WO2025208583A1 - Session processing method, communication device, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a session processing method, a communication device, and a storage medium. The session processing method comprises: receiving first information sent by a second network function, wherein the first information comprises a first address, the first address is at least used for identifying a third network function of a first session, the first session is a session of a first user equipment (UE), the first address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between a first network function and the third network function on the basis of a second session, the second session is a backhaul session of a second UE, and the second UE is integrated with a mobile access network function supporting wireless backhaul; and/or sending second information to the second network function, wherein the second information comprises a second address, the second address indicates the first network function for identifying the first session, and the second address is used for transmitting the user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function on the basis of the second session.

Description

Session processing method, communication device and storage medium Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a session processing method, a communication device, and a storage medium.

Background Art

A mobile access network with wireless backhaul functionality can serve as an access network for user equipment (UE) and provide access to the core network. This means it provides the UE with a New Radio (NR) access link, through which the UE can connect to the core network. In some cases, the UE is also referred to as a terminal.

This type of mobile access network can be deployed on a moving vehicle and provide services for UEs located inside or outside the moving vehicle.

Summary of the Invention

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a session processing method, a communication device, and a storage medium.

According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a session processing method is provided, wherein the method is performed by a first network function, where the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, and the method includes:

Receiving first information sent by a second network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to identify at least a third network function of a first session; the first session is a session of a first user equipment UE; the first address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session; the second session is a backhaul session of a second UE; the second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or,

Sending second information to the second network function; the second information includes a second address; the second address indicates the first network function used to identify the first session, wherein the second address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session.

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

Receiving first information sent by a fourth network function and sending the first information to the first network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to at least identify the third network function of the first session; the first session is a session of a first user equipment UE; the first address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session; the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; the second session is a backhaul session of a second UE; the second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or,

receiving second information sent by the first network function, and sending sixth information to the fourth network function; the sixth information is generated based on the second information and the sixth information includes a second address; the second address indicates the first network function used to identify the first session, wherein the second address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session.

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

Sending first information to a second network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to identify at least a third network function; the first address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session; the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; the second session is a backhaul session of a second UE; the second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or,

Receive sixth information sent by a second network function; the sixth information includes a second address; the second address indicates a first network function for identifying the first session, wherein the second address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session.

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

Sending first information to a fourth network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to at least identify a third network function; the first address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session based on the second session between the first network function and the third network function; the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; the second session is a backhaul session of a second UE; the second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or,

According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network function is provided, wherein the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, and the first network function includes:

a receiving module configured to receive first information sent by a second network function; the first information including a first address; the first address being used to identify at least a third network function of a first session; the first session being a session of a first user equipment UE; the first address being used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session; The second session is a backhaul session of the second UE; the second UE is configured in combination with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or,

A sending module is configured to send second information to the second network function; the second information includes a second address; the second address indicates the first network function used to identify the first session, wherein the second address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session.

According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second network function is provided, wherein the second network function includes:

A receiving module configured to receive first information sent by a fourth network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to at least identify a third network function; a sending module configured to send the first information to the first network function; the first address is used for transmitting user plane data of a first session between the first network function and the third network function based on a second session; the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; the second session is a backhaul BH session of the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or,

A receiving module is configured to receive second information sent by a first network function; the receiving module is configured to send sixth information to a fourth network function; the sixth information is generated based on the second information and the sixth information includes a second address; the second address indicates the first network function used to identify the first session, wherein the second address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session.

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

A sending module is configured to send first information to a second network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to identify at least a third network function; the first address is used for transmitting user plane data of a first session between the first network function and the third network function based on a second session; the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; the second session is a backhaul session of a second UE; the second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or,

A receiving module is configured to receive sixth information sent by a second network function; the sixth information includes a second address; the second address indicates a first network function for identifying the first session, wherein the second address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session.

According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a third network function is provided, wherein the third network function includes:

A sending module is configured to send first information to a fourth network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used at least to identify a third network function; the first address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session; the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; the second session is a backhaul session of a second UE; the second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or,

A receiving module is configured to receive tenth information sent by the fourth network function; the tenth information is used by the third network function to forward the user plane data of the first session.

According to the ninth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, wherein the communication device includes: one or more processors; wherein the processor is used to call instructions so that the communication device executes the session processing method provided by any technical manner of the aforementioned first to fourth aspects.

According to a tenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, which, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, enable the communication device to execute the session processing method provided by any of the first to fourth aspects.

According to an eleventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, wherein the communication system includes:

A first network function is configured to execute the method provided by any technical solution of the first aspect;

The second network function is configured to execute the method provided by any technical solution of the second aspect;

A fourth network function, configured to execute the method provided by any technical solution of the third aspect;

The third network function is configured to execute the method provided by any technical solution of the fourth aspect.

According to the twelfth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided, which includes a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed by a processor, the session processing method described in any technical solution of the first to fourth aspects is implemented.

According to the technical approach provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first UE accessing a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul can conduct its own first session with the help of a backhaul session of a second UE, thereby enabling the first UE to access the network based on the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul while implementing processes such as session establishment, modification and/or release, thereby better providing communication services for the first UE.

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

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG1A is a schematic diagram showing an architecture of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG1B is a schematic diagram showing a communication system with a mobile access network function having wireless backhaul according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG1C is a schematic diagram showing a session establishment or modification according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG2 is a flow chart showing a method for session processing according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG3 is a flow chart showing a method for session processing according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG4 is a flow chart showing a method for session processing according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG5 is a flow chart showing a method for session processing according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG6 is a flow chart showing a method for session processing according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG7A is a schematic flow chart showing a method for session processing according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG7B is a schematic diagram showing a protocol stack according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG8A is a schematic structural diagram of a first network function according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG8B is a schematic structural diagram of a second network function according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG8C is a schematic structural diagram of a fourth network function according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG8D is a schematic structural diagram of a third network function according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG9A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG9B is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a session processing method, a communication device, a communication system, and a storage medium.

A first aspect provides a session processing method, wherein the method is performed by a first network function, where the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, and the method includes:

Receiving first information sent by a second network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to identify at least a third network function of the first session; the first session is a session of a first user equipment UE; the first address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session; the second session is a backhaul session of the second UE; the second UE is combined with a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or,

Sending second information to the second network function; the second information includes a second address; the second address indicates the first network function used to identify the first session, wherein the second address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session.

In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first address is at least one of the following:

The first tunnel identifier is used to identify the General Packet Radio Service Technology Tunneling Protocol tunnel used for the first session of the third network function;

The network protocol IP address and/or port number of the third network function used for the first session.

In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending third information to the second network function; and receiving the first information sent by the second network function, including: receiving the first information sent by the second network function based on the third information.

Based on the above solution, the first session transmission can be implemented according to the tunnel.

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

A first request, where the first request comes from a first UE and is used to first request to establish or modify a first session;

Fourth information, the fourth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul;

Information about the second UE; the information about the second UE includes at least one item:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

Based on the above solution, the transmission of the fourth information allows the core network to determine whether the current session accesses the network based on the mobile access network function of the wireless backhaul, thereby performing corresponding operations for establishing and/or modifying the second session. Carrying the second UE information allows the core network to conduct the first session via the second session of the second UE, thereby simplifying implementation.

In some embodiments of the first aspect, the fourth information further includes at least one of the following:

User location information, used to indicate a location of a first network function accessed by the first UE;

Access type information, used to indicate the access type of the first UE;

The fifth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second address includes a second tunnel address; the second tunnel address is used to identify an access network tunnel of the first network function.

In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second information further includes at least one of the following:

Fourth information; The fourth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul;

Information about the second UE; the information about the second UE includes at least one item:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further comprises:

receiving a first data packet sent by a first UE; the first data packet including user plane data of a first session;

Re-encapsulating the user plane data of the first data packet to obtain a second data packet; relative to the first data packet, the second data packet is encapsulated with the first address;

A second data packet is sent to the third network function.

Based on the above solution, by re-encapsulating the data packets of the first session, the data packets of the first session can be transmitted based on the second session.

In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first data packet includes a first destination address and/or a first source address; the first destination address is a server address of the first session; and the first source address is an address of a first UE of the first session.

In some embodiments of the first aspect, re-encapsulating user plane data of the first data packet to obtain the second data packet includes one of the following:

Adding a first packet header to the outermost layer of the first data packet to obtain a second data packet; the first packet header includes a second destination address and/or a second source address; the second destination address is the first address; the second source address is a third address or the second address; the second address identifies the first network function; the third address includes an address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of a serving public mobile network identifier of the second UE, a universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and a fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session;

Replacing the first destination address of the first data packet with the first address to obtain a second data packet;

The first source address of the first data packet is replaced with the address of the second UE or the second address to obtain a second data packet.

In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further comprises:

receiving a third data packet sent by a third network function, wherein the third data packet includes user plane data of the first session;

Decapsulating the third data packet to obtain a fourth data packet; relative to the fourth data packet, the third data packet includes the first address;

A fourth data packet is sent to the first UE.

In some embodiments of the first aspect, the outermost layer of the third data packet has a second header; the second header includes a third source address and/or a third destination address; the third source address includes the first address; the third destination address is the second address or the third address; the third address includes an address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of a serving public mobile network identifier of the second UE, a universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and a fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session;

Decapsulating the third data packet to obtain a fourth data packet includes at least one of the following:

Removing the outermost second packet header of the third data packet to obtain a fourth data packet;

Replacing the third destination address of the third data packet with the address of the first UE to obtain a fourth data packet;

The third source address of the third data packet is replaced with the first address to obtain a fourth data packet.

A second aspect provides a session processing method, wherein the method is performed by a second network function, and the method includes:

Receiving first information sent by a fourth network function and sending the first information to the first network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to identify at least a third network function of a first session; the first session is a session of a first user equipment UE; the first address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on a second session; the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; the second session is a backhaul session of a second UE; the second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or,

Receive second information sent by the first network function, and send sixth information to the fourth network function; the sixth information is generated based on the second information and the sixth information includes a second address; the second address indicates the first network function used to identify the first session, wherein the second address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session.

In some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further comprises:

receiving third information sent by the first network function;

It is determined that the first UE accesses the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, and a fourth network function that supports the first session of accessing the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul is selected.

In some embodiments of the second aspect, determining that the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul includes at least one of the following:

determining, based on the third information, that the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul;

Determine, based on the second network function local information, that the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further comprises:

sending seventh information to the fourth network function,

receiving first information sent by the fourth network function based on the seventh information.

In some embodiments of the second aspect, the seventh information includes at least one of the following:

A first request, where the first request comes from a first UE and is used to first request to establish or modify a first session;

eighth information, where the eighth information includes part or all of the fourth information and/or the eighth information is generated by the second network function according to local information, and the eighth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul;

Information about the second UE; the information about the second UE includes at least one item:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

In some embodiments of the second aspect, the eighth information includes at least one of the following:

User location information, used to indicate the location of the first network function;

Access type information, used to indicate the access type of the first UE;

The ninth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments of the second aspect, the first address includes at least a first tunnel address; the first tunnel address is an address of a General Packet Radio Service Technology Tunnel Protocol tunnel of the third network function.

In some embodiments of the second aspect, the first address further includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address and/or port number of the third network function.

In some embodiments of the second aspect, the second address includes a second tunnel address; the second tunnel address is used to identify an access network tunnel with a mobile access network function of wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments of the second aspect, the sixth information further includes: the eighth information and/or information of the second UE; and the information of the second UE includes at least one of:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

A third aspect provides a session processing method, wherein the method is performed by a fourth network function, and the method includes:

Sending first information to the second network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to identify at least a third network function; the first address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session; the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; the second session is a backhaul session of the second UE; the second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or,

Receive sixth information sent by the second network function; the sixth information includes a second address; the second address indicates the first network function used to identify the first session, wherein the second address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session.

In some embodiments of the third aspect, the method further comprises:

receiving seventh information sent by the second network function;

According to the seventh information, a third network function that supports the first session of accessing the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul is selected.

In some embodiments of the third aspect, the method further comprises:

First information sent by a third network function is received.

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

A first request, where the first request comes from the first UE and is used to request to establish or modify a first session;

Eighth information, where the eighth information is used by the fourth network function to determine whether the first UE accesses the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul;

Information about the second UE; the information about the second UE includes at least one item:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

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

User location information, used to indicate the location of the first network function accessed by the first UE;

Access type information, used to indicate the access type of the first UE;

The ninth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments of the third aspect, the second address includes a second tunnel address; the second tunnel address is used to identify an access network tunnel with a mobile access network function of wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments of the third aspect, the sixth information further includes: the eighth information and/or information of the second UE; and the information of the second UE includes at least one of:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

In some embodiments of the third aspect, the method further comprises:

The tenth information is sent to the third network function; the tenth information is used by the third network function to forward the user plane data of the first session.

