CN113498138B

CN113498138B - Communication method and communication device

Info

Publication number: CN113498138B
Application number: CN202110218644.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 葛翠丽; 李濛; 杨艳梅
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-04-07
Filing date: 2021-02-26
Publication date: 2023-07-07
Anticipated expiration: 2041-02-26
Also published as: CN113498138A; WO2021203944A1

Abstract

The application server maintains broadcast transmission paths of two networks (such as 5G and EPS) adopting different access technologies at the same time, and sends the description information of the broadcast of the two networks to the terminal equipment, so that when the terminal equipment moves from the broadcast coverage area of one network to the broadcast coverage area of the other network, the terminal equipment can immediately receive the broadcast service data on the broadcast path of the accessed network, the service delay caused by the movement of the terminal equipment between the broadcast coverage areas of different networks can be reduced, and the service continuity is enhanced.

Description

Communication method and communication device

The present application claims priority from the chinese patent office, application number 202010264031.3, entitled "communication method and communication device," filed on 7/4/2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

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

Background

In wireless communication, a terminal device receiving service data using broadcast or multicast may move between broadcast coverage areas of different communication systems, for example, a coverage area broadcast by the terminal device in an evolved packet system (evolved packet system, EPS) and a fifth generation (the 5) ^th generation, 5G) system, thereby causing radio access technology @, to move between coverage areas broadcast by the systemradio access technology, RAT), and reestablishment or switching of a user plane path, etc., resulting in a larger delay of service and even a service interruption, and poor service continuity.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a communication method which can enhance service continuity.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: an application server obtains Radio Access Technology (RAT) capability information of a group of terminal equipment, wherein the RAT capability information is used for indicating the type of wireless broadcast capability of the group of terminal equipment, and the type of wireless broadcast capability comprises at least one of broadcast supporting a first network and/or broadcast supporting a second network; according to the broadcast RAT capability information of the group of terminal equipment, under the condition that a first broadcast of a first network and a second broadcast of a second network are established, an application server acquires description information of the first broadcast and/or description information of the second broadcast, wherein the description information of the first broadcast is used for indicating the attribute of the first broadcast, and the description information of the second broadcast is used for indicating the attribute of the second broadcast; the application server transmits the description information of the first broadcast and/or the description information of the second broadcast to the group of terminal devices.

The broadcast RAT capability information may also be used to indicate whether the group of terminal devices support reception of broadcasts in an idle state, i.e. the broadcast RAT capability information includes the capability to support reception of broadcasts in an idle mode and the capability to receive broadcasts only in a connected mode.

According to the technical scheme, the application server maintains the broadcast transmission paths of the two networks (such as 5G and EPS) adopting different access technologies at the same time, and the description information of the broadcast of the two networks is simultaneously sent to the terminal equipment, so that when the terminal equipment moves from the broadcast coverage area of one network to the broadcast coverage area of the other network, the terminal equipment can immediately receive the broadcast service data on the broadcast path of the accessed network, the service delay caused by the movement of the terminal equipment between the broadcast coverage areas of different networks can be reduced, and the service continuity can be enhanced.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, the application server obtains description information of the first broadcast and/or description information of the second broadcast, including: the application server obtains the description information of the first broadcast from the control plane network element of the core network of the first network, and/or the application service obtains the description information of the second broadcast from the broadcast network element of the second network.

In one architecture, an application server interfaces with a core network of a first network and a core network of a second network, respectively. In this architecture, the description information of the first broadcast is obtained from a control plane element of a core network of the first network, and the description information of the second broadcast is obtained from a broadcast element of the second network by the application server.

In one possible scenario, the control plane and the user plane of the core network of the second network are integrated on one network element, i.e. the broadcast network element of the second network in the present application.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the method comprises the steps that an application server obtains user plane address information of a user plane function network element of a core network of a first network, wherein the user plane address information of the user plane function network element is used for sending broadcast service data to the first network; and the application server acquires the user plane address information of the broadcast network element of the second network, wherein the user plane address information of the broadcast network element of the second network is used for the application server to send the broadcast service data to the second network.

In the framework that the application server is respectively in butt joint with the core network of the first network and the core network of the second network, the control plane network element of the first network respectively acquires the user plane address information of the user plane function of the first network and the user plane address information of the broadcast network element of the second network, and provides the user plane address information to the application server, so that the application server can respectively send broadcast service data to the first network and the second network by using the user plane address information of the user plane function network element and the user plane address information of the broadcast network element.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, the application server obtains description information of the first broadcast and/or description information of the second broadcast, including: the application server acquires the description information of the first broadcast and/or the description information of the second broadcast from a control plane network element of a core network of the first network, wherein the description information of the second broadcast is acquired from a broadcast network element of the second network by the control plane network element of the core network of the first network.

In another architecture, the application server interfaces with only the core network of the first network and then interfaces with the second network by the core network of the first network. In this architecture, the description information of the first broadcast and the description information of the second broadcast are both obtained by the application server from a control plane element of a core network of the first network, and the description information of the second broadcast is obtained by the control plane element from a broadcast element of the second network. The complexity of the application server and the network docking can be simplified, and excessive signaling interaction during docking is reduced.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the application server obtains user plane address information of a user plane function network element of a core network of a first network; and the application server sends the broadcast service data to the first network and the second network according to the user plane address information of the user plane functional network element.

In the framework that the application server is only in butt joint with the core network of the first network, the application server obtains the user plane address information of the user plane function of the first network, and uses the user plane address information of the user plane function network element to send the broadcast service data to the user plane function network element of the first network under the condition that the broadcast service data needs to be sent. Further, the user plane function network element of the first network sends the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network. Providing a single data distribution portal through the network side can simplify the complexity of application server and network interfacing.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: under the condition that the number of terminal equipment accessed into the first network reaches a first threshold, an application server sends broadcast service data to a user plane function network element of a core network of the first network; or, in case that the number of terminal devices accessing the second network reaches a second threshold, the application server sends broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network; or alternatively; under the condition that the number of terminal devices accessed to the first network is lower than the first threshold, the application server stops sending broadcast service data to a user plane function network element of a core network of the first network; or if the number of terminal devices accessing the second network is lower than the second threshold, the application server stops sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network.

The application server is respectively connected to the number of terminal devices of the first network and the second network to determine whether to send the broadcast service data to the first network or the second network, so that the performance of sending the broadcast service data can be improved.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the application server sends broadcast service data to a user plane function network element of a core network of a first network; when the number of the terminal devices accessing the second network is lower than a third threshold, the application server sends first indication information to a user plane function network element of a core network of the first network, or the application server sends the first indication information to a control plane network element of the core network of the first network; the first indication information is used for indicating a user plane function network element of a first network to stop sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of a second network.

The application server can instruct the user plane function of the first network to stop sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network through the control plane or the user plane, thereby controlling the distribution condition of the data in different networks, saving the resources of the second network and improving the accuracy and the distribution efficiency of the data distribution.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the application server sends second indication information to a user plane function network element of the first network; or the application server sends the second indication information to a control surface network element of a core network of the first network; and the second indication information is used for requesting the user plane function network element of the first network to resume sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network.

The application server may instruct, via the control plane or the user plane, the user plane function of the first network to resume sending broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network. The method can flexibly control the distribution of the service in different networks, and improves the accuracy and the distribution efficiency of data distribution.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, the application server obtains broadcast RAT capability information of a group of terminal devices, including: the application server obtains the respective broadcast RAT capability information of the group of terminal devices; or the application server acquires the reachability information of the group of terminal equipment in the network from the capability opening network element, and determines the broadcast RAT capability information of the group of terminal equipment according to the reachability information; or, the application server obtains the broadcast RAT capability information of the group of terminal devices from a user equipment wireless capability management function UCMF; alternatively, the application server obtains said broadcast RAT capability information of said group of terminal devices from a group management server GMS or a user data configuration server.

The application server can obtain the broadcast RAT capability information of the group of terminal devices in various modes, so that the accuracy and the integrity of the application server for obtaining the broadcast RAT capability of the group of terminal devices are enhanced.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, the determining, according to the broadcast RAT capability information of the set of terminal devices, to establish the broadcast of the first network and the broadcast of the second network includes: the application server determining to establish the first broadcast and/or the second broadcast based on the broadcast RAT capability information of the set of terminal devices and one or more of: position information of the set of terminal devices; information of broadcast reception quality of the set of terminal devices; the distribution condition of the group of terminal equipment in the area covered by the first network and the area covered by the second network; the number of terminal devices supporting the broadcast of the first network among the set of terminal devices; the network which is accessed by the group of terminal equipment currently comprises the first network and the second network; the core network type to which the group of terminal devices are connected; the service information of the group of terminal equipment; broadcasting capability information of a base station serving the set of terminal devices; the association state of the network to which the group of terminal devices are currently connected and the group of terminal devices; the network to which the set of terminal devices is currently connected, the current state of a base station serving the set of terminal devices, and the association state of the set of terminal devices.

The application server comprehensively judges the type of the broadcast service to be established according to the broadcast RAT capability information of the terminal equipment and by combining the position information of the terminal equipment, the information of the broadcast receiving quality, the distribution condition of the terminal equipment in the first network and the second network and other factors, and can establish the type of the broadcast service which meets the actual requirements better, thereby improving the performance of the broadcast service.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, in a case where the application server determines to establish a broadcast of the first network and a broadcast of the second network, the application server obtains description information of the first broadcast and/or description information of the second broadcast, including: the application server sends a broadcast service request message to a control plane network element of a core network of the first network, wherein the broadcast service request message carries a type of broadcast service requested to be established, and the broadcast service request message is used for requesting the control plane network element to establish broadcast of the first network and broadcast of the second network.

The application server requests the control plane network element to establish the type of the broadcast service by sending a broadcast service request message to the control plane network element, and in the process of establishing the broadcast service, acquires the description information of the first broadcast of the first network and the description information of the second broadcast of the second network, and provides the description information to the application server. By establishing the broadcast in advance and acquiring the broadcast description information, the time delay for establishing and using the broadcast is reduced, and the continuity of the service is enhanced.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: the terminal equipment receives description information of a first broadcast and/or description information of a second broadcast from the application server, wherein the description information of the first broadcast is used for indicating the attribute of the first broadcast of the first network, and the description information of the second broadcast is used for indicating the attribute of the second broadcast of the second network;

the method comprises the steps that under the condition that a terminal device accesses a first network, broadcast service data from a first broadcast is received by using description information of the first broadcast; or, in case of accessing the second network, the terminal device receives broadcast service data from the second broadcast using the description information of the second broadcast.

In the technical scheme, the terminal equipment simultaneously obtains the description information of the first broadcast of the first network and the description information of the second broadcast of the second network from the application server, so that when the terminal equipment moves between the coverage area of the first broadcast and the coverage area of the second broadcast, the terminal equipment can receive the broadcast service data of the current access network according to the description information of the broadcast of the current access network, service delay can be reduced, and service continuity is enhanced.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: a control plane network element of a core network of a first network receives a broadcast service request message from an application server, wherein the broadcast service request message carries a type of broadcast service requested to be established, and the type of the broadcast service comprises at least one of broadcast of the first network and broadcast of a second network; the control surface network element establishes the broadcast service requested to be established; the control plane network element sends the description information of the first broadcast and/or the description information of the second broadcast to the application server, wherein the description information of the first broadcast is used for indicating the attribute of the first broadcast of the first network, and the description information of the second broadcast is used for indicating the attribute of the second broadcast of the second network.

In the technical scheme, the control plane network element establishes a corresponding broadcast service type based on a broadcast service request message of an application server, obtains description information of the established broadcast, and provides the description information to the application server. Therefore, the application server simultaneously transmits the description information of the first broadcast and the description information of the second broadcast to the terminal equipment, so that the terminal equipment can receive the broadcast service data of the current access network according to the description information of the broadcast of the current access network when moving between the coverage area of the first broadcast and the coverage area of the second broadcast, service delay can be reduced, and service continuity can be enhanced.

With reference to the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: the control plane network element sends user plane address information of a user plane function network element of a core network of the first network to the application server.

In architecture 2 described in the embodiments of the present application, the control plane network element of the first network provides the application server with the user plane address information of the user plane function network element. And subsequently, the application server takes the user plane address of the user plane function network element as the next hop address of communication under the condition that the broadcast service data needs to be sent, and sends the broadcast service data to the user plane function network element. Further, the user plane function network element sends the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network, so that the application server can send the broadcast service data to the two networks through the user plane function network element.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the control plane network element establishes the broadcast service requested to be established, including: the control plane network element sends a broadcast service activation request to a broadcast network element of a second network, and acquires description information of the second broadcast and user plane address information of the broadcast network element of the second network from the broadcast network element of the second network.

In architecture 2 described in the embodiment, a control plane network element of the first network acts AS an AS, activates a broadcast bearer of the second network, and obtains description information of the second broadcast and a user plane address of the broadcast network element of the second network. Subsequently, the control plane network element may provide the description information of the second broadcast to the AS, and the AS sends the description information of the second broadcast to the UE for the UE to receive the broadcast service data. In addition, the control plane network element provides the user plane address information of the broadcast network element of the second network to the user plane function network element of the first network, so that the user plane function network element sends the broadcast service data received from the AS to the broadcast network element of the second network.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the control plane network element establishes the broadcast service requested to be established, including: the control plane network element obtains user plane address information of a user plane function network element of a core network of the first network.

In architecture 2 described in the embodiment, a control plane network element of the first network obtains a user plane address of a user plane function network element and provides the user plane address to the AS, so that the AS uses user plane address information of the user plane function network element AS a next hop address for transmitting broadcast service data, and transmits the broadcast service data to the user plane function network element.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the control plane network element obtains user plane address information of a user plane function network element of a core network of the first network, including: the control plane network element distributes user plane address information of a user plane function network element of the first network; or the control plane network element acquires the user plane address information of the user plane function network element of the first network from the user plane function network element of the first network.

The user plane address information of the user plane function network element may be allocated by the control plane network element or may be allocated by the user plane function network element itself, and may be predefined by the system.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the control plane network element establishes the broadcast service requested to be established, including: the control plane network element sends user plane address information of the application server to a user plane function network element of a core network of the first network.

The control surface network element stores the user surface address information of the AS to the user surface functional network element through the user surface address information of the AS so that the user surface functional network element can identify whether the subsequently received data come from a specific application server or not, and accordingly the received data are correspondingly processed. For example, if the user plane function network element determines that the received data is not from the AS 1 according to the stored user plane address information of the AS 1, only the data of the AS 1 needs to be sent to the broadcast network element of the second network, and therefore, the user plane function network element does not need to send the received broadcast service data to the broadcast network element. For another example, if the user plane function network element determines that the received data is from the AS 1 according to the stored user plane address information of the AS 1, the user plane function network element sends the received data to a broadcast network element of the second network.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the control plane network element establishes the broadcast service requested to be established, including: the control plane network element sends a request message to a user plane function network element of a core network of the first network, wherein the request message carries user plane address information of a broadcast network element of the second network.

In architecture 2 of the embodiment, the control plane network element of the first network sends a request message to the user plane function network element, where the request message carries user plane address information of the broadcast network element of the second network. Subsequently, the user plane function network element may use the user plane address information to send broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the control plane network element receives first indication information from an application server, where the first indication information is used to instruct a user plane function network element of a core network of a first network to stop sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of a second network; the control plane network element sends third indication information to the user plane function network element of the first network, wherein the third indication information is used for indicating the user plane function network element of the first network to stop sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network.

With reference to the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: the control plane network element receives second indication information from an application server, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating a user plane function network element of a first network to resume sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of a second network; the control plane network element sends fourth indication information to the user plane function network element of the first network, wherein the fourth indication information is used for indicating the user plane function network element of the first network to stop sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: the user plane function network element of the core network of the first network receives a request message from the control plane network element of the core network of the first network, wherein the request message comprises user plane address information of a broadcast network element of the second network; the user plane function network element receives the broadcast service data from the application server; and the user plane functional network element sends the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network according to the user plane address information of the broadcast network element of the second network.

In architecture 2 of the embodiment, the control plane network element of the first network sends a request message to the user plane function network element, where the request message carries user plane address information of the broadcast network element of the second network. Subsequently, the user plane function network element can use the user plane address information to send the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network, thereby realizing that the AS sends the broadcast service data to the second network through the user plane function network element of the first network which is in butt joint with the user plane function network element.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: the user plane function network element receives user plane address information of the application server from the control plane network element.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the user plane function network element receives first indication information from an application server, where the first indication information is used to instruct the user plane function network element to stop sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network; or the user plane function network element receives third indication information from the control plane network element, wherein the third indication information is used for indicating the user plane function network element to stop sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the user plane function network element receives second indication information from the application server, where the second indication information is used to instruct the user plane function network element to resume sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network; or the user plane function network element receives fourth indication information from the control plane network element, wherein the fourth indication information is used for indicating the user plane function network element to resume sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, after the user plane function element of the core network of the first network receives the request message from the control plane element of the core network of the first network, the method further includes: the user plane function network element sends a response message of the request message to the control plane network element, wherein the response message comprises user plane address information of the user plane function network element.

In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: an application server obtains Radio Access Technology (RAT) capability information of a group of terminal equipment, wherein the RAT capability information is used for indicating the type of wireless broadcast capability of the group of terminal equipment, and the type of wireless broadcast capability comprises at least one of broadcast supporting a first network and broadcast supporting a second network; according to the broadcast RAT capability information of the group of terminal devices and one or more of the following information, in the case of determining to establish a first broadcast of the first network and/or a second broadcast of the second network, the application server acquires description information of the first broadcast and/or description information of the second broadcast: the network which is accessed by the group of terminal equipment currently comprises the first network and the second network; the core network type to which the group of terminal devices are connected; the service information of the group of terminal equipment; broadcasting capability information of a base station serving the set of terminal devices; the association status of the network to which the set of terminal devices is currently connected and the set of terminal devices; the network to which the set of terminal devices is currently connected, the current state of a base station serving the set of terminal devices, and the association state of the set of terminal devices; the description information of the first broadcast is used for indicating the attribute of the first broadcast, and the description information of the second broadcast is used for indicating the attribute of the second broadcast; the application server transmits the description information of the first broadcast and the description information of the second broadcast to the group of terminal devices.

