CN116419334A - A network element selection method and device, and network equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The application discloses a network element selection method and device and network equipment, wherein the method comprises the following steps: the first core network element determines whether to restrict the establishment of the dual connectivity and/or select a second core network element supporting dual connectivity based on at least one information, wherein the at least one information comprises at least one of: the first information is user subscription information; the second information is local strategy of the first core network element; the third information is used for indicating the dual-connection supporting capability of the second core network element; fourth information indicating whether a second core network element supporting dual connectivity is selected.

Description

A network element selection method and device, and network equipment

technical field

The present application relates to the technical field of wireless communication, and in particular to a network element selection method and device, and network equipment.

Background technique

In a dual-connection network, the access mobility management function network element (Core Access and MobilityManagement Function, AMF) requests the network storage function network element (Network RepositoryFunction, NRF) to discover the session management function network element (Session Management Function) according to the original mechanism. Function, SMF), NRF returns the SMF that satisfies the discovery condition. However, it is not clear whether the SMF selected in this way supports the dual connectivity capability, which will cause the failure of core network functions under the dual connectivity networking.

Contents of the invention

In order to solve the above technical problems, embodiments of the present invention provide a network element selection method and device, network equipment, chips, and computer-readable storage media.

The network element selection method provided in the embodiment of this application includes:

The first core network element determines whether to restrict the establishment of dual connectivity and/or selects a second core network element that supports dual connectivity capabilities based on at least one type of information, wherein the at least one type of information includes at least one of the following:

first information, the first information is user subscription information;

second information, where the second information is a local policy of a network element of the first core network;

The third information, the third information is used to indicate the dual connectivity support capability of the second core network element;

Fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate whether to select a second core network element supporting dual connectivity.

The network element selection method provided in the embodiment of this application includes:

The NRF receives the dual connectivity capability identifier sent by the network element of the second core network, where the dual connectivity capability identifier is used to indicate whether the network element of the second core network supports the dual connectivity capability.

The network element selection device provided in the embodiment of the present application is applied to a network element of the first core network, and the device includes:

A processing unit, configured to determine whether to restrict establishment of dual connectivity and/or select a second core network element supporting dual connectivity capabilities based on at least one type of information, wherein the at least one type of information includes at least one of the following:

first information, the first information is user subscription information;

second information, where the second information is a local policy of a network element of the first core network;

The third information, the third information is used to indicate the dual connectivity support capability of the second core network element;

Fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate whether to select a second core network element supporting dual connectivity.

The network element selection device provided in the embodiment of the present application is applied to NRF, and the device includes:

The communication unit is configured to receive a dual connectivity capability identifier sent by a network element of the second core network, where the dual connectivity capability identifier is used to indicate whether the network element of the second core network supports the dual connectivity capability.

The network device provided in the embodiment of the present application includes: a processor and a memory, the memory is used to store a computer program, the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory, and execute any one of the above network element selection methods .

The chip provided by the embodiment of the present application includes: a processor, configured to invoke and run a computer program from a memory, so that a device installed with the chip executes any one of the above methods.

The core computer-readable storage medium provided by the embodiment of the present application is used for storing a computer program, and the computer program causes a computer to execute any one of the above-mentioned methods.

In the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, it is clarified how to select the second core network element supporting the dual connectivity capability in the dual connectivity networking, so that the second core network element supporting the dual connectivity capability can be selected in the dual connectivity networking, Therefore, the core network function under the dual-connection networking is effectively available.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of various networking modes provided by the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is an architecture diagram of a dual connection provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is a first schematic flow diagram of a network element selection method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 5 is a schematic flow diagram of the network element selection method provided by the embodiment of the present application II

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram 1 of interaction between network elements provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a second schematic diagram of interaction between network elements provided by the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a first structural diagram of a device for selecting a network element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a second schematic diagram of the structure and composition of the network element selection device provided by the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed ways

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, but not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by persons of ordinary skill in the art without making creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of this application.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of an embodiment of the present application.

