CN111491370A

CN111491370A - Communication method, network element, system and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN111491370A
Application number: CN201910087838.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杨水根; 晋英豪; 谭巍
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-01-29
Filing date: 2019-01-29
Publication date: 2020-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 2039-01-29
Also published as: WO2020155979A1; CN111491370B

Abstract

The embodiment of the application discloses a communication method, which comprises the following steps: and the user plane CU-UP network element of the centralized unit receives data sent by the first UE, wherein the data is sent by the first UE to the second UE. And the CU-UP network element triggers the first network equipment to page the second UE. And after the second UE accesses the network through a control plane CU-CP network element of the centralized unit, the CU-UP network element receives a first message sent by the CU-CP network element, and under the condition that the CU-UP network element and the CU-CP network element belong to the same centralized unit CU, the first message contains indication information which is used for indicating the CU-UP network element to locally forward the received data sent by the first UE so as to realize the transmission of the data from the CU-UP network element to the second UE. According to the embodiment of the application, when the UE of both communication sides is located in the same CU coverage range, the data packet between the UE can be directly forwarded through the CU-UP network element without being forwarded through the UPF, and the communication time delay is reduced.

Description

Communication method, network element, system and storage medium

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a communication method.

Background

In order to address the challenges of wireless broadband technologies, and to maintain the leading advantages of 3GPP networks, 3GPP standards groups have established a next generation mobile communication network architecture (next generation system), referred to as a fifth generation mobile communication technology (5th-generation 5G) network architecture, which supports not only 3GPP standards group defined radio technology access 5G core network (5G core network), but also non-3GPP (non-3GPP) access technologies access 5G core network through non-3GPP handover function (non-3GPP) or next generation gateway (next generation gateway, pdg) access 5G core network, the 3GPP standards group defined radio technologies include long term evolution (long term evolution, L), 5G network (radio access technology) and one or more radio access network access (eNB-nb), which may be configured by one or more radio access network units (eNB-nb, CU, cn-3G network) or UE, which may be connected to one or more radio access network, UE, or UE, may be configured by one or more radio access network devices (eNB-nb, CU-3 GPP) which may be connected to one or more radio access network.

At present, in the communication network architecture, a process of sending data from a first UE to a second UE is that the first UE sends a data packet to a first DU, where the first UE is located within a coverage area of the first DU and the first DU is a serving node of the first UE; and sending the data packet to the first CU-UP by the first DU, wherein the first DU is connected with the first CU, the first CU-UP is a user plane network element of the first CU, and the data packet is sent to the core network by the first CU-UP. The core network knows that data is to be sent to the second UE, and if the second UE is in an idle state, the connection between the second UE and the gNB or the ng-eNB and the connection between the gNB or the ng-eNB and the core network are disconnected, and the core network cannot send the data to the second UE, which needs to search for the second UE by triggering a paging process. The core network sends a paging request message to all the CU-CPs in a paging notification area of the second UE, and the CU-CPs are made to send paging messages to find the second UE, the paging notification area includes one or more Tracking Areas (TAs), the TA is a basic unit of the paging area in the communication system, that is, the paging message is to be paged in TA units, and the paging message of one UE is to be sent in all cells in the TA. One cell can belong to only one TA, and one TA may include one or more gnbs or ng-enbs. If the second UE receives a paging message from a CU-CP through a DU, for example, the second UE receives a paging message from the second CU-CP through a second DU, the second DU is connected to the second CU, and the second CU-CP is a control plane network element of the second CU, the second UE initiates a random access procedure to establish a connection between the second UE and the second CU-CP and a connection between the second CU-CP and the core network, so that the second UE can receive data from the core network through the second CU-UP, and the second CU-UP is a user plane network element of the second CU.

However, under such a communication network architecture, all data packets sent by the first UE to the second UE need to be forwarded through a User Plane Function (UPF) of the core network, and when the UEs of both communication parties are located in the coverage of the same CU, that is, when the second CU-CP and the first CU-UP belong to the same CU, that is, the first UE and the second UE are both in the coverage of the same CU and are served by the CU, the data packets between the UEs are still forwarded through the UPF, which is not beneficial to reducing the communication delay between the UEs.

Disclosure of Invention

When the UEs of both communication parties are located in the same CU coverage area, the data packet between the UEs can be directly forwarded through the user plane network element of the radio access network, and does not need to be forwarded through the UPF network element, thereby reducing the communication delay.

In order to solve the above technical problem, an embodiment of the present application provides the following technical solutions:

a first aspect of the present application provides a communication method, which is applicable to a communication network architecture in which a centralized unit CU and a distributed unit DU are separated, and relates to a user plane CU-UP network element of the centralized unit and a control plane CU-CP network element of the centralized unit in an application process, where the method may include: and the user plane CU-UP network element of the centralized unit receives data sent by the first UE, wherein the data is sent by the first UE to the second UE. And the CU-UP network element triggers the first network equipment to page the second UE. And after the second UE accesses the network through a control plane CU-CP network element of the centralized unit, the CU-UP network element receives a first message sent by the CU-CP network element, and under the condition that the CU-UP network element and the CU-CP network element belong to the same centralized unit CU, the first message contains indication information which is used for indicating the CU-UP network element to locally forward the received data sent by the first UE so as to realize the transmission of the data from the CU-UP network element to the second UE. It can be known from the first aspect that, when the UEs of both communication parties are located within the same CU coverage area, the data packet between the UEs can be directly forwarded through the CU-UP network element, and does not need to be forwarded through the UPF network element, thereby reducing the communication delay.

Optionally, with reference to the first aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the triggering, by the CU-UP network element, the first network device to page the second UE may include: and the CU-UP network element sends a second message to the user plane function UPF network element, wherein the second message is used for indicating that the CU-UP network element receives the data. The second message is used for indicating the UPF network element to trigger the first network device to page the second UE through the second network device.

Optionally, with reference to the first aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the triggering, by the CU-UP network element, the first network device to page the second UE may include: the CU-UP network element sends a second message to the CU-CP network element indicating that the CU-UP network element received the data. The second message is used for instructing the CU-CP network element to trigger the first network equipment to page the second UE through the second network equipment.

Optionally, with reference to the first aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the second message carries a target data packet in the data, and the target data packet is a partial data packet in the data that the CU-UP network element sends to the UPF network element. The method may further comprise: the CU-UP network element caches the rest of the data packets except the target data packet. After the CU-UP network element receives the first message sent by the CU-CP network element, the CU-UP network element locally forwards the received data sent by the first UE, which may include: the CU-UP network element sends the remaining data packets to the second UE.

Optionally, with reference to the first aspect or the second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner, after the CU-UP network element receives the first message sent by the CU-CP network element, the locally forwarding, by the CU-UP network element, the received data sent by the first UE may include: the CU-UP network element sends the data to the second UE.

Optionally, with reference to the first aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners of the first aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the first network device is an access and mobility management function, AMF, network element.

Optionally, with reference to the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect or the second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner, the second network device is a session management function, SMF, network element.

A second aspect of the present application provides a method of communication, which may include: and the CU-CP network element of the control plane of the centralized unit receives a paging message sent by the first network equipment, wherein the paging message is used for indicating that the CU-CP pages the second UE after the first network equipment knows that the CU-UP network element of the user plane of the centralized unit receives data sent by the first UE, and the data is sent to the second UE by the first UE. The CU-CP network element pages the second UE. After the second UE accesses the network through the CU-CP network element, under the condition that the CU-UP network element and the CU-CP network element belong to the same centralized unit CU, the CU-CP network element receives a first message sent by the first network equipment, wherein the first message comprises indication information, and the indication information is used for indicating the CU-UP network element to carry out local forwarding on the received data sent by the first UE. The CU-CP network element sends the indication information to the CU-UP network element to realize the transmission of the data from the CU-UP network element to the second UE.

