WO2025179499A1 - Communication methods, first device, network functions, communication system and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure are communication methods, a first device, a first network function, a fourth network function, a communication system and a storage medium. A method comprises: sending first information to a first network function, wherein the first information is used by the first network function to determine that a mobile gNB user equipment with wireless access backhaul (MWAB-UE) protocol data unit (PDU) session needs to be created for N3 backhaul. In this way, the technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure realizes communication between an MWAB-UE and a core network.

Description

Communication method, first device, network function, communication system and storage medium Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular to a communication method, a first device, a first network function, a fourth network function, a communication system, and a storage medium.

Background Art

In the field of communication technology, Mobile gNB with Wireless Access Backhaul (MWAB) has been introduced. MWAB can act as a base station for terminals and provide access to the network. MWAB consists of two parts: MWAB-gNB and MWAB-UE.

Summary of the Invention

After the introduction of MWAB, MWAB-UE needs to communicate with the core network.

According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, where the method is performed by a first device and includes:

sending first information to the first network function;

The first information is used by the first network function to determine that a mobile base station terminal MWAB-UE protocol data unit PDU session with wireless backhaul needs to be created for N3 backhaul.

According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, where the method is performed by a first network function, and the method includes:

receiving first information sent by a first device;

The first information is used by the first network function to determine whether to create a MWAB-UE PDU session for N3 backhaul.

According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, where the method is performed by a fourth network function, and the method includes:

determining a second network function based on the third information;

The third information includes at least one of the following:

Core network CN tunnel information, where the CN tunnel information includes identity information of the second network function;

MWAB-UE ID;

MWAB-UE PDU session ID;

Identity information of MWAB-UESMF.

According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method comprising:

The first device sends first information to the first network function;

receiving, by the first network function, first information sent by the first device;

The first information is used by the first network function to determine that a mobile base station terminal MWAB-UE protocol data unit PDU session with wireless backhaul needs to be created for N3 backhaul.

According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first device is provided, the first device including:

The transceiver module is configured as follows:

sending first information to the first network function;

The first information is used by the first network function to determine that a mobile base station terminal MWAB-UE protocol data unit PDU session with wireless backhaul needs to be created for N3 backhaul.

According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network function is provided, the first network function including:

The transceiver module is configured as follows:

receiving first information sent by a first device;

The first information is used by the first network function to determine the need to create a mobile base station terminal MWAB-UE protocol data unit PDU session with wireless backhaul for N3 backhaul.

According to a seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a fourth network device is provided, the fourth network device including:

The processing module is configured to:

determining a second network function based on the third information;

The third information includes at least one of the following:

Core network CN tunnel information, where the CN tunnel information includes identity information of the second network function;

MWAB-UE ID;

MWAB-UE PDU session ID;

Identity information of MWAB-UESMF.

According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, wherein the communication system includes a first device, a first network function, and a fourth network function; the first device is configured to implement the method described in the first aspect, the first network function is configured to implement the method described in the second aspect, and the fourth network function is configured to implement the method described in the third aspect.

According to a ninth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first device is provided, the first device including:

one or more processors;

The first device is used to execute the method described in the first aspect.

According to a tenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network function is provided, where the first network function includes:

one or more processors;

The first network function is used to execute the method described in the second aspect.

According to an eleventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a fourth network function is provided, where the fourth network function includes:

one or more processors;

The fourth network function is used to execute the method described in the third aspect.

According to the twelfth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method provided by the first aspect, the second aspect and/or the third aspect.

The technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure enables communication between MWAB-UE and the core network.

It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following drawings required for describing the embodiments are introduced. The following drawings are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure.

FIG1a is a schematic diagram showing a communication system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG1b is a schematic diagram showing a communication system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG1c is a schematic diagram showing a QoS flow according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG2a is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG3a is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG3 b is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG4a is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG4b is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG5a is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG5b is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG6a is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG7a is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG8a is a schematic structural diagram of a first device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG8b is a schematic structural diagram of a first network function according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG8c is a schematic structural diagram showing a fourth network function according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG9a is a schematic structural diagram of a UE according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 9b is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a first device, a first network function, a fourth network function, a communication system, and a storage medium.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is performed by a first device and includes:

sending first information to the first network function;

The first information is used by the first network function to determine that a mobile base station terminal MWAB-UE protocol data unit PDU session with wireless backhaul needs to be created for N3 backhaul.

In the above embodiment, after the first device sends the first information to the first network function, the first network function can determine based on the first information that a mobile base station terminal MWAB-UE protocol data unit PDU session with wireless backhaul needs to be created for N3 backhaul, so that N3 backhaul can be performed based on the MWAB-UE PDU session.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, sending the first information to the first network function includes:

Sending an N2 message to the first network function;

The N2 message includes the first information.

In the above embodiment, the first information may be sent to the first network function via an N2 message, thereby realizing multiplexing of the N2 message.

In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the N2 message includes the first information and PDU session creation request information.

In the above embodiment, a PDU session request may be implemented while sending the first information.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the access parameter includes at least one of the following:

MWAB access instruction information;

MWAB-gNB cell identity ID.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

receiving second information sent by the first network function;

The second information is used to instruct the first device to trigger the creation of a MWAB-UE PDU session for N3 backhaul.

In the above embodiment, after receiving the second information sent by the first network function, the creation of a MWAB-UE PDU session for N3 backhaul can be triggered based on the second information.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

If the second information is received, the MWAB-UE in the first device is triggered to create the MWAB-UE PDU session.

In the above embodiment, after receiving the second information, the first device triggers the MWAB-UE in the first device to create the MWAB-UE PDU session.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

Sending third information related to the MWAB-UE PDU session to the first network function;

The third information includes at least one of the following:

Core network CN tunnel information, where the CN tunnel information includes identity information of the second network function;

MWAB-UE ID;

MWAB-UE PDU session ID;

MWAB-UE SMF identity information.

In the above embodiment, after receiving the third information, the first network function may implement communication based on the third information.

In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the MWAB-UE SMF identity information is used to determine the service user plane function UPF ID of the MWAB-UE.

In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, there is a first mapping relationship between the quality of service QoS flow of the terminal and the MWAB-UE QoS flow.

In the above embodiment, data transmission to or from the core network through the MWAB-UE Uu interface and the UE Uu interface can be achieved based on the first mapping relationship.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, the method being performed by a first network function, the method including:

receiving first information sent by a first device;

The first information is used by the first network function to determine whether to create a MWAB-UE PDU session for N3 backhaul.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, receiving the first information sent by the first device includes:

receiving an N2 message sent by the first device;

The N2 message includes the first information.

In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the N2 message includes the first information and PDU session creation request information.