As shown in FIG. 1 , a communication system 100 may include a terminal 110 and a network device 120 . The network device 120 can communicate with the terminal 110 through an air interface. Multi-service transmission is supported between the terminal 110 and the network device 120 .

It should be understood that the embodiment of the present application is only described by using the communication system 100 as an example, but the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto. That is to say, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LongTerm Evolution, LTE) system, LTE Time Division Duplex (Time Division Duplex, TDD), Universal Mobile Communication System (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, UMTS), Internet of Things (Internet of Things, IoT) system, Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) system, enhanced Machine-Type Communications (eMTC) system, 5G A communication system (also called a new radio (New Radio, NR) communication system), or a future communication system, etc.

In the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1 , the network device 120 may be an access network device that communicates with the terminal 110 . The access network device can provide communication coverage for a specific geographic area, and can communicate with terminals 110 (such as UEs) located in the coverage area.

The network device 120 may be an evolved base station (Evolutional Node B, eNB or eNodeB) in a Long Term Evolution (Long Term Evolution, LTE) system, or a Next Generation Radio Access Network (Next Generation RadioAccess Network, NG RAN) device, or It is a base station (gNB) in the NR system, or a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (Cloud Radio Access Network, CRAN), or the network device 120 can be a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, or a wearable device , a hub, a switch, a bridge, a router, or a network device in a future evolved public land mobile network (Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN), etc.

The terminal 110 may be any terminal, including but not limited to a terminal connected to the network device 120 or other terminals by wire or wirelessly.

For example, the terminal 110 may refer to an access terminal, a user equipment (User Equipment, UE), a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device , User Agent, or User Device. Access terminals can be cellular phones, cordless phones, Session Initiation Protocol (SessionInitiation Protocol, SIP) phones, IoT devices, satellite handheld terminals, wireless local loop (Wireless Local Loop, WLL) stations, personal digital processing (Personal Digital Assistant, PDA) ), handheld devices with wireless communication functions, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, terminals in 5G networks or terminals in future evolution networks, etc.

The terminal 110 may be used for device-to-device (Device to Device, D2D) communication.

The wireless communication system 100 may also include a core network device 130 for communicating with a base station. The core network device 130 may be a 5G core network (5G Core, 5GC) device, for example, an Access and Mobility Management Function (Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF), and for example, authentication server function (Authentication Server Function, AUSF), and for example, user plane function (User Plane Function, UPF), and for example, session management function (Session Management Function, SMF). Optionally, the core network device 130 may also be a packet core evolution (Evolved Packet Core, EPC) device of the LTE network, for example, a data gateway (Session Management Function+Core Packet Gateway, SMF+PGW- C) equipment. It should be understood that SMF+PGW-C can realize the functions of SMF and PGW-C at the same time. In the process of network evolution, the above-mentioned core network equipment may be called by other names, or a new network entity may be formed by dividing functions of the core network, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

Various functional units in the communication system 100 may also establish a connection through a next generation network (next generation, NG) interface to implement communication.

For example, the terminal establishes an air interface connection with the access network device through the NR interface to transmit user plane data and control plane signaling; the terminal can establish a control plane signaling connection with the AMF through the Nx interface 1 (N1 for short); the access network device For example, a next-generation wireless access base station (gNB) can establish a user plane data connection with UPF through Nx interface 3 (referred to as N3); an access network device can establish a control plane signaling connection with AMF through Nx interface 2 (referred to as N2); UPF can establish a control plane signaling connection with SMF through Nx interface 4 (abbreviated as N4); UPF can exchange user plane data with the data network through Nx interface 6 (abbreviated as N6); AMF can establish with SMF through Nx interface 11 (abbreviated as N11) Control plane signaling connection: the SMF can establish a control plane signaling connection with the PCF through the Nx interface 7 (N7 for short).

FIG. 1 exemplarily shows a base station, a core network device, and two terminals. Optionally, the wireless communication system 100 may include multiple base station devices and each base station may include other numbers of terminals within the coverage area. This embodiment of the present application does not limit it.