Optionally, with reference to the second aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, before the CU-CP network element receives the paging message sent by the first network device, the method may further include: and the CU-CP network element receives a second message sent by the CU-UP network element, wherein the second message is used for indicating that the CU-UP network element receives the data. And the CU-CP network element triggers the first network equipment to page the second UE according to the second message.

Optionally, with reference to the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the triggering, by the CU-CP network element, paging of the second UE by the first network device according to the second message may include: and the CU-CP network element triggers the paging of the first network equipment to the second UE through the second network equipment.

Optionally, with reference to the second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the second network device is a session management function, SMF, network element.

Optionally, with reference to the second aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners of the second aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner, the first network device is an access and mobility management function, AMF, network element.

A third aspect of the present application provides a communication method, which may include: and the user plane CU-UP network element of the centralized unit receives data sent by the first UE, wherein the data is sent by the first UE to the second UE. And the CU-UP network element triggers the first network equipment to page the second UE. And after the second UE accesses the network through a control plane CU-CP network element of the centralized unit, the CU-UP network element receives a first message sent by the CU-CP network element, and under the condition that the CU-UP network element and the CU-CP network element belong to the same centralized unit CU, the first message contains a tunnel endpoint identifier TEID of a general packet radio service technology tunnel protocol GTP, wherein the TEID is used for the CU-UP network element to establish a local user plane function so as to realize the transmission of data from the CU-UP network element to the second UE. As can be seen from the third aspect, when the UEs of both communication parties are located within the coverage of the same CU, another way is provided for enabling the data packets between the UEs to be directly forwarded via the CU-UP network element, instead of being forwarded via the UPF network element, thereby reducing the communication delay.

Optionally, with reference to the third aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the triggering, by the CU-UP network element, the first network device to page the second UE may include: the CU-UP network element sends a second message to the CU-CP network element, wherein the second message is used for indicating that the CU-UP network element receives the data. The second message is used for instructing the CU-CP network element to trigger the first network equipment to page the second UE through the second network equipment. In the embodiment of the application, after the first CU-UP knows that the first UE is to be paged, the first CU-UP sends the first message to the first CU-CP, and the participation of a UPF network element is not needed, so that the signaling overhead and the energy consumption are reduced.

Optionally, with reference to the third aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, after the CU-UP network element receives the first message sent by the CU-CP network element, the CU-UP network element locally forwards the received data sent by the first UE, which may include: the CU-UP network element sends the data to the second UE.

Optionally, with reference to the third aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners of the third aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the first network device is an access and mobility management function, AMF, network element.

Optionally, with reference to the first possible implementation manner of the third aspect or the second possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner, the second network device is a session management function, SMF, network element.

A fourth aspect of the present application provides a communication method, which may include: and the CU-CP network element of the control plane of the centralized unit receives a paging message sent by the first network equipment, wherein the paging message is used for indicating that the CU-CP pages the second UE after the first network equipment knows that the CU-UP network element of the user plane of the centralized unit receives data sent by the first UE, and the data is sent to the second UE by the first UE. The CU-CP network element pages the second UE. After a second UE accesses a network through a CU-CP network element, under the condition that the CU-UP network element and the CU-CP network element belong to the same centralized unit CU, the CU-CP network element receives a first message sent by first network equipment, wherein the first message comprises a tunnel endpoint identifier TEID of a general packet radio service technology tunnel protocol GTP, the TEID is used for the first CU-UP to establish a local user plane function, and the CU-CP network element sends the TEID to the CU-UP network element so as to realize the transmission of data from the CU-UP network element to the second UE.

Optionally, with reference to the fourth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, before the CU-CP network element receives the paging message sent by the first network device, the method may further include: and the CU-CP network element receives a second message sent by the CU-UP network element, wherein the second message is used for indicating that the CU-UP network element receives the data. And the CU-CP network element triggers the first network equipment to page the second UE according to the second message.

Optionally, with reference to the first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the triggering, by the CU-CP network element, the paging of the second UE by the first network device according to the second message may include: and the CU-CP network element triggers the paging of the first network equipment to the second UE through the second network equipment.

Optionally, with reference to the second possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the second network device is a session management function, SMF, network element.

Optionally, with reference to the fourth aspect or any one of the possible implementation manners of the fourth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner, the first network device is an access and mobility management function, AMF, network element.

A fifth aspect of the present application provides a communication method, which may include: and the user plane CU-UP network element of the centralized unit receives data sent by the first UE, wherein the data is sent by the first UE to the second UE. And the CU-UP network element triggers the first network equipment to page the second UE. After the second UE accesses the network through the control plane CU-CP network element of the centralized unit, and under the condition that the CU-UP network element and the CU-CP network element belong to the same centralized unit CU, the CU-UP network element locally forwards the received data sent by the first UE, that is, when the UEs of both communication parties are located in the same CU, the CU-UP network element directly sends the data sent by the first UE to the second UE, and the data do not need to be forwarded through the UPF network element, thereby reducing the communication delay.

Optionally, with reference to the fifth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the triggering, by the CU-UP network element, the first network device to page the second UE may include: the CU-UP network element sends a first message to the CU-CP network element, the first message indicating that the CU-UP network element received the data. The second message is used for instructing the CU-CP network element to trigger the first network equipment to page the second UE through the first network equipment.

Optionally, with reference to the fifth aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, after the CU-UP network element receives the first message sent by the CU-CP network element, the CU-UP network element locally forwards the received data sent by the first UE, where the method may include: the CU-UP network element sends the data to the second UE.

Optionally, with reference to the fifth aspect or any one of the possible implementation manners of the fifth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the first network device is an access and mobility management function, AMF, network element.

Optionally, with reference to the first possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect or the second possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner, the second network device is a session management function, SMF, network element.

A sixth aspect of the present application provides a communication method, which may include: and the CU-CP network element of the control plane of the centralized unit receives a paging message sent by the first network equipment, wherein the paging message is used for indicating that the CU-CP pages the second UE after the first network equipment knows that the CU-UP network element of the user plane of the centralized unit receives data sent by the first UE, and the data is sent to the second UE by the first UE. And the CU-CP network element pages the second UE, and after the second UE accesses the network through the CU-CP network element, the data is locally forwarded by the CU-UP network element under the condition that the CU-UP network element and the CU-CP network element belong to the same centralized unit CU.

Optionally, with reference to the sixth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, before the CU-CP network element receives the paging message sent by the first network device, the method may further include: the CU-CP network element receives a first message sent by the CU-UP network element, wherein the first message is used for indicating that the CU-UP network element receives data. And the CU-CP network element triggers the first network equipment to page the second UE according to the first message.

Optionally, with reference to the first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the triggering, by the CU-CP network element, the paging of the second UE by the first network device according to the second message may include: and the CU-CP network element triggers the paging of the first network equipment to the second UE through the second network equipment.

Optionally, with reference to the second possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the second network device is a session management function, SMF, network element.

Optionally, with reference to the sixth aspect or any one of the possible implementation manners of the sixth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner, the first network device is an access and mobility management function, AMF, network element.

A seventh aspect of the present application provides a communication method, which may include receiving, by an access and mobility management function AMF network element, a service request message sent by a first UE, where the service request message is used to respond to a paging message received by the first UE, and the paging message is used to indicate that a user plane CU-UP network element of a centralized unit receives data sent by a second UE to the first UE. And the AMF network element sends a first message to a control plane CU-CP network element of the centralized unit according to the service request message, and under the condition that the CU-UP network element and the CU-CP network element belong to the same centralized unit CU, the first message carries indication information which is sent to the CU-UP network element through the CU-CP network element and used for indicating the CU-UP network element to locally forward the received data sent by the second UE so as to realize the transmission of the data from the CU-UP network element to the first UE.