In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes access parameters for the terminal to access the network, and the access parameters are used for the first network function to determine that the terminal accesses through the MWAB.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the access parameter includes at least one of the following:

MWAB access instruction information;

MWAB-gNB cell identity ID.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

Based on the first information, it is determined that the MWAB-UE PDU session needs to be created.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

Determine whether there is an available MWAB-UE PDU session.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

If the MWAB-UE PDU session does not exist, sending the second information to the first device;

The second information is used to instruct the first device to create a MWAB-UE PDU session for N3 backhaul.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

receiving third information;

The third information includes at least one of the following:

Core network CN tunnel information, where the CN tunnel information includes identity information of the second network function;

MWAB-UE identity ID;

MWAB-UE PDU session ID;

Identity information of MWAB-UE session management function SMF.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, receiving the third information includes:

If there is no available MWAB-UE PDU session, receive the third information sent by the first device.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

If the third information does not include the identity information of the CN tunnel information and/or MWAB-UE SMF, the core network CN tunnel information and/or the identity information of the MWAB-UE SMF is obtained from the third network function.

In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the identity information of the MWAB-UE SMF is used to determine the service user plane function UPF ID of the MWAB-UE.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

The third information is sent to the fourth network function.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

A fourth network function is determined.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, determining the fourth network function includes:

Determine that the fourth network function is MWAB-UE service SMF.

In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, determining that the fourth network function is a MWAB-UE service SMF includes:

Determine that the fourth network function is the MWAB-UE service SMF indicated by the MWAB-UE SMF identifier contained in the fourth information.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

Determine that the fourth network function is an SMF different from the MWAB-UE service SMF.

In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, determining that the fourth network function is an SMF different from the MWAB-UE service SMF includes:

The fourth network function is determined to be an SMF different from the MWAB-UE service SMF based at least on the load balancing information.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, where the method is performed by a fourth network function, and the method includes:

determining a second network function based on the third information;

The third information includes at least one of the following:

Core network CN tunnel information, where the CN tunnel information includes identity information of the second network function;

MWAB-UE ID;

MWAB-UE PDU session ID;

Identity information of MWAB-UESMF.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

Receive the third information sent by the first network function.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the fourth network function is a UE SMF; the second network function is a UE UPF; if the UE SMF and the MWAB-UE SMF are the same; determining the second network function based on the third information includes one of the following:

If the third information includes the CN tunnel information, determining that the UE UPF is a MWAB-UE UPF based on the CN tunnel information;

If the third information does not include the CN tunnel information, it is determined that the MWAB-UE UPF included in the SMF context is the MWAB-UE UPF.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the fourth network function is a UE SMF; the second network function is a UE UPF; if the UE SMF and the MWAB-UE SMF are different; determining the UE UPF based on the third information includes one of the following:

If the third information includes the CN tunnel information, determining that the UE UPF is a MWAB-UE UPF based on the CN tunnel information;

If the third information does not include the CN tunnel information, it is determined that the MWAB-UE UPF obtained by requesting the MWAB-UE SMF indicated by the identity information of the MWAB-UE SMF is the MWAB-UE UPF.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, the method comprising:

The first device sends first information to the first network function;

receiving, by the first network function, first information sent by the first device;

The first information is used by the first network function to determine that a mobile base station terminal MWAB-UE protocol data unit PDU session with wireless backhaul needs to be created for N3 backhaul.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first device, the first device including:

The transceiver module is configured as follows:

sending first information to the first network function;

The first information is used by the first network function to determine that a mobile base station terminal MWAB-UE protocol data unit PDU session with wireless backhaul needs to be created for N3 backhaul.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first network function, the first network function including:

The transceiver module is configured as follows:

receiving first information sent by a first device;

The first information is used by the first network function to determine the need to create a mobile base station terminal MWAB-UE protocol data unit PDU session with wireless backhaul for N3 backhaul.

In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a fourth network device, the fourth network device including:

The processing module is configured to:

determining a second network function based on the third information;

The third information includes at least one of the following:

Core network CN tunnel information, where the CN tunnel information includes identity information of the second network function;

MWAB-UE ID;

MWAB-UE PDU session ID;

Identity information of MWAB-UESMF.

In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication system, comprising a first device, a first network function, and a fourth network function; the first device is configured to implement the method described in the first aspect, the first network function is configured to implement the method described in the second aspect, and the fourth network function is configured as the method described in the third aspect.

In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first device, the first device including:

one or more processors;

The first device is used to execute the method provided by the first aspect.

In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first network function, the first network function including:

one or more processors;

The first network function is used to execute the method provided by the second aspect.

In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a fourth network function, where the fourth network function includes:

one or more processors;

Among them, the fourth network function is used to execute the method provided by the third aspect.

In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage medium, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, which, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, enable the communication device to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect and/or the third aspect.

In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect and/or the third aspect.

In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect and/or the third aspect.

In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a chip or a chip system, wherein the chip or chip system includes a processing circuit configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, and/or the third aspect.

It is understandable that the first device, the first network function, the fourth network function, the communication system, the storage medium, the program product, the computer program, the chip, or the chip system are all used to perform the method proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding method and will not be repeated here.

The present disclosure provides a communication method, a first device, a first network function, a fourth network function, a communication system, and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method" and "information indication method," "information processing method," and "information transmission method" are interchangeable, and the terms "communication system" and "information processing system" are interchangeable.

The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and/or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple", etc. can be used interchangeably.

In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and/or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

In some embodiments, devices and equipment can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. In some cases, they can also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", etc.

In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network, such as access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.

In some embodiments, the "access network device (AN device)" may also be referred to as a "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station (radio base station)", "fixed station (fixed station)", and in some embodiments may also be understood as a "node (node)", "access point (access point)", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission and/or reception point (transmission/reception point, TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)", etc.

In some embodiments, a "terminal" or "terminal device" may be referred to as a "user device". equipment, UE), "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc.

In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

FIG1a is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1 a , a communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102 .

In some embodiments, the network device 102 may include at least one of an access network device 1021 and a core network device 1022 .

In some embodiments, the access network device 1021 may be a MWAB.

In some embodiments, the terminal includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the access network device may be, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved Node B (eNB), a next generation evolved Node B (ng-eNB), a next generation Node B (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved node B (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure may be applicable to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may become internal interfaces of Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces may be implemented through software or programs.

In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU may also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure may be used to split the protocol layers of the access network device, with some functions of the protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the remaining functions of some or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

In some embodiments, a core network device may be a single device including one or more network elements, or may be multiple devices or device groups, each including all or part of the one or more network elements. A network element may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), or a Next Generation Core (NGC).

It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1a, or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in FIG1a are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or a portion of the entities shown in FIG1a, or may include other entities other than those shown in FIG1a. The number and form of the entities may be arbitrary. The connection relationship between the entities is illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, and the fourth generation mobile communication system. communication system (4G), fifth generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), future radio access (FRA), new radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR), new radio access (NX), future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, ultra-wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), public land mobile network (PLMN) network, device-to-device (D2D) system, machine to machine (M2M) Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems, systems using other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on and extending these methods. Furthermore, a combination of multiple systems (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G) may also be applied.

