可能的产品形态。应理解，但凡具备上述图22所述的通信装置的功能的任何形态的产品，都落入本申请实施例的保护范围。还应理解，以下介绍仅为举例，不限制本申请实施例的通信装置的产品形态仅限于此。
作为一种可能的产品形态，参见图23，本申请实施例还提供一种通信装置2300，包括：至少一个处理器2301；以及，与该至少一个处理器2301连接的存储器2302；该至少一个处理器2301通过执行该存储器2002存储的指令，使得通信装置2300执行上文方法实施例中的方法。
其中，所述处理器2301和所述存储器2302可以通过接口电路耦合，也可以集成在一起，这里不做限制。
可选的，通信装置2300还包括通信接口2303，用于支持通信装置2300与其他设备的通信。在图23中，用虚线框代表通信接口2303对于通信装置2300是可选的。
本申请实施例中不限定上述处理器2301、存储器2302以及通信接口2303之间的具体连接介质。本申请实施例在图23中以处理器2301、存储器2302以及通信接口2303之间通过总线2304连接，总线在图23中以粗线表示，其它部件之间的连接方式，仅是进行示意性说明，并不引以为限。所述总线可以分为地址总线、数据总线、控制总线等。为便于表示，图23中仅用一条粗线表示，但并不表示仅有一根总线或一种类型的总线。
应理解，本申请实施例中提及的处理器可以通过硬件实现也可以通过软件实现。当通过硬件实现时，该处理器可以是逻辑电路、集成电路等。当通过软件实现时，该处理器可以是一个通用处理器，通过读取存储器中存储的软件代码来实现。
示例性的，处理器可以是中央处理单元(Central Processing Unit，CPU)，还可以是其他通用处理器、数字信号处理器(Digital Signal Processor，DSP)、专用集成电路(Application Specific Integrated Circuit，ASIC)、现成可编程门阵列(Field Programmable Gate Array，FPGA)或者其他可编程逻辑器件、分立门或者晶体管逻辑器件、分立硬件组件等。通用处理器可 以是微处理器或者该处理器也可以是任何常规的处理器等。
应理解，本申请实施例中提及的存储器可以是易失性存储器或非易失性存储器，或可包括易失性和非易失性存储器两者。其中，非易失性存储器可以是只读存储器(Read-Only Memory，ROM)、可编程只读存储器(Programmable ROM，PROM)、可擦除可编程只读存储器(Erasable PROM，EPROM)、电可擦除可编程只读存储器(Electrically EPROM，EEPROM)或闪存。易失性存储器可以是随机存取存储器(Random Access Memory，RAM)，其用作外部高速缓存。通过示例性但不是限制性说明，许多形式的RAM可用，例如静态随机存取存储器(Static RAM，SRAM)、动态随机存取存储器(Dynamic RAM，DRAM)、同步动态随机存取存储器(Synchronous DRAM，SDRAM)、双倍数据速率同步动态随机存取存储器(Double Data Eate SDRAM，DDR SDRAM)、增强型同步动态随机存取存储器(Enhanced SDRAM，ESDRAM)、同步连接动态随机存取存储器(Synchlink DRAM，SLDRAM)和直接内存总线随机存取存储器(Direct Rambus RAM，DR RAM)。
需要说明的是，当处理器为通用处理器、DSP、ASIC、FPGA或者其他可编程逻辑器件、分立门或者晶体管逻辑器件、分立硬件组件时，存储器(存储模块)可以集成在处理器中。
应注意，本文描述的存储器旨在包括但不限于这些和任意其它适合类型的存储器。
作为一种可能的产品形态，本申请实施例还提供一种计算机可读存储介质，该计算机可读存储介质中存储有计算机程序或指令，当该计算机可读计算机程序或指令被通信装置执行时，实现上文方法实施例中的方法。
作为一种可能的产品形态，本申请实施例还提供一种芯片，包括至少一个处理器，该至少一个处理器与存储器耦合，用于读取并执行该存储器中存储的软件程序，以实现上文方法实施例中的方法。
作为一种可能的产品形态，本申请实施例还提供一种计算机程序产品，包括指令，当其在计算机上运行时，使得上述上文方法实施例中的方法被执行。
由于本申请实施例提供的装置可用于执行图4～图21所示的实施例中的相应方法，因此其所能获得的技术效果可参考上文方法实施例，在此不再赘述。
本领域内的技术人员应明白，本申请的实施例可提供为方法、系统、或计算机程序产品。因此，本申请可采用完全硬件实施例、完全软件实施例、或结合软件和硬件方面的实施例的形式。而且，本申请可采用在一个或多个其中包含有计算机可用程序代码的计算机可用存储介质(包括但不限于磁盘存储器、CD-ROM、光学存储器等)上实施的计算机程序产品的形式。
本申请是参照根据本申请的方法、设备(系统)、和计算机程序产品的流程图和/或方框图来描述的。应理解可由计算机程序指令实现流程图和/或方框图中的每一流程和/或方框、以及流程图和/或方框图中的流程和/或方框的结合。可提供这些计算机程序指令到通用计算机、专用计算机、嵌入式处理机或其他可编程数据处理设备的处理器以产生一个机器，使得通过计算机或其他可编程数据处理设备的处理器执行的指令产生用于实现在流程图一个流程或多个流程和/或方框图一个方框或多个方框中指定的功能的装置。
这些计算机程序指令也可存储在能引导计算机或其他可编程数据处理设备以特定方式工作的计算机可读存储器中，使得存储在该计算机可读存储器中的指令产生包括指令装置的制造品，该指令装置实现在流程图一个流程或多个流程和/或方框图一个方框或多个 方框中指定的功能。
这些计算机程序指令也可装载到计算机或其他可编程数据处理设备上，使得在计算机或其他可编程设备上执行一系列操作步骤以产生计算机实现的处理，从而在计算机或其他可编程设备上执行的指令提供用于实现在流程图一个流程或多个流程和/或方框图一个方框或多个方框中指定的功能的步骤。
显然，本领域的技术人员可以对本申请进行各种改动和变型而不脱离本申请的精神和范围。这样，倘若本申请的这些修改和变型属于本申请权利要求及其等同技术的范围之内，则本申请也意图包含这些改动和变型在内。