An eighth aspect of the present application provides a user plane CU-UP network element of a centralized unit, the CU-UP network element having the functionality to implement the method of any one of the possible implementations of the above first aspect or the first aspect or to perform the functionality of the method of any one of the possible implementations of the above third aspect or the third aspect or to perform the functionality of the method of any one of the possible implementations of the above fifth aspect or the fifth aspect. The function can be realized by hardware, and can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

A ninth aspect of the present application provides a control plane CU-CP network element of a centralized unit, having the functionality of implementing the method of any one of the possible implementations of the second aspect or the second aspect described above or performing the functionality of the method of any one of the possible implementations of the fourth aspect or the fourth aspect described above or performing the functionality of the method of any one of the possible implementations of the sixth aspect or the sixth aspect described above. The function can be realized by hardware, and can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

A tenth aspect of the present application provides an access and mobility management function AMF network element, where the AMF network element has a function of implementing the method of the seventh aspect. The function can be realized by hardware, and can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

An eleventh aspect of the present application provides a user plane CU-UP network element of a centralized unit, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory is configured to store computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the CU-UP network element, cause the CU-UP network element to perform a communication method according to any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect or perform a communication method according to any one of the possible implementations of the third aspect or perform a communication method according to any one of the possible implementations of the fifth aspect or the fifth aspect.

A twelfth aspect of the present application provides a control plane CU-CP network element of a centralized unit, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory is configured to store computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the CU-CP network element, cause the CU-CP to perform a communication method according to any one of the possible implementations of the second aspect or perform a communication method according to any one of the possible implementations of the fourth aspect or perform a communication method according to any one of the possible implementations of the sixth aspect or the sixth aspect.

A thirteenth aspect of the present application provides an access and mobility management function, AMF, network element of a centralized unit, including: a processor and a memory; the memory is configured to store computer-executable instructions, and when the AMF network element is operating, the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored by the memory to cause the AMF network element to perform the communication method according to the seventh aspect.

A fourteenth aspect of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored therein, which, when run on a computer, enable the computer to perform the communication method of the first aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect, or perform the communication method of the third aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the third aspect, or perform the communication method of the fifth aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the fifth aspect.

A fifteenth aspect of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored therein, which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the communication method of any one of the possible implementations of the second aspect or the second aspect described above or to perform the communication method of any one of the possible implementations of the fourth aspect or the fourth aspect described above or to perform the communication method of any one of the possible implementations of the sixth aspect or the sixth aspect described above.

A sixteenth aspect of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions, which when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the communication method of the seventh aspect described above.

A seventeenth aspect of the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions that, when run on a computer, enable the computer to perform the communication method of the first aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect, or perform the communication method of the third aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the third aspect, or perform the communication method of the fifth aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the fifth aspect.

An eighteenth aspect of the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, enable the computer to perform the communication method of any one of the possible implementations of the second aspect or the second aspect described above or to perform the communication method of any one of the possible implementations of the fourth aspect or the fourth aspect described above or to perform the communication method of any one of the possible implementations of the sixth aspect or the sixth aspect described above.

A nineteenth aspect of the present application provides a computer program product containing instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the communication method of the seventh aspect described above.

A twentieth aspect of the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor configured to support a CU-UP network element to implement the functions referred to in the first aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect, or the functions referred to in the third aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the third aspect, or the functions referred to in the fifth aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the fifth aspect. In one possible design, the system-on-chip further includes a memory, for storing the necessary program instructions and data for the CU-UP. The chip system may be constituted by a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

A twenty-first aspect of the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor configured to support a CU-CP network element to implement the functions referred to in the foregoing second aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the second aspect, or the functions referred to in the fourth aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the fourth aspect, or the functions referred to in any one of the possible implementations of the sixth aspect or the sixth aspect. In one possible design, the system-on-chip further includes a memory, the memory being used to hold the necessary program instructions and data for the CU-CP. The chip system may be constituted by a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

A twenty-second aspect of the present application provides a chip system, where the chip system includes a processor, configured to support an AMF network element to implement the functions according to the seventh aspect. In one possible design, the system-on-chip further includes a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the AMF network element. The chip system may be constituted by a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

A twenty-third aspect of the present application provides a communication system, including a CU-UP network element and a CU-CP network element, where the CU-UP network element is the CU-UP network element described in the foregoing first aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect, or any one of the possible implementations of the third aspect, or any one of the possible implementations of the fifth aspect. The CU-CP network element is the CU-CP network element described in any one of the above second aspect or any one of the above fourth aspect or any one of the above sixth aspect or any one of the above possible implementations.

A twenty-fourth aspect of the present application provides a communication system, including a CU-UP network element, a CU-CP network element, and an AMF network element, where the CU-UP network element is the CU-UP network element described in the foregoing first aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect, or any one of the possible implementations of the third aspect, or any one of the possible implementations of the fifth aspect. The CU-CP network element is the CU-CP network element described in any one of the above second aspect or any one of the above fourth aspect or any one of the above sixth aspect or any one of the above possible implementations. The AMF network element is the AMF network element described in the seventh aspect.

According to the embodiment of the application, when the UE of both communication parties is located in the same CU coverage range, the data packet between the UE can be directly forwarded through the user plane network element of the wireless access network without being forwarded through the UPF, and the communication delay is reduced.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is an architecture diagram of CU separation in a 5G communication system;

fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic hardware structure diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a CU-UP network element according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a CU-CP network element according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of an AMF network element according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and it is to be understood that the described embodiments are merely illustrative of some, but not all, embodiments of the present application. As can be known to those skilled in the art, with the development of technology and the emergence of new scenarios, the technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application is also applicable to similar technical problems.

The embodiment of the application provides a communication method, a network element and a system, when the UE of both communication parties is located in the same CU coverage range, a data packet between the UE can be directly forwarded through a user plane network element of a wireless access network without being forwarded through a UPF, and communication delay is reduced. The following are detailed below.

The terms "first," "second," and the like in the description and in the claims of the present application and in the above-described drawings are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It will be appreciated that the data so used may be interchanged under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated or described herein. Moreover, the terms "comprises," "comprising," and any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or modules is not necessarily limited to those steps or modules explicitly listed, but may include other steps or modules not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. The naming or numbering of the steps appearing in the present application does not mean that the steps in the method flow have to be executed in the chronological/logical order indicated by the naming or numbering, and the named or numbered process steps may be executed in a modified order depending on the technical purpose to be achieved, as long as the same or similar technical effects are achieved. The division of the modules presented in this application is a logical division, and in practical applications, there may be another division, for example, multiple modules may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not executed, and in addition, the shown or discussed coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between each other may be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection between the modules may be in an electrical or other similar form, which is not limited in this application. The modules or sub-modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, may or may not be physical modules, or may be distributed in a plurality of circuit modules, and some or all of the modules may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture according to an embodiment of the present application.

As shown in fig. 1, the system architecture is a schematic diagram of a system architecture of a 5G network, and the system architecture not only supports a wireless technology defined by a 3GPP standard group to access a core network side, but also supports a non-3GPP access technology to access the core network side through a non-3GPP conversion function (N3 GPP interworking function, N3IWF) or a next generation access gateway (ngPDG), or a fixed network access gateway (ngPDG), or a trusted non-3GPP access gateway.