According to the technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention, the application server simultaneously transmits the broadcast description information of the two networks to the terminal equipment, so that when the terminal equipment moves from the broadcast coverage area of one network to the broadcast coverage area of the other network, the broadcast service data on the broadcast path of the accessed network can be immediately received, the service time delay caused by the movement of the terminal equipment between the broadcast coverage areas of the different networks can be reduced, and the service continuity can be enhanced.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the method further includes: the application server determines a broadcast RAT currently used by the set of terminal devices.

In a dual connectivity scenario, the application server determines two broadcast RATs currently used by the terminal device.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the determining, by the application server, a broadcast RAT currently used by the set of terminal devices includes: the application server receives a broadcast RAT from an application client indicating a current use of the set of terminal devices; or the application server receives the identification of the cell currently accessed by the group of terminal equipment from the application client, and the application server determines the broadcasting RAT currently used by the group of terminal equipment according to the cell currently accessed by the terminal equipment.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the method further includes: and the application server acquires the core network type accessed by the group of terminal equipment.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the obtaining, by the application server, a core network type of access by the set of terminal devices includes: the application server acquires subscription information from the SCEF+NEF node, and the application server acquires the core network type currently accessed by the group of terminal equipment according to the subscription information; or the application server sends request information to the PCF according to the IP address of the group of terminal equipment, wherein the request information is used for requesting to acquire the type of the core network accessed by the group of terminal equipment; the application server determines the type of the core network currently accessed by the group of terminal equipment according to the indication information received from the PCF; or the application server receives the indication information sent by the group of terminal equipment and used for indicating the type of the core network currently accessed by the group of terminal equipment, and the application server determines the type of the core network currently accessed by the group of terminal equipment according to the indication information.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the method further includes: the application server obtains capability information of a base station serving the set of terminal devices.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in certain implementation manners of the fifth aspect, the acquiring, by the application server, capability information of a base station serving the set of terminal devices includes: the application server receives broadcast capability information of a base station serving the set of terminal devices from the set of terminal devices or a core network to which the set of terminal devices are connected, the broadcast capability information of the base station being used to indicate whether the base station supports broadcast of a first network or broadcast of a second network.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the method further includes: and the application server acquires the service information of the group of terminal equipment.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in certain implementation manners of the fifth aspect, the acquiring, by the application server, service information of the group of terminal devices includes: when the application server is an application service server, the application server acquires service information of the group of terminal equipment through the application server; when the application server is a communication-enabled server or a platform server with communication-enabled, the application server acquires the service information from other application service servers.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the method further includes: the application server determines a type of broadcast service to be established, the type of broadcast service comprising a first broadcast of the first network and/or a second broadcast of the second network.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the determining, by the application server, a type of the broadcast service to be established includes: the application server determines the type of the broadcast service to be established according to the position information of the group of terminal equipment and the broadcast RAT capability information; comprising the following steps: in the group of terminal devices, the application server establishes a broadcast of the first network if the number of terminal devices located in a specific area (or in a specific group member) and supporting access to the first network is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the determining, by the application server, a type of the broadcast service to be established includes: the application server determines the type of the broadcast service to be established according to the position information of the group of terminal equipment, the type of the accessed core network, the RAT currently used by the group of terminal equipment and the broadcast RAT capability information; comprising the following steps: in the group of terminal devices, if the number of terminal devices which are located in a specific area (or in a specific group member), are accessed to a core network of the first network through the first network, and support Idle mode to receive broadcast is greater than or equal to a second threshold, the application server establishes the broadcast of the first network.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the determining, by the application server, a type of the broadcast service to be established includes: the application server determining the type of the broadcast service to be established according to the location information of the group of terminal devices, the type of the accessed core network, the RAT currently used by the terminal devices, the broadcast RAT capability information and the capability information of the base station serving the terminal devices, and the application server comprises: in the group of terminal devices, if the number of terminal devices located in a specific area (or in a specific group member), accessing to a core network of a first network through the first network, supporting the ability of Idle mode to receive broadcast, and supporting broadcast transmission of the first network by a base station serving the group of terminal devices is greater than or equal to a third threshold, the application server establishes broadcast of the first network.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the determining, by the application server, a type of the broadcast service to be established includes: the application server determining a type of a broadcast service to be established according to the location information, the service information and the broadcast RAT capability information of the group of terminal devices, including: when the service type is MCPTT, in the group of terminal devices, when the number of terminal devices located in a specific service area (or in a specific group member) and supporting access to the second network is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold, the application server establishes a broadcast of the second network; or when the service type is MCVideo, in the group of terminal devices, when the number of terminal devices which are located in a specific service area and support access to the first network is greater than or equal to a fifth threshold, the application server establishes a broadcast of the first network. In the method of the above aspects, in some implementations, the first network is a fifth generation 5G network and the second network is a fourth generation 4G network.

In some implementations, the description information of the first broadcast includes an identification of the first broadcast and a configuration parameter of the first broadcast, and the description information of the second broadcast includes an identification of the second broadcast and a configuration parameter of the second broadcast.

In the methods of the above aspects, in some implementations, the descriptive information of the first broadcast also carries a group identification or service identification, and/or the descriptive information of the second broadcast also carries a group identification or service identification, wherein,

the description information of the first broadcast carries the group identifier, and the broadcast service data representing the terminal equipment group corresponding to the group identifier is sent through the first broadcast; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the description information of the first broadcast carries the service identifier, and data representing the service corresponding to the service identifier is sent through the first broadcast; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the description information of the second broadcast carries the group identifier, and the broadcast service data representing the terminal equipment group corresponding to the group identifier is sent through the first broadcast; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

and the description information of the second broadcast carries the service identifier, and the data representing the service corresponding to the service identifier is sent through the second broadcast.

In a sixth aspect, the communications device has a function of implementing the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof, where the function may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the above functions.

In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device having a function of implementing the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof, where the function may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the above functions.

In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device having a function of implementing the method in the third aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof, where the function may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the above functions.

In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication device having a function of implementing the method in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof, where the function may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the above functions.

In a tenth aspect, the present application provides an application server comprising a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. Wherein the memory is for storing a computer program, and the processor is for calling and running the computer program stored in the memory and controlling the transceiver to transceive signals to cause the application server to perform the method as in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a terminal device comprising a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. Wherein the memory is for storing a computer program and the processor is for calling and running the computer program stored in the memory and controlling the transceiver to transceive signals to cause the terminal device to perform the method as in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a control plane device of a core network, including a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. Wherein the memory is configured to store a computer program, and the processor is configured to invoke and run the computer program stored in the memory and to control the transceiver to transceive signals to cause the core network device to perform the method as in the first aspect or any of its possible implementations, or to perform the method as in the sixth aspect or any of its possible implementations.

In a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a user plane device of a core network, including a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. Wherein the memory is configured to store a computer program and the processor is configured to invoke and run the computer program stored in the memory and to control the transceiver to transceive signals to cause the control plane device to perform the method as in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

In a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium having stored therein computer instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the method as in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be performed.

In a fifteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium having stored therein computer instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the method as in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be performed.

In a sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium having stored therein computer instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the method as in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be performed.

In a seventeenth aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium having stored therein computer instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the method as in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be performed.

In an eighteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising computer program code which, when run on a computer, causes the method as in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be performed.

In a nineteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising computer program code which, when run on a computer, causes the method as in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be performed.

In a twentieth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising computer program code which, when run on a computer, causes the method as in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be performed.

In a twenty-first aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising computer program code which, when run on a computer, causes the method as in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be performed.

In a twenty-second aspect, the present application provides a communications apparatus comprising a processor and a communications interface for receiving signals and transmitting the signals to the processor, the processor processing the signals such that the method as in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof is performed.

In a twenty-third aspect, the present application provides a communications apparatus comprising a processor and a communications interface for receiving signals and transmitting the signals to the processor, the processor processing the signals such that the method as in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof is performed.

In a twenty-fourth aspect, the present application provides a communications apparatus comprising a processor and a communications interface for receiving signals and transmitting the signals to the processor, the processor processing the signals such that the method as in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof is performed.

In a twenty-fifth aspect, the present application provides a communications device comprising a processor and a communications interface for receiving signals and transmitting the signals to the processor, the processor processing the signals such that the method as in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof is performed.

In a twenty-sixth aspect, the present application provides a wireless communication system comprising one or more of the devices as set forth in the ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth aspects.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an architecture diagram of a 5G communication system.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a mechanism of a 5G multicast and unicast converged transmission.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a multicast or broadcast architecture of fig. 5G.

Fig. 4 is another schematic diagram of a multicast or broadcast architecture of 5G.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an MBMS architecture of 4G.

Fig. 6 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided herein.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of an interworking architecture of a 4G network and a 5G network provided herein.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a broadcast by an AS establishing a 5G network.

Fig. 9 is a broadcast bearer flow diagram of an AS-activated 4G network.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of another interworking architecture of the 4G network and the 5G network provided in the present application.

Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of a broadcast of an AS provided in the present application for establishing a 4G network through a 5 GC.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of an application server provided in the present application obtaining broadcast RAT capability information of a terminal device.

Fig. 13 is an example of a communication method provided in the present application.

Fig. 14 is another example of a communication method provided herein.

Fig. 15 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1000 provided herein.

Fig. 16 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 2000 provided herein.

Fig. 17 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 3000 provided in the present application.

Fig. 18 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 4000 provided in the present application.

Fig. 19 is a schematic structural diagram of the communication device 10 provided in the present application.

Fig. 20 is a schematic structural diagram of the communication device 20 provided in the present application.

Fig. 21 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 30 provided in the present application.

Fig. 22 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 40 provided in the present application.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

For ease of understanding, related architecture and techniques referred to in this application will first be briefly described.

Referring to fig. 1, fig. 1 is an architecture diagram of a 5G communication system. The system architecture as in figure 5,5G comprises two parts, an access network and a core network. The access network is used to implement radio access related functions. The core network mainly comprises the following key logic network elements:

a radio access network (radio access network, (R) AN), AN access and mobility management network element (access and mobility management function, AMF), a session management network element (session management function, SMF), a user plane network element (user plane function, UPF), a policy control network element (policy control function, PCF), a unified data management network element (unified data management, UDM), AN application function (application function, AF).

RAN: devices that provide wireless access to terminal devices include, but are not limited to, enodebs, wiFi APs, wiMAX BSs, and the like.

AMF: is mainly responsible for mobility management in mobile networks, e.g. user location update, user registration network, user handover, etc.

SMF: is mainly responsible for session management in mobile networks, e.g. session establishment, modification, release. Specific functions are for example assigning IP addresses to users, selecting UPFs providing message forwarding functions, etc.

PCF: is responsible for providing policies, e.g., qoS policies, slice selection policies, etc., to the AMF, SMF.

UDM: for storing user data, e.g. subscription information, authentication/authorization information.

AF: is responsible for providing services to the 3GPP network, e.g., affecting traffic routing, interacting with PCFs for policy control, etc.

UPF: the method is mainly responsible for processing the user message, such as forwarding, charging and the like.

DN: refers to a network that provides data transfer services for users, such as Internet protocol multimedia services (IP IMS), the Internet, etc. There may be multiple application servers in the DN.

The UE accesses the data network by establishing a session (PDU session) between the UE to the RAN to the UPF to DN.

Wherein the interfaces between the network elements may be as shown in fig. 1.

Referring to fig. 2, fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a mechanism for 5G multicast and unicast converged transmission. As in fig. 2, a plurality of UEs receiving multicast traffic each establish a separate unicast PDU session at the control plane. For example, UE a establishes PDU session a1 receiving a multicast service, UE B establishes PDU session B1 receiving the same multicast service, and UE C establishes PDU session C1 receiving the same multicast service.

The multicast of 5G differs from unicast transmission in that there is only one path within the mobile network for the user plane where multiple UEs transmit the multicast traffic. As shown in fig. 2, data of multicast service is transmitted between UPF and RAN only on one QoS flow, wherein the QoS flow may be a QoS flow of one UE in a plurality of UEs receiving the multicast service, or may be a common N3 QoS flow between UPF and RAN for the multicast service. For example, in fig. 2, the data packets of the multicast service are transmitted on the QoS flow of UE a. At the RAN node, the RAN configures the same group radio network temporary identifier (G-RNTI) for the UE of the multicast service in the manner that the multicast scheduling is used by the data packet of the multicast service received from the QoS flow on the air interface, i.e. the NR-RAN sends the data packet to a plurality of UEs, such as UE a, UE B and UE C, that receive the multicast service. QoS flows are a channel for transmitting UE data in a mobile network, and data of different QoS types are generally transmitted using different QoS flows, that is, one UE may have multiple QoS flows, and one QoS flow may transmit data of one or more application services. For unicast scenarios, the data of the application traffic is sent independently on the QoS flow of each UE.

For the UPF side, the SMF needs to configure specific packet detection and forwarding rules for the UPF, and send a packet of a multicast service to the RAN side through an N3 tunnel. When the application server sends a packet of the multicast service to the UPF to the per UE, that is, the UPF receives the packet of the multicast service of each UE of the plurality of UEs, the packet of the multicast service of one UE is selected, and the destination IP address is replaced by the IP address (typically, the multicast IP address) for transmitting the multicast service.

For the (R) AN side, the SMF needs to configure information of a group of UEs corresponding to the multicast service to the (R) AN, and may mark QoS flows of a plurality of UEs as corresponding to the multicast service, for example, index or content ID, or may be AN N3 tunnel binding a plurality of UEs to the downlink transmission multicast service. Thus, the RAN can know that the data packet received on the N3 tunnel belongs to a group of UEs, and the (R) AN can schedule radio resources for the group of UEs to transmit data using the G-RNTI.

In this case, the SMF and UPF in the 5G network architecture are given new functions, as shown in fig. 3 below.

Referring to fig. 3, fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a multicast or broadcast architecture of 5G. In 5G multicast/broadcast, the unicast session of the UE is bound to the multicast/broadcast user plane path. As shown in fig. 3, a-UPF (multicast) is an anchor point (anchor) gateway of the multicast/broadcast user plane. Multicast/broadcast service data is sent to one or more NG-RANs via a-UPF (multicast). It should be noted that fig. 3 shows only one NG-RAN and one UE for simplicity. The NG-RAN issues to a connected set of UEs (i.e., multicast) or to all UEs (i.e., broadcast). Meanwhile, the UE A can also receive data of other application services from the UE A through a Unicast user plane path, namely, an A-UPF (Unicast) -NG-RAN. The N9 interface between a-UPF (multicast) and a-UPF (unicasting) is used when the UE switches from a NG-RAN supporting broadcast/multicast to a NG-RAN not supporting broadcast/multicast, and multicast data is forwarded from a-UPF (multicast) to the a-UPF (unicasting) and then sent to the UE via the unicast user plane path of the user.

Referring to fig. 4, fig. 4 is another schematic diagram of a 5G multicast or broadcast architecture. Unlike in fig. 3, a plurality of UEs (specifically, two UEs) are shown in fig. 4. As shown in fig. 4, UE B and UE a access the same NG-RAN to receive multicast/multicast service data, but non-multicast/broadcast services of UE B and UE a are received through independent unicast user plane paths, and other descriptions are the same as in fig. 3, and will not be repeated.

In the above fig. 3 and 4 and in the following embodiments, multicast/broadcast means multicast or broadcast, and multicast/multicast means multicast or multicast. Wherein, broadcasting generally means that data is sent to all terminal devices, before sending, it is generally not known how many users or which specific users exist, users can receive service data without explicitly joining (join) or subscribing (subscribe) service, and the network side generally sends data to all terminal devices in a specific area or sends data to all terminal devices subscribing to broadcast service in the area. Multicasting means that the network side sends data to a group of specific terminal devices, which have been determined before the data is sent, and the terminal devices need to explicitly join or subscribe to a multicast service to receive service data. Multicasting generally refers to the network sending data to multiple users, as opposed to broadcasting and multicasting. In this application, broadcast, multicast may be equivalently used instead to denote transmitting data of a broadcast (or multicast, multicast) service to a plurality of terminal devices.

The 4G multicast broadcast architecture is described further below.

Referring to fig. 5, fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an MBMS architecture of 4G. As shown in fig. 5, the network elements involved in MBMS mainly include E-UTRAN, MME, MBMS-GW and BM-SC. The network element functions and reference points related to the following 4G MBMS architecture and the functions at the reference points are described below.

Broadcast multicast service center (broadcast-multicast service centre, BM-SC): as an entrance to broadcast transmissions of content providers (content provider) and group communication application servers, the provision of transmission management functions includes being responsible for allocating temporary mobile group identities (temporary mobile group identifier, TMGIs), establishing control plane connections and user plane connections, e.g., MB2-C and MB2-U, with the content providers and group communication application servers, being responsible for session management including performing MBMS session start, update, stop procedures to maintain network layer MBMS bearers, etc.

Multicast broadcast gateway (MBMS-gateway, MBMS-GW): performs broadcast session management functions (e.g., completes the start, update, and end of MBMS sessions in cooperation with the BM-SC and RAN), receives user plane data sent by the BMSC and sends to the corresponding RAN over the M1 interface, and assigns a RAN multicast receive address.

Mobility management entity (mobility management entity, MME): mobility management function: a broadcast session management function is performed.

RAN: a broadcast session management function is performed, receiving service data from the MBMS-GW and transmitting from an air broadcast channel to UEs located in a broadcast coverage area.

The technical scheme provided by the application is described below.

In the technical scheme of the application, in order to avoid the problem that service continuity is not easy to be maintained due to service delay, service interruption and the like caused by RAT switching and reconstruction or switching of a user plane path in the process of moving between broadcast coverage areas of two networks adopting different access technologies, an interworking architecture of the two networks is established, and broadcast service data transmission is realized based on the interworking architecture, so that service delay can be reduced, and service continuity is ensured.