It should be noted that FIG. 1 is only an illustration of a system applicable to this application, and of course, the method shown in the embodiment of this application may also be applicable to other systems. Furthermore, the terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably herein. The term "and/or" in this article is just an association relationship describing associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and/or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and there exists alone B these three situations. In addition, the character "/" in this article generally indicates that the contextual objects are an "or" relationship. It should also be understood that the "indication" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a direct indication, may also be an indirect indication, and may also mean that there is an association relationship. For example, A indicates B, which can mean that A directly indicates B, for example, B can be obtained through A; it can also indicate that A indirectly indicates B, for example, A indicates C, and B can be obtained through C; it can also indicate that there is an association between A and B relation. It should also be understood that the "correspondence" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may mean that there is a direct correspondence or an indirect correspondence between the two, or that there is an association between the two, or that it indicates and is indicated. , configuration and configured relationship. It should also be understood that the "predefined" or "predefined rules" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be used to indicate related information, and this application does not limit its specific implementation. For example, pre-defined may refer to defined in the protocol. It should also be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the "protocol" may refer to a standard protocol in the communication field, for example, it may include the LTE protocol, the NR protocol, and related protocols applied to future communication systems, and this application does not limit this .

In order to facilitate the understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the related technologies of the embodiments of the present application are described below. The following related technologies can be combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application as optional solutions, and all of them belong to the embodiments of the present application. protected range.

The introduction of 5G, due to factors such as business requirements, introduction time, and construction costs, has led to various forms. Currently, there are mainly five technical options in the standard, as shown in Figure 2 Option 2, Option 3, Option 4, Option 5, Option 7. Among them, under option 4 and option 7 networking, the core network adopts 5G core network (5GC), and the wireless access network side uses two types of base stations at the same time, one of which is the master node (Master Node, MN) and the other is the auxiliary node. Node (Secondary Node, SN). As shown in Figure 3, the master node is responsible for control plane services (corresponding to signaling transmission), and the master node and secondary nodes can be responsible for user plane services (corresponding to data transmission) at the same time, thereby effectively increasing user bandwidth. The networking in which the terminal is connected to base stations of two systems at the same time is called dual connectivity.

In this dual-connection networking, the SMF in the core network needs to support functions such as secondary node usage reporting, secondary node usage billing, and downlink service offloading. Therefore, the AMF needs to select an SMF that supports the dual-connection function. However, the current standard does not define the network element selection mechanism in the dual connectivity networking. In dual-connection networking, AMF uses key information such as TrackingArea (TA), slice, and Data Network Name (Data Network Name, DNN) to request NRF to discover SMF according to the original mechanism, and NRF returns SMF that meets the discovery conditions. However, it does not identify which SMFs support dual connectivity capabilities, and AMF will not detect whether SMFs support dual connectivity capabilities, resulting in the failure of core network functions under dual connectivity networking such as secondary node usage reporting, secondary node usage billing, and downlink service offloading. use.

To this end, the following technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application are proposed. The technical solution of the embodiment of the present application proposes a network element selection scheme under dual-connection networking, which solves the problem of core network element selection under dual-connection networking, so that the core network that supports dual-connection capabilities can be selected under dual-connection networking. network element.

In order to facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions of the present application are described in detail below through specific examples. As optional solutions, the above related technologies may be combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application in any combination, and all of them belong to the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. The embodiment of the present application includes at least part of the following contents.

FIG. 4 is a first schematic flow diagram of a network element selection method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 4, the network element selection method includes:

Step 401: The first core network element judges whether to restrict the establishment of dual connectivity and/or select a second core network element supporting dual connectivity capabilities based on at least one type of information, wherein the at least one type of information includes at least one of the following: First information, the first information is user subscription information; second information, the second information is the local policy of the first core network element; third information, the third information is used to indicate the second The dual connectivity support capability of the core network element; the fourth information, the fourth information is used to indicate whether to select the second core network element supporting the dual connectivity capability.

