CN113301509A

CN113301509A - Communication method and related equipment

Info

Publication number: CN113301509A
Application number: CN202010109077.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 谢振华; 柯小婉
Original assignee: Vivo Mobile Communication Co Ltd
Current assignee: Vivo Mobile Communication Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-02-21
Filing date: 2020-02-21
Publication date: 2021-08-24
Anticipated expiration: 2040-02-21
Also published as: WO2021164761A1; CN113301509B

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and related equipment, wherein the communication method comprises the following steps: a first service operation containing first multicast service information is called by a second network function; indicating a mode selection result for the second network function based on the first multicast service information; wherein the mode selection result comprises any one of a unicast mode, a multicast mode and a no mode. According to the communication method provided by the invention, the wireless communication system can realize the selection of the transmission mode when transmitting the service data, and the communication performance of the wireless communication system is improved.

Description

Communication method and related equipment

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to a communication method and related device.

Background

In a wireless communication system, a terminal (UE) may transmit service data to a plurality of specific other terminals through a network side, and the network side generally implements transmission of the service data in a unicast manner or a multicast manner. For example, in a 5G system, when a network side transmits service data to a plurality of other terminals in a unicast manner, a corresponding network function may copy a plurality of identical service data and directly send one service data to each of the plurality of other terminals; when the network side transmits the service data to a plurality of other terminals in a multicast mode, the network function may send the service data to the base station of the cell where the plurality of other terminals of the service data are located, and the base station sends the service data to the plurality of other terminals. However, at present, the network side transmits service data to a plurality of other terminals in a unicast manner or a multicast manner, which is usually agreed or pre-configured by a protocol, and thus, communication performance of the wireless communication system may be reduced.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments of the present invention provide a communication method and related device, so as to solve the problem in the prior art that a wireless communication system has low communication performance.

In order to solve the technical problem, the invention is realized as follows:

in a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a communication method, applied to a first network function, including:

a first service operation containing first multicast service information is called by a second network function;

indicating a mode selection result for the second network function based on the first multicast service information;

wherein the mode selection result comprises any one of a unicast mode, a multicast mode and a no mode.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication method, applied to a second network function, including:

receiving a message containing second multicast service information or a second service operation containing the second multicast service information is called;

calling a first service operation containing first multicast service information to a first network function;

indicating a mode selection result by the first network function;

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication method, applied to a terminal or a base station node, including:

and sending a message containing the second multicast service information to the fourth network function.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a network function, where the network function is a first network function, and the network function includes:

the called module is used for calling a first service operation containing first multicast service information by a second network function;

a processing module, configured to indicate a mode selection result for the second network function based on the first multicast service information;

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a network function, where the network function is a second network function, and the network function includes:

a receiving module, configured to receive a message including second multicast service information or a second service operation including the second multicast service information is called;

the calling module is used for calling a first service operation containing first multicast service information to a first network function;

a first processing module for indicating a mode selection result by the first network function;

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a terminal or a base station node, including:

and the sending module is used for sending the message containing the second multicast service information to the fourth network function.

In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a network function, including: a memory, a processor and a computer program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, the computer program, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps in the communication method according to the first or second aspect.

In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a terminal or a base station node, including: a memory, a processor and a computer program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, the computer program, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps in the communication method of the third aspect.

In a ninth aspect, the embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, where the computer program, when executed by a processor, implements the steps in the communication method according to the first aspect or the second aspect; alternatively, the steps in the communication method according to the third aspect are implemented.

In the embodiment of the invention, a first service operation containing first multicast service information is called by a second network function; indicating a mode selection result for the second network function based on the first multicast service information; wherein the mode selection result comprises any one of a unicast mode, a multicast mode and a no mode. Therefore, the wireless communication system can realize the selection of the transmission mode when transmitting the service data, and the communication performance of the wireless communication system is improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a network system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

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

fig. 3 is one of the flow diagrams of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present invention in practical application;

fig. 4 is a second schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present invention in practical application;

fig. 5 is a third schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present invention in practical application;

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

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

fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a first network function provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a second network function provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a second schematic structural diagram of a second network function according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal or a base station node according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a hardware structure of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 13 is a schematic hardware structure diagram of a network-side device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are some, not all, embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, in the description and claims of this application, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not necessarily limited to those steps or elements expressly listed, but may include other steps or elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, the use of "and/or" in the specification and claims means that at least one of the connected objects, such as a and/or B, means that three cases, a alone, B alone, and both a and B, exist.

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

Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment provided by the invention can be applied to a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system may be a 5G system, or an Evolved Long Term Evolution (lte) system, or a subsequent Evolved communication system.

Fig. 1 is a structural diagram of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 1, including a terminal 11 and a network-side device 12, where the terminal 11 may be a mobile communication device, for example: the terminal may be a Mobile phone, a Tablet Personal Computer (Tablet Personal Computer), a Laptop Computer (Laptop Computer), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Mobile Internet Device (MID), or a Wearable Device (Wearable Device), and the specific type of the terminal 11 is not limited in the embodiments of the present invention. The network side device 12 may be a 5G network side device (e.g., a gNB, a 5G NR NB), or may be a 4G network side device (e.g., an eNB), or may be a 3G network side device (e.g., an NB), or a network side device in a subsequent evolved communication system, and so on, it should be noted that a specific type of the network side device 12 is not limited in the embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the Network-side device 12 may include a node and a Network Function entity for Multicast data transmission, and specifically, the Network-side device 12 may include a base station node (e.g., a Radio Access Network (RAN) node), an Access and Mobility Management Function (Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF), a Session Management Function (SMF), a User Plane Function (UPF), a Multicast SMF (Multicast Broadcast-SMF, MB-SMF), a Multicast UPF (MB-UPF), and a Multicast Service Function (MBSF), where the AMF, UPF, SMF, MB-UPF, and MBSF are entity devices in the Network-side device 12, respectively.

