CN114143229B

CN114143229B - Communication method, device, equipment and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN114143229B
Application number: CN202111457953.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 罗佩华; 龚子丹
Original assignee: China United Network Communications Group Co Ltd
Current assignee: China United Network Communications Group Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-12-01
Filing date: 2021-12-01
Publication date: 2023-04-07
Anticipated expiration: 2041-12-01
Also published as: CN114143229A

Abstract

The invention discloses a communication method, a communication device, equipment and a storage medium, relates to the field of communication, and is used for ensuring that a narrowband Internet of things NB-IOT terminal can still receive downlink data transmitted by network side equipment through a service gateway when the narrowband Internet of things NB-IOT terminal exits PSM. The communication method is applied to the AMF entity and comprises the following steps: and after determining that the NB-IOT terminal exits the energy-saving mode PSM, the AMF entity sends a data request message to a network data analysis function NWDAF entity. The data request message is used for requesting to acquire downlink data, and the downlink data is stored in the NWDAF entity in advance. Further, the AMF entity receives downlink data sent by the NWDAF entity and sends the downlink data to the NB-IOT terminal.

Description

Communication method, device, equipment and storage medium

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a communication method, apparatus, device, and storage medium.

Background

The narrowband internet of things (NB-IOT) terminal has three working states, which are a connection state, an idle state, and a Power Saving Mode (PSM). Under the PSM, the NB-IOT terminal is still registered in the narrowband Internet of things, but because the NB-IOT terminal closes the signal transceiver in the mode, the paging of the wireless side is not monitored any more, and further the downlink data sent by the service gateway of the narrowband Internet of things cannot be received. In this case, in order to enable the NB-IOT terminal to receive the downlink data after exiting the PSM, the serving gateway buffers the downlink data to be transmitted when it finds that the signaling is unreachable, and transmits the downlink data to the NB-IOT terminal again after a delay time.

However, in the above communication process, the serving gateway sets a preset discard time, and after the discard time, the serving gateway discards the buffered downlink data, and further, when the NB-IOT terminal stays in the PSM for too long, the NB-IOT terminal may not receive the downlink data discarded by the serving gateway after exiting the PSM.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a communication method, a communication device, communication equipment and a storage medium, which are used for ensuring that a network side equipment can still receive downlink data transmitted by a service gateway when an NB-IOT terminal exits a PSM (evolved node base-object) when the NB-IOT terminal exits the PSM.

In order to achieve the purpose, the invention adopts the following technical scheme:

in a first aspect, a communication method is provided, and the communication method is applied to an AMF entity. And after determining that the narrow-band Internet of things NB-IOT terminal exits the energy-saving mode PSM, the AMF entity sends a data request message to a network data analysis function NWDAF entity. The data request message is used for requesting to acquire downlink data, and the downlink data is stored in the NWDAF entity in advance. Further, the AMF entity receives downlink data sent by the NWDAF entity and sends the downlink data to the NB-IOT terminal.

The invention provides a communication method, wherein an AMF entity determines whether an NB-IOT terminal exits a PSM, transmits a data request message to an NWDAF entity after determining that the NB-IOT terminal exits the PSM, acquires downlink data pre-stored in the NWDAF entity, and transmits the acquired downlink data to the NB-IOT terminal. The method and the device realize that the downlink data sent by the network side equipment can still be received when the NB-IOT terminal is in the PSM after exiting the PSM, and avoid the influence on subsequent services caused by data loss.

In one possible design, the communication method further includes: under the condition that the NB-IOT terminal is in PSM and the AMF entity receives downlink data sent by network side equipment, sending a request storage message including the downlink data to the NWDAF entity; the request storage message is used for requesting the NWDAF entity to store downlink data. The design realizes the storage of the downlink data sent by the network side equipment by the NWDAF entity under the condition that the NB-IOT terminal is in the PSM.

In one possible design, the sending a data request message to an NWDAF entity includes: after determining that the storage indication message sent by the NWDAF entity is received, the AMF entity sends a data request message to the NWDAF entity. Wherein the storage indication message is used for indicating that the NWDAF entity has stored the downlink data. The design realizes that the AMF entity sends a data request message to the NWDAF entity after the NB-IOT terminal exits the PSM only when the NWDAF entity stores downlink data.