In this embodiment of the present application, the first core network element is an access mobility management function element (AMF).

In some optional implementation manners, the second core network element is a session management function element (SMF).

In some optional implementation manners, the user subscription information may include the mobility restriction capability of the user subscription.

In this embodiment of the present application, the first core network element determines whether to restrict the establishment of dual connectivity based on at least one type of information; if the first core network element determines that the establishment of dual connectivity is not restricted, the first core network element Selecting a second core network element supporting dual connectivity capabilities based on the at least one type of information.

In some optional implementation manners, the network element of the first core network determines whether to limit establishment of dual connectivity for the user based on the first information and/or the second information. As an example: during the registration process of the user, the network element of the first core network determines whether to limit establishment of a dual connection for the user based on the first information and/or the second information.

Further, optionally, if the first core network element determines that dual connectivity is restricted for the user, the first core network element sends first indication information to the radio access network, and the first indication The information is used to indicate that the establishment of dual connectivity for the user is restricted; if the first core network element determines that the establishment of dual connectivity for the user is not restricted, the first core network element sends the second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the user is not limited to establishing a dual connection.

In some optional implementation manners, during the session establishment process, the first core network element selects the second core network element supporting the dual connectivity capability based on the at least one type of information.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned solution in the embodiment of the present application is not limited to being implemented during the registration process and the session establishment process, and may also be implemented during the service process.

In the embodiment of the present application, the first core network element selects the second core network element supporting the dual connectivity capability, which may be implemented through the following scheme:

Option One

In the embodiment of the present application, the first core network element selects the second core network element supporting the dual connectivity capability based on user subscription information and a local policy.

Option II

In this embodiment of the present application, the first core network element carrying the dual connectivity support capability requests the NRF to discover a second core network element that supports the dual connectivity capability. Specifically, the first core network element sends a service discovery message to the NRF, and the service discovery message is used to request the NRF to discover a second core network element, where the service discovery message carries a dual connectivity support capability The dual connectivity support capability is used to indicate the second core network element that preferably supports the dual connectivity capability; the first core network element receives the information sent by the NRF on the second core network element that supports the dual connectivity capability .

Here, the NRF receives a registration message sent by a network element of the second core network, where the registration message carries a dual connectivity capability identifier, and the dual connectivity capability identifier is used to indicate whether the second core network element supports the dual connectivity capability.

Fig. 5 is a schematic flow diagram II of the network element selection method provided in the embodiment of the present application. As shown in Fig. 5, the network element selection method includes:

Step 501: The NRF receives a dual connectivity capability identifier sent by a network element of the second core network, where the dual connectivity capability identifier is used to indicate whether the network element of the second core network supports the dual connectivity capability.

In some optional implementation manners, the NRF supports the second core network element carrying the dual connectivity capability identifier to perform service registration. The NRF receives a registration message sent by a network element of the second core network, where the registration message carries a dual connectivity capability identifier.

Further, the NRF receives a service discovery message sent by a network element of the first core network, where the service discovery message carries a dual connectivity support capability, and the dual connectivity support capability is used to indicate a second core network element that preferably supports the dual connectivity capability ; The NRF selects a second core network element supporting dual connectivity capability based on the dual connectivity capability identifier, and sends information about the second core network element supporting dual connectivity capability to the first core network network element. Here, the NRF supports the network element of the first core network to carry a dual connectivity support capability to perform service discovery.

In some optional implementation manners, the second core network element is a session management function network element.

The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application are illustrated below in conjunction with specific application examples.

Application example one

As shown in Figure 6, during the user registration process, the AMF determines whether to limit the establishment of dual connectivity for the user based on the mobility restriction capability and/or local policy of the user subscription, and indicates the determination result to the radio access network; further, If the AMF decides not to restrict the establishment of dual connectivity for the user based on the mobility restriction capability of the user's subscription and/or the local policy, then during the session establishment process of the user, the AMF selects an SMF that supports dual connectivity capabilities, and establishes the user through the SMF session.