Referring to fig. 2, fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in this embodiment, which is applied to a first network function, and as shown in fig. 2, the communication method includes the following steps:

step 201, a first service operation containing first multicast service information is called by a second network function;

step 202, indicating a mode selection result for the second network function based on the first multicast service information;

Here, the first core network may indicate any one of a unicast mode, a multicast mode, and a non-mode for the second core network function based on multicast service information (i.e., first multicast service information) included in the service operation in the case of the service operation (i.e., the first service operation) called by the second network function, so that selection of a transmission mode when transmitting service data may be achieved, and communication performance of the wireless communication system may be improved.

In step 201, when a terminal needs to send service data to a plurality of other terminals, that is, the terminal needs to perform a multicast session, the second network function may call a first service operation including first multicast service information to the first network function, so that the first network function indicates a mode selection result to the second network function based on the first multicast service information.

In this embodiment, the first multicast service information may be information associated with a service in which the terminal transmits service data to a plurality of other terminals, and the first multicast service information is further used to instruct the first network function to determine the mode selection result.

Specifically, the first multicast service information may include a Temporary Mobile Group Identifier (TMGI) for indicating a service type of the service data, or the first multicast service information may also include an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast address, that is, the first multicast service information includes a TMGI or an IP multicast address.

The first multicast service information may include, in addition to the TMGI or the IP multicast address, other information related to the presence of a service in which the terminal transmits service data to a plurality of other terminals.

In some embodiments, the first multicast service information may further include an IP address of the terminal, or information about an IP address and a port number of the terminal, and the like. It should be noted that the terminal referred to in this embodiment is any one of the plurality of other terminals in this embodiment.

Of course, in other embodiments, the first multicast service information may further include at least one of the following:

session connection identification (PDU session ID);

flow identification (QoS flow ID, QFI);

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal, such as a cell Identity (ID) or a Tracking Area Identity (TAI), etc.

As can be seen from the above description, the first multicast service information in this embodiment may be any of the following:

the first multicast service information only contains a TMGI or IP multicast address; or

The first multicast service information includes a TMGI or an IP multicast address, and further includes an IP address of the terminal or an IP address and a port number of the terminal, for example, the first multicast service information includes the TMGI and the IP address of the terminal, or includes the IP multicast address and the IP address of the terminal, or includes the TMGI, the IP address of the terminal, and the port number information, or includes the IP multicast address, the IP address of the terminal, and the port number information; or

The first multicast service information includes the TMGI or the IP multicast address, and also includes the IP address of the terminal or the IP address and the port number information of the terminal, and also includes at least one of a session connection identifier, a stream identifier, a session option indication, base station node information, and location information of the terminal, for example, the first multicast service information includes the TMGI, the IP address of the terminal, the session connection identifier, and the location information of the terminal, and so on.

It should be noted that the session option indication is used to indicate that the unicast user plane can be used for transmitting the service data, that is, indicate that the capability of using the unicast user plane for transmitting the service data is provided; alternatively, the session option indication indicates that the unicast user plane is not required to be used for transmitting the service data, for example, the session option indication indicates that the unicast user plane is not used even if the capability of transmitting the service data is provided.

In this embodiment, the first network function is a network function entity device in a network side, and may be any network function capable of indicating the mode selection result based on the first multicast service information, specifically, the first network function may be the MBSF, or may be composed of the MBSF and the MB-SMF together.

In addition, the second network function is also a network function entity device in the network side, and when one terminal needs to send service data to a plurality of other terminals, it may invoke a first service operation including the first multicast service information to the first network function, specifically, any one of the following:

when the first network function is the MBSF, the second network function is the MB-SMF; or

In a case where the first network function is a network function collectively composed of MBSF and MB-SMF, the second network function is at least one of AMF and SMF, for example, the first network function is a network function collectively composed of MBSF and MB-SMF and the second network function is AMF.

In this embodiment, the second network function calls the first service operation to the first network function when the second network function determines that the terminal needs to perform a multicast session, and specifically, the second network function calls the first service operation including the first multicast service information to the first network function when receiving a message including the second multicast service information or when the second service operation including the second multicast service information is called.

Exemplarily, in the case that the first network function is an MBSF and the second network function is an MB-SMF, if the MB-SMF is invoked by another network function to invoke a service operation containing multicast service information, such as the MB-SMF is invoked by an AMF to invoke a multicast session operation (i.e. the second service operation) containing multicast service information (i.e. the second multicast service information) to request to trigger a multicast session, the MB-SMF invokes the first service operation containing the first multicast service information to the MBSF; or, in the case that the first network function is a network function composed of MBSF and MB-SMF together and the second network function is AMF, if the AMF is requested by SMF to invoke a multicast service operation (i.e., the second service operation) including multicast service information (i.e., the second multicast service information) to trigger a multicast service, or the AMF receives a Message (e.g., N2Message request Message) including the multicast service information (i.e., the second multicast service information) sent by a base station node (e.g., RAN node, etc.), the AMF invokes the first service operation including the first multicast service information to MB-SMF, and so on.

The message including the second multicast service information may be transmitted by the terminal that needs to perform the multicast session service, or may be transmitted by the base station node when the base station node senses that the terminal is interested in the multicast service (i.e., needs to perform the multicast session service).

In addition, the message including the second multicast service information may be a message sent by the terminal or the base station node to a fourth network function, where the fourth network function may be the second network function, or may be a network function entity device on a network side other than the second network function, for example, the fourth network function is an SMF in the network side, and so on.

For example, in a case where the second network function is an AMF, the base station node may directly send a message including the second multicast service information to the AMF; or, the terminal may send a message including the second multicast service information to the SMF, and the SMF invokes a multicast service operation request (i.e., the second service operation) including the second multicast service information to the AMF to trigger the multicast service, and so on.

In this embodiment, the second multicast service information may be information associated with a service in which the terminal transmits service data to a plurality of other terminals, and specifically, the second multicast service information may include a TMGI or an IP multicast address.

Of course, in some embodiments, the second multicast service information may also include an IP address of the terminal, or an IP address and a port number of the terminal.

In other embodiments, the second multicast service information may further include at least one of the following:

a session connection identifier;

a flow identification;

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal.

