CN116471581A

CN116471581A - Communication method and device

Info

Publication number: CN116471581A
Application number: CN202210033523.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陶振宇; 张友明
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-01-12
Filing date: 2022-01-12
Publication date: 2023-07-21
Also published as: WO2023134503A1

Abstract

The application provides a communication method and a communication device, which can solve the problem of data transmission failure caused by transmission path faults between access network equipment and user plane function network elements. The method comprises the following steps: the source user plane function network element sends a notification message to the session management function network element, receives a session update request message from the session management function network element, and sends data by using the updated address. The notification message includes a source user plane side address and/or a source user plane side destination address, and indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane functional network element and the source access network device is faulty. The session update request message comprises a source access network side address, a source access network side destination address, a destination user plane side user plane address and/or a destination access network side address.

Description

Communication method and device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a communication method and apparatus.

Background

After the terminal device registers with the network and establishes a protocol data unit (protocol data unit, PDU) session, the terminal device may communicate with the data network, which may provide business services to the terminal device, or the terminal device may communicate with other terminal devices.

In the user plane data transmission process, communication between the terminal device and the data network or other terminal devices needs to pass through a transmission path from the access network device to the user plane function (user plane function, UPF) network element. However, if the user plane transmission path fails, user plane data transmission may fail, such as an access network device failure, a UPF network element failure, and a router failure between the access network device and the UPF network element. At present, no solution is provided in the industry for solving the problem of data transmission failure caused by the failure of a transmission path between an access network device and a user plane function network element.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a communication method and a communication device, which can solve the problem of data transmission failure caused by transmission path faults between access network equipment and user plane function network elements.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the present application adopts the following technical scheme:

in a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method comprises the following steps: and sending a notification message to the session management function network element, and receiving a session update request message from the session management function network element. And the source user plane functional network element sends data by using the updated address.

The notification message may include a source user plane side address and/or a source user plane side destination address. The notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty. The session update request message may include: source access network side address, source access network side destination address, destination user plane side user plane address and/or destination access network side address.

Based on the communication method provided in the first aspect, the source user plane function network element triggers updating of the transmission path, sends a notification message to the session management function network element, the notification message indicates that the transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty, receives a session update request message from the session management function network element, the session update request message includes a non-faulty address for transmitting data, and sends the data by adopting the updated non-faulty transmission path, so that the problem of data transmission failure caused by the transmission path fault between the access network device and the user plane function network element can be solved.

Optionally, the source access network side address is a source address of the source access network device for interaction of the source access network device with the source user plane function network element.

Optionally, the destination address of the source access network side is a destination address of the source access network device side used for interaction between the source access network device and the source user plane function network element.

Optionally, all addresses at the source access network side include: all addresses on the source access network device side used for the interaction of the source access network device and the user plane function network element.

Optionally, the destination access network side address includes: the address of the destination access network equipment side used for the interaction of the destination access network equipment and the user plane function network element.

Optionally, the address of the access network side outside the source access network is a destination address of the access network side outside the source access network device for the interaction between the access network device outside the source access network device and the user plane function network element.

Optionally, the source user plane side address is a source address of a source user plane functional network element for interaction of the source user plane functional network element with the source access network device.

Optionally, the source user plane side destination address is a destination address of a source user plane function network element side for interaction of the source user plane function network element with the source access network device.

Optionally, all addresses on the source user plane side include: all addresses on the source user plane function network element side used for interaction between the source user plane function network element and the access network device.

Optionally, the destination user plane side address includes: the address of the network element side of the destination user plane function is used for the interaction between the network element of the destination user plane function and the access network equipment.

Optionally, the destination user plane side user plane address is an address of a destination user plane function network element side for interaction of the destination user plane function network element with the source user plane function network element.

It should be noted that, the implementation manners of the addresses in the first aspect to the seventeenth aspect may refer to the above description of the corresponding addresses, which is not described in detail.

Alternatively, a session update may refer to updating a transmission path used by the session, or updating. For example, updating the address of the access network device side and/or the address of the user plane function network element side, and updating the transmission path between the source access network device and the source user plane function network element into the transmission path between the destination access network device and the source user plane function network element, or the transmission path between the source access network device and the destination user plane function network element, or the transmission path between the destination access network device and the destination user plane function network element.

In one possible design, the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device fails, and the notification message indicates that the source user plane side address fails, where the notification message may include: source user plane side destination address. Therefore, when the source user plane side address fails, the address of the source user plane side destination can be used for updating the session, the failure in the transmission path can be solved, and successful data transmission is realized.

Alternatively, the source user plane side address failure may refer to a current address (e.g., an address may be an interface address, such as an N3 interface address or an s1_u interface address) failure at the source user plane functional network element side, and/or an address failure of a device (e.g., a router) in the transmission path.

In one possible design manner, the communication method provided in the first aspect may further include: the source user plane function network element adopts the source user plane side address to send the path detection request message to the address of the access network side outside the source access network. And under the condition that the source user plane functional network element does not receive the path detection response message, the source user plane functional network element determines the source user plane side address fault. In this way, path detection is performed to access network devices except the source access network device according to the source user plane side address, so that whether the source user plane side address fails or not can be determined, and whether the address of the user plane functional network element side is updated or not can be determined, so that data can be successfully transmitted.

In one possible design manner, the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device fails, and the notification message indicates that the source access network side address fails, where the notification message may include: source user plane side address and/or source user plane side destination address. Thus, the address failure at the source access network device side can continue to use the current address at the source user plane function network element side or can use the new address at the source user plane function network element side for the source user plane function network element side. In addition, the new address of the source user plane function network element side can be used for realizing the load balancing of the transmission path.

Alternatively, the source access network side address failure may refer to a current address (e.g., the address may be an interface address, such as an N3 interface address or an s1_u interface address) failure at the source access network device side, and/or an address failure of a device (e.g., a route) in the transmission path.

In one possible design manner, the communication method provided in the first aspect may further include: the source user plane function network element adopts the source user plane side address to send the path detection request message to the address of the access network side outside the source access network. And under the condition that the source user plane functional network element receives the path detection response message, the source user plane functional network element determines the address fault of the source access network side. In this way, path detection is performed to the access network devices except the source access network device according to the source user plane side address, so that whether the source access network side address fails or not can be determined, and whether the address of the user plane functional network element is updated or not can be determined.

In one possible design, the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty, and the notification message indicates that all addresses on the source user plane side are faulty. Therefore, the transmission path is failed due to all address failures at the source user plane side, the source user plane functional network element can be switched to the target user plane functional network element, and the transmission path failure between the access network equipment and the user plane functional network element can be solved, so that data is successfully transmitted.

In one possible design manner, the source ue functional network element may send data using the updated address, which may include: the source user plane function network element sends data to the source access network device through the source user plane side destination address and the source access network side address or the source access network side destination address. Optionally, the source access network device sends data to the terminal device, so that the source address of the source user plane side of the fault is updated to the address of the source user plane side of the fault, when the address of the source access network side has no fault, the address of the source access network side can be used, when the address of the source access network side has a fault, the address of the source access network side can be used, so that the fault in the transmission path can be solved by adopting the address or the transmission path without the fault to transmit the data, the terminal device successfully receives the data, and the transmission of the downlink data is completed.

In one possible design manner, the source ue functional network element may send data using the updated address, which may include: and the source user plane functional network element sends data to the destination user plane functional network element through the user plane address of the destination user plane side. The destination user plane function network element sends data to the source access network device, and the source access network device sends data to the terminal device. In this way, the transmission path is updated from the transmission path between the source user plane functional network element and the source access network device to the transmission path between the destination user plane functional network element and the source access network device, the source user plane functional network element sends the buffered data to the destination user plane functional network element, and the destination user plane functional network element sends the data to the terminal device through the source access network device, thereby completing the transmission of the downlink data.

In one possible design manner, the source ue functional network element may send data using the updated address, which may include: the source user plane function network element sends data to the destination access network device through the source user plane side address and the destination access network side address. The destination access network device sends the data to the terminal device. In this way, the transmission path is updated from the transmission path between the source user plane functional network element and the source access network device to the transmission path between the source user plane functional network element and the destination access network device, and the source user plane functional network element sends data to the terminal device through the destination access network device, so that the transmission of downlink data is completed.

In one possible design manner, the communication method provided in the first aspect may include: in case of a transmission path failure between the source user plane functional network element and the source access network device, the source user plane functional network element buffers data to be transmitted to the source access network device. Thus, after the source user plane functional network element detects the fault of the transmission path for the data, the data is cached so as to successfully transmit the data when the transmission path has no fault.

In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication method comprises the following steps: the session management function network element receives the notification message from the source user plane function network element, and sends a session update request to the source access network device, and the session management function network element receives the session update response.

The notification message includes a source user plane side address and/or a source user plane side destination address. The notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty. The session update request may include: source user plane side address, source user plane side address and/or destination user plane side address. The session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element to the source access network device is faulty. The session update response is used to indicate that the session update between the session management function network element and the source access network device was successful.

In one possible design, the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device fails, and the notification message indicates that the source user plane side address fails, and the session update request may include: source user plane side destination address.

In one possible design, the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device fails, and the notification message indicates that an address at the source access network side fails, and the session update request may include: source user plane side address, and/or source user plane side destination address.

In one possible design, the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty, and indicates that all addresses at the source user plane side are faulty for the notification message, where the session update request includes: destination user plane side address.

In one possible design, the session update response may include: source access network side address and/or source access network side destination address.

In one possible design manner, the communication method provided in the second aspect may further include: the session management function network element sends a session update request message to the source user plane function network element. The session update request message may include: source access network side address, source access network side destination address, destination user plane side user plane address and/or destination access network side address.

In one possible design manner, the communication method provided in the second aspect may further include: the session management function network element sends a session deletion request message to the target user plane function network element; wherein the session deletion request message includes: destination user plane side user plane address.

In one possible design manner, the communication method provided in the second aspect may further include: the session management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element. The session establishment request message may include: source access network side address and/or source access network side destination address.

In one possible design manner, the communication method provided in the second aspect may further include:

the session management function network element receives a session establishment response message from the destination user plane function network element. The session establishment response message may include: a destination user plane side address and a destination user plane side user plane address.

In addition, the technical effects of the communication method according to the second aspect may refer to the technical effects of the communication system according to any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, which are not described herein.

In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication method may include: the source access network equipment receives a session update request from a session management function network element; the source access network device sends a session update response to the session management function network element, or the source access network device sends a handover request message to the destination access network device. Wherein the session update request may include: source user plane side address, source user plane side address and/or destination user plane side address. The session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element to the source access network device is faulty. The session update response is used to indicate that the session update between the session management function network element and the source access network device was successful. The handover request message is used to request connection of the terminal device to the destination access network device.

In one possible design manner, the session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty, and indicates that the source access network side address is faulty for the session update request, and the session update response may include: source access network side address.

In one possible design, the session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty, and indicates that the source user plane side address is faulty for the session update request, where the session update response includes: source access network side address and/or source access network side destination address.

In one possible design manner, the sending, by the source access network device, the session update response to the session management function network element may include: the source access network device adopts the address of the source access network side to send a path detection request message to the address of the source user plane side. And under the condition that the source access network equipment receives the path detection response message, the source access network equipment sends a session update response to the session management function network element.

In one possible design manner, the sending, by the source access network device, a handover request message to the destination access network device may include: and under the condition that the session updating request indicates the address failure of the source user plane side, the source access network equipment sends a switching request message to the destination access network equipment.

In one possible design manner, the sending, by the source access network device, a handover request message to the destination access network device may include: and under the condition that the session updating request indicates the address faults of the source access network side and determines all address faults of the source access network side, the source access network equipment sends a switching request message to the target access network equipment.

In one possible design manner, the sending, by the source access network device, a handover request message to the destination access network device may include: and under the condition that the session updating request indicates all addresses at the source access network side to fail, the source access network equipment sends a switching request message to the destination access network equipment.

In addition, the technical effects of the communication method described in the third aspect may refer to the technical effects of the communication system described in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, which are not described herein.

In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication method comprises the following steps: the source access network device sends a session update request to the session management function network element, the source access network device receives a session update response from the session management function network element, and the source access network device sends data by using the updated address. The session update request may include a source access network side address and/or a source access network side destination address, where the session update request indicates that a transmission path between a source user plane functional network element and a source access network device is faulty. The session update response may include: source user plane side address, and/or destination user plane side address.

Based on the communication method provided in the fourth aspect, the source access network device triggers the update of the transmission path, sends a session update request, the session update request indicates that the transmission path between the source user plane functional network element and the source access network device is faulty, receives a session update response, and sends data by adopting the updated non-faulty transmission path, and the session update response includes a non-faulty transmission address for updating the session, so that the problem of data transmission failure caused by the fault of the transmission path between the access network device and the user plane functional network element can be solved.

In one possible design manner, the session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty, and indicates that the source access network side address is faulty for the session update request, where the session update request may include: source access network side address. Therefore, the source user plane functional network element can update the session by using the destination address of the source access network side, can solve the fault in the transmission path and realize successful data transmission.

In one possible design manner, the communication method provided in the fourth aspect may further include: the source access network device adopts the source access network side address to send a path detection request message to the destination user plane side address. And under the condition that the source access network equipment does not receive the path detection response message, the source access network equipment determines the address fault at the source access network side. In this way, it can be determined whether the source access network side address is faulty, and thus whether the access network device side address is updated to successfully transmit data.

In one possible design, the session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty, and indicates that the source user plane side address is faulty for the session update request, where the session update request may include: source access network side address and/or source access network side destination address.

In one possible design manner, the communication method provided in the fourth aspect may further include: the source access network device adopts the source access network side address to send a path detection request message to the destination user plane side address. And under the condition that the source access network equipment receives the path detection response message, the source access network equipment determines the source user plane side address fault. In this way, it can be determined whether the source user plane side address is faulty, and thus it can be determined whether to update the address of the user plane function network element side to successfully transmit data.

In one possible design, the session update request indicates all address failures on the source access network side.

In one possible design manner, the sending, by the source access network device, data using the updated address may include: the source access network device sends data to the source user plane function network element through the source access network side destination address, the source user plane side address or the source user plane side destination address. Thus, the failure in the transmission path can be solved by adopting the failure-free address or the transmission path to transmit data.

Optionally, after the source user plane function network element receives the data, the data may be sent to the data network, or the data may be sent to the called terminal device through other UPF network elements and an access network device (an access network device serving the called terminal device).

In one possible design manner, the sending, by the source access network device, data using the updated address may include: and the source access network equipment sends data to the target user plane functional network element through the source access network side address and the target user plane side address. Thus, the failure in the transmission path can be solved by adopting the failure-free address or the transmission path to transmit data.

Optionally, after the destination user plane function network element receives the data, the data may be sent to the data network, or the data may be sent to the called terminal device through other UPF network elements and an access network device (an access network device serving the called terminal device).

In one possible design manner, the communication method provided in the fourth aspect may further include: in case of a transmission path failure between the source user plane functional network element and the source access network device, the source access network device caches data to be transmitted to the source user plane functional network element. In this way, after the source access network device detects a failure of the transmission path for the data, the data is buffered, so that the data is successfully transmitted when the transmission path has no failure.

In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication method comprises the following steps: the session management function network element receives a session update request from the source access network device. The session management function network element sends a session update request message to the source user plane function network element, or the session management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element. The session management function network element sends a session update response to the source access network device. The session update request may include a source access network side address and/or a source access network side destination address, where the session update request indicates that a transmission path between a source user plane functional network element and a source access network device is faulty. The session update request message may include a source access network side address and/or a source access network side address, and the session establishment request message may include a source access network side address and/or a source access network side address. The session update response may include: source user plane side address, and/or destination user plane side address.

In one possible design, the session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty, and indicates that the source access network side address is faulty for the session update request, and the session update request message may include: source access network side address.

In one possible design manner, the communication method provided in the fifth aspect may further include: the session management function network element receives a session update response message from the source user plane function network element. Wherein, the session update response message may include: source user plane side address, and/or source user plane side destination address.

In one possible design, the session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty, and indicates that the source user plane side address is faulty for the session update request, and the session update request message may include: source access network side address and/or source access network side destination address.

In one possible design manner, the sending, by the session management function network element, a session update request message to the source user plane function network element may include: the session management function network element sends a path probing request message to the source user plane function network element. And under the condition that the session management function network element receives the path detection response message, the session management function network element sends a session update request message to the source user plane function network element.

In one possible design manner, the communication method provided in the fifth aspect may further include: the session management function network element receives a session update response message from the source user plane function network element. Wherein the session update response message indicates that the session update between the session management function network element and the source user plane function network element fails.

In one possible design manner, the sending, by the session management function network element, a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element may include: and under the condition that the session updating between the session management function network element and the source user plane function network element fails, the session management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element. The session establishment request message may include a source access network side address and/or a source access network side address.

In one possible design manner, the sending, by the session management function network element, a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element may include:

and under the condition that the session updating request indicates the address failure of the source user plane side, the session management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element.

In one possible design manner, the sending, by the session management function network element, a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element may include: and under the condition that the session updating request indicates the address failure of the source user plane side, the session management function network element sends a path detection request message to the source user plane function network element. And under the condition that the session management function network element does not receive the path detection response message, the session management function network element sends a session update request message to the target user plane function network element.

In one possible design manner, the communication method provided in the fifth aspect may further include: the session management function network element receives a session establishment response message from the destination user plane function network element. The session establishment response message may include a destination user plane side address, among other things.

Further, the technical effects of the communication method according to the fifth aspect may refer to the technical effects of the communication system according to any one of the possible implementation manners of the fourth aspect, which are not described herein.

In a sixth aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication method comprises the following steps: the source user plane function network element receives the session update request message from the session management function network element, and the source user plane function network element sends a session update response message to the session management function network element. The session update request message may include a source access network side address and/or a source access network side address. The session update response message may include the source user plane side address and/or the source user plane side destination address.

In one possible design, the session update request message indicates that the source access network side address fails, and the session update response message may include a source user plane side address and/or a source user plane side destination address.

Optionally, the session update request message may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information indicates that the source access network side address fails.

In one possible design manner, the sending, by the source user plane function network element, a session update response message to the session management function network element may include: and under the condition that the session updating request message indicates the address failure of the source access network side, the source user plane function network element adopts the address of the source user plane side to send a path detection request message to the destination address of the source access network side. And under the condition that the source user plane functional network element receives the path detection response message, the source user plane functional network element sends a session update response message to the session management functional network element.

In one possible design, the session update request message indicates a source user plane side address failure, and the session update response message may include: source user plane side destination address.