In one possible design, the communication method further includes: and the AMF entity receives an analysis result sent by the NWDAF entity, wherein the analysis result is obtained by the NWDAF entity based on downlink data analysis. Further, the AMF entity sends the analysis result to the network side device. The design realizes that the AMF entity sends the analysis result obtained by analyzing the downlink data by the NWDAF entity to the network side equipment, and is convenient for researchers to subsequently research the downlink data.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a communication apparatus deployed in an AMF entity, including a determining unit, a sending unit, and a receiving unit. The determining unit is used for determining that the narrowband Internet of things NB-IOT terminal exits the energy-saving mode PSM; the sending unit is used for sending a data request message to a network data analysis function (NWDAF) entity; the data request message is used for requesting to acquire downlink data, and the downlink data is stored in the NWDAF entity in advance; the receiving unit is used for receiving downlink data sent by the NWDAF entity; the sending unit is further configured to send the downlink data to the NB-IOT terminal.

In a possible design, the sending unit is further configured to send a request storage message including downlink data to the NWDAF entity when the NB-IOT terminal is in the PSM and the AMF entity receives the downlink data sent by the network side device; the request storage message is used for requesting the NWDAF entity to store the downlink data.

In a possible design, the sending unit is specifically configured to send a data request message to the NWDAF entity after determining that the storage indication message sent by the NWDAF entity is received. Wherein the storage indication message is used for indicating that the NWDAF entity has stored the downlink data.

In a possible design, the receiving unit is further configured to receive an analysis result sent by the NWDAF entity; the analysis result is obtained by analyzing the downlink data by the NWDAF entity; the sending unit is further configured to send the analysis result to the network side device.

In a third aspect, there is provided an AMF entity, the AMF entity comprising a memory and a processor; a memory for storing computer program code comprising computer instructions which, when executed by the processor, perform the communication method as in the first aspect is coupled to the processor.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a computer readable storage medium having stored therein instructions which, when run on an AMF entity, cause the AMF entity to perform the communication method as in the first aspect.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a first flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a core network system architecture according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a downlink data transmission process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a third schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a fourth schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sending process of an analysis response message according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a first schematic structural diagram of an AMF entity according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of an AMF entity according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention.

In the present embodiments, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "e.g.," an embodiment of the present invention is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word "exemplary" or "such as" is intended to present relevant concepts in a concrete fashion.

In the description of the present invention, "/" means "or" unless otherwise specified, for example, a/B may mean a or B. "and/or" herein is merely an association relationship describing an associated object, and means that there may be three relationships, for example, a and/or B, and may mean: a exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. Further, "at least one" and "a plurality" mean two or more. The terms "first," "second," and the like do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms "first," "second," and the like do not denote any order or importance.

In the prior art, after the time of the downlink data sent by the network side cached by the serving gateway exceeds the indicated caching time, the serving gateway discards the downlink data, so that after the NB-IOT terminal exits the PSM, the downlink data sent by the network side device in the PSM before cannot be obtained.

In order to solve the technical problem, the present invention provides a communication method, apparatus, device, and storage medium, where an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity determines whether an NB-IOT terminal has exited a PSM, and after determining that the NB-IOT terminal has exited the PSM, sends a data request message to an NWDAF entity, acquires downlink data pre-stored in the NWDAF entity, and sends the acquired downlink data to the NB-IOT terminal. The method and the device realize that the downlink data sent by the network side equipment can still be received when the NB-IOT terminal is in the PSM after the NB-IOT terminal exits the PSM, and avoid the influence on the subsequent service caused by data loss.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a communication system, and the communication method may be applied to the communication system 10 shown in fig. 1. As shown in fig. 1, the communication system 10 includes an AMF entity 11, an NWDAF entity 12, a network side device 13, and an NB-IOT terminal 14.