It should be noted that the second multicast service information may be the same information as the first multicast service information; alternatively, the second multicast service information may be different from the first multicast service information, and is not limited herein.

When the second multicast service information is different from the first multicast service information, the second multicast service information may be multicast service information obtained by adding a part of service information to the first multicast service information by the second network function.

For example, in the case where the first multicast service information includes the TMGI, the IP address of the terminal, the session link identifier, the stream identifier, and the session option indicator, the second multicast service information may include at least one of the base station node information, the location information of the terminal, and the like, in addition to the TMGI, the IP address of the terminal, the session link identifier, the stream identifier, and the session option indicator, and so on.

Or, in a case that the second multicast service information is different from the first multicast service information, the second multicast service information may also be multicast service information in which part of service information in the first multicast service information is modified by the second network function.

For example, in the case where the first multicast service information includes the TMGI, the IP address of the terminal, the session link identifier, the stream identifier, and the session option indication, the second network function may change the session connection identifier in the first multicast service information to the location information of the terminal, that is, the second multicast service information includes the TMGI, the IP address of the terminal, the session link identifier, the stream identifier, and the location information of the terminal, and so on.

In step 202, in a case that the first network function is invoked by the second network function to perform the first service operation including the first multicast service information, the first network function may determine a mode selection result based on the first multicast service information and indicate the mode selection result to the second network function, and the second network function is indicated by the first network function to perform the mode selection result, that is, the second network function determines the mode selection result indicated by the first network function.

In this embodiment, the mode selection result may be that the network side may adopt any one of a unicast mode, a multicast mode and a non-mode for transmitting the service data. In the case of the non-mode, the network side does not perform data transmission.

In addition, the first network determines the mode selection result based on the second multicast service information, which may be based on any information in the second multicast service information, and specifically, may include at least one of the following implementation manners:

determining a mode selection result based on a TMGI or an IP multicast address, for example, a protocol agrees that a service data transmission of a service type 1 adopts a multicast mode, and if first multicast service information includes a TMGI indicating the service type 1, the mode selection result is the multicast mode; or, the protocol agrees that the service data transmission of the service type 2 adopts a unicast mode, if the first multicast service information contains the TMGI for indicating the service type 2, the mode selection result is the unicast mode, and so on;

determining a mode selection result based on the number of users of the multicast service (i.e., the number of terminals in a plurality of other terminals), for example, when the number of users of the multicast service is less than or equal to a preset threshold, the mode selection result is a unicast mode; under the condition that the number of users of the multicast service is greater than a preset threshold value, the mode selection result is a multi-unicast mode, and the like;

determining a mode selection result based on whether the IP address of the terminal is received or not or whether the IP address and the port number information of the terminal are received or not, wherein the mode selection result is a multicast mode if the IP address or the IP address and the port number information are received; if the IP address or the IP address and the port number information are not received, the mode selection result is a unicast mode;

determining a mode selection result based on whether the session connection identifier is received, for example, if the session connection identifier is received, the mode selection result is a multicast mode; if the session connection identifier is not received, the mode selection result is a unicast mode;

determining a mode selection result based on whether the QFI is received, for example, if the QFI is received, the mode selection result is a multicast mode; if not, the mode selection result is a unicast mode;

determining a mode selection result based on whether a session option indication is received or not, or based on information indicated by the session option indication, for example, if the session option indication or the session option indication information 1 is received, the mode selection result is a multicast mode; if the session option indication or the session option indication information 2 is not received, the mode selection result is a unicast mode;

a seventh mode, determining a mode selection result based on whether the base station node information is received or whether the base station node indicated by the base station node information supports multicast, for example, if the base station node information is received or the base station node supports multicast, the mode selection result is a multicast mode; if the base station node information is not received or the base station node does not support multicast, the mode selection result is a unicast mode;

and so on.

In this embodiment, the first network function may indicate a mode selection result for the second network function in any manner, and specifically, the method may include returning mode information to the second network function, where the mode information is used to indicate the mode selection result (i.e., an explicit indication); or, no mode information is returned indicating the mode selection result (i.e., implicit indication), etc.

For example, in a case where the first network function determines a multicast mode based on the first multicast service information, the first network function calls a third service operation including mode information indicating the multicast mode to the second network function; or, the first network function calls a third service operation (which may also include a TMGI or IP multicast address) that does not include mode information to the second network function, at this time, the second network function determines that the transmission mode selected by the first network function is the multicast mode according to that the third service operation does not include mode information, and so on.

Of course, the mode selection result indicated by the first network function for the second network function, that is, the mode selection result indicated by the first network function determined by the second network function, may be the mode selection result indicated by the mode information obtained according to the mode information received by the second network function and returned by the first network function; alternatively, the mode selection result may be determined according to whether the first network function returns mode information, for example, if the mode information is returned, the mode selection result is determined to be the unicast mode; if no mode information is returned, the mode selection result is determined to be the multicast mode, and the like.

In addition, after the second network function is instructed to the mode selection result by the first network function, the second network function may also instruct the mode selection result to a third network function, so as to enable the network side to transmit the service data of the terminal to a plurality of other terminals by using the data transmission mode corresponding to the mode selection result.

It should be noted that the third network function is a network function entity device in the network side except for the second network function, and specifically, the third network function may be an AMF or an SMF.

For example, in a case that the second network function is an MB-SMF, the third network function may be an AMF, and the MB-SMF may invoke a third service operation (such as a multicast session response operation) including mode information to the AMF, and of course, the third service operation may also include address information of an MB-UPF, and the MB-SMF controls the MB-UPF to transmit service data to a plurality of other terminals according to the mode indicated by the mode information, or the AMF may directly control the MB-UPF to transmit service data to a plurality of other terminals according to the mode indicated by the mode information, specifically, if the mode information indicates a multicast mode, the MB-SMF or the AMF establishes a connection between the MB-UPF and the base station node and forwards the multicast service data of the terminal received by the MB-SMF or the AMF; if the mode information indicates a unicast mode, the MB-SMF or the AMF commands the MB-UPF to increase forwarding operation, the received multicast service data is forwarded to the IP address of the received terminal or other terminals corresponding to the IP address and the port number of the terminal, and the MB-SMF or the AMF records the association relationship between session connection or stream and the multicast service; and if the mode information indicates no mode, the MB-SMF or the AMF does not establish the connection between the MB-UPF and the base station node and does not command the MB-UPF to increase the forwarding operation.