Claims (45)

  1. 一种通信方法，其特征在于，所述方法包括：
    第一网络设备接收待发送给第一用户设备的下行数据；
    所述第一网络设备根据所述第一用户设备的运行状态，向所述第一用户设备或第二用户设备发送所述下行数据；
    其中，所述第二用户设备与所述第一用户设备均属于第一群组；
    其中，在所述第一群组中，所述第一用户设备的优先级高于所述第二用户设备的优先级；或者，所述第一用户设备为所述第一群组中的主用户设备，所述第二用户设备为所述第一群组中的备用户设备。
  2. 如权利要求1所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一网络设备为用户面网元；
    所述第一网络设备根据所述第一用户设备的运行状态，向所述第一用户设备或第二用户设备发送所述下行数据，包括：
    若所述第一用户设备的运行状态为正常，则所述第一网络设备通过第一用户面通道向接入网网元发送所述下行数据，以使得所述接入网网元向所述第一用户设备发送所述下行数据，所述第一用户面通道用于传输所述第一用户设备的数据；或者，
    若所述第一用户设备的运行状态为异常，则所述第一网络设备通过第二用户面通道向接入网网元发送所述下行数据，以使得所述接入网网元向所述第二用户设备发送所述下行数据，所述第二用户面通道用于传输所述第二用户设备的数据。
  3. 如权利要求1所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一网络设备为接入网网元；
    所述第一网络设备接收待发送给第一用户设备的下行数据，包括：
    所述第一网络设备接收来自用户面网元的所述下行数据；
    所述第一网络设备根据所述第一用户设备的运行状态，向所述第一用户设备或第二用户设备发送所述下行数据，包括：
    若所述第一用户设备的运行状态为正常，则所述第一网络设备向所述第一用户设备发送所述下行数据；或者，
    若所述第一用户设备的运行状态为异常，则所述第一网络设备向所述第二用户设备发送所述下行数据。
  4. 如权利要求3所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一网络设备接收来自用户面网元的所述下行数据，包括：
    所述第一网络设备通过第一用户面通道接收来自所述用户面网元的所述下行数据，所述第一用户面通道用于传输所述第一用户设备的数据；和，
    所述第一网络设备通过第二用户面通道接收来自所述用户面网元的所述下行数据，所述第二用户面通道用于传输所述第二用户设备的数据。
  5. 如权利要求4所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    若所述第一用户设备的运行状态为正常，则所述第一网络设备丢弃或删除通过所述第二用户面通道接收到的所述下行数据；或者
    若所述第一用户设备的运行状态为异常，则所述第一网络设备丢弃或删除通过所述第一用户面通道接收到的所述下行数据。
  6. 如权利要求3所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一网络设备接收来自用户面网元的 所述下行数据，包括：
    所述第一网络设备通过第一用户面通道接收来自所述用户面网元的所述下行数据，所述第一用户面通道用于传输所述第一用户设备的数据；或
    所述第一网络设备通过第二用户面通道接收来自所述用户面网元的所述下行数据，所述第二用户面通道用于传输所述第二用户设备的数据；或
    所述第一网络设备通过第三用户面通道接收来自所述用户面网元的所述下行数据，所述第三用户面通道为所述第一用户设备和所述第二用户设备共享的数据传输通道。
  7. 如权利要求1-6任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述第一网络设备生成或接收关联信息，所述关联信息用于表征所述第一用户设备为所述第一群组中的主用户设备，所述第二用户设备为所述第一群组中的备用户设备；或者所述关联信息用于表征在所述第一群组中所述第一用户设备的优先级高于所述第二用户设备的优先级；
    所述第一网络设备根据所述第一用户设备的运行状态，向所述第一用户设备或所述第二用户设备发送所述下行数据，包括：
    所述第一网络设备根据所述第一用户设备的运行状态和所述关联信息，向所述第一用户设备或所述第二用户设备发送所述下行数据。
  8. 如权利要求1-7任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述关联信息包括：
    所述第二用户设备的优先级。
  9. 一种通信方法，其特征在于，所述方法包括：
    应用功能网元生成第一用户设备和第二用户设备的关联信息；其中，所述第一用户设备和所述第二用户设备均属于第一群组，所述关联信息用于表征：在所述第一群组中所述第一用户设备的优先级高于所述第二用户设备的优先级，和/或，所述第一用户设备为所述第一群组中的主用户设备，所述第二用户设备为所述第一群组中的备用户设备；