AN Access Network (AN), which may also be referred to as a Radio Access Network (RAN) in a specific application, is composed of access network devices and is responsible for accessing a user equipment. The RAN device of the 5G network may be a Next Generation (NG) RAN device, or an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) device, and the 5G network may be connected to the two access network devices at the same time. The RAN may be a next generation base station (next generation NodeB, gNB) or a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB) in this embodiment of the present application. The gNB provides a user plane function and a control plane function of a new radio interface (NR) for the UE, and the ng-eNB provides a user plane function and a control plane function of an evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) for the UE, where it should be noted that the gNB and the ng-eNB are only names used for representing a base station supporting a 5G network system and do not have a limiting meaning.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a CU separation architecture in a 5G communication system, as shown in fig. 2, the 5G communication system includes a next generation core Network (NGC) and a Radio Access Network (RAN) connected to the NGC, the RAN connected to the NGC includes a gNB and a ng-eNB, for convenience of illustration, only one gNB and one ng-eNB, one gNB or one ng-eNB may be composed of a Central Unit (CU) and one or more distributed units (distributed units, DU) shown in fig. 2, for example, one gNB or one ng-eNB may be composed of one CU and two DUs, further, one CU may be composed of a control plane (CU-control plane function, CU-CP) and one or more user plane (CU-user plane function, CU-CP) may be configured by a control plane (MAC-CP) and a Control Plane (CP) via a control interface function, a control plane function may be configured by a control interface function (MAC-C) and a control function, as shown in fig. 2, a MAC interface function may be configured by a control plane interface function, a control plane function, a control function may be configured by a control interface function, a control plane function, a control function may be configured by a control interface, a control function may be configured by a control interface, a control function may be configured by a control interface, a control interface may be configured by a control interface, a control interface may be configured by a control interface, a control interface may be configured by a control interface, a control interface may be configured by a control interface, a control interface may be configured by a control interface, a control interface may be configured by a control interface may.

The Data Network (DN) may be an external network of an operator, or may be a network controlled by the operator, and is used to provide a service to a user. The UE may access the DN by accessing the operator network, using services provided by the operator or third parties on the DN.

A Core Network (CN) is used as a bearer network to provide an interface to the DN, and provides communication connection, authentication, management, communication, and bearer completion for data services for the UE. In the network architecture shown in fig. 1, the core network functions are divided into user plane functions and control plane functions. The user plane functions are mainly responsible for packet data packet forwarding, QoS control, etc. The control plane function is mainly responsible for user registration authentication, mobility management, and issuing a packet forwarding policy or QoS control policy to a User Plane Function (UPF). The control plane function mainly includes an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a Session Management Function (SMF) network element, and the like. Specifically, the AMF network element is responsible for a registration process when a user accesses, location management during a user moving process, paging for the UE, and the like. The SMF network element is responsible for establishing corresponding session connection on the core network side when a user initiates a service, providing specific services for the user and the like.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 1, the user equipment UE may be connected to an AMF network element through the RAN, the AMF network element is respectively connected to an SMF network element, a Unified Data Management (UDM) network element, and the like, the SMF network element is connected to the UPF, and the UPF is connected to the DN. The interfaces and connections in the system architecture may include: n1, N2, N3, N4 and N6. Where N1 is a control plane connection between the UE and the AMF network element, and is used to transmit control signaling between the UE and the core network control plane, and a specific message in the N1 connection may be transmitted by a connection between the UE and the RAN and an N2 connection between the RAN and the AMF network element. N2 is the control plane connection between the RAN and the AMF network element. N3 is the connection between the RAN and the user plane function. N4 is a connection between the SMF network element and the user plane function for transferring control signaling between the SMF network element and the user plane function. N6 is the connection between the user plane function and the DN.

In addition, the core network side may further include an authentication server network element (AUSF) for authentication of the UE. A Unified Data Manager (UDM) is responsible for storing subscriber persistent identifiers (SUPI), registration information, credentials (trusted), subscription data for operator networks. And the application function network element (AF) is used for storing service security requirements and providing information of strategy judgment. The communication node (PCF) has the function of completing negotiation of the user plane protection mechanism according to the security requirements and determining the user plane protection mechanism in the network. A network function (NRF) and a network capability opening function (NEF).

The user equipment UE referred to in this application may represent any suitable end user equipment and may include (or may represent) devices such as a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), a mobile station, a mobile node, a mobile device, a fixed or mobile subscription unit, a pager, a mobile phone, a handheld device, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a smart phone, a notebook computer, a touch screen device, a wireless sensor, or a consumer electronics device. A "mobile" station/node/device herein refers to a station/node/device that is connected to a wireless (or mobile) network and is not necessarily related to the actual mobility of that station/node/device.

Currently, under the network architecture shown in fig. 1, data packets between all UEs need to be forwarded through the UPF. When the UEs of both communication parties are located in the coverage of the same CU, they may be located in the coverage of one DU connected to the CU, or in the coverage of different DUs connected to the CU, and the data packets between the UEs still need to be forwarded by the UPF, which is not beneficial to reducing the communication delay between the UEs. Based on the network architecture, in the embodiment of the application, when the UE of both communication parties is located in the coverage range of the same CU, the data packet between the UE is forwarded through the CU-UP, and the communication time delay between the UE is reduced. The following will specifically describe a communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a communication method in the embodiment of the present application.

As shown in fig. 3, an embodiment of a communication method in the embodiment of the present application may include:

301. the first CP-UP receives data transmitted by the second UE.

Specifically, the first CU-UP receives data sent by the second UE to the first UE. The first CU-UP may also be referred to as a first CU-UP network element, and the second UE sends the data packet to the first DU, where the second UE is located within a coverage area of the first DU, and the first DU is a serving node of the second UE, and the first DU sends the data packet to the first CU-UP, where the first DU is connected to the first CU and the first CU-UP is a user plane network element of the first CU.

302. The first CU-UP sends a first message to the UPF network element.

The first message is used to indicate that the first CU-UP receives data sent by the second UE to the first UE.

Optionally, step 303 is also included.

303. The first CU-UP sends the destination packet in the data to the UPF network element.

The target data packet may be a first data packet in the data, or may be any one or more data packets except the first data packet in the data, which is not specifically limited in this application.

It should be noted that, in the actual application process, step 302 and step 303 may alternatively be executed.

Optionally, step 304 is further included if the first CU-UP sends the destination data packet in the data to the UPF network element.

304. The first CU-UP buffers the remaining packets of the data except the destination packet.

305. And after receiving the first message or the target data packet, the UPF network element sends a second message to the SMF network element.

The second message is used for triggering the SMF network element to send a third message to the AMF network element.

306. The SMF network element sends a third message to the AMF network element.

The third message is used for triggering the AMF network element to page the first UE. Specifically, if the first UE is in an idle state, that is, the connection between the first UE and the gNB or the ng-eNB and the connection between the gNB or the ng-eNB and the core network are both disconnected, the SMF network element is required to send a third message to the AMF network element, and the AMF network element is triggered to find the first UE through a paging process.

307. The AMF network element initiates paging for the first UE.

And after receiving the third message sent by the SMF network element, the AMF network element sends a paging request message to all CU-CPs in a paging notification area of the first UE, and the CU-CPs send paging messages to search for the first UE. The CU-CP may also be referred to as a CU-CP network element. Wherein the paging notification area includes one or more Tracking Areas (TAs). TA is a basic unit of a paging area in a communication system, that is, a paging message is to be paged in TA units, and a paging message of one UE is to be transmitted in all cells in one or more TAs. Further, to page the first UE when the first UE is in the idle state, the AMF network element may allocate a tracking area list to the first UE when the first UE initially attaches. When the AMF network element needs to page the first UE, the AMF network element sends paging messages to all CU-CPs corresponding to all tracking areas listed in a tracking area list of the first UE, the CU-CP which receives the paging messages sent by the AMF network element sends the paging messages to the DU controlled by the CU-CP, the paging messages are used for requesting the DU to page the first UE, and the DU which receives the paging messages sends the paging messages in the corresponding cell.