To facilitate understanding of the communication method provided in the present embodiment, an example of the communication method in practical application is provided here for explanation, specifically as follows:

as an example, as shown in fig. 3, the implementation process of the communication method includes:

step 301, a terminal (i.e. a UE) sends a Multicast IP packet (e.g. an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) or a Join (Join) packet of a Multicast Listener Discovery (MLD) Protocol) through a user plane, where the Multicast IP packet carries Multicast parameters and is forwarded to an SMF (i.e. the fourth network function) through an UPF; or, the terminal sends a multicast service request joined by the user through the control plane, where the multicast service request may be an N1 Message request carrying multicast parameters, and the multicast service request is forwarded to the SMF through the RAN node and the AMF (i.e., the third network function);

the multicast parameter may include a TMGI or an IP multicast address, a session connection identifier, a stream identifier, information indicating user joining, an IP address or an IP address and port information of a terminal, and a session option indication (the session option indication is used to indicate that service data can be received using a unicast user plane or service data does not need to be received using the unicast user plane).

Step 302, in the scenario where the SMF and MB-SMF are separately configured, the SMF invokes a multicast service operation (i.e., a second service operation) of the AMF to request to trigger the multicast service, for example, invokes a Namf _ MBService _ Join operation;

wherein, the multicast service operation includes a user identifier (e.g. SUPI, IMSI), may further include information indicating user joining, and may further include multicast service information (i.e. the second multicast service information), where the multicast service information may include the received multicast IP packet or the multicast parameters in step 301; the multicast service information may further include an IP address or an IP address and a port number of the terminal (in the case that the multicast parameter in step 301 does not include the following information), a session connection identifier, a stream identifier, an indication that the terminal can receive broadcast data using the session connection, and location information of the terminal (such as a cell ID, a TAI, and the like).

Step 303, the AMF invokes a multicast session operation of the MB-SMF (i.e. the second network function), for example, invokes an Nmbsmf _ MBSession _ Join operation;

the multicast session request includes the user identifier, and may also include the multicast service information in step 303, and may also carry RAN node information accessed by the terminal, (if the multicast service information in step 303 does not include the location information of the terminal), and may also carry location information of the terminal (i.e., the second multicast service information). In addition, the MB-SMF can also know that the user is added through an IP message or information indicating the user to be added.

Step 304, the MB-SMF invokes a multicast authorization operation (i.e. a first service operation) of the MBSF (i.e. a first network function), for example, invokes an Nmbsf _ MBSession _ JoinAuth operation;

the multicast authorization operation carries the user identifier and the multicast information in step 304, and may further include RAN node information accessed by the terminal (if the second multicast service information in step 303 does not include the location information of the terminal and RAN node information accessed by the terminal), and may also include the location information of the terminal.

Step 305, the MBSF determines the mode of the multicast service (i.e. determines the mode selection result);

the MBSF judges the mode of the multicast service according to the number of the added users of the multicast service, whether the IP address of a terminal is received, whether a session connection identifier is received, whether QFI is received, whether a session option indication is received, whether a RAN node supports multicast, and the like;

in addition, the MBSF returns a multicast authorization operation result and a mode selection result indication through a multicast authorization response, and can also contain multicast service information, wherein the multicast service information can contain TMGI or IP multicast address and can also carry the address information of MB-UPF;

the mode selection result may be indicated by carrying mode information, such as a multicast mode, a unicast mode, or a no mode (i.e., no data transmission is provided); alternatively, the mode information may not be carried, so as to indicate one of the multicast mode, the unicast mode, and the no mode.

In step 306, the MB-SMF (here, the third network function described above) returns the multicast session operation result through the multicast session response, which may be to return mode information indicated by the MBSF, that is, if the MBSF returns the mode information to the MB-SMF, the MB-SMF may return the mode information to the AMF, and if the MBSF does not return the mode information to the MB-SMF, the MB-SMF does not return the mode information to the AMF.

Step 307, the AMF returns the multicast service operation result through the multicast service response, which may be to return the mode information indicated by the MB-SMF, that is, if the MB-SMF returns the mode information to the AMF, the AMF may return the mode information to the SMF, if the MB-SMF does not return the mode information to the AMF, the AMF does not return the mode information to the SMF, the SMF operates according to the mode indication result, for example, the unnecessary resources are released when the multicast mode or the no mode, and the forwarding resources are established when the unicast mode.

Step 308, if the mode selection result indicates a multicast mode (explicitly or implicitly indicates the multicast mode), the MB-SMF establishes a connection between the MB-UPF and the RAN node, for forwarding the multicast service data received by the MB-UPF;

if the mode selection result indicates a unicast mode (explicitly or implicitly indicates the unicast mode), the MB-SMF commands the MB-UPF to increase forwarding operation, the received multicast service data is increased and forwarded to the IP address of the received terminal, or the IP address and the port number of the terminal, and the MB-SMF records the association relationship between session connection or stream and multicast service;

if the mode selection result is no mode (explicit or implicit indicates no mode), the MB-SMF does not establish a connection between the MB-UPF and the RAN node, nor commands the MB-UPF to increase forwarding operations.

As shown in fig. 4, the implementation procedure of the communication method includes:

step 401, the terminal sends a multicast service request joined by the user to the AMF through the control plane, where the multicast service request may be an N1 Message request carrying multicast parameters, and the multicast service request is forwarded to the AMF through the RAN node (here, the fourth network function);

Step 402, the AMF forwards the message of the multicast service request (i.e., N1 message) to the SMF.