It should be noted that, the two networks related to the interworking architecture provided in the present application refer to networks that the terminal device needs to access by using different access technologies, for example, a 5G network and a 4G network, and a 5G network and a 6G network. Hereinafter, the two networks are referred to as a first network and a second network, respectively, i.e., the first network may be a 5G network, the second network may be a 4G network, or the first network may be a 6G network, the second network may be a 5G network, etc.

Referring to fig. 6, fig. 6 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided in the present application.

210. The application server obtains broadcast RAT capability information for a group of terminal devices.

The application server may be a functional entity providing a specific application service, such as a server functional entity providing a vertical application service, e.g. a car networking service, an unmanned aerial vehicle service, a video service, etc. The application server may also be an enabling server (e.g. mobile communication network (EPS, 5 GS) transmission enabling capability) providing application enabling capabilities, in particular unicast/multicast/broadcast transmission capabilities, to the application service server, e.g. a network resource management server (network resource management server) in a 3gpp SA6 application enabling architecture, or a group communication enabling server (group communication enabler server). Or the server may be another server having a platform type providing unicast/multicast/broadcast transmission capability, such as an edge enabled server (edge enabler server), etc. When the application server is a communication transmission enabling server or a platform server, a plurality of application service servers may be served. Wherein the broadcast RAT capability information is used to indicate a type of wireless broadcast capability of the group of terminal devices, the type of wireless broadcast capability including at least one of a broadcast supporting the first network and a broadcast supporting the second broadcast. In other words, the types of the wireless broadcasting capability include several kinds of broadcasting supporting the first network and not supporting the second network, broadcasting supporting the second network and not supporting the first network, and broadcasting supporting the first network and the second network.

Further, the broadcast RAT capability information may also be used to indicate whether the group of terminal devices support reception of broadcast in an idle state, i.e. the broadcast RAT capability information includes the capability to support reception of broadcast in an idle state (idle mode) and the capability to receive broadcast only in a connected state (connected mode). Specifically, the broadcast RAT capability information may be 4G broadcast,5G multicast,5G broadcast or the like.

In addition, the group of terminal devices may be a group of terminal devices formed according to multicast, such as a user set subscribed to the same network television protocol (internet protocol television, IPTV), or may be a group of terminal devices formed according to a service type, such as a set of internet of things (internet of thing, ioT) devices, or a group of terminal devices formed according to a service organization structure of an application layer, such as a team of police or a department of a hospital, or may be a group of terminal devices divided according to a broadcast service area, such as all terminal devices located in the same individual stadium, or the like, which is not limited herein.

220. The application server determines the type of broadcast service to be established (or to be established) according to the broadcast RAT capability information of the group of terminal devices.

Optionally, in step 220, the application server determines the type of the broadcast service to be established may include broadcasting of the first network, multicasting of the first network, broadcasting of the second network, and several cases of broadcasting of the first network and broadcasting of the second network, multicasting of the first network and broadcasting of the second network. The flow of establishing the broadcast is also different from each other based on the two different architectures provided in the present application, and the detailed flows of establishing the broadcast of the first network, the broadcast of the second network, and the broadcast of the first network and the broadcast of the second network are described below for each architecture, respectively.

In the following embodiments, in the case where the first network is a 5G network, the broadcast of the first network may be replaced with the multicast of the first network, that is, the setup procedure of the multicast of the first network. And under the condition that the second network is a 4G network, replacing the broadcast of the second network with the multicast of the second network, and obtaining the establishment flow of the multicast of the second network. In the following, only the broadcast of the first network and the broadcast of the second network are taken as an example, and according to the establishment procedure under the fusion architecture of the broadcast of the first network and the broadcast of the second network provided by the application, a person skilled in the art may obtain the multicast of the first network and the establishment procedure of the multicast of the second network under the fusion architecture.

The two system architectures provided in the present application are described separately below.

Architecture 1

In architecture 1, the application server establishes the broadcast of the first network and the broadcast of the second network by interfacing the core network of the first network and the core network of the second network, respectively, and there may be no interface between the core networks of the first network and the second network.

The architecture 1 will be described below taking the first network as a 5G network and the second network as a 4G network as an example.

Referring to fig. 7, fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of an interworking architecture of a 4G network and a 5G network provided in the present application. AS shown in fig. 7, an N6 interface connection is established between the AS and the user plane function (user plane function, UPF) of the 5GC, and an MB2 interface connection is established between the AS and the BM-SC of the 4G, wherein the MB2 interface connection includes MB2-C and MB2-U.

The AS sends the broadcast of the first network and the broadcast of the second network to the UE by establishing the broadcast of the first network and the broadcast of the second network, wherein the broadcast description information is used for describing the broadcast attribute and is used for receiving the broadcast service data by the UE. The AS may send the UE description information of the broadcast of the first network and the broadcast of the second network before the UE transmits the broadcast service data or before the UE switches to another network. For example, the AS transmits the description information of the broadcast of the first network and the broadcast of the second network to the UE when the UE is currently accessing the first network, or the AS transmits the description information of the broadcast of the first network and the broadcast of the second network to the UE when the UE is currently accessing the second network. The AS may send the description information of the broadcast of the first network and the broadcast of the second network to the UE in the same message, or may send the description information of the broadcast of the first network and the broadcast of the second network to the UE in two independent messages. In the moving process, the UE can adopt the description information of the broadcasting of the current accessed network to receive the broadcasting service data under the condition of moving from the broadcasting coverage area of one network to the broadcasting coverage area of the other network, thereby avoiding the switching or reconstruction of the user plane path, reducing the switching time delay and ensuring the continuity of the broadcasting service data.

For ease of illustration, the first network Wen Jiading is a 5G network and the second network is a 4G network.

Case 1

Establishing a broadcast of a first network

The procedure by which the AS triggers the establishment of the broadcast of the first network is described below in connection with fig. 8.

Referring to fig. 8, fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of AS triggering a broadcast to establish a 5G network.

301. The application server sends a broadcast service request to a control plane network element of a core network of the first network. Wherein the broadcast service request is for requesting to establish a broadcast of the first network, hereinafter the broadcast established at the first network triggered by the application server is referred to as a first broadcast.

In one example, in a 5G network, the control plane network element of the 5GC may be PCF or SMF, and the user plane function network element of the 5GC may be UPF.

In this application, the first broadcast refers to a broadcast transmission path from a user plane network element of a core network of the first network to an access network of the first network and from the access network of the first network to a terminal device. Thus, a first broadcast is established, meaning that a broadcast transmission path is established from a user plane network element of a core network of the first network to the terminal device. And in the process of triggering the application server to establish the first broadcast, the user plane connection between the application server and the user plane network element of the core network of the first network is also established, namely the N6 interface connection. The user plane element of the core network of the first network is a user plane function element for transmitting data of a broadcast service, and specifically may be a broadcast service anchor user plane function element.

Similarly, the "establishing a second broadcast" appearing hereinafter means establishing a broadcast transmission path from a user plane network element of a core network of the second network to an access network of the second network, and from the access network of the second network to the terminal device. The user plane element of the core network of the second network is a user plane element for transmitting data of a broadcast service, and may specifically be a BM-SC of a 4G network.

The broadcast service request may carry QoS requirements of the service, an announcement mode of the service (e.g., sent by an application or sent by a network), coverage area information of the service, description information of the service, for example, start time of the service, end time of the service, and the like.

Optionally, in one example, if the application server has previously obtained an identification of the first broadcast from the control plane network element, the broadcast service request may also carry the identification of the first broadcast.

Taking the first network as a 5G network as an example, the first broadcast identifier may be a fifth generation group identifier (the fifth generation group identifier,5 GGI).

302. The control plane network element of the first network obtains user plane address information of a user plane function network element of a core network of the first network, wherein the user plane address information can comprise an IP address and a port number of the user plane function network element or a downlink tunnel identifier of an N6 interface.

Optionally, in one example, the control plane network element may allocate user plane address information of the user plane function network element to the user plane function network element, and send the user plane address information to the user plane function network element.

Alternatively, in another example, the user plane address information of the user plane function network element may also be allocated by the user plane function network element and sent to the control plane network element.

Optionally, the control plane network element allocates an identity of the first broadcast.

Optionally, the control plane network element acquires the description information of the first broadcast.

303. The control plane network element returns a response message to the application server, wherein the response message carries user plane address information of the user plane function network element.

Optionally, in some examples, the response message further includes an identification of the first broadcast, descriptive information of the first broadcast, and the like. The identification of the first broadcast is used for identifying the first broadcast, and the description information of the first broadcast is used for describing the attribute of the first broadcast. For example, the description information of the first broadcast may include a frequency (frequency) of transmitting data over the air of the first broadcast, a broadcast service area identification, and other relevant configuration parameters of the first broadcast, and may refer to TS 26.346 for details.

Alternatively, the identifier of the first broadcast and the description information of the first broadcast may be sent to the application server by the control plane network element through two messages, or may also be sent through one message, which is not limited. In one example, the identification of the first broadcast may be included in descriptive information of the first broadcast.

Subsequently, the application server may send the identification of the first broadcast and the description information of the first broadcast to the set of UEs. The description information of the first broadcast is used for the UE to receive broadcast service data from the first broadcast, and specifically can also be used for the UE to join in the first broadcast at the network layer.

And the application server subsequently uses the user plane address information of the user plane function network element to send the broadcast service data to the user plane function network element. Further, the user plane function network element sends the broadcast service data to the corresponding access network, and finally the access network sends the broadcast service data to the corresponding UE.

In another example, the application server may request the control plane network element for the identification of the first broadcast in advance, and the control plane network element returns one or a set of broadcast service identifications to the application server based on the request of the application server. After obtaining the identifier of the first broadcast, the application server executes the process described in fig. 8, and requests to establish the first broadcast.

In this case, the broadcast service request of step 301 may carry the identity of the first broadcast, while the control plane network element may not reassign the identity of the first broadcast in step 302.

Case 1

Establishing broadcast of second network

The procedure by which the AS establishes a broadcast of the second network is described below in connection with fig. 9.

Referring to fig. 9, fig. 9 is a broadcast bearer flow diagram of an AS-activated 4G network.

401. The application server sends an MBMS bearer activation request to the BM-SC, where the MBMS bearer activation request is used to request the BM-SC to establish a broadcast of the second network, and hereinafter the broadcast established by the application server in the second network is referred to as a second broadcast.

The MBMS bearer of a 4G network is also sometimes referred to herein as a broadcast bearer of a 4G network.

Optionally, as an example, the MBMS bearer activation request may carry an identification of the second broadcast and one or more of the following information: qoS requirements of a service, coverage area information of the service, advertising mode of the service, description information of the service, for example, start time of the service, end time of the service, etc.

402. The BM-SC triggers the establishment or update of the MBMS bearer to establish or update the broadcast session.

403. The BM-SC returns a response message to the application server, wherein the response message carries the user plane address information of the BM-SC.

The user plane address information of the BM-SC may include information such as a user plane IP address and a port number of the BM-SC.

Optionally, in some examples, the response message further includes an identification of the second broadcast, descriptive information of the second broadcast, and the like. The identifier of the second broadcast is used to identify the second broadcast, and if the second network is a 4G network, the identifier of the second broadcast may be a TMGI. Description information of the second broadcast is used to describe attributes of the second broadcast, for example, the description information of the second broadcast may include a frequency at which the second broadcast transmits data over the air, a broadcast service area identifier, and other relevant configuration parameters of the second broadcast, and may be referred to in detail in TS 26.346.

After receiving the response message, the application server may send the UE description information of the second broadcast. Wherein the description information of the second broadcast is used for indicating the attribute of the second broadcast.

In other words, the description information of the second broadcast is used for the UE to receive broadcast service data from the second broadcast.

404. In the MBMS session flow triggered by BM-SC, BM-SC successfully allocates the air interface broadcast resource of RAN for MBMS bearing.

Optionally, the flow shown in fig. 9 may further include step 405.

405. The BMSC sends an MBMS sending state indication message to the application server for indicating whether MBMS transmission resource allocation is successful or not.

Subsequently, in the case that the application server has broadcast service data to send, the broadcast service data is sent to the BM-SC using the user plane address information of the BM-SC as the next-hop communication address, as in step 406.

406. The application server transmits broadcast service data from the activated MBMS bearer.

After receiving the broadcast service data from the application server, the BM-SC sends the MBMS bearer (i.e., broadcast bearer) established through step 402 to a group of UEs located in the service area of the second broadcast.

Case 3

Establishing a broadcast of a first network and a broadcast of a second network

In architecture 1, a first broadcast may be established by an application server with a first network and a second broadcast with a second network, respectively.

Specifically, the flow of establishing the first broadcast by the application server and the first network may refer to the flow chart of fig. 8, and the flow of establishing the second broadcast by the application server and the second network may refer to the flow chart of fig. 9, which is not repeated herein.

According to the above architecture 1, based on the procedure of establishing the first broadcast in case 1, the application server acquires the description information of the first broadcast from the control plane network element of the first network, and based on the procedure of establishing the second broadcast in case 2, the application server acquires the description information of the second broadcast from the broadcast network element of the second network. After the application server acquires the description information of the first broadcast and the description information of the second broadcast, the application server sends the description information of the first broadcast and the description information of the second broadcast to the UE.

In the architecture 1, an application server maintains broadcast transmission paths of two networks simultaneously, and sends broadcast description information of the two networks to a UE in advance, so that the UE can immediately receive broadcast service data sent on a broadcast path of a network to which the UE is currently connected under the condition that the UE moves from a broadcast coverage area of one network to a broadcast coverage area of another network, thereby being beneficial to enhancing service continuity of the mobile UE in the broadcast coverage areas of different networks, reducing service delay caused by the movement of the UE in the broadcast coverage areas of different networks, and avoiding possible service interruption.

It should be noted that, as described herein, the application server sends the description information of the broadcasts of the two networks to the UE in advance, which means that the UE receives the description information of the broadcasts corresponding to the network before receiving the data from the network side or before accessing the network. Thus, after the UE moves to the broadcast coverage area of the network and accesses the network, the broadcast service data of the network can be received, thereby enhancing service continuity.

Architecture 2

In architecture 2, an application server interfaces with a core network of a first network, and then the core network of the first network interfaces with a core network of a second network.

Taking the first network as a 5G network and the second network as a 4G network as an example, the application server is in butt joint with the 5GC, and the 5GC is in butt joint with the EPC, so that the network butt joint of the 4G broadcasting and the 5G broadcasting is completed.

Referring to fig. 10, fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of another interworking architecture of the 4G network and the 5G network provided in the present application. AS shown in fig. 10, the AS interfaces with the 5GC, specifically, the AS establishes an N6 interface connection with the UPF of the 5GC, and the AS establishes a control plane connection with a control plane network element (e.g., PCF or SMF) of the 5 GC.

For example, AS one example, in fig. 10, an N5 interface connection is established between an AS and a PCF of a 5 GC. The UPF of the 5GC is used AS a user plane function of the AS to establish MB2-U connection with the BM-SC, and the control plane network element of the 5GC is used AS a control plane function of the AS to establish MB2-C connection with the BM-SC.

In addition, in the architecture 2, the control plane network element of the core network of the first network interfacing with the AS may specifically be PCF, or SMF, which is not limited herein.

It should be noted that, the control plane functions and the user plane functions of the core networks of some networks are disposed on different network elements, for example, the UPF and the PCF/SMF of 5G, respectively, while the control plane functions and the user plane functions of the core networks of some networks are disposed on one network element, for example, the BM-SC of 4G, in an integrated manner. In this application, a network element in which the control plane function and the user plane function of the core network are integrated together is called a broadcast network element.

In architecture 2, step 220 may also include setting up a broadcast of the first network, setting up a broadcast of the second network, and setting up a broadcast of the first network and a broadcast of the second network, which are described below.

Case 1

A broadcast of the first network is established.

In architecture 2, if the application server establishes a broadcast of the first network, the setup procedure is the same as in architecture 1. That is, the control plane connection is established between the application server and the control plane network element of the 5GC, and at the same time, the user plane connection, for example, the N6 interface connection, is established between the application server and the user plane function network element of the 5 GC.

The flow of establishing the first broadcast of the first network is shown in fig. 8 and the description thereof, and will not be repeated here.

According to the procedure of establishing the first broadcast in the above architecture 1, it can be known that, by establishing the procedure of the first broadcast, the control plane network element of the first network sends the user plane address information of the user plane function network element of the first network to the application server, so that the application server uses the user plane address of the user plane function network element as the destination address of the next hop to send the broadcast service data to the user plane function network element under the condition that the broadcast service data is sent. In addition, AS establishes the first broadcast through the control plane network element of 5GC AS explained in fig. 8 above, and AS may acquire description information of the first broadcast from the control plane network element. Further, the AS may transmit the description information acquired to the first broadcast to the UE receiving the broadcast service data.

In addition, the control plane network element also provides address information of the application server to the user plane function network element. According to the address information of the application server, the user plane function network element can distinguish from which application server the received service data comes from.

Case 2

Establishing broadcast of second network

In architecture 2, if the application server establishes a broadcast of the second network, a connection needs to be established between the core network of the first network and the broadcast network element of the second network, as there is no interface between the application server and the second network, unlike in architecture 1.

The following description will proceed with reference to fig. 11, taking the first network as a 5G network and the second network as a 4G network as an example.

Referring to fig. 11, fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of a broadcast of an AS provided in the present application for establishing a 4G network through a 5 GC.

501. The application server sends a broadcast service request to a control plane network element of a core network of the first network. The broadcast service request is used for requesting to establish the second broadcast, and the broadcast service request may carry an identifier of the second broadcast or indication information of the second network broadcast. For example, the second network is a 4G network, and the identifier of the second broadcast may be a TMGI. The indication information broadcast by the second network may be indication information of an evolved packet system (evolved packet system, EPS), 4G broadcast, etc.

The control plane network element receives a broadcast service request from an application server.

502. The control plane network element acts as an application server to activate the 4G broadcast bearer.

The flow of the control plane network element of the 5G network to activate the 4G broadcast bearer may be shown in fig. 9, and specifically, the GAS AS shown in fig. 9 may be replaced by a control plane network element of the core network of the first network, which is not described in detail herein.