308. The first UE sends a service request message to an AMF network element.

And the first UE receiving the paging message responds to the paging of the AMF network element by a service request process so as to establish the signaling connection between the first UE and the AMF network element through the service request process. Specifically, the method may include establishing a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection between the first UE and the first CU-CP, and sending a service request message to the AMF network element through the RRC connection. It should be understood that in case the first UE is in the coverage of the same CU as the second UE, the first UE requests the first CU-CP to establish an RRC connection.

309. The AMF network element sends a fourth message to the first CU-CP.

The fourth message is for requesting the first CU-CP to establish an initial context of the first UE on the RAN side (including CU-CP, CU-UP and DU), which may include at least one of the following parameters: the first UE aggregates the maximum bit rate, the PDU session list that needs to be established, the allowed network slice selection assistance information, the mobility restriction list, and the first UE wireless capability, etc. In step 308, in establishing an RRC connection between the first UE and the first CU-CP, the first CU-CP determines that the first CU-UP and the first CU-UP belong to the same CU, that is, the first UE and the second UE are both in the coverage of the same CU and are served by the CU, and at this time, the fourth message carries indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate the first CU-UP to locally forward downlink data of the first UE, so as to implement transmission of the downlink data of the first UE from the first CU-UP to the first UE, that is, the first CU-CP receives that the fourth message sent by the AMF network element carries indication information, where the indication information is used in a fifth message sent by the first CU-CP to the first CU-UP, and is used to indicate the first CU-UP to locally forward the downlink data of the first UE. It should be understood that the first CU-UP locally forwards downlink data of the first UE, that is, the first CU-UP directly forwards a received data packet sent by the second UE to the first UE, without forwarding through the UPF network element.

310. The first CU-CP initiates a first bearer establishment flow.

The first bearer establishment procedure is to establish the specific implementation of the first UE initial context on the first CU-UP in step 309. Specifically, the first CU-CP sends a fifth message to the first CU-UP requesting the first CU-UP to establish a context for the first bearer on the first CU-UP, which may include: a downlink transport layer address between the DU and the first CU-UP, a tunnel endpoint identification TEID of a general packet radio service technology tunneling protocol GTP, etc. In step 308, establishing an RRC connection between the first UE and the first CP, the first CU-CP determines that the first CU-UP and the first CU-UP belong to the same CU, in step 309, the first CU-CP receives that the fourth message sent by the AMF network element carries indication information, at this time, the fifth message sent by the first CU-CP to the first CU-UP carries indication information, and the indication information is used for indicating the first CU-UP to locally forward downlink data of the first UE. It should be understood that the first CU-UP locally forwards downlink data of the first UE, that is, the first CU-UP directly forwards a received data packet sent by the second UE to the first UE, without forwarding through the UPF network element.

Optionally, step 311 is also included.

311. The first CU-UP sends a response message of the fifth message to the first CU-CP.

The response message of the fifth message is used to confirm that the required bearer context has been established.

312. The first CU-CP initiates the establishment flow of the second bearer.

For example, the first CU-CP requests the DU to establish a Signaling Radio Bearer (SRB) establishment list, a Data Radio Bearer (DRB) establishment list, a cell group configuration, and the like, where the SRB establishment list includes an SRB identifier, repeatability indication information, and the like, the DRB establishment list includes a DRB identifier, data stream mapping information, uplink user plane transport address information, an R L C mode, and the like, and the first CU-CP configures an access stratum security mode, for example, a security algorithm of the SRB and the DRB, to the first UE through the DU.

Optionally, step 313 is also included.

313. The first CU-CP sends a response message to the AMF network element for the fourth message.

The response message is used to determine that the second bearer has been established.

314. The first CU-UP transmits data, which the second UE transmits to the first UE, to the DU, so that the DU transmits the data to the first UE.

Specifically, the first CU-UP transmits data, which is transmitted from the second UE to the first UE, to the DU using the first bearer established in step 310, and the DU transmits the data to the first UE using the second bearer established in step 312.

Optionally, step 315 and step 316 may also be included, corresponding to steps 303, 304.

315. The first CU-UP sends the remaining message to the first UE.

316. And the UPF network element sends the target data packet to the first UE through the first CU-UP.

In the embodiment of the application, when the first UE establishes an RRC connection with the first CU-CP, and when it is determined that the first UE and the second UE are both in the coverage of the same CU and are served by the CU, the AMF network element sends, through the fourth message, indication information to the first CU-CP, where the indication information is sent to the first CU-UP by the first CU-CP through the fifth message, and the indication message is used for indicating the first CU-UP to locally forward downlink data of the first UE, so that communication delay is reduced.

As shown in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, the first CU-UP sends the first message to the UPF network element after receiving the data sent by the second UE, and in some embodiments, the first CU-UP may also send the first message to the first CU-CP after receiving the data sent by the second UE to the first UE, which is described in detail below.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the communication method in the embodiment of the present application.

As shown in fig. 4, another embodiment of the communication method in the embodiment of the present application may include:

401. the first CU-UP receives data sent by the second UE.

402. The first CU-UP sends a first message to the first CU-CP.

The first CU-UP and the first CU-CP belong to the same CU. The first message is used to indicate that the first CU-UP receives data sent by the second UE to the first UE. The first CU-UP may have the following functions: routing and forwarding of messages, message detection and policy rule execution, traffic usage reporting, quality of service processing, uplink traffic verification, downlink data caching, downlink data notification triggering, and the like.

403. The first CU-CP sends a second message to the SMF network element.

And after receiving the first message, the first CU-CP sends a second message to the SMF network element. The second message is used for triggering the SMF network element to send a third message to the AMF network element, and the third message is used for triggering the AMF network element to page the first UE.

404. The SMF network element sends a third message to the AMF network element.

405. The AMF network element initiates paging for the first UE.

406. The first UE sends a service request message to an AMF network element.

And the first UE receiving the paging message responds to the paging of the AMF network element by a service request process so as to establish the signaling connection between the first UE and the AMF network element through the service request process. Specifically, the method may include establishing a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection between the first UE and the first CU-CP, and sending a service request message to the AMF network element through the RRC connection. It should be understood that the first UE requests the first CU-CP to establish the RRC connection when the first UE is in the coverage of the same CU as the second UE.

407. The AMF network element sends a fourth message to the first CU-CP.

This fourth message is used to request the first CU-CP to establish the initial context of the first UE on the RAN side (including CU-CP, CU-UP and DU). The initial context of the first UE may include at least one of the following parameters: the first UE aggregates the maximum bit rate, the PDU session list that needs to be established, the allowed network slice selection assistance information, the mobility restriction list, and the first UE radio capability. In step 406, in establishing an RRC connection between the first UE and the first CU-CP, the first CU-CP determines that the first CU-UP and the first CU-UP belong to the same CU, where the first CU-CP is the first CU-CP in step 402, and at this time, the fourth message carries indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate the first CU-UP to locally forward downlink data of the first UE, so as to implement transmission of the downlink data of the first UE from the first CU-UP to the first UE. It should be understood that the first CU-UP locally forwards downlink data of the first UE, that is, the first CU-UP directly forwards a received data packet sent by the second UE to the first UE, without forwarding through the UPF network element.

Optionally, the fourth message carries a tunnel endpoint identifier TEID of a gprs tunneling protocol GTP, where the TEID is used for the first CU-UP to establish a local user plane function, that is, the first CU-UP has a function of routing and forwarding a packet, so as to implement transmission of data from the first CU-UP to the first UE.