In some embodiments, a Mobile gNB with Wireless Access Backhaul (MWAB) is a mobile base station capable of acting as a gNB for other UEs and providing access to the 5G network. This includes providing a New Radio (NR) access link to the UE and wirelessly connecting to the 5G cellular network (using NR) via an Internet Protocol (IP) connection provided by a Packet Data Unit (PDU) or Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session established via an NG-RAN cell on which the mobile gNB may reside. The PDU session is provided by a terrestrial or non-terrestrial network. This mobile gNB may be installed in a moving vehicle and serve UEs that may be located inside or outside the vehicle (or entering or leaving the vehicle).

In some embodiments, the MWAB-gNB is the base station portion of the MWAB.

In some embodiments, the MWAB-UE is the terminal portion of the NWAB.

Please refer to Figure 1b, which shows an example of the architecture of a non-roaming scenario of a 5G system.

In some embodiments, based on the definition of MWAB, MWAB provides wireless connection to 5GC through IP connection provided by PDU session, and both N2 interface and N3 interface are carried on the PDU session between MWAB-UE and 5GC.

In some embodiments, for the N2 interface and the N3 interface, at least one PDU session is established between the MWAB-UE and the 5GC:

If the serving AMF and serving UPF of the MWAB-UE are in the same data network name (DNN), N2 and N3 use a single PDU session; otherwise, the PDU session of N2 and the PDU session of N3 are separate.

As shown in Figure 1c, UE PDU sessions are backhauled over N3 via MWAB-UE PDU sessions, so they need to share common features, such as single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI), DNN, PDU session type, and session and service continuity (SSC) mode. In addition, UE Quality of Service (QoS) flows and MWAB-UE QoS flows must be mapped to each other for transmission to and from the 5GC over the MWAB-UE Uu interface and UE Uu interface.

In some embodiments, in a related solution for N3 backhaul PDU session establishment, the UE PDU session establishment process is first performed. After receiving a PDU session resource establishment request from the UE AMF, the MWAB-gNB decides to establish a MWAB-UE PDU session for wireless N3 backhaul. The same User Plane Function (UPF) used for the UE PDU session is used for the MWAB-UE PDU session.

In some embodiments, the UE UPF is selected before the N3 wireless backhaul is available, resulting in the UE UPF being unreachable.

In some embodiments, the UE UPF and the MWAB-UE UPF are the same, but it lacks details on how to ensure that the same UPF is selected for the UE and the MWAB-UE. If the UE PDU session shares the same UPF as the MWAB-UE session, UPF reselection and traffic forwarding between the MWAB-UE UPF and the UE UPF can be avoided.

In some embodiments, a MWAB-UE PDU session should be established before the UE PDU session establishment procedure. The UE sends a PDU session establishment request (N2 backhaul PDU session) to the UE AMF, and the N2 message includes a MWAB indication. The MWAB indication is used to help the AMF or SMF determine that a MWAB-UE PDU session is required for the N3 wireless backhaul and, if no existing MWAB-UE PDU session is available, trigger the MWA B-UE PDU session establishment procedure.

In some embodiments, MWAB-UE PDU sessions and UE-PDU sessions can share the same UPF.

FIG2a is an interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2a, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method for a communication system 100, the method comprising:

Step S2101: The first device sends first information to the first network function.

In some embodiments, the first network function receives first information sent by the first device.

In some embodiments, the first device may be a MWAB, which includes two parts: a MWAB-gNB and a MWAB-UE.

In some embodiments, the first network function is an access and mobility management function (AMF, Access and Mobility Management Function), for example, UE AMF.

It should be noted that the network function (e.g., the first network function) in this disclosure may also be referred to as a network device, network entity, network element, or device in certain scenarios, without limitation herein. A network function may be a logical function, and different logical functions may be deployed in the same device or in different devices, without limitation herein.

In some embodiments, the first information is used by the first network function to determine that a MWAB-UE PDU session needs to be established for N3 (interface) backhaul. Here, the MWAB-UE PDU session may be a PDU session between the MWAB-UE and a core network device.

In some embodiments, the first device sends an N2 message (N2message) to the first network function, where the N2 message includes the first information.

In some embodiments, the N2 message only includes the first information but does not include PDU session creation request information.

In some embodiments, the N2 message includes the first information and PDU session creation request information.

In some embodiments, when the N2 message includes the first information, whether the PDU session creation request information is also required to be included can be determined based on the timing of requesting to create the PDU session. For example, if it is necessary to immediately request to create a PDU session, the first information and the PDU session creation request information can be included together in the N2 message. If it is not necessary to immediately request to create a PDU session, the N2 message can include only the first information without the PDU session creation request information, and the PDU session creation request information can be sent separately based on the timing of requesting to create the PDU session or sent through other messages. This is not limited here.

In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate that a MWAB-UE PDU session needs to be created for N3 backhaul.

In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate that the terminal accesses the network through MWAB.

In some embodiments, the first information includes access parameters for the terminal to access a network.

In some embodiments, the access parameter is used by the first network function to determine that the terminal accesses via MWAB.

In some embodiments, the access parameter includes at least one of the following:

MWAB access instruction information;

MWAB-gNB cell identity (ID, Identity document).

It should be noted that the ID of the MWAB-gNB cell is different from the ID of the ordinary gNB (or conventional or traditional non-mobile gNB) cell, so that the core network equipment can determine (or judge) whether the gNB is a MWAB-gNB or an ordinary gNB based on the ID of the gNB cell.

In some embodiments, there is a first mapping relationship between the quality of service QoS flow of the terminal accessing the MWAB and the MWAB-UE QoS flow.

Step S2102: The first network function determines the need to create the MWAB-UE PDU session based on the first information.

In some embodiments, the first core network receives first information sent by the first device. The first network function determines that the MWAB-UE PDU session needs to be established based on the first information.

In some embodiments, if the first information is received, the first network function determines that the MWAB-UE PDU session needs to be created.

In some embodiments, if the first information is not received, the first network function determines that there is no need to create the MWAB-UE PDU session.

In some embodiments, if the first information is used to indicate that executing N3 backhaul requires creating a MWAB-UE PDU session, the first network function determines that the MWAB-UE PDU session needs to be created.

In some embodiments, if the first information is used to indicate that the terminal accesses the network through MWAB, the first network function determines that the MWAB-UE PDU session needs to be created.

In some embodiments, if the access parameters carried by the first information include MWAB access indication information, the first network function determines that the MWAB-UE PDU session needs to be created.

In some embodiments, if the access parameters carried by the first information include the identity ID of the MWAB cell, the first network function determines that the MWAB-UE PDU session needs to be created.

Step S2103: The first network function determines whether there is an available MWAB-UE PDU session.