It may be appreciated that, through the corresponding flow of step 502 (see in particular fig. 9 and the description thereof), the control plane element of the first network may obtain the user plane address information of the broadcast network element (e.g. BM-SC) of the second network, and may provide it to the user plane function element of the first network.

In addition, the control plane element of the 5G network may send a broadcast service activation request (for example, an MBMS bearer activation request shown in fig. 9) to the broadcast network element of the 4G network, and obtain description information of the second broadcast by activating the flow of the 4G broadcast bearer, and provide it to the AS. Further, the AS may transmit the description information of the second broadcast acquired from the control plane network element of the 5G network to the UE receiving the broadcast service data in the 4G network.

Case 3

A broadcast of a first network and a broadcast of a second network are established.

It can be understood that in the architecture 2, the broadcasting of the application server for establishing the first network may be referred to in case 1, and the flow of the application server for establishing the broadcasting of the second network may be referred to in case 2, so that the first broadcasting and the second broadcasting may be established, which is not described herein.

According to the above architecture 2, based on the procedure of establishing the first broadcast in case 1, the application server acquires the description information of the first broadcast from the control plane network element of the first network, and based on the procedure of establishing the second broadcast in case 2, the application server acquires the description information of the second broadcast from the control plane network element of the first network. After the application server acquires the description information of the first broadcast and the description information of the second broadcast, the application server sends the description information of the first broadcast and the description information of the second broadcast to the UE.

In the architecture 2, the application server maintains broadcast transmission paths of two networks simultaneously, and sends broadcast description information of the two networks to the UE in advance, so that it is ensured that the UE can immediately receive broadcast service data sent on a broadcast path of a network to which the UE is currently connected when moving from one network to another network, thereby being beneficial to enhancing service continuity of the mobile UE in broadcast coverage areas of different networks, reducing service delay caused by movement of the UE in the broadcast coverage areas of different networks, and avoiding possible service interruption.

Whether based on architecture 1 or architecture 2 described above, after establishing the first broadcast and the second broadcast, the application server transmits the description information of the first broadcast and/or the description information of the second broadcast to the terminal device, as in step 230.

230. The application server transmits the description information of the first broadcast and/or the description information of the second broadcast to the group of terminal devices.

In one embodiment, in the above step 220, in the case where the application server determines to set up the first broadcast, in step 230, the application server transmits description information of the first broadcast to the terminal device.

Alternatively, in step 220, in case the application server determines to set up the second broadcast, in step 230, the application server transmits description information of the second broadcast to the terminal device.

Alternatively, in step 220, in the case where the application server determines to establish the first broadcast and the second broadcast, in step 230, the application server transmits the description information of the first broadcast and the description information of the second broadcast to the terminal device.

In another embodiment of the present application, the application server establishes the first broadcast and the second broadcast by default after acquiring the broadcast RAT capability information of the set of UEs, and transmits description information of the first broadcast and description information of the second broadcast to the terminal device. Thus, the application server can use the established broadcast when there is broadcast service data to transmit.

Accordingly, each terminal device in the set of terminal devices receives the description information of the first broadcast and the description information of the second broadcast.

Subsequently, the terminal device receives the broadcast service data according to the accessed network by adopting the corresponding broadcast description information, as shown in step 240.

240. The method comprises the steps that under the condition that a terminal device accesses a first network, broadcast service data of a first broadcast from the first network is received by adopting description information of the first broadcast; or the terminal equipment receives the broadcast service data of the second broadcast from the second network by adopting the description information of the second broadcast under the condition of accessing the second network.

According to the technical scheme, the application server simultaneously maintains the broadcast transmission paths of the two networks, and sends the broadcast description information of the two networks to the UE in advance, so that when the UE moves from one network to the other network, broadcast service data sent on the broadcast path of the network currently accessed by the UE can be immediately received, further, the service continuity of the mobile UE in the broadcast coverage areas of the different networks can be enhanced, service delay caused by the movement of the UE in the broadcast coverage areas of the different networks can be reduced, and possible service interruption is avoided.

Optionally, in the step 210, there are various ways for the application server to obtain the broadcast RAT capability information of the set of terminal devices, which is illustrated in the following in connection with fig. 12.

Referring to fig. 12, fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of an application server provided in the present application obtaining broadcast RAT capability information of a terminal device.

For example, as shown in 1a of fig. 12, an application client (app client) on the UE acquires broadcast RAT capability information of the UE from the located UE, and reports the acquired broadcast RAT capability information to the application server.

Alternatively, the application client may obtain the broadcast RAT capability information of the UE through the operating system of the UE, or from the underlying layer of the UE. The UE's lower layer may be, for example, a non-access stratum (non access stratum, NAS) of the UE, or a physical layer, or a chip.

In addition, the application client may report the broadcast RAT capability of the UE where it is located to the application server multiple times. For example, the application client may report upon detecting that the UE is connected to the application server, or the application client may report upon a change in the broadcast RAT capability of the UE. As some examples, the broadcast RAT capability information of the UE may be reported in a registration (registration) message, or association request (affiliation request) message, group call request, or response message sent by the UE to the application server. Alternatively, the application client may report the UE's broadcast RAT capability information via a separate message.

The application server determines broadcast RAT capability information for each UE in a group of UEs or for a particular number of UEs (e.g., more than half of the total number of UEs in the group) based on the broadcast RAT capability information for the group of UEs.

For example, when the broadcast RAT capability of at least one UE in the set of UEs is 4G broadcast supported, the application server determines that the broadcast RAT capability of the set of UEs includes 4G broadcast supported.

For another example, if the broadcast RAT capability of at least one UE in the set of UEs is supporting 4G broadcast and 5G broadcast, or if the number of UEs in the set of UEs that are supporting 4G and 5G broadcast RAT capability exceeds a preset threshold, or if the number of UEs that are supporting 4G and 5G broadcast RAT capability exceeds a preset ratio, the application server determines that the broadcast RAT capability of the set of UEs includes supporting 4G broadcast and 5G broadcast.

For another example, if the broadcast RAT capability information of each UE in the set of UEs is that only 4G broadcasting is supported, or that the number of UEs that only 4G broadcasting is supported exceeds a preset threshold, or that the number of UEs that only 4G broadcasting is supported exceeds a preset proportion, the application server determines that the broadcast RAT capability of the set of UEs is that only 4G broadcasting is supported and that 5G broadcasting is not supported.

For another example, if the broadcast RAT capability information of each UE in the set of UEs is 5G broadcast supported, or the number of UEs supporting only 5G broadcast exceeds a preset threshold, or the number of UEs supporting only 5G broadcast exceeds a preset proportion, the application server determines the broadcast RAT capability of the set of UEs to support only 5G broadcast and not support 4G broadcast.

It should be noted that the UE described above supports only 4G broadcasting or only 5G broadcasting, as opposed to the UE supporting both 4G broadcasting and 5G broadcasting. That is, one UE supports 4G broadcasting and does not support 5G broadcasting, i.e., the UE supports only 4G broadcasting. One UE supports 5G broadcast but not 4G broadcast, i.e., the UE supports only 5G broadcast.

In addition, a UE supports only 4G broadcast or only 5G broadcast, and only represents a description of the broadcast RAT capability of the UE, and no limitation should be made to other capabilities that the UE has.

Optionally, the broadcast RAT capability information may specifically be description information of the broadcast RAT capability, such as "support 4G broadcast", "support 5G broadcast", and may also be indication information of the broadcast RAT capability, such as UE radio capability identification (UE radio capability ID). Wherein the UE radio capability identity is used to index a set of radio capability parameters of the UE, one UE may have a plurality of radio capability configurations (profiles), each configuration may be indexed with one UE radio capability identity. The manner in which the application client reports UE radio capability ID to the application server may save air interface resources. At this time, the application server acquires the broadcast RAT capability information of the UE in the manner of fig. 12.

Optionally, the application client reports to the application server the broadcast RAT currently used by the UE, i.e. a broadcast RAT in which the UE receives broadcast data, or a broadcast RAT in which the UE is able to accept broadcast data. Such as "currently using 4G broadcast", "currently using 5G multicast", currently capable of using 4G broadcast "," currently capable of using 5G multicast ". In a dual connectivity scenario, for example, where the UE connects both 4G broadcast and 5G broadcast, the application client needs to report all broadcast RATs to which the UE has access. The application server may determine the broadcast RAT capability of the UE according to the reported broadcast RAT currently used by the UE, and may further determine the broadcast RAT capability of the group of UEs and the broadcast RAT statistics currently used by the group of UEs.

The application client may just report the cell currently accessed by the UE to the application server, and the application server determines the broadcast RAT currently used by the UE according to the cell currently accessed by the UE. For example, the cells of 4G and 5G are separately planned (the cells of 4G and 5G possess globally unique cell IDs), and the application client reports to the application server the identity of the cell currently accessed by the UE, such as cell identity (cell ID), tracking area identity (tracking area identity, TA ID) or service area indication (service area identification, SAI). The application server judges the broadcasting RAT currently used by the UE according to the cell identification, and further can determine the broadcasting RAT capability of the group of UE and the broadcasting RAT statistics condition currently applicable to the group of UE.

As in 1c of fig. 12, the application server obtains the broadcast RAT capabilities of the set of terminal devices from the UCMF via the NEF.

Specifically, as examples, the following implementations may be included:

in the first mode, the application server acquires the wireless capability information of the UE through the NEF, and acquires the broadcast RAT capability of the UE from the wireless capability information.

At this point, the application server sends a subscription request to the NEF for the wireless capabilities of the set of terminal devices, which may contain UE radio capability IDs of the set of UEs. Wherein UE radio capability IDs of the set of UEs may be provided by an application client to an application server. The NEF sends a UE wireless capability subscription request to the UCMF for requesting wireless capability information of the set of UEs. The UCMF returns UE radio capability IDs corresponding radio capability information to the NEF, wherein the radio capability information includes broadcast RAT capability information or RAT capability information of the UE. The NEF returns UE radio capability IDs the corresponding wireless capability information to the application server. The application server determines the broadcast RAT capability information of the UE according to the wireless capability information corresponding to UE radio capability IDs. Specifically, when the radio capability information of the UE includes the broadcast RAT capability information of the UE, the application server uses the broadcast RAT capability information of the UE included in the radio capability information as the broadcast capability information of the UE, and determines the broadcast RAT capability information of the set of UEs according to the broadcast RAT capability information of each UE or a specific number of UEs (for example, more than half of the total number of the set of UEs) in the set of UEs. For example, when the broadcast RAT capability of at least one UE in the set of UEs is 4G broadcast supported, the application server determines that the broadcast RAT capability of the set of UEs includes 4G broadcast supported; alternatively, if the broadcast RAT capability of at least one UE in the set of UEs is supporting 4G broadcast and 5G broadcast, the application server determines that the broadcast RAT capability of the set of UEs includes supporting 4G broadcast and 5G broadcast.

And in a second mode, the application server acquires the broadcast RAT capability information of the UE from the NEF, and the NEF acquires the broadcast RAT capability of the UE from the radio capability information returned by the UCMF.

The application server sends a subscription request to the NEF for broadcast RAT capabilities of the set of terminal devices, which may contain UE radio capability IDs of the set of UEs. Wherein UE radio capability IDs of the set of UEs may be provided by an application client to an application server. The NEF sends a subscription request to the UCMF requesting the wireless capability information corresponding to UE radio capability IDs of the set of UEs. The NEF returns wireless capability information corresponding to UE radio capability IDs according to the UCMF, and judging the broadcast RAT capability information of the UE corresponding to the UE radio capability IDs respectively, and sending the broadcast RAT capability information to an application server. And the application server obtains the broadcast RAT capability information of the group of the UE according to the obtained broadcast RAT capability information of each UE. Or the NEF obtains the broadcast RAT capability information of the group of the UE according to the broadcast RAT capability information of each UE and sends the broadcast RAT capability information to the application server. The manner in which the NEF obtains the broadcast RAT capability information of the set of terminals may refer to the application server in the above manner one to obtain an explanation of the broadcast RAT capability information of the set of terminals.

And thirdly, the application server acquires the broadcast RAT capability information of the UE from the NEF, and the NEF acquires the broadcast RAT capability information of the UE from the UCMF.

The application server sends a subscription request to the NEF for broadcast RAT capabilities of the set of terminal devices, which may contain UE radio capability IDs of the set of UEs. Wherein UE radio capability IDs of the set of UEs may be provided by an application client to an application server. The NEF sends a subscription request to the UCMF requesting the broadcast RAT capability information corresponding to UE radio capability IDs of the set of UEs. The UCMF determines the broadcast RAT information of the UE according to the corresponding UE radio capability information of UE radio capability IDs (one possible way is that the radio capability information includes the broadcast RAT capability information, and another possible way is that the UCMF determines that the UE supports the broadcast RAT of the corresponding RAT according to the RAT capability information of the UE). The UCMF sends broadcast RAT capability information corresponding to UE radio capability IDs to the NEF. At this time, the NEF may send the received broadcast RAT capability information to the application server in the above manner, or the NEF derives the broadcast RAT capability information of the set of terminals and then sends it to the application server.

In the above three manners, the subscription request represents one subscription, and a notification of the subscription request (i.e., a response message for the subscription request) is received multiple times, where the notification may be periodic or event-triggered, for example, the UE switches the network to access. Alternatively, the subscription request may be a single request message, i.e., a response message to the request message is received only once.

As another example, as in 1b of fig. 12, the application server obtains information of reachability of the group of terminal devices in the network from the capability opening network element, and determines broadcast RAT capability information of the group of terminal devices according to the information of reachability.

Specifically, the application server may send a reachability subscription request to the SCEF/NEF, where the reachability subscription request includes an identification of the set of terminal devices, or an identification of a group to which the set of terminal devices belongs, to subscribe to reachability events of the set of terminal devices. After the SCEF/NEF receives the reachability event or message of the group of terminal devices, a notification message of the reachability of the group of terminal devices is returned to the application server. And the application server determines the broadcast RAT capability information of the group of terminal equipment according to the reachability of the group of terminal equipment. For example, when the application server acquires the reachability notification message of at least one terminal in the set of terminal devices from the SCEF, the application server considers that the set of terminals supports 4G broadcasting. For another example, when the application server obtains the reachability notification message of at least one terminal device in the group of terminal devices from the NEF, the application server considers that the group of terminals supports 5G broadcasting. For another example, when the application server acquires the reachability notification message of at least one terminal device in the group of terminal devices from SCEF and NEF simultaneously or sequentially, that is, the at least one terminal device appears in the 4G network and the 5G network sequentially, the application server considers the broadcast RAT capability of the group of terminal devices to support 4G broadcast and 5G broadcast. Further, the application server may determine, according to the reachability of the set of terminal devices, a broadcast RAT currently used by the set of terminal devices. In a dual connectivity scenario, for example, where the UE connects both 4G broadcast and 5G broadcast, where the core network is required to acquire or save two access RAT information for the UE, the application server may acquire all broadcast RATs currently used by the UE from SCEF/NEF.

As another example, as shown in 1d of fig. 12, the group management server (group management server, GMS), the user data configuration server (CSC server) or the user database (user database) acquires the broadcast RAT capability information of the group of UEs through the above-mentioned 1b,1c or the pre-configuration, and then provides the information to the application server.

Further, in step 220, the application server determines the type of broadcast service to be established according to the broadcast RAT capability information of the set of terminal devices.

In one example, the application server determines the type of broadcast service that needs to be established, e.g., establishing a first broadcast or establishing a second broadcast, or establishing both the first broadcast and the second broadcast, based on the broadcast RAT capability information of the set of terminal devices.

For example, when the application server determines that the broadcast RAT capability information of the set of terminal devices is first broadcast-supporting and second broadcast-supporting, the application server determines that the type of the broadcast service to be established is first broadcast and second broadcast, i.e., first broadcast of the first network and second broadcast of the second network, which are simultaneously required to be established. When the application server determines that the broadcast RAT capability information of the group of terminal devices supports only the first broadcast, the application server determines the type of the broadcast service to be established as the first broadcast. When the application server determines that the broadcast RAT capability information of the group of terminal devices supports only the second broadcast, the application server determines that the type of the broadcast service to be established is the second broadcast.

In another example, the application server determines the type of broadcast service to be established according to the broadcast RAT capability information of the set of terminal devices in combination with one or more of the following information, which may also be understood as determining the type of broadcast service required for the service:

position information of the set of terminal devices;

information of broadcast reception quality of the set of terminal devices;

the distribution condition of the group of terminal equipment in the area covered by the first network and the area covered by the second network;

the number of terminal devices in the set of terminal devices supporting the broadcast of the first network and the number of terminal devices supporting the broadcast of the second network;

the network which is accessed by the group of terminal equipment currently comprises the first network and the second network;

the core network type to which the group of terminal devices are connected;

the service information of the group of terminal equipment;

broadcasting capability information of a base station serving the set of terminal devices;

-an association status (affiliation status) of the network to which the set of terminal devices is currently connected and the set of terminal devices;

the network to which the set of terminal devices is currently connected, the current state of a base station serving the set of terminal devices, the association state of the set of terminal devices (affiliation status). Alternatively, in one example, the broadcast reception quality of a terminal device may be divided into several levels, in which case the broadcast reception quality of one terminal device may be characterized by the level to which the broadcast reception quality of the terminal device belongs.

For example, the broadcast reception quality may be classified into 3 ranks, namely rank 1, rank 2 and rank 3. Wherein, the broadcast receiving quality corresponding to the level 1 is optimal, the broadcast receiving quality corresponding to the level 3 is worst, and the level 2 is between the level 1 and the level 2.

Optionally, in one example, the application server obtains a core network type to which the terminal device accesses.

For example, the application server subscribes the core network type accessed by the terminal equipment from the SCEF and NEF co-deployment node, and obtains the core network type currently accessed by the UE according to the subscription information.

For another example, the application server requests and obtains the core network type accessed by the terminal device from the PCF according to the IP address of the terminal device.

For another example, the terminal device reports the type of the core network accessed to the application server, and the application server determines the type of the core network accessed by the terminal device according to the reported information of the terminal device.

Optionally, in one example, the application server obtains capability information of a base station serving the terminal device.