Application example two

The way AMF selects the SMF that supports dual connection capability can be as follows:

Method 1: The AMF selects an SMF that supports the dual connectivity capability based on user subscription information and local policies.

Method 2: The AMF selects an SMF that supports dual connectivity through the discovery service of the NRF.

For method 2, for the discovery service of NRF, it is defined that the service discovery message sent by AMF to NRF (that is, the Nnrf_NFDiscovery message) carries an indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate whether the SMF supporting the dual connectivity function is preferred, and the indication information It can be defined by a parameter. As an example, the parameter can be called "preferred-MR-DC". The value of this parameter is 1, indicating that the SMF supporting the dual connectivity function is preferred.

During specific implementation, the "preferred-MR-DC" parameter can be added to the GET list in the Nnrf_NFDiscovery message, as shown in Table 1 below, and its meaning is consistent with the description of the above solution:

Table 1

As shown in FIG. 7 , the SMF can send a registration message to the NRF, carrying a dual connectivity capability identifier in the registration message, and using the dual connectivity capability identifier to indicate whether the SMF supports the dual connectivity capability. During specific implementation, the dual connection capability identifier "MR-DC" can be added to the smfinfo field in the SMF Profile in the registration message, as shown in Table 2 below. Its meaning is consistent with that described in the above solution. The value of this parameter is 1 means that SMF supports dual connection capability, and the value of this parameter is 0, which means that SMF does not support dual connection capability.

Table 2

The NRF can identify and process the dual connectivity capability parameters in the Nnrf interface message, such as the parameters "MR-DC" and "preferred-MR-DC" in the above solution. After the NRF receives the service discovery message, if it carries the parameter "preferred- MR-DC", the NRF matches and preferentially returns the SMF that supports dual connectivity (SMF1 is returned as shown in Figure 7). If no SMF that supports dual connectivity is matched, the SMF that meets other discovery conditions is returned.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of the first structural composition of the network element selection device provided by the embodiment of the present application, which is applied to the network element of the first core network. As shown in Fig. 8, the network element selection device includes:

The processing unit 801 is configured to determine whether to restrict establishment of dual connectivity and/or select a second core network element supporting dual connectivity based on at least one type of information, wherein the at least one type of information includes at least one of the following:

first information, the first information is user subscription information;

second information, where the second information is a local policy of a network element of the first core network;

The third information, the third information is used to indicate the dual connectivity support capability of the second core network element;

Fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate whether to select a second core network element supporting dual connectivity.

In some optional implementation manners, the processing unit 801 is configured to determine whether to restrict the establishment of dual connectivity based on at least one type of information; if it is determined that the establishment of dual connectivity is not restricted, then based on the at least one type of information, select A network element of the second core network.

In some optional implementation manners, the processing unit 801 is configured to determine, based on the first information and/or the second information, whether to limit establishment of a dual connection for the user.

In some optional implementation manners, the device further includes: a communication unit 802, configured to send first indication information to the radio access network if it is determined that dual connectivity is restricted for the user, and the first indication information uses If it is determined that the dual connection is not limited to the user, the second indication information is sent to the radio access network, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the user is not limited to the establishment of the dual connection. Establish a dual connection.

In some optional implementation manners, the processing unit 801 is configured to determine, during the registration process of the user, based on at least one type of information, whether to limit the establishment of a dual connection for the user.

In some optional implementation manners, the processing unit 801 is configured to select a second core network element supporting a dual connectivity capability based on the at least one type of information during the session establishment process.

In some optional implementation manners, the processing unit 801 is configured to select a second core network element supporting a dual connectivity capability based on user subscription information and a local policy.

In some optional implementation manners, the communication unit 802 is configured to carry the dual connectivity support capability to request the NRF to discover a second core network element that supports the dual connectivity capability.