In some embodiments, the first network function determines that the MWAB-UE PDU session needs to be created, and the first network function determines whether there is an available MWAB-UE PDU session.

In some embodiments, the first network function determines that there is an available MWAB-UE PDU session, which may be that there is an already established MWAB-UE PDU session.

In some embodiments, the first network function determines that there is no available MWAB-UE PDU session, which may be that there is no established MWAB-UE PDU session.

Step S2104: The first network function sends second information to the first device.

In some embodiments, the first device receives second information sent by the first network function.

In some embodiments, if there is no available MWAB-UE PDU session, the first network function sends the second information to the first device.

In some embodiments, the second information is used to instruct the first device to trigger creation of a MWAB-UE PDU session for N3 backhaul.

Step S2105: The first device triggers the creation of the MWAB-UE PDU session.

In some embodiments, if the second information is received, the first device triggers the MWAB-UE in the first device to create the MWAB-UE PDU session.

In some embodiments, after creating the MWAB-UE PDU session, the MWAB-UE in the first device can obtain relevant information of the MWAB-UE PDU session.

In some embodiments, the MWAB-UE in the first device can send relevant information of the MWAB-UE PDU session to the MWAB-gNB in the first device.

In some embodiments, the MWAB-UE in the first device sends relevant information about the MWAB-UE PDU session to the MWAB-gNB in the first device.

In some embodiments, the relevant information of the MWAB-UE PDU session includes at least one of the following:

Core network CN tunnel information, where the CN tunnel information includes identity information of the second network function;

MWAB-UE ID;

MWAB-UE PDU session ID;

MWAB-UE Session Management Function (SMF) identity information.

Step S2106: The first device sends third information to the first network function.

In some embodiments, the first network function receives third information sent by the first device.

In some embodiments, the first device sends third information related to the MWAB-UE PDU session to the first network function.

In some embodiments, the third information includes at least one of the following:

Core network CN tunnel information, where the CN tunnel information includes identity information of the second network function;

MWAB-UE ID;

MWAB-UE PDU session ID;

MWAB-UE SMF identity information.

In some embodiments, the MWAB-UE SMF identity information is used to determine the service user plane function (UPF, User Plane Function) ID of the MWAB-UE.

In some embodiments, if there is no available MWAB-UE PDU session, the first network function receives the third information sent by the first device.

In some embodiments, if the third information does not include the CN tunnel information, the first network function obtains the core network CN tunnel information from the third network function.

In some embodiments, if the third information does not include the identity information of the MWAB-UE SMF, the first network function obtains the identity information of the MWAB-UE SMF from the third network function.

In some embodiments, the third network function can be unified data management (UDM).

Step S2107: The first network function determines the fourth network function.

In some embodiments, the fourth network function may be a session management function (SMF), for example, a UE SMF.

In some embodiments, the first network function determines that the fourth network function is a MWAB-UE service SMF.

In some embodiments, the first network function determines that the fourth network function is the MWAB-UE service SMF indicated by the MWAB-UE SMF identifier contained in the fourth information.

In some embodiments, the first network function determines that the fourth network function is an SMF different from the MWAB-UE service SMF.

In some embodiments, the first network function determines, based at least on load balancing information, that the fourth network function is an SMF different from the MWAB-UE serving SMF.

Step S2108: The first network function sends third information to the fourth network function.

In some embodiments, the fourth network function receives the third information sent by the first network function.

In some embodiments, the first network function determines a fourth network function, and the first network function sends the third information to the fourth network function.

Step S2109: The fourth network function determines the second network function.

In some embodiments, the fourth network function determines the second network function based on the third information.

In some embodiments, the third information includes at least one of the following:

Core network CN tunnel information, where the CN tunnel information includes identity information of the second network function;

MWAB-UE ID;

MWAB-UE PDU session ID;

Identity information of MWAB-UE SMF.

In some embodiments, the fourth network function receives third information sent by the first network function and determines the second network function based on the third information.

In some embodiments, the fourth network function is UE SMF; the second network function is UE UPF; if the UE SMF and the MWAB-UE SMF are the same and if the third information includes the CN tunnel information, the fourth network function determines that the UE UPF is the MWAB-UE UPF based on the CN tunnel information.

In some embodiments, the fourth network function is UE SMF; the second network function is UE UPF; if the UE SMF and the MWAB-UE SMF are the same and if the third information does not include the CN tunnel information, the fourth network function determines that the MWAB-UE UPF included in the SMF context is the MWAB-UE UPF.

In some embodiments, the fourth network function is UE SMF; the second network function is UE UPF; if the UE SMF and the MWAB-UE SMF are different and if the third information includes the CN tunnel information, the UE UPF is determined to be the MWAB-UE UPF based on the CN tunnel information.

In some embodiments, the fourth network function is UE SMF; the second network function is UE UPF; if the UE SMF and the MWAB-UE SMF are different and if the third information does not include the CN tunnel information, it is determined that the MWAB-UE UPF obtained by requesting the MWAB-UE SMF indicated by the identity information of the MWAB-UE SMF is the MWAB-UE UPF.

In some embodiments, the term "information" can be interchangeable with terms such as "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "field", and "data".

In some embodiments, the term "send" can be interchanged with terms such as "transmit", "report", and "transmit".

The information indication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2109. For example, step S2101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2104 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2106 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2107 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2108 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2109 may be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S2101 combined with step S2102, step S2104, and step S2105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2101 combined with step S2102, step S2103, step S2104, and step S2105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2101 combined with step S2102, step S2103, step S2104, step S2105, and step S2106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. Step S2101 combined with step S2102, step S2103, step S2104, step S2105, step S2106, step S2107 and S2108 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and step S2101 combined with step S2102, step S2103, step S2104, step S2105, step S2106, step S2107, S2108 and S2109 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited to this.

Figure 3a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3a, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by a first device and includes:

Step S3101: Send first information to the first network function.

In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3101 may refer to step S2101 in FIG. 2 a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 a , which will not be described in detail here.

Step S3102: Receive second information sent by the first network function.

In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3102 may refer to step S2104 in FIG. 2 a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 a , which will not be described in detail here.

Step S3103: Trigger the creation of the MWAB-UE PDU session.

In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3103 may refer to step S2105 of FIG. 2 a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 a , which will not be described in detail here.

Step S3104: Send third information to the first network function.

In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3104 may refer to step S2106 in FIG. 2 a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 a , which will not be described in detail here.

The information indication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 to S3104. For example, Step S3101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S3101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment in combination with step S3102 and step S3103, and step S3101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment in combination with step S3102, step S3103, and step S3104, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

FIG3b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3b, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by a first device and includes:

Step S3201: Send first information to the first network function.

In some embodiments, the first information is used for the first network function to determine that a mobile base station terminal MWAB-UE protocol data unit PDU session with wireless backhaul needs to be created for N3 backhaul.