For example, when a terminal device is in a connected state, an application server receives broadcast capability information of a base station serving the terminal device from the terminal device or a core network to which the terminal device is connected, the broadcast capability information of the base station being used to indicate whether the base station supports broadcast of a first network or broadcast of a second network. It should be understood that the terminal device may report the broadcast capability information of the base station serving the terminal device to the server of the application at the time of initial access to the base station or handover to the base station.

For another example, when a terminal device is in an idle state, the terminal device may be awakened so that the terminal device is in a connected state, and then the application server receives broadcast capability information of a base station serving the terminal device from the terminal device or a core network to which the terminal device is connected. Specifically, for example, downlink data is sent to a terminal device in an idle state, where the downlink data needs to be sent to the terminal device through a core network, so that the core network needs to wake up the terminal device to be in a connected state, and at this time, the application server may receive broadcast capability information of a base station serving the terminal device from the terminal device or the core network to which the terminal device is connected.

For another example, the application server obtains the broadcasting capability information of the base station in an area, the scenario may be applicable to public safety service, and the area when the terminal holding public safety service performs the task may be relatively fixed and centralized, so that the broadcasting capability information of the base station serving the group of terminals can be determined in this way. It should be noted that, in the dual connectivity scenario, the terminal device needs to report the broadcast capability information of two base stations.

Optionally, in one example, the application server obtains service information of the terminal device.

For example, when the application server is an application service server, the application server acquires service information of a service to be transmitted by the terminal device by itself; when the application server is a communication-enabled server or a platform server with communication-enabled, the application server may obtain service information, such as service type V2X, MCPTT/MCVideo/MCData, drone, etc., from other application service servers.

The application server comprehensively judges the type of the broadcast service to be established according to the above information, and is exemplified below.

Optionally, in one example, the application server establishes the broadcast of the first network and the broadcast of the second network in case the number of terminal devices in the group of terminal devices supporting the broadcast of the first network and the broadcast of the second network simultaneously reaches a preset threshold, i.e. case 3 in architecture 1 and architecture 2 described above.

Alternatively, in another example, the application server decides the type of the broadcast service to be established according to the information of the broadcast reception quality of the set of terminal devices. For example, in the case where the number of terminal devices supporting the broadcast of the first network among the set of terminal devices reaches a first threshold value and the number of terminal devices supporting the broadcast of the second network reaches a second threshold value, the application server establishes the broadcast of the first network and the broadcast of the second network. For another example, in the case where the number of terminal devices whose level of broadcast reception quality reaches the first level reaches the second threshold value among the group of first terminal devices and the number of terminal devices whose level of broadcast reception quality reaches the second level reaches the third threshold value, the application server establishes the broadcast of the first network and the broadcast of the second network.

For another example, in case the number of terminal devices supporting the broadcast of the first network in the set of terminal devices does not reach the set threshold, the application server does not establish the broadcast of the first network. Or, in the case that the number of terminal devices supporting the broadcast of the second network in the group of terminal devices does not reach the set threshold, the application server does not establish the broadcast of the second network.

For another example, in accordance with the location information of the set of terminal devices, if the number of terminal devices located in the broadcast coverage area of the first network does not reach the set threshold and the number of terminal devices located in the broadcast coverage area of the second network does not reach another set threshold, the application server does not establish the broadcast of the first network and the broadcast of the second network.

For another example, the type of broadcast service to be established is determined based on the location information and broadcast RAT capability information of the set of terminal devices. For example, if the number of terminal devices supporting access to the first network among the terminal devices located in the specific area (or in the specific group member) reaches a set threshold, the application server establishes a broadcast of the first network.

For another example, in another example, the type of broadcast service to be established is determined based on location information of the set of terminal devices, the type of core network to be accessed, RAT currently used by the terminal devices, and broadcast RAT capability information. For example, if the number of terminal devices located in a specific area (or in a specific group member), which access to the core network of the first network through the access network corresponding to the first network, and support the capability of Idle mode to receive the broadcast reaches a set threshold, the application server establishes the broadcast of the first network.

Optionally, in another example, the type of broadcast service to be established is determined according to the location information of the set of terminal devices, the type of core network to be accessed, the RAT currently used by the terminal device, the broadcast RAT capability information, and the capability information of the base station serving the terminal device. For example, if the number of terminal devices located in a specific area (or in a specific group member), accessing to a core network of a first network through an access network corresponding to the first network, supporting the ability of Idle mode to receive a broadcast, and a base station serving the terminal device supporting broadcast transmission of the first network reaches a set threshold, the application server establishes the broadcast of the first network.

For another example, in the case that the first network is a 5G network, the broadcast of the first network may be replaced with the multicast of the first network, and the multicast service type to be established may be determined according to the location information of the group of terminal devices, the type of the core network to be accessed, the RAT currently used by the terminal devices, and the broadcast RAT capability information. For example, if the number of terminal devices supporting Idle mode reception of broadcast in a specific area (or in a specific group member) accessing a core network of the first network through the first network does not reach a set threshold (that is, the terminal devices supporting reception of multicast of the first network reach the set threshold), the application server establishes multicast of the first network. Specifically, for example, if the number of terminal devices that are located in a specific area (or in a specific group member) and that are accessed to the 5GC through the NR and support Idle mode to receive 5G broadcast reaches a set threshold, the application server establishes a 5G multicast service, for example, configures a multicast indication of the service to the core network element NEF, UDM/UDR, and the PCF, where the multicast indication may be a multicast address, an indication message, or an indication message that allows for combining transmission.

For another example, in the case that the first network is a 5G network, the broadcast of the first network may be replaced with the multicast of the first network, and the multicast service type to be established may be determined according to the location information of the group of terminal devices, the type of the core network to be accessed, the RAT currently used by the terminal devices, the broadcast RAT capability information, and the capability information of the base station serving the terminal devices. For example, if the number of terminal devices located in a specific area (or in a specific group member), accessing a core network of a first network through the first network, supporting Idle mode to receive a broadcast, and a base station serving the terminal device supporting multicast of the first network reaches a set threshold, the application server establishes multicast of the first network.

As another example, in another example, the type of broadcast service to be established is determined based on location information, traffic information, and broadcast RAT capability information of the set of terminal devices. For example, when the service type is MCPTT, the application server establishes a broadcast of the second network if the number of terminal devices supporting access to the second network located in a specific service area (or in a specific group member) reaches a set threshold. For another example, when the service type is MCVideo, the application server establishes the broadcast of the first network if the number of terminal devices supporting access to the first network in a specific service area (or in a specific group member) reaches a set threshold. For another example, the type of broadcast service to be established is determined based on the network to which the set of terminal devices is currently connected and the association status of the set of terminal devices. For example, if the number of terminal devices connected to the broadcast of the first network and in the association state reaches a set threshold, the application server establishes the broadcast of the first network; if the multicast accessed to the second network and the number of the terminal devices in the association state reach the set threshold, the application server establishes the multicast of the second network. Specifically, for example, when the number of terminal devices associated (affile) to a group and using 5G multicast reaches a set threshold, the server decides to use 5G multicast service for the communication traffic of the group.

For another example, the broadcast service type to be established is determined based on the network to which the set of terminal devices is currently connected, the current state of the base station serving the set of terminal devices, and the association state of the set of terminal devices. The current state of the base station serving the group of terminal devices comprises the number of terminal devices in a connection state currently accepted by the base station, or the resource ratio used by the base station for processing the terminal devices in the connection state, and the like. For example, when the number of terminal devices accessing the broadcast of the first network, which are in an associated state and connected to a specific base station reaches a certain threshold, the application server establishes the broadcast of the first network. Specifically, for example, when the number of terminal devices associated (affile) to a group, using 5G multicast, and connected to a particular base station reaches a set threshold N, the server decides to use 5G multicast service for the group communication service. For another example, when an association (affile) in a group uses 5G multicast and the number of terminal devices connected to a particular base station reaches a set threshold M, the server decides to use 5G broadcast services for the communication traffic of the group. Typically, M > N.

It should be noted that some of the information in the above examples may reflect the broadcast RAT capability information of the set of terminal devices, for example, the information of the broadcast reception quality of the set of terminal devices, the information of the network to which the set of terminal devices is currently connected, and the broadcast capability information of the base station serving the set of terminal devices, in which case it is not necessary to acquire the broadcast RAT capability information of the set of terminal devices individually.

The application server obtains location information of the group of terminal devices, an accessed core network type, RAT currently used by the terminal devices and capability information of a base station serving the terminal devices, and does not obtain broadcast RAT capability information of the group of terminal devices, so as to determine a broadcast service type to be established. If the number of terminal devices located in a specific area (or in a specific group member), accessing to a core network of the first network, supporting the capability of Idle mode to receive broadcast, and a base station serving the terminal devices supporting broadcast transmission of the first network reaches a set threshold, the application server establishes the broadcast of the first network.

In other examples, the application server may not separately obtain the broadcast RAT capability information of the set of terminal devices when the broadcast RAT capability information of the set of terminal devices may be reflected by other information. The related aspects are similar to the above examples, and are not described in detail herein.

The above list is merely an example of determining what type of broadcast service needs to be established by the application server, and the application server may determine what type of broadcast service needs to be established according to other manners of combining and determining, which is not limited.

Having described the method of setting up the types of different broadcast services in the architecture 1 and the architecture 2, the following describes the transmission of broadcast service data after the broadcast set up of the above network.

Similarly, in view of the different configurations, paths of the application server transmitting the broadcast service data are different, and the following description is made with respect to the configuration 1 and the configuration 2, respectively.

Architecture 1

In the architecture 1, a transmission procedure of broadcast service data is described for each of the types of different established broadcast services.

Case 1

A first broadcast of a first network is established.

In architecture 1, an application server interfaces directly with a core network of a first network and establishes a user plane connection with a user plane functional network element of the core network of the first network. Thus, after the first broadcast is established, the application server may send the broadcast service data directly to the user plane function network element of the core network of the first network.

The user plane function network element receives the broadcast service data from the application server, sends the broadcast service data to the corresponding (R) AN, and then sends the broadcast service data to the corresponding terminal equipment by the (R) AN.

Case 2

A second broadcast of the second network is established.

In architecture 1, an application server interfaces with broadcast network elements of a second network. After the second broadcast is established, the application server may send the broadcast service data directly to a broadcast network element of the second network.

The broadcasting network element of the second network receives the broadcasting service data from the application server, sends the broadcasting service data to the corresponding RAN, and then sends the broadcasting service data to the corresponding terminal equipment by the RAN.

Case 3

A first broadcast of the first network and a second broadcast of the second network are established.

It may be appreciated that in the case where the application server establishes both the first broadcast and the second broadcast, the broadcast service data of the first broadcast is sent to the terminal device through the user plane function network element of the first network, and the broadcast service data of the second broadcast is sent to the terminal device through the broadcast network element of the second network.

Specifically, the application server may decide whether to transmit broadcast service data of the first broadcast or whether to transmit broadcast service data of the second broadcast based on some judgment.

For example, in the case that the number of terminal devices accessing the first network reaches a first threshold, the application server sends broadcast service data to a user plane function network element of the first network; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

And the application server sends the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network under the condition that the number of the terminal devices accessed to the second network reaches a second threshold.

For another example, the application server stops sending the broadcast service data to the user plane function network element of the first network when the number of terminal devices accessing the first network is lower than the first threshold; or, in case the number of terminal devices accessing the second network is below the second threshold, the application server stops sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network.

Further, after the application server stops transmitting the broadcast service data, the application server may resume transmission of the broadcast service data according to a change in the number of terminal devices accessing the first network or the second network, or based on some other factors.

Architecture 2

In the architecture 2, since the application server interfaces with only the core network of the first network, in the case where the broadcast of the first network, the broadcast of the second network, or both the broadcast of the first network and the broadcast of the second network are established, the broadcast service data is transmitted through the user plane function element of the core network of the first network.

Specifically, the user plane function network element of the first network receives the broadcast service data from the application server, and sends the broadcast service data to the RAN of the first network and the broadcast network element of the second network, then the RAN of the first network sends the broadcast service data to the terminal device in the first network, and the broadcast network element of the second network sends the broadcast service data to the corresponding RAN of the second network, and the RAN of the second network sends the broadcast service data to the terminal device in the second network, which receives the broadcast service data.

Similarly to the architecture 1, the application server may decide whether to transmit the broadcast service data of the first broadcast or whether to transmit the broadcast service data of the second broadcast based on some judgment in the process of transmitting the broadcast service data.

For example, in the case that the number of terminal devices accessing the second network is lower than the third threshold, the application server may notify the user plane function network element of the first network through the signaling plane or the user plane, and stop sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network.

In one example, the application server directly sends first indication information to a user plane function network element of the first network, where the first indication information is used to instruct the user plane function network element to stop sending broadcast service data to a broadcast network element of the second network.

In another example, the application server sends first indication information to a control plane element of the first network, where the first indication information is used to instruct a user plane function element to stop sending broadcast service data to a broadcast network element of the second network. Further, the control plane functional network element sends third indication information to the user plane functional network element, where the third indication information is used to instruct the user plane functional network element to stop sending broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network. The first indication information may be a request message sent by the application server to a control plane network element of the first network, and the third indication information may be a request message sent by the control plane function network element to a user plane function network element.

After the application server instructs the user plane function network element of the first network to stop sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network, the sending of the broadcast service data may be resumed based on some other factors.

For example, in one example, the application server sends second indication information to the user plane function element of the first network, where the second indication information is used to instruct the user plane function element to resume sending broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network. Or alternatively, the process may be performed,

In another example, the application server sends second indication information to the control plane element of the first network, where the second indication information is used to instruct the user plane function element to resume sending broadcast service data to the broadcast element of the second network. The first network element sends fourth indication information to the user plane function network element, wherein the fourth indication information is used for indicating the user plane function to resume sending broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network. The second indication information may be a request message sent by the application server to the control plane network element of the first network, and the fourth indication information may be a request message sent by the control plane function network element to the user plane function network element.

An example of a method of transmitting broadcast service data under architecture 1 and architecture 2 in the embodiment of the present application is given below.

Referring to fig. 13, fig. 13 is an example of a communication method provided in the present application.

601. The application server or a group of UEs broadcasts RAT capability information.

Step 601 may refer to any of the

various ways

1a,1b,1c and 1d described in fig. 12, and will not be described here.

602. The application server obtains location information for the set of UEs. This step is optional.

603. The application server decides to establish the broadcast of the first network and the broadcast of the second network simultaneously according to the broadcast RAT capability information of the set of UEs, optionally, also according to the location information of the set of UEs.

In this embodiment, the broadcast by which the application server decides to trigger the establishment of the first network and the second network will be described as an example.

Wherein, the broadcast established in the first network is called a first broadcast, and the broadcast established in the second network is called a second broadcast.

It should be noted that, the type of the application server deciding to trigger the establishment of the broadcast service may be referred to above, and in step 603, the application server determines that the first broadcast and the second broadcast are established according to the broadcast RAT capability information of the group of UEs and the location information thereof, which is merely an example.

604. The application server triggers a first broadcast that establishes a first network.

In step 604, the application server triggers the establishment of a first broadcast, including the application server obtaining user plane address information of a user plane function element of a core network of the first network and obtaining description information of the first broadcast from a control plane element of the core network of the first network.

The detailed flow of step 604 may be referred to in fig. 8 and the description thereof, and will not be repeated here.

605. The application server triggers a second broadcast that establishes a second network.

In step 605, the application server triggers the establishment of a second broadcast, including the application server obtaining user plane address information of a broadcast network element of the second network and obtaining descriptive information of the second broadcast from the broadcast network element of the second network.

The detailed flow of step 605 may be referred to in fig. 9 and the description thereof, and will not be repeated here.

606. The application server transmits the description information of the first broadcast and the description information of the second broadcast to the group of UEs.

As described above, the description information of the first broadcast may include an identification of the first broadcast and a configuration parameter of the first broadcast, and the description information of the second broadcast may include an identification of the second broadcast and a configuration parameter of the second broadcast.

Further optionally, the description information of the first broadcast may also carry a group identifier (group ID) or a service identifier, and/or the description information of the second broadcast may carry a group identifier or a service identifier.

Wherein, in the case that the description information of the first broadcast carries the group identifier, the broadcast service data representing the terminal device group corresponding to the group identifier is transmitted through the first broadcast. Or, each UE in the corresponding terminal device group is identified by the group, and the broadcast service data of the terminal device group is received by using the description information of the first broadcast. Or alternatively, the process may be performed,

And under the condition that the description information of the first broadcast carries the service identifier, transmitting the data representing the service corresponding to the service identifier through the first broadcast. Or, each UE in the set of terminal devices receives the data of the service corresponding to the service identifier by using the description information of the first broadcast.

In the case that the description information of the second broadcast carries the group identifier, broadcast service data indicating the terminal device group corresponding to the group identifier is transmitted through the second broadcast. Or, the group identifier corresponds to each UE in the terminal equipment group, and the broadcast service data of the terminal equipment group is received by using the description information of the second broadcast. Or alternatively, the process may be performed,

and under the condition that the description information of the second broadcast carries the service identifier, transmitting the data representing the service corresponding to the service identifier through the second broadcast. Or, each UE in the set of terminal devices receives the data of the service corresponding to the service identifier by using the description information of the second broadcast.

On the terminal side, each UE in the set of UEs receives the description information of the first broadcast and the description information of the second broadcast from the application server.

The first network is assumed to be a 5G network and the second network is assumed to be a 4G network.

607. After successful activation of the first broadcast of the 5G network and the second broadcast of the 4G network, the application server transmits the broadcast service data.

Specifically, on the one hand, the AS sends broadcast service data to the BM-SC of the 4G network, AS shown in step 607a in fig. 13; on the other hand, the AS transmits broadcast service data to UPF (multicast) of the 5G network AS shown in step 607b of fig. 13.