Step 403, in the case of receiving the message of the multicast service request, the SMF invokes a multicast service operation (i.e. a second service operation) of the AMF to request to trigger the multicast service, for example, invokes a Namf _ MBService _ Join operation;

the multicast service operation includes a user identifier (e.g., SUPI, IMSI), information indicating user joining, and multicast service information (i.e., the second multicast service information), where the multicast service information may include the multicast parameters in step 301, and may also include location information of the terminal (e.g., cell ID, TAI, etc.).

Step 404, the AMF invokes a multicast session operation of the MB-SMF (i.e. the second network function described above), for example, invokes an Nmbsmf _ MBSession _ Join operation;

the multicast session request includes the user identifier, and may also include the multicast service information in step 303, and may also carry RAN node information accessed by the terminal, (if the multicast service information in step 303 does not include the location information of the terminal), and may also carry location information of the terminal (i.e., the second multicast service information).

Step 405, the MB-SMF invokes a multicast authorization operation (i.e. a first service operation) of the MBSF (i.e. a first network function), for example, invokes an Nmbsf _ MBSession _ JoinAuth operation;

the multicast authorization operation carries the user identifier and the multicast information in step 304, and may further include RAN node information accessed by the terminal (if the second multicast service information in step 404 does not include the location information of the terminal and RAN node information accessed by the terminal), and may also include the location information of the terminal.

Step 406, the MBSF determines the mode of the multicast service (i.e. determines the mode selection result);

In step 407, the MB-SMF (here, the third network function described above) returns the multicast session operation result through the multicast session response, which may be to return mode information indicated by the MBSF, that is, if the MBSF returns the mode information to the MB-SMF, the MB-SMF may return the mode information to the AMF, and if the MBSF does not return the mode information to the MB-SMF, the MB-SMF does not return the mode information to the AMF.

Step 408, the AMF returns the multicast service operation result through the multicast service response, which may be to return the mode information indicated by the MB-SMF, that is, if the MB-SMF returns the mode information to the AMF, the AMF may return the mode information to the SMF, if the MB-SMF does not return the mode information to the AMF, the AMF does not return the mode information to the SMF, the SMF operates according to the mode indication result, for example, the unnecessary resources are released when the multicast mode or the no mode, and the forwarding resources are established when the unicast mode.

Step 409, if the mode selection result indicates a multicast mode (explicitly or implicitly indicates the multicast mode), the MB-SMF establishes a connection between the MB-UPF and the RAN node, and is configured to forward the multicast service data received by the MB-UPF;

As shown in fig. 5, the implementation procedure of the communication method includes:

step 501, the RAN node senses that a terminal is interested in a multicast service, and sends a user join multicast service request to an AMF (here, the fourth network function) through a control plane, where the multicast service request carries a multicast parameter;

the multicast parameter may include a TMGI or an IP multicast address, a session connection identifier, a stream identifier, information indicating user joining, and a session option indication (the session option indication is used to indicate that the unicast user plane can be used for receiving service data, or the unicast user plane does not need to be used for receiving service data).

Step 502, the AMF invokes a multicast session operation of the MB-SMF (i.e. the second network function), for example, invokes an Nmbsmf _ MBSession _ Join operation;

the multicast session request includes the user identifier and multicast service information (i.e., the second multicast service information), where the multicast service information may include the multicast parameters in step 501, an IP address or an IP address and a port number of the terminal, RAN node information accessed by the terminal, and location information of the terminal.

Step 503, the MB-SMF invokes a multicast authorization operation (i.e. a first service operation) of the MBSF (i.e. a first network function), for example, invokes an Nmbsf _ MBSession _ JoinAuth operation;

the multicast authorization operation carries the user identifier and the multicast service information in step 304, and may further include RAN node information accessed by the terminal (if the second multicast service information in step 502 does not include the location information of the terminal and RAN node information accessed by the terminal), and may also include the location information of the terminal.

Step 504, the MBSF determines the mode of the multicast service (i.e. determines the mode selection result);

Step 505, the MB-SMF returns the multicast session operation result to the AMF (here, the third network function described above) via a multicast session response.

Step 506, if the mode selection result indicates a multicast mode (explicitly or implicitly indicates the multicast mode), the MB-SMF establishes a connection between the MB-UPF and the RAN node, for forwarding the multicast service data received by the MB-UPF;

Referring to fig. 6, fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in this embodiment, which is applied to a second network function, and as shown in fig. 6, the communication method includes the following steps:

step 601, receiving a message containing second multicast service information or calling a second service operation containing the second multicast service information;

step 602, invoking a first service operation containing first multicast service information to a first network function;

step 603, indicating a mode selection result by the first network function;

Optionally, after the invoking the first service operation including the first multicast service information to the first network function, the method further includes:

indicating the mode selection result to a third network function.

Optionally, the indicating, by the second network function, a mode selection result includes:

receiving mode information sent by the second network function, wherein the mode information is used for indicating the mode selection result; or

Mode information is not received for indicating the mode selection result.

Optionally, the first multicast service information includes a TMGI or an IP multicast address.

Optionally, the first multicast service information further includes an IP address of the terminal, or an IP address and a port number of the terminal.

Optionally, the first multicast service information further includes at least one of the following:

a session connection identifier;

a flow identification;

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal.

Optionally, the second multicast service information includes a TMGI or an IP multicast address.

Optionally, the second multicast service information further includes an IP address of the terminal, or an IP address and a port number of the terminal.

Optionally, the second multicast service information further includes at least one of the following:

a session connection identifier;

a flow identification;

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal.

Optionally, the session option indication is used to indicate that the service data can be transmitted using the unicast user plane, or that the service data does not need to be transmitted using the unicast user plane.

It should be noted that, as an embodiment of the second network function corresponding to the embodiments shown in fig. 2 to fig. 5, specific implementation manners of the embodiment of the present invention may refer to the relevant descriptions of the embodiments shown in fig. 2 to fig. 5, and the same beneficial effects can be achieved, and therefore, in order to avoid repeated descriptions, no further description is provided herein.