In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3201 can be found in other related parts of the embodiment involved in the steps of FIG. 2 a , and will not be described in detail here.

In some embodiments, sending the first information to the first network function includes:

Sending an N2 message to the first network function;

The N2 message includes the first information.

In some embodiments, the N2 message includes the first information and PDU session creation request information.

In some embodiments, the first information includes access parameters for the terminal to access the network, and the access parameters are used by the first network function to determine that the terminal accesses through MWAB.

In some embodiments, the access parameter includes at least one of the following:

MWAB access instruction information;

MWAB-gNB cell identity ID.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

receiving second information sent by the first network function;

The second information is used to instruct the first device to trigger the creation of a MWAB-UE PDU session for N3 backhaul.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

If the second information is received, the MWAB-UE in the first device is triggered to create the MWAB-UE PDU session.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

Sending third information related to the MWAB-UE PDU session to the first network function;

The third information includes at least one of the following:

Core network CN tunnel information, where the CN tunnel information includes identity information of the second network function;

MWAB-UE ID;

MWAB-UE PDU session ID;

MWAB-UE SMF identity information.

In some embodiments, the MWAB-UE SMF identity information is used to determine the service user plane function UPF ID of the MWAB-UE.

In some embodiments, there is a first mapping relationship between the quality of service QoS flow of the terminal accessing the MWAB and the MWAB-UE QoS flow.

Figure 4a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4a, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by a first network function, and the method includes:

Step S4101: Receive first information sent by a first device.

In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S4101 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step S2101 in FIG. 2 a , which will not be described in detail here.

Step S4102: Based on the first information, determine that the MWAB-UE PDU session needs to be created.

In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S4102 can be found in other related parts of the embodiment involved in step S2102 in Figure 2a, and will not be repeated here.

Step S4103: Determine whether there is an available MWAB-UE PDU session.

In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S4103 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step S2103 in FIG. 2 a , which will not be described in detail here.

Step S4104: Send second information to the first device.

In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S4104 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step S2104 in FIG. 2 a , which will not be described in detail here.

Step S4105: Receive third information sent by the first device.

In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S4105 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step S2106 in FIG. 2 a , which will not be described in detail here.

Step S4106: Determine the fourth network function.

In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S4106 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step S2107 in FIG. 2 a , which will not be described in detail here.

Step S4107: Determine the fourth network function.

In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S4107 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step S2108 in FIG. 2 a , which will not be described in detail here.

The information indication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4101 to S4107. For example, step S4101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4104 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4106 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S4107 may be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S4101 combined with step S4102 and step S4104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4101 combined with step S4102, step S4103, and step S4104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4101 combined with step S4102, step S4103, step S4104, and step S4105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4101 combined with step S4102, step S4103, step S4104, step S4105, step S4106, and step S4107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4101 combined with step S4102, step S4103, step S4104, step S4105, step S4106, and step S4107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited to this.

Figure 4b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4b, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is performed by a first network function, and the method includes:

Step S4201: Receive first information sent by a first device.

In some embodiments, the first information is used for the first network function to determine the need to create a MWAB-UE PDU session for N3 backhaul.

In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S4201 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step 2101 in FIG. 2 a , which will not be described in detail here.

In some embodiments, the receiving the first information sent by the first device includes:

receiving an N2 message sent by the first device;

The N2 message includes the first information.

In some embodiments, the N2 message includes the first information and PDU session creation request information.

In some embodiments, the first information includes access parameters for the terminal to access the network, and the access parameters are used by the first network function to determine that the terminal accesses the network through the MWAB.

In some embodiments, the access parameter includes at least one of the following:

MWAB access instruction information;

MWAB-gNB cell identity ID.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

Based on the first information, it is determined that the MWAB-UE PDU session needs to be created.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

Determine whether there is an available MWAB-UE PDU session.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

If the MWAB-UE PDU session does not exist, sending the second information to the first device;

The second information is used to instruct the first device to trigger the creation of a MWAB-UE PDU session for N3 backhaul.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

receiving third information;

The third information includes at least one of the following:

Core network CN tunnel information, where the CN tunnel information includes identity information of the second network function;

MWAB-UE identity ID;

MWAB-UE PDU session ID;

Identity information of MWAB-UE session management function SMF.

In some embodiments, the receiving the third information includes:

If there is no available MWAB-UE PDU session, receive the third information sent by the first device.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

If the third information does not include the identity information of the CN tunnel information and/or MWAB-UE SMF, the core network CN tunnel information and/or the identity information of the MWAB-UE SMF is obtained from the third network function.

In some embodiments, the identity information of the MWAB-UE SMF is used to determine the service user plane function UPF ID of the MWAB-UE.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

The third information is sent to the fourth network function.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

A fourth network function is determined.

In some embodiments, determining the fourth network function includes:

Determine that the fourth network function is MWAB-UE service SMF.

In some embodiments, determining that the fourth network function is a MWAB-UE service SMF includes:

Determine that the fourth network function is the MWAB-UE service SMF indicated by the MWAB-UE SMF identifier contained in the fourth information.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

Determine that the fourth network function is an SMF different from the MWAB-UE service SMF.

In some embodiments, determining that the fourth network function is an SMF different from the MWAB-UE serving SMF includes:

The fourth network function is determined to be an SMF different from the MWAB-UE service SMF based at least on the load balancing information.

Figure 5a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5a, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is performed by a fourth network function, and the method includes:

Step S5101: Receive third information sent by the first network function.

In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S5101 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step 2108 in FIG. 2 a , which will not be described in detail here.

Step S5102: Determine the second network function.

In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S5102 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step 2109 in FIG. 2 a , which will not be described in detail here.

The information indication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of step S5101 to step S5102. For example, step S5101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S5102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment.

Figure 5b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5b, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is performed by a fourth network function, and the method includes:

Step S5201: Determine the second network function based on the third information.

In some embodiments, the third information includes at least one of the following:

Core network CN tunnel information, where the CN tunnel information includes identity information of the second network function;

MWAB-UE ID;

MWAB-UE PDU session ID;

Identity information of MWAB-UE SMF.

In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S5201 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step 2108 in FIG. 2 a , which will not be described in detail here.

Figure 6a is an interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6a, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is used in a communication system 100. The method includes one of the following steps:

Step S6101: The first device sends first information to the first network function.

In some embodiments, the first network function receives first information sent by the first device.

The optional implementation of step S6101 can refer to the optional implementation of steps S2101 to S2109 in Figure 2a and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

In some embodiments, the above method may include the methods of the above-mentioned communication system side, first device, first network function, fourth network function and other embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

In order to better understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, some exemplary embodiments are further described below:

In some embodiments, the MWAB-UE PDU session backhauled by N2 has been established.

In some embodiments, one or more MWAB-UE PDU sessions for N3 backhaul have been established or have not yet been established.