In the process of sending the broadcast service data, whether the AS sends the broadcast service data to UPF (multicast) of the 5G network or BM-SC of the 4G network, or stops sending the broadcast service data to the AS, or after stopping sending the broadcast service data, whether to resume sending the broadcast service data or not can be determined by the AS according to a plurality of factors and dynamically changed in real time. The factors may include, for example, the location information of the set of UEs, the number of the set of UEs accessing the 5G network and the 4G network, the distribution situation of the set of UEs in the 5G network and the 4G network, the broadcast receiving quality of the set of UEs, whether the number of UEs accessing the 5G network reaches a threshold, whether the number of UEs accessing the 4G network reaches a threshold, and so on, which are not exhaustive.

Optionally, in some examples, the AS may stop sending broadcast traffic data to UPF (multicast) if the AS knows that no group UEs have access to the 5G network, or UEs that have not yet received broadcast traffic data in the 5G broadcast coverage area, via step 602.

Alternatively, after a UE accesses the 5G network or the number of UEs accessing the 5G network reaches the threshold M, the AS sends broadcast service data to UPF (multicast). Or alternatively, the process may be performed,

in case the number of UEs in the access 4G network does not reach the threshold N, the AS stops sending broadcast traffic data to the BM-SC. Or alternatively, the process may be performed,

in the case where the number of UEs in the access 4G network is not lower than the threshold N, the AS transmits broadcast service data or the like to the BM-SC.

It should be understood that the above listed cases of transmitting or stopping transmitting the broadcast service data are only examples, and the AS may determine whether to transmit or stop transmitting the broadcast service data according to other factors or a combination of factors, not limited thereto.

And for the UE, selecting the corresponding broadcast description information to receive the broadcast service data according to the currently accessed network. For example, in case of accessing the 4G network, the UE receives broadcast service data using the description information of the second broadcast, as shown in step 608. In the case of the UE accessing the 5G network, the UE receives broadcast service data using the description information of the first broadcast, as shown in step 609.

608. And under the condition that the UE accesses the 4G network, the UE receives the broadcast service data from the second broadcast by using the description information of the second broadcast.

609. In case that the UE accesses the 5G network, the UE receives a broadcast service description from the first broadcast using the description information of the first broadcast.

Specifically, in case of accessing the 5G network, the UE first needs to activate a broadcast service of the 5G network. See in particular 609a-609c.

609a, the UE sends a service join message to an SMF (unicasting) corresponding to the unicast service, where the service join message includes an identifier of a broadcast service of the 5G network, for example, 5GGI, and information such as an application identifier and an application triplet.

Note that, the SMF (unicasting) corresponding to the unicast service in step 609a refers to an anchor SMF (a-SMF) of the PDU session of the UE, and is mainly responsible for the management of the unicast QoS flow of the UE, which can be referred to the description of the background art above. The unicast corresponding SMF is referred to herein as SMF (unicast) or A-SMF (unicast).

609b, SMF (unicast) through interaction with PCF/SMF (multicast) of the 5G network, associates UE and broadcast service, triggers RAN and UPF to issue data according to the connection state broadcast mode.

SMF (multicast) refers to an anchor gateway of the broadcast user plane, which may also be referred to herein as a-SMF (multicast), to distinguish from a-SMF (unicasting).

609c, the UE receives broadcast service data from the 5G network using the description information of the first broadcast.

Due to the movement of the UE, if the UE moves from the broadcast coverage area of the 5G network to the broadcast coverage area of the 4G network, the UE needs to switch from receiving broadcast service data using the description information of the first broadcast to receiving broadcast service data using the description information of the second broadcast, as in step 610.

610. In case that the UE moves from the broadcast coverage area of the 5G network to the broadcast coverage area of the 4G network, the UE receives broadcast service data of the second broadcast using the description information of the second broadcast.

It can be understood that, in the embodiment of the present application, since the UE acquires the description information of the first broadcast of the 5G network and the description information of the second broadcast of the 4G network from the AS in advance, that is, before the UE receives the data or before accessing the corresponding network, the UE receives the description information of the broadcast corresponding to the network, and therefore, in the case that the UE leaves the 5G network and accesses the 4G network, the description information of the second broadcast of the 4G network can be used to receive the broadcast service data.

The UE switches from the broadcast coverage area of the 5G network to the broadcast coverage area of the 4G network, the switching procedure of which may be as shown in steps 610a-610 c.

610a, the UE sends a traffic leave message to an SMF (unified), wherein the traffic leave message is used to request a broadcast traffic leaving the 5G network.

In step 610a, the trigger condition for the UE to send the traffic leave message is not limited, for example, the UE may request to leave the 5G network in a case of leaving the broadcast coverage area of the 5G network, or in a case where the UE monitors that the broadcast reception quality of the 5G network is poor, or based on other factors. Specifically, the UE sends a service departure request message to the SMF (unified), where the service departure request message includes an identifier of a broadcast service that the UE requests to leave, for example, 5GGI, and the service departure message may further include information such as an application identifier and an application triplet.

610b, SMF (unicasting) by interacting with PCF/SMF (multicast), disassociates the UE from the broadcast service and informs the RAN.

610c, the UE accesses the 4G network, and receives the broadcast service data from the 4G network by using the description information of the second broadcast. At this time, the UE switches from the 5G network to the 4G network.

Referring to fig. 14, fig. 14 is another example of a communication method provided in the present application.

701. The application server or a group of UEs broadcasts RAT capability information.

Step 701 may be performed in any of a variety of

ways

1a,1b,1c, and 1d described in fig. 12, and will not be described in detail herein.

702. The application server obtains the location information of the set of UEs, which is an optional step.

703. The application server determines, according to the broadcast TAR capability information of the set of UEs, optionally further comprising determining, according to the location information of the set of UEs, a broadcast in which the first network needs to be established and a broadcast in the second network.

704. The application server sends a broadcast service request message to a control plane network element of a core network of the 5G network.

Wherein the broadcast service request message is used for requesting the establishment of the broadcast of the 5G network and the broadcast of the 4G network. The broadcast service request message may carry an identifier of the broadcast service of the 5G network and an identifier of the broadcast service of the 4G network, for example, 5ggi+tmgi.

Alternatively, as an example, the control plane element may be an SMF or PCF, hereinafter denoted PCF/SMF.

705. The SMF/PCF takes the role of an application server, activating the broadcast of the 4G network.

The implementation of step 705 may be found in fig. 9 and its description above. Specifically, the GCS AS shown in fig. 9 may be replaced with PCF/SMF, and will not be described here.

706. The SMF/PCF triggers the broadcast to set up the 5G network.

Specifically, the SMF/PCF establishes an N6 connection of the 5G network and establishes a user plane connection between UPF (multicast) of the 5G network and BM-SC of the 4G network.

Alternatively, the N6 connection between AS and UPF (multicast), and the user plane connection between UPF (multicast) and BM-SC may be implemented in two separate interaction flows, or in one interaction flow. The following description will be given respectively.

Mode 1

The N6 connection between AS and UPF (multicast), and the user plane connection between UPF (multicast) and BM-SC are implemented by two independent interaction flows.

N6 connection establishment process:

PCF/SMF (multicast) of the 5G network sends UPF (multicast) a request message requesting establishment of an N6 connection between the AS and UPF (multicast). The request message may carry the IP address and port number of the application server. Alternatively, SMF (multicast) can allocate UPF (multicast) user plane address information (e.g., IP address and port number) for the N6 connection and carry it in the request message.

UPF (multicast) after receiving the request message, if the request message does not contain UPF (multicast) user plane address, or if the system presets the user plane address information allocated UPF (multicast) by UPF (multicast), UPF (multicast) allocates UPF (multicast) user plane address information, and returns to the SMF in a response message of the request message.

User plane connection establishment procedure between a-UPF (multicast) and BM-SC:

706a, PCF/SMF (multicast) sends UPF (multicast) a request message for setting up a user plane connection between BM-SC and UPF (multicast), the request message comprising the user plane address of the BM-SC. Further, the request message may carry address information of the application server, or the request message may carry an N6 connection identifier, for example, an N6 tunnel identifier.

Alternatively, the N6 connection may also be referred to herein as a user plane connection of the N6 interface.

706b, UPF (multicast) establishes an N6 connection.

706c, UPF (multicast) sends a response message to the PCF/SMF (multicast) requesting the message.

706d, PCF/SMF (multicast) creates and stores a context for the 5GGI and N6 connections.

Subsequently, UPF (multicast) in case of receiving a data packet identified by the address information of the application server, or UPF (multicast) in case of receiving a data packet from the N6 connection identified by the N6 connection identifier, UPF (multicast) transmits the received data packet to the BM-SC.

Mode 2

The N6 connection between AS and UPF (multicast), and the user plane connection between UPF (multicast) and BM-SC are implemented by a separate interaction flow.

706e, PCF/SMF (multicast) of the 5G network sends UPF (multicast) a request message requesting establishment of a user plane connection between UPF (multicast) and BM-SC and a user plane connection between UPF (multicast) and the AS.

The request message may include user plane address information of the BM-SC, address information of the application server, and the like.

Alternatively, SMF (multicast) can allocate UPF (multicast) user plane address information for the N6 connection and be carried in the request message.

706f, UPF (multi cast) receives the request message, if the request message does not include the user plane address information of UPF (multicast), or the system presets that the user plane address information of UPF (multicast) is allocated by UPF (multicast), UPF (multicast) allocates the user plane address information (e.g., IP address and port number) of UPF (multicast), and returns to SMF (multicast) in a response message of the request message. Otherwise, UPF (multicast) saves information carried in the received request message, such as user plane address information of BM-SC, address information of application server (e.g. IP address and port number, etc.).

706g, UPF (multicast) sends a response message to the PCF/SMF (multicast) requesting the message.

706h, PCF/SMF (multicast) creates and stores a context for the 5GGI and N6 connections.

By way of either mode 1 or mode 2 above, the application server establishes a first broadcast of the 5G network and a second broadcast of the 4G network.

707. The PCF/SMF (multicast) returns a response message to the application server that broadcasts the service request message, where the response message may carry the user plane IP address and port number of the N6 connection (i.e., the IP address and port number of the UPF of the 5G network), the 5GGI, and the TMGI.

708. The application server transmits to the set of UEs description information of a first broadcast of the 5G network and description information of a second broadcast of the 4G network.

709. And under the condition that the UE accesses the 4G network, the UE receives broadcast service data from the second network by using the TMGI and the description information of the second broadcast.

710. The AS sends broadcast service data to UPF (multicast) and UPF (multicast) sends the received broadcast service data to the BM-SC.

Specifically, as shown in steps 710a-710c in FIG. 14.

710a, AS sends broadcast traffic data to UPF (multicast).

710b, UPF (multi cast) copies the received broadcast service data and transmits the copied broadcast service data to the BM-SC.

710c, BM-SC receives broadcast service data from UPF (multicast) and transmits to UEs of the 4G network receiving broadcast service data through the E-UTRAN of the 4G network.

Note that UPF (multicast) receives broadcast service data from AS, and may send the broadcast service data to BM-SC, stop sending the broadcast service data to BM-SC, or resume sending the broadcast service data to BM-SC according to an instruction of AS.

Alternatively, UPF (multicast) "sends" broadcast service data to BM-SC, which may also be denoted UPF (multicast) "distributes" broadcast service data to BM-SC. Wherein "distribution" may be denoted as discover or distribution.

Here, "distribution" means that UPF (multicast) receives broadcast service data from an AS, and if broadcast service data is transmitted to a BM-SC according to an instruction of the AS, UPF (multicast) copies the received broadcast service data and transmits the copied broadcast data to the BM-SC.

In the process of sending the broadcast service data to UPF (multicast), AS an example, the AS may comprehensively determine whether to send the broadcast service data to the BM-SC according to information such AS distribution situations of the group of UEs in the 4G network and the 5G network, broadcast reception quality situations, and the like. Further, the AS may indicate UPF (multicast) whether to forward the data to the BM-SC.

Alternatively, in one manner, the AS may start sending broadcast service data to the BM-SC through the user plane indication UPF (multicast), or may stop sending broadcast service data to the BM-SC through the user plane indication UPF (multicast). In another manner, the AS may send, through signaling, indication information to the PCF/a-SMF (multicast), where the indication information is used to instruct UPF (multicast) to stop sending broadcast service data to the BM-SC, and further the PCF/a-SMF (multicast) sends indication information to UPF (multicast), and instruct UPF (multicast) to stop sending broadcast service data to the BM-SC.

For example, the AS directly transmits first indication information to UPF (multicast), where the first indication information is used to instruct UPF (multicast) to stop transmitting broadcast service data to the BM-SC. Or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the AS sends first indication information to the PCF/A-SMF (multicast), the first indication information being used to instruct UPF (multicast) to stop sending broadcast service data to the BM-SC. Further, PCF/a-SMF (multicast) sends UPF (multicast) third indication information, where the third indication information is used to instruct UPF (multicast) to stop sending broadcast service data to BM-SC.

For another example, the AS directly sends the second indication information to UPF (multicast), where the second indication information is used to instruct UPF (multicast) to resume sending broadcast service data to the BM-SC. Or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the ASPCF/a-SMF (multicast) sends second indication information for instructing UPF (multicast) to resume sending broadcast service data to the BM-SC. Further, PCF/a-SMF (multicast) sends a fourth indication to UPF (multicast), where the fourth indication is used to instruct UPF (multicast) to resume sending broadcast service data to BM-SC.

Likewise, the AS may indicate UPF (multicast) in the same manner whether to send broadcast traffic data to the NG-RAN of the 5G network.

711. In case the UE accesses the 5G network, the UE joins (or activates) the broadcast of the 5G network.

Specifically, schemes 711a-711c may be described as follows.

711a, the UE sends a service join message to the SMF (unified), where the service join message is used to request to join a broadcast service of the 5G network, where the service join message includes an identifier of the broadcast service of the 5G network, such as a 5GGI, and information such as an application identifier and an application triplet.

711b, SMF (unicasting) interacts with PCF/SMF (multicast) of the 5G network, associates UE with broadcast services, triggers RAN and UPF (multicast) to issue data according to the connection state broadcast mode.

711c, SMF (multicast) sends broadcast service data to UEs within the broadcast coverage area of the 5G network through the NG-RAN of the 5G network.

712. Subsequently, when the UE leaves the 5G network, the SMF (unified) cancels the association between the UE and the broadcast service, and notifies the NG-RAN, and triggers the RANs and UPF (multicast) to stop sending data to the UE in a broadcast manner.

Specifically, in case of leaving the 5G network, the UE transmits a traffic leave message to an SMF (unified), the traffic leave message being used to request leaving the 5G network. The service leaving message includes an identifier of the broadcast service requesting leaving, for example, 5GGI, and may further include information that the application identifier conforms to an application triplet. SMF (unified) and SMF (multicast)/PCF interact, cancel the association of UE and broadcast traffic and notify NG-RAN. After that, the UE leaves the 5G network.

713. In case that the UE moves from the broadcast coverage area of the 5G network to the broadcast coverage area of the 4G network, the UE accesses the 4G network again, and continues to receive broadcast service data of the second broadcast using the description information of the second broadcast.

In addition, UPF (unified) in each of the above examples refers to A-UPF, and UPF (multicast) refers to A-UPF (multicast).

AS can be seen from the embodiments of fig. 13 to 14, when the UE switches between the broadcast coverage area of the 5G network and the broadcast service area of the 4G network, since the AS issues the description information of the first broadcast of the 5G network and the description information of the second broadcast of the 4G network to the UE in advance, the UE can always immediately use the description information of the broadcast of the currently accessed network to receive the broadcast service data of the corresponding broadcast no matter the UE switches from the 5G network to the 4G network or from the 4G network to the 5G network, so that the service delay caused by moving between the broadcast coverage areas of two different networks can be reduced, and the service continuity can be enhanced.

The communication method provided by the application is described in detail above, and the communication device provided by the application is described below.

Referring to fig. 15, fig. 15 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in the present application. As shown in fig. 15, the communication apparatus 1000 includes a processing unit 1100, a transmitting unit 1200, and a receiving unit 1300.

A processing unit 1100, configured to obtain broadcast radio access technology, RAT, capability information of a set of terminal devices, where the broadcast RAT capability information is used to indicate a type of radio broadcast capability of the set of terminal devices, and the type of radio broadcast capability includes at least one of a broadcast supporting a first network and a broadcast supporting a second network;

The processing unit 1100 is further configured to, according to the broadcast RAT capability information of the set of terminal devices, obtain, in a case where it is determined to establish a first broadcast of the first network and/or a second broadcast of the second network, description information of the first broadcast and description information of the second broadcast, where the description information of the first broadcast is used to indicate an attribute of the first broadcast, and the description information of the second broadcast is used to indicate an attribute of the second broadcast;

the sending unit 1200 is further configured to send, to the set of terminal devices, the description information of the first broadcast and the description information of the second broadcast.

Alternatively, the transmitting unit 1200 and the receiving unit 1300 may be integrated into one transceiver unit, and have both functions of receiving and transmitting, which is not limited herein.

Optionally, in one embodiment, the processing unit 1300 is specifically configured to: the description information of the first broadcast is obtained from a control plane network element of a core network of the first network, and the description information of the second broadcast is obtained from a broadcast network element of the second network.

Optionally, in one embodiment, the processing unit 1100 is further configured to:

Acquiring user plane address information of a user plane function network element of a core network of the first network, wherein the user plane address information of the user plane function network element is used for the communication device to send broadcast service data to the first network; the method comprises the steps of,

and acquiring user plane address information of the broadcast network element of the second network, wherein the user plane address information of the broadcast network element of the second network is used for the communication device to send broadcast service data to the second network.

Optionally, in one embodiment, the processing unit 1300 is specifically configured to: and acquiring the description information of the first broadcast and the description information of the second broadcast from a control plane network element of a core network of the first network, wherein the description information of the second broadcast is acquired from a broadcast network element of the second network by the control plane network element of the core network of the first network.

Optionally, in an embodiment, the processing unit 1100 is further configured to obtain user plane address information of a user plane function network element of a core network of the first network;

and the sending unit 1200 is further configured to send broadcast service data to the first network and the second network according to the user plane address information of the user plane function network element.