408. The first CU-CP initiates a first bearer establishment flow.

The first bearer establishment procedure is to establish the specific implementation of the first UE initial context in the first CU-UP in step 407. The first CU-CP sends a fifth message to the first CU-UP requesting establishment of a context for the bearer, which may include a downlink transport layer address between the DU and the first CU-UP, a tunnel endpoint identification TEID of a general packet radio service technology tunneling protocol, GTP, etc. In step 406, in the case that the first CU-CP determines that the first CU-UP and the first CU-CP belong to the same CU, in step 407, the first CU-CP receives that the fourth message sent by the AMF network element carries indication information, and then the fifth message sent by the first CU-UP by the first CU-CP carries indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate the first CU-UP to locally forward downlink data of the first UE, that is, after the first UP receives the indication information, the first CU-UP directly sends the data to a DU corresponding to the first UE, so as to implement transmission of the downlink data of the first UE from the first CU-UP to the first UE.

Optionally, the fifth message carries a tunnel endpoint identifier TEID carrying a gprs tunneling protocol GTP, where the TEID is used for the first CU-UP to establish a local user plane function, that is, the first CU-UP has a message routing and forwarding function, so as to implement transmission of data from the first CU-UP to the first UE.

Optionally, step 409 is also included.

409. The first CU-UP sends a response message of the fifth message to the first CU-CP.

410. The first CU-CP initiates the establishment flow of the second bearer.

The second bearer establishment procedure is to establish a specific implementation of the first UE initial context in the DU and the first UE in step 407, for example, the first CU-CP requests the DU to establish a Signaling Radio Bearer (SRB) establishment list, a DRB establishment list, a cell group configuration, and the like, where the SRB establishment list includes an SRB identifier, repeatability indication information, and the like, and the DRB establishment list includes a DRB identifier, data stream mapping information, uplink user plane transport address information, an R L C mode, and the like.

The first CU-CP configures an access stratum security mode to the first UE via the DU, for example: and configuring security algorithms of the SRB and the DRB.

Optionally, step 411 is also included.

411. The first CU-CP sends a response message to the AMF network element for the fourth message. The response message is used to determine that the second bearer has been established.

412. The first CU-UP transmits downlink data of the first UE to the DU, so that the DU transmits the downlink data to the first UE.

Specifically, the first CU-UP transmits data, which is transmitted from the second UE to the first UE, to the DU using the first bearer established in step 408, and the DU transmits the data to the first UE using the second bearer established in step 410.

In the embodiment of the application, after knowing that a first UE is to be paged, a first CU-UP sends a first message to a first CU-CP, so that the first CU-CP sends a second message to an SMF network element, the second message is used for triggering the SMF network element to send a third message to an AMF network element, the third message is used for triggering the AMF network element to page the first UE, when the first UE establishes an RRC connection with the first CU-CP, it is determined that the first CU-CP and the first CU-UP belong to the same CU, at this time, the AMF network element sends indication information to the first CU-CP through a fourth message, the indication information is sent to the first CU-UP by the first CU-CP through a fifth message, the indication information is used for indicating the first CU-UP to locally forward downlink data of the first UE, the data is not forwarded through the UPF network element any more, communication delay is reduced, and at the same time, after the first CU-CP receives the data to be sent to the first UE, and the message is directly sent to the first CU-CP, and the participation of a UPF network element is not needed, so that the signaling overhead is reduced, and the energy consumption is reduced.

As shown in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, the first CU-CP receiving the first message sends a second message to the SMF network element, where the second message is used to trigger the SMF network element to send a third message to the AMF network element, and the third message is used to trigger the AMF network element to page the first UE, it should be noted that, in some embodiments, the first CU-CP receiving the first message may directly send the third message to the AMF network element, and the third message is used to trigger the AMF network element to page the first UE, that is, in some embodiments, the first CU-CP may directly send a message to the AMF network element, and the message is used to trigger the AMF network element to page the first UE.

As can be seen from the embodiments corresponding to fig. 3 and 4, in the network architecture shown in fig. 1, when the first UE establishes an RRC connection with the first CU-CP, if it is determined that the first CU-CP and the first CU-UP belong to the same CU, the first CU-UP locally forwards downlink data of the first UE according to the received indication information.

In some embodiments, the first CU-UP may directly forward the downlink data of the first UE locally if it is determined that the first CU-CP and the first CU-UP belong to the same CU.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the communication method in the embodiment of the present application.

As shown in fig. 5, another embodiment of the communication method in the embodiment of the present application may include:

501. the first CU-UP receives data sent by the second UE.

502. The first CU-UP sends a first message to the first CU-CP.

503. The first CU-CP sends a second message to the SMF network element.

504. The SMF network element sends a third message to the AMF network element.

505. The AMF network element initiates paging for the first UE.

506. The first UE sends a service request message to an AMF network element.

507. The AMF network element sends a fourth message to the first CU-CP.

The fourth message is used to request the first CU-CP to establish an initial context of the first UE on the RAN side (including CU-CP, CU-UP, and DU), which may include: the first UE aggregates the maximum bit rate, the list of PDU sessions that need to be established, the allowed network slice selection assistance information, the mobility restriction list, the first UE radio capability, etc.

508. The first CU-CP initiates a first bearer establishment flow.

The first bearer establishment procedure is to establish the specific implementation of the first UE initial context on the first CU-UP in step 508. The first CU-CP sends a fifth message to the first CU-UP requesting establishment of a context for the bearer, which may include a downlink transport layer address between the DU and the first CU-UP, a tunnel endpoint identification TEID of a general packet radio service technology tunneling protocol, GTP, etc.

Optionally, step 509 is also included.

509. The first CU-UP sends a response message of the fifth message to the first CU-CP.

510. The first CU-CP initiates the establishment flow of the second bearer.

The second bearer establishment procedure is to establish a specific implementation of the first UE initial context in the DU and the first UE in step 507, for example, the first CU-CP requests the DU to establish a Signaling Radio Bearer (SRB) establishment list, a DRB establishment list, cell group configuration, and the like, where the SRB establishment list includes an SRB identifier, repeatability indication information, and the like, and the DRB establishment list includes a DRB identifier, data stream mapping information, uplink user plane transport address information, an R L C mode, and the like.

Optionally, step 511 is also included.

511. The first CU-CP sends a response message to the AMF network element for the fourth message.

512. The first CU-UP transmits downlink data of the first UE to the DU, so that the DU transmits the downlink data to the first UE.

Specifically, the first CU-UP transmits data, which is transmitted from the second UE to the first UE, to the DU using the bearer established in step 508, and the DU transmits the data to the first UE using the bearer established in step 510.

In the embodiment of the application, when the first UE establishes RRC connection with the first CU-CP, and under the condition that the first CU-CP and the first CU-UP belong to the same CU, the first CU-UP directly and locally forwards downlink data of the first UE, so that communication delay is reduced.

As can be seen from the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, the first CU-CP that receives the first message sends a second message to the SMF network element, where the second message is used to trigger the SMF network element to send a third message to the AMF network element, and the third message is used to trigger the AMF network element to page the first UE.

It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the first CU-CP receiving the first message may directly send, to the AMF network element, a third message, where the third message is used to trigger the AMF network element to page the first UE, that is, in some embodiments, a message may be directly sent by the first CU-CP to the AMF network element, where the message is used to trigger the AMF network element to page the first UE. At this time, the first CU-CP may have a function of session management. Optionally, the fourth message sent by the AMF network element to the first CU-CP further includes indication information for indicating the first CU-UP to locally forward downlink data of the first UE.

It should be noted that, in the following embodiments of the present application, a name of a message or a name of an individual parameter in the message between network elements is only an example, and other names may also be used in a specific implementation, for example, a notification message may also be referred to as an indication message, which is described herein in a unified manner, and this is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

The above-mentioned scheme provided by the embodiment of the present application is introduced mainly from the perspective of interaction between network elements. It is to be understood that the CU-UP network element and the CU-CP network element described above contain corresponding hardware structures and/or software modules for performing the respective functions in order to implement the functions described above. Those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the various illustrative modules 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 application.