In some embodiments, the MWAB-UE PDU session of N2 backhaul can also be used as the MWAB-UE PDU session of N3 backhaul as long as it meets the requirements of N3 backhaul.

Example 1:

Referring to FIG. 7 a , a communication method is shown, the method comprising:

Step S7101: Send an N2 message, including a PDU Session Establishment Request and an MWAB Indication (corresponding to the first message). The UE sends a PDU Session Establishment Request (N2 backhaul PDU session) to the UE AMF. The N2 message includes the MWAB Indication. The MWAB Indication helps the AMF or SMF determine that an MWAB-UE PDU session is required for N3 wireless backhaul.

In step S7102, the AMF or SMF determines the N3PDU session required for wireless backhaul based on the information received in step S7101, and checks whether there is an available MWAB-UE PDU session.

Step S7103: If an available MWAB-UE PDU session exists, the AMF or SMF sends the MWAB-UE PDU session related information to the MWAB-gNB. Steps S7104 and S7105 are skipped. If no MWAB-UE PDU session exists, the AMF or SMF instructs the MWAB-gNB to create a new MWAB-UE PDU session for N3 wireless backhaul (corresponding to the second message).

Step S7104: The MWAB-UE requests to establish a PDU session.

Step S7105: The MWAB-gNB sends the MWAB-UE PDU session related information (corresponding to the third message) to the UE AMF. If there is an available MWAB-UE PDU session as described in step S7103, the MWAB-UE PDU session related information will be retrieved by the AMF/SMF itself.

The MWAB-UE PDU session related information may include one or more of the following information:

CN tunnel information (including UPF identity);

MWAB UE ID;

MWAB-UE PDU session ID;

MWAB-UE SMF logo.

Step S7106: If neither the CN tunnel information nor the MWAB-UE SMF identity is included in the MWAB-UE PDU session information, the UE AMF retrieves the MWAB-UE serving SMF identity from the UDM. The MWAB-UE SMF identity can be used to retrieve the MWAB-UE serving UPF identity.

Step S7107-Step S7109, UE AMF performs SMF selection.

The UE AMF may select the MWAB-UE serving SMF as the UE SMF protocol for the MWAB-UE SMF identity received in step 5/6. (The same applies to both the UE SMF and the MWAB-UE SMF).

If CN tunnel information is included in the MWAB-UE PDU session related information, the UE SMF will use the MWAB-UE UPF as the UE uplink to CN tunnel information.

If the CN tunnel information is not included in the MWAB-UE PDU session related information, the UE SMF shall retrieve the MWAB-UE UPF from the SMF context.

Or the UE AMF selects a different UE SMF from the MWAB - UE SMF taking other considerations like load balancing into account. (UE SMF and MWAB-UE SMF are different cases).

If CN tunnel information is included in the MWAB-UE PDU session related information, the UE SMF will use the MWAB-UE UPF as the UE uplink to CN tunnel information.

If the CN tunnel information is not included in the MWAB-UE PDU session related information, the UE SMF shall request the MWAB-UE UPF from the MWAB-UE SMF based on the MWAB-UE SMF identity.

In steps S7110-S7116, the MWAB configures mapping rules with the 5GC. UE QoS flows and MWAB-UE QoS flows must be mapped to each other for transmission to and from the 5GC over the MWAB-UE Uu interface and the UE Uu interface.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, some or all of the steps and their optional implementations may be arbitrarily combined with some or all of the steps in other embodiments, or may be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementations of other embodiments.

The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is only a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into one physical entity, or they can be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and instructions are stored in the memory. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules may be implemented by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits may be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of some or all of the above-mentioned units or modules may be implemented by designing the logical relationship between the components in the circuit. For another example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit may be implemented by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it may include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits may be configured through a configuration file, thereby implementing the functions of some or all of the above-mentioned units or modules. All units or modules of the above-mentioned devices may be implemented entirely by the processor calling software, or entirely by hardware circuits, or partially by the processor calling software, and the remaining part by hardware circuits.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of a hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document to implement the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as ASIC, such as the Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), the Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), the Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU), etc.

Figure 8a is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first device 8100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 8a, the first device 8100 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 8101, a processing module 8102, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to send and receive information. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and/or receiving performed by the first device in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here. Optionally, the processing module is used to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the first device in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

In some embodiments, a first device 8100 is provided. The first device 8100 includes a transceiver module 8101 and a processing module 8102. The transceiver module 8101 is configured to:

sending first information to the first network function;

The first information is used by the first network function to determine that a mobile base station terminal MWAB-UE protocol data unit PDU session with wireless backhaul needs to be created for N3 backhaul.

The transceiver module 8101 is configured to: send an N2 message to the first network function;

The N2 message includes the first information.

The transceiver module 8101 is configured as follows: the N2 message includes the first information and PDU session creation request information.

The transceiver module 8101 is configured as follows: the first information includes access parameters for the terminal to access the network, and the access parameters are used by the first network function to determine that the terminal accesses through MWAB.

The transceiver module 8101 is configured such that: the access parameter includes at least one of the following:

MWAB access indication information;

MWAB-gNB cell identity ID.

The transceiver module 8101 is configured to: receive second information sent by the first network function;

The second information is used to instruct the first device to trigger the creation of a MWAB-UE PDU session for N3 backhaul.

The processing module 8102 is configured to: if the second information is received, trigger the MWAB-UE in the first device to create the MWAB-UE PDU session.

The transceiver module 8101 is configured to: send third information related to the MWAB-UE PDU session to the first network function;

The third information includes at least one of the following:

Core network CN tunnel information, where the CN tunnel information includes identity information of the second network function;

MWAB-UE ID;

MWAB-UE PDU session ID;

MWAB-UE SMF identity information.

The transceiver module 8101 is configured as follows: the MWAB-UE SMF identity information is used to determine the service user plane function UPF ID of the MWAB-UE.

The transceiver module 8101 is configured as follows: the first device is a MWAB, and there is a first mapping relationship between the quality of service QoS flow of the terminal accessing the MWAB and the MWAB-UE QoS flow.

Figure 8b is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first network function 8200 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 8b, the first network function 8200 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 8201, a processing module 8202, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to send and receive information. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and/or receiving performed by the first network function in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here. In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a sending module and/or a receiving module, and the sending module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver.

In some embodiments, a first network function is provided, wherein the core network device includes a transceiver module 8201 and a processing module 8202, wherein the transceiver module 8201 is configured to:

receiving first information sent by a first device;

The first information is used by the first network function to determine whether to create a MWAB-UE PDU session for N3 backhaul.

The transceiver module 8201 is configured to: receive an N2 message sent by the first device;

The N2 message includes the first information.

The transceiver module 8201 is configured as follows: the N2 message includes the first information and PDU session creation request information.

The transceiver module 8201 is configured as follows: the first information includes access parameters for the terminal to access the network, and the access parameters are used by the first network function to determine that the terminal accesses the network through the MWAB.