In some optional implementation manners, the communication unit 802 is configured to send a service discovery message to the NRF, where the service discovery message is used to request the NRF to discover a second core network element, where the service discovery message Carrying a dual connectivity support capability, where the dual connectivity support capability is used to indicate a second core network element that preferably supports the dual connectivity capability; and receiving information sent by the NRF on the second core network element that supports the dual connectivity capability.

In some optional implementation manners, the NRF receives a registration message sent by a network element of the second core network, where the registration message carries a dual connectivity capability identifier, and the dual connectivity capability identifier is used to indicate that the second core network element Whether to support dual connectivity.

In some optional implementation manners, the first core network element is an access mobility management function element (AMF).

In some optional implementation manners, the second core network element is a session management function element (SMF).

Those skilled in the art should understand that the implementation functions of each unit in the device for network element selection shown in FIG. 8 can be understood with reference to the relevant description of the foregoing method. The functions of each unit in the network element selection device shown in FIG. 8 can be realized by a program running on a processor, or can be realized by a specific logic circuit.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the second structural composition of the network element selection device provided by the embodiment of the present application, which is applied to NRF. As shown in FIG. 9, the network element selection device includes:

The communication unit 901 is configured to receive a dual connectivity capability identifier sent by a network element of the second core network, where the dual connectivity capability identifier is used to indicate whether the network element of the second core network supports the dual connectivity capability.

In some optional implementation manners, the communication unit 901 is configured to receive a registration message sent by a network element of the second core network, where the registration message carries a dual connectivity capability identifier.

In some optional implementation manners, the communication unit 901 is configured to receive a service discovery message sent by a network element of the first core network, where the service discovery message carries a dual connectivity support capability, and the dual connectivity support capability is used to indicate a preferred A second core network element supporting dual connectivity capabilities; the device further includes: a selection unit 902, configured to select a second core network element supporting dual connectivity capabilities based on the dual connectivity capability identifier; the communication unit 901 is further configured to send the information of the second core network element supporting the dual connectivity capability to the first core network element.

In some optional implementation manners, the NRF supports the first core network element carrying a dual connectivity support capability to perform service discovery.

In some optional implementation manners, the NRF supports the second core network element carrying the dual connectivity capability identifier to perform service registration.

In some optional implementation manners, the second core network element is a session management function network element.

Those skilled in the art should understand that the implementation functions of each unit in the device for network element selection shown in FIG. 9 can be understood with reference to the relevant description of the foregoing method. The functions of each unit in the network element selection device shown in FIG. 9 can be realized by a program running on a processor, or can be realized by a specific logic circuit.

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 1000 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be a network device (such as the first core network element in the above solution), and the communication device 1000 shown in FIG. Apply the method in the examples.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 10 , the communication device 1000 may further include a memory 1020 . Wherein, the processor 1010 can invoke and run a computer program from the memory 1020, so as to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

Wherein, the memory 1020 may be an independent device independent of the processor 1010 , or may be integrated in the processor 1010 .

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 10, the communication device 1000 may further include a transceiver 1030, and the processor 1010 may control the transceiver 1030 to communicate with other devices, specifically, to send information or data to other devices, or receive other Information or data sent by the device.

Wherein, the transceiver 1030 may include a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver 1030 may further include antennas, and the number of antennas may be one or more.

The communication device 1000 can specifically be the first core network element of the embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 1000 can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the first core network element in the methods of the embodiment of the present application. For the sake of brevity, in This will not be repeated here.

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present application. The chip 1100 shown in FIG. 11 includes a processor 1110, and the processor 1110 can call and run a computer program from a memory, so as to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 11 , the chip 1100 may further include a memory 1120 . Wherein, the processor 1110 can invoke and run a computer program from the memory 1120, so as to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

Wherein, the memory 1120 may be an independent device independent of the processor 1110 , or may be integrated in the processor 1110 .

Optionally, the chip 1100 may also include an input interface 1130 . Wherein, the processor 1110 can control the input interface 1130 to communicate with other devices or chips, specifically, can obtain information or data sent by other devices or chips.