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

A first rule is configured for the third network function to decapsulate an uplink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session, so that the uplink data packet of the first session does not carry the first address and the third address, or so that the uplink data of the first session does not carry the first address and the second address;

A second rule is used for the third network function to encapsulate a downlink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session, so that the downlink data packet of the first session carries the first address and the third address, or so that the uplink data packet of the first session carries the first address and the second address;

The second address is the address of the first network function; the third address includes the address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of the service public mobile network identifier of the second UE, the universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and the fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session.

In some embodiments of the third aspect, the tenth information indicates at least one of the following:

The third network function causes an uplink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session to not carry the first address and the third address by adding or deleting a packet header or replacing an address, or causes the uplink data of the first session to not carry the first address and the second address; and/or

The third network function causes a downlink data packet of the first session transmitted over the second session to carry the first address and the third address by adding or deleting a packet header or replacing an address, or causes a downlink data packet of the first session transmitted over the second session to carry the first address and the second address;

The second address is the address of the first network function; the third address includes the address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of the service public mobile network identifier of the second UE, the universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and the fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session.

A fourth aspect provides a session processing method, wherein the method is performed by a third network function, and the method includes:

Sending first information to a fourth network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to at least identify the third network function; the first address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session based on the second session between the first network function and the third network function; the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; the second session is a backhaul session of the second UE; the second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or,

Receive tenth information sent by the fourth network function; the tenth information is used by the third network function to forward user plane data of the first session.

In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the tenth information is related to the sixth information, and the sixth information includes a second address; the second address indicates a first network function for identifying the first session, wherein the second address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session.

In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the tenth information is related to seventh information received by the fourth network function; wherein the seventh information includes at least one of the following:

A first request, where the first request comes from a first UE and is used to first request to establish or modify a first session;

Eighth information, the eighth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul;

Information about the second UE; the information about the second UE includes at least one item:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the eighth information further includes at least one of the following:

User location information, used to indicate the location of the first network function accessed by the first UE;

Access type information, used to indicate the access type of the first UE;

The ninth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the second address includes a second tunnel address; the second tunnel address is used to identify an access network tunnel with a mobile access network function of wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the ninth information further includes: information of the second UE; the information of the second UE includes at least one item:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the sixth information further includes: the eighth information and/or information of the second UE; and the information of the second UE includes at least one of:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the tenth information includes at least one of the following:

A first rule is configured for the third network function to decapsulate an uplink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session, so that the uplink data packet of the first session does not carry the first address and the third address, or so that the uplink data of the first session does not carry the first address and the second address;

A second rule is used for the third network function to encapsulate a downlink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session, so that the downlink data packet of the first session carries the first address and the third address, or so that the uplink data packet of the first session carries the first address and the second address;

The second address is the address of the first network function; the third address includes the address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of the service public mobile network identifier of the second UE, the universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and the fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session.

In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the tenth information indicates at least one of the following:

The third network function causes an uplink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session to not carry the first address and the third address by adding or deleting a packet header or replacing an address, or causes the uplink data of the first session to not carry the first address and the second address; and/or

The third network function causes a downlink data packet of the first session transmitted over the second session to carry the first address and the third address by adding or deleting a packet header or replacing an address, or causes a downlink data packet of the first session transmitted over the second session to carry the first address and the second address;

The second address is the address of the first network function; the third address includes the address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of the service public mobile network identifier of the second UE, the universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and the fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session.

In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the method comprises:

receiving a second data packet sent by the first network function;

Decapsulating the second data packet to obtain the first data packet; relative to the first data packet, the second data packet is encapsulated with the first address;

A first data packet is sent to a server of a first session.

In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the second data packet includes a second destination address and/or a second source address; the second destination address is the first address; the second source address is a third address or the second address; the third address includes an address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on a serving public mobile network identifier of the second UE, a universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and/or a fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session;

Decapsulating the second data packet to obtain the first data packet includes at least one of the following:

Removing the outermost first packet header of the second data packet; the first packet header includes the second destination address and/or the second source address;

Replacing the second destination address of the second data packet with the first destination address; the first destination address is the server address of the first session;

The second source address of the second data packet is replaced with the first source address; the first source address is the address of the first UE.

In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the method further comprises:

receiving a fourth data packet sent by the server of the first session;

encapsulating the fourth data packet to obtain a third data packet; relative to the fourth data packet, the third data packet includes the first address or the address of the first UE of the first session;

A third data packet is sent to the first network function.

In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, encapsulating the fourth data packet to obtain the third data packet includes at least one of the following:

Adding a second packet header to the outermost layer of the third data packet to obtain a fourth data packet; the second packet header includes a third source address and/or a third destination address;

The fourth destination address of the third data packet is replaced by the third destination address; the fourth destination address is the first address;

replacing the fourth source address of the fourth data packet with the third source address; the third source address is the address of the server of the first session;

The third destination address is the first address or the third address; the third address includes the address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of the service public mobile network identifier of the second UE, the universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and the fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session.

According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network function is provided, wherein the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, and the first network function includes:

A receiving module is configured to receive first information sent by a second network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to identify at least a third network function of the first session; the first session is a session of a first user equipment UE; the first address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session; the second session is a backhaul session of the second UE; the second UE is combined with a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or,

A sending module is configured to send second information to a second network function; the second information includes a second address; the second address indicates the first network function used to identify the first session, wherein the second address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session.

According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second network function is provided, wherein the second network function includes:

A receiving module configured to receive first information sent by a fourth network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to at least identify the third network function; a sending module configured to send the first information to the first network function; the first address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session; the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; the second session is a backhaul BH session of the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or,

A receiving module is configured to receive second information sent by the first network function; the receiving module is configured to send sixth information to the fourth network function; the sixth information is generated based on the second information and the sixth information includes a second address; the second address indicates the first network function for identifying the first session, wherein the second address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session.

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

A sending module is configured to send first information to the second network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to at least identify a third network function; the first address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session; the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; the second session is a backhaul session of the second UE; the second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or,

A receiving module is configured to receive sixth information sent by the second network function; the sixth information includes a second address; the second address indicates the first network function used to identify the first session, wherein the second address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session.

According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a third network function is provided, wherein the third network function includes:

A sending module is configured to send first information to a fourth network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to at least identify a third network function; the first address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session based on the second session between the first network function and the third network function; the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; the second session is a backhaul session of a second UE; the second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or,

The receiving module is configured to receive tenth information sent by the fourth network function; the tenth information is used by the third network function to forward the user plane data of the first session.

According to the ninth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, wherein the communication device includes: one or more processors; wherein the processor is used to call instructions to enable the communication device to execute the session processing method provided by any technical method of the aforementioned first to fourth aspects.

According to a tenth aspect of the embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, wherein the storage medium stores an instruction, and when the instruction is in communication When running on the device, the communication device is enabled to execute the session processing method provided by any one of the first to fourth aspects.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, wherein the communication system includes:

A first network function is configured to execute the method provided by any technical solution of the first aspect;

The second network function is configured to execute the method provided by any technical solution of the second aspect;

A fourth network function, configured to execute the method provided by any technical solution of the third aspect;

The third network function is configured to execute the method provided by any technical solution of the fourth aspect.

According to the twelfth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the session processing method described in the optional implementation of the first to fourth aspects.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer program, which, when running on a computer, enables the computer to execute the session processing method described in the optional implementation manners of the first to fourth aspects.

It is understandable that the above-mentioned terminals, network functions, communication systems, program products, and computer programs are all used to execute the methods provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

The embodiments of the present disclosure propose a session processing method, a communication device, a communication system and a storage medium. The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive, but 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, the method 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 of the 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", "the", "the", etc., can 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 can 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," "in one case A, in another case B," or "in one case A, in another case B" may include the following technical descriptions depending on the circumstances: 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 same applies 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 approaches, depending on the circumstances: 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, and C.

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 category of information" and the "second category of 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, "...", "determine...", "in the case of...", "at...", "when...", "if...", Terms such as "if..." 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, etc. can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as "device", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", and "subject" can be used interchangeably.

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

In some embodiments, the terms “access network device (AN device)”, “radio access network device (RAN device)”, “base station (BS)”, “radio base station”, “fixed station”, “node”, “access point”, “transmission point (TP)”, “reception point (RP)”, “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”, and “bandwidth part (BWP)” may be used interchangeably.

In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user 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. can be used interchangeably.

In some embodiments, the access network device, the core network device, or the network function can be replaced by a terminal. For example, the various embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a structure in which the access network device, the core network device, or the network function and the communication between the terminals are replaced by communication between multiple terminals (for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, it is also possible to set the structure in which the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can also be replaced by terms corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channels, downlink channels, etc. can be replaced by side channels, and uplinks, downlinks, etc. can be replaced by side links.

In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network function. In this case, the access network device, the core network device, or the network function may have a structure that has all or part of the functions of the terminal.

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 Figure 1A, communication system 100 includes terminal 101 and network function 102. Network function 102 may include access network equipment and/or core network equipment. In some cases, access network equipment may also be referred to as access network function. Core network equipment may also be referred to as core network function.

In some embodiments, the terminal 101 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 terminal is also referred to as user equipment (UE).

In some embodiments, the access network device may be, for example, a node or device that connects the terminal to the wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB) or a next generation evolved NodeB (next generation eNB) in a 5G communication system. The present invention relates to a wireless communication system comprising: 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 approach 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, the core network device may be a single device including a first network element, or may be multiple devices or a group of devices, each including a first network element. The 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), and 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 approach of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical approach 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 approach 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 part 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 may be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, the fourth generation mobile communication system (4G), the 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), and future generation radio access (FX). , Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA 2000, 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)) networks, Device to Device (D2D) systems, Machine to Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle to Everything (V2X), systems using configuration methods for other resources, and next-generation systems based on them. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE and NR).

Mobile access network equipment that supports Wireless Access Backhual (WAB) can provide 5G network access for UE, that is, it can provide a new radio access link to the UE, and the terminal can connect to the core network through the mobile access network equipment that supports WAB. Wireless access backhaul can also be referred to as wireless backhaul. WAB can also be called VMR (vehicle-mounted relays) because WAB can be deployed on mobile vehicles, such as cars, buses, airplanes, etc., to support more deployment scenarios. A mobile access network (MWAB) with wireless backhaul function can provide services for UEs located inside or outside a mobile vehicle. The mobile access network function with wireless backhaul function can also be called a mobile base station. For example, a mobile base station may include but is not limited to a UE that can be installed on a mobile vehicle, etc.

Figure 1B shows a schematic diagram of a MWAB communication system. For example, a UE accesses a backhaul gNB (BH-gNB, i.e., the serving gNB of the MWAB-UE) through a MWAB. The BH base station enables the UE to reside in the cell corresponding to the BH-gNB. The MWAB may have two parts: the MWAB access network function (MWAB-gNB) and the MWAB terminal function (MWAB-UE). For example, the MWAB-UE and the BH base station (BH-gNB) are connected via a Uu port. The BH-gNB may include, but is not limited to, a base station of a terrestrial network (TN) and/or a base station of a non-terrestrial network (NTN).

MWAB-based communications may have one or more of the following characteristics:

MWAB includes MWAB gNB and MWAB UE.

MWAB-gNB implements gNB functions based on TS 38.300[4] and TS 38.401[5].

N2 and/or N3 and OAM access of the MWAB-gNB is performed through the IP connection provided by the PDU session of the MWAB-UE.

There can be a standardized interface between MWAB-UE and MWAB-gNB, which is not restricted by the Standalone Wireless Group 2 (SA WG2).

The MWAB-UE is connected to an NG-RAN cell via a single hop (e.g., NR Uu connection). The NG-RAN cell can be either a terrestrial cell or a non-terrestrial cell.

MWAB can provide relay for UE. For example, MWAB can provide relay for UE in locations such as inside or outside a vehicle.

Uu (for example, NR Uu) is used for the radio link between the MWAB-gNB and the UE. The radio link between the MWAB-gNB and the UE does not use NTN technology.

The Location Service (LCS) framework defined in TS 23.273[6] is used to provide positioning services to the UE.

MWAB can connect to the NG-RAN of a public land mobile network (PLMN) or a stand-alone non-public network (SNPN).

The MWAB-gNB may broadcast a PLMN ID that may be different from the PLMN ID of the MWAB-UE connected to it. For example, the PLMN ID of the UE's serving PLMN is broadcast by the MWAB-gNB it is located in/connected to. This PLMN ID may be different from the PLMN ID serving the MWAB-UE.

When providing communication services via MWAB-gNB, the UE's N3 access can be transported via the IP connection provided by one or more PDU sessions of the MWAB-UE. Therefore, the N3 data exchange between the MWAB-gNB and the UE's serving UPF needs to be encapsulated using the user plane and transported via the IP connection provided by one or more PDU sessions of the MWAB-UE. Therefore, the MWAB needs to obtain the address information of the User Plane Function (UPF) serving the UE. The SMF and/or UPF needs to obtain the address of the MWAB (MWAB-gNB and/or MWAB-UE) to ensure the availability of the encapsulated data packets.