Optionally, the session update request message may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information indicates a source user plane side address failure.

In one possible design manner, the sending, by the source user plane function network element, a session update response message to the session management function network element may include: and under the condition that the session updating request message indicates the address failure of the source user plane side, the source user plane functional network element adopts the address of the source user plane side destination to send a path detection request message to the address of the source access network side. And under the condition that the source user plane functional network element receives the path detection response message, the source user plane functional network element sends a session update response message to the session management functional network element.

In one possible design manner, the sending, by the source user plane function network element, a session update response message to the session management function network element may include: and under the condition that the session updating request message indicates the address faults of the source user plane side and determines all address faults of the source user plane side, the source user plane functional network element sends a session updating response message to the session management functional network element. Wherein the session update response message indicates that the session update between the session management function network element and the source user plane function network element fails.

In one possible design manner, the communication method provided in the sixth aspect may further include: the source user plane function network element adopts all addresses of the source user plane side and sends a path detection request message to the destination address of the source access network side. And under the condition that the source user plane functional network element does not receive the path detection response message, the source user plane functional network element determines all address faults at the source user plane side.

Further, the technical effects of the communication method according to the sixth aspect may refer to the technical effects of the communication system according to any one of the possible implementation manners of the fourth aspect, which are not described herein.

In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes: a receiving module and a transmitting module.

The sending module is used for sending the notification message to the session management function network element. And the receiving module is also used for receiving the session update request message from the session management function network element. And the sending module is also used for sending data by using the updated address. The notification message may include a source user plane side address and/or a source user plane side destination address. The notification message indicates that the transmission path between the communication apparatus to the source access network device has failed. The session update request message may include: source access network side address, source access network side destination address, destination user plane side user plane address and/or destination access network side address.

In one possible design, the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device fails, and the notification message indicates that the source user plane side address fails, where the notification message may include: source user plane side destination address.

In one possible design, the communication device of the seventh aspect further includes: and a processing module. And the sending module is also used for sending the path detection request message to the addresses of the access network sides except the source access network by adopting the source user plane side address. And the processing module is used for determining the source user plane side address fault under the condition that the communication device does not receive the path detection response message.

In one possible design manner, the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device fails, and the notification message indicates that the source access network side address fails, where the notification message may include: source user plane side address and/or source user plane side destination address.

In one possible design, the sending module is further configured to send the path detection request message to an address on an access network side other than the source access network by using the address on the source user plane side. And the processing module is also used for determining the address fault of the source access network side under the condition that the communication device receives the path detection response message.

In one possible design, the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty, and the notification message indicates that all addresses on the source user plane side are faulty.

In one possible design, the communication device may send data using the updated address, and may include: and the sending module is also used for sending data to the source access network equipment through the source user plane side destination address and the source access network side address or the source access network side destination address.

In one possible design, the sending module is further configured to send data to the destination user plane functional network element through the destination user plane side user plane address.

In one possible design, the sending module is further configured to send data to the destination access network device through the source user plane side address and the destination access network side address.

In one possible design manner, the communication device provided in the seventh aspect may further include: and a storage module. In case of a failure of the transmission path between the communication means and the source access network device, a storage module is provided for caching data to be transmitted to the source access network device.

It should be noted that the receiving module and the transmitting module may be separately provided, or may be integrated into one module, i.e., the transceiver module. The specific implementation manner of the receiving module and the sending module is not specifically limited.

Optionally, the storage module stores a program or instructions. The program or instructions, when executed by a processing module, enable the communication device of the seventh aspect to perform the method of the first aspect.

Note that, the communication device in the seventh aspect may be a source user plane function network element, or may be a chip (system) or other components or assemblies that may be disposed in the source user plane function network element, which is not limited in this application.

In addition, the technical effects of the communication device according to the seventh aspect may refer to the technical effects of the communication method according to any one of the possible implementation manners of the first aspect, which are not described herein.

In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes: a receiving module and a transmitting module.

The receiving module is used for receiving the notification message from the source user plane function network element. And the sending module is used for sending a session updating request to the source access network equipment. And the receiving module is also used for receiving the session update response from the source access network equipment.

The notification message includes a source user plane side address and/or a source user plane side destination address. The notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty. The session update request may include: source user plane side address, source user plane side address and/or destination user plane side address. The session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element to the source access network device is faulty. The session update response is used to indicate that the session update between the communication apparatus and the source access network device was successful.

In one possible design, the sending module is further configured to send a session update request message to the source user plane function network element. The session update request message may include: source access network side address, source access network side destination address, destination user plane side user plane address and/or destination access network side address.

In one possible design, the sending module is further configured to send a session deletion request message to the destination user plane function network element; wherein the session deletion request message includes: destination user plane side user plane address.

In one possible design, the sending module is further configured to send a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element. The session establishment request message may include: source access network side address and/or source access network side destination address.

In one possible design, the receiving module is further configured to receive a session establishment response message from the destination user plane function network element. The session establishment response message may include: a destination user plane side address and a destination user plane side user plane address.

Optionally, the communication device according to the eighth aspect may further include a processing module and a storage module, where the storage module stores a program or instructions. The program or instructions, when executed by a processing module, enable the communications device of the eighth aspect to perform the method of the second aspect.

Note that, the communication device according to the eighth aspect may be a session management function network element, or may be a chip (system) or other components or assemblies that may be disposed in the session management function network element, which is not limited in this application.

Technical effects of the communication device according to the eighth aspect may refer to technical effects of the communication method according to any one of the possible implementation manners of the second aspect, which are not described herein.

In a ninth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The communication device includes: a receiving module and a transmitting module. The receiving module is used for receiving the session updating request from the session management function network element. And the sending module is used for sending a session updating response to the session management function network element, or sending a switching request message to the destination access network equipment. Wherein the session update request may include: source user plane side address, source user plane side address and/or destination user plane side address. The session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element to the communication device is faulty. The session update response is used to indicate that the session update between the session management function network element and the communication device was successful. The handover request message is used to request connection of the terminal device to the destination access network device.

In one possible design, the sending module is further configured to send a path detection request message to the source user plane side destination address by using the source access network side address when the session update request indicates the source user plane side address failure. And the sending module is also used for sending a session update response to the session management function network element under the condition that the communication device receives the path detection response message.

In one possible design, the sending module is further configured to send a handover request message to the destination access network device in a case where the session update request message indicates a source access network side address failure.

In one possible design manner, the sending module is further configured to send a handover request message to the destination access network device when the session update request indicates an address failure at the source access network side and all address failures at the source access network side are determined.

In one possible design, the sending module is further configured to send a handover request message to the destination access network device when the session update request indicates that all addresses on the source access network side are faulty.

Optionally, the communication device according to the ninth aspect may further include a processing module and a storage module, where the storage module stores a program or instructions. The program or instructions, when executed by the processing module, enable the communication device according to the ninth aspect to perform the method according to the third aspect.

Note that, the communication apparatus according to the ninth aspect may be a source access network device, or may be a chip (system) or other parts or components that may be disposed in the source access network device, which is not limited in this application.

Technical effects of the communication device according to the ninth aspect may refer to technical effects of the communication method according to any one of the possible implementation manners of the third aspect, which are not described herein.

In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes: a transmitting module and a receiving module. The sending module is used for sending a session update request to the session management function network element. And the receiving module is also used for receiving the session update response from the session management function network element. And the sending module is also used for sending data by using the updated address. The session update request may include a source access network side address and/or a source access network side destination address, where the session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane functional network element and the communication device is faulty. The session update response may include: source user plane side address, and/or destination user plane side address.

In one possible design, in the case of a source access network side address failure, the session update request indicates the source access network side address failure, and the session update request may include: source access network side address.

In one possible design, the communication device of the tenth aspect further includes: and a processing module. And the sending module is further used for sending a path detection request message to the destination user plane side address by adopting the source access network side address under the condition that the transmission path between the source user plane functional network element and the communication device fails. And the processing module is used for determining the address fault of the source access network side under the condition that the communication device does not receive the path detection response message.

In one possible design, in the case of a source user plane side address failure, the session update request indicates the source user plane side address failure, and the session update request may include: source access network side address and/or source access network side destination address.

In one possible design, the sending module is further configured to send a path probing request message to the destination user plane side address by using the source access network side address in case of a transmission path failure between the source user plane functional network element and the communication device. And the processing module is also used for determining the source user plane side address fault under the condition that the communication device receives the path detection response message.

In one possible design, the session update request indicates that all addresses on the source access network side fail.

In one possible design, the sending module is further configured to send data to the source user plane functional network element through the source access network side address, the source user plane side address, or the source user plane side address.

In one possible design, the sending module is further configured to send data to the destination user plane functional network element through the source access network side address and the destination user plane side address.

In one possible design manner, the communication method provided in the tenth aspect may further include: and a storage module. The storage module is used for caching data to be transmitted to the source user plane functional network element under the condition that a transmission path between the source user plane functional network element and the communication device is faulty.

Optionally, the storage module stores a program or instructions. The program or instructions, when executed by a processing module, enable the communications device of the tenth aspect to perform the method of the fourth aspect.

Note that, the communication apparatus according to the tenth aspect may be a source access network device, or may be a chip (system) or other parts or components that may be disposed in the source access network device, which is not limited in this application.

Further, the technical effects of the communication device according to the tenth aspect may refer to the technical effects of the communication method according to any one of the possible implementation manners of the fourth aspect, which are not described herein.

In an eleventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The communication device includes: a receiving module and a transmitting module. And the receiving module is used for receiving the session updating request from the source access network equipment. And the sending module is used for sending a session update request message to the source user plane functional network element, or sending a session establishment request message to the destination user plane functional network element. And the sending module is also used for sending a session update response to the source access network equipment. The session update request may include a source access network side address and/or a source access network side destination address, where the session update request indicates that a transmission path between a source user plane functional network element and a source access network device is faulty. The session update request message may include a source access network side address and/or a source access network side address, and the session establishment request message may include a source access network side address and/or a source access network side address. The session update response may include: source user plane side address, and/or destination user plane side address.

In one possible design, the receiving module is further configured to receive a session update response message from the source user plane function network element. Wherein, the session update response message may include: source user plane side address, and/or source user plane side destination address.

In one possible design, the sending module is further configured to send a path detection request message to the source user plane function network element. And the sending module is further used for sending a session update request message to the source user plane function network element under the condition that the communication device receives the path detection response message.

In one possible design, the receiving module is further configured to receive a session update response message from the source user plane function network element. Wherein the session update response message indicates a session update failure between the communication device and the source user plane function network element.

In one possible design, the sending module is further configured to send a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element in case of failure in obtaining a session update between the communication device and the source user plane function network element. The session establishment request message may include a source access network side address and/or a source access network side address.

In one possible design, the sending module is further configured to send a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element in a case that the session update request indicates a source user plane side address failure.

In one possible design, the sending module is further configured to send a path detection request message to the source user plane function network element when the session update request indicates a source user plane address failure. And the sending module is further used for sending a session update request message to the target user plane function network element under the condition that the communication device does not receive the path detection response message.

In one possible design, the receiving module is further configured to receive a session establishment response message from the destination user plane function network element. The session establishment response message may include a destination user plane side address, among other things.

Optionally, the communication device according to the eleventh aspect may further include a processing module and a storage module, where the storage module stores a program or instructions. The program or instructions, when executed by a processing module, enable the communication device of the eleventh aspect to perform the method of the fifth aspect.

Note that, the communication device according to the eleventh aspect may be a session management function network element, or may be a chip (system) or other parts or components that may be disposed in the session management function network element, which is not limited in this application.

Technical effects of the communication device according to the eleventh aspect may refer to technical effects of the communication method according to any one of the possible implementation manners of the fifth aspect, which are not described herein.

In a twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes: a receiving module and a transmitting module. The receiving module is used for receiving the session update request message from the session management function network element, and the sending module is used for sending the session update response message to the session management function network element. The session update request message may include a source access network side address and/or a source access network side address. The session update response message may include the source user plane side address and/or the source user plane side destination address.

In one possible design, the session update request message indicates a source access network side address failure, and the session update response message may include a source user plane side address and/or a source user plane side destination address.

In one possible design, the sending module is further configured to send a path detection request message to the destination address of the source access network side by using the source user plane address if the session update request message indicates the source access network side address failure. And the sending module is further used for sending a session update response message to the session management function network element under the condition that the communication device receives the path detection response message.

In one possible design, the sending module is further configured to send a path detection request message to the source access network address by using the source user plane address. And the sending module is further used for sending a session update response message to the session management function network element under the condition that the communication device receives the path detection response message.

In one possible design, the sending module is further configured to send a session update response message to the session management function network element when the session update request message indicates an address failure at the source user plane side and all address failures at the source user plane side are determined. Wherein the session update response message indicates a session update failure between the session management function network element and the communication device.

In one possible design, the communication device of the twelfth aspect may further include: and a processing module. The sending module is further configured to send a path detection request message to the destination address of the source access network by using all the addresses of the source user plane. And the processing module is used for determining all address faults at the source user plane side under the condition that the communication device does not receive the path detection response message.

Optionally, the communication device according to the twelfth aspect may further include a processing module and a storage module, where the storage module stores a program or instructions. The program or instructions, when executed by a processing module, enable the communications device of the twelfth aspect to perform the method of the sixth aspect.

Note that, the communication device in the twelfth aspect may be a source user plane function network element, or may be a chip (system) or other parts or components that may be disposed in the source user plane function network element, which is not limited in this application.

Technical effects of the communication device according to the twelfth aspect may refer to technical effects of the communication method according to any one of the possible implementation manners of the sixth aspect, which are not described herein.

In a thirteenth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes: a processor coupled to a memory for storing a computer program.

The processor is configured to execute a computer program stored in the memory such that the communication method as described in any one of the possible implementations of the first to sixth aspects is performed.

In one possible design, the communication device according to the thirteenth aspect may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an input/output port. The transceiver may be used for the communication means to communicate with other devices.

The input port may be used to implement the receiving functions of the first to sixth aspects, and the output port may be used to implement the transmitting functions of the first to sixth aspects.

In this application, the communication apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect may be a source access network device, a destination access network device, an access and mobility management function network element, a session management function network element, a source user plane function network element, or a destination user plane function network element, or a chip or chip system disposed inside the source access network device, the destination access network device, the access and mobility management function network element, the session management function network element, the source user plane function network element, or the destination user plane function network element.

Further, the technical effects of the communication apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect may refer to the technical effects of the communication method according to any implementation manner of the first to sixth aspects, and are not described herein.

In a fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided. The communication system comprises a communication device according to the seventh aspect, a communication device according to the eighth aspect and a communication device according to the ninth aspect. Alternatively, the communication system includes the communication device according to the tenth aspect, the communication device according to the eleventh aspect, and the communication device according to the twelfth aspect.

Illustratively, the communication system includes a source access network device, a session management function network element, and a source user plane function network element.

In a fifteenth aspect, a chip system is provided that includes logic circuitry and an input/output port. Wherein the logic circuit is configured to implement the processing functions according to the first to sixth aspects, and the input/output port is configured to implement the transceiver functions according to the first to sixth aspects. In particular, the input port may be used to implement the receiving functions of the first to sixth aspects, and the output port may be used to implement the transmitting functions of the first to sixth aspects.

In one possible design, the system-on-chip further includes a memory for storing program instructions and data implementing the functions of the first to sixth aspects.

The chip system can be composed of chips, and can also comprise chips and other discrete devices.

In a sixteenth aspect, there is provided a computer readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions; the computer program or instructions, when run on a computer, cause the communication method of any one of the possible implementation manners of the first to sixth aspects to be performed.

In a seventeenth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising a computer program or instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the communication method according to any one of the possible implementations of the first to sixth aspects to be performed.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 a-2 d are schematic diagrams of several user plane data transmission networking provided in the embodiments of the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is a flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10a is a flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10b is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10c is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

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

The technical solution of the embodiments of the present application may be applied to various communication systems, such as a universal mobile telecommunications system (universal mobile telecommunications system, UMTS), a wireless local area network (wireless local area network, WLAN), a wireless fidelity (wireless fidelity, wi-Fi) system, a wired network, a vehicle-to-arbitrary object (vehicle to everything, V2X) communication system, an inter-device (D2D) communication system, a car networking communication system, a 4th generation (4th generation,4G) mobile communication system, such as a long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) system, a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (worldwide interoperability for microwave access, wiMAX) communication system, a fifth generation (5th generation,5G) mobile communication system, such as a new air interface (NR) system, and future communication systems, such as a sixth generation (6th generation,6G) mobile communication system, etc.

The present application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features about a system that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It is to be understood and appreciated that the various systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc. and/or may not include all of the devices, components, modules etc. discussed in connection with the figures. Furthermore, combinations of these schemes may also be used.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary," "for example," and the like are used to indicate an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the term use of an example is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion.

In the embodiments of the present application, "of", "corresponding" and "corresponding" may be sometimes used in combination, and it should be noted that the meaning to be expressed is consistent when the distinction is not emphasized.

The network architecture and the service scenario described in the embodiments of the present application are for more clearly describing the technical solution of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of the network architecture and the appearance of the new service scenario, the technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application is also applicable to similar technical problems.

To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, a communication system suitable for the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail first with reference to the communication system shown in fig. 1 as an example. Fig. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system to which the communication method according to the embodiment of the present application is applicable.

As shown in fig. 1, the communication system includes an access network device and a core network element. Wherein the number of core network elements may be one or more. Optionally, the communication system may further comprise a terminal device and/or a Data Network (DN).

The access network device is a device located at the network side of the communication system and having a wireless receiving and transmitting function, or a chip system arranged in the device. The access network device includes, but is not limited to: an Access Point (AP) in a Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity, wi-Fi) system, such as a home gateway, a router, a server, a switch, a bridge, etc., an evolved Node B (eNB), a radio network controller (radio network controller, RNC), a Node B (Node B, NB), a base station controller (base station controller, BSC), a base transceiver station (base transceiver station, BTS), a home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), a wireless relay Node, a wireless backhaul Node, a transmission point (transmission and reception point, TRP, transmission point, TP), etc., a gNB in a new air interface (new radio, NR) system, or a transmission point (TRP, TP), a base station antenna panel or a group of base stations in a 5G system (including multiple antenna panels), or a network Node constituting a gNB or transmission point, such as a BBU, or a base station, a distributed base station unit (base station), a satellite unit (RSU), a future base station, a distributed unit, a service unit, a future base station, or a service unit, etc., may take the form of a further base station, a service unit, or a future service unit.