    所述应用功能网元向第一网络设备发送所述关联信息。
  10. 如权利要求9所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一网络设备为用户面网元或接入网网元。
  11. 如权利要求9或10所述的方法，其特征在于，所述关联信息包括：
    所述第二用户设备的优先级。
  12. 如权利要求9-10任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述应用功能网元生成第一用户设备和第二用户设备的关联信息，包括：
    所述应用功能网元根据所述第一用户设备的第一属性信息以及所述第二用户设备的第二属性信息，生成所述关联信息；
    其中，所述第一属性信息用于表征所述第一用户设备为所述第一群组中的主用户设备，所述第二属性信息用于表征所述第二用户设备为所述第一群组中的备用户设备；或者，所述第一属性信息用于表征所述第一用户设备在所述第一群组中的优先级，所述第二属性信息用于表征所述第二用户设备在所述第一群组中的优先级，所述第一用户设备在所述第一群组中的优先级高于所述第二用户设备在所述第一群组中的优先级。
  13. 一种通信方法，其特征在于，所述方法包括：
    第一网络设备接收待发送给第一用户设备的下行数据；
    所述第一网络设备根据所述第一用户设备的运行状态，向所述第一用户设备或第二用 户设备发送所述下行数据；
    其中，所述第二用户设备与所述第一用户设备具有关联关系，所述关联关系包括：所述第一用户设备的优先级高于所述第二用户设备的优先级；或者，所述第一用户设备为主用户设备，所述第二用户设备为备用户设备；或者，所述第一用户设备和所述第二用户设备属于同一群组。
  14. 如权利要求13所述的方法，其特征在于，所述同一群组为第一群组，所述关联关系还包括：
    在所述第一群组中，所述第一用户设备的优先级高于所述第二用户设备的优先级；和/或，所述第一用户设备为所述第一群组中的主用户设备，所述第二用户设备为所述第一群组中的备用户设备。
  15. 如权利要求13所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一网络设备为用户面网元；
    所述第一网络设备根据所述第一用户设备的运行状态，向所述第一用户设备或第二用户设备发送所述下行数据，包括：
    若所述第一用户设备的运行状态为正常，则所述第一网络设备通过第一用户面通道向接入网网元发送所述下行数据，以使得所述接入网网元向所述第一用户设备发送所述下行数据，所述第一用户面通道用于传输所述第一用户设备的数据；或者，
    若所述第一用户设备的运行状态为异常，则所述第一网络设备通过第二用户面通道向接入网网元发送所述下行数据，以使得所述接入网网元向所述第二用户设备发送所述下行数据，所述第二用户面通道用于传输所述第二用户设备的数据。
  16. 如权利要求13所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一网络设备为接入网网元；
    所述第一网络设备接收待发送给第一用户设备的下行数据，包括：
    所述第一网络设备接收来自用户面网元的所述下行数据；
    所述第一网络设备根据所述第一用户设备的运行状态，向所述第一用户设备或第二用户设备发送所述下行数据，包括：
    若所述第一用户设备的运行状态为正常，则所述第一网络设备向所述第一用户设备发送所述下行数据；或者，
    若所述第一用户设备的运行状态为异常，则所述第一网络设备向所述第二用户设备发送所述下行数据。
  17. 如权利要求16所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一网络设备接收来自用户面网元的所述下行数据，包括：
    所述第一网络设备通过第一用户面通道接收来自所述用户面网元的所述下行数据，所述第一用户面通道用于传输所述第一用户设备的数据；和，
    所述第一网络设备通过第二用户面通道接收来自所述用户面网元的所述下行数据，所述第二用户面通道用于传输所述第二用户设备的数据。
  18. 如权利要求17所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    若所述第一用户设备的运行状态为正常，则所述第一网络设备丢弃或删除通过所述第二用户面通道接收到的所述下行数据；或者
    若所述第一用户设备的运行状态为异常，则所述第一网络设备丢弃或删除通过所述第一用户面通道接收到的所述下行数据。
  19. 如权利要求16所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一网络设备接收来自用户面网元 的所述下行数据，包括：