FIG1C shows a process for establishing or modifying a PDU session based on MWAB, which may specifically include:

1. Establishing or modifying a PDU Session for the UE results in the MWAB-gNB receiving a new Session Management (SM) context for the PDU Session from the Session Management Function (SMF). The SM context may include at least Quality of Service (QoS) flows and/or flow information for QoS flows.

2. For each QoS flow, the MWAB-gNB determines the required 5G QoS Indication (5QI)/Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) and other QoS parameters in the BH PDU session and TNL (Transport Network Layer). This information is used to send QoS rules related to the downlink (DL) service data flow (SDF) to the BH SMF. For the uplink (UL), QoS rules are also determined by the MWAB and classified in the uplink (UL) using the TNL information determined by the MWAB-gNB.

3.MWAB-UE modifies the BH PDU session according to the prompts.

4.The UPF of the BH PDU session can process the DL data flow from the UE UPF.

5.MWAB-UE supports modification of BH PDU sessions.

6.MWAB-gNB can complete the establishment of PDU session.

7.Data of UE PDU session can be sent and/or received correctly.

As shown in FIG2 , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a session processing method, which can be applied to the communication system shown in FIG1A . The method may include:

S2101: A first UE sends a first request to a first network function.

In some embodiments, the first network function includes a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul. Exemplarily, the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, the first network function may be a MWAB as shown in FIG. 1B .

In some embodiments, the first UE may be a UE accessing a first network function.

In some embodiments, the first UE may be a UE that accesses wireless backhaul based on the first network function.

In some embodiments, the first request is used to request the establishment or modification of a first session. The first session may include, but is not limited to, a PDU session. If the first request is used to request the establishment of the first session, the first request may trigger the network to initiate a PDU session establishment procedure. If the first request is used to modify the first session, the first request may trigger the network to initiate a PDU session modification procedure.

S2102: The first network function sends third information to the second network function.

In some embodiments, the first network function sends third information to the second network function based on the first request.

In some embodiments, the first network function actively sends the third information to the second network function, that is, without receiving the first request from the first UE, the first network function also sends the third information to the second network function. When the first network function can change, the first network function can actively send the third information to the second network function. Therefore, in this case, S2101 is an optional step.

In some embodiments, the second network function may be a core network function. Exemplarily, the second network function may be an AMF or a Mobile Management Entity (MME).

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

First request: The first request may be used by the first UE to request to establish or change a first session.

Fourth information, the fourth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul;

Information of the second UE. In short, the information of the second UE can be used to determine the user plane address used by the second UE when conducting the second session.

The information of the second UE may include but is not limited to at least one of the following:

an address of a second UE corresponding to the second session;

The identifier of the second UE.

In some embodiments, the address of the second UE may include but is not limited to an IP address of the second UE for conducting the second session or a tunnel address associated with the second UE.

In some embodiments, the identifier of the second UE may include a permanent identifier of the user of the second UE and/or a hidden identifier or a physical identifier of the user.

In some embodiments, the identification information of the second UE may include but is not limited to at least one of the following:

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

The second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul. For example, the second UE may also be referred to as a MWAB-UE. In some embodiments, the second UE and the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul may be different functional components of a mobile communication device.

In some embodiments, the second UE is a MWAB-UE, that is, a terminal function of a mobile access network with a wireless backhaul function.

In some embodiments, the fourth information may be arbitrarily used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul. For example, the fourth information may be an indicator, which may include one or more bits, and different bit values of the one or more bits may respectively indicate that the first UE accesses the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, or indicate that the first UE does not access the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, the fourth information may be used to indicate that the first UE accesses the network via a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul. In this case, whether the third information includes the fourth information indicates whether the first UE accesses the network via the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul. For example, if the third information includes the fourth information, it indicates that the first UE accesses the network via the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul. If the third information does not include the fourth information, it indicates that the first UE does not access the network via the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, the second session may be a session of a second UE. For example, the second UE may access a terrestrial base station or a non-terrestrial base station, and the base station accessed by the second UE may be a base station serving MWAB-UEs. The second UE's session may be a backhaul session, i.e., a session providing an IP connection using N2 or N3 access for the serving UE. Specifically, the backhaul session may be a backhaul PDU session.

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

User location information, used to indicate a location of a first network function accessed by the first UE;

Access type information, used to indicate the access type of the first UE;

The fifth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

For example, the user location information may include but is not limited to the tracking area identifier and/or cell identifier and/or base station identifier of the first network function. If the first network function corresponding to the user location information is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, it means that the first UE accesses the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul. If the first network function corresponding to the user location information is not a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul but a base station access network with backhaul (wired backhaul), it means that the first UE does not access the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul. Exemplarily, the user location information may be carried by a user location information (ULI) information unit (IE).

In some embodiments, the access type information may indicate an access type of the first UE, where the access type may be classified as access via a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul or access without a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul. Exemplarily, the access type information may be carried by a Radio Access Technology Information (RAT Information) IE.

In some embodiments, the fifth information may be carried by an IE different from the user location information and/or the access type information.

In some embodiments, the first network function may implement the interaction of the third information with the second network function through message transmission via an interface between the first network function and the second network function. In other embodiments, the first network function may send the third information to the second network function through a service call.

S2103: The second network function selects a fourth network function.

In some embodiments, the second network function selects a fourth network function that supports the first session of accessing the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, the second network function determines, based on the third information or local information of the second network function, that the first UE accesses the network via a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, and selects a fourth network function that supports MWAB access after performing session management processing. The local information may be based on information such as historical access records of the first UE, network planning configuration data, and local policy information.

In some embodiments, the fourth network function may also be a core network function. In some embodiments, the fourth network function may include but is not limited to a session management function.

In some embodiments, this step is an optional step. For example, with the development of technology, if all SMFs support MWAB access, the second network function may not need to specifically distinguish whether the SMF supports the first session of accessing the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, the second network function determines, based on the third information, that the first UE accesses the network via a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, and selects a fourth network function that supports MWAB access. That is, the fourth network function that supports the first UE accessing the network via a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul is selected.

S2104: The second network function sends seventh information to the fourth network function.

In some embodiments, the second network function sends seventh information to the selected fourth network function. Exemplarily, the second network function determines whether the first UE accesses the network via the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul based on the seventh information or local information of the fourth network function. When the first UE accesses the network via the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, the second network function selects a third network function that supports the first session accessing the network via the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, and sends tenth information to the selected third network function.

In some embodiments, the seventh information includes at least part of the third information, and/or the seventh information is generated by local information of the fourth network function. The local information may include historical access records for determining that the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, network planning configuration parameters, local policy information, etc. The historical access records here include but are not limited to historical access records of the first UE and/or the second UE. The network planning configuration parameters may include an indication of where the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul is configured, so that it can be determined based on the ULI whether the network device currently accessed by the first UE is a mobile access network with wireless outbound transmission. The local policy information may include but is not limited to rules and/or policies configured by the operator for the fourth network function.

In some embodiments, it is determined that the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, and the second network function sends the seventh information to the fourth network function.

In some embodiments, the fourth network function may also determine that the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, and the second network function sends the seventh information to the fourth network function.

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

A first request, where the first request comes from a first UE and is used to first request to establish or modify a first session;

Eighth information, the eighth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul;

Information about the second UE; the information about the second UE includes at least one item:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

In some embodiments, the eighth information includes part or all of the fourth information.

In some embodiments, the eighth information may be generated by the second network function, for example, based on the fourth information, network planning configuration parameters and/or local policy information.

In some embodiments, the eighth information includes at least a portion of the fourth information and/or information generated by the second network function.

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

User location information, used to indicate a location of a first network function accessed by the first UE;

Access type information, used to indicate the access type of the first UE;

The ninth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, the second network function may implement the interaction of the third information by message transmission via an interface between the second network function and the fourth network function. In other embodiments, the second network function may send the third information to the fourth network function via a service call.

S2105: The fourth network function selects the third network function.

In some embodiments, the fourth network function selects the third network function that supports the first session of accessing the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, if the fourth network function determines to accept the establishment or modification of the first session, the fourth network function selects a third network function that supports the first session accessed via the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul. Otherwise, a rejection message may be returned to the fourth network function. The rejection message indicates the rejection of the establishment and/or modification request for the first session. In this manner, the rejection message is transmitted to the first network function via a message or service call and ultimately to the first UE.

In some embodiments, in some embodiments, the third network function may also be a core network function. For example, the third network function may be a user plane function. For example, the third network function may include but is not limited to a UPF.

In some embodiments, this step is an optional step. For example, with the development of technology, if all UPFs support the first session, the fourth network function may not need to specifically distinguish whether the UPF supports the first session.

S2106: The fourth network function sends eleventh information to the third network function.

In some embodiments, the fourth network function sends the eleventh information to the selected third network function.

In some embodiments, the eleventh information is sent to the selected third network function. In some embodiments, the eleventh information is used to instruct the third network function to establish or modify an N4 session of the first session.

In some embodiments, the eleventh information may be used to indicate to the third network function whether the first UE is accessed through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, the fourth network function may send the eleventh information to the third network function based on the seventh information, or the fourth network function may send the eleventh information to the third network function without receiving the seventh information when the SMF proactively modifies the first session. For example, the description of the seventh information can be found in the embodiment corresponding to FIG2 .

In some embodiments, the fourth network function may implement the interaction of the third information by message transmission via an interface between the fourth network function and the third network function. In other embodiments, the fourth network function may send the eleventh information to the third network function via a service call.

S2107: The third network function sends the first information to the fourth network function.

In some embodiments, the first information includes a first address.

In some embodiments, the first address is used to at least identify a third network function. Exemplarily, the first address indicates the third network function that supports the first session.

In some embodiments, the first tunnel identifier is used to identify a General Packet Radio Service Technology Tunneling Protocol (GTP) tunnel used by the third network function for the first session.

For example, if the first session is conducted using a GTP tunnel, the first address may include a first tunnel identifier.

For another example, if the first session does not use a GTP tunnel, the user plane data packet interaction of the first session can be implemented based on IP routing. In this case, the first address may include but is not limited to the IP address and/or port number of the third network function.

Therefore, in some embodiments, the first address is at least one of the following:

The first tunnel identifier is used to identify the General Packet Radio Service Technology Tunneling Protocol GTP tunnel used for the first session of the third network function;

The network protocol IP address and/or port number of the third network function used for the first session.

In some embodiments, the first address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session; the second session is a backhaul BH session of a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

For example, the first network function and the third network function transmitting the user plane data of the first session based on the second session may include: the first network function and the third network function may use the session resources (such as the session channel) of the second session to transmit the user plane data of the first session.

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

S2109: The second network function sends the first information to the first network function.

In some embodiments, the first network function receives first information sent by the fourth network function through the second network function, and the fourth network function obtains first information related to the fourth information when accepting the first session establishment request initiated by the first UE.

In some embodiments, the first network function receives first information sent by the fourth network function through the second network function, and the fourth network function obtains first information related to the fourth information when accepting the first session modification request initiated by the first UE.

In some embodiments, the first network function receives first information sent by the fourth network function through the second network function, and the fourth network function obtains the first information when initiating the first session modification request.

In some embodiments, the first network function receives first information sent by the fourth network function through the second network function, and the fourth network function obtains first information related to the fourth information when initiating the first session modification request.

In some embodiments, the first network function receives first information sent by the fourth network function through the second network function, and the fourth network function obtains first information related to the fourth information when accepting the first session modification request triggered by the first network function.

In some embodiments, the first network function receives first information sent by the fourth network function through the second network function, and the fourth network function obtains the first information when accepting the first session modification request triggered by the second network function.

S2110: The first network function sends a first response to the first UE. The first response may at least indicate that the first request response is successful. In some embodiments, the first response may also include other information from the fourth network function. Exemplarily, this other information may be used to establish or modify resource information for the first session. Exemplarily, if the modification of the first session is initiated by the first network function, the first network function will not receive the first request and, therefore, does not need to send the first response to the first UE. That is, step S2110 is optional.

S2111: The first network function sends second information to the second network function.

In some embodiments, the second information may include at least a second address.

In some embodiments, the second address indicates a first network function for identifying the first session.

In some embodiments, the second address and the first address are both used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session.

In some embodiments, the second address comprises a second tunnel address.

In some embodiments, the second tunnel address is used to identify an access network tunnel having a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, the second address may include an IP address and/or a port number of the first network function.

In some embodiments, the second address may be an address of the first UE that is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, for example, an IP address, port number and/or tunnel address of the second UE.

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

Fourth information; The fourth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul;

Information about the second UE; the information about the second UE includes at least one item:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

Exemplarily, the second information may include: a second address and/or information about a second UE. In some embodiments, the second address may be used to identify the first network function. Exemplarily, the second address may be used to identify a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul within the first network function. In some embodiments, the second address may include a second tunnel address. Exemplarily, the second address may include a second tunnel address; the second tunnel address is used to identify an access network tunnel of the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

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

User location information, used to indicate a location of a first network function accessed by the first UE;

Access type information, used to indicate the access type of the first UE;

The fifth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

S2112: The second network function sends sixth information to the fourth network function.