Optionally, the chip 1100 may also include an output interface 1140 . Wherein, the processor 1110 can control the output interface 1140 to communicate with other devices or chips, specifically, can output information or data to other devices or chips.

The chip can be applied to the first core network element in the embodiment of the present application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the first core network element in the various methods of the embodiment of the present application. For the sake of brevity, the repeat.

It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiment of the present application may also be called a system-on-chip, a system-on-chip, a system-on-a-chip, or a system-on-a-chip.

It should be understood that the processor in the embodiment of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip, which has a signal processing capability. In the implementation process, each step of the above-mentioned method embodiments may be completed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in a processor or instructions in the form of software. The above-mentioned processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (Digital Signal Processor, DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC), an off-the-shelf programmable gate array (Field Programmable Gate Array, FPGA) or other programmable Logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components. Various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented or executed. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor, or the like. The steps of the method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present application may be directly implemented by a hardware decoding processor, or implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in a mature storage medium in the field such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory or electrically erasable programmable memory, register. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory, and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

It can be understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile memories. Wherein, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (Read-Only Memory, ROM), a programmable read-only memory (Programmable ROM, PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (Erasable PROM, EPROM), an electronically programmable Erase Programmable Read-Only Memory (Electrically EPROM, EEPROM) or Flash. The volatile memory can be Random Access Memory (RAM), which acts as an external cache. By way of illustration and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available such as Static RAM (SRAM), Dynamic RAM (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (Synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (Double Data Rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (Enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchronous connection dynamic random access memory (Synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM) And direct memory bus random access memory (DirectRambus RAM, DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but not be limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

It should be understood that the above-mentioned memory is illustrative but not restrictive. For example, the memory in the embodiment of the present application may also be a static random access memory (static RAM, SRAM), a dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), Synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchronous connection Dynamic random access memory (synch link DRAM, SLDRAM) and direct memory bus random access memory (Direct Rambus RAM, DR RAM), etc. That is, the memory in the embodiments of the present application is intended to include, but not be limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer programs. The computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the first core network element in the embodiment of the present application, and the computer program enables the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the first core network element in the methods of the embodiments of the present application, in order It is concise and will not be repeated here.

The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, including computer program instructions. The computer program product can be applied to the first core network element in the embodiment of the present application, and the computer program instructions cause the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the first core network element in the methods of the embodiment of the present application. For the sake of brevity , which will not be repeated here.

The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program. The computer program can be applied to the first core network element in the embodiment of the present application. When the computer program is run on the computer, the computer executes the corresponding functions implemented by the first core network element in the various methods in the embodiment of the present application. For the sake of brevity, the process will not be repeated here.

Those skilled in the art can appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed by hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Skilled artisans may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be regarded as exceeding the scope of the present application.

Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and brevity of the description, the specific working process of the above-described system, device and unit can refer to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or May be integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored, or not implemented. In another point, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units may be in electrical, mechanical or other forms.

The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place, or may be distributed to multiple network units. Part or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, each unit may exist separately physically, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

If the functions described above are realized in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or the part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including Several instructions are used to make a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (Read-Only Memory,) ROM, random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM), magnetic disk or optical disk and other various media that can store program codes. .

The above is only a specific implementation of the application, but the scope of protection of the application is not limited thereto. Anyone familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the application. Should be covered within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims (22)

1. A method of network element selection, the method comprising:

the first core network element determines whether to restrict the establishment of the dual connectivity and/or select a second core network element supporting dual connectivity based on at least one information, wherein the at least one information comprises at least one of:

the first information is user subscription information;

the second information is local strategy of the first core network element;

the third information is used for indicating the dual-connection supporting capability of the second core network element;

fourth information indicating whether a second core network element supporting dual connectivity is selected.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first core network element determining whether to restrict the establishment of the dual connectivity and/or select a second core network element supporting dual connectivity capabilities based on at least one information, comprises:

the first core network element judges whether to limit the establishment of dual connection or not based on at least one piece of information;