    所述第一网络设备通过第一用户面通道接收来自所述用户面网元的所述下行数据，所述第一用户面通道用于传输所述第一用户设备的数据；或
    所述第一网络设备通过第二用户面通道接收来自所述用户面网元的所述下行数据，所述第二用户面通道用于传输所述第二用户设备的数据；或
    所述第一网络设备通过第三用户面通道接收来自所述用户面网元的所述下行数据，所述第三用户面通道为所述第一用户设备和所述第二用户设备共享的数据传输通道。
  20. 如权利要求13-19任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述第一网络设备生成或接收关联信息，所述关联信息用于表征所述关联关系；
    所述第一网络设备根据所述第一用户设备的运行状态，向所述第一用户设备或所述第二用户设备发送所述下行数据，包括：
    所述第一网络设备根据所述第一用户设备的运行状态和所述关联信息，向所述第一用户设备或所述第二用户设备发送所述下行数据。
  21. 如权利要求13-20任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述关联信息包括：
    所述第二用户设备的优先级。
  22. 一种通信方法，其特征在于，所述方法包括：
    应用功能网元生成第一用户设备和第二用户设备的关联信息；其中，所述关联信息用于表征关联关系，所述关联关系包括：所述第一用户设备的优先级高于所述第二用户设备的优先级；或者，所述第一用户设备为主用户设备，所述第二用户设备为备用户设备；或者，所述第一用户设备和所述第二用户设备属于同一群组；
    所述应用功能网元向第一网络设备发送所述关联信息。
  23. 如权利要求22所述的方法，其特征在于，所述同一群组为第一群组，所述关联关系还包括：
    在所述第一群组中，所述第一用户设备的优先级高于所述第二用户设备的优先级，和/或，所述第一用户设备为所述第一群组中的主用户设备，所述第二用户设备为所述第一群组中的备用户设备。
  24. 如权利要求22所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一网络设备为用户面网元或接入网网元。
  25. 如权利要求22-24任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述关联信息包括：
    所述第二用户设备的优先级。
  26. 如权利要求23所述的方法，其特征在于，所述应用功能网元生成第一用户设备和第二用户设备的关联信息，包括：
    所述应用功能网元根据所述第一用户设备的第一属性信息以及所述第二用户设备的第二属性信息，生成所述关联信息；
    其中，所述第一属性信息用于表征所述第一用户设备为所述第一群组中的主用户设备，所述第二属性信息用于表征所述第二用户设备为所述第一群组中的备用户设备；或者，所述第一属性信息用于表征所述第一用户设备在所述第一群组中的优先级，所述第二属性信息用于表征所述第二用户设备在所述第一群组中的优先级，所述第一用户设备在所述第一群组中的优先级高于所述第二用户设备在所述第一群组中的优先级。
  27. 一种通信方法，其特征在于，包括：
    核心网网元获取第一信息，所述第一信息用于关联用户设备的第一会话和第二会话；
    所述核心网网元根据所述第一信息，确定所述第一会话和所述第二会话之间具有关联关系。
  28. 如权利要求27所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一信息包括第二信息和第三信息；其中，所述第二信息包括所述第一会话所属的关联关系标识，所述第三信息包括所述第二会话所属的关联关系标识；
    所述核心网网元根据所述第一信息，确定所述第一会话和所述第二会话之间具有关联关系，包括：
    当所述第一会话所属的所述关联关系标识与所述第二会话所属的所述关联关系标识相同时，所述核心网网元确定所述第一会话和所述第二会话之间具有关联关系。
  29. 如权利要求28所述的方法，其特征在于，所述关联关系标识携带在会话建立请求消息中。
  30. 如权利要求27所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一信息用于指示关联所述第一会话与所述第二会话。
  31. 如权利要求27-30任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一信息包括：第一指示信息，所述第一指示信息用于指示：
    所述第一会话的优先级高于所述第二会话的优先级；和/或，
    所述第一会话为主会话，所述第二会话为备会话。
  32. 如权利要求27-31任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述核心网网元为控制面网元，所述方法还包括：