In some embodiments, the sixth information is generated based on the second information and the sixth information includes the second address.

The second address indication is used to identify the first network function of the first session, wherein the second address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session.

In some embodiments, the sixth information may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

A first request, where the first request comes from a first UE and is used to first request to establish or modify a first session;

eighth information, where the eighth information includes part or all of the fourth information and/or the eighth information is generated by the second network function according to local information, and the eighth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul;

Information about the second UE; the information about the second UE includes at least one item:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

S2113: The fourth network function sends tenth information to the third network function.

In some embodiments, the fourth network function sends tenth information to the third network function based on the sixth information.

In some embodiments, the tenth information is used by the third network function to forward user plane data of the first session.

In some embodiments, the tenth information is related to the sixth information and/or the seventh information.

Exemplarily, the sixth information includes a second address, wherein the second address indicates a first network function for identifying the first session, wherein the second address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and a third network function based on the second session.

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

A first rule is configured for the third network function to decapsulate an uplink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session, so that the uplink data packet of the first session does not carry the first address and the third address, or so that the uplink data of the first session does not carry the first address and the second address;

A second rule is used for the third network function to encapsulate a downlink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session, so that the downlink data packet of the first session carries the first address and the third address, or so that the uplink data packet of the first session carries the first address and the second address;

The second address is the address of the first network function; the third address includes the address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of the service public mobile network identifier of the second UE, the universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and the fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session.

In some embodiments, the third address may be any user plane address determined according to information of the second UE.

In some embodiments, the tenth information indicates at least one of the following:

The third network function causes an uplink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session to not carry the first address and the third address by adding or deleting a packet header or replacing an address, or causes the uplink data of the first session to not carry the first address and the second address; and/or

The third network function causes a downlink data packet of the first session transmitted over the second session to carry the first address and the third address by adding or deleting a packet header or replacing an address, or causes a downlink data packet of the first session transmitted over the second session to carry the first address and the second address;

The second address is the address of the first network function; the third address includes the address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of the service public mobile network identifier of the second UE, the universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and the fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session.

In some embodiments, the tenth information may include at least one of the following:

A processing rule indicating that the address change in the uplink data packet and/or downlink data packet of the first session transmitted over the second session is achieved by adding or deleting a packet header or replacing an address;

Address information, the address contained in the added packet header or the address used for replacement.

In some embodiments, the fourth network function determines, based on the sixth information, that it needs to obtain the first information from the third network function and sends the first information to the first network function via the second network function, i.e., executing all or part of steps S21105-S21109. Then, based on the obtained first information and the sixth information, the fourth network function modifies the N4 session of the first session and sends the tenth information to the third network function to configure packet processing rules for the third network function. For example, when the first network function triggers access path switching, the first network function sends the second information to the second network function, which in turn sends the sixth information to the fourth network function. The fourth network function determines, based on the sixth information, that it needs to obtain the first information from the third network function and sends the first information to the first network function via the second network function. Then, based on the obtained first information and the sixth information, the fourth network function modifies the N4 session of the first session and sends the tenth information to the third network function to configure packet processing rules for the third network function. That is, in a specific implementation, the execution process for modifying the first session may not be exactly as shown in Figure 2. For example, if the first network function fails to receive the first request due to an access path switch, it may send the second information after the access path switch to the second network function. After receiving the second information, the second network function sends the sixth information to the fourth network function. The fourth network function then sends the tenth information to the third network function based on the sixth information. After receiving the tenth information, the third network function discovers that its first address corresponding to the first session also needs to be updated and may send the first information to the fourth network function. In this way, the third network function sends the first information to the fourth network function after the first network function sends the second information.

S2114: The first UE sends a first data packet to the first network function.

S2115: The first network function re-encapsulates the first data packet to obtain a second data packet.

In some embodiments, relative to the first data packet, the second data packet is encapsulated with the first address.

In some embodiments, S2115 may include but is not limited to: adding a header to the outermost layer of the first data packet, and/or replacing the address carried in the current header of the first data packet.

In some embodiments, a first packet header is added to the outermost layer of the first packet to obtain a second packet. The first packet header includes a second destination address and/or a second source address; the second destination address is the first address; and the second source address is the address of the second UE or the second address.

In some embodiments, the first destination address of the first data packet is replaced with the first address to obtain a second data packet; and/or, the first source address of the first data packet is replaced with the address of the second UE or the second address to obtain a second data packet.

S2116: The first network function sends a second data packet to the third network function.

S2117: The third network function restores the second data packet to obtain the first data packet.

In some embodiments, the third network function decapsulates the second data packet to obtain the first data packet.

Exemplarily, the second data packet includes a second destination address and/or a second source address; the second destination address is the first address; and the second source address is the address of the second UE of the second session or the second address.

Decapsulating the second data packet to obtain the first data packet includes at least one of the following:

Removing the outermost first packet header of the second data packet; the first packet header includes the second destination address and/or the second source address;

Replacing the second destination address of the second data packet with the first destination address; the first destination address is the server address of the first session;

The second source address of the second data packet is replaced with the first source address; the first source address is the address of the first UE of the first session.

S2118: The third network function sends a first data packet to the server of the first session.

S2119: The server of the first session sends a fourth data packet to the third network function.

S2120: Encapsulate the fourth data packet to obtain a third data packet.

In some embodiments, relative to the fourth data packet, the third data packet includes the first address or the address of the first UE of the first session.

In some embodiments, encapsulating the fourth data packet to obtain the third data packet includes at least one of the following:

Adding a second packet header to the outermost layer of the fourth data packet to obtain a third data packet; the second packet header includes a third source address and/or a third destination address;

Replacing the fourth destination address of the fourth data packet with the third destination address; the fourth destination address is the first address;

replacing the fourth source address of the fourth data packet with the third source address; the third source address is the address of the server of the first session;

The third destination address is the first address or the address of the first UE of the first session; the third source address includes the first address.

It is worth noting that the third network function processes the second data packet and/or the third data packet according to the tenth information.

S2121: The third network function sends a fourth data packet to the first network function.

S2122: The first network function restores the fourth data packet to obtain a third data packet.

In some embodiments, the first network function decapsulates the fourth data packet to obtain the third data packet.

In some embodiments, the outermost layer of the third data packet has a second packet header; the second packet header includes a third source address and/or a third destination address.

In some embodiments, the third source address includes the first address. Exemplarily, the third destination address is an address of the second UE or an address of the first network function. The second UE is a UE of the second session.

In some embodiments, decapsulating the third data packet to obtain the fourth data packet includes at least one of the following:

Removing the outermost second packet header of the third data packet to obtain a fourth data packet;

Replacing the third destination address of the third data packet with the address of the first UE to obtain a fourth data packet;

The third source address of the third data packet is replaced with the first address to obtain a fourth data packet.

S2203: The first network function sends a third data packet to the first UE.

It is worth noting that in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the information interaction between the first network function, the second network function, the third network function, and the fourth network function can be achieved through messages of the corresponding interfaces or by calling services, and the specific implementation is not limited to the above examples.

In some embodiments, S2101 to S2113 are steps for establishing and/or modifying a first session. After the first session is established and/or modified, the transmission of user-plane data may not be involved. In this case, S2114 to S2123 are optional steps. In some cases, the transmission of user-plane data at a given moment may include only uplink data or downlink data. In this case, S2114 to S2123 or S2119 to S2203 are optional steps. For example, S2101 to S2105 and S2114 to S2123 may constitute one embodiment. S2101 to S2105 and S2119 to S2123 may constitute another embodiment.

It is worth noting that any one of the above steps S2101 to S2123 may be implemented independently, or any two or more of them may be implemented in combination. For example, in some cases, the establishment process of the first session may be initiated by the first network function or the server of the first session, and the step of the first UE sending the first request may be omitted. For another example, the first session may also be initiated by the core network function, in which case the core network function may directly send the first information to the first network function.

As shown in Figure 3, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a session processing method, wherein the method is performed by a first network function. The first network function may include, but is not limited to, a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul. The session processing method may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

S3101: Receive the first request.

In some embodiments, a first request from a first UE is received.

In some embodiments, the first request is used to request to establish or modify a first session. For example, the current description of the first session can refer to the embodiment corresponding to FIG2 .

S3102: Send the third information.

In some embodiments, the first network function sends third information to the second network function. For example, the description of the third information can be found in S3102 of the embodiment corresponding to FIG2 .

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of S3102 can refer to any optional implementation of S2102 in the embodiment corresponding to FIG2 .

S3103: Receive the first information.

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

In some embodiments, the first information includes a first address.

In some embodiments, the first address is used to at least identify a third network function. Exemplarily, the first address indicates the third network function that supports the first session.

In some embodiments, the first tunnel identifier is used to identify a General Packet Radio Service Technology Tunneling Protocol (GPRS Tunneling Protocol, GTP) tunnel used for the first session of the third network function.

For example, if the first session is conducted using a GTP tunnel, the first address may include a first tunnel identifier.

For another example, if the first session does not use a GTP tunnel, the user plane data packet interaction of the first session can be implemented based on IP routing. In this case, the first address may include but is not limited to the IP address and/or port number of the third network function.

Therefore, in some embodiments, the first address is at least one of the following:

The first tunnel identifier is used to identify the General Packet Radio Service Technology Tunneling Protocol GTP tunnel used for the first session of the third network function;

The network protocol IP address and/or port number of the third network function used for the first session.

In some embodiments, the first address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session; the second session is a backhaul BH session of a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul or a backhaul session of a second UE.

For example, the first network function and the third network function transmitting the user plane data of the first session based on the second session may include: the first network function and the third network function may use the session resources (such as the session channel) of the second session to transmit the user plane data of the first session.

In some embodiments, the first network function may also directly receive the first information from the fourth network function. In short, the description of the first information can refer to the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2, and will not be repeated here.

S3104: Send the second information.

In some embodiments, the first network function sends the second information to the second network function or the fourth network function.

In some embodiments, the second information includes a second address.

In some embodiments, the second address indicates a first network function for identifying the first session.

In some embodiments, the second address and the first address are both used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session.

In some embodiments, the second address comprises a second tunnel address.

In some embodiments, the second tunnel address is used to identify an access network tunnel having a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, the second address may include an IP address and/or a port number of the first network function.

In some embodiments, the second address may be an address of the first UE that is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, for example, an IP address, port number and/or tunnel address of the second UE.

In some embodiments, the second information may include: an address of the first network function, an access network function address of the first session and/or an address of the second UE.

As shown in the embodiment corresponding to FIG2 , the second information may further include: information of the second UE and/or fourth information. In short, the description of the second information can refer to the embodiment corresponding to FIG2 , and will not be repeated here.

It is worth noting that the execution order of S3101 to S3104 may or may not be as shown in Figure 3. For example, when the access path of the first network function is switched, the first network function may actively send the second information to the second network function. In this case, S3101 may be omitted, and step S3104 may be executed before S3103.

S3105: Receive the first data packet.

In some embodiments, the first network function receives a first data packet sent by the first UE.

S3106: Re-encapsulate the first data packet to obtain a second data packet.

In some embodiments, optional implementations of S3106 may refer to any optional implementation of the first network function re-encapsulating the first data packet in the embodiment corresponding to FIG2 .

S3107: Send the second data packet.

S3108: Receive the third data packet.

S3109: Restore the third data packet to obtain a fourth data packet.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of S3109 can refer to any optional implementation of the first network function restoring the third data packet in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2.

S3120: Send the third data packet.

In some embodiments, the first network function sends a third data packet to the first UE.

In some embodiments, S3101 to S3105 are the process of establishing and/or modifying the first session. In the case of a session establishment and/or modification, after the session is established and/or modified, user plane data transmission may not be involved. In this case, S3105 to S3120 are optional. In some cases, user plane data transmission at a given moment may include only uplink data or downlink data transmission. In this case, S3105 to S3107 or S3108 to S3120 are optional. For example, S3101 to S3105 and S3105 to S3107 may constitute one embodiment. S3101 to S3105 and S3108 to S3120 may constitute another embodiment.

It is worth noting that any one of the above steps S3101 to S3105 can be implemented independently, or any two or more of them can be implemented in combination. For example, in some cases, the establishment process of the first session can be initiated by the first network function or the server of the first session, and the step of the first UE sending the first request can be omitted. For another example, the first session can also be initiated by the core network function. In this case, the core network function can directly send the first information to the first network function. For another example, if the mobile access network device with a wireless backhaul link accessed by the first UE changes, or if the network side selects a change in the third network function, the first session of the first UE may be changed. In this case, only the changed first address or the changed second address needs to be transmitted between the first network function and the fourth network function. In this case, if the third network function for the first session changes, the steps related to the transmission of the first address in S3101 to S3105 are necessary, while the steps related to the transmission of the second address are obviously optional. If the first network function for conducting the first session changes, then the steps related to the second address transmission in S3101 to S3105 are necessary, while the steps related to the first address transmission are obviously optional steps.