The core network elements may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: a user plane function (user plane function, UPF) network element, a session management function (session management function, SMF) network element, and an access and mobility management function (core access and mobility management function, AMF).

The AMF network element is mainly responsible for signaling processing parts, such as access control, mobility management, attachment and detachment, and gateway selection. In the case where the AMF network element provides a service for a session in the terminal device, a storage resource of the control plane may be provided for the session to store a session identifier, an SMF network element identifier associated with the session identifier, and so on.

The SMF network element is responsible for user plane network element selection, user plane network element redirection, internet protocol (internet protocol, IP) address assignment, bearer establishment, modification and release, quality of service (quality of service, qoS) control, etc.

The UPF network element is responsible for forwarding and receiving user data in the terminal device. The UPF network element can receive user data from the data network and transmit the user data to the terminal equipment through the access network equipment; the UPF network element may also receive user data from the terminal device via the access network device and forward the user data to the data network.

The terminal equipment accesses the network through the access network equipment, and communicates with the AMF through an N1 interface (N1 for short); the access network equipment can communicate with the AMF through an N2 interface (N2 for short); the access network equipment can communicate with the UPF through an N3 interface (N3 for short); the SMF communicates with the UPF through an N4 interface (abbreviated as N4), and the UPF accesses the data network through an N6 interface (abbreviated as N6).

The data network may be an external network of the operator or a network controlled by the operator, and is used for providing business services for the terminal device.

Optionally, the terminal device is a terminal having a wireless transceiver function and capable of being connected to the communication system, or a chip system disposed in the terminal. The terminal device may also be referred to as a User Equipment (UE), a user equipment, an access terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a Mobile Station (MS), a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal unit, a terminal station, a terminal device, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user equipment.

For example, the terminal device in embodiments of the present application may be a mobile phone (mobile phone), a wireless data card, a personal digital assistant (personal digital assistant, PDA) computer, a laptop (laptop computer), a tablet (Pad), an unmanned aerial vehicle, a computer with wireless transceiving functions, a machine type communication (machine type communication, MTC) terminal, a Virtual Reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) terminal device, an internet of things (internet of things, ioT) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control (industrial control), a wireless terminal in unmanned driving (IoT), a wireless terminal in remote medical (remote media), a wireless terminal in smart grid (smart grid), a wireless terminal in transportation security (transportation safety), a wireless terminal in smart city (smart city), a wireless terminal in smart home (smart home) such as a game machine, smart television, smart sound box, smart refrigerator, exercise equipment, etc., a terminal, an RSU with functions, etc. An access terminal may be a cellular telephone (cellular phone), cordless telephone, session initiation protocol (session initiation protocol, SIP) phone, wireless local loop (wireless local loop, WLL) station, personal digital assistant (personal digital assistant, PDA), handheld device (handset) with wireless communication capabilities, computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, wearable device, etc.

For another example, the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application may be an express terminal in smart logistics (e.g., a device capable of monitoring a position of a cargo vehicle, a device capable of monitoring a temperature and humidity of the cargo, etc.), a wireless terminal in smart agriculture (e.g., a wearable device capable of collecting relevant data of livestock, etc.), a wireless terminal in smart architecture (e.g., a smart elevator, a fire monitoring device, a smart meter, etc.), a wireless terminal in smart medical (e.g., a wearable device capable of monitoring a physiological state of a person or an animal), a wireless terminal in smart transportation (e.g., a smart bus, a smart vehicle, a sharing bicycle, a charging pile monitoring device, a smart traffic light, a smart monitoring and retail parking device, etc.), a wireless terminal in smart (e.g., a vending machine, a self-checkout machine, an unmanned convenience store, etc.). For another example, the terminal device of the present application may be an in-vehicle module, an in-vehicle component, an in-vehicle chip, or an in-vehicle unit that is built in a vehicle as one or more components or units, and the vehicle may implement the method provided in the present application through the in-vehicle module, the in-vehicle component, the in-vehicle chip, or the in-vehicle unit.

Alternatively, the communication system shown in fig. 1 may be applied to the communication network in question at present, or may be applied to other networks in the future, etc., which are not limited in particular by the embodiments of the present application.

Fig. 2 a-2 d are schematic diagrams of several user plane data transmission networking provided in the embodiments of the present application.

By way of example, the communication system shown in fig. 1 may be applied to non-5G local area network (5G local area network,5GLAN) scenarios and 5G LAN communication scenarios, fig. 2a and 2b being illustrated by way of example for a non-5G LAN and fig. 2c and 2d being illustrated by way of example for a 5G LAN.

After the terminal device registers with the network and establishes a protocol data unit (protocol data unit, PDU) session, communication needs to be performed between the terminal device and the data network, and between the terminal device and the terminal device, through the access network device and the anchor UPF network element.

In some scenarios, because the terminal device moves across areas or the moving position is changed greatly, under the condition that the connection between the anchor point UPF network element and the access network device (the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device) cannot be established directly, an intermediate UPF network element can be arranged between the anchor point UPF network element and the access network device, so that the access network device establishes connection with the anchor point UPF network element through the intermediate UPF network element. The intermediate UPF network element is mainly used for forwarding user data between the access network device and the anchor UPF network element. The intermediate UPF network element and the anchor UPF network element may communicate via an N9 interface.

As shown in fig. 2a, in a non-5G LAN scenario, communication is performed between terminal device 1 and terminal device 2, where terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 may be registered in different access network devices, and data communication between two anchor UPF network elements may be transmitted through an intermediate network. The intermediate network may be an IP multimedia subsystem (IP multimedia subsystem, IMS), or the internet, etc. The intermediate UPF network element may be optional.

As shown in fig. 2b, in a non-5G LAN scenario, communication is performed between the terminal device 1 and the data network, the terminal device 1 is registered to the 5G network, and the terminal device 1 can access the data network through the 5G network. The data network may be the internet, a campus network, an enterprise network, etc. The intermediate UPF network element may be optional.

As shown in fig. 2c, in the 5G LAN communication scenario, communication is performed between the terminal device 1 and the terminal device 2, where the terminal device 1 and the terminal device 2 may register a network, and the same anchor UPF network element may provide a data transmission service for the terminal device 1 and the terminal device 2. The intermediate UPF network element may be optional.

As shown in fig. 2c, in the 5G LAN communication scenario, communication is performed between the terminal device 1 and the terminal device 2, where the terminal device 1 and the terminal device 2 may register a network, and different anchor UPF network elements (e.g., an anchor UPF1 network element and an anchor UPF2 network element) may provide data transmission services for the terminal device 1 and the terminal device 2, and communication may be performed between the anchor UPF1 network element and the anchor UPF2 network element through an N19 interface. The intermediate UPF network element may be optional.

It should be noted that, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application may be applied to the communication system shown in fig. 1, and specific implementation may refer to the following method embodiments, which are not described herein again.

It should be noted that the solution in the embodiments of the present application may also be applied to other communication systems, and the corresponding names may also be replaced by names of corresponding functions in other communication systems.

It should be understood that fig. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram that is merely exemplary for ease of understanding, and that other network devices, and/or other terminal devices, may also be included in the communication system, which are not shown in fig. 1.

In order to make the embodiments of the present application clearer, the following description will make some of the contents and concepts related to the embodiments of the present application.

The first item, a source access network side address, a source access network side destination address, all source access network side addresses, a destination access network side address, and an access network side address outside the source access network:

the source access network side address is a source address of the source access network device for interaction between the source access network device and the source user plane function network element.

Alternatively, the address may be an interface address for interaction.

For example, the source access network side address may be a current (current) N3 interface address or s1_u interface address or the like, such as an IP address, on the source access network device side.

It should be noted that, the communication between the user plane functional network element and the access network device may be performed through an N3 interface or an s1_u interface address, and the name of the interface between the user plane functional network element and the access network device is not limited in this application, and the embodiment of the present application is illustrated by taking the N3 interface as an example.

The destination address of the source access network side is the destination address of the source access network equipment side used for the interaction of the source access network equipment and the source user plane functional network element.

For example, the destination address of the source access network side may be a new N3 interface address or s1_u interface address of the source access network device side, which is different from the source access network side address.

All addresses at the source access network side include: all addresses on the source access network device side used for the interaction of the source access network device and the user plane function network element.

For example, all addresses on the source access network side may be all N3 interface addresses or s1_u interface addresses on the source access network device side, and all N3 interface addresses on the source access network device side include, but are not limited to: the current N3 interface address of the source access network equipment side and the new N3 interface address of the source access network equipment side. All s1_u interface addresses on the source access network device side include, but are not limited to: the current S1_U interface address of the source access network equipment side and the new S1_U interface address of the source access network equipment side.

The destination access network side address includes: the address of the destination access network equipment side used for the interaction of the destination access network equipment and the user plane function network element.

The destination access network side address may be, for example, an N3 interface address or an s1_u interface address of the destination access network device side.

The address of the access network side outside the source access network is the destination address of the access network side outside the source access network equipment, which is used for the interaction between the access network equipment outside the source access network equipment and the user plane function network element.

For example, the address of the access network side outside the source access network may be an N3 interface address or an s1_u interface address of the access network device outside the source access network device, and the access network device outside the source access network device may include the destination access network device, which is different from the source access network device.

The second item, source user plane side address, source user plane side destination address, source user plane side all addresses, destination user plane side address, and destination user plane side user plane address:

the source user plane side address is a source address of a source user plane functional network element used for interaction between the source user plane functional network element and the source access network device.

For example, the source user plane side address may be a current N3 interface address or s1_u interface address of the source user plane functional network element side.

The destination address of the source user plane side is the destination address of the source user plane function network element side used for interaction between the source user plane function network element and the source access network equipment.

For example, the destination address on the source user plane side may be a new N3 interface address or s1_u interface address on the source user plane function network element side.

All addresses on the source user plane side include: all addresses on the source user plane function network element side used for interaction between the source user plane function network element and the access network device.

For example, all addresses at the source user plane side may be all N3 interface addresses or s1_u interface addresses at the source user plane functional network element side. All addresses on the source user plane side may include, but are not limited to: source user plane side address and source user plane side destination address.

The destination user plane side address includes: the address of the network element side of the destination user plane function is used for the interaction between the network element of the destination user plane function and the access network equipment.

For example, the destination user plane side address may be an N3 interface address or an s1_u interface address of the destination user plane function network element side.

The destination user plane side user plane address is an address of the destination user plane function network element side used for interaction of the destination user plane function network element with the source user plane function network element (or the first user plane function network element).

For example, the destination user plane side user plane address may be an N9 interface address, an N19 interface address, or the like of the destination user plane functional network element side.

It should be noted that, the user plane functional network element and the user plane functional network element may communicate through an N9 interface or an N19 interface, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit names of interfaces between the user plane functional network element and the user plane functional network element, and the N9 interface is taken as an example for illustration.

The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application will be specifically described with reference to fig. 3 to 10 c. The methods shown in fig. 3-10 c are applicable to the systems or scenarios shown in fig. 1, and fig. 2 a-2 d. In fig. 3-10 b, the source UPF element may be an intermediate UPF element, or an anchor UPF element. In fig. 10c, the first UPF element may be an intermediate UPF element, or an anchor UPF element, where the destination UPF element corresponds to the first UPF element, e.g., the first UPF element is an intermediate UPF element, and the destination UPF element is a destination intermediate UPF element; for another example, the first UPF element is an anchor UPF element, the destination UPF element is a destination anchor UPF element, and the second UPF element may be an intermediate UPF element, or an anchor UPF element.

3-10 c illustrate an example of AMF, SMF, UPF, the communication method provided in the present application may be applied to other network architectures in various future forms, and the corresponding names may be replaced by names of corresponding functions in other network architectures in various future forms.

Fig. 3 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 3 illustrates a scenario in which a data network transmits downlink data to a terminal device, or a calling terminal device transmits data to a called terminal device (terminal device shown in fig. 3), for example.

As shown in fig. 3, the communication method includes the steps of:

optionally, S301, in case of a transmission path failure between the source user plane functional network element and the source access network device, the source user plane functional network element caches data to be transmitted to the source access network device.

It should be noted that S301 may be an optional step.

Alternatively, the source access network device may be an access network device serving the terminal device, and the source user plane function network element may be a UPF network element serving the terminal device. For example, in connection with fig. 2a, assuming that the terminal device shown in fig. 3 is the terminal device 1 shown in fig. 2a, the source user plane function network element may be an intermediate UPF network element, or an anchor UPF1 network element.

It should be noted that, before S301, the terminal device may execute the PDU session establishment procedure, which is not described in detail in this application.

The data network may send data to the source UPF network element, or the calling terminal device may send data to the source UPF network element, for example.

Therefore, after the source user plane functional network element detects the transmission path fault between the source user plane functional network element and the source access network equipment, the downlink data to be sent can be cached, and the failure of data transmission can be avoided.

S302, the source user plane function network element sends a notification message to the session management function network element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives the notification message from the source user plane function network element.

The notification message may indicate, for example, that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element to the source access network device is faulty.

For example, the source UPF network element may indicate a user plane transmission path failure to the SMF network element.

Note that the name of the notification message is not limited in the present application, and the notification message may be referred to as a session report request message, or a packet forwarding control protocol (packet forwarding control protocol, PFCP) session report request (session report request) message, for example.

Illustratively, the notification message may include: source user plane side address and/or source user plane side destination address.

For example, the notification message may include; the current N3 interface address used between the source user plane function network element side and the source access network equipment and/or the new N3 interface address of the source user plane function network element side can realize subsequent session updating and solve the faults in the transmission path.

Alternatively, the session update may refer to updating an address used by the session, or updating a transmission path. For example, updating the address of the access network device side and/or the address of the user plane function network element side, and updating the transmission path between the source access network device and the source user plane function network element into the transmission path between the destination access network device and the source user plane function network element, or the transmission path between the source access network device and the destination user plane function network element, or the transmission path between the destination access network device and the destination user plane function network element.

For a specific implementation of the source ue side address and the source ue side address, reference may be made to the description of the second item, which is not repeated herein.

In some embodiments, the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application may further include: the source user plane function network element adopts the source user plane side destination address to send a path detection request message to the source access network side address; in case the source user plane function network element receives the path probe response message, the notification message may comprise an address of the source user plane side destination.

That is, the source UPF network element may detect a transmission path between the source user plane side address and the source access network side address before sending the source user plane side address, and in the case that the transmission path has no fault, send the source user plane side address, so that the updated transmission path may be prevented from having a fault.

Similarly, path probing may be performed in a similar manner for a transmission path between a source user plane side address to a source access network side address, or a transmission path between a source user plane side address to a destination access network side address. In this way, the updated transmission path can be prevented from being faulty.

Alternatively, the source user plane side address failure may refer to a current address (e.g., an address may be an interface address, such as an N3 interface address or an s1_u interface address) failure at the source user plane functional network element side, and/or an address failure of a device (e.g., a route) in the transmission path.

The source UPF network element determines that the current N3 interface address at the source user plane function network element side is faulty, and the sent notification message may include the new N3 interface address at the source user plane function network element side, so that the session may be updated using the new N3 interface address at the source user plane function network element side, the fault in the transmission path may be solved, and successful data transmission may be achieved.

Optionally, the notification message may include: the source user plane side destination address may implicitly indicate that the cause of the transmission path failure is a source user plane side address failure.

Optionally, the notification message may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information may indicate a source user plane side address failure. This way the cause of the transmission path failure can be indicated explicitly.

In one possible design, the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device fails, and indicates that the source access network side address fails for the notification message, where the notification message includes: source user plane side address and/or source user plane side destination address.

The source UPF network element determines that the current N3 interface address at the source access network device side fails, and the sent notification message may include the source user plane side address and/or the source user plane side destination address, so that the source access network device may continue to use the current N3 interface address at the source user plane function network element side, or may update the session using the new N3 interface address at the source user plane function network element side, and may solve the failure in the transmission path, to implement successful data transmission.

Optionally, the notification message includes a source user plane side address, or the notification message includes a source user plane side address and a source user plane side destination address, which may implicitly indicate that the cause of the transmission path failure is a source access network side address failure.

Optionally, the notification message may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information may indicate that the source access network side address fails. This way the cause of the transmission path failure can be indicated explicitly.

Alternatively, the source user plane side all interface address failure may refer to all addresses (e.g. the addresses may be interface addresses, such as N3 interface addresses or s1_u interface addresses) failure at the source user plane functional network element side, and/or address failure of a device in the transmission path (e.g. a router in the transmission link).

Optionally, the notification message may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information may indicate that all addresses on the source user plane side fail. This way the cause of the transmission path failure can be indicated explicitly.

In one possible design, the notification message may also include an identification of the terminal device.

The identifier of the terminal device may be, for example, an identifier allocated by the SMF network element to the terminal device in the PDU session activation procedure.

Such as tunnel endpoint identification (tunnel endpoint identifier, TEID), but also permanent identification of the subscriber, such as international mobile subscriber identity (international mobile subscriber identity, IMSI), mobile station integrated services digital network number (the mobile station ISDN number, MSISDN) (where ISDN is short for integrated services digital network (integrated service digital network)), subscription permanent identification (subscription permanent identifier, SUPI), general public subscriber identity (generic public subscription identifier, GPSI), international mobile equipment identity (international mobile equipment identity, IMEI), etc.

In some embodiments, the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application may further include: the source user plane function network element determines a source user plane side address failure.

In some embodiments, the determining the source ue side address failure by the source ue functional network element may include the following steps one to two.

Step one, a source user plane function network element adopts a source user plane side address to send a path detection request message to an address of an access network side outside a source access network.

And step two, under the condition that the source user plane functional network element does not receive the path detection response message, the source user plane functional network element determines the source user plane side address fault.

For example, the source UPF network element may use the current N3 interface address of the source user plane function network element side to perform path detection to an access network device (for example, a destination access network device) other than the source access network device, and if a detection response message returned by the destination access network device is not received, confirm the address failure of the source user plane side.

In some embodiments, the source user plane functional network element may determine, according to whether its own hardware module fails, a source user plane side address failure.

For example, if the source user plane function network element detects that a hardware module (such as a network card) of the local end for communicating with the source access network device is faulty, the source user plane side address is determined to be faulty, otherwise, the source user plane side address is not faulty.

In some embodiments, the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application may further include: the source user plane functional network element determines the address fault at the source access network side.

In some embodiments, the determining, by the source user plane functional network element, the source access network side address failure may include the following steps three to four.

And step three, the source user plane function network element adopts the source user plane side address to send a path detection request message to the address of the access network side outside the source access network.