Described in terms of hardware structures, the CU-UP network element or the CU-CP network element in fig. 3 to fig. 5 may be implemented by one physical device, may also be implemented by multiple physical devices together, and may also be a logic function module in one physical device, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

For example, a CU-UP network element or a CU-CP network element can be implemented by the communication device in FIG. 6. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hardware structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device comprises at least one processor 601, communication lines 602, memory 603 and at least one communication interface 604.

The processor 601 may be a general processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more ics for controlling the execution of programs in accordance with the present disclosure.

The communication link 602 may include a path for transmitting information between the aforementioned components.

The communication interface 604 may be any device, such as a transceiver, for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as ethernet, Radio Access Network (RAN), wireless local area networks (W L AN), etc.

The memory 603 may be, but is not limited to, a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a Random Access Memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact-disc-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, optical disk storage (including compact disk, laser disk, optical disk, digital versatile disk, blu-ray disk, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, 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. The memory may be separate and coupled to the processor via a communication link 602. The memory may also be integral to the processor.

The memory 603 is used for storing computer-executable instructions for executing the present application, and is controlled by the processor 601 to execute the instructions. The processor 601 is configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 603, thereby implementing the communication methods provided by the embodiments described below in the present application.

Optionally, the computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as application program codes, which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

In particular implementations, processor 601 may include one or more CPUs such as CPU0 and CPU1 in fig. 6 as an example.

In particular implementations, the communication device may include multiple processors, such as processor 601 and processor 607 of fig. 6, for example, as an embodiment. Each of these processors may be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. A processor herein may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and/or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

In particular implementations, as an example, the communication device may also include an output device 605 and an input device 606. the output device 605 and the processor 601 communicate and may display information in a variety of ways.

The communication device may be a general purpose device or a dedicated device. In a specific implementation, the communication device may be a desktop, a laptop, a web server, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a tablet, a wireless terminal device, an embedded device, or a device with a similar structure as in fig. 6. The embodiment of the application does not limit the type of the communication equipment.

In the embodiment of the present application, functional modules may be divided for a CU-UP network element or a CU-CP network element according to the above method examples, 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. It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the division of the module is schematic, and is only one logic function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation.

For example, in the case of dividing each functional module in an integrated manner, fig. 7 shows a schematic structural diagram of a CU-UP network element.

As shown in fig. 7, the CU-UP network element provided by the embodiment of the present application may include a receiving unit 701, a sending unit 702,

a receiving unit 701, configured to execute step 301 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, step 310 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, step 401 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, step 408 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, step 501 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, step 508 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, and the like.

A sending unit 702, configured to execute step 302 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, step 303 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, step 311 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, step 314 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, step 315 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, step 402 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, step 409 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, step 412 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, step 502 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, step 509 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, step 512 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, and the like.

Optionally, a cache unit 703 may be further included, configured to execute step 304 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3.

As shown in fig. 8, a CU-CP network element provided in this embodiment of the present application may include a receiving unit 801, an initiating unit 802, and a sending unit 803.

A receiving unit 801, configured to execute step 307 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, step 308 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, step 309 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, step 311 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, step 402 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, step 405 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, step 406 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, step 407 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, step 409 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, step 502 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, step 505 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, step 506 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, step 507 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, step 509 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, and the like.

An initiating unit 802 may be further included, configured to execute step 310 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, step 312 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, step 408 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, step 410 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, step 508 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, step 510 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, and the like.

A sending unit 803, configured to execute step 307 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, step 308 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, step 313 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, step 403 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, step 405 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, step 406 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, step 411 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, step 503 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, step 505 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, step 506 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, step 511 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, and the like.

As shown in fig. 9, the AMF network element provided in this embodiment of the present application may include a receiving unit 901 and a sending unit 902.

A receiving unit 901, configured to execute step 306 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, step 308 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, step 313 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, step 404 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, step 406 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, step 411 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, step 504 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, step 506 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, step 511 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, and the like.

A sending unit 902, configured to execute step 307 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, step 309 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, step 405 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, step 407 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, step 505 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, step 507 in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 5, and the like.

In the present embodiment, the CU-UP network element is presented in the form of dividing each functional module in an integrated manner. A "module" as used herein may refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an ASIC, a processor and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and/or other devices that provide the described functionality. In a simple embodiment, it is conceivable for a CU-UP network element to take the form shown in fig. 6, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

For example, processor 601 in FIG. 6 may cause the CU-UP to perform the communication methods in the above-described method embodiments by invoking computer-executable instructions stored in memory 603.

Specifically, the functions/implementation procedures of the receiving unit 701, the sending unit 702, and the buffering unit 703 in fig. 7, as well as the receiving unit 801, the initiating unit 802, the sending unit 803 in fig. 8, and the receiving unit 901 in fig. 9, and the sending unit 902 may be implemented by the processor 601 in fig. 6 calling a computer executing instruction stored in the memory 603. Alternatively, the functions/implementation procedures of the caching unit 703 and the initiating unit 802 in fig. 7 and fig. 8 may be implemented by the processor 601 in fig. 6 calling a computer executing instruction stored in the memory 603, the receiving unit 701 and the sending unit 702 in fig. 7, the receiving unit 801 and the sending unit 803 in fig. 8, and the receiving unit 901 in fig. 9, and the functions/implementation procedures of the sending unit 902 may be implemented by the communication interface 604 in fig. 6.

Since the CU-UP and CU-CP provided in the embodiments of the present application can be used to perform the above communication method, the technical effects obtained by the embodiments of the present application can be obtained by referring to the above method embodiments, and are not described herein again.

In the above-described embodiments, the CU-UP and CU-CP are presented in a form of dividing the respective functional modules in an integrated manner. Of course, the embodiment of the present application may also divide the functional modules of the CU-UP and the CU-CP corresponding to the functions, and this is not particularly limited in the embodiment of the present application.

Optionally, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, where the chip system includes a processor, and is configured to support a user plane functional entity to implement the above communication method. In one possible design, the system-on-chip further includes a memory. The memory is used for storing the necessary program instructions and data of the CU-UP or CU-CP. The chip system may be formed by a chip, and may also include a chip and other discrete devices, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

In the above embodiments, the implementation may be wholly or partially realized by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product.

The computer instructions may be stored in or transmitted from a computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, e.g., from one website site, computer, server, or data center, via wire (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optics, digital subscriber line (DS L)) or wirelessly (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) the computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can store or a data storage device integrated with one or more available media, e.g., a magnetic medium, (e.g., a floppy Disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., a Solid State medium), a DVD, or a Solid State medium (e.g., SSD)).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all or part of the steps in the methods of the above embodiments may be implemented by associated hardware instructed by a program, which may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and the storage medium may include: ROM, RAM, magnetic or optical disks, and the like.

The communication method, the network element and the system provided by the embodiment of the present application are described in detail above, and a specific example is applied in the present application to explain the principle and the embodiment of the present application, and the description of the above embodiment is only used to help understand the method and the core idea of the present application; meanwhile, for a person skilled in the art, according to the idea of the present application, there may be variations in the specific embodiments and the application scope, and in summary, the content of the present specification should not be construed as a limitation to the present application.