As shown in Figure 4, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a session processing method, wherein the method is performed by a second network function. The second network function may be a core network function. The core network function may be a control plane function. Exemplarily, the second network function may include but is not limited to an AMF and/or an MME. The method may include:

S4101: Receive the third information.

In some embodiments, the second network function receives the third information sent by the first network function. Exemplarily, the first network function may include but is not limited to a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

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

A first request, where the first request is used to request to establish or modify a first session;

Fourth information, the fourth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul;

Information of the second UE.

In some embodiments, the information of the second UE may be used by the network function to determine any information of the user plane address or user plane identity of the second UE.

The information of the second UE includes at least one item:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

The address of the second UE corresponding to the session of the second UE may be an address allocated to the second UE by the network side when establishing or changing the second session.

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

User location information, used to indicate a location of a first network function accessed by the first UE;

Access type information, used to indicate the access type of the first UE;

The fifth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

S4102: Select the fourth network function.

In some embodiments, the second network function selects a network function that supports the first session of accessing the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

S4103: Send the seventh message.

In some embodiments, the second network function sends seventh information to the selected fourth network function. The information content of the seventh information here can be found in the embodiment corresponding to FIG2 , and will not be repeated here.

S4104: Receive the first information.

In some embodiments, the second network function receives the first information from a fourth network function.

If the fourth network function and/or the third network function of the first session are changed due to the shutdown, activation, or replacement of the core network function (e.g., the fourth network function and/or the third network function), then the aforementioned S4101 to S4103 do not need to be performed, that is, S4101 to S4103 are optional. In this case, the fourth network function will actively send the second information to the second network function. In this way, the second network function will receive the first information sent by the third network function without having to send the third information to the fourth network function.

S4105: Receive the second information.

In some embodiments, the second network function receives the second information from the first network function.

S4106: Send the sixth message.

In some embodiments, the second network function sends the sixth information to the fourth network function.

For the first information, second information, third information, fourth information, sixth information and other related contents, please refer to the embodiment corresponding to FIG2 .

In some embodiments, if the first network function used by the first session does not change or the address of the first network function does not change during the change of the first session, in this case, S4105 and S4106 are optional steps, that is, the second network function will not receive the second information.

In some embodiments, the execution order of S4105 to S4106 may be as shown in FIG4 , or may be reversed. For example, the second network function may first receive the second message, then send the sixth message after receiving the second message, and then receive the first message. That is, S4105 and S4106 are executed first, followed by S4104.

In some embodiments, information transmission between the second network function and the first network function and the fourth network function respectively may use messages of corresponding interfaces and/or call corresponding services.

As shown in Figure 5, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a session processing method, wherein the method is performed by a fourth network function. The fourth network function may be a core network function. The core network function may be a control plane function. Exemplarily, the fourth network function may include but is not limited to a network function such as an SMF that performs session establishment, update, and/or release. The method may include:

S5101: Receive the seventh information.

In some embodiments, the fourth network function receives seventh information sent by the second network function.

In some embodiments, the seventh information is generated based on at least part of the third information and/or local information of the fourth network function; the local information is used to determine that the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

For example, the description of the seventh information can refer to the embodiment corresponding to FIG2 .

S5102: Select the third network function.

In some embodiments, a third network function is selected that supports the first session of accessing the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, after receiving the seventh information, the fourth network function selects the third network function according to the seventh information. Alternatively, when actively modifying the N4 session of the first session, the fourth network function may actively select the third network function without receiving the seventh information.

In some embodiments, the seventh information may instruct the first UE to access the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, and select a third network function that supports the first session of accessing the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, the seventh information indicates that the first UE has not accessed the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, and selects to support or not support the third network function of the first session of accessing the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

S5103: Send the eleventh message.

In some embodiments, the eleventh information is sent to the selected third network function. In some embodiments, the eleventh information is used to instruct the third network function to establish or modify the first session.

In some embodiments, the eleventh information may be used to indicate to the third network function whether the first UE is accessed through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, the fourth network function may send the eleventh information to the third network function based on the seventh information, or the fourth network function may send the eleventh information to the third network function without receiving the seventh information when the SMF actively modifies the first session.

S5104: Receive the first information.

In some embodiments, the first information is received from a third network function.

In some embodiments, the first information sent based on the eleventh information is received from the third network function, and may also be the first information actively reported when the first address of the third network function changes.

If the fourth network function automatically reselects the third network function for the first session based on a deployment change in the core network or a state change request from the third network function, steps S5101 to S5102 are optional. Alternatively, if the first address of the third network function changes, the fourth network function will receive the first information proactively sent by the third network function, so steps S5101 to S5103 are optional.

S5105: Send the first message.

In some embodiments, the first information is sent to a second network function.

If only the second address is updated during the first session update process, the aforementioned S5101 to S5105 are all optional steps.

S5106: Receive the sixth information.

In some embodiments, the sixth information is received from the second network function.

In some embodiments, the sixth information is generated based on the second information and the sixth information includes a second address.

In some embodiments, the second address indicates a first network function for identifying the first session.

In some embodiments, the second address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session.

S5107: Send the tenth message.

In some embodiments, the tenth information is sent to a third network function.

In some embodiments, the fourth network function sends tenth information to the third network function based on the sixth information.

For the relevant contents of the first information, the third information, the fourth information, the fifth information, the second information and the tenth information, please refer to the embodiment corresponding to FIG2 .

In some embodiments, if the first address and the second address of the first session are not updated, but the fourth network function reconfigures the tenth information, the fourth network function only needs to send the updated tenth information to the third network device, that is, the aforementioned S5101 to S5106 and the step of sending the sixth information and other related steps are optional steps.

In some embodiments, information transmission between the fourth network function and the second network function and the third network function respectively may use messages of corresponding interfaces and/or call corresponding services.

In short, the description of various information can be found in the embodiment corresponding to FIG2 , and will not be repeated here.

As shown in Figure 6, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a session processing method, wherein the method is performed by a third network function. The third network function may be a core network function. The core network function may be a user plane function. Exemplarily, the user plane function includes but is not limited to a UPF.

The method may include:

S6101: Receive the eleventh message.

In some embodiments, eleventh information sent by the fourth network function is received. Exemplarily, the eleventh information may indicate that the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

This step is an optional step. For example, the core network function proactively initiates a process of updating the first session, which may only involve updating the first address. Therefore, in this case, there is no need to receive the eleventh information from the first network function.

S6102: Send the first message.

In some embodiments, the first information is sent to a fourth network function.

It is worth noting that this step can be performed independently. For example, if the address of the first session of the third network function is updated, the third network function only needs to send the first information without triggering other network functions to send the first information.

S6103: Receive the tenth message.

In some embodiments, the tenth information is received from a fourth network function.

It is worth noting that this step can be performed independently or is optional. For example, if the second address of the first session is updated, the third network function will receive the tenth information. If only the first address of the first session is changed, S6103 does not need to be performed.

S6104: Receive the second data packet.

In some embodiments, a second data packet is received from the first network function.

S6105: Restore the second data packet to obtain the first data packet.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of S6105 can refer to any optional implementation of S2117 of the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2.

S6106: Send the first data packet.

In some embodiments, a first data packet is sent to a server for a first session.

S6107: Receive the third data packet.

In some embodiments, a third data packet sent by the server of the first session is received.

S6108: Encapsulate the third data packet to obtain a fourth data packet.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of S6108 can refer to any optional implementation of S2200 in the embodiment corresponding to FIG2 .

S6109: Send the fourth data packet.

In some embodiments, the third network function sends a fourth data packet to the first network function.

In some embodiments, information transmission between the third network function and the fourth network function and the first network function respectively may use messages of corresponding interfaces and/or call corresponding services.

The embodiment of the present disclosure provides a solution for session management supporting access to PDU sessions via MWAB, that is, supporting The IP connection provided by the MWAB-UE PDU session is used to establish, modify, and release PDU sessions and transmit user data.

The present disclosure provides a session management method for supporting access to a PDU session via MWAB, including one or more of the following combinations:

MWAB access can be used to establish, modify or release the UE's PDU session;

Provides data packet processing rules for PDU sessions of MWAB-UE based on IP connection;

User plane data transmission is performed based on the IP connection provided by the MWAB-UE PDU session.

In this embodiment, the MWAB-UE has completed authorization and has obtained configuration for the corresponding MWAB-gNB from the corresponding OAM server. The MWAB-gNB now has information about one or more AMFs to which it can connect. The BH PDU session used by the MWAB-gNB to access the Operation, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) server and the BH PDU session used by MWAB-gNB N2 to access the AMF can be the same or different, depending on the policy configured on the MWAB-UE. This policy includes, but is not limited to, URSP rules.

As shown in FIG7A , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a session processing method, which may include:

1. The MWAB-UE registers and is authorized. The MWAB-gNB is configured as a radio access network and can provide services to the UE.

2. The UE sends a PDU session establishment request to the MWAB-gNB.

3. In order to access the serving AMF, the BH PDU session establishment or modification process of the MWAB-UE may be triggered to implement the N2 message interaction involved in the N2 access and session management process.

4. The PDU session establishment request is sent to the serving AMF via the backhaul PDU session.

The N2 message that includes the NAS message also includes information indicating that the UE accesses the network via the MWAB-gNB. This information may include one or more of the following:

User location information, including the TAI/CI of the MWAB-gNB. The MWAB-gNB can be combined with the MWAB-UE. The location information of the MWAB-UE can be included in the additional User Location Information (ULI). Based on the user location information and/or the additional ULI, if the AMF has configured the TAI and/or CI associated with the MWAB-gNB, the AMF can determine that the UE accesses the network through the MWAB-gNB based on the TAI and/or CI of the MWAB-gNB. TAI is the tracking area identifier. CI is the cell identifier.

Access type information, which indicates that the UE accesses the network via the MWAB-gNB. For example, the access type information may be carried by the RAT information IE.

The MWAB Access Indication IE is set to "true", indicating that the NG-RAN node and/or UE access node is a MWAB-gNB.

Optionally, the address information may include the address information of the MWAB-UE of the BH-PDU session. For example, the address information may include: the IP address of the BH PDU session of the MWAB-UE, the identifier of the serving PLMN of the MWAB-UE, the general public subscription identifier GPSI of the MWAB-UE, and the fully qualified domain name FQDN of the BH PDU session of the MWAB-UE.

5. The AMF determines that the sender of the received N2 message is a MWAB-gNB. If the N2 message comes from a MWAB-gNB, the AMF selects an SMF that supports MWAB access. The AMF operations may include:

The AMF can determine whether the N2 message comes from the MWAB-gNB based on the message content or local information of the N2 message.

Local information may include: information of the connected NG-RAN, UE context, and any message before receiving the N2 message.

Local information of the connected NG-RAN node, if the indication of MWAB-gNB is recorded in the UE context.

For example, the MWAB Access Indication IE is set to "true" and included in the N2 message, indicating that the NG-RAN node acts as a MWAB-gNB;

The RAT Information IE indicates that the NG-RAN node is acting as a MWAB-gNB; or

User location information, indicating the NG-RAN node acting as MWAB-gNB.

6.AMF calls the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext service to send a PDU session establishment request to SMF.

The request may include an indication of establishing a PDU session for a UE accessing the network via MWAB. Adaptively, the MWAB access indication IE and/or the RAT information IE may be used to indicate that the UE corresponding to the PDU session accesses the network via MWAB.

If the AMF receives BH PDU session address information from the MWAB-UE, it can also be included in the PDU session establishment request.

7. Create a UE context for the PDU session on the SMF and record the MWAB access information and MWAB-UE address information.

8. Considering the support of MWAB, SMF chooses UPF.

9. Establish or modify an N4 session to establish a user plane connection within the 5GC. The SMF obtains the CN tunnel information of the PDU session of the UE accessing the network via MWAB by establishing or modifying the N4 session process, that is, the tunnel information of the PDU session of the UE accessing the network via MWAB on the UPF supporting MWAB access selected in step 8. The CN tunnel information may be a specific example of the aforementioned first information.

10. Send the CN tunnel information of MWAB access to SMF.

Core Network (CN) tunnel information is GTP tunnel information, which is used to transmit user data between MWAB-gNB and UE UPF through the backhaul session.

For the user plane path between MWAB-gNB and UE UPF, the UE UPF can be the N3 UPF or PSA UPF serving the UE.

11-12. The SMF sends a PDU Session Establishment Accept message to the UE via the AMF and MWAB-gNB, and sends an N2 PDU Session Request message containing CN tunnel information to the MWAB-gNB. Messages between the AMF and MWAB-gNB are sent via BH PDU sessions.