And step four, under the condition that the source user plane functional network element receives the path detection response message, the source user plane functional network element determines the address fault of the source access network side.

The source UPF network element may use the current N3 interface address of the source user plane function network element to perform path detection to an access network device (for example, a destination access network device) except the source access network device, and if a detection response message returned by the destination access network device is received, confirm the address failure of the source access network side.

In some embodiments, the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application may further include: the source user plane function network element determines all address faults at the source user plane side.

In some embodiments, the determining, by the source ue functional network element, all address faults on the source ue side may include the following steps five to six.

Step five, the source user plane function network element adopts all addresses of the source user plane side, sends a path detection request message to all addresses of the source access network side, and sends the path detection request message to the addresses of the access network side outside the source access network;

Step six, under the condition that the source user plane functional network element does not receive the path detection response message, the source user plane functional network element determines all address faults at the source user plane side.

For example, the source UPF network element may use all N3 addresses of the source user plane function network element side to perform path detection to the source access network device and other access network devices (for example, the destination access network device), and if a detection response message returned by the destination access network device is not received, confirm all address faults of the source user plane side.

In one possible design, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include: the session management function network element may send a session report response message to the source UPF network element. Accordingly, the source UPF network element receives a session report response message from the session management function network element.

For example, a session report response message may be used to indicate receipt of the notification message.

For example, the session report response message may be a PFCP session report response (PFCP session report response).

S303, the session management function network element sends a session update request to the source access network device. Accordingly, the source access network device receives a session update request from the session management function network element.

Alternatively, the session update request may be used to request the source access network device to update its transmission path with the source user plane function network element.

Optionally, the sending, by the session management function network element, a session update request to the source access network device may include: the session management function network element sends a session update request to the AMF network element, and the AMF network element sends the session update request to the source access network device. For example, the session update request may be a PDU session resource modification request container (session resource modify request transfer), which is not limited in this application.

For example, the session management function network element may send a PDU session modification request message to the AMF network element, the PDU session modification request message comprising a session update request, the AMF network element sending a PDU session resource modification request (PDU session resource modify request) message to the source access network device, the PDU session resource modification request message comprising a session update request. So the SMF network element may send the content in the session update request to the source access network device and instruct the source access network device to update the session.

As another example, the session management function network element may send an N3 path change notification request message (N3 path change notify request) to the AMF network element, the N3 path change notification request message including the session update request, and the AMF network element sends an N3 path change notification request message to the source access network device, the N3 path change notification request message including the session update request. So the SMF network element may send the content in the session update request to the source access network device and instruct the source access network device to change the session.

For example, the session update request may indicate that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element to the source access network device is faulty.

For example, the SMF network element may indicate a user plane transmission path failure to the source access network device.

For example, the session update request may include: source user plane side address, source user plane side address and/or destination user plane side address.

In this manner, the source access network device may be requested to update the session according to the address included in the session update request.

Illustratively, if the SMF network element obtains the current N3 address failure at the source user plane function network element side from the notification message, the sent session update request may include the address at the source user plane side, so that the source access network device may update the session using the new N3 address at the source user plane function network element side.

Optionally, the session update request includes an address of the source user plane side destination, and the cause of the transmission path failure may be implicitly indicated as the source user plane side address failure.

Optionally, the session update request may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information may indicate a source user plane side address failure. This way the cause of the transmission path failure can be indicated explicitly.

In one possible design, the notification message may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information may indicate a source access network side address failure, and the session update request may include: source user plane side address and/or source user plane side destination address.

The SMF network element obtains the current N3 interface address failure at the source access network device side from the notification message, and the sent session update request may include the source user plane side address and/or the source user plane side destination address, so that the source access network device may continue to use the new N3 interface address at the source user plane functional network element side, or may update the session using the new N3 interface address at the source user plane functional network element side, and may solve the failure in the transmission path.

Optionally, the session update request includes a source user plane side address and/or a source user plane side address, and the cause of the transmission path failure may be implicitly indicated as a source access network side address failure.

Optionally, the session update request may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information may indicate that the source access network side address fails. This way the cause of the transmission path failure can be indicated explicitly.

In one possible design, the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty, and the notification message indicates that all addresses on the source user plane side are faulty, and the session update request may include: destination user plane side address.

Alternatively, the source user plane side all address failure may refer to all addresses (e.g., the addresses may be interface addresses, such as N3 interface addresses or s1_u interface addresses) failure at the source user plane functional network element side, and/or address failure of a device (e.g., a route) in the transmission path.

Illustratively, if the SMF network element obtains all N3 interface addresses on the source user plane function network element side from the notification message, the sent session update request may include the destination user plane side address, so that the source access network device may update the session using the destination user plane side address.

Optionally, the notification message includes the address of the destination user plane side, and may implicitly indicate that the reason for the transmission path failure is that all addresses of the source user plane side are failed.

In a possible design, the session update request may further include an identifier of the terminal device, and reference may be made to S302 above for a specific implementation of the identifier of the terminal device, which is not described herein.

Optionally, after receiving the session update request, the source access network device may update the session according to the address in the session update request.

For example, assuming that the session update request includes an address of the source user plane side destination, the source access network device may update the source user plane side address being used to the address of the source user plane side destination, completing the session update.

For example, assuming that the session update request includes a source user plane side address, the source access network device determines that the source user plane side address being used is the same as the address in the session update request, and does not need to update the session.

For example, assume that the session update request includes a destination user plane side address, and the source access network device updates the source user plane side address being used to the destination user plane side address.

Optionally, if the session update request includes a plurality of addresses, which address the source access network device specifically uses may be predefined according to a protocol, or the network element negotiates to determine.

In one possible design, the method provided by the embodiment of the application may further include: s307, the session management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element. Accordingly, the destination user plane function network element receives the session establishment request message from the session management function network element.

Optionally, the session establishment request message may include: source access network side address and/or source access network side destination address.

In some embodiments, the session management function network element may send a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element when the notification message indicates that all addresses on the source user plane side are faulty; or, the session management function network element may send a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element in the case that the notification message indicates that the source user plane side address is faulty.

Illustratively, in case of a failure of all N3 addresses at the source user plane functional network element side or a current N3 interface address at the source user plane functional network element side, the session management functional network element requests to establish a session to the destination user plane functional network element.

In some embodiments, the session establishment request message may also include the context of the terminal device.

For example, the context of the terminal device includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: address information of the terminal equipment, identification of the terminal equipment, session identification of the terminal equipment, policy and charging information of the terminal equipment. The address information of the terminal device may include: the IP address of the terminal device, and/or the media access control layer (media access control, MAC) address of the terminal device.

Alternatively, the session establishment request message may be a PFCP session establishment request message.

In this way, the successful transmission of data can be realized by sending a session establishment request message to the target user plane function network element to request the establishment of a session and request the target user plane function network element to serve the source access network device. Note that, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the order of execution of S307 and S303, for example, S307 may be executed before S303.

In one possible design, the method provided by the embodiment of the application may further include: s308, the session management function network element receives the session establishment response message from the destination user plane function network element. Accordingly, the destination user plane function network element receives the session establishment response message from the session management function network element.

Optionally, the session establishment response message may include: a destination user plane side address and/or a destination user plane side user plane address.

For example, the session establishment response message may include the N3 interface address of the destination UPF network element and an interface address (e.g., an N9 interface, or an N19 interface, etc.) between the destination UPF side and the source UPF network element. Thus, the source access network device can update the session to the destination user plane side address, and the source UPF network element can send the cached data to the destination UPF network element through the destination user plane side user plane address.

Note that, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the order of execution of S308 and S303, for example, S308 may be executed before S303.

S304-1, the source access network device sends a session update response to the session management function network element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives a session update response from the source access network device.

Optionally, the sending, by the source access network device, the session update response to the session management function network element may include: the source access network device sends a session update response to the AMF network element, and the AMF network element sends the session update response to the SMF network element.

For example, the session update response may modify the response container (session resource modify request transfer) for PDU session resources, which is not limited by the present application.

For example, the source access network device may send a PDU session modification response message to the AMF network element, the PDU session modification response message comprising a session update response, the AMF network element sending a PDU session modification response message to the SMF network element, the PDU session modification response message comprising a session update response. In this way, the source access network device may send the content in the session update response to the SMF network element and instruct the source access network device to update the session.

For example, the session update response may be used to indicate that the source access network device side session update was successful.

For example, if the source access network device updates the source user plane side address to the source user plane side address, a session update response may be sent to indicate that the session is successfully updated.

For another example, if the source access network device updates the source user plane side address to the destination user plane side address, a session update response may be sent to indicate that the session is successfully updated.

For example, the session update response may include the current N3 address at the source access network device side and/or the new N3 address at the source access network device side.

In one possible design, the session update request may indicate a source access network side address failure, and the session update response may include: source access network side address.

Optionally, the session update request may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information may indicate that the source access network side address fails.

The source access network device obtains the current N3 interface address failure at the source access network device side from the session update request, and the sent session update response may include the address at the source access network side, so that the SMF network element may instruct the source user plane function network element to update the session using the new N3 interface address at the source user plane function network element side.

In one possible design, the session update request indicates a source user plane side address failure, and the session update response may include: source access network side address and/or source access network side destination address.

Optionally, the session update request may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information indicates that the source user plane side address fails.

The source access network device obtains the current N3 interface address failure of the source user plane function network element side from the session update request, and the sent session update response may include the source access network side address and/or the source access network side address, so that the SMF network element may instruct the source user plane function network element to continue to use the new N3 interface address of the source user plane function network element side, or may update the session using the new N3 interface address of the source user plane function network element side.

In one possible design, the step S304-1 may include the following steps seven through eight.

And step seven, under the condition that the session updating request indicates the source user plane side address fault, the source access network equipment adopts the source access network side address to send a path detection request message to the source user plane side address.

And step eight, under the condition that the source access network equipment receives the path detection response message, the source access network equipment sends a session update response to the session management function network element.

The source access network device may detect a path from a current N3 interface address of the source access network device side to a new N3 interface address of the source user plane function network element side, and if a returned detection response message is received, it indicates that there is no fault in the transmission path, and the session update response may include the address of the source access network side; if the detection response message is not received, the fault exists in the transmission path, and the session update response does not comprise the source access network side address. In this way, the updated transmission path can be prevented from being faulty.

Similarly, path probing may be performed in a manner similar to steps seven through eight for the transmission path between the source access network side address to the source user plane side address.

For example, the source access network device may use the destination address of the source access network to perform path detection on the new N3 address of the source user plane function network element side, if a returned detection response message is received, it indicates that there is no fault in the transmission path, and the session update response may include the destination address of the source access network side; if the detection response message is not received, the fault exists in the transmission path, and the session update response does not comprise the address of the source access network side destination. In this way, the updated transmission path can be prevented from being faulty.

S304-2, the source access network device sends a switching request message to the destination access network device. Accordingly, the destination access network device receives the handover request message from the source access network device.

Illustratively, a handover request (handover request) message may be used to request connection of the terminal device to the destination access network device.

For example, the destination access network device may select a neighboring access network device for the source access network device for the terminal device.

Alternatively, the handover request message may request the destination access network device to allocate radio resources for the terminal device.

In one possible design, the step S304-2 may include: and under the condition that the session updating request indicates the address failure of the source access network side, the source access network equipment sends a switching request message to the destination access network equipment.

That is, after the source access network device obtains the current N3 interface address failure at the source access network device side from the session update request, the source access network device may directly request to switch the terminal device to the destination access network device.

In one possible design, the sending, by the source access network device, a handover request message to the destination access network device may include:

and under the condition that the session updating request indicates the address faults of the source access network side and determines all the address faults of the source access network side, the source access network equipment sends a switching request message to the destination access network equipment.

Alternatively, all address failures on the source access network side may refer to all address failures on the source access network device side (e.g., the address may be an interface address, such as an N3 interface address or an s1_u interface address), and/or address failures of devices (e.g., routes) in the transmission path.

After obtaining the current N3 interface address failure of the source access network device side from the session update request, the source access network device may determine whether all N3 interface addresses of the source access network device side fail, if all N3 interface addresses of the source access network device side fail, then request to switch the terminal device to the destination access network device, otherwise, may select an N3 interface address of the source access network device side without failure for session update.

In one possible design, the step S304-2 may include: and under the condition that the session updating request indicates all addresses at the source access network side to fail, the source access network equipment sends a switching request message to the destination access network equipment.

That is, after the source access network device obtains all N3 interface address faults on the source access network device side from the session update request, the source access network device may request to switch the terminal device to the destination access network device, so that the updated session may be used to successfully transmit data.

In one possible design, the step S304-2 may include: and under the condition that the session updating request indicates the address failure of the source user plane side, the source access network equipment sends a switching request message to the destination access network equipment.

The source access network device may directly request to switch the terminal device to the destination access network device after obtaining the current N3 interface address failure at the source user plane function network element side from the session update request. The source user plane side address fault may be a device fault in a transmission path between the source user plane functional network element and the source access network device, and after the source user plane side address fault is switched to the destination access network device, the transmission path from the destination access network device to the source user plane functional network element has no fault, so that successful data transmission can be realized.

In one possible design, the step S304-2 may include: and under the condition that the session updating request indicates all addresses at the source user plane side to fail, the source access network equipment sends a switching request message to the destination access network equipment.

The source access network device may directly request to switch the terminal device to the destination access network device after obtaining all N3 address failures at the source user plane function network element side from the session update request. The all address faults at the source user plane side can be faults of existing equipment in all transmission paths between the source user plane functional network element and the source access network equipment, and after the equipment is switched to the target access network equipment, the transmission paths from the target access network equipment to the source user plane functional network element are free of faults, so that successful data transmission can be realized.

In one possible design, the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application may further include the following S309-S312. S309, the destination access network device sends a handover response message to the source access network device. Accordingly, the source access network device sends a handover response message to the destination access network device.

For example, the handover response message may indicate that the terminal device has been successfully allocated radio resources.

S310, the source access network device sends a switching message to the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the handover message from the source access network device.

Alternatively, the handover message may request that the terminal device handover to the destination access network device.

The handover message may illustratively include information of the destination access network device.

S311, the terminal equipment sends a switching notice to the target access network equipment. Accordingly, the destination access network device receives the handover notification from the terminal device.

Alternatively, the handover notification may be used to indicate that the terminal device has completed the handover.

Optionally, the terminal device initiates a wireless connection to the destination access network device.

S312, the destination access network device sends a path switching request. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives a path switch request from the destination access network device.

Optionally, the path switching request may include a destination access network side address, and may further include an identifier of the terminal device, where the identifier of the terminal device may be a temporary identifier allocated by the source access network device to the terminal device.

For example, the AMF network element may obtain, according to the identity of the terminal device, an SMF network element serving the terminal device.

Optionally, the destination access network device sending the path switching request may include: the destination access network device sends an N2 path change request message to the AMF network element, where the N2 path change request message includes a path switch request, and the AMF network element sends a PDU session modification request message to the SMF network element, where the PDU session modification request message includes a path switch request, so that the content in the path switch request can be transmitted to the SMF network element.

S305, the session management function network element sends a session update request message to the source user plane function network element. Accordingly, the source user plane function network element receives a session update request message from the session management function network element.

Illustratively, the session update request message may include: source access network side address, source access network side destination address, destination user plane side user plane address and/or destination access network side address.

In this way, the source UPF network element can be notified to update the address of the session, thereby successfully transmitting the data.

For example, if the SMF network element receives the source access network side address and/or the source access network side address through the session update response (S304-1 above), the SMF network element may send the session update request message to the source user plane function network element.

For example, if the SMF network element receives the destination user plane side user plane address through the session update request message (S308 above), the SMF network element may send the session update request message to the source user plane function network element. Optionally, the session update request message may be used to request the source user plane function network element to delete the session of the terminal device, and/or data related to the terminal device, etc. For example, the session update request message may be a session deletion request message, or a PFCP session deletion request message, which is not limited in this application.

For example, if the SMF network element receives the destination access network side address through the path switch request (S312 above), the SMF network element may send a session update request message to the source user plane function network element.

Optionally, after receiving the session update request message, the source user plane function network element may update the session or delete the session according to the address in the session update request message.

Taking the example that the session update request message includes the address of the source access network side, the source user plane function network element can update the address of the source access network side in use as the address of the source access network side, complete session update, and send a session update response message to the SMF network element.

Taking the example that the session update request message includes the source access network side address, the source user plane function network element determines that the session does not need to be updated according to the address in the session update request message being the same as the source access network side address being used, and directly sends a session update response message to the SMF network element.

Taking the example that the session update request message includes the address of the destination access network side, the source user plane function network element can update the address of the source access network side in use as the address of the destination access network side, complete the session update, and send a session update response message to the SMF network element.

The session update request message includes a destination user plane side user plane address, and can instruct the data transmission address to update to the destination user plane side user plane address, and the source user plane functional network element can send data to the destination user plane functional network element through the destination user plane side user plane address, and can delete the session of the terminal device, so that successful transmission of downlink data through the destination user plane functional network element can be realized. For example, the session update request message may be a session deletion request message, or a PFCP session deletion request message.

Optionally, if the session update request message includes a plurality of addresses, which address the source user plane function network element specifically uses for updating the session may be predefined according to a protocol, or the network element negotiates to determine.

Optionally, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include: s313, the source user plane function network element sends a session update response message to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives a session update response message from the source user plane function network element.

Alternatively, the session update response message may be used to indicate that a session update request message has been received, or may be used to confirm that the session has been successfully updated.

For example, the session update response message may be a PFCP session modification response message, which is not limited in this application.

S306, the source user plane function network element uses the updated address to send data.

In one possible design, the step S306 may include: and S306a, the source user plane function network element sends data to the source access network equipment through the source user plane side destination address and the source access network side address or the source access network side destination address. Accordingly, the source access network device receives data from the source user plane functional network element.

Illustratively, the source user plane side address fails, and the source user plane functional network element sends data to the source access network device through a transmission path between the source user plane side address to the source access network side address.

Illustratively, the source user plane side address fails and the source user plane functional network element sends data to the source access network device through a transmission path between the source user plane side address to the source access network side address.

In one possible design, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include: and S306b, the source access network equipment sends data to the terminal equipment. Accordingly, the terminal device receives data from the source access network device.

Therefore, the fault in the transmission path can be solved by adopting the fault-free address or the transmission path to transmit the data, and the terminal equipment successfully receives the data, thereby completing the transmission of the downlink data.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned S306a to S306b may be implemented based on the above-mentioned S301 to S304-1 and S305.