The AMF entity 11 is directly or indirectly connected to the NWDAF entity 12, the network side device 13, and the NB-IOT terminal 14, and in the connection relationship, the connection may be in a wired manner or in a wireless manner, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

The AMF entity 11 may be used to configure the duration of time after the NB-IOT terminal 14 enters PSM. The AMF entity 11 may also be configured to instruct the NWDAF entity 12 to store downlink data sent by the network side device 13. The AMF entity 11 may be further configured to, after determining that the NB-IOT terminal 14 exits PSM, obtain the stored downlink data from the NWDAF entity 12, and send the downlink data to the NB-IOT terminal 14.

The NWDAF entity 12 may be configured to store the downlink data in response to a message sent by the AMF entity. The NWDAF entity 12 may also be configured to send the stored downlink data to the AMF entity.

The network side device 13 may be configured to send downlink data to the NB-IOT terminal 14.

In practical applications, the network-side device 13 may be a service gateway in a narrowband internet of things, or a server connected to the service gateway to generate downlink data. The NB-IOT terminal 14 may be configured to receive downlink data sent by the AMF entity 11, and perform a corresponding action in response to the downlink data.

The NB-IOT terminal 14 has three operating states, connected, idle, and PSM. In the connected state, the NB-IOT terminal 14 may send and receive data, and enter the idle state after no data interaction exceeds a preset time; in an idle state, the NB-IOT terminal 14 enters a connected state after receiving downlink data, and enters a PSM after no data interaction exceeds a preset time; under the PSM, the NB-IOT terminal 14 turns off the transceiver, does not monitor paging of the wireless side, exits the PSM to enter the idle state after a preset time is exceeded, and the preset time is configured by the AMF entity.

The following describes a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

As shown in fig. 2, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the communication system, which includes S201 to S204.

S201, the AMF entity determines that the NB-IOT terminal exits the PSM.

As a possible implementation manner, after the duration that the NB-IOT terminal is in the PSM mode exceeds the time configured by the AMF entity, the AMF entity determines that the NB-IOT terminal exits the PSM.

It should be noted that, when the NB-IOT terminal enters the PSM from the idle state, the AMF entity configures, for the NB-IOT terminal, the time that the NB-IOT terminal is in the PSM.

S202, the AMF entity sends a data request message to the NWDAF entity.

The data request message is used for requesting to acquire downlink data, and the downlink data is stored in the NWDAF entity in advance.

As a possible implementation manner, after determining that the NB-IOT terminal exits PSM, the AMF entity generates a data request message, where the data request message carries an identifier of the NB-IOT terminal, and sends the data request message to the NWDAF entity, so as to obtain downlink data sent by the network side device when the NB-IOT terminal is in PSM.

It should be noted that, the storage unit of the NWDAF entity stores in advance the downlink data sent by the network side device when the NB-IOT terminal is in the PSM.

Correspondingly, the NWDAF entity receives the data request message sent by the AMF entity.

S203, the AMF entity receives downlink data sent by the NWDAF entity.

As a possible implementation manner, after sending the data request message carrying the NB-IOT terminal identifier to the NWDAF entity, the AMF entity receives downlink data of the NB-IOT terminal sent by the NWDAF entity.

It should be noted that, the NWDAF entity obtains the identifier of the NB-IOT terminal according to the data request message sent by the AMF entity. Further, the NWDAF entity searches for corresponding downlink data in the storage space according to the identifier of the NB-IOT terminal, and sends the searched downlink data to the AMF entity.

And S204, the AMF entity sends downlink data to the NB-IOT terminal.

As a possible implementation manner, the AMF entity sends the notification message carrying the downlink data to the NB-IOT terminal.

It should be noted that fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a core network system architecture, which shows a connection relationship between entities in the core network system architecture and a partially connected interface. As shown in fig. 3, the AMF entity may directly send the notification message carrying the downlink data to the NB-IOT terminal through an N1 interface connected to the NB-IOT terminal, or may forward the notification message carrying the downlink data to the NB-IOT terminal through an access network device through an N2 interface connected to the access network, which is not limited in the present invention.

In one design, in order to enable the NWDAF entity to store downlink data sent by the network side device when the NB-IOT terminal is in PSM in advance, as shown in fig. 4, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present invention further includes following steps S301 to S303.