13.MWAB-gNB to UE: The Radio Access Network (RAN) or Access Network (AN) can send relevant information received from the SMF to the UE through AN-specific signaling.

14. The N2 PDU Session Response may be sent by the MWAB-gNB to the AMF. The response includes the AN tunnel information for MWAB access and/or the address information of the MWAB-UE for the BH PDU session.

The GTP-U tunnel is used for user data transmission between the BH PDU session between the MWAB-gNB and the UE UPF, and the AN tunnel information can be the GTP tunnel information on the MWAB-gNB.

15.AMF calls the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext service to send an N2 message to SMF.

If the AMF obtains the tunnel information and the address information of the MWAB-UE, the information sent to the SMF includes the AN tunnel information and the address information of the MWAB-UE.

16. The SMF initiates the N4 session modification procedure to the UPF. The SMF provides the UPF with AN tunnel information and/or forwarding rules for packets transmitted based on the BH PDU session. These forwarding rules may be configured on the N3 UPF or PSA UPF. For example, the forwarding rules may be one of the aforementioned tenth information.

The forwarding rules include but are not limited to at least one of the following:

Decapsulate the uplink data sent through the user plane connection of the backhaul session so that the data packet of the uplink data does not contain the address information of the MWAB-UE and the CN tunnel information of the UE PDU session.

The downlink data is encapsulated into a data packet so that the data packet of the downlink data contains the address information of the MWAB-UE and the CN tunnel information, and is used for MWAB access, that is, sending the downlink data through the user plane connection of the call back session.

The address information of the MWAB-UE and the MWAB-gNB may be the same or different.

In some embodiments, after the MWAB-gNB obtains the CN tunnel information in step 10, it may trigger BH PDU session modification or establishment to establish a user plane path to access the UE UPF.

In some embodiments, the address information of the MWAB-UE used in the configuration rule can directly use the address information of the MWAB-UE of the BH-PDU session obtained in step 6 or step 15, and the address therein can be used directly. If the address therein is not available, for example, across PLMN, the address information of the MWAB-UE of the available BH-PDU session can be obtained through the information included therein.

In some embodiments, the address information of MWAB-gNB may also be used when using the MWAB-UE address information as described above.

18a-18e. Uplink data is sent from the UE to an application server via N3 access of the MWAB-gNB and BH PDU session. For example, the application server, also referred to as a service server, may be in the data network (DN).

18b. Uplink data is encapsulated using the CN tunnel information of the UE PDU session accessed through MWAB (MWAB-gNB or MWAB-UE) as the destination address.

The original destination address can be encapsulated as the internal destination address of the data packet. If the corresponding mapping information is maintained in the SMF and configured on the UE UPF, the original destination address can also be mapped to the CN tunnel information of the UE PDU session.

The original source address can be encapsulated as the internal source address of the data packet, or it can be mapped with the address information of the return PDU session of the MWAB-UE or with the address information of the MWAB-gNB, provided that the corresponding mapping information is maintained in the SMF and the configuration information has been configured on the UE UPF.

The AN tunnel information of the service UE and the CN tunnel information of the PDU session can also be encapsulated in the received data packet so that the UE UPF can distinguish the data flow of the session described in the corresponding data packet when receiving the data packet.

18d.UE UPF decapsulates the uplink data encapsulated and transmitted via the backhaul session user plane according to the forwarding rules.

The original destination address and source address can be used for data forwarding. The UE UPF restores the original destination address and source address of the data packet according to the packet processing rules configured in step 16, or removes the outer packet header.

19a to 19e. Downlink data is sent from the application server to the UE via N3 access and MWAB-gNB over the BH PDU session.

Specifically, 19b.UE UPF encapsulates the downlink data according to the data packet forwarding rules configured in step 16. For example, the encapsulated data packet may include the address information of the MWAB-UE and the CN tunnel information of the MWAB.

Specifically, 19d. Downlink data decapsulation performed by MWAB (MWAB-gNB or MWAB-UE).

GTP-U tunnel is used between MWAB-gNB and UE UPF.

In a service-based architecture (SBA), information exchange between network functions can be This is achieved by calling a service, not by sending a request message and a response message. In a non-SBA architecture, information exchange is achieved by sending corresponding messages. For example, in SBA, the AMF sends the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext request, which corresponds to the AMF calling the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext service. Of course, other request messages sent can also be called to implement the corresponding service, and the response message corresponding to the request corresponds to the output after the execution of the corresponding service call. There is no specific limitation on the request and/or response. If the access network function is service-based, that is, in a service-based architecture (SBA), the access network function supports the AMF's SBI interface, the above mechanism can also be applied. The relevant message exchange between the MWAB-gNB and the AMF is achieved through service calls. Such access network functions include, but are not limited to, various types of access network functions such as the next generation radio access network (NG-RAN).

While supporting the session management of PDU sessions via MWAB access as described in this document, this document also supports the establishment, modification, and/or release of PDU sessions via MWAB access, and supports PDU session processing for MWAB-UEs based on IP connections. PDU session modification can be triggered by the UE, MWAB-gNB, AMF, or SMF. Similar to the above process, corresponding network operations are supported, including support for WMWAB-related operations and updates of corresponding information.

When the address information of the MWAB (MWAB-gNB and/or MWAB-UE) changes, the MWAB-gNB can trigger PDU session modification and update the mapping information and forwarding rules configured on the UE UPF and other related information.

When the UE switches or moves to a normal NG-RAN node, the handover process is performed and the PDU session serving the UE becomes a normal PDU session, without the need to perform the above MWAB-related operations.

When the UE switches or moves to another MWAB, a switching process is performed so that the UE's current service MWAB can continue to provide services related to the UE's PDU session MWAB. At this time, the modification of the PDU session can be triggered by the MWAB. The PDU session modification may include: the MWAB-gNB sends the updated AN tunnel information to the SMF, and the SMF determines whether it is necessary to trigger the update of the CN tunnel information. Exemplarily, the PDU session modification may further trigger the replacement of the UPF. If the CN tunnel information changes, the SMF returns the updated CN tunnel information to the MWAB through the AMF and the backhaul session, and the SMF reconfigures the corresponding UPF packet processing rules for the UE's PDU session.

When SMF triggers session modification, the session modification can be triggered by SMF. When the CN tunnel needs to be updated, SMF obtains and sends the updated CN tunnel information, and sends it to MWAB via AMF. If the AN tunnel information needs to be updated, MWAB-gNB sends the updated AN tunnel information to SMF, and SMF reconfigures the corresponding UPF data packet processing rules for the UE's PDU session.

Figure 7B is a schematic diagram of the protocol stack for the aforementioned PDU session. UE1 accesses the MWAB-gNB and transmits its own PDUs on the user plane based on the MWAB-UE's BH PDU session. For example, UE1's PDU layer may be PDU layer 1. The MWAB-UE's PDU layer may be PDU layer 2. The MWAB-UE's PDU session is called a BH PDU session, or simply a BH session. PHY stands for physical layer, MAC for media access control, RLC for radio link control, PDCP for packet data convergence protocol, and SDAP for service data adaptation protocol. If the MWAB-UE transmits its session using GTP, corresponding user plane GTP (GTP-U) tunnels are set up on both the MWAB-UE and the relay node. The application layer may have one or more applications installed that can generate or consume service data, which can be used as uplink and/or downlink data for the PDU session. Based on the protocol stack shown in FIG7B , the content from the PUD layer of UE1 can be transparently transmitted on the MWAB-UE PDU layer after being re-encapsulated.

The present disclosure provides a session management method supporting access to a PDU session via MWAB, including:

Establish, modify or release the PDU session of the UE accessed via MWAB;

Configure processing rules for user data transmission via the IP connection provided by the MWAB-UE PDU session;

User data transmission is processed through the IP connection provided by the MWAB-UE PDU session.

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.

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 also 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 function (e.g., an access network device or a core network device) 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 the memory stores instructions. 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, where the processor is, for example, A general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and a memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of a hardware circuit, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be implemented by designing the hardware circuit. The above-mentioned hardware circuit can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components within the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be implemented by a programmable logic device (PLD), taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, which can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring a configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be implemented in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the remaining part by the form of hardware circuits.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor may 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 may implement certain functions through the logical relationship of hardware circuits, and the logical relationship of the above hardware circuits is fixed or reconfigurable, for example, the processor is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). A hardware circuit implemented by an ASIC (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 an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

As shown in FIG8A , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first network function, wherein the first network function may be a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul. The first network function includes:

The receiving module 7101 is configured to receive first information sent by the second network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to identify at least a third network function of the first session; the first session is a session of the first user equipment UE; the first address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session; the second session is a backhaul session of the second UE; the second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or,

The sending module 7102 is configured to send second information to the second network function; the second information includes a second address; the second address indicates the first network function used to identify the first session, wherein the second address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session.

In some embodiments, the first network function further includes a processing module.

In some embodiments, the processing module may be used for the first network function to execute information processing-related steps in any session processing method.

In some embodiments, the sending module and/or the receiving module may correspond to a network interface and/or a transceiver antenna of the first network function.

In some embodiments, the sending module may be used for the first network function to execute steps related to information sending in any session processing method.

In some embodiments, the receiving module may be used for the first network function to execute steps related to information sending in any session processing method.

In some embodiments, the first address is at least one of the following:

The first tunnel identifier is used to identify the General Packet Radio Service Technology Tunneling Protocol tunnel for the first session of the third network function;

The network protocol IP address and/or port number of the third network function used for the first session.

In some embodiments, the sending module is configured to send third information to the second network function;

The receiving module is configured to receive first information sent by the second network function based on the third information.

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

A first request, where the first request comes from a first UE and is used to first request to establish or modify a first session;

Fourth information, the fourth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul;

Information about the second UE; the information about the second UE includes at least one item:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

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

User location information, used to indicate a location of a first network function accessed by the first UE;

Access type information, used to indicate the access type of the first UE;

The fifth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, the second address includes a second tunnel address; the second tunnel address is used to identify the access network tunnel of the first network function.

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

Fourth information; The fourth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul;

Information about the second UE; the information about the second UE includes at least one item:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

In some embodiments, the receiving module is configured to receive a first data packet sent by a first UE; the first data packet includes user plane data of a first session;

The processing module is configured to re-encapsulate the user plane data of the first data packet to obtain a second data packet; relative to the first data packet, the second data packet is encapsulated with the first address;

The sending module is configured to send a second data packet to the third network function.

In some embodiments, the first data packet includes a first destination address and/or a first source address; the first destination address is a server address of the first session; and the first source address is an address of a first UE of the first session.

In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to perform at least one of the following:

Adding a first packet header to the outermost layer of the first data packet to obtain a second data packet; the first packet header includes a second destination address and/or a second source address; the second destination address is the first address; the second source address is a third address or the second address; the second address identifies the first network function; the third address includes an address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of a serving public mobile network identifier of the second UE, a universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and a fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session;

Replacing the first destination address of the first data packet with the first address to obtain a second data packet;

The first source address of the first data packet is replaced with the address of the second UE or the second address to obtain a second data packet.

In some embodiments, the receiving module is configured to receive a third data packet sent by a third network function; the third data packet includes user plane data of the first session;

a processing module configured to decapsulate the third data packet to obtain a fourth data packet; relative to the fourth data packet, the third data packet includes the first address;

The sending module is configured to send a fourth data packet to the first UE.

In some embodiments, the outermost layer of the third data packet has a second header; the second header includes a third source address and/or a third destination address; the third source address includes the first address; the third destination address is the second address or the third address; the third address includes the address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of a serving public mobile network identifier of the second UE, a universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and a fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The processing module is configured to perform at least one of the following:

Removing the outermost second packet header of the third data packet to obtain a fourth data packet;

Replacing the third destination address of the third data packet with the address of the first UE to obtain a fourth data packet;

The third source address of the third data packet is replaced with the first address to obtain a fourth data packet.

As shown in FIG8B , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second network function, wherein the second network function includes:

The receiving module 7201 is configured to receive first information sent by the fourth network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to identify at least the third network function; the sending module 7202 is configured to send the first information to the first network function; the first address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session; the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; the second session is a backhaul BH session of the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or,

The receiving module 7201 is configured to receive the second information sent by the first network function; the receiving module 7202 is configured to send the sixth information to the fourth network function; the sixth information is generated based on the second information and the sixth information includes the second address; the second address indicates the second address for the fourth network function. Identifies a first network function of the first session, wherein the second address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and a third network function based on the second session.

In some embodiments, the second network function further includes a processing module.

In some embodiments, the processing module may be used for the second network function to execute information processing-related steps in any session processing method.

In some embodiments, the sending module and/or the receiving module may correspond to a network interface and/or a transceiver antenna of the second network function.

In some embodiments, the sending module may be used for the second network function to execute steps related to information sending in any session processing method.

In some embodiments, the receiving module may be used for the second network function to execute steps related to information sending in any session processing method.