In one possible design, the step S306 may include: and S306c, the source user plane function network element sends data to the destination user plane function network element through the source user plane address of the destination user plane side. Accordingly, the destination user plane function network element receives data from the source user plane function network element.

Illustratively, the source UPF network element sends data to the destination user plane functional network element through a transmission path between the N9 interface address of the source user plane functional network element side to the N9 interface address of the destination user plane functional network element side.

Alternatively, the source user plane function network element may delete all data related to the terminal device after sending the data to the destination user plane function network element.

Optionally, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include: the source user plane function network element sends a session deletion response message to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives a session deletion response message from the source user plane function network element.

For example, the session deletion response message may indicate that data, sessions, associated with the terminal device have been deleted.

Alternatively, the session deletion response message may be referred to as a PFCP session deletion response message, which is not limited in this application.

In one possible design, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include: and S306d, the destination user plane functional network element sends data to the source access network equipment. Accordingly, the source access network device receives data from the user plane functional network element.

In one possible design, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include: and S306e, the source access network equipment sends data to the terminal equipment. Accordingly, the terminal device receives data from the source access network device.

Thus, the destination user plane function network element sends data to the terminal equipment through the source access network equipment, and the transmission of downlink data is completed.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned S306c to S306e may be implemented based on the above-mentioned S301 to S304-1, S305, S307, and S308.

In one possible design, the step S306 may include: s306f, the source user plane function network element sends data to the destination access network device through the source user plane side address and the destination access network side address; or sending data to the destination access network equipment through the destination address of the source user plane side and the destination access network side. Accordingly, the destination access network device receives the data from the source user plane functional network element.

Illustratively, the source user plane functional network element sends data (e.g. the data buffered in S301 above) to the source access network device via a transmission path between the source user plane side source address to the destination access network side address.

In one possible design, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include: and S306g, the destination access network equipment sends data to the terminal equipment. Accordingly, the terminal device receives data from the destination access network device.

Thus, the source user plane function network element sends data to the terminal equipment through the destination access network equipment, and the transmission of downlink data is completed.

It should be noted that the above S306f to S306g may be implemented on the basis of the above S301 to S303, S304-2, and S305, and may optionally further include S309-S313.

Based on the communication method shown in fig. 3, the source user plane function network element triggers the update of the transmission path, sends a notification message to the session management function network element, the notification message indicates that the transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty, receives a session update request message from the session management function network element, the session update request message includes a non-faulty address for transmitting data, and sends the data by adopting the updated non-faulty transmission path, so that the problem of data transmission failure caused by the transmission path fault between the access network device and the user plane function network element can be solved.

Fig. 4 is a schematic flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 4 illustrates a scenario in which a terminal device transmits uplink data to a network or a calling terminal device (terminal device shown in fig. 4) transmits data to a called terminal device.

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

optionally, S401, in case of a transmission path failure between the source user plane functional network element and the source access network device, the source access network device caches data to be transmitted to the source user plane functional network element.

It should be noted that S401 may be an optional step.

Alternatively, the source access network device may be an access network device serving the terminal device, and the source user plane function network element may be a UPF network element serving the terminal device.

It should be noted that, before S401, the terminal device may execute the PDU session establishment procedure, which is not described in detail in this application.

Optionally, before the step S401, the method may further include: s401a, the terminal device sends data to the source access network device. Accordingly, the source access network device receives data from the terminal device.

The terminal device sends data to the source access network device, and after the source access network device detects a transmission path fault between the source access network device and the source user plane function network element, the uplink data to be sent can be cached, so that data transmission failure can be avoided.

S402, the source access network device sends a session update request to the session management function network element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives a session update request from the source access network device.

Optionally, the sending, by the source access network device, the session update request to the session management function network element may include: the source access network device sends a session update request to the AMF network element, and the AMF network element sends the session update request to the session management function network element.

For example, the session update request may be a PDU session resource modification request container (session resource modify request transfer), which is not limited in this application.

For example, the source access network device may send a PDU session modification request message to the AMF network element, the PDU session modification request message comprising a session update request, the AMF network element sending a PDU session update session management context request (nsmf_pdu session_ update session management context request) message to the session management function network element, the PDU session update session management context request message comprising a session update request. So that the source access network device can send the content in the session update request to the SMF network element.

For example, the source access network device may indicate a user plane transmission path failure to the SMF network element.

For example, the session update request may include: source access network side address and/or source access network side destination address.

In this way, the source user plane function network element may be requested to update the session according to the address included in the session update request.

In some embodiments, the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application may further include: the source access network equipment adopts a source access network side destination address to send a path detection request message to a source user plane side address; in the case that the source access network device receives the path probe response message, the session update request may include an address of the source access network side destination.

That is, the source access network device may detect a transmission path between the source access network side address and the source user plane side address before sending the source access network side address, and in the case that the transmission path has no fault, send the source access network side address, so that the updated transmission path may be prevented from having a fault.

Similarly, path probing may be performed in a similar manner for a transmission path between a source access network side address to a source user plane side address, a transmission path between a source access network side address to a destination user plane side address, or a transmission path between a source access network side destination address to a destination user plane side address. In this way, the updated transmission path can be prevented from being faulty.

In one possible design, the session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty, and indicates that the source access network side address is faulty for the session update request, where the session update request may include: source access network side address. Optionally, the session update request does not include the source user plane side address.

The source access network device determines that the current N3 interface address at the source access network device side fails, and the sent session update request may include a new N3 interface address at the source access network device side, so that the source user plane function network element may update the session using the new N3 interface address at the source access network device side, and may solve the failure in the transmission path, and implement successful data transmission.

Optionally, the session update request includes the source access network side address, and the cause of the transmission path failure may be implicitly indicated as the source access network side address failure.

The source access network device determines that the current N3 interface address of the source user plane function network element side fails, and the sent session update request may include the source access network side address and/or the source access network side destination address, so that the source user plane function network element may continue to use the current N3 interface address of the source access network device side, or may update the session using the new N3 interface address of the source access network device side, and may solve the failure in the transmission path, and implement successful data transmission.

Optionally, the session update request may include a source access network side address and/or a source access network side address, which may implicitly indicate that the cause of the transmission path failure is a source user plane side address failure.

In one possible design, the session update request indicates that all addresses at the source access network side fail, and the session update request includes: destination access network side address.

Illustratively, if the source access network device determines that all N3 interface addresses on the source access network device side fail, the sent session update request includes the destination access network side address. In this way, the source user plane function network element can update the transmission path between the source access network device and the source user plane function network element into the transmission path between the destination access network device and the source user plane function network element by using the N3 interface address updating session at the destination access network device side, so that the fault in the transmission path can be solved, and successful data transmission is realized.

Optionally, the session update request may include the address of the destination access network side, and the cause of the transmission path failure may be implicitly indicated as all addresses of the source access network side failure.

Optionally, the session update request may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information may indicate that all addresses on the source access network side fail. This way the cause of the transmission path failure can be indicated explicitly.

In one possible design, the session update request may also include an identification of the terminal device and/or an identification of the source access network device.

The identifier of the terminal device may be an identifier allocated by the source access network device to the terminal device in the PDU session establishment procedure, for example, a next generation application protocol (next generation application protocol, NGAP) terminal device identifier, such as an AMF UE NGAP ID, a RAN UE NGAP ID, and the like.

In one possible design, the determining, by the source access network device, the address failure at the source access network side may include the following steps a to b.

And a step a, under the condition that a transmission path between a source user plane functional network element and source access network equipment fails, the source access network equipment adopts a source access network side address to send a path detection request message to a destination user plane side address.

And b, under the condition that the source access network equipment does not receive the path detection response message, the source access network equipment determines the address fault at the source access network side.

For example, the source access network device may use the current N3 interface address of the source access network device side to perform path detection on a UPF (for example, a destination UPF network element) except the source UPF network element, and if a detection response message returned by the destination UPF network element is not received, confirm the address fault of the source access network side.

In some embodiments, the source access network device may determine whether the source access network side address is faulty according to whether its own hardware module is faulty.

For example, if the source access network device detects that the hardware module (such as a network card) of the local end for communicating with the source user plane function network element is faulty, the source access network side address is determined to be faulty, otherwise, the source access network side address is not faulty.

In some embodiments, the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application may further include: the source access network equipment determines a source user plane side address fault.

In one possible design, the determining, by the source access network device, the source user plane side address failure may include the following steps c to d.

And c, under the condition that a transmission path between the source user plane functional network element and the source access network equipment fails, the source access network equipment adopts a source access network side address to send a path detection request message to a destination user plane side address.

And d, under the condition that the source access network equipment receives the path detection response message, the source access network equipment determines the source user plane side address fault.

The source access network device may use the current N3 interface address of the source access network device side to perform path detection to a UPF (for example, a destination UPF network element) other than the source UPF network element, and if a detection response message returned by the destination UPF network element is received, the current N3 interface address of the source access network device side has no fault, and the source user plane side address fault may be confirmed.

In one possible design, the determining, by the source access network device, all address faults on the source access network side may include the following steps e to f.

And e, the source access network equipment adopts all addresses of the source access network side to send a path detection request message to all addresses of the source user plane side, and sends the path detection request message to the address of the destination user plane side.

And f, under the condition that the source access network equipment does not receive the path detection response message, the source access network equipment determines all address faults at the source access network side.

The source access network device may use all N3 interface addresses at the source user plane function network element side to perform path detection to the source access network device and other access network devices (for example, destination access network device), and if the detection response message returned by the destination access network device is not received, confirm all address faults at the source access network side.

S403, the session management function network element sends a session update request message to the source user plane function network element. Accordingly, the source user plane function network element receives a session update request message from the session management function network element.

Alternatively, the session update request message may be used to request the source user plane function network element to update its transmission path with the source access network device.

For example, the session update request message may be a PFCP session modification request message, which is not limited in this application.

The session update request message may comprise, for example, a source access network side address and/or a source access network side address.

In one possible design, the session update request may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information indicates that the source access network side address fails, and the session update request message may include: source access network side address.

The SMF network element obtains the current N3 interface address failure at the source access network device side from the session update request, and the sent session update request message may include the destination address at the source access network side, so that the source user plane functional network element may update the session using the new N3 interface address at the source access network device side, and may solve the failure in the transmission path.

Optionally, the session update request message includes the source access network side address, and may implicitly indicate the cause of the transmission path failure.

Optionally, the session update request message may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information may indicate that the source access network side address fails. This way the cause of the transmission path failure can be indicated explicitly.

In one possible design, the session update request may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information indicates that the source user plane side address fails, and the session update request message may include: source access network side address and/or source access network side destination address.

Illustratively, if the SMF network element obtains the source N3 interface address failure at the source user plane function network element side from the session update request, the sent session update request message may include the source access network side address and/or the source access network side address. Thus, the source user plane function network element can continuously use the address of the source access network side or update the session by using the new N3 interface address of the source access network equipment side, and the fault in the transmission path can be solved.

Optionally, the session update request message includes a source access network side address and/or a source access network side address, which may implicitly indicate that the cause of the transmission path failure is a source user plane side address failure.

Optionally, the session update request message may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information may indicate a source user plane side address failure. This way the cause of the transmission path failure can be indicated explicitly.

In one possible design, the session update request may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information may indicate that all addresses on the source access network side are faulty, and the session update request message may include: destination access network side address.

Illustratively, if the SMF network element obtains all N3 interface address failures on the source access network device side from the session update request, the sent session update request message may include the destination access network side address. Thus, the source user plane functional network element can update the session by using the N3 interface address of the destination access network equipment side, and can solve the fault in the transmission path.

Optionally, the session update request message includes the address of the destination access network side, which may implicitly indicate that the cause of the transmission path failure is all address failures of the source access network side.

Optionally, the session update request message may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information may indicate that all addresses on the source access network side fail. This way the cause of the transmission path failure can be indicated explicitly.

In a possible design, the session update request message may further include an identifier of the terminal device, and reference may be made to S302 and/or S402 above for a specific implementation of the identifier of the terminal device, which are not described herein.

In one possible design, the SMF network element may detect whether the SMF network element and the source UPF network element can communicate, verify whether the source UPF network element fails, and if so, may send a session update request message to the source user plane function network element; otherwise, the SMF network element may execute S405 described below, where the SMF network element sends a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element, and switches the session to the destination UPF network element. Reference is specifically made to the following steps g to h.

And g, the session management function network element sends a path detection request message to the source user plane function network element. Accordingly, the source user plane function network element receives the path probing request message from the session management function network element.

And h, under the condition that the session management function network element receives the path detection response message, the session management function network element sends a session update request message to the source user plane function network element, otherwise, the session management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element. Accordingly, the source user plane function network element receives a session update request message from the session management function network element. Or the destination user plane function network element receives a session establishment request message from the session management function network element.

Optionally, the session management function network element may detect whether the SMF network element and the source UPF network element can communicate when the session update indication information indicates that the source user plane side address is faulty, so as to determine whether to change the UPF network element.

Optionally, after receiving the session update request message, the source user plane function network element may update the session according to the address in the session update request message.

For example, assuming that the session update request message includes a source access network side address, the source user plane function network element determines that the source access network side address being used is the same as the address in the session update request message, and does not need to update the session.

For example, assuming that the session update request message includes an address of the source access network side, the source user plane function network element may update the source access network side address being used to the address of the source access network side destination, so as to complete session update.

S404, the source user plane function network element sends a session update response message to the session management function network element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives a session update response message from the source user plane function network element.

Alternatively, the session update response message may be a PFCP session modification response message, which is not limited in this application.

Illustratively, the session update response message may include: source user plane side address and/or source user plane side destination address.

For example, the session update response message may include the current N3 interface address at the source user plane function network element side and/or the new N3 interface address at the source user plane function network element side.

The source user plane function network element obtains the current N3 interface address fault of the source access network device from the session update request message, and the sent session update response message may include the current N3 interface address of the source user plane function network element and/or the new N3 interface address of the source user plane function network element, so that the SMF network element may instruct the source access network device to continue to update the session using the current N3 interface address of the source user plane function network element or using the new N3 interface address of the source user plane function network element.

In one possible design, the session update request message may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information indicates that the source user plane side address fails, and the session update response message may include: source user plane side destination address.

Illustratively, the source user plane function network element obtains the address failure of the source user plane from the session update request message, and the sent session update response message may include the new N3 interface address of the source user plane function network element, so that the SMF network element may instruct the source access network device to update the session using the new N3 interface address of the source user plane function network element.

In one possible design, the step S404 may include the following steps k to m.

And step k, under the condition that the session updating request message indicates the address failure of the source access network side, the source user plane function network element adopts the address of the source user plane side to send a path detection request message to the destination address of the source access network side.

And m, under the condition that the source user plane functional network element receives the path detection response message, the source user plane functional network element sends a session update response message to the session management functional network element.

The source user plane function network element may detect a path from a current N3 interface address of the source user plane function network element to a new N3 interface address of the source access network device, and if a returned detection response message is received, it indicates that there is no fault in the transmission path, and the session update response may include the source user plane address; if the detection response message is not received, the fault exists in the transmission path, and the session update response does not comprise the source user plane side address. In this way, the updated transmission path can be prevented from being faulty.

In one possible design, the step S404 may include the following steps n to o.

And n, under the condition that the session updating request message indicates the address failure of the source user plane side, the source user plane functional network element adopts the address of the source user plane side destination to send a path detection request message to the address of the source access network side.

And step o, under the condition that the source user plane functional network element receives the path detection response message, the source user plane functional network element sends a session update response message to the session management functional network element.

The source user plane function network element may use a new N3 interface address of the source user plane function network element side to perform path detection to a current N3 interface address of the source access network device side, if a returned detection response message is received, it indicates that there is no fault in the transmission path, and the session update response may include an address of the source user plane side; if the detection response message is not received, the fault exists in the transmission path, and the session update response does not comprise the address of the source user plane side destination. In this way, the updated transmission path can be prevented from being faulty.

In one possible design, the step S404 may include: and under the condition that the session update indication information indicates the address faults of the source user plane side and determines all address faults of the source user plane side, the source user plane functional network element sends a session update response message to the session management functional network element.

Optionally, the session update response message may indicate that the session update between the session management function network element and the source user plane function network element failed.

That is, after the source user plane function network element determines that the source user plane side address is faulty according to the message from the SMF network element, it may further determine whether other N3 interface addresses of the source user plane function network element are faulty, select the N3 interface address of the source user plane function network element side without the fault to transmit data, and if all the N3 interface addresses of the source user plane function network element side are detected to be faulty, feedback session update fails.

In one possible embodiment, the above determination of all address faults on the source user plane side may include the following steps p to q.

And step p, the source user plane functional network element adopts all addresses at the source user plane side to send a path detection request message to the destination address at the source access network side.

And q, under the condition that the source user plane functional network element does not receive the path detection response message, the source user plane functional network element determines all address faults at the source user plane side.

The source UPF network element may use the N3 interface address of the source user plane function network element side to perform path detection to the new N3 interface address of the source access network device side, and if no corresponding detection response message is received, confirm that the N3 interface address of the source user plane function network element side is faulty, and perform a sequential detection process on all the N3 interface addresses of the source user plane function network element side, so as to determine whether all the addresses of the source user plane side are faulty.

S405, the session management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element. Accordingly, the destination user plane function network element receives the session establishment request message from the session management function network element.

Alternatively, the session establishment request message may be used to request the destination user plane function network element to establish a transmission path between it and the source access network device.

For example, the session establishment request message may be a PFCP session modification request message, which is not limited in this application.

Illustratively, the session establishment request message may include: source access network side address and/or source access network side destination address.

In a possible design, the session establishment request message may further include an identifier of the terminal device and/or a context of the terminal device, reference may be made to S402 above for a specific implementation of the identifier of the terminal device, and reference may be made to S307 above for a specific implementation of the context of the terminal device, which is not repeated herein.

In one possible design, the step S405 may include: and under the condition that a transmission path between the source user plane functional network element and the source access network equipment is failed, the session management functional network element sends a session establishment request message to the target user plane functional network element.

That is, the current transmission path fails, the source UPF network element is switched to the destination UPF network element, a new transmission path is replaced, and the successful transmission of the data can be realized by adopting the transmission path from the source access network device to the destination user plane function network element.

In one possible design, the step S405 may include: and under the condition that the session updating between the session management function network element and the source user plane function network element fails, the session management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element.

That is, the step S405 may be performed after the steps S403 to S404, and after receiving a session update response message indicating that the session update between the session management function network element and the source user plane function network element fails, the AMF network element requests the destination UPF network element to establish a session to achieve successful data transmission.

In one possible design, the session update request further includes session update indication information, and S405 may include: and under the condition that the session update indication information indicates the address failure of the source user plane side, the session management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element.