S301, the AMF entity determines whether the NB-IOT terminal is in PSM.

As a possible implementation, the AMF entity determines whether the NB-IOT terminal is currently in the PSM according to a start time when the NB-IOT terminal enters the PSM and a time configured for the NB-IOT terminal to be in the PSM.

S302, the AMF entity determines whether the NB-IOT terminal receives downlink data sent by the network side equipment when in the PSM state.

It should be noted that fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a downlink data transmission process. Referring to fig. 3, as shown in fig. 5, the network side device generates a notification message carrying downlink data, and sends the notification message to a User Plane Function (UPF) entity through a service gateway. Correspondingly, after receiving the notification message, the UPF entity transparently transmits the notification message to a Session Management Function (SMF) entity through an N4 interface. Further, after receiving the notification message, the SMF entity passes the notification message through the N11 interface to the AMF entity. And the AMF entity determines the identifier of the NB-IOT terminal according to the notification message, and determines whether the NB-IOT terminal is in PSM (phase shift keying) according to the identifier of the NB-IOT terminal.

And S303, when the NB-IOT terminal is in PSM and receives the downlink data sent by the network side equipment, the AMF entity sends a request storage message including the downlink data to the NWDAF entity.

The request storage message is used for requesting the NWDAF entity to store the downlink data.

As a possible implementation manner, when the NB-IOT terminal is in PSM and receives downlink data sent by the network side device, the AMF entity stores a message according to a downlink data production request, and sends the request to the NWDAF entity.

Accordingly, the NWDAF entity receives the request to store message.

It should be noted that, after receiving the request storage message, the NWDAF entity stores the downlink data according to the indication of the request storage message.

In some embodiments, after receiving a notification message carrying downlink data sent by a network side device, an AMF entity determines whether a terminal is in PSM, and if so, as shown in fig. 3, the AMF entity generates a request storage message according to the downlink data, and sends the request storage message to an NWDAF entity through an interface between the AMF entity and the NWDAF entity; if not, with reference to fig. 3, as shown in fig. 5, the AMF entity may directly send the notification message carrying the downlink data to the NB-IOT terminal through the N1 interface connected to the NB-IOT terminal, or may forward the notification message carrying the downlink data to the NB-IOT terminal through the access network device through the N2 interface connected to the access network, and after sending the downlink data to the NB-IOT terminal, the AMF entity further generates a request storage message for the downlink data, and sends the request storage message to the NWDAF entity. And the NWDAF entity stores all downlink data sent by the network side for a researcher to research the downlink data subsequently.

In one design, in order for the AMF entity to determine whether a data request message needs to be sent to the NWDAF entity, as shown in fig. 6, S202 provided in this embodiment of the present invention specifically includes S401-S402.

S401, the AMF entity determines whether the NWDAF entity stores downlink data.

As one possible implementation, the AMF entity determines whether a storage indication message is received from the NWDAF entity during the NB-IOT terminal in the PSM. If the storage indication message is received, it indicates that the NWDAF entity completes the storage of the downlink data during the period that the NB-IOT terminal is in the PSM, and the AMF entity determines that the NWDAF entity stores the downlink data. Wherein the storage indication message is used for indicating that the NWDAF entity has stored the downlink data.

It should be noted that, after receiving the storage request message sent by the AMF entity in step S303, the NWDAF entity acquires and stores the downlink data, generates a storage instruction message after completing storing the downlink data, and sends the storage instruction message to the AMF entity through the interface between the NWDAF entity and the AMF entity.

S402, after determining that the storage indication message sent by the NWDAF entity is received, the AMF entity sends a data request message to the NWDAF entity.

It should be noted that, the method for how the AMF entity sends the data request message to the NWDAF entity may refer to the description of step S202.