Optionally, in one embodiment, the sending unit 1200 is further configured to:

transmitting broadcast service data to a user plane function network element of a core network of the first network under the condition that the number of terminal devices accessed to the first network reaches a first threshold; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

transmitting broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network when the number of terminal devices accessing the second network reaches a second threshold; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

stopping sending the broadcast service data to the user plane function network element of the core network of the first network under the condition that the number of the terminal devices accessed to the first network is lower than the first threshold; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

and stopping sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network under the condition that the number of the terminal devices accessing the second network is lower than the second threshold.

Optionally, in one embodiment, the sending unit 1200 is further configured to send broadcast service data to the user plane function network element of the core network of the first network;

and sending first indication information to a user plane function network element of a core network of the first network or sending the first indication information to a control plane network element of the core network of the first network when the number of terminal devices accessing the second network is lower than a third threshold;

The first indication information is used for indicating a user plane function network element of the first network to stop sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network.

Optionally, in one embodiment, the sending unit 1200 is further configured to:

transmitting second indication information to the user plane function network element of the first network; or sending the second indication information to a control plane network element of a core network of the first network;

wherein, the liquid crystal display device comprises a liquid crystal display device, the second indication information is used for requesting the user plane function network element of the first network to resume sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network.

Optionally, in one embodiment, the processing unit 1100 is specifically configured to:

acquiring the respective broadcast RAT capability information of the group of terminal devices; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

acquiring the reachability information of the group of terminal equipment in the network from a capability opening network element, and determining the broadcast RAT capability information of the group of terminal equipment according to the reachability information; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

acquiring the broadcast RAT capability information of the group of terminal devices from a user equipment wireless capability management function, UCMF; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

The broadcast RAT capability information for the set of terminal devices is obtained from a GMS or a user data configuration server.

Optionally, in one embodiment, the processing unit 1100 is specifically configured to determine to establish the first broadcast and/or the second broadcast according to the broadcast RAT capability information of the set of terminal devices, and one or more of the following information:

position information of the set of terminal devices;

information of broadcast reception quality of the set of terminal devices;

the core network type to which the group of terminal devices are connected;

the service information of the group of terminal equipment;

The network to which the set of terminal devices is currently connected, the current state of a base station serving the set of terminal devices, the association state of the set of terminal devices (affiliation status).

Optionally, in one embodiment, the description information of the first broadcast includes an identification of the first broadcast and a configuration parameter of the first broadcast, and the description information of the second broadcast includes an identification of the second broadcast and a configuration parameter of the second broadcast.

Optionally, in one embodiment, the description information of the first broadcast further carries a group identifier or a service identifier, and/or the description information of the second broadcast further carries a group identifier or a service identifier, where,

the description information of the first broadcast carries the group identifier, and broadcast service data representing a terminal equipment group corresponding to the group identifier is sent through the first broadcast; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

And the description information of the second broadcast carries the service identifier, and data representing the service corresponding to the service identifier is sent through the second broadcast.

Optionally, in an embodiment, the sending unit 1200 is further configured to send a broadcast service request message to a control plane network element of a core network of the first network, where the broadcast service request message carries a type of a broadcast service requested to be established, and the broadcast service request message is used to request the control plane network element to establish a broadcast of the first network and a broadcast of the second network.

In one implementation, the communications apparatus 1000 can be an application server in a method embodiment. In such an implementation, the transmitting unit 1200 may be a transmitter and the receiving unit 1300 may be a receiver. The receiver and the transmitter may also be integrated into one transceiver. The processing unit 1100 may be a processing device.

In another implementation, the communications apparatus 1000 can be a chip or integrated circuit in an application server. In such an implementation, the transmitting unit 1200 and the receiving unit 1300 may be communication interfaces or interface circuits. For example, the transmitting unit 1200 is an output interface or an output circuit, the receiving unit 1300 is an input interface or an input circuit, and the processing unit 1300 may be a processing device.

The functions of the processing device may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by executing corresponding software by hardware. For example, the processing device may include at least one processor and at least one memory, wherein the at least one memory is configured to store a computer program, and the at least one processor reads and executes the computer program stored in the at least one memory, such that the communications device 1000 performs operations and/or processes performed by the application server in various method embodiments.

In the alternative, the processing means may comprise only a processor, the memory for storing the computer program being located outside the processing means. The processor is connected to the memory through circuitry/wiring to read and execute the computer program stored in the memory. Optionally, in some examples, the processing device may also be a chip or an integrated circuit.

Referring to fig. 16, fig. 16 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 2000 provided herein. As shown in fig. 16, the communication apparatus 2000 includes a receiving unit 2100, a transmitting unit 2200, and a processing unit 2300.

A receiving unit 2100 configured to receive description information of a first broadcast and description information of a second broadcast from an application server, where the description information of the first broadcast is used to indicate an attribute of the first broadcast of a first network, and the description information of the second broadcast is used to indicate an attribute of the second broadcast of a second network;

The receiving unit 2100 is further configured to receive broadcast service data from the first broadcast using the description information of the first broadcast in a case where the processing unit 2300 accesses the first network; alternatively, in the case where the processing unit 2300 accesses the second network, broadcast service data from the second broadcast is received using description information of the second broadcast.

Optionally, in one embodiment, the first network is a fifth generation 5G network and the second network is a fourth generation 4G network.

Optionally, in one embodiment, the description information of the first broadcast carries a group identifier or a service identifier, and/or the description information of the second broadcast carries a group identifier or a service identifier, wherein,

the description information of the second broadcast carries the group identifier, and broadcast service data representing a terminal equipment group corresponding to the group identifier is sent through the second broadcast; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

In one implementation, the communication apparatus 2000 may be a terminal device in a method embodiment. In such an implementation, the receiving unit 2100 may be a receiver and the transmitting unit 2200 may be a transmitter. The receiver and the transmitter may also be integrated into one transceiver. The processing unit 2300 may be a processing device.

In another implementation, the communication apparatus 2000 may be a chip or an integrated circuit mounted in a terminal device. In such an implementation, the receiving unit 2100 and the transmitting unit 2200 may be communication interfaces or interface circuits. For example, the transmitting unit 2200 is an output interface or an output circuit, the receiving unit 2100 is an input interface or an input circuit, and the processing unit 2300 may be a processing device.

The functions of the processing device may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by executing corresponding software by hardware. For example, the processing means may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory, wherein the at least one memory is configured to store a computer program, and wherein the at least one processor reads and executes the computer program stored in the at least one memory, such that the communication means 2000 performs the operations and/or processes performed by the terminal device in the various method embodiments. In the alternative, the processing means may comprise only a processor, the memory for storing the computer program being located outside the processing means. The processor is connected to the memory through circuitry/wiring to read and execute the computer program stored in the memory. Optionally, in some examples, the processing device may also be a chip or an integrated circuit.

Referring to fig. 17, fig. 17 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 3000 provided in the present application. As shown in fig. 17, the communication apparatus 3000 includes a receiving unit 3100, a transmitting unit 3200, and a processing unit 3300.

A receiving unit 3100 configured to receive a broadcast service request message from an application server, where the broadcast service request message carries a type of a broadcast service requested to be established, and the type of the broadcast service includes at least one of a broadcast of a first network and a broadcast of a second network;

a processing unit 3300, configured to establish the broadcast service requested to be established;

the sending unit 3200 is further configured to send, to the application server, description information of a first broadcast and/or description information of a second broadcast, where the description information of the first broadcast is used to indicate an attribute of the first broadcast of the first network, and the description information of the second broadcast is used to indicate an attribute of the second broadcast of the second network.

Alternatively, the receiving unit 3100 and the transmitting unit 3200 may be integrated into one transceiver unit, and have both functions of receiving and transmitting, which is not limited herein.

Optionally, in one example, the sending unit 3200 is further configured to send user plane address information of a user plane function network element of a core network of the first network to the application server.

Optionally, in one example, the sending unit 3200 is further configured to send a broadcast service activation request to a broadcast network element of the second network, and obtain description information of the second broadcast and user plane address information of the broadcast network element of the second network from the broadcast network element of the second network.

Optionally, in one example, the processing unit 3300 is further configured to obtain user plane address information of a user plane function network element of a core network of the first network.

Optionally, in one example, the processing unit 3300 is specifically configured to:

distributing user plane address information of the user plane function network element of the first network; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

and acquiring user plane address information of the user plane function network element of the first network from the user plane function network element of the first network.

Optionally, in one example, the sending unit 3200 is further configured to: and transmitting the user plane address information of the application server to a user plane function network element of a core network of the first network.

Optionally, in one example, the sending unit 3200 is further configured to: and sending a request message to a user plane function network element of a core network of the first network, wherein the request message carries user plane address information of a broadcast network element of the second network.

Optionally, in one example, the receiving unit 3100 is further configured to receive first indication information from the application server, where the first indication information is used to instruct a user plane function network element of a core network of the first network to stop sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network;

and the sending unit 3200 is further configured to send third indication information to the user plane function network element of the first network, where the third indication information is used to instruct the user plane function network element of the first network to stop sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network.

Optionally, in one example, the receiving unit 3100 is further configured to receive second indication information from the application server, where the second indication information is used to instruct the user plane function network element of the first network to resume sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network;

and the sending unit 3200 is further configured to send fourth indication information to the user plane function network element of the first network, where the fourth indication information is used to instruct the user plane function network element of the first network to stop sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network.

In one implementation, the communication device 3000 may be a control plane network element (e.g., PCF/SMF) of a core network in a method embodiment. In such an implementation, the receiving unit 3100 may be a receiver and the transmitting unit 3200 may be a transmitter. The receiver and the transmitter may also be integrated into one transceiver. The processing unit 3300 can be a processing device.

In another implementation, the communication device 3000 may be a chip or an integrated circuit installed in a control plane network element. In such an implementation, the receiving unit 3100 and the transmitting unit 3200 may be communication interfaces or interface circuits. For example, the transmitting unit 3200 is an output interface or an output circuit, the receiving unit 3100 is an input interface or an input circuit, and the processing unit 3300 may be a processing device.

The functions of the processing device may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by executing corresponding software by hardware. For example, the processing means may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory, wherein the at least one memory is configured to store a computer program, the at least one processor reading and executing the computer program stored in the at least one memory, such that the communication means 3000 performs the operations and/or processes performed by the control plane network elements in the various method embodiments. In the alternative, the processing means may comprise only a processor, the memory for storing the computer program being located outside the processing means. The processor is connected to the memory through circuitry/wiring to read and execute the computer program stored in the memory. Optionally, in some examples, the processing device may also be a chip or an integrated circuit.

Referring to fig. 18, fig. 18 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 4000 provided in the present application. As shown in fig. 18, the communication apparatus 4000 includes a receiving unit 4100, a transmitting unit 4200, and a processing unit 4300.

A receiving unit 4100, configured to receive a request message from a control plane element of a core network of a first network, where the request message includes user plane address information of a broadcast network element of a second network;

a receiving unit 4100, configured to receive broadcast service data from an application server;

a transmitting unit 4200, configured to transmit the broadcast service data to a broadcast network element of the second network according to user plane address information of the broadcast network element of the second network.

Alternatively, the receiving unit 4100 and the transmitting unit 4200 may be integrated into one transceiver unit, and have functions of receiving and transmitting at the same time, which is not limited herein.

Optionally, in one example, the receiving unit 4100 is further configured to receive user plane address information of the application server from the control plane network element.

Optionally, in one example, the receiving unit 4100 is further configured to:

receiving first indication information from the application server, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating the user plane function network element to stop sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

And receiving third indication information from the control plane network element, wherein the third indication information is used for indicating the user plane function network element to stop sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network.

Optionally, in one example, the receiving unit 4100 is further configured to:

receiving second indication information from the application server, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating the user plane function network element to resume sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

and receiving fourth indication information from the control plane network element, wherein the fourth indication information is used for indicating the user plane function network element to resume sending the broadcast service data to the broadcast network element of the second network.

Optionally, in an example, the sending unit 4200 is further configured to send a response message of the request message to the control plane network element, where the response message includes user plane address information of the user plane functional network element.

In one implementation, the communication apparatus 4000 may be a user plane function network element (e.g., UPF) of a core network in a method embodiment. In such an implementation, the receiving unit 4100 may be a receiver and the transmitting unit 4200 may be a transmitter. The receiver and the transmitter may also be integrated into one transceiver. The processing unit 4300 may be a processing device.

In another implementation, the communication apparatus 4000 may be a chip or an integrated circuit installed in a user plane function network element. In such an implementation, the receiving unit 4100 and transmitting unit 4200 may be communication interfaces or interface circuits. For example, the transmitting unit 4200 is an output interface or an output circuit, the receiving unit 4100 is an input interface or an input circuit, and the processing unit 4300 may be a processing device.

The functions of the processing device may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by executing corresponding software by hardware. For example, the processing means may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory, wherein the at least one memory is configured to store a computer program, and wherein the at least one processor reads and executes the computer program stored in the at least one memory, such that the communication means 4000 performs operations and/or processes performed by the user plane functional network element in the respective method embodiments. In the alternative, the processing means may comprise only a processor, the memory for storing the computer program being located outside the processing means. The processor is connected to the memory through circuitry/wiring to read and execute the computer program stored in the memory. Optionally, in some examples, the processing device may also be a chip or an integrated circuit.

Referring to fig. 19, fig. 19 is a schematic structural diagram of the communication device 10 provided in the present application. As shown in fig. 19, the communication apparatus 10 includes: one or more processors 11, one or more memories 12, and one or more communication interfaces 13. The processor 11 is configured to control the communication interface 13 to send and receive signals, the memory 12 is configured to store a computer program, and the processor 11 is configured to call and run the computer program from the memory 12, so that the processes and/or operations performed by the application server in the method embodiments of the present application are performed.

For example, the processor 11 may have the functions of the processing unit 1100 shown in fig. 15, and the communication interface 13 may have the functions of the transmitting unit 1200 and/or the receiving unit 1300 shown in fig. 15. In particular, the processor 11 may be used to perform the processing or operations of fig. 6-14 performed internally by the application server, and the communication interface 13 is used to perform the actions of transmitting and/or receiving performed by the application server of fig. 6-14.

In one implementation, the communication device 10 may be an application server in a method embodiment. In such an implementation, the communication interface 13 may be a transceiver. The transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter. Alternatively, the processor 11 may be a baseband device and the communication interface 13 may be a radio frequency device. In another implementation, the communication device 10 may be a chip or integrated circuit installed in an application server. In such an implementation, the communication interface 13 may be an interface circuit or an input/output interface.

Referring to fig. 20, fig. 20 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 20 provided in the present application. As shown in fig. 20, the communication device 20 includes: one or more processors 21, one or more memories 22, and one or more communication interfaces 23. The processor 21 is used for controlling the communication interface 23 to send and receive signals, the memory 22 is used for storing a computer program, and the processor 21 is used for calling and running the computer program from the memory 22, so that the processes and/or operations performed by the terminal device in the method embodiments of the present application are performed.

For example, the processor 21 may have the function of the processing unit 2300 shown in fig. 16, and the communication interface 23 may have the function of the transmitting unit 2200 and/or the receiving unit 2100 shown in fig. 16. In particular, the processor 21 may be used to perform the processing or operations performed internally by the terminal device in fig. 6-14, and the communication interface 33 is used to perform the actions of transmitting and/or receiving performed by the terminal device in fig. 6-14.

In one implementation, the communication apparatus 20 may be a terminal device in a method embodiment. In such an implementation, the communication interface 23 may be a transceiver. The transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter. Alternatively, the processor 21 may be a baseband device and the communication interface 23 may be a radio frequency device. In another implementation, the communication device 20 may be a chip or an integrated circuit mounted in the terminal equipment. In such an implementation, the communication interface 23 may be an interface circuit or an input/output interface.

Referring to fig. 21, fig. 21 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 30 provided in the present application. The communication device 30 includes: one or more processors 31, one or more memories 33, and one or more communication interfaces 33. The processor 31 is configured to control the communication interface 33 to send and receive signals, the memory 33 is configured to store a computer program, and the processor 31 is configured to call and run the computer program from the memory 33, so that the processes and/or operations performed by the control plane network element in the method embodiments of the present application are performed.

For example, the processor 31 may have the function of the processing unit 3300 shown in fig. 17, and the communication interface 33 may have the function of the transmitting unit 3200 and/or the receiving unit 3100 shown in fig. 17. In particular, the processor 31 may be configured to perform the processing or operations performed internally by the control plane network element in fig. 6-14, and the communication interface 33 is configured to perform the transmitting and/or receiving actions performed by the control plane network element in fig. 6-14.

In one implementation, the communication device 30 may be a control plane network element in a method embodiment. In such an implementation, the communication interface 33 may be a transceiver. The transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter. Alternatively, the processor 31 may be a baseband device and the communication interface 33 may be a radio frequency device. In another implementation, the communication device 30 may be a chip or an integrated circuit mounted in a control plane network element. In such an implementation, the communication interface 33 may be an interface circuit or an input/output interface.

Referring to fig. 22, fig. 22 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 40 provided in the present application. As shown in fig. 22, the communication device 40 includes: one or more processors 41, one or more memories 44, and one or more communication interfaces 44. The processor 41 is configured to control the communication interface 44 to send and receive signals, the memory 44 is configured to store a computer program, and the processor 41 is configured to call and run the computer program from the memory 44, so that the processes and/or operations performed by the user plane function network element in the embodiments of the method of the present application are performed.

For example, the processor 41 may have the functions of the processing unit 4400 shown in fig. 18, and the communication interface 44 may have the functions of the transmitting unit 4200 and/or the receiving unit 4100 shown in fig. 18. In particular, the processor 41 may be configured to perform the processing or operations performed internally by the user plane function network element in fig. 6-14, and the communication interface 44 is configured to perform the transmitting and/or receiving actions performed by the user plane function network element in fig. 6-14.

In one implementation, the communication device 40 may be a user plane functional network element in a method embodiment. In such an implementation, communication interface 44 may be a transceiver. The transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter. Alternatively, the processor 41 may be a baseband device and the communication interface 44 may be a radio frequency device. In another implementation, the communication device 40 may be a chip or integrated circuit mounted in a control plane network element. In such an implementation, communication interface 44 may be an interface circuit or an input/output interface.