That is, after the AMF network element obtains the address failure at the source user plane side, the AMF network element may directly request to the destination UPF network element to establish the session.

It should be noted that the source user plane side address failure may be obtained by the AMF network element according to an implicit indication of the session update request.

In one possible design, the session management function network element sends the session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element when the session update indication information indicates the source user plane address failure, including the following steps i to j.

And step i, under the condition that the session updating indication information indicates the source user plane side address fault, the session management function network element sends a path detection request message to the source user plane function network element.

And j, under the condition that the session management function network element does not receive the path detection response message, the session management function network element sends a session update request message to the target user plane function network element.

S406, the destination user plane function network element sends a session establishment response message to the session management function network element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives a session establishment response message from the destination user plane function network element.

Alternatively, the session establishment response message may include the destination user plane side address.

Alternatively, the destination user plane side address may be used for the source access network device to update the session.

S407, the session management function network element sends a session update response to the source access network device. Accordingly, the source access network device receives a session update response from the session management function network element.

Optionally, the sending, by the session management functional network element, a session update response to the source access network device may include: the session management function network element sends a session update response to the AMF network element, and the AMF network element sends the session update response to the source access network device.

For example, the session update response may modify the response container (session resource modify pesponse transfer) for PDU session resources, which is not limited by the present application.

For example, the session management function network element may send a PDU session modification response message to the AMF network element, the PDU session modification response message comprising a session update response, the AMF network element sending a PDU session resource modification response (PDU session resource modify pesponse) message to the source access network device, the PDU session resource modification response message comprising a session update response. So that the session management function network element can send the content in the session update response to the source access network device.

Illustratively, the session update response may include: source user plane side address, and/or destination user plane side address.

Alternatively, the SMF network element may pass the content received from the source user plane function network element or the destination user plane function network element to the source access network device.

Optionally, after receiving the session update response, the source access network device may update the session according to the address in the session update response.

For example, assuming that the session update response includes a source user plane side address, the source access network device determines that the source access network side address being used is the same as the address in the session update request message, and does not need to update the session.

For example, assuming that the session update response includes an address of the source user plane side destination, the source access network device may update the source user plane side address being used to the address of the source user plane side destination, completing the session update.

For example, assuming that the session update response includes a destination user plane side address, the source access network device may update the source user plane side address being used to the destination user plane side address, completing the session update.

And S408, the source access network device sends data by using the updated address.

In one possible design, the step S408 may include: and S408a, the source access network equipment sends data to the source user plane functional network element through the source access network side destination address, the source user plane side address or the source user plane side destination address.

The source access network device sends data to the source user plane functional network element via a transmission path between the source access network side destination address and the source user plane side address.

Also illustratively, the source access network device sends data to the source user plane functional network element over a transmission path between the source access network side destination address to the source user plane side destination address. For example, after the source user plane function network element receives the data, the data may be sent to the data network, or the data may be sent to the called terminal device through another UPF network element, an access network device (an access network device serving the called terminal device).

Thus, the failure in the transmission path can be solved by adopting the failure-free address or the transmission path to transmit data.

In one possible design, the step S408 may include: and S408b, the source access network equipment sends data to the target user plane functional network element through the source access network side address and the target user plane side address.

The source access network device sends data to the source user plane function network element via a transmission path between the source access network side address to the destination user plane side address.

The source access network device sends data to the source user plane functional network element via a transmission path between a source access network side destination address to a destination user plane side address.

For example, after the destination user plane function network element receives the data, the data may be sent to the data network, or the data may be sent to the called terminal device through another UPF network element, an access network device (an access network device serving the called terminal device).

Optionally, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include: the SMF network element sends a session deletion request message to the source user plane function network element. Accordingly, the source user plane function network element receives the session deletion request message from the SMF network element.

For example, the session deletion request message may be used to request the source user plane function network element to delete a session of the terminal device, and/or data related to the terminal device, etc.

That is, without using the source user plane function network element, the source user plane function network element may delete the session and/or the data related to the terminal device after transmitting the buffered data to the destination user plane function network element.

For example, the session deletion request message may be a PFCP session deletion request message, which is not limited in this application.

In one possible design, the step S408 may include: and S408c, the source access network equipment sends data to the destination access network equipment. Accordingly, the destination access network device receives the data from the source access network device.

For example, after the destination access network device receives the data, the destination access network device may send the data to the source user plane functional network element, and after the source user plane functional network element receives the data, the source user plane functional network element may send the data to the data network, or send the data to the called terminal device through other UPF network elements and the access network device (access network device serving the called terminal device).

Based on the communication method shown in fig. 4, the source access network device triggers the update of the transmission path, sends a session update request to the session management function network element, the session update request indicates that the transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty, receives a session update response, and adopts the updated fault-free transmission path to send data, and the session update response comprises the fault-free transmission address for updating the session, so that the problem of data transmission failure caused by the transmission path fault between the access network device and the user plane function network element can be solved.

Fig. 5 is a schematic flow chart of still another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 5 illustrates the method shown in fig. 3 by taking a source user plane side address and/or a source access network side address failure as an example, and fig. 5 illustrates a scenario in which a data network transmits downlink data to a terminal device or a calling terminal device transmits data to a called terminal device (terminal device shown in fig. 5) as an example.

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

s501, in the case of a transmission path failure between the source user plane functional network element and the source access network device, the source user plane functional network element caches data to be transmitted to the source access network device.

For the specific implementation of S501, reference may be made to S301 described above, and details are not repeated here.

S502, the source user plane function network element sends a notification message to the session management function network element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives the notification message from the source user plane function network element.

It should be noted that, the specific implementation manner of the notification message may refer to the corresponding description in S302, which is not repeated here.

Optionally, before sending the address in the notification message, the source UPF network element may detect whether the address and the path corresponding to the address have a fault, and the specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S302, which is not repeated herein.

In one possible design, the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device fails, and the notification message indicates that the source user plane side address fails, where the notification message may include: source user plane side destination address. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S302, which is not repeated herein.

In one possible design, the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device fails, and indicates that the source access network side address fails for the notification message, where the notification message includes: source user plane side address and/or source user plane side destination address. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S302, which is not repeated herein.

In some embodiments, the source user plane function network element determines a source user plane side address failure. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S302, which is not repeated herein.

In some embodiments, the source user plane functional network element may determine, according to whether its own hardware module fails, a source user plane side address failure. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S302, which is not repeated herein.

In some embodiments, the source user plane function network element determines a source access network side address failure. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S302, which is not repeated herein.

It should be noted that all the related contents referred to in S302 above may be referred to S502, and will not be described herein.

In one possible design, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include: the session management function network element may send a session report response message to the source UPF network element. Accordingly, the source UPF network element receives a session report response message from the session management function network element. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S302, which is not repeated herein.

S503, the session management function network element sends a session update request to the source access network device. Accordingly, the source access network device receives a session update request from the session management function network element.

For example, the session update request may include: source user plane side address, and/or source user plane side destination address. In this manner, the source access network device may be requested to update the session according to the address included in the session update request.

It should be noted that, the specific implementation manner of the session update request and the session management function network element sending the session update request to the source access network device may refer to the corresponding description in S303, which is not repeated herein.

In one possible design, the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device fails, and the notification message indicates that the source user plane side address fails, and the session update request may include: source user plane side destination address. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S303, which is not repeated herein.

In one possible design, the notification message may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information may indicate a source access network side address failure, and the session update request may include: source user plane side address and/or source user plane side destination address. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S303, which is not repeated herein.

For example, assuming that the session update request includes an address of the source user plane side destination, the source access network device may update the source user plane side address being used to the address of the user plane side destination, completing the session update.

S504, the source access network device sends a session update response to the session management function network element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives a session update response from the source access network device.

For a specific implementation manner of the session update response and the source access network device sending the session update response to the session management function network element, reference may be made to the corresponding description in S304-1, which is not repeated herein.

In one possible design, the session update request may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information may indicate a source access network side address failure, and the session update response may include: source access network side address. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S304-1, and will not be repeated here.

In one possible design, the session update request may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information indicates that the source user plane side address fails, and the session update response may include: source access network side address and/or source access network side destination address. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S304-1, and will not be repeated here.

Optionally, before sending the address in the session update response, the source access network device may detect the address and whether the path corresponding to the address has a fault, and the specific implementation manner may refer to the descriptions corresponding to steps seven to eight in S304-1, which are not described herein.

S505, the session management function network element sends a session update request message to the source user plane function network element. Accordingly, the source user plane function network element receives a session update request message from the session management function network element.

Illustratively, the session update request message may include: source access network side address, and/or source access network side destination address. In this way, the source UPF network element can be notified to update the address of the session, thereby successfully transmitting the data.

S506, the source user plane function network element sends a session update response message to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives a session update response message from the source user plane function network element. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S313, and will not be repeated here.

S507, the source user plane function network element uses the updated address to send data to the source access network device. Accordingly, the source access network device receives data from the source user plane functional network element.

In one possible design, the step S507 may include: and the source user plane function network element sends data to the source access network equipment through the source user plane side destination address and the source access network side address.

The source user plane function network element sends the data to the source access network device through the source user plane side address and the source access network side address, so that successful transmission of the data can be realized.

In one possible design, the step S507 may include: and the source user plane function network element sends data to the source access network equipment through the source user plane side destination address and the source access network side destination address.

The source user plane function network element sends the data to the source access network device through the address of the source user plane side destination and the address of the source access network side destination, so that successful transmission of the data can be realized.

In one possible design, the step S507 may include: and the source user plane functional network element sends data to the source access network equipment through the source user plane side address and the source access network side destination address.

And S508, the source access network equipment sends data to the terminal equipment. Accordingly, the terminal device receives data from the source access network device.

Thus, the terminal equipment successfully receives the data and completes the transmission of the downlink data.

Note that, the implementation manner described in the communication method shown in fig. 3 and applicable to the source user plane side address and/or the source access network side address fault scenario may be cited in the communication method shown in fig. 5.

Based on the communication method shown in fig. 5, the source user plane function network element triggers the update of the transmission path, updates the address of the data transmitted by the source user plane function network element side and/or the address of the data transmitted by the source access network device side, and adopts the updated fault-free transmission path to send the data to the terminal device through the source access network device, so that the problem of data transmission failure caused by the transmission path fault between the access network device and the user plane function network element can be solved.

Fig. 6 is a schematic flow chart of still another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 6 illustrates the method shown in fig. 3 by taking a handover from a source user plane function network element to a destination user plane function network element as an example, and fig. 6 illustrates a scenario in which a data network transmits downlink data to a terminal device or a calling terminal device transmits data to a called terminal device (terminal device shown in fig. 6) as an example.

As shown in fig. 6, the communication method includes the steps of:

s601, under the condition that a transmission path between a source user plane functional network element and source access network equipment is failed, the source user plane functional network element caches data to be transmitted to the source access network equipment.

For the specific implementation of S601, reference may be made to S301, which is not described herein.

S602, the source user plane function network element sends a notification message to the session management function network element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives the notification message from the source user plane function network element.

In one possible design, the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty, and the notification message indicates that all addresses on the source user plane side are faulty. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S302, which is not repeated herein.

In some embodiments, the source user plane function network element determines all address faults on the source user plane side. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S302, which is not repeated herein.

In one possible design, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include: the session management function network element sends a session report response message to the source UPF network element. Accordingly, the source UPF network element receives a session report response message from the session management function network element. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S302, which is not repeated herein.

S603, the session management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element. Accordingly, the destination user plane function network element receives the session establishment request message from the session management function network element.

It should be noted that, for the specific implementation of S603, reference may be made to S307, which is not described herein.

In this way, the successful transmission of data can be realized by sending a session establishment request message to the target user plane function network element to request the establishment of a session and request the target user plane function network element to serve the source access network device.

S604, the session management function network element receives the session establishment response message from the destination user plane function network element. Accordingly, the destination user plane function network element receives the session establishment response message from the session management function network element.

Thus, the source access network device can update the session to the destination user plane side address, and the source UPF network element can send the cached data to the destination UPF network element through the destination user plane side user plane address.

It should be noted that, for the specific implementation of S604, reference may be made to S308 described above, which is not repeated here.

S605, the session management function network element sends a session update request to the source access network device. Accordingly, the source access network device receives a session update request from the session management function network element.

The session update request may include, for example, a destination user plane side address. In this manner, the source access network device may be requested to update the session according to the address included in the session update request.

In one possible design, the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty, and the notification message indicates that all addresses on the source user plane side are faulty, and the session update request may include: destination user plane side address. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S303, which is not repeated herein.

S606, the source access network device sends a session update response to the session management function network element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives a session update response from the source access network device.

For example, the session update response may be used to indicate that the session update between the session management function network element and the source access network device was successful.

S607, the session management function network element sends a session deletion request message to the source user plane function network element. Accordingly, the source user plane function network element receives the session deletion request message from the session management function network element.

Illustratively, the session deletion request message may include: destination user plane side user plane address.

Thus, after the source UPF network element receives the user plane address of the destination user plane side, the cached data can be sent to the destination UPF network element through the user plane address of the destination user plane side, so that successful data transmission is realized.

Optionally, the session deletion request message includes a destination user plane side user plane address, which can indicate that the data transmission address is updated to the destination user plane side user plane address, and the source user plane functional network element can send data to the destination user plane functional network element through the destination user plane side user plane address, so that successful transmission of downlink data through the destination user plane functional network element can be realized.

Optionally, the session deletion request message may be used to request the source user plane function network element to delete the session of the terminal device, and/or data related to the terminal device, etc. For example, the session deletion request message may be a PFCP session deletion request message, which is not limited in this application.

And S608, the source user plane function network element sends data to the destination user plane function network element through the user plane address of the destination user plane side. Accordingly, the destination user plane function network element receives data from the source user plane function network element.

S609, the source user plane function network element sends a session deletion response message to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives a session update delete message from the source user plane function network element.

Alternatively, the session deletion response message may be referred to as a PFCP session deletion response message or the like, which is not limited in this application

And S610, the destination user plane function network element sends data to the source access network equipment. Accordingly, the source access network device receives data from the user plane functional network element.

S611, the source access network device sends data to the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device receives data from the source access network device.

Note that, the implementation manner described in the communication method shown in fig. 3 and applicable to the scenario in which the destination user plane function network element transmits downlink data may be cited in the communication method shown in fig. 6.

Based on the communication method shown in fig. 6, the source user plane function network element triggers the update of the transmission path, updates the address of the data transmitted by the user plane function network element to the address of the destination user plane, and the destination user plane function network element sends the data to the terminal device through the source access network device by adopting the updated fault-free transmission path, so that the problem of data transmission failure caused by the transmission path fault between the access network device and the user plane function network element can be solved.

Fig. 7 is a schematic flow chart of still another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 7 illustrates the method shown in fig. 3 by taking an example of transmitting downlink data to a terminal device through a destination access network device, and fig. 7 illustrates a scenario in which a data network transmits downlink data to a terminal device or a calling terminal device transmits data to a called terminal device (terminal device shown in fig. 7).

As shown in fig. 7, the communication method includes the steps of:

S701, in the case of a transmission path failure between the source user plane functional network element and the source access network device, the source user plane functional network element caches data to be transmitted to the source access network device.

For the specific implementation of S701, reference may be made to S301 described above, and details are not repeated here.

S702, the source user plane function network element sends a notification message to the session management function network element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives the notification message from the source user plane function network element.

It should be noted that, the specific implementation of S702 may refer to the corresponding description in S302, which is not repeated here.

S703, the session management function network element sends a session update request to the source access network device. Accordingly, the source access network device receives a session update request from the session management function network element.

For example, the session update request may include: source user plane side address, and/or source user plane side destination address.

It should be noted that, the specific implementation of S703 may refer to the corresponding description in S303, which is not repeated here.

S704, the source access network device sends a handover request message to the destination access network device. Accordingly, the destination access network device receives the handover request message from the source access network device.

It should be noted that, the specific implementation of S704 may refer to the corresponding description in S304-2, and will not be repeated here.

S705, the destination access network device sends a handover response message to the source access network device. Accordingly, the source access network device sends a handover response message to the destination access network device.

S706, the source access network device sends a switching message to the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the handover message from the source access network device.

S707, the terminal equipment sends a switching notice to the destination access network equipment. Accordingly, the destination access network device receives the handover notification from the terminal device.

S708, the destination access network device sends a path switching request. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives a path switch request from the destination access network device.

It should be noted that, the specific implementation manner of S705 to S708 may refer to the corresponding descriptions in S309 to S312, and will not be repeated here.

S709, the session management function network element sends a session update request message to the source user plane function network element. Accordingly, the source user plane function network element receives a session update request message from the session management function network element.

Illustratively, the session update request message may include: destination access network side address.

Illustratively, the source user plane function network element may update the source access network side address being used to be the destination access network side address, complete the session update, and send a session update response message to the SMF network element.

S710, the source user plane function network element sends a session update response message to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives a session update response message from the source user plane function network element.

It should be noted that, the specific implementation manner of S710 may refer to S313 described above, and will not be repeated here.

And S711, the source user plane function network element uses the updated address to send data to the destination access network equipment. Accordingly, the destination access network device receives the data from the source user plane functional network element.

In one possible design, the step S711 may include: the source user plane function network element sends data to the destination access network device through the source user plane side address and the destination access network side address. Accordingly, the destination access network device receives the data from the source user plane functional network element.

The source user plane function network element sends the data to the destination access network device through the source user plane side address and the destination access network side address, so that successful transmission of the data can be realized.

In one possible design, the step S711 may include: the source user plane function network element sends data to the destination access network equipment through the destination address of the source user plane and the destination access network side address. Accordingly, the destination access network device receives the data from the source user plane functional network element.

And S712, the destination access network equipment sends data to the terminal equipment. Accordingly, the terminal device receives data from the destination access network device.

Note that, the implementation manner described in the communication method shown in fig. 3, which can be applied to transmitting the downlink data scenario to the terminal device through the destination access network device, may be cited in the communication method shown in fig. 7.

Based on the communication method shown in fig. 7, the source user plane function network element triggers the update of the transmission path, updates the address of the data transmitted by the access network device side to the address of the destination access network side, and the source user plane function network element adopts the updated fault-free transmission path to transmit the data to the terminal device through the destination access network device, so that the problem of data transmission failure caused by the fault of the transmission path between the access network device and the user plane function network element can be solved.