Referring to fig. 7, fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in this embodiment, which is applied to a terminal or a base station node, as shown in fig. 7, where the communication method includes the following steps:

step 701, sending a message containing the second multicast service information to the fourth network function.

a session connection identifier;

a flow identification;

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal.

It should be noted that, as an embodiment of a terminal or a base station node corresponding to the embodiments shown in fig. 2 to fig. 5, specific embodiments of the present invention may refer to the relevant descriptions of the embodiments shown in fig. 2 to fig. 5, and can achieve the same beneficial effects, and therefore, in order to avoid repeated descriptions, no further description is given here.

Referring to fig. 8, fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a network function according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the network function is a first network function, and as shown in fig. 8, the first network function 800 includes:

a called module 801, configured to be called by a second network function to perform a first service operation including first multicast service information;

a processing module 802, configured to indicate a mode selection result for the second network function based on the first multicast service information;

Optionally, the processing module 802 is specifically configured to:

returning mode information to the second network function, the mode information being used to indicate the mode selection result; or

And returning no mode information for indicating the mode selection result.

Optionally, the first multicast service information includes a temporary mobile group identity TMGI or an internet protocol IP multicast address.

a session connection identifier;

a flow identification;

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first network function 800 may be the first network function in the embodiment of the method shown in fig. 2 to fig. 7, and any implementation of the first network function in the embodiment of the method may be implemented by the first network function 800 in the embodiment of the present invention, and the same beneficial effects are achieved, and for avoiding repetition, details are not described here again.

Referring to fig. 9, fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a network function according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the network function is a second network function, and as shown in fig. 9, the second network function 900 includes:

a receiving module 901, configured to receive a message including second multicast service information or a second service operation including the second multicast service information is called;

a calling module 902, configured to call a first service operation including first multicast service information to a first network function;

a first processing module 903, configured to indicate a mode selection result by the first network function;

Optionally, as shown in fig. 10, the second network function 900 further includes:

a second processing module 904 for indicating the mode selection result to a third network function.

Optionally, the first processing module 903 is specifically configured to:

Mode information is not received for indicating the mode selection result.

a session connection identifier;

a flow identification;

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal.

a session connection identifier;

a flow identification;

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, the second network function 900 may be the second network function in the embodiment of the method shown in fig. 2 to fig. 7, and any implementation of the second network function in the embodiment of the method may be implemented by the second network function 900 in the embodiment of the present invention, and the same beneficial effects are achieved, and no repeated description is provided here for avoiding repetition.

Referring to fig. 11, fig. 11 is a terminal or a base station node according to an embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 9, a terminal or a base station node 1100 includes:

a sending module 1101, configured to send a message including the second multicast service information to the fourth network function.

a session connection identifier;

a flow identification;

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, the terminal or the base station node 1100 may be a terminal or a base station node in the embodiments of the methods shown in fig. 2 to fig. 7, and any embodiment of the terminal or the base station node in the embodiments of the methods may be implemented by the terminal or the base station node 1100 in the embodiments of the present invention, and the same beneficial effects are achieved, and details are not repeated here to avoid repetition.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a hardware structure of a terminal for implementing various embodiments of the present invention, where the terminal 1200 includes, but is not limited to: radio frequency unit 1201, network module 1202, audio output unit 1203, input unit 1204, sensor 1205, display unit 1206, user input unit 1207, interface unit 1208, memory 1209, processor 1210, and power source 1211. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the terminal configuration shown in fig. 12 is not intended to be limiting, and that the terminal may include more or fewer components than shown, or some components may be combined, or a different arrangement of components. In the embodiment of the present invention, the terminal includes, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a palm computer, a vehicle-mounted terminal, a wearable device, a pedometer, and the like.

Wherein the radio frequency unit 1201 is configured to:

a session connection identifier;

a flow identification;

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal.

It should be understood that, in the embodiment of the present invention, the radio frequency unit 1201 may be used for receiving and sending signals during information transmission and reception or during a call, and specifically, receives downlink data from a base station and then processes the received downlink data to the processor 1210; in addition, the uplink data is transmitted to the base station. Typically, the radio frequency unit 1201 includes, but is not limited to, an antenna, at least one amplifier, a transceiver, a coupler, a low noise amplifier, a duplexer, and the like. In addition, the radio frequency unit 1201 can also communicate with a network and other devices through a wireless communication system.

The terminal provides wireless broadband internet access to the user through the network module 1202, such as assisting the user in sending and receiving e-mails, browsing web pages, and accessing streaming media.

The audio output unit 1203 may convert audio data received by the radio frequency unit 1201 or the network module 1202 or stored in the memory 1209 into an audio signal and output as sound. Also, the audio output unit 1203 may also provide audio output related to a specific function performed by the terminal 1200 (e.g., a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.). The audio output unit 1203 includes a speaker, a buzzer, a receiver, and the like.

The input unit 1204 is used to receive audio or video signals. The input Unit 1204 may include a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) 12041 and a microphone 12042, and the Graphics processor 12041 processes image data of a still picture or video obtained by an image capturing apparatus (such as a camera) in a video capturing mode or an image capturing mode. The processed image frames may be displayed on the display unit 1206. The image frames processed by the graphics processor 12041 may be stored in the memory 1209 (or other storage medium) or transmitted via the radio frequency unit 1201 or the network module 1202. The microphone 12042 can receive sound, and can process such sound into audio data. The processed audio data may be converted into a format output transmittable to a mobile communication base station via the radio frequency unit 1201 in case of the phone call mode.

The terminal 1200 also includes at least one sensor 1205, such as a light sensor, motion sensor, and other sensors. Specifically, the light sensor includes an ambient light sensor that adjusts the brightness of the display panel 12061 according to the brightness of ambient light, and a proximity sensor that turns off the display panel 12061 and the backlight when the terminal 1200 moves to the ear. As one of the motion sensors, the accelerometer sensor can detect the magnitude of acceleration in each direction (generally three axes), detect the magnitude and direction of gravity when stationary, and can be used to identify the terminal posture (such as horizontal and vertical screen switching, related games, magnetometer posture calibration), vibration identification related functions (such as pedometer, tapping), and the like; the sensors 1205 may also include a fingerprint sensor, a pressure sensor, an iris sensor, a molecular sensor, a gyroscope, a barometer, a hygrometer, a thermometer, an infrared sensor, etc., and will not be described further herein.