The transceiver module 8201 is configured such that: the access parameter includes at least one of the following:

MWAB access instruction information;

MWAB-gNB cell identity ID.

The processing module 8202 is configured to: based on the first information, determine the need to create the MWAB-UE PDU session.

The processing module 8202 is configured to determine whether there is an available MWAB-UE PDU session.

The transceiver module 8201 is configured to: if there is no available MWAB-UE PDU session, send the second information to the first device;

The second information is used to instruct the first device to trigger the creation of a MWAB-UE PDU session for N3 backhaul.

The transceiver module 8201 is configured to: receive third information;

The third information includes at least one of the following:

Core network CN tunnel information, where the CN tunnel information includes identity information of the second network function;

MWAB-UE identity ID;

MWAB-UE PDU session ID;

Identity information of MWAB-UE session management function SMF.

The transceiver module 8201 is configured to: if there is no available MWAB-UE PDU session, receive the third information sent by the first device.

The processing module 8202 is configured to: if the third information does not include the identity information of the CN tunnel information and/or MWAB-UE SMF, obtain the identity information of the core network CN tunnel information and/or MWAB-UE SMF from the third network function.

The processing module 8202 is configured as follows: the identity information of the MWAB-UE SMF is used to determine the service user plane function UPF ID of the MWAB-UE.

The transceiver module 8201 is configured to: send the third information to the fourth network function.

The processing module 8202 is configured to: determine a fourth network function.

The processing module 8202 is configured to: determine that the fourth network function is a MWAB-UE service SMF.

The processing module 8202 is configured to: determine that the fourth network function is the MWAB-UE service SMF indicated by the MWAB-UE SMF identifier contained in the fourth information.

The processing module 8202 is configured to: determine that the fourth network function is an SMF different from the MWAB-UE service SMF.

The processing module 8202 is configured to: determine, based at least on load balancing information, that the fourth network function is an SMF different from the MWAB-UE service SMF.

Figure 8c is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fourth network function 8300 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 8c, the fourth network function 8300 may include: at least one of: a transceiver module 8301, a processing module 8302, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to send and receive information. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and/or receiving performed by the fourth network function in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here. In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a sending module and/or a receiving module, and the sending module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver.

In some embodiments, the processing module can be a single module or can include multiple submodules. Optionally, the multiple submodules respectively execute all or part of the steps required to be executed by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module can be interchangeable with the processor.

In some embodiments, a fourth network function is provided, the fourth network function including a transceiver module 8301 and a processing module 8302, wherein the processing module 8302 is configured to:

determining a second network function based on the third information;

The third information includes at least one of the following:

Core network CN tunnel information, where the CN tunnel information includes identity information of the second network function;

MWAB-UE ID;

MWAB-UE PDU session ID;

Identity information of MWAB-UE SMF.

The transceiver module 8301 is configured as follows:

Receive the third information sent by the first network function.

The processing module 8302 is configured to: if the fourth network function is a UE SMF; if the second network function is a UE UPF; if the UE SMF and the MWAB-UE SMF are the same; and if the second network function is determined based on the third information, including one of the following:

If the third information includes the CN tunnel information, determining that the UE UPF is a MWAB-UE UPF based on the CN tunnel information;

If the third information does not include the CN tunnel information, it is determined that the MWAB-UE UPF included in the SMF context is the MWAB-UE UPF.

The processing module 8302 is configured to: the fourth network function is the UE SMF; the second network function is the UE UPF; if the UE SMF and the MWAB-UE SMF are different; determining the UE UPF based on the third information includes one of the following:

If the third information includes the CN tunnel information, determining that the UE UPF is a MWAB-UE UPF based on the CN tunnel information;

If the third information does not include the CN tunnel information, it is determined that the MWAB-UE UPF obtained by requesting the MWAB-UE SMF indicated by the identity information of the MWAB-UE SMF is the MWAB-UE UPF.

Figure 9a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 9100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 9100 can be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., a user equipment, etc.), a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a terminal to implement any of the above methods. Communication device 9100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

As shown in Figure 9a, the communication device 9100 includes one or more processors 9101. The processor 9101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, baseband chip, terminal device, terminal device chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The communication device 9100 is used to perform any of the above methods.

In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more memories 9102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 9102 may be located outside the communication device 9100.

In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more transceivers 9103. When the communication device 9100 includes one or more transceivers 9103, the transceiver 9103 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and/or receiving in the above method (for example, step S2101 and step S3101, but not limited thereto), and the processor 9101 performs at least one of the other steps.

In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and/or a transmitter. The receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, and transceiver circuit may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 may include one or more interface circuits 9104. Optionally, the interface circuit 9104 is connected to the memory 9102. The interface circuit 9104 may be configured to receive signals from the memory 9102 or other devices, and may be configured to send signals to the memory 9102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 9104 may read instructions stored in the memory 9102 and send the instructions to the processor 9101.

The communication device 9100 described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 9100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 9100 may not be limited by FIG. 9a. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

FIG9b is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 9200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 9100 can be a chip or a chip system, reference can be made to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 9200 shown in FIG9b , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The chip 9200 includes one or more processors 9201 , and the chip 9200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

In some embodiments, the chip 9200 further includes one or more interface circuits 9202. Optionally, the interface circuit 9202 is connected to the memory 9203. The interface circuit 9202 can be used to receive signals from the memory 9203 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 9203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 9202 can read instructions stored in the memory 9203 and send the instructions to the processor 9201.

In some embodiments, the interface circuit 9202 executes at least one of the communication steps such as sending and/or receiving in the above method (for example, step S2101, step S3101, but not limited thereto), and the processor 9201 executes at least one of the other steps.

In some embodiments, terms such as interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver may be used interchangeably.

In some embodiments, the chip 9200 further includes one or more memories 9203 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 9203 may be located outside the chip 9200.

The present disclosure also proposes a storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on the communication device 9100, causes the communication device 9100 to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a temporary storage medium.

The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 9100, enables the communication device 9100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

The present disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any one of the above methods.