Fig. 8 is a schematic flow chart of still another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 8 illustrates the method shown in fig. 4 by taking a source access network side address and/or a source user plane side address failure as an example, and fig. 8 illustrates a scenario in which a terminal device transmits uplink data to a network or a calling terminal device (terminal device shown in fig. 8) transmits data to a called terminal device.

As shown in fig. 8, the communication method includes the steps of:

s801, in the case of a transmission path failure between the source user plane functional network element and the source access network device, the source access network device caches data to be transmitted to the source user plane functional network element.

For the specific implementation of S801, reference may be made to S401 described above, and details are not repeated here.

Optionally, before the step S801, the method may further include: s801a, the terminal device sends data to the source access network device. Accordingly, the source access network device receives data from the terminal device.

S802, the source access network device sends a session update request to the session management function network element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives a session update request from the session management function network element.

For a specific implementation manner of sending the session update request to the session management function network element by the session update request and the source access network device, reference may be made to the corresponding description in S402, which is not repeated herein.

Optionally, before sending the address in the session update request, the source access network device may detect whether the address and the path corresponding to the address have a fault, and the specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S402, which is not repeated herein.

In one possible design, the session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty, and indicates that the source access network side address is faulty for the session update request, where the session update request may include: source access network side address. The specific implementation may refer to the corresponding description in S402, which is not repeated here.

In one possible design, the session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty, and indicates that the source user plane side address is faulty for the session update request, where the session update request may include: source access network side address and/or source access network side destination address. The specific implementation may refer to the corresponding description in S402, which is not repeated here.

In one possible design, the source access network device determines a source access network side address failure. The specific implementation may refer to the corresponding description in S402, which is not repeated here.

In some embodiments, the source access network device may determine whether the source access network side address is faulty according to whether its own hardware module is faulty. The specific implementation may refer to the corresponding description in S402, which is not repeated here.

In one possible design, the source access network device determines a source user plane side address failure. The specific implementation may refer to the corresponding description in S402, which is not repeated here.

S803, the session management function network element sends a session update request message to the source user plane function network element. Accordingly, the source user plane function network element receives a session update request message from the session management function network element.

In one possible design, the session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty, and indicates that the source access network side address is faulty for the session update request, and the session update request message may include: source access network side address. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S403, which is not repeated herein.

In one possible design, the session update request may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information indicates that the source user plane side address fails, and the session update request message may include: source access network side address and/or source access network side destination address. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S403, which is not repeated herein.

In one possible design, the SMF network element may detect whether the SMF network element is capable of communicating with the source UPF network element. The specific implementation manner may refer to the descriptions of step g to step h in S403, and will not be repeated here.

Optionally, after receiving the session update request message, the source user plane function network element may update the session according to the address in the session update request message. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S403, which is not repeated herein.

S804, the source user plane function network element sends a session update response message to the session management function network element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives a session update response message from the source user plane function network element.

In one possible design, the session update request message indicates that the source access network side address fails, and the session update response message may include a source user plane side address and/or a source user plane side destination address. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S404, which is not repeated here.

In one possible design, the session update request message may further include session update indication information, where the session update indication information indicates that the source user plane side address fails, and the session update response message may include: source user plane side destination address. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S404, which is not repeated here.

In one possible design, the step S804 may include steps k to m in the step S404.

In one possible design, the step S804 may include steps n to o in the step S404.

S805, the session management function network element sends a session update response to the source access network device. Accordingly, the source access network device receives a session update response from the session management function network element.

It should be noted that, the specific implementation manner of the session update response and the session management function network element sending the session update response to the source access network device may refer to S407 above, which is not described herein again.

Illustratively, the session update response may include: source user plane side address, source user plane side destination address.

And S806, the source access network device uses the updated address to send data to the source user plane function network element. Accordingly, the source user plane functional network element receives data from the source access network device.

In one possible design, S806 may include: and the source access network equipment sends data to the source user plane functional network element through the source access network side destination address and the source user plane side address.

The source access network device sends the data to the source user plane function network element through the source access network side destination address and the source user plane side address, so that successful transmission of the data can be realized.

In one possible design, S806 may include: and the source access network equipment sends data to the source user plane functional network element through the source access network side address and the source user plane side destination address.

The source access network device sends the data to the source user plane function network element through the source access network side address and the source user plane side address, so that successful transmission of the data can be realized.

In one possible design, S806 may include: and the source access network equipment sends data to the source user plane functional network element through the source access network side destination address and the source user plane side destination address.

The source access network device sends the data to the source user plane functional network element through the source access network side address and the source user plane side address, so that successful transmission of the data can be realized.

Based on the communication method shown in fig. 8, the source access network device triggers the update of the transmission path, updates the address of the data transmitted by the source user plane function network element side and/or the address of the data transmitted by the source access network device side, and adopts the updated fault-free transmission path to send the data to the source user plane function network element, so that the problem of data transmission failure caused by the transmission path fault between the access network device and the user plane function network element can be solved.

Fig. 9 is a schematic flow chart of still another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 9 illustrates the method shown in fig. 4 by taking a case of a failure of all addresses at the source user plane side as an example, and fig. 9 illustrates a case in which a session is switched from a source user plane function network element to a destination user plane function network element, and fig. 9 illustrates a case in which a terminal device sends uplink data to a network, or a calling terminal device (terminal device shown in fig. 9) sends data to a called terminal device.

As shown in fig. 9, the communication method includes the steps of:

optionally, S901, in case of a transmission path failure between the source user plane functional network element and the source access network device, the source access network device caches data to be transmitted to the source user plane functional network element.

For the specific implementation of S901, reference may be made to S401 described above, and details are not repeated here.

Optionally, before the step S901, the method may further include: s901a, the terminal device sends data to the source access network device. Accordingly, the source access network device receives data from the terminal device.

S902, the source access network device sends a session update request to the session management function network element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives a session update request from the session management function network element.

For the specific implementation of S902, reference may be made to S802 described above, and will not be repeated here.

S903, the session management function network element sends a session update request message to the source user plane function network element. Accordingly, the source user plane function network element receives a session update request message from the session management function network element.

For the specific implementation of S903, reference may be made to S803 above, and no further description is given here.

S904, the source user plane function network element sends a session update response message to the session management function network element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives a session update response message from the source user plane function network element.

In one possible design, the step S904 may include: and under the condition that the session update indication information indicates the address faults of the source user plane side and determines all address faults of the source user plane side, the source user plane functional network element sends a session update response message to the session management functional network element.

Alternatively, the session update response message may indicate that all addresses on the source user plane side fail.

Alternatively, the session update response message may include session update indication information indicating that the source user plane side address failed.

Optionally, the session update response message may further include address information of the terminal device or an identification of the terminal device.

In a possible design, the specific implementation manner of determining all address faults on the source ue side may refer to the corresponding description in S404, which is not repeated herein.

S905, the session management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element. Accordingly, the destination user plane function network element receives the session establishment request message from the session management function network element.

Illustratively, the destination session update request message may include: source access network side address and/or source access network side destination address. For the implementation of the session establishment request message, reference may be made to the corresponding description in S405, which is not repeated here.

In one possible design, S905 may include: and under the condition that the session updating between the session management function network element and the source user plane function network element fails, the session management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element.

That is, after receiving a session update response message indicating that the session update between the session management function network element and the source user plane function network element fails, the AMF network element requests the destination UPF network element to establish a session so as to realize successful data transmission through the destination function network element.

S906, the target user plane function network element sends a session establishment response message to the session management function network element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives a session establishment response message from the destination user plane function network element.

For the specific implementation of S906, reference may be made to S406 described above, and details are not repeated here.

S907, the session management function network element sends a session update response to the source access network device. Accordingly, the source access network device receives a session update response from the session management function network element.

It should be noted that, for the specific implementation manner of the session update response and the session management function network element sending the session update response to the source access network device, reference may be made to S407 above, which is not repeated herein.

Illustratively, the session update response may include: destination user plane side address.

For example, the session update response includes the destination user plane side address, and the source access network device may update the source user plane side address being used to the destination user plane side address, so as to complete the session update.

And S908, the source access network equipment uses the updated address to send data to the target user plane function network element. Accordingly, the destination user plane function network element receives data from the source access network device.

In one possible design, S908 may include: and the source access network equipment sends data to the target user plane functional network element through the source access network side address and the target user plane side address.

In an exemplary embodiment, the address of the data transmitted by the source access network device side is not updated, the address of the data transmitted by the user plane function network element side is updated to be the destination user plane side address, and the source access network device sends the data to the destination user plane function network element through the source access network side address and the destination user plane side address, so that successful transmission of the data can be realized.

In one possible design, S908 may include: and the source access network equipment sends data to the destination user plane functional network element through the destination address of the source access network side and the destination user plane side address.

The source access network device sends the data to the destination user plane function network element through the destination address and the destination user plane address, so that successful transmission of the data can be realized.

Based on the communication method shown in fig. 9, the source access network device triggers the update of the transmission path, updates the address of the data transmitted by the user plane function network element side to the address of the destination user plane side, and the destination user plane function network element adopts the updated fault-free transmission path to transmit the data to the terminal device through the source access network device, so that the problem of data transmission failure caused by the transmission path fault between the access network device and the user plane function network element can be solved.

Fig. 10a is a schematic flow chart of still another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 10a illustrates the method shown in fig. 4 by taking an example of directly switching a session from a source user plane function network element to a destination user plane function network element after an SMF network element obtains that a fault exists in a transmission path, and fig. 10a illustrates a scenario in which a terminal device sends uplink data to a network, or a calling terminal device (the terminal device shown in fig. 10 a) sends data to a called terminal device.

As shown in fig. 10a, the communication method includes the steps of:

optionally, S1001, in case of a transmission path failure between the source user plane functional network element and the source access network device, the source access network device caches data to be transmitted to the source user plane functional network element.

For the specific implementation of S1001, reference may be made to S401 described above, and will not be repeated here.

Optionally, before S1001, the method may further include: s1001a, the terminal device sends data to the source access network device. Accordingly, the source access network device receives data from the terminal device.

S1002, the source access network device sends a session update request to the session management function network element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives a session update request from the session management function network element.

For the specific implementation of S1002, reference may be made to S402 described above, and details are not repeated here.

S1003, the session management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the target user plane function network element. Accordingly, the destination user plane function network element receives the session establishment request message from the session management function network element.

Alternatively, the session establishment request message may be used to request the destination user plane function network element to update or establish a transmission path between it and the source access network device.

Illustratively, the session establishment request message may include: source access network side address and/or source access network side destination address. For the implementation of the session establishment request message, reference may be made to the corresponding description in S405, which is not repeated here.

In one possible design, the step S1003 may include: and under the condition that a transmission path between the source user plane functional network element and the source access network equipment is failed, the session management functional network element sends a session establishment request message to the target user plane functional network element. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S405, which is not repeated herein.

In one possible design, the session update request further includes session update indication information, and S1003 may include: and under the condition that the session update indication information indicates the address failure of the source user plane side, the session management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element. The specific implementation manner may refer to the corresponding description in S405, which is not repeated herein.

S1004, the destination user plane function network element sends a session establishment response message to the session management function network element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives a session establishment response message from the destination user plane function network element.

For a specific implementation of S1004, reference may be made to S406 described above, which is not described herein.

S1005, the session management function network element sends a session update response to the source access network device. Accordingly, the source access network device receives a session update response from the session management function network element.

For the specific implementation of S1005, reference is made to S907 above, and no further description is given here.

S1006, the source access network device sends data using the updated address.

For a specific implementation of S1006, reference may be made to S908 described above, which is not repeated here.

Based on the communication method shown in fig. 10a, the source access network device triggers the update of the transmission path, updates the address of the data transmitted by the user plane function network element to the address of the destination user plane, and the destination user plane function network element sends the data to the terminal device through the source access network device by adopting the updated fault-free transmission path, so that the problem of data transmission failure caused by the transmission path fault between the access network device and the user plane function network element can be solved.

Fig. 10b is a schematic flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 10b illustrates the method shown in fig. 4 by taking an example of transmitting data to a source user plane function network element through a destination access network device, and fig. 10b illustrates a scenario in which a terminal device transmits uplink data to a network, or a calling terminal device (terminal device shown in fig. 10 b) transmits data to a called terminal device.

As shown in fig. 10b, the communication method includes the steps of:

Optionally, S1010, in case of a transmission path failure between the source user plane functional network element and the source access network device, the source access network device caches data to be transmitted to the source user plane functional network element.

For the specific implementation of S1010, reference may be made to S401 described above, and details are not repeated here.

Optionally, before S1010, the method may further include: and S1010a, the terminal equipment sends data to the source access network equipment. Accordingly, the source access network device receives data from the terminal device.

S1011, the source access network device sends a switching request message to the destination access network device. Accordingly, the destination access network device receives the handover request message from the source access network device.

Alternatively, the source access network device may send a handover request message to the destination access network device in case a transmission path failure between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is detected.

In one possible design, the step S1011 may include: and under the condition of address failure of the source access network side, the source access network equipment sends a switching request message to the destination access network equipment.

and under the condition that all addresses at the source access network side are failed, the source access network equipment sends a switching request message to the target access network equipment.

In one possible design, the step S1011 may include: and under the condition of source user plane side address failure, the source access network equipment sends a switching request message to the target access network equipment.

In one possible design, the step S1011 may include: and under the condition that all addresses at the source user plane side are faulty, the source access network equipment sends a switching request message to the destination access network equipment.

S1012, the destination access network device sends a handover response message to the source access network device. Accordingly, the source access network device sends a handover response message to the destination access network device.

S1013, the source access network device sends a handover message to the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the handover message from the source access network device.

S1014, the terminal device sends a handover notification to the destination access network device. Accordingly, the destination access network device receives the handover notification from the terminal device.

S1015, the destination access network device sends a path switching request. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives a path switch request from the destination access network device.

It should be noted that, the specific implementation manner of S1012-S1015 may refer to the corresponding descriptions in S309-S312, and are not repeated here.

S1016, the session management function network element sends a session update request message to the source user plane function network element. Accordingly, the source user plane function network element receives a session update request message from the session management function network element.

S1017, the source user plane function network element sends a session update response message to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives a session update response message from the source user plane function network element.

S1018, the source access network device sends data to the destination access network device. Accordingly, the destination access network device receives the data from the source access network device.

S1019, the destination access network device sends data to the source user plane function network element. Accordingly, the source user plane function network element receives data from the destination access network device.

In one possible design, the step S1019 may include: and the destination access network equipment sends data to the source user plane functional network element through the destination access network side address and the source user plane side address. Accordingly, the source user plane function network element receives data from the destination access network device.

For example, after the source user plane function network element receives the data, the data may be sent to the data network, or the data may be sent to the called terminal device through another UPF network element, an access network device (an access network device serving the called terminal device).

Based on the communication method shown in fig. 10b, the source access network device triggers the update of the transmission path, updates the address of the data transmitted by the access network device to the address of the destination access network device, and the destination access network device uses the updated fault-free transmission path to send the data to the source user plane function network element, so that the problem of data transmission failure caused by the fault of the transmission path between the access network device and the user plane function network element can be solved.

Fig. 10c is a schematic flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 10c illustrates an example of a transmission path failure in a communication system including two UPF network elements, which are intermediate UPF network elements, or anchor UPF network elements, not being defined. In fig. 10c, the first UPF element may be an intermediate UPF element, or an anchor UPF element, where the destination UPF element corresponds to the first UPF element, e.g., the first UPF element is an intermediate UPF element, and the destination UPF element is a destination intermediate UPF element; for another example, the first UPF element is an anchor UPF element, the destination UPF element is a destination anchor UPF element, and the second UPF element may be an intermediate UPF element, or an anchor UPF element. Fig. 10c is applicable to either an upstream scenario or a downstream scenario, and may be used for a scenario in which the transmission path between two UPF network elements fails.

As shown in fig. 10c, the communication method includes the steps of:

optionally, S1020, in case of a transmission path failure between the second UPF network element and the first UPF network element, the second UPF network element caches data to be transmitted to the first UPF network element.

Therefore, after the second UPF network element detects the transmission path fault between the second UPF network element and the first UPF network element, the data to be sent can be cached, and the data transmission failure can be avoided.

For specific implementation, reference may be made to S301, which is not described herein.

S1021, the second UPF network element sends a notification message to the session management function network element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives the notification message from the second UPF network element.

Illustratively, the notification message may indicate a transmission path failure between the second UPF network element and the first UPF network element.

Note that the name of the notification message is not limited in this application.

In one possible design, the notification message indicates that the transmission path between the second UPF network element and the first UPF network element fails, and the notification message indicates that the first user plane side address fails.

Alternatively, the first user plane side address failure may refer to a current address (e.g., an address may be an interface address, such as an N9 interface address or an N19 interface address) failure of the first UPF network element side, and/or an address failure of a device (e.g., a route) in the transmission path.

Optionally, the first user plane side address is a source address of the first UPF network element for interaction of the first UPF network element with the second UPF network element.

For example, the first user plane side address may be a current N9 interface address or an N19 interface address of the first UPF network element side.

In one possible design, the notification message indicates that the transmission path between the second UPF network element and the first UPF network element fails, and the notification message indicates that all addresses on the first user plane side fail.

All address faults on the first user plane side include: all addresses on the first UPF network element side (e.g., the addresses may be interface addresses, such as N9 interface addresses or N19 interface addresses) fail, and/or address failures of devices (e.g., routes) in the transmission path.

All addresses on the first user plane side include: all addresses on the first user plane functional network element side for interaction of the first user plane functional network element with the second user plane functional network element.

For example, all addresses on the first user plane side may be all N9 interface addresses or N19 interface addresses on the first user plane functional network element side.

S1022, the session management function network element sends a session update request message to the first UPF network element. Accordingly, the first UPF network element receives a session update request message from the session management function network element.

Alternatively, the session update request message may be used to request the first UPF network element to update the transmission path between it and the second UPF network element.

For example, the session update request message may indicate a transmission path failure between the second UPF network element and the first UPF network element.

In one possible design, the session update request message indicates that the transmission path between the second UPF network element and the first UPF network element fails, and the session update request message indicates that the first user plane side address fails.

In one possible design, the session update request message indicates that the transmission path between the second UPF network element and the first UPF network element fails, and the session update request message indicates that all addresses on the first user plane side fail.

S1023, the first UPF network element sends a session update response message to the session management function network element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives a session update response message from the first UPF network element.

Optionally, the session update response message includes an address of the first user plane side destination.

Illustratively, the session update request message indicates a failure of the first user plane side address, and the session update response message includes the address of the first user plane side destination. Thus, the address of the transmission data can be updated by using the address of the first user plane side destination, thereby realizing successful data transmission.