The display unit 1206 is used to display information input by the user or information provided to the user. The Display unit 1206 may include a Display panel 12061, and the Display panel 12061 may be configured in the form of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED), or the like.

The user input unit 1207 may be used to receive input numeric or character information and generate key signal inputs related to user settings and function control of the terminal. Specifically, the user input unit 1207 includes a touch panel 12071 and other input devices 12072. The touch panel 12071, also referred to as a touch screen, may collect touch operations by a user on or near the touch panel 12071 (e.g., operations by a user on or near the touch panel 12071 using a finger, a stylus, or any suitable object or attachment). The touch panel 12071 may include two parts of a touch detection device and a touch controller. The touch detection device detects the touch direction of a user, detects a signal brought by touch operation and transmits the signal to the touch controller; the touch controller receives touch information from the touch sensing device, converts the touch information into touch point coordinates, sends the touch point coordinates to the processor 1210, receives a command from the processor 1210, and executes the command. In addition, the touch panel 12071 may be implemented by using various types such as a resistive type, a capacitive type, an infrared ray, and a surface acoustic wave. The user input unit 1207 may include other input devices 12072 in addition to the touch panel 12071. In particular, the other input devices 12072 may include, but are not limited to, a physical keyboard, function keys (such as volume control keys, switch keys, etc.), a trackball, a mouse, and a joystick, which are not described herein again.

Further, the touch panel 12071 may be overlaid on the display panel 12071, and when the touch panel 12071 detects a touch operation thereon or nearby, the touch operation is transmitted to the processor 1210 to determine the type of the touch event, and then the processor 1210 provides a corresponding visual output on the display panel 12061 according to the type of the touch event. Although the touch panel 12071 and the display panel 12061 are shown as two separate components in fig. 12 to implement the input and output functions of the terminal, in some embodiments, the touch panel 12071 and the display panel 12061 may be integrated to implement the input and output functions of the terminal, and this is not limited herein.

An interface unit 1208 is an interface for connecting an external device to the terminal 1200. For example, the external device may include a wired or wireless headset port, an external power supply (or battery charger) port, a wired or wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio input/output (I/O) port, a video I/O port, an earphone port, and the like. The interface unit 1208 may be used to receive input from an external device (e.g., data information, power, etc.) and transmit the received input to one or more elements within the terminal 1200 or may be used to transmit data between the terminal 1200 and the external device.

The memory 1209 may be used to store software programs as well as various data. The memory 1209 may mainly include a storage program area and a storage data area, where the storage program area may store an operating system, an application program (such as a sound playing function, an image playing function, etc.) required by at least one function, and the like; the storage data area may store data (such as audio data, a phonebook, etc.) created according to the use of the cellular phone, and the like. Further, the memory 1209 may include high-speed random access memory, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one magnetic disk storage device, flash memory device, or other volatile solid-state storage device.

The processor 1210 is a control center of the terminal, connects various parts of the entire terminal using various interfaces and lines, and performs various functions of the terminal and processes data by running or executing software programs and modules stored in the memory 1209 and calling data stored in the memory 1209, thereby performing overall monitoring of the terminal. Processor 1210 may include one or more processing units; preferably, the processor 1210 may integrate an application processor, which mainly handles operating systems, user interfaces, application programs, etc., and a modem processor, which mainly handles wireless communications. It is to be appreciated that the modem processor described above may not be integrated into processor 1210.

The terminal 1200 may also include a power source 1211 (e.g., a battery) for powering the various components, and preferably, the power source 1211 is logically connected to the processor 1210 via a power management system such that the functions of managing charging, discharging, and power consumption are performed via the power management system.

In addition, the terminal 1200 includes some functional modules that are not shown, and are not described in detail herein.

Preferably, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a terminal, including a processor 1210, a memory 1209, and a computer program stored in the memory 1209 and capable of running on the processor 1210, where the computer program, when executed by the processor 1210, implements each process of the above-mentioned method for acquiring reference time information, and can achieve the same technical effect, and in order to avoid repetition, the description is omitted here.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the terminal 1200 may be a terminal in any implementation manner in the method embodiment of the present invention, and any implementation manner of the terminal in the method embodiment of the present invention may be implemented by the terminal 1200 in this embodiment, so as to achieve the same beneficial effects, and details are not described here again.

Fig. 13 is a structural diagram of a network side device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The network side device may be the first network function, the second network function, or the base station node in the above method embodiments. As shown in fig. 13, the network-side device 1300 includes: a processor 1301, a transceiver 1302, a memory 1303 and a bus interface, wherein:

in the case where the network-side device 1300 is a first network function:

a processor 1301 for:

Optionally, the processor 1301 is specifically configured to:

And returning no mode information for indicating the mode selection result.

a session connection identifier;

a flow identification;

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal.

In the case where the network-side device 1300 is a first network function:

a processor 1301 for:

indicating a mode selection result by the first network function;

Optionally, the processor 1301 is further configured to:

indicating the mode selection result to a third network function.

Optionally, the processor 1301 is specifically configured to:

Mode information is not received for indicating the mode selection result.

a session connection identifier;

a flow identification;

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal.

a session connection identifier;

a flow identification;

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal.

When the network device 1300 is a base station node:

a transceiver 1302 for:

a session connection identifier;

a flow identification;

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal.

In fig. 13, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, with one or more processors represented by processor 1301 and various circuits of memory represented by memory 1303 linked together. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripherals, voltage regulators, power management circuits, and the like, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver 1302 may be a plurality of elements including a transmitter and a receiver that provide a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. For different terminals, the user interface 1304 may also be an interface capable of interfacing with a desired device, including but not limited to a keypad, display, speaker, microphone, joystick, etc.