Claims (43)

A communication method, characterized in that the method is performed by a first device, and the method includes: sending first information to the first network function; The first information is used by the first network function to determine that a mobile base station terminal MWAB-UE protocol data unit PDU session with wireless backhaul needs to be created for N3 backhaul. The method according to claim 1, wherein sending the first information to the first network function comprises: Sending an N2 message to the first network function; The N2 message includes the first information. The method according to claim 1 or 2 is characterized in that the N2 message includes the first information and PDU session creation request information. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: For N3 backhaul, a MWAB-UE PDU session needs to be created; The terminal accesses the network through MWAB. The method according to claim 4 is characterized in that the first information is used to indicate that the terminal accesses the network through MWAB, and the first information includes access parameters for the terminal to access the network, and the access parameters are used for the first network function to determine that the terminal accesses through MWAB. The method according to claim 5, wherein the access parameter includes at least one of the following: MWAB access indication information; MWAB-gNB cell identity ID. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving second information sent by the first network function; The second information is used to instruct the first device to trigger the creation of a MWAB-UE PDU session for N3 backhaul. The method according to claim 7, further comprising: If the second information is received, the MWAB-UE in the first device is triggered to create the MWAB-UE PDU session. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: Sending third information related to the MWAB-UE PDU session to the first network function; The third information includes at least one of the following: Core network CN tunnel information, where the CN tunnel information includes identity information of the second network function; MWAB-UE ID; MWAB-UE PDU session ID; MWAB-UE SMF identity information. The method according to claim 9 is characterized in that the MWAB-UE SMF identity information is used to determine the service user plane function UPF ID of the MWAB-UE. The method according to claim 1 is characterized in that the first device is a MWAB, and there is a first mapping relationship between the quality of service QoS flow of the terminal accessing the MWAB and the MWAB-UE QoS flow. A communication method, characterized in that the method is performed by a first network function, and the method includes: receiving first information sent by a first device; The first information is used by the first network function to determine whether to create a MWAB-UE PDU session for N3 backhaul. The method according to claim 12, wherein receiving the first information sent by the first device comprises: receiving an N2 message sent by the first device; The N2 message includes the first information. The method according to claim 12 or 13 is characterized in that the N2 message includes the first information and PDU session creation request information. The method according to claim 12, wherein the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: For N3 backhaul, a MWAB-UE PDU session needs to be created; The terminal accesses the network through MWAB. The method according to claim 12 is characterized in that the first information is used to indicate that the terminal accesses the network through the MWAB, and the first information includes access parameters for the terminal to access the network, and the access parameters are used for the first network function to determine that the terminal accesses the network through the MWAB. The method according to claim 16, wherein the access parameter includes at least one of the following: MWAB access instruction information; MWAB-gNB cell identity ID. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: Based on the first information, it is determined that the MWAB-UE PDU session needs to be created. The method according to claim 12 or 18, characterized in that the method further comprises: Determine whether there is an available MWAB-UE PDU session. The method according to claim 12 or 19, characterized in that the method further comprises: If the MWAB-UE PDU session does not exist, sending the second information to the first device; The second information is used to instruct the first device to trigger the creation of a MWAB-UE PDU session for N3 backhaul. The method according to claim 20, further comprising: receiving third information; The third information includes at least one of the following: Core network CN tunnel information, where the CN tunnel information includes identity information of the second network function; MWAB-UE identity ID; MWAB-UE PDU session ID; Identity information of MWAB-UE session management function SMF. The method according to claim 21, wherein receiving the third information comprises: If there is no available MWAB-UE PDU session, receive the third information sent by the first device. The method according to claim 21, further comprising: If the third information does not include the identity information of the CN tunnel information and/or MWAB-UE SMF, the core network CN tunnel information and/or the identity information of the MWAB-UE SMF is obtained from the third network function. The method according to claim 21 or 23 is characterized in that the identity information of the MWAB-UE SMF is used to determine the service user plane function UPF ID of the MWAB-UE. The method according to claim 21, further comprising: The third information is sent to the fourth network function. The method according to claim 12 or 25, characterized in that the method further comprises: A fourth network function is determined. The method according to claim 26, wherein determining the fourth network function comprises: Determine that the fourth network function is MWAB-UE service SMF. The method according to claim 27, wherein determining that the fourth network function is a MWAB-UE service SMF comprises: Determine that the fourth network function is the MWAB-UE service SMF indicated by the MWAB-UE SMF identifier contained in the fourth information. The method according to claim 26, further comprising: Determine that the fourth network function is an SMF different from the MWAB-UE service SMF. The method according to claim 29, wherein determining that the fourth network function is an SMF different from the MWAB-UE service SMF comprises: The fourth network function is determined to be an SMF different from the MWAB-UE service SMF based at least on the load balancing information. A communication method, characterized in that the method is performed by a fourth network function, and the method includes: determining a second network function based on the third information; The third information includes at least one of the following: Core network CN tunnel information, where the CN tunnel information includes identity information of the second network function; MWAB-UE ID; MWAB-UE PDU session ID; Identity information of MWAB-UE SMF. The method according to claim 31, further comprising: Receive the third information sent by the first network function. The method according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the fourth network function is a UE SMF; the second network function is a UE UPF; if the UE SMF and the MWAB-UE SMF are the same; determining the second network function based on the third information comprises one of the following: If the third information includes the CN tunnel information, determining that the UE UPF is a MWAB-UE UPF based on the CN tunnel information; If the third information does not include the CN tunnel information, it is determined that the MWAB-UE UPF included in the SMF context is the MWAB-UE UPF. The method according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the fourth network function is a UE SMF; the second network function is a UE UPF; if the UE SMF and the MWAB-UE SMF are different; determining the UE UPF based on the third information comprises one of the following: If the third information includes the CN tunnel information, determining that the UE UPF is a MWAB-UE UPF based on the CN tunnel information; If the third information does not include the CN tunnel information, it is determined that the MWAB-UE UPF obtained by requesting the MWAB-UE SMF indicated by the identity information of the MWAB-UE SMF is the MWAB-UE UPF. A communication method, characterized in that the method comprises: The first device sends first information to the first network function; receiving, by the first network function, first information sent by the first device; The first information is used by the first network function to determine that a mobile base station terminal MWAB-UE protocol data unit PDU session with wireless backhaul needs to be created for N3 backhaul. A first device, characterized in that the first device includes: The transceiver module is configured as follows: sending first information to the first network function; The first information is used by the first network function to determine that a mobile base station terminal MWAB-UE protocol data unit PDU session with wireless backhaul needs to be created for N3 backhaul. A first network function, characterized in that the first network function includes: The transceiver module is configured as follows: receiving first information sent by a first device; The first information is used by the first network function to determine the need to create a mobile base station terminal MWAB-UE protocol data unit PDU session with wireless backhaul for N3 backhaul. A fourth network device, characterized in that the fourth network device includes: The processing module is configured to: determining a second network function based on the third information; The third information includes at least one of the following: Core network CN tunnel information, where the CN tunnel information includes identity information of the second network function; MWAB-UE ID; MWAB-UE PDU session ID; Identity information of MWAB-UESMF. A communication system, characterized in that the communication system includes a first device, a first network function and a fourth network function; the first device is configured to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 11, the first network function is configured to implement the method of any one of claims 12 to 30, and the fourth network function is configured to implement the method of any one of claims 31 to 34. A first device, characterized in that the first device includes: one or more processors; The first device is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11. A first network function, characterized in that the first network function includes: one or more processors; The first network function is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 12 to 30. A fourth network function, characterized in that the fourth network function includes: one or more processors; The fourth network function is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 31 to 34. A storage medium, characterized in that the storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in any one of claims 1 to 11, 12 to 30, or claims 31 to 34.