In some embodiments, the AMF entity determines whether a duration for buffering the downlink data by the serving gateway has exceeded the discard duration after determining that the NB-IOT terminal exits the PSM. If the time length of the service gateway caching the downlink data does not exceed the discarding time length, the service gateway caching the downlink data is not discarded, the AMF entity can acquire the downlink data from the service gateway and send the downlink data to the NB-IOT terminal, and can also acquire the downlink data from the NWDAF entity and send the downlink data to the NB-IOT terminal; if the time length for the service gateway to buffer the downlink data exceeds the discarding time length, the service gateway discards the buffered downlink data, and at this time, the AMF entity cannot continue to acquire the downlink data from the service gateway, and because the downlink data is stored in the NWDAF entity when the NB-IOT terminal is in the PSM, the AMF entity may acquire the downlink data from the NWDAF entity and send the downlink data to the NB-IOT terminal after the NB-IOT terminal exits the PSM. Therefore, the NB-IOT terminal cannot acquire downlink data because the service gateway discards the downlink data.

In one design, as shown in fig. 7, the communication method provided in this embodiment of the present invention further includes S501-S502.

S501, the AMF entity receives the analysis result sent by the NWDAF entity.

And the analysis result is obtained by marking the NWDAF entity based on the downlink data.

It should be noted that, after receiving the downlink data, the NWDAF entity may classify the received downlink data, and mark an ANA ID (analysis ID) to obtain an analysis result. Wherein each ANA ID represents a type of downlink data. After obtaining the analysis result, an analysis response message (nwdaf analytic info answer) is generated according to the analysis result, and the analysis response message is sent to the AMF entity.

Illustratively, the NWDAF entity determines the category of downlink data sent by the network-side device, marks the downlink data with respect to the change of Quality of Service (QoS) as ANA ID0, marks the downlink data for requesting query information as ANA ID1, and marks the downlink data for requesting the user to provide user information as ANA ID2. And sorted into storage locations stored in the NWDAF entity.

S502, the AMF entity sends the analysis result to the network side equipment.

As a possible implementation manner, the AMF entity forwards the analysis response message carrying the analysis result to the network side device through the SMF entity, the UPF entity, and the serving gateway.

It should be noted that fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a sending process of an analysis response message. Referring to fig. 3, as shown in fig. 8, after receiving the analysis response message sent by the NWDAF entity, the AMF entity sends the analysis response message to the SMF entity through the N11 interface. Correspondingly, after receiving the analysis response message, the SMF entity sends the analysis response message to the UPF entity through the N4 interface. Further, after receiving the analysis response message, the UPF entity sends the analysis response message to the network side device through the service gateway. Subsequently, the network side device may determine an analysis result according to the analysis response message, so that a researcher can conveniently research various downlink data through the ANA ID of the downlink data.

The invention provides a communication method, a communication device, communication equipment and a storage medium.A data request message is sent to a NWDAF entity by an AMF entity after determining that an NB-IOT terminal exits PSM, downlink data pre-stored in the NWDAF entity is acquired, and the acquired downlink data is sent to the NB-IOT terminal. Due to the fact that the downlink data sent by the network side equipment can be still received when the NB-IOT terminal is in the PSM after the NB-IOT terminal exits the PSM, the influence on subsequent services caused by data loss is avoided.

The scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention is mainly introduced from the perspective of a method. To implement the above functions, it includes hardware structures and/or software modules for performing the respective functions. Those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed as hardware or computer software drives hardware depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.

The embodiment of the present invention may perform the division of the functional modules on the user equipment according to the method example, for example, each functional module may be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be realized in a hardware mode, and can also be realized in a software functional module mode. Optionally, the division of the modules in the embodiment of the present invention is schematic, and is only one logic function division, and another division manner may be provided in actual implementation.

Fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication device is deployed in the AMF entity and is used for executing the communication method. As shown in fig. 9, the communication apparatus 60 includes a determination unit 601, a transmission unit 602, and a reception unit 603.

A determining unit 601, configured to determine that the NB-IOT terminal exits PSM. For example, as shown in fig. 2, the determination unit 601 may be configured to execute S201.

A sending unit 602, configured to send a data request message to an NWDAF entity. The data request message is used for requesting to acquire downlink data, and the downlink data is stored in the NWDAF entity in advance. For example, as shown in fig. 2, the sending unit 602 may be configured to execute S202.