and if the first core network element judges that the establishment of the dual connection is not limited, the first core network element selects a second core network element supporting dual connection capability based on at least one piece of information.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the method further comprises:

if the first core network element judges that the double connection is limited to be established for the user, the first core network element sends first indication information to a wireless access network, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating the limitation to establish the double connection for the user;

and if the first core network element judges that the double connection is not limited to be established for the user, the first core network element sends second indication information to the wireless access network, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating that the double connection is not limited to be established for the user.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the first core network element determining whether to restrict the establishment of dual connectivity for the user based on at least one information comprises:

in the registration process of the user, the first core network element judges whether to limit the establishment of dual connection for the user based on at least one piece of information.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the first core network element selects a second core network element supporting dual connectivity based on at least one information, comprising:

In the session establishment process, the first core network element selects a second core network element supporting dual connectivity based on at least one information.

6. The method according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first core network element selects a second core network element supporting dual connectivity based on at least one information, comprising:

the first core network element selects a second core network element supporting dual connectivity based on user subscription information and a local policy.

7. The method according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first core network element selects a second core network element supporting dual connectivity based on at least one information, comprising:

the first core network element carries dual-connection supporting capability and requests the network storage function network element NRF to discover a second core network element supporting dual-connection capability.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first core network element carrying dual connectivity support capability requests the NRF to discover a second core network element supporting dual connectivity capability, comprising:

the first core network element sends a service discovery message to an NRF, where the service discovery message is used to request to discover a second core network element to the NRF, and the service discovery message carries dual-connectivity supporting capability, where the dual-connectivity supporting capability is used to indicate the second core network element that preferably supports dual-connectivity capability;

And the first core network element receives the information of the second core network element supporting the dual-connection capability sent by the NRF.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises:

the NRF receives a registration message sent by a second core network element, wherein the registration message carries a dual-connection capability identifier, and the dual-connection capability identifier is used for indicating whether the second core network element supports dual-connection capability.

10. The method according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first core network element is an access mobility management function network element.

11. The method according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second core network element is a session management function network element.

12. A method of network element selection, the method comprising:

the NRF receives a dual-connection capability identifier sent by a second core network element, wherein the dual-connection capability identifier is used for indicating whether the second core network element supports dual-connection capability or not.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second core network element carries a dual connectivity identifier for service registration.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the NRF supports service registration with the second core network element carrying a dual connectivity capability identity.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:

the NRF receives a service discovery message sent by a first core network element, wherein the service discovery message is used for requesting the NRF to discover a second core network element, and the service discovery message carries dual-connection supporting capability which is used for indicating the second core network element which preferably supports the dual-connection capability;

and the NRF selects a second core network element supporting the dual-connectivity based on the dual-connectivity identifier, and sends the information of the second core network element supporting the dual-connectivity to the first core network element.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the NRF supports service discovery with dual connectivity support capability for the first core network element.

17. The method according to any of the claims 12 to 15, wherein the second core network element is a session management function network element.

18. A network element selection device, applied to a first core network element, the device comprising:

A processing unit, configured to determine, based on at least one information, whether to limit establishment of a dual connection and/or select a second core network element supporting dual connection capability, where the at least one information includes at least one of:

the first information is user subscription information;

the second information is local strategy of the first core network element;

the third information is used for indicating the dual-connection supporting capability of the second core network element;

fourth information indicating whether a second core network element supporting dual connectivity is selected.

19. A network element selection device, characterized by being applied to NRF, comprising:

the communication unit is used for receiving the dual-connection capability identifier sent by the second core network element, and the dual-connection capability identifier is used for indicating whether the second core network element supports dual-connection capability or not.

20. A network device, comprising: a processor and a memory for storing a computer program, the processor being adapted to invoke and run the computer program stored in the memory, to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 11, or the method of any of claims 12 to 17.

21. A chip, comprising: a processor for calling and running a computer program from a memory, causing a device on which the chip is mounted to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 11 or the method of any one of claims 12 to 17.

22. A computer readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 11 or the method of any one of claims 12 to 17.

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