    所述核心网网元向用户面网元发送第二指示信息，所述第二指示信息用于表征所述第一会话和所述第二会话之间具有关联关系。
  33. 如权利要求27-31任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述核心网网元为用户面网元，所述方法还包括：
    所述核心网网元接收所述用户设备的下行数据；
    若所述第一会话的优先级高于所述第二会话的优先级，且所述第一会话为连接或激活状态，则所述核心网网元通过所述第一会话向接入网网元发送所述下行数据；或者，
    若所述第一会话为主会话，且所述第一会话为激活或连接状态，则所述核心网网元通过所述第一会话向接入网网元发送所述下行数据；或者，
    若所述第一会话的优先级高于所述第二会话的优先级或所述第一会话为主会话，且所述第一会话为去激活或释放状态，则所述核心网网元通过所述第二会话向接入网网元发送所述下行数据。
  34. 一种通信方法，其特征在于，包括：
    用户设备获得第一信息，所述第一信息用于关联所述用户设备的第一会话和第二会话；
    所述用户设备向核心网网元发送所述第一信息，所述第一信息用于所述核心网网元确定所述第一会话和所述第二会话之间具有关联关系。
  35. 如权利要求34所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一信息包括第二信息和第三信息；其中，所述第二信息包括所述第一会话所属的关联关系标识，所述第三信息包括所述第二会话所属的关联关系标识。
  36. 如权利要求35所述的方法，其特征在于，所述关联关系标识携带在会话建立请求 消息中。
  37. 如权利要求34所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一信息用于指示关联所述第一会话与所述第二会话。
  38. 如权利要求34-37任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一信息包括第一指示信息，所述第一指示信息用于指示：
    所述第一会话的优先级高于所述第二会话的优先级；和/或，
    所述第一会话为主会话，所述第二会话为备会话。
  39. 一种通信装置，其特征在于，包括：
    至少一个处理器；以及，
    与所述至少一个处理器连接的存储器；
    所述至少一个处理器通过执行所述存储器存储的指令，使得所述装置执行如权利要求1-8或13-21中任一项所述的方法。
  40. 一种通信装置，其特征在于，包括：
    至少一个处理器；以及，
    与所述至少一个处理器连接的存储器；
    所述至少一个处理器通过执行所述存储器存储的指令，使得所述装置执行如权利要求9-12或22-26中任一项所述的方法。
  41. 一种通信装置，其特征在于，包括：
    至少一个处理器；以及，
    与所述至少一个处理器连接的存储器；
    所述至少一个处理器通过执行所述存储器存储的指令，使得所述装置执行如权利要求27-33中任一项所述的方法。
  42. 一种通信装置，其特征在于，包括：
    至少一个处理器；以及，
    与所述至少一个处理器连接的存储器；
    所述至少一个处理器通过执行所述存储器存储的指令，使得所述装置执行如权利要求34-38中任一项所述的方法。
  43. 一种计算机可读存储介质，其特征在于，所述计算机可读存储介质中存储有计算机程序或指令，当所述计算机程序或指令被执行时，实现如权利要求1-8中任一项所述的方法，或者如权利要求9-12中任一项所述的方法，或者如权利要求13-21中任一项所述的方法，或者如权利要求22-26中任一项所述的方法，或者如权利要求27-33中任一项所述的方法，或者如权利要求34-38中任一项所述的方法。
  44. 一种芯片，其特征在于，所述芯片包括至少一个处理器，所述至少一个处理器与存储器耦合，用于读取并执行所述存储器中存储的软件程序，以实现如权利要求1-8中任一项所述的方法，或者如权利要求9-12中任一项所述的方法，或者如权利要求13-21中任一项所述的方法，或者如权利要求22-26中任一项所述的方法，或者如权利要求27-33中任一项所述的方法，或者如权利要求34-38中任一项所述的方法。
  45. 一种通信系统，其特征在于，包括：
    权利要求39所述的通信装置和权利要求40所述的通信装置；和/或，
    权利要求41所述的通信装置和权利要求42所述的通信装置。
PCT/CN2021/124430 2020-10-29 2021-10-18 一种通信方法及对应装置 WO2022089239A1 (zh)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN202011179352.X 2020-10-29
CN202011179352.XA CN114430592A (zh) 2020-10-29 2020-10-29 一种通信方法及对应装置