A receiving unit 603, configured to receive downlink data sent by the NWDAF entity. For example, as shown in fig. 2, the receiving unit 603 may be configured to execute S203.

The sending unit 602 is further configured to send downlink data to the NB-IOT terminal. For example, as shown in fig. 2, the sending unit 602 may be configured to execute S204.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 9, the sending unit according to the embodiment of the present invention is further configured to send a request storage message including downlink data to the NWDAF entity when the NB-IOT terminal is in the PSM and the AMF entity receives the downlink data sent by the network side device. The request storage message is used for requesting the NWDAF entity to store the downlink data. For example, as shown in fig. 4, the sending unit 602 may be configured to execute S303.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 9, the sending unit according to the embodiment of the present invention is specifically configured to send a data request message to the NWDAF entity after determining that the storage indication message sent by the NWDAF entity is received. The store indication message is used to indicate that the NWDAF entity has stored the downstream data. For example, as shown in fig. 6, the sending unit 602 may be configured to execute S402.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 9, the receiving unit provided in the embodiment of the present invention is further configured to receive an analysis result sent by the NWDAF entity. The analysis result is obtained by analyzing the downlink data by the NWDAF entity. For example, as shown in fig. 7, the receiving unit 603 may be configured to perform S501.

The sending unit 602 is further configured to send the analysis result to the network side device. For example, as shown in fig. 7, the sending unit 602 may be configured to execute S402.

In the case of implementing the functions of the integrated module in the form of hardware, the embodiment of the present invention provides a possible structural diagram of an AMF entity. The AMF entity is configured to perform the communication method performed by the AMF entity in the foregoing embodiment. As shown in fig. 10, the AMF entity 70 includes a processor 701, a memory 702, and a bus 703. The processor 701 and the memory 702 may be connected by a bus 703.

The processor 701 is a control center of the AMF entity, and may be a processor or a collective term for a plurality of processing elements. For example, the processor 701 may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), other general-purpose processors, or the like. Wherein the general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor or the like.

For one embodiment, processor 701 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU 0 and CPU 1 shown in FIG. 10.

The memory 702 may be, but is not limited to, a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that may store static information and instructions, a Random Access Memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that may store information and instructions, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

As a possible implementation, the memory 702 may exist separately from the processor 701, and the memory 702 may be connected to the processor 701 via the bus 703 for storing instructions or program code. The processor 701 can implement the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present invention when calling and executing the instructions or program codes stored in the memory 702.

In another possible implementation, the memory 702 may also be integrated with the processor 701.

The bus 703 may be an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, an Extended ISA (EISA) bus, or the like. The bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is shown in FIG. 10, but that does not indicate only one bus or one type of bus.

It is noted that the structure shown in fig. 10 does not constitute a limitation of the AMF entity 70. In addition to the components shown in fig. 10, the AMF entity 70 may include more or fewer components than shown in fig. 10, or combine certain components, or a different arrangement of components.

As an example, in connection with fig. 9, the functions implemented by the determining unit 601, the transmitting unit 602, and the receiving unit 603 in the amf entity 50 are the same as those of the processor 701 in fig. 10.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 10, the AMF entity provided in the embodiment of the present invention may further include a communication interface 704.

A communication interface 704 for connecting with other devices through a communication network. The communication network may be an ethernet network, a wireless access network, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), or the like. The communication interface 704 may include a receiving unit for receiving data, and a transmitting unit for transmitting data.

In one design, in the AMF entity provided in the embodiment of the present invention, the communication interface may be further integrated in the processor.

Fig. 11 shows another hardware configuration of the AMF entity in the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 11, the AMF entity 80 may include a processor 801 and a communication interface 802. The processor 801 is coupled to a communication interface 802.

The functions of the processor 801 may refer to the description of the processor 701 above. The processor 801 also has a memory function, and the function of the memory 702 can be referred to.

The communication interface 802 is used to provide data to the processor 801. The communication interface 802 may be an internal interface of the AMF entity, or an external interface (corresponding to the communication interface 704) of the AMF entity.