In some embodiments, the receiving module is configured to receive third information sent by the first network function;

The processing module is configured to determine that the first UE accesses the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, and select a fourth network function that supports the first session of accessing the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to perform at least one of the following:

determining, based on the third information, that the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul;

Determine, based on the second network function local information, that the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, the sending module is configured to send the seventh information to the fourth network function, where the seventh information includes at least part of the third information, and/or the seventh information is generated by local information of the fourth network function; the local information is used to determine that the first UE accesses the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul;

A receiving module is configured to receive first information sent by the fourth network function based on the seventh information.

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

A first request, where the first request comes from a first UE and is used to first request to establish or modify a first session;

eighth information, where the eighth information includes part or all of the fourth information and/or the eighth information is generated by the second network function according to local information, and the eighth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul;

Information about the second UE; the information about the second UE includes at least one item:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

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

User location information, used to indicate the location of the first network function;

Access type information, used to indicate the access type of the first UE;

The ninth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, the first address includes at least a first tunnel address; the first tunnel address is an address of a General Packet Radio Service Technology Tunneling Protocol tunnel of the third network function.

In some embodiments, the first address further includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address and/or a port number of the third network function.

In some embodiments, the second address includes a second tunnel address; the second tunnel address is used to identify an access network tunnel having a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, the sixth information further includes: the eighth information and/or information of the second UE; the information of the second UE includes at least one of:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

As shown in FIG8C , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a fourth network function, wherein the fourth network function includes:

The sending module 7301 is configured to send first information to the second network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to identify at least a third network function; the first address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session; the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; the second session is a backhaul session of the second UE; the second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or,

The receiving module 7302 is configured to receive the sixth information sent by the second network function; the sixth information includes the second address; the second address The address indication is used to identify the first network function of the first session, wherein the second address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session.

In some embodiments, the fourth network function further includes a processing module.

In some embodiments, the processing module may be used for the fourth network function to execute information processing-related steps in any session processing method.

In some embodiments, the sending module and/or the receiving module may correspond to a network interface and/or a transceiver antenna of a fourth network function.

In some embodiments, the sending module may be used for the fourth network function to execute steps related to information sending in any session processing method.

In some embodiments, the receiving module may be used for the fourth network function to execute steps related to information sending in any session processing method.

In some embodiments, the receiving module is configured to receive seventh information sent by the second network function; and the processing module is configured to select a third network function that supports the first session based on the seventh information.

In some embodiments, the receiving module is configured to receive first information sent by a third network function.

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

A first request, where the first request comes from the first UE and is used to request to establish or modify a first session;

Eighth information, where the eighth information is used by the fourth network function to determine whether the first UE accesses the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul;

Information about the second UE; the information about the second UE includes at least one item:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

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

User location information, used to indicate a location of a first network function accessed by the first UE;

Access type information, used to indicate the access type of the first UE;

The ninth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, the second address includes a second tunnel address; the second tunnel address is used to identify an access network tunnel having a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, the sixth information further includes: the eighth information and/or information of the second UE; the information of the second UE includes at least one of:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

In some embodiments, the sending module is configured to send tenth information to the third network function; the tenth information is used by the third network function to forward the user plane data of the first session.

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

A first rule is configured for the third network function to decapsulate an uplink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session, so that the uplink data packet of the first session does not carry the first address and the third address, or so that the uplink data of the first session does not carry the first address and the second address;

A second rule is used for the third network function to encapsulate a downlink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session, so that the downlink data packet of the first session carries the first address and the third address, or so that the uplink data packet of the first session carries the first address and the second address;

The second address is the address of the first network function; the third address includes the address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of the service public mobile network identifier of the second UE, the universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and the fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session.

In some embodiments, the tenth information indicates at least one of the following:

The third network function causes an uplink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session to not carry the first address and the third address by adding or deleting a packet header or replacing an address, or causes the uplink data of the first session to not carry the first address and the second address; and/or

The third network function makes the download of the first session based on the second session transmission by adding or deleting the packet header or replacing the address. The downlink data packet carries the first address and the third address, or the downlink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session carries the first address and the second address;

The second address is the address of the first network function; the third address includes the address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of the service public mobile network identifier of the second UE, the universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and the fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session.

As shown in FIG8D , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a third network function, wherein the third network function includes:

The sending module 7401 is configured to send first information to the fourth network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to at least identify the third network function; the first address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session based on the second session between the first network function and the third network function; the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; the second session is a backhaul session of the second UE; the second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or,

The receiving module 7402 is configured to receive tenth information sent by the fourth network function; the tenth information is used by the third network function to forward the user plane data of the first session.

In some embodiments, the third network function further includes a processing module.

In some embodiments, the processing module may be used for the fourth network function to execute information processing-related steps in any session processing method.

In some embodiments, the sending module and/or the receiving module may correspond to a network interface and/or a transceiver antenna of a third network function.

In some embodiments, the sending module may be used for the third network function to execute steps related to information sending in any session processing method.

In some embodiments, the receiving module may be used for the third network function to execute steps related to information sending in any session processing method.

In some embodiments, the tenth information is related to the sixth information, and the sixth information includes a second address; the second address indicates a first network function for identifying the first session, wherein the second address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session.

In some embodiments, the tenth information is related to the seventh information.

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

A first request, where the first request comes from a first UE and is used to first request to establish or modify a first session;

Eighth information, the eighth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul;

Information about the second UE; the information about the second UE includes at least one item:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

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

User location information, used to indicate a location of a first network function accessed by the first UE;

Access type information, used to indicate the access type of the first UE;

The ninth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, the second address includes a second tunnel address; the second tunnel address is used to identify an access network tunnel having a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul.

In some embodiments, the ninth information further includes: information of the second UE; the information of the second UE includes at least one of:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

In some embodiments, the second information further includes: eighth information and/or information of the second UE; the information of the second UE includes at least one of:

The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify the second UE corresponding to the second session;

a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE;

A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The fully qualified domain name identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session.

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

The first rule is for the third network function to decapsulate the uplink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session, so that the first session The uplink data packet of the first session does not carry the first address and the third address, or the uplink data packet of the first session does not carry the first address and the second address;

A second rule is used for the third network function to encapsulate a downlink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session, so that the downlink data packet of the first session carries the first address and the third address, or so that the uplink data packet of the first session carries the first address and the second address;

The second address is the address of the first network function; the third address includes the address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of the service public mobile network identifier of the second UE, the universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and the fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session.

In some embodiments, the tenth information indicates at least one of the following:

The third network function causes an uplink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session to not carry the first address and the third address by adding or deleting a packet header or replacing an address, or causes the uplink data of the first session to not carry the first address and the second address; and/or

The third network function causes a downlink data packet of the first session transmitted over the second session to carry the first address and the third address by adding or deleting a packet header or replacing an address, or causes a downlink data packet of the first session transmitted over the second session to carry the first address and the second address;

The second address is the address of the first network function; the third address includes the address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of the service public mobile network identifier of the second UE, the universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and the fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session.

In some embodiments, the receiving module is configured to receive a second data packet sent by the first network function; the processing module is configured to decapsulate the second data packet to obtain a first data packet; relative to the first data packet, the second data packet is encapsulated with a first address; and the sending module is configured to send the first data packet to the server of the first session.

In some embodiments, the second data packet includes a second destination address and/or a second source address; the second destination address is the first address; the second source address is a third address or the second address; the third address includes an address of the second UE and/or an address determined according to a serving public mobile network identifier of the second UE, a universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and/or a fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session;

The processing module is configured to perform at least one of the following:

Removing the outermost first packet header of the second data packet; the first packet header includes the second destination address and/or the second source address;

Replacing the second destination address of the second data packet with the first destination address; the first destination address is the server address of the first session;

The second source address of the second data packet is replaced with the first source address; the first source address is the address of the first UE.

In some embodiments, the receiving module is configured to receive a fourth data packet sent by the server of the first session; the processing module is configured to encapsulate the fourth data packet to obtain a third data packet; relative to the fourth data packet, the third data packet includes the first address or the address of the first UE of the first session; and the sending module is configured to send the third data packet to the first network function.

In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to perform at least one of the following:

Adding a second packet header to the outermost layer of the third data packet to obtain a fourth data packet; the second packet header includes a third source address and/or a third destination address;

The fourth destination address of the third data packet is replaced by the third destination address; the fourth destination address is the first address;

replacing the fourth source address of the fourth data packet with the third source address; the third source address is the address of the server of the first session;

The third destination address is the first address or the third address; the third address includes the address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of the service public mobile network identifier of the second UE, the universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and the fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session.

An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a communication device, which may include: one or more processors; wherein the processor is used to call instructions to enable the communication device to execute a session processing method that can be implemented in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

9A and/or 9B , the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8102 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 8102 may be located outside the communication device 8100.

The communication device may be the aforementioned terminal and network function. In some embodiments, the network function may be a master node and/or an auxiliary node.

In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8103. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8103, the communication steps such as sending and receiving in the above method are performed by the transceiver 8103, and the other steps are performed by the processor 8101.

In some embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, and the receiver and the transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc. may be interchangeable, and transmitter, transmitter unit, etc. may be interchangeable. The terms such as element, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc. can be used interchangeably, and the terms such as receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc. can be used interchangeably.

Optionally, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more interface circuits 8104, which are connected to the memory 8102. The interface circuits 8104 can be used to receive signals from the memory 8102 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 8104 can read instructions stored in the memory 8102 and send the instructions to the processor 8101.

The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiments may be a network function or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 8100 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 function, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

9B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 8200 provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 8100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 8200 shown in FIG9B , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The chip 8200 includes one or more processors 8201, and the processor 8201 is used to call instructions to enable the chip 8200 to execute any of the above session processing methods.

In some embodiments, chip 8200 further includes one or more interface circuits 8202, which are connected to memory 8203. Interface circuit 8202 can be used to receive signals from memory 8203 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to memory 8203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 8202 can read instructions stored in memory 8203 and send the instructions to processor 8201. Optionally, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver are interchangeable.

In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more memories 8203 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 8203 may be outside the chip 8200.

The present disclosure also provides a storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on the communication device 8100, causes the communication device 8100 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 may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but may also be a transient storage medium.

The present disclosure further provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 8100, enables the communication device 8100 to perform any of the above session processing methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

The present disclosure also provides a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute any one of the above session processing methods.

Other embodiments of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present invention that follow the general principles of the present invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present invention being indicated by the following claims.

It should be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims (53)