Alternatively, the memory and the storage in the above embodiments of the apparatus may be physically separate units, or the memory may be integrated with the processor, which is not limited herein.

Furthermore, the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein computer instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause operations and/or flows performed by an application server in the method embodiments of the present application to be performed.

Furthermore, the present application also provides a computer readable storage medium, where computer instructions are stored, when the computer instructions run on a computer, to cause operations and/or flows performed by a terminal device in the method embodiments of the present application to be performed.

In addition, the application further provides a computer readable storage medium, wherein computer instructions are stored in the computer readable storage medium, and when the computer instructions run on a computer, the operations and/or flows executed by the control plane network element in the method embodiments of the application are executed.

In addition, the application further provides a computer readable storage medium, where computer instructions are stored, when the computer instructions run on a computer, to cause operations and/or flows performed by the user plane function network element in the method embodiments of the application to be performed.

The present application also provides a computer program product comprising computer program code or instructions which, when run on a computer, cause operations and/or flows performed by an application server in method embodiments of the present application to be performed.

The present application also provides a computer program product comprising computer program code or instructions which, when run on a computer, cause operations and/or flows performed by a terminal device in the method embodiments of the present application to be performed.

The present application also provides a computer program product comprising computer program code or instructions which, when run on a computer, cause operations and/or flows performed by control plane network elements in the method embodiments of the present application to be performed.

The present application also provides a computer program product comprising computer program code or instructions which, when run on a computer, cause operations and/or flows performed by user plane functional network elements in the method embodiments of the present application to be performed.

In addition, the application also provides a chip, wherein the chip comprises a processor. The memory for storing the computer program is provided separately from the chip and the processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory such that the operations and/or processes performed by the application server in any of the method embodiments are performed.

Further, the chip may also include a communication interface. The communication interface may be an input/output interface, an interface circuit, or the like. Further, the chip may further include the memory.

The present application also provides a chip including a processor. The memory for storing the computer program is provided separately from the chip and the processor is adapted to execute the computer program stored in the memory such that the operations and/or processes performed by the terminal device in any of the method embodiments are performed.

The present application also provides a chip including a processor. The memory for storing the computer program is provided independently of the chip and the processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory such that the operations and/or processes performed by the control plane network element in any one of the method embodiments are performed.

The present application also provides a chip including a processor. The memory for storing the computer program is provided separate from the chip and the processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory such that the operations and/or processes performed by the user plane function network element in any one of the method embodiments are performed.

In addition, the application also provides a communication device (for example, may be a chip) including a processor and a communication interface, where the communication interface is configured to receive a signal and transmit the signal to the processor, and the processor processes the signal, so that operations and/or processing performed by the application server in any method embodiment are performed.

The present application also provides a communication apparatus (e.g., may be a chip) comprising a processor and a communication interface for receiving signals and transmitting the signals to the processor, the processor processing the signals such that operations and/or processing performed by a terminal device in any of the method embodiments are performed.

The present application also provides a communication device (e.g., may be a chip) including a processor and a communication interface for receiving signals and transmitting the signals to the processor, the processor processing the signals such that operations and/or processing performed by a control plane network element in any one of the method embodiments are performed.

The present application also provides a communication device (e.g., may be a chip) including a processor and a communication interface for receiving signals and transmitting the signals to the processor, the processor processing the signals such that operations and/or processing performed by a user plane function network element in any one of the method embodiments are performed.

In addition, the application also provides a wireless communication system, which comprises one or more of the application server, the terminal equipment, the control plane network element and the user plane function network element.

The processor in the embodiments of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip with the capability of processing signals. In implementation, the steps of the above method embodiments may be implemented by integrated logic circuits of hardware in a processor or instructions in software form. The 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), a field programmable gate array (field programmable gate array, FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component. 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 the embodiments of the present application may be directly implemented as a hardware encoding processor executing, or may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in the encoding processor. The software modules may be located in a random access memory, flash memory, read only memory, programmable read only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. as well known in the art. The storage medium is located in a memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and, in combination with its hardware, performs the steps of the above method.

The memory in embodiments of the present application may be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a Programmable ROM (PROM), an Erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically Erasable EPROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be random access memory (random access memory, RAM) which acts as an external cache. By way of example, and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as Static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct memory bus RAM (DRRAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to comprise, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, specific working procedures of the above-described systems, apparatuses and units may refer to corresponding procedures in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not repeated herein.

In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods may be implemented in other manners. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative, e.g., the division of the units is merely a logical function division, and there may be additional divisions when actually implemented, e.g., multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted or not performed. Alternatively, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed with each other may be an indirect coupling or communication connection via some interfaces, devices or units, which may be in electrical, mechanical or other form.

The units described as separate units may or may not be physically separate, and units shown as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units may 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 in one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit.

The term "and/or" in this application is merely an association relation describing an associated object, and indicates that three relations may exist, for example, a and/or B may indicate: a exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. Wherein, A, B and C can be singular or plural, and are not limited.

The functions, if implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application may be embodied essentially or in a part contributing to the prior art or in a part of the technical solution, in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium, including several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: a usb disk, a removable hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, etc.

The foregoing is merely specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily think about changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present application, and the changes and substitutions are intended to be covered by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of communication, comprising:

the method comprises the steps that an application server obtains multicast/broadcast Radio Access Technology (RAT) capability information of a group of terminal equipment, wherein the multicast/broadcast RAT capability information is used for indicating the type of wireless multicast/broadcast capability of the group of terminal equipment, and the type of the wireless multicast/broadcast capability comprises at least one of multicast/broadcast supporting a first network and multicast/broadcast supporting a second network;

in the case that a first multicast/broadcast of the first network and/or a second multicast/broadcast of the second network are established according to the multicast/broadcast RAT capability information of the group of terminal devices, the application server acquires description information of the first multicast/broadcast and/or description information of the second multicast/broadcast, wherein the description information of the first multicast/broadcast is used for indicating the attribute of the first multicast/broadcast, the description information of the second multicast/broadcast is used for indicating the attribute of the second multicast/broadcast, the description information of the first multicast/broadcast comprises an identifier of the first multicast/broadcast and configuration parameters of the first multicast/broadcast, and the description information of the second multicast/broadcast comprises an identifier of the second multicast/broadcast and configuration parameters of the second multicast/broadcast;

The application server transmits the description information of the first multicast/broadcast and/or the description information of the second multicast/broadcast to the group of terminal devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network and the second network employ different access technologies.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first network is a fifth generation 5G network and the second network is a fourth generation 4G network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining the position of the substrate comprises,

the configuration parameters of the first multicast/broadcast include: the frequency of the first multicast/broadcast sending data on the air interface, and the multicast/broadcast service area identification of the first multicast/broadcast;

the configuration parameters of the second multicast/broadcast include: the frequency at which the second multicast/broadcast transmits data over the air, and a multicast/broadcast service area identification of the second broadcast.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the application server obtaining the description information of the first broadcast and/or the description information of the second broadcast comprises:

the application server obtains the description information of the first multicast/broadcast from a control plane network element of a core network of the first network, and/or the application service obtains the description information of the second multicast/broadcast from a multicast/broadcast network element of the second network.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first network is a fifth generation 5G network, the second network is a fourth generation 4G network, the control plane network element is a session management function, and the multicast/broadcast network element is a BM-SC.

7. The method according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the application server obtaining multicast/broadcast RAT capability information for a group of terminal devices comprises:

the application server obtains the multicast/broadcast RAT capability information of each of the group of terminal devices.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the application server obtaining respective multicast/broadcast RAT capability information for the group of terminal devices comprises:

the application server receives multicast/broadcast RAT capability information of the terminal devices reported by the terminal devices in the group of terminal devices through clients.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein in case it is determined to establish the multicast/broadcast of the first network and the multicast/broadcast of the second network, the application server obtains the description information of the first multicast/broadcast and/or the description information of the second multicast/broadcast, comprising:

The application server sends a multicast/broadcast service request message to a control plane network element of a core network of the first network, where the multicast/broadcast service request message carries a type of multicast/broadcast service requested to be established, and the multicast/broadcast service request message is used to request the control plane network element to establish multicast/broadcast of the first network and multicast/broadcast of the second network.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the application server sending the description information of the first multicast/broadcast and/or the description information of the second multicast/broadcast to the group of terminal devices comprises:

and the application server carries the description information of the first multicast/broadcast and the description information of the second multicast/broadcast in the same message and sends the same message to the terminal equipment in the group of terminal equipment.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the terminal device is currently accessing the first network and the first network is a 5G network, and wherein the one message is a 5G message.

12. A method of communication, comprising:

the method comprises the steps that a terminal device receives description information of a first multicast/broadcast and/or description information of a second multicast/broadcast from an application server, wherein the description information of the first multicast/broadcast is used for indicating the attribute of the first multicast/broadcast of a first network, the description information of the second multicast/broadcast is used for indicating the attribute of the second multicast/broadcast of a second network, the description information of the first multicast/broadcast comprises an identification of the first multicast/broadcast and configuration parameters of the first multicast/broadcast, and the description information of the second multicast/broadcast comprises the identification of the second multicast/broadcast and the configuration parameters of the second multicast/broadcast;

The terminal equipment receives multicast/broadcast service data from the first multicast/broadcast by using the description information of the first multicast/broadcast under the condition of accessing the first network; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

and the terminal equipment receives the multicast/broadcast service data from the second multicast/broadcast by using the description information of the second multicast/broadcast under the condition of accessing the second network.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first network and the second network employ different access technologies.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first network is a fifth generation 5G network and the second network is a fourth generation 4G network.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of determining the position of the probe is performed,

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

and the application client of the terminal equipment acquires the multicast/broadcast RAT capability information of the terminal equipment and reports the multicast/broadcast RAT capability information to the application server.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the description information of the first multicast/broadcast and the description information of the second multicast/broadcast are carried in the same message.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the terminal device is currently accessing the first network and the first network is a 5G network, and wherein the one message is a 5G message.

19. A method of communication, comprising:

a control plane network element of a core network of a first network receives a multicast/broadcast service request message from an application server, wherein the multicast/broadcast service request message carries a type of multicast/broadcast service requested to be established, and the type of multicast/broadcast service comprises at least one of multicast/broadcast of the first network and multicast/broadcast of a second network;

the control surface network element establishes the multicast/broadcast service requested to be established;

The control plane network element sends description information of a first multicast/broadcast to the application server, wherein the description information of the first multicast/broadcast is used for indicating an attribute of the first multicast/broadcast of the first network, and the description information of the first multicast/broadcast comprises an identifier of the first multicast/broadcast and a configuration parameter of the first multicast/broadcast.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the configuration parameters of the first multicast/broadcast include:

the frequency at which the first multicast/broadcast transmits data over the air interface, and a broadcast service area identification of the first multicast/broadcast.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the first network and the second network employ different access technologies.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the first network is a fifth generation 5G network and the second network is a fourth generation 4G network.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the control plane network element is a session management function network element.

24. The method according to any of claims 19 to 23, wherein the control plane network element establishes the multicast/broadcast service requested to be established, comprising:

And the control plane network element sends the user plane address information of the application server to a user plane function network element of a core network of the first network.

25. A communication device, comprising:

a processing unit, configured to obtain multicast/broadcast radio access technology, RAT, capability information of a group of terminal devices, where the multicast/broadcast RAT capability information is used to indicate a type of wireless multicast/broadcast capability of the group of terminal devices, and the type of wireless multicast/broadcast capability includes at least one of multicast/broadcast supporting a first network and multicast/broadcast supporting a second network;

the processing unit is further configured to, when it is determined that a first multicast/broadcast of the first network and/or a second multicast/broadcast of the second network are established according to the multicast/broadcast RAT capability information of the set of terminal devices, obtain, by an application server, description information of the first multicast/broadcast and/or description information of the second multicast/broadcast, where the description information of the first multicast/broadcast is used to indicate an attribute of the first multicast/broadcast, the description information of the second multicast/broadcast is used to indicate an attribute of the second multicast/broadcast, the description information of the first multicast/broadcast includes an identifier of the first multicast/broadcast and a configuration parameter of the first multicast/broadcast, and the description information of the second multicast/broadcast includes an identifier of the second multicast/broadcast and a configuration parameter of the second multicast/broadcast;

And the sending unit is used for sending the description information of the first multicast/broadcast and/or the description information of the second multicast/broadcast to the group of terminal equipment.

26. The communication apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first network and the second network employ different access technologies.

27. The communication apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first network is a fifth generation 5G network and the second network is a fourth generation 4G network.

28. The communication device of claim 25, wherein the communication device is configured to,

29. The communication device according to claim 25, wherein the processing unit is specifically configured to:

the description information of the first multicast/broadcast is obtained from a control plane network element of a core network of the first network, and/or the description information of the second multicast/broadcast is obtained from a multicast/broadcast network element of the second network.

30. The communication apparatus of claim 29, wherein the first network is a fifth generation 5G network, the second network is a fourth generation 4G network, the control plane network element is a session management function, and the multicast/broadcast network element is a BM-SC.

31. The communication device according to any one of claims 25 to 30, wherein the processing unit is specifically configured to:

and acquiring the multicast/broadcast RAT capability information of each terminal device of the group.

32. The communication device according to claim 31, wherein the processing unit is specifically configured to:

and receiving multicast/broadcast RAT capability information of the terminal equipment reported by the terminal equipment in the group of terminal equipment through a client.

33. The communication device according to any of the claims 25 to 30, wherein the transmitting unit is specifically configured to: and sending a multicast/broadcast service request message to a control plane network element of a core network of the first network, wherein the multicast/broadcast service request message carries a type of multicast/broadcast service requested to be established, and the multicast/broadcast service request message is used for requesting the control plane network element to establish multicast/broadcast of the first network and multicast/broadcast of the second network.

34. The communication device according to claim 25, wherein the transmitting unit is specifically configured to:

and transmitting the description information of the first multicast/broadcast and the description information of the second multicast/broadcast to the terminal equipment in the group of terminal equipment in the same message.

35. The communication apparatus of claim 34, wherein the processing unit is currently accessing the first network and the first network is a 5G network, and the one message is a 5G message.

36. A communication device, comprising:

a receiving unit configured to receive description information of a first multicast/broadcast and/or description information of a second multicast/broadcast from an application server, where the description information of the first multicast/broadcast is used to indicate an attribute of the first multicast/broadcast of a first network, the description information of the second multicast/broadcast is used to indicate an attribute of the second multicast/broadcast of a second network, the description information of the first multicast/broadcast includes an identifier of the first multicast/broadcast and a configuration parameter of the first multicast/broadcast, and the description information of the second multicast/broadcast includes an identifier of the second multicast/broadcast and a configuration parameter of the second multicast/broadcast;

The receiving unit is configured to receive multicast/broadcast service data from the first multicast/broadcast using the description information of the first multicast/broadcast in a case where the processing unit accesses the first network; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the receiving unit is configured to receive multicast/broadcast service data from the second multicast/broadcast using the description information of the second multicast/broadcast in a case where the processing unit accesses the second network.

37. The communication apparatus of claim 36, wherein the first network and the second network employ different access technologies.

38. The communication apparatus of claim 37, wherein the first network is a fifth generation 5G network and the second network is a fourth generation 4G network.

39. The communication device of claim 36, wherein the communication device is configured to,

40. The communication device of claim 36, wherein the receiving unit is further configured to:

acquiring multicast/broadcast RAT capability information of terminal equipment; and

the communication device further comprises a sending unit, configured to report the multicast/broadcast RAT capability information to the application server.

41. The communication apparatus of claim 36, wherein the description information of the first multicast/broadcast and the description information of the second multicast/broadcast are carried in the same message.

42. The communication device of claim 41, wherein the processing unit is currently accessing the first network and the first network is a 5G network, the one message being a 5G message.

43. A communication device, comprising:

a receiving unit configured to receive a multicast/broadcast service request message from an application server, where the multicast/broadcast service request message carries a type of multicast/broadcast service requested to be established, and the type of multicast/broadcast service includes at least one of multicast/broadcast of a first network and multicast/broadcast of a second network;

a processing unit, configured to establish the multicast/broadcast service requested to be established;

A sending unit, configured to send, to the application server, description information of a first multicast/broadcast and/or description information of a second multicast/broadcast, where the description information of the first multicast/broadcast is used to indicate an attribute of a first multicast/broadcast of a first network, the description information of the second multicast/broadcast is used to indicate an attribute of a second multicast/broadcast of a second network, the description information of the first multicast/broadcast includes an identifier of the first multicast/broadcast and a configuration parameter of the first multicast/broadcast, and the description information of the second multicast/broadcast includes an identifier of the second multicast/broadcast and a configuration parameter of the second multicast/broadcast.

44. The communication device of claim 43, wherein the configuration parameters of the first multicast/broadcast include:

45. The communication device of claim 43, wherein the first network and the second network employ different access technologies.

46. The communication device of claim 45, wherein the first network is a fifth generation 5G network and the second network is a 4G network.

47. The communication device of claim 43, wherein the communication device is a session management function network element.

48. The communication device according to any of claims 43 to 47, wherein the transmitting unit is specifically configured to:

and transmitting the user plane address information of the application server to a user plane function network element of a core network of the first network.

49. A communication device comprising a processor and interface circuitry, wherein the interface circuitry is to receive computer code or instructions and transmit them to the processor, the processor running the computer code or instructions, the method of any one of claims 1 to 11 being performed; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the method of claims 12 to 18 being performed; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the method of any one of claims 19 to 24 being performed.

50. A communication device comprising at least one processor coupled to at least one memory, the at least one processor configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in the at least one memory, the method of any one of claims 1 to 11 being performed; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

The method of any one of claims 12 to 18 being performed; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the method of any one of claims 19 to 24 being performed.

51. A computer readable storage medium having stored therein computer instructions which, when executed, are executed to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 11; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the method of any one of claims 19 to 24 being performed.

52. A communication system, comprising: an application server, a terminal device and a control plane device of a core network,

the application server being for implementing the method of any one of claims 1 to 11;

the terminal device being adapted to implement the method of any one of claims 12 to 18;

the control plane device of the core network being adapted to implement the method of any one of claims 19 to 24.