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2022089239A1 true WO2022089239A1 (zh) 2022-05-05

Family

ID=81309458

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CN2021/124430 WO2022089239A1 (zh) 2020-10-29 2021-10-18 一种通信方法及对应装置

Country Status (2)

Country Link
CN (1) CN114430592A (zh)
WO (1) WO2022089239A1 (zh)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20200053828A1 (en) * 2018-08-13 2020-02-13 Jayshree Bharatia Network Initiated UPF sessions Transfer
CN111034264A (zh) * 2017-08-16 2020-04-17 联想（新加坡）私人有限公司 将分组数据单元会话指示为不可用
CN111726240A (zh) * 2019-03-22 2020-09-29 华为技术有限公司 一种终端的管控方法、装置及系统
CN111836402A (zh) * 2019-04-18 2020-10-27 华为技术有限公司 一种数据传输方法及装置

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111034264A (zh) * 2017-08-16 2020-04-17 联想（新加坡）私人有限公司 将分组数据单元会话指示为不可用
US20200053828A1 (en) * 2018-08-13 2020-02-13 Jayshree Bharatia Network Initiated UPF sessions Transfer
CN111726240A (zh) * 2019-03-22 2020-09-29 华为技术有限公司 一种终端的管控方法、装置及系统
CN111836402A (zh) * 2019-04-18 2020-10-27 华为技术有限公司 一种数据传输方法及装置

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
ERICSSON: "Addressing wording comments from IEEE LS response on TSN support", 3GPP DRAFT; S2-2004905, 3RD GENERATION PARTNERSHIP PROJECT (3GPP), MOBILE COMPETENCE CENTRE ; 650, ROUTE DES LUCIOLES ; F-06921 SOPHIA-ANTIPOLIS CEDEX ; FRANCE, vol. SA WG2, no. Electronic; 20200819 - 20200902, 13 August 2020 (2020-08-13), Mobile Competence Centre ; 650, route des Lucioles ; F-06921 Sophia-Antipolis Cedex ; France , XP051919813 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN114430592A (zh) 2022-05-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CN110662270B (zh) 通信方法及装置
EP3606157B1 (en) Communication method and device
US20200015131A1 (en) Communication method and communications device
US11805394B2 (en) Context management method and apparatus
IL269926B2 (en) Communication method, source base station, destination base station, network core device and terminal device
US11483801B2 (en) Resource configuration method and apparatus
WO2022152238A1 (zh) 一种通信方法及通信装置
US11470671B2 (en) Activating a packet data unit (PDU) session using downlink information
CN110519809B (zh) 管理pdu会话的方法、网元、设备、装置、系统和存储介质
US20190182876A1 (en) Session management method and device
EP4181535A1 (en) Communication method and apparatus
US20230300210A1 (en) Computing aware-session management method and communication apparatus
KR20220044341A (ko) 보안 보호 모드 결정 방법 및 장치
WO2020073899A1 (zh) 数据传输方法及装置
WO2021083054A1 (zh) 消息传输方法及装置
KR20220045181A (ko) 페이징 방법 및 기기
WO2021056574A1 (zh) 一种通信方法及设备
WO2022089239A1 (zh) 一种通信方法及对应装置
WO2020211538A1 (zh) 一种数据传输方法及装置
WO2024027320A1 (zh) 无线通信的方法、装置和系统
WO2022141528A1 (zh) 一种确定mec接入点的方法及装置
WO2022222748A1 (zh) 中继通信方法和装置
WO2024094160A1 (zh) 链路配置方法、通信装置及存储介质
WO2023202503A1 (zh) 通信方法和装置
WO2023077948A1 (zh) 一种通信的方法和装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 21884967

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 21884967

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1