A session processing method, wherein the method is performed by a first network function, the first network function being a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, the method comprising: Receiving first information sent by a second network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to identify at least a third network function of a first session; the first session is a session of a first user equipment UE; the first address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session; the second session is a backhaul session of a second UE; the second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or, Sending second information to the second network function; the second information includes a second address; the second address indicates the first network function used to identify the first session, wherein the second address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first address is at least one of the following: A first tunnel identifier; the first tunnel identifier is used to identify a General Packet Radio Service Technology Tunneling Protocol tunnel for the first session of the third network function; The network protocol IP address and/or port number of the third network function used for the first session. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the method further comprises: sending third information to the second network function; The receiving the first information sent by the second network function includes: receiving the first information sent by the second network function based on the third information. The method according to claim 3, wherein the third information includes at least one of the following: a first request, the first request coming from the first UE and being used for the first request to establish or change the first session; Fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; The information of the second UE; the information of the second UE includes at least one item: The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify that the second session corresponds to the second UE; a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE; A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session; The fully qualified domain name corresponding to the second session identifies the second UE. The method according to claim 4, wherein the fourth information further includes at least one of the following: User location information, used to indicate a location of a first network function accessed by the first UE; Access type information, used to indicate the access type of the first UE; The fifth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second address includes a second tunnel address; the second tunnel address is used to identify the access network tunnel of the first network function. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second information further includes at least one of the following: Fourth information; the fourth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; The information of the second UE; the information of the second UE includes at least one item: The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify that the second session corresponds to the second UE; a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE; A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session; The fully qualified domain name corresponding to the second session identifies the second UE. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the method further comprises: receiving a first data packet sent by the first UE, wherein the first data packet includes user plane data of the first session; re-encapsulating user plane data of the first data packet to obtain a second data packet; relative to the first data packet, the second data packet is encapsulated with the first address; A second data packet is sent to the third network function. The method according to claim 8, wherein the first data packet includes a first destination address and/or a first source address; the first destination address is a server address of the first session; and the first source address is an address of a first UE of the first session. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the re-encapsulating the user plane data of the first data packet to obtain the second data packet comprises one of the following: Add a first packet header to the outermost layer of the first packet to obtain the second packet; the first packet header includes the second destination address and/or a second source address; the second destination address is the first address; the second source address is a third address or the second address; the second address identifies the first network function; the third address includes an address of the second UE and/or an address determined according to at least one of a serving public mobile network identifier of the second UE, a universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and a fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session; Replacing the first destination address of the first data packet with the first address to obtain the second data packet; The first source address of the first data packet is replaced with the address of the second UE or the second address to obtain the second data packet. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the method further comprises: receiving a third data packet sent by a third network function; the third data packet including user plane data of the first session; Decapsulating the third data packet to obtain a fourth data packet; relative to the fourth data packet, the third data packet includes the first address; A fourth data packet is sent to the first UE. The method according to claim 11, wherein the outermost layer of the third data packet has a second packet header; the second packet header includes a third source address and/or a third destination address; the third source address includes the first address; the third destination address is the second address or the third address; the third address includes the address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of a serving public mobile network identifier of the second UE, a universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and a fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session; The decapsulating the third data packet to obtain the fourth data packet includes at least one of the following: Removing the outermost second packet header of the third data packet to obtain the fourth data packet; Replacing the third destination address of the third data packet with the address of the first UE to obtain a fourth data packet; The third source address of the third data packet is replaced with the first address to obtain the fourth data packet. A session processing method, wherein the method is performed by a second network function, the method comprising: Receiving first information sent by a fourth network function and sending the first information to the first network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to at least identify the third network function of the first session; the first session is a session of a first user equipment UE; the first address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session; the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; the second session is a backhaul session of a second UE; the second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or, receiving second information sent by the first network function, and sending sixth information to the fourth network function; the sixth information is generated based on the second information and the sixth information includes a second address; the second address indicates the first network function used to identify the first session, wherein the second address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session. The method according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises: receiving third information sent by the first network function; Determine that the first UE accesses the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, and select a fourth network function that supports the first session of accessing the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul. The method according to claim 14, wherein determining that the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul comprises at least one of the following: determining, based on the third information, that the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; Determine, based on the second network function local information, that the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the method further comprises: sending the seventh information to the fourth network function, where the seventh information includes at least part of the third information and/or the seventh information is generated by local information of the fourth network function; where the local information is used to determine that the first UE accesses the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; receiving first information sent by the fourth network function based on the seventh information. The method according to claim 16, wherein the seventh information includes at least one of the following: a first request, the first request coming from the first UE and being used for the first request to establish or change the first session; eighth information, where the eighth information includes part or all of the fourth information and/or the eighth information is generated by the second network function according to local information, and the eighth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; The information of the second UE; the information of the second UE includes at least one item: The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify that the second session corresponds to the second UE; a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE; A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session; The fully qualified domain name corresponding to the second session identifies the second UE. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the eighth information includes at least one of the following: User location information, used to indicate the location of the first network function; Access type information, used to indicate the access type of the first UE; The ninth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the first address includes at least a first tunnel address; the first tunnel address is an address of a General Packet Radio Service Technology Tunnel Protocol tunnel of the third network function. The method according to claim 19, wherein the first address further includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address and/or a port number of the third network function. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein the second address includes a second tunnel address; the second tunnel address is used to identify the access network tunnel with the mobile access network function of wireless backhaul. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 21, wherein the sixth information further includes: the eighth information and/or information of the second UE; and the information of the second UE includes at least one of: The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify that the second session corresponds to the second UE; a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE; A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session; The fully qualified domain name corresponding to the second session identifies the second UE. A session processing method, wherein the method is performed by a fourth network function, the method comprising: Sending first information to a second network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to identify at least a third network function; the first address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session; the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; the second session is a backhaul session of a second UE; the second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or, Receive sixth information sent by a second network function; the sixth information includes a second address; the second address indicates a first network function for identifying the first session, wherein the second address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session. The method according to claim 23, wherein the method further comprises: receiving seventh information sent by the second network function; According to the seventh information, a third network function supporting the first session of accessing the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul is selected. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 24, wherein the method further comprises: Receive the first information sent by the third network function. The method according to claim 24, wherein the seventh information includes at least one of the following: a first request, where the first request comes from the first UE and is used to request to establish or modify the first session; eighth information, where the eighth information is used by the fourth network function to determine whether the first UE accesses the network through the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; The information of the second UE; the information of the second UE includes at least one item: The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify that the second session corresponds to the second UE; a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE; A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session; The fully qualified domain name corresponding to the second session identifies the second UE. The method according to claim 26, wherein the eighth information further includes at least one of the following: User location information, used to indicate a location of a first network function accessed by the first UE; Access type information, used to indicate the access type of the first UE; The ninth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 27, wherein the second address includes a second tunnel address; the second tunnel address is used to identify the access network tunnel with the mobile access network function of wireless backhaul. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 28, wherein the sixth information further includes: the eighth information and/or information of the second UE; and the information of the second UE includes at least one item: The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify that the second session corresponds to the second UE; a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE; A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session; The fully qualified domain name corresponding to the second session identifies the second UE. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 29, further comprising: Send tenth information to the third network function; the tenth information is used by the third network function to forward the user plane data of the first session. The method according to claim 30, wherein the tenth information includes at least one of the following: A first rule is configured for decapsulating, by the third network function, uplink data packets of the first session transmitted based on the second session, so that the uplink data packets of the first session do not carry the first address and the third address, or so that the uplink data packets of the first session do not carry the first address and the second address; A second rule is configured for the third network function to encapsulate a downlink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session, so that the downlink data packet of the first session carries the first address and the third address, or so that the uplink data packet of the first session carries the first address and the second address; The second address is the address of the first network function; the third address includes the address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of the serving public mobile network identifier of the second UE, the universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and the fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session. The method according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the tenth information indicates at least one of the following: The third network function causes the uplink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session to not carry the first address and the third address by adding or deleting a packet header or replacing an address, or causes the uplink data of the first session to not carry the first address and the second address; and/or The third network function causes a downlink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session to carry the first address and the third address by adding or deleting a packet header or replacing an address, or causes a downlink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session to carry the first address and the second address; The second address is the address of the first network function; the third address includes the address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of the serving public mobile network identifier of the second UE, the universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and the fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session. A session processing method, wherein the method is performed by a third network function, the method comprising: Sending first information to a fourth network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to at least identify a third network function; the first address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session based on the second session between the first network function and the third network function; the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; the second session is a backhaul session of a second UE; the second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or, Receive tenth information sent by the fourth network function; the tenth information is used by the third network function to forward the user plane data of the first session. The method according to claim 33, wherein the tenth information is related to the sixth information, and the sixth information includes a second address; the second address indicates a first network function for identifying the first session, wherein the second address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 34, wherein the tenth information is related to the seventh information received by the fourth network function; wherein the seventh information includes at least one of the following: a first request, the first request coming from the first UE and being used for the first request to establish or change the first session; Eighth information, the eighth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; The information of the second UE; the information of the second UE includes at least one item: The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify that the second session corresponds to the second UE; a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE; A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session; The fully qualified domain name corresponding to the second session identifies the second UE. The method according to claim 35, wherein the eighth information further includes at least one of the following: User location information, used to indicate a location of a first network function accessed by the first UE; Access type information, used to indicate the access type of the first UE; The ninth information is used to indicate whether the first UE accesses the network through a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 36, wherein the second address includes a second tunnel address; the second tunnel address is used to identify the access network tunnel with the mobile access network function of wireless backhaul. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 37, wherein the ninth information further includes: information of the second UE; and the information of the second UE includes at least one item: The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify that the second session corresponds to the second UE; a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE; A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session; The fully qualified domain name corresponding to the second session identifies the second UE. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 38, wherein the sixth information further includes: the eighth information and/or information of the second UE; and the information of the second UE includes at least one of: The address of the second UE; the address of the second UE is used to identify that the second session corresponds to the second UE; a serving public land mobile network identifier of the second UE; A universal public subscription identity identifying the second UE corresponding to the second session; The fully qualified domain name corresponding to the second session identifies the second UE. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 39, wherein the tenth information includes at least one of the following: A first rule is configured for decapsulating, by the third network function, uplink data packets of the first session transmitted based on the second session, so that the uplink data packets of the first session do not carry the first address and the third address, or so that the uplink data packets of the first session do not carry the first address and the second address; A second rule is configured for the third network function to encapsulate a downlink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session, so that the downlink data packet of the first session carries the first address and the third address, or so that the uplink data packet of the first session carries the first address and the second address; The second address is the address of the first network function; the third address includes the address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of the serving public mobile network identifier of the second UE, the universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and the fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session. The method according to claim 40, wherein the tenth information indicates at least one of the following: The third network function causes the uplink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session to not carry the first address and the third address by adding or deleting a packet header or replacing an address, or causes the uplink data of the first session to not carry the first address and the second address; and/or The third network function causes a downlink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session to carry the first address and the third address by adding or deleting a packet header or replacing an address, or causes a downlink data packet of the first session transmitted based on the second session to carry the first address and the second address; The second address is the address of the first network function; the third address includes the address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of the serving public mobile network identifier of the second UE, the universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and the fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 41, wherein the method comprises: receiving a second data packet sent by the first network function; Decapsulating the second data packet to obtain a first data packet; relative to the first data packet, the second data packet is encapsulated with the first address; The first data packet is sent to the server of the first session. The method according to claim 42, wherein the second data packet includes a second destination address and/or a second source address; the second destination address is the first address; the second source address is the third address or the second address; the third address includes the address of the second UE and/or an address determined according to the serving public mobile network identifier of the second UE, the universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and/or the fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session; Decapsulating the second data packet to obtain the first data packet includes at least one of the following: Removing the outermost first packet header of the second data packet; the first packet header includes the second destination address and/or the second source address; Replacing the second destination address of the second data packet with the first destination address; the first destination address is the server address of the first session; The second source address of the second data packet is replaced with the first source address; the first source address is the address of the first UE. The method according to any one of claims 42 to 43, wherein the method further comprises: receiving a fourth data packet sent by the server of the first session; encapsulating the fourth data packet to obtain a third data packet; relative to the fourth data packet, the third data packet includes the first address or the address of the first UE of the first session; Send the third data packet to the first network function. The method according to claim 44, wherein encapsulating the fourth data packet to obtain the third data packet comprises at least one of the following: Adding a second packet header to the outermost layer of the third packet to obtain the fourth packet; the second packet header includes a third source address and/or a third destination address; Replacing the fourth destination address of the third data packet with the third destination address; the fourth destination address is the first address; replacing the fourth source address of the fourth data packet with the third source address; the third source address is the address of the server of the first session; The third destination address is the first address or the third address; the third address includes the address of the second UE and/or an address determined based on at least one of the service public mobile network identifier of the second UE, the universal public subscription identifier of the second UE corresponding to the second session, and the fully qualified domain name of the second UE corresponding to the second session. A first network function, wherein the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul, and the first network function includes: A receiving module configured to receive first information sent by a second network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to identify at least a third network function of a first session; the first session is a session of a first user equipment UE; the first address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session; the second session is a backhaul session of a second UE; the second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or, A sending module is configured to send second information to the second network function; the second information includes a second address; the second address indicates the first network function used to identify the first session, wherein the second address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session. A second network function, wherein the second network function includes: A receiving module configured to receive first information sent by a fourth network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to at least identify a third network function; a sending module configured to send the first information to the first network function; the first address is used for transmitting user plane data of a first session between the first network function and the third network function based on a second session; the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; the second session is a backhaul BH session of the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or, A receiving module is configured to receive second information sent by a first network function; the receiving module is configured to send sixth information to a fourth network function; the sixth information is generated based on the second information and the sixth information includes a second address; the second address indicates the first network function used to identify the first session, wherein the second address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session. A fourth network function, wherein the fourth network function includes: A sending module is configured to send first information to a second network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used to identify at least a third network function; the first address is used for transmitting user plane data of a first session between the first network function and the third network function based on a second session; the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; the second session is a backhaul session of a second UE; the second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or, A receiving module is configured to receive sixth information sent by a second network function; the sixth information includes a second address; the second address indicates a first network function for identifying the first session, wherein the second address is used for transmitting user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session. A third network function, wherein the third network function includes: A sending module is configured to send first information to a fourth network function; the first information includes a first address; the first address is used at least to identify a third network function; the first address is used to transmit user plane data of the first session between the first network function and the third network function based on the second session; the first network function is a mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; the second session is a backhaul session of a second UE; the second UE is combined with the mobile access network function with wireless backhaul; and/or, A receiving module is configured to receive tenth information sent by the fourth network function; the tenth information is used by the third network function to forward the user plane data of the first session. A communication device, wherein the communication device comprises: one or more processors; The processor is configured to call instructions to enable the communication device to execute the session processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, 13 to 22, 23 to 32, and 33 to 45. A storage medium, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, The communication device executes the session processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, 13 to 22, 23 to 32, and 33 to 45. A communication system, wherein the communication system comprises: a first network function, configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12; a second network function, configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 13 to 22; a fourth network function, configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 23 to 32; The third network function is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 33 to 45. A computer program product, comprising a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implements the session processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, 13 to 22, 23 to 32, and 33 to 45.