The processor 1301 is responsible for managing a bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1303 may store data used by the processor 1301 in performing operations.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the network-side device 1300 may be a first network function, a second network function, or a base station node in any implementation manner in the method embodiment of the present invention, and any implementation manner of the first network function, the second network function, or the base station node in the method embodiment of the present invention may be implemented by the network-side device 1300 in this embodiment, and the same beneficial effects are achieved, which is not described herein again.

An embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium, where a computer program is stored on the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the computer program implements the above processes corresponding to the first network function, the second network function, and the terminal or the base station node, and can achieve the same technical effects, and details are not repeated here to avoid repetition. The computer-readable storage medium may be a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising an … …" does not exclude the presence of other like elements in a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art will clearly understand that the method of the above embodiments can be implemented by software plus a necessary general hardware platform, and certainly can also be implemented by hardware, but in many cases, the former is a better implementation manner. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions of the present invention may be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM/RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk) and includes instructions for enabling a terminal (such as a mobile phone, a computer, a server, an air conditioner, or a network device) to execute the method according to the embodiments of the present invention.

The above description is only for the specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of the changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present invention, and all the changes or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method applied to a first network function, comprising:

2. The method of claim 1, wherein indicating the mode selection result for the second network function comprises:

And returning no mode information for indicating the mode selection result.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first multicast service information comprises a Temporary Mobile Group Identity (TMGI) or an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast address.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first multicast service information further comprises an IP address of the terminal, or information on the IP address and port number of the terminal.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the first multicast service information further comprises at least one of the following:

a session connection identifier;

a flow identification;

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the session option indication indicates that the traffic data can be transmitted using a unicast user plane or does not need to be transmitted using a unicast user plane.

7. A communication method applied to a second network function, comprising:

indicating a mode selection result by the first network function;

wherein the mode selection result comprises any one of a unicast mode, a multicast mode or a no mode.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein after the invoking the first service operation containing the first multicast service information to the first network function, further comprising:

indicating the mode selection result to a third network function.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the indicating a mode selection result by the second network function comprises:

Mode information is not received for indicating the mode selection result.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the first multicast service information comprises a TMGI or IP multicast address.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first multicast service information further comprises an IP address of the terminal, or the IP address and port number information of the terminal.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first multicast service information further comprises at least one of:

a session connection identifier;

a flow identification;

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein the second multicast service information comprises a TMGI or IP multicast address.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second multicast service information further comprises an IP address of the terminal, or the IP address and port number information of the terminal.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the second multicast service information further comprises at least one of:

a session connection identifier;

a flow identification;

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal.

16. The method according to claim 12 or 15, wherein the session option indication indicates that the traffic data can be transmitted using a unicast user plane or does not need to be transmitted using a unicast user plane.

17. A communication method applied to a terminal or a base station node is characterized by comprising the following steps:

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second multicast service information comprises a TMGI or IP multicast address.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second multicast service information further comprises an IP address of the terminal, or information on the IP address and the port number of the terminal.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the second multicast service information further comprises at least one of:

a session connection identifier;

a flow identification;

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the session option indication indicates that traffic data can be transmitted using a unicast user plane or traffic data does not need to be transmitted using a unicast user plane.

22. A network function, the network function being a first network function, comprising:

23. The network function of claim 22, wherein the processing module is specifically configured to:

And returning no mode information for indicating the mode selection result.

24. The network function of claim 23, wherein the first multicast service information comprises a Temporary Mobile Group Identity (TMGI) or an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast address.

25. The network function of claim 24, wherein the first multicast service information further comprises an IP address of the terminal, or information on the IP address and port number of the terminal.

26. The network function of claim 24, wherein the first multicast service information further comprises at least one of:

a session connection identifier;

a flow identification;

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal.

27. The network function of claim 26, wherein the session option indication indicates that traffic data can be transmitted using a unicast user plane or traffic data does not need to be transmitted using a unicast user plane.

28. A network function, the network function being a second network function, comprising:

29. The network function of claim 28, further comprising:

a second processing module for indicating the mode selection result to a third network function.

30. The network function of claim 28, wherein the first processing module is specifically configured to:

Mode information is not received for indicating the mode selection result.

31. The network function of claim 28, wherein the first multicast service information comprises a TMGI or an IP multicast address.

32. The network function of claim 31, wherein the first multicast service information further comprises an IP address of the terminal, or an IP address and a port number of the terminal.

33. The network function of claim 31, wherein the first multicast service information further comprises at least one of:

a session connection identifier;

a flow identification;

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal.

34. The network function of claim 28, wherein the second multicast service information comprises a TMGI or an IP multicast address.

35. The network function of claim 34, wherein the second multicast service information further comprises an IP address of the terminal, or an IP address and a port number of the terminal.

36. The network function of claim 34, wherein the second multicast service information further comprises at least one of:

a session connection identifier;

a flow identification;

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal.

37. A network function according to claim 33 or 36, wherein the session option indication indicates that traffic data can be transmitted using a unicast user plane or that traffic data does not need to be transmitted using a unicast user plane.

38. A terminal or base station node, comprising:

39. The terminal or base station node of claim 38, wherein the second multicast service information comprises a TMGI or IP multicast address.

40. The terminal or the base station node of claim 39, wherein the second multicast service information further comprises an IP address of the terminal, or information on the IP address and port number of the terminal.

41. The terminal or base station node of claim 39, wherein the second multicast service information further comprises at least one of:

a session connection identifier;

a flow identification;

a session option indication;

base station node information;

location information of the terminal.

42. A terminal or base station node according to claim 41, wherein the session option indication indicates that the traffic data can be transmitted using a unicast user plane or that the traffic data does not need to be transmitted using a unicast user plane.

43. A network function, comprising: memory, processor and computer program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, which computer program, when executed by the processor, carries out the steps in the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

44. A terminal or base station node, comprising: memory, processor and computer program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, which computer program, when executed by the processor, carries out the steps in the communication method according to any one of claims 17 to 21.

45. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that a computer program is stored thereon, which computer program, when being executed by a processor, carries out the steps in the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 16; or implementing the steps in the communication method of any of claims 17 to 21.