It is noted that the structure shown in fig. 11 does not constitute a limitation of the AMF entity, and that the AMF entity 80 may comprise more or less components than those shown in fig. 11, or some components may be combined, or a different arrangement of components, in addition to those shown in fig. 11.

Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art may clearly understand that, for convenience and simplicity of description, only the division of each functional unit is illustrated. In practical applications, the above function allocation can be performed by different functional units according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional units to perform all or part of the above described functions. For the specific working processes of the system, the apparatus and the unit described above, reference may be made to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and details are not described here again.

The embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium, where instructions are stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when the instructions are executed by a computer, the computer executes each step in the method flow shown in the above method embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the communication method of the above-described method embodiments.

The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination thereof. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, and a hard disk. Random Access Memory (RAM), read-Only Memory (ROM), erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), registers, a hard disk, an optical fiber, a portable Compact disk Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any other form of computer-readable storage medium, in any suitable combination, or as appropriate in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may also be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). In embodiments of the invention, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Since the apparatus, the device readable storage medium, and the computer program product in the embodiments of the present invention may be applied to the method described above, for technical effects that can be obtained by the apparatus, the apparatus readable storage medium, and the computer program product, reference may also be made to the method embodiments described above, and details of the embodiments of the present invention are not repeated herein.

The above description is only an embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and any changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, applied to an access and mobility management function, AMF, entity, the method comprising:

determining that the narrow-band Internet of things NB-IOT terminal exits the energy-saving mode PSM;

sending a data request message to a network data analysis function NWDAF entity; the data request message is used for requesting to acquire downlink data, and the downlink data is pre-stored in the NWDAF entity;

and receiving the downlink data sent by the NWDAF entity, and sending the downlink data to the NB-IOT terminal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication method further comprises:

sending a request storage message including the downlink data to the NWDAF entity under the condition that the NB-IOT terminal is in the PSM and the AMF entity receives the downlink data sent by network side equipment; the request storage message is used for requesting the NWDAF entity to store the downlink data.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sending a data request message to an NWDAF entity comprises:

after determining that the storage indication message sent by the NWDAF entity is received, sending the data request message to the NWDAF entity; the storage indication message is used to indicate that the NWDAF entity has stored the downlink data.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the communication method further comprises:

receiving an analysis result sent by the NWDAF entity; the analysis result is obtained by analyzing the downlink data by the NWDAF entity;

and sending the analysis result to network side equipment.

5. A communication device, which is deployed in an access and mobility management function, AMF, entity, and comprises a determining unit, a sending unit, and a receiving unit;

the determining unit is used for determining that the narrow-band Internet of things NB-IOT terminal exits the energy-saving mode PSM;

the sending unit is used for sending a data request message to a network data analysis function (NWDAF) entity; the data request message is used for requesting to acquire downlink data, and the downlink data is pre-stored in the NWDAF entity;

the receiving unit is configured to receive the downlink data sent by the NWDAF entity;

the sending unit is further configured to send the downlink data to the NB-IOT terminal.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the sending unit is further configured to send a request to store message including the downlink data to the NWDAF entity if the NB-IOT terminal is in the PSM and the AMF entity receives the downlink data sent by a network side device; the request storage message is used for requesting the NWDAF entity to store the downlink data.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the means for sending is configured to send the data request message to the NWDAF entity after determining that the storage indication message sent by the NWDAF entity is received; the storage indication message is used to indicate that the NWDAF entity has stored the downlink data.

8. The apparatus according to any of claims 5-7, wherein the receiving unit is further configured to receive an analysis result sent by the NWDAF entity; the analysis result is obtained by analyzing the downlink data by the NWDAF entity;

the sending unit is further configured to send the analysis result to a network side device.

9. An access and mobility management function, AMF, entity, characterized in that the AMF entity comprises a memory and a processor;

the memory and the processor are coupled;

the memory for storing computer program code, the computer program code comprising computer instructions;

the AMF entity, when executing the computer instructions by the processor, performs the communication method according to any of claims 1-4.

10. A computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein, which when run on an access and mobility management function, AMF, entity, causes the AMF entity to perform the communication method according to any of claims 1-4.