Claims

1. A method of communication, the method comprising:

a user plane CU-UP network element of a centralized unit receives data sent by a first UE, wherein the data is sent to a second UE by the first UE;

the CU-UP network element triggers the first network equipment to page the second UE;

after the second UE accesses a network through a control plane CU-CP network element of a centralized unit, the CU-UP network element receives a first message sent by the CU-CP network element, and when the CU-UP network element and the CU-CP network element belong to the same centralized unit CU, the first message includes indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate the CU-UP network element to locally forward received data sent by the first UE, so as to implement transmission of the data from the CU-UP network element to the second UE.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the CU-UP network element triggering the first network device to page the second UE comprises:

the CU-UP network element sends a second message to a User Plane Function (UPF) network element, wherein the second message is used for indicating that the CU-UP network element receives the data;

the second message is used for indicating the UPF network element to trigger the first network device to page the second UE through a second network device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the CU-UP network element triggering the first network device to page the second UE comprises:

the CU-UP network element sends a second message to the CU-CP network element, wherein the second message is used for indicating that the CU-UP network element receives the data;

the second message is used for instructing the CU-CP network element to trigger the first network device to page the second UE through a second network device.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second message carries a destination packet in the data, and the destination packet is a partial packet in the data sent by the CU-UP network element to the UPF network element;

the method further comprises the following steps:

the CU-UP network element caches the rest data packets except the target data packet in the data;

after the CU-UP network element receives the first message sent by the CU-CP network element, the CU-UP network element locally forwards the received data sent by the first UE, including:

the CU-UP network element sends the remaining data packets to the second UE.

5. The method of claim 1 or 3, wherein after the CU-UP network element receives the first message sent by the CU-CP network element, the CU-UP network element locally forwards the received data sent by the first UE, and the method comprises:

and the CU-UP network element sends the data to the second UE.

6. The method according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the first network device is an Access and mobility management function, AMF, network element.

7. A method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second network device is a session management function, SMF, network element.

8. A method of communication, the method comprising:

a control plane CU-CP network element of a centralized unit receives a paging message sent by first network equipment, wherein the paging message is used for indicating that the CU-CP pages a second UE after the first network equipment knows that a user plane CU-UP network element of the centralized unit receives data sent by the first UE, and the data is sent to the second UE by the first UE;

the CU-CP network element pages the second UE;

after the second UE accesses a network through the CU-CP network element, under the condition that the CU-UP network element and the CU-CP network element belong to the same centralized unit CU, the CU-CP network element receives a first message sent by the first network device, wherein the first message comprises indication information, and the indication information is used for indicating the CU-UP network element to locally forward the received data sent by the first UE;

and the CU-CP network element sends the indication information to the CU-UP network element so as to realize the transmission of the data from the CU-UP network element to the second UE.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein before the CU-CP network element receives the paging message sent by the first network device, the method further comprises:

the CU-CP network element receives a second message sent by the CU-UP network element, wherein the second message is used for indicating that the CU-UP network element receives the data;

and the CU-CP network element triggers the paging of the first network equipment to the second UE according to the second message.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein triggering, by the CU-CP network element, paging of the second UE by the first network device according to the second message comprises:

and the CU-CP network element triggers the paging of the first network equipment to the second UE through second network equipment.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second network device is a Session Management Function (SMF) network element.

12. The method according to any of claims 8-11, wherein the first network device is an access and mobility management function, AMF, network element.

13. A method of communication, the method comprising:

an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element receives a service request message sent by a first User Equipment (UE), wherein the service request message is used for responding to the fact that the first UE receives a paging message, and the paging message is used for indicating that a user plane (CU) -UP network element of a centralized unit receives data sent to the first UE by a second UE;

and the AMF network element sends a first message to a control plane CU-CP network element of a centralized unit according to the service request message, and under the condition that the CU-UP network element and the CU-CP network element belong to the same centralized unit CU, the first message contains indication information, and the indication information is used for indicating the CU-UP network element to locally forward the received data sent by the second UE, so that the data is transmitted from the CU-UP network element to the first UE.

14. A user plane, CU-UP, network element of a centralized unit, comprising:

a communication interface, configured to receive data sent by a first UE, where the data is sent by the first UE to a second UE;

a processor, coupled to the communication interface, configured to trigger the first network device to page the second UE according to the data received by the communication interface;

the communication interface is further configured to receive a first message sent by the CU-CP network element after the second UE accesses a network through a control plane CU-CP network element of a centralized unit, where the first message includes indication information when the CU-UP network element and the CU-CP network element belong to the same centralized unit CU, and the indication information is used to indicate the CU-UP network element to locally forward received data sent by the first UE, so as to implement transmission of the data from the CU-UP network element to the second UE.

15. The network element of claim 14,

the communication interface is further configured to send a second message to a user plane function UPF network element, where the second message is used to indicate that the CU-UP network element receives the data, and the second message is used to indicate that the UPF network element triggers, through a second network device, the first network device to page the second UE.

16. The network element of claim 14,

the communication interface is further configured to send a second message to the CU-CP network element, where the second message is used to indicate that the CU-UP network element receives the data, and the second message is used to instruct the CU-CP network element to trigger the first network device to page the second UE through a second network device.

17. The network element of claim 14 or 15, further comprising:

a memory, coupled to the communication interface, configured to cache remaining data packets in the data except for the target data packet, where the target data packet is a partial data packet in the data carried in a first message sent by the communication interface to the UPF network element;

the communication interface is further configured to send the remaining data packet to the second UE.

18. The network element of claim 14 or 16,

the communication interface is specifically configured to send the data to the second UE.

19. A control plane, CU-CP, network element of a centralized unit, comprising:

a communication interface, configured to receive a paging message sent by a first network device, where the paging message is used to indicate that a CU-CP pages a second UE after the first network device learns that a user plane CU-UP network element of a centralized unit receives data sent by the first UE, and the data is sent to the second UE by the first UE;

a processor, coupled to the communication interface, configured to page the second UE via the communication interface after the communication interface receives the paging message;

the communication interface is further configured to receive, after the second UE accesses a network through the CU-CP network element, a first message sent by the first network device when the CU-UP network element and the CU-CP network element belong to the same centralized unit CU, where the first message includes indication information used to indicate the CU-UP network element to locally forward received data sent by the first UE;

the communication interface is further configured to send the indication information received by the communication interface to the CU-UP network element, so as to implement transmission of the data from the CU-UP network element to the second UE.

20. The network element of claim 19,

the communication interface is further configured to receive a second message sent by the CU-UP network element before the communication interface receives the first message sent by the first network device, where the second message is used to indicate that the CU-UP network element receives the data;

the processor is further configured to trigger paging of the second UE by the first network device through the communication interface according to the second message.

21. The network element of claim 20,

the processor is further configured to trigger, by a second network device, paging of the second UE by the first network device.

22. An access and mobility management function, AMF, network element, comprising:

a communication interface, configured to receive a service request message sent by a first UE, where the service request message is used to respond that the first UE receives a paging message, and the paging message is used to instruct a user plane CU-UP network element of a centralized unit to receive data sent by a second UE to the first UE;

the communication interface is further configured to send a first message to a control plane CU-CP network element of a centralized unit according to the service request message, where the first message carries indication information when the CU-UP network element and the CU-CP network element belong to the same centralized unit CU, and the indication information is sent to the CU-UP network element through the CU-CP network element and used to indicate the CU-UP network element to locally forward the received data sent by the second UE, so as to implement transmission of the data from the CU-UP network element to the first UE.

23. A communication system, characterized in that the system comprises a user plane CU-UP network element of a centralized unit and a control plane CU-CP network element of the centralized unit,

the CU-UP network element is the CU-UP network element described in claims 1 to 7;

the CU-CP network element is the CU-CP network element described in claims 8 to 12.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, which when executed on a computer device, causes the computer device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 7.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, which when executed on a computer device, causes the computer device to perform the method of any one of claims 8 to 12.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, which when executed on a computer device, causes the computer device to perform the method of claim 13.