Optionally, the address of the first user plane side destination is a destination address of a first UPF network element for interaction of the first UPF network element with a second UPF network element.

For example, the address of the first user plane side may be a new N9 interface address or an N19 interface address of the first UPF network element side.

Or, alternatively, a session update response message may be used to indicate that a session update request message has been received.

Optionally, S1024, the session management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the destination UPF network element. Accordingly, the destination UPF network element receives the session establishment request message from the session management function network element.

Optionally, the session establishment request message may include: a source access network side address and/or a second user plane side address.

Optionally, the second user plane side address is a source address of a second UPF network element for other UPF network elements (e.g., the first UPF network element) interacting with the second UPF network element.

For example, the second user plane side all addresses may be the current N9 interface address or the N19 interface address of the second UPF network element side.

For example, in the case that the session update request message indicates a transmission path failure between the second UPF network element and the first UPF network element, the session update request message indicates all address failures on the first user plane side, or the session update request message indicates address failures on the first user plane side, the session management function network element may execute S1024 to update the failed transmission path to a non-failed transmission path to successfully transmit data.

Optionally, S1025, the destination UPF element sends a session establishment response message to the session management function element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives a session establishment response message from the destination UPF network element.

The destination user plane side address may be described with reference to the second item above.

The destination user plane side user plane address is an address of the destination user plane functional network element side used for the interaction of the destination user plane functional network element with the first user plane functional network element.

Optionally, S1026, the session management function network element sends a session update request to the source access network device. Accordingly, the source access network device receives a session update request from the session management function network element.

Alternatively, the session update request may be used to request the source access network device to update its transmission path with the first user plane function network element.

For example, the session update request may include: destination user plane side address.

The session update request sent by the SMF network element may illustratively include the destination user plane side address, such that the source access network device may update the session using the destination user plane side address.

It should be noted that, the specific implementation manner of the session management function network element for sending the session update request to the source access network device may refer to S303 above, which is not described herein again.

In the case of executing S1024, S1026 may be executed.

Optionally, S1027, the source access network device sends a session update response to the session management function network element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives a session update response from the source access network device.

For another example, if the source access network device updates the current N3 or s1_u address of the first user plane side to the destination user plane side address, a session update response may be sent to indicate that the session is successfully updated.

It should be noted that, the specific implementation manner of the source access network device sending the session update response to the session management function network element may refer to S304-1, which is not described herein again.

And S1028, the session management function network element sends a session update request message to the second UPF network element. Accordingly, the second UPF network element receives the session update request message from the session management function network element.

Alternatively, the session update request message may be used to request the second UPF network element to update its transmission path with the first UPF network element.

For example, the session update request message may include: the first user plane side destination address or the destination user plane side user plane address.

For example, if the session update response message in S1023 includes the address of the first user plane side destination, the session update request message may include: the address of the first user plane side destination. The second UPF network element may update the first user plane side address to the first user plane side address.

For example, in S1025, the session establishment response message includes the destination user plane side user plane address, and the second UPF network element may update the first user plane side address to the destination user plane side user plane address.

S1029, the second UPF network element sends a session update response message to the session management function network element. Accordingly, the session management function network element receives the session update response message from the second UPF network element.

The session update response message may be used to indicate that the second UPF network element successfully updated the session.

And S1030, the second UPF network element sends data by using the updated address.

In one possible design, the step S1030 may include: and S1030a, the second UPF network element sends data to the first UPF network element through the second user plane side address and the first user plane side address. Accordingly, the first UPF network element receives data from the second UPF network element.

Optionally, S1030b, the first UPF network element sends data to the source access network device.

In one possible design, the step S1030 may include: and S1030c, the second UPF network element sends data to the target UPF network element through the second user plane side address and the target user plane side user plane address. Accordingly, the destination UPF network element receives the data from the second UPF network element.

Optionally, S1030d, the destination UPF network element sends data to the source access network device.

Optionally, S1030e, the source access network device sends data to the terminal device.

Based on the method shown in fig. 10c, when the transmission path between two UPFs fails, a session update may be triggered, a notification message may be sent to a session management function network element, an address of the first user plane side is updated to an address of the first user plane side, or the first UPF network element is switched to a destination UPF network element, and the updated failure-free transmission path is used to send data, so that the problem of data transmission failure caused by the failure of the transmission path between two UPF network elements may be solved.

Throughout this application, unless specifically stated otherwise, identical or similar parts between the various embodiments may be referred to each other. In the various embodiments and the various implementation/implementation methods in the various embodiments in this application, if no special description and logic conflict exist, terms and/or descriptions between different embodiments and between the various implementation/implementation methods in the various embodiments may be consistent and may be mutually referred to, technical features in the different embodiments and the various implementation/implementation methods in the various embodiments may be combined to form new embodiments, implementations, implementation methods, or implementation methods according to their inherent logic relationships. The embodiments of the present application described below do not limit the scope of the present application.

The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail above in connection with fig. 3 to 10 c. The following describes in detail the communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application with reference to fig. 11 to 13.

Fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device that may be used to perform the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application. The communication device 1100 may be a communication device, or may be a chip or other component with corresponding functions applied in the communication device. As shown in fig. 11, the communication device 1100 may include a processor 1101. Optionally, the communication device 1100 may also include one or more of a memory 1102 and a transceiver 1103. Wherein the processor 1101 may be coupled to one or more of the memory 1102 and the transceiver 1103, such as via a communication bus connection, the processor 1101 may also be used alone.

The following describes the respective constituent elements of the communication apparatus 1100 in detail with reference to fig. 11:

the processor 1101 is a control center of the communication apparatus 1100, and may be one processor or a collective term of a plurality of processing elements. For example, the processor 1101 is one or more central processing units (central processing unit, CPU), but may also be an integrated circuit (application specific integrated circuit, ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement embodiments of the present application, such as: one or more microprocessors (digital signal processor, DSPs), or one or more field programmable gate arrays (field programmable gate array, FPGAs).

Among other things, the processor 1101 can perform various functions of the communication device 1100 by running or executing software programs stored in the memory 1102 and invoking data stored in the memory 1102.

In a particular implementation, the processor 1101 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 shown in FIG. 11, as an embodiment.

In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 1100 may also include multiple processors, such as the processor 1101 and the processor 1104 shown in fig. 11. Each of these processors may be a single-core processor (single-CPU) or a multi-core processor (multi-CPU). A processor herein may refer to one or more communication devices, circuitry, and/or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

Alternatively, memory 1102 may be read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage communication device that can store static information and instructions, random access memory (random access memory, RAM) or other type of dynamic storage communication device that can store information and instructions, but may also be, without limitation, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (compact disc read-only memory) or other optical disk storage, optical disk storage (including compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, blu-ray disc, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage communication devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. The memory 1102 may be integrated with the processor 1101, may exist separately, and may be coupled to the processor 1101 through an input/output port (not shown in fig. 11) of the communication device 1100, which is not specifically limited by the embodiments of the present application.

Illustratively, the input port may be used to implement the receive function performed by the source access network device in any of the method embodiments described above, and the output port may be used to implement the transmit function performed by the source access network device in any of the method embodiments described above.

The input port may be used to implement the receiving function performed by the source user plane function network element or the destination user plane function network element in any of the above method embodiments, and the output port may be used to implement the transmitting function performed by the source user plane function network element or the destination user plane function network element in any of the above method embodiments.

Illustratively, the input port may be used to implement the receiving function performed by the session management function network element in any of the method embodiments described above, and the output port may be used to implement the sending function performed by the session management function network element in any of the method embodiments described above.

Wherein the memory 1102 is operable to store software programs for executing aspects of the present application and is controlled by the processor 1101 for execution. The specific implementation manner may refer to the following method embodiments, which are not described herein.

Optionally, a transceiver 1103 for communication with other devices. In addition, the transceiver 1103 may include a receiver and a transmitter (not separately shown in fig. 11). The receiver is used for realizing the receiving function, and the transmitter is used for realizing the transmitting function. The transceiver 1103 may be integrated with the processor 1101, may exist independently, and is coupled to the processor 1101 through an input/output port (not shown in fig. 11) of the communication device 1100, which is not specifically limited by the embodiment of the present application.

It should be noted that the configuration of the communication device 1100 shown in fig. 11 is not limited to the communication device, and an actual communication device may include more or less components than those shown, or may combine some components, or may be different in arrangement of components.

The actions of the communication device in fig. 3-10 c may be performed by the processor 1101 in the communication device 1100 shown in fig. 11, invoking the application code stored in the memory 1102 to instruct the communication device to perform.

It should be noted that, all relevant contents of each step related to the above method embodiment may be cited to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, which is not described herein.

Fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. For convenience of explanation, fig. 12 shows only major components of the communication apparatus.

The communication device 1200 includes a transmitting module 1201 and a receiving module 1202, and may also include a processing module 1203. The communication apparatus 1200 may be a source user plane function network element or a source access network device in the foregoing method embodiment.

It should be noted that the transceiver module 1201 may include a receiving module and a transmitting module. The specific implementation of the transceiver module 1201 is not specifically limited in this application.

It should be noted that the receiving module 1202 and the transmitting module 1201 may be separately provided, or may be integrated into one module, i.e., a transceiver module. The present application is not particularly limited thereto.

The communication device 1200 may also include a memory module (not shown in fig. 12) that stores programs or instructions. When the processing module 1203 executes the program or the instruction, the communication apparatus 1200 may perform the functions of the source user plane function network element or the source access network device in the communication method shown in fig. 3 to 10 c.

In the present embodiment, the communication apparatus 1200 is presented in a form in which respective functional modules are divided in an integrated manner. A "module" herein may refer to a particular ASIC, an electronic circuit, a processor and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and/or other device that can provide the described functionality. In a simple embodiment, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the communications device 1200 may take the form of the communications device 1100 shown in FIG. 11.

For example, the processor 1101 in the communication apparatus 1100 shown in fig. 11 may cause the communication method in the above-described method embodiment to be performed by calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1102.

Specifically, the functions/implementation procedures of the transmitting module 1201, the receiving module 1202, and the processing module 1203 in fig. 12 may be implemented by the processor 1101 in the communication apparatus 1100 shown in fig. 11 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1102, and the functions/implementation procedures of the transmitting module 1201 and the receiving module 1202 in fig. 12 may be implemented by the transceiver 1103 in the communication apparatus 1100 shown in fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. For convenience of explanation, fig. 13 shows only major components of the communication apparatus.

The communication apparatus 1300 includes a transmitting module 1301 and a receiving module 1302. The communications apparatus 1300 can be a source user plane functional network element, a source access network device, or a session management functional network element in the foregoing method embodiments.

It should be noted that, the receiving module 1302 and the transmitting module 1301 may be separately provided, or may be integrated into one module, i.e., a transceiver module. The present application is not particularly limited thereto.

The communications device 1300 may also include a processing module and a memory module (not shown in fig. 13) that stores programs or instructions. When the processing module executes the program or the instruction, the communications apparatus 1300 may perform the functions of the source user plane function network element, the source access network device, or the session management function network element in the communications method shown in fig. 3-10 c.

In the present embodiment, the communication apparatus 1300 is presented in a form in which respective functional modules are divided in an integrated manner. A "module" herein may refer to a particular ASIC, an electronic circuit, a processor and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and/or other device that can provide the described functionality. In a simple embodiment, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the communications device 1300 may take the form of the communications device 1100 shown in fig. 11.

Specifically, the functions/implementation procedures of the transmitting module 1301, the receiving module 1302, and the processing module in fig. 13 may be implemented by the processor 1101 in the communication apparatus 1100 shown in fig. 11 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1102, and the functions/implementation procedures of the transmitting module 1301 and the receiving module 1302 in fig. 13 may be implemented by the transceiver 1103 in the communication apparatus 1100 shown in fig. 11.

In one possible design, the communication device 1200 shown in fig. 12 may be adapted to the communication system shown in fig. 1, to perform the functions of the source user plane function network elements in the communication methods shown in fig. 3 and fig. 5 to fig. 7.

A sending module 1201 is configured to send a notification message to a session management function network element.

The receiving module 1202 is further configured to receive a session update request message from a session management function network element.

The sending module 1201 is further configured to send data using the updated address.

The notification message may include a source user plane side address and/or a source user plane side destination address. The notification message indicates that the transmission path between the communication apparatus 1200 to the source access network device has failed. The session update request message may include: source access network side address, source access network side destination address, destination user plane side user plane address and/or destination access network side address.

In one possible design, the communication device 1200 further includes: a processing module 1203. In case of a transmission path failure between the communication device and the source access network device, the sending module 1201 is further configured to send a path probing request message to the destination access network side address by using the source user plane side address. In the case that the communication device does not receive the path probing response message, a processing module 1203 is configured to determine a source user plane side address failure.

It should be noted that the receiving module 1202 and the transmitting module 1201 may be separately provided, or may be integrated into one module, i.e., a transceiver module. The present application is not specifically limited thereto

Optionally, the communication device 1200 may further include a storage module (not shown in fig. 12) storing a program or instructions. When the processing module 1203 executes the program or the instructions, the communication device may perform the functions of the source user plane function network element in the communication method shown in fig. 3 and fig. 5 to fig. 7.

It should be noted that the communication device may be a source user plane function network element, or may be a chip (system) or other components or assemblies that may be disposed in the source user plane function network element, which is not limited in this application.

In addition, the technical effects of the communication device may refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in any one of the possible implementation manners of fig. 3 and fig. 5 to fig. 7, which are not repeated herein.

In one possible design, the communication device 1300 shown in fig. 13 may be adapted to the communication system shown in fig. 1, performing the functions of the session management function network elements in the communication methods shown in fig. 3 and fig. 5 to fig. 7.

The receiving module 1302 is configured to receive a notification message from a source user plane function network element. A sending module 1301 sends a session update request to the source access network device. The receiving module 1302 is further configured to receive a session update response.

The notification message includes a source user plane side address and/or a source user plane side destination address. The notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty. The session update request may include: source user plane side address, source user plane side address and/or destination user plane side address. The session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element to the source access network device is faulty. The session update response is used to indicate that the session update between the communications apparatus 1300 and the source access network device was successful.

It should be noted that, the receiving module 1302 and the transmitting module 1301 may be separately provided, or may be integrated into one module, i.e., a transceiver module. The specific implementation manner of the receiving module 1302 and the transmitting module 1301 is not specifically limited in this application.

Optionally, the communication device 1300 may further include a processing module and a storage module (not shown in fig. 13), where the storage module stores programs or instructions. When the processing module executes the program or instructions, the communication apparatus 1300 is enabled to perform the functions of the session management function element in the communication method shown in fig. 3 and fig. 5 to fig. 7.

Note that the communication apparatus 1300 may be a session management function network element, or may be a chip (system) or other parts or components that may be provided in the session management function network element, which is not limited in this application.

In addition, the technical effects of the communication apparatus 1300 may refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in any one of the possible implementation manners of fig. 3 and fig. 5 to fig. 7, which are not repeated herein.

In one possible design, the communication apparatus 1300 shown in fig. 13 may be adapted to the communication system shown in fig. 1, performing the functions of the source access network device in the communication methods shown in fig. 3 and fig. 5 to 7.

Wherein, the receiving module 1302 is configured to receive a session update request from a session management function network element. A sending module 1301, configured to send a session update response to a session management function network element, or a sending module 1301, configured to send a handover request message to a destination access network device. Wherein the session update request may include: source user plane side address, source user plane side address and/or destination user plane side address. The session update request indicates that the transmission path between the source user plane function network element to the communication device 1300 is down. The session update response is used to indicate that the session update between the session management function network element and the communication device 1300 was successful. The handover request message is used to request connection of the terminal device to the destination access network device.

Optionally, the communication device 1300 may further include a processing module and a storage module, where the storage module stores programs or instructions. When the processing module executes the program or instructions, the communication apparatus 1300 may be enabled to perform the functions of the source access network device in the communication method shown in fig. 3 and fig. 5 to fig. 7.

The communication apparatus 1300 may be a source access network device, or may be a chip (system) or other components or assemblies that may be disposed in the source access network device, which is not limited in this application.

Technical effects of the communication apparatus 1300 may refer to technical effects of the communication method described in any one of the possible implementations of fig. 3 and fig. 5 to fig. 7, and will not be described herein.

In one possible design, the communication apparatus 1200 shown in fig. 12 may be adapted to the communication system shown in fig. 1, performing the functions of the source access network device in the communication methods shown in fig. 4 and fig. 8 to 10 c.

Wherein, the sending module 1201 sends a session update request to the session management function network element. The receiving module 1202 is further configured to receive a session update response from the session management function network element. The sending module 1201 is further configured to send data using the updated address. The session update request may include a source access network side address and/or a source access network side destination address, where the session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the communication apparatus 1200 is faulty. The session update response may include: source user plane side address, and/or destination user plane side address.

In one possible design, the sending module 1201 is further configured to send a path probing request message to the destination user plane side address using the source access network side address in case of a transmission path failure between the source user plane functional network element and the communication device. In the case that the communication device does not receive the path probing response message, a processing module 1203 is configured to determine an address failure at the source access network side.

Optionally, the communication device 1200 may further include a storage module (not shown in fig. 12) storing a program or instructions. The processing module 1203, when executing the program or instructions, enables the communication apparatus 1200 to perform the functions of the communication method source access network device shown in fig. 4 and fig. 8 to 10 c.

The communication apparatus 1200 may be a source access network device, or may be a chip (system) or other components or assemblies that may be provided in the source access network device, which is not limited in this application.

In addition, the technical effects of the communication apparatus 1200 may refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in fig. 4 and any one of the possible implementations of fig. 8 to 10c, which are not described herein.

In one possible design, the communication device 1300 shown in fig. 13 may be adapted to the communication system shown in fig. 1, performing the functions of the session management function network elements in the communication methods shown in fig. 4 and fig. 8 to 10 b.

A receiving module 1302 is configured to receive a session update request from a source access network device. A sending module 1301, configured to send a session update request message to a source user plane function network element, or a sending module 1301, configured to send a session establishment request message to a destination user plane function network element. The sending module 1301 is further configured to send a session update response to the source access network device. The session update request may include a source access network side address and/or a source access network side destination address, where the session update request indicates that a transmission path between a source user plane functional network element and a source access network device is faulty. The session update request message may include: the source access network side address and/or the source access network side address, the session establishment request message may include the source access network side address and/or the source access network side address. The session update response may include: source user plane side address, and/or destination user plane side address.

Optionally, the communication device 1300 may further include a processing module and a storage module (not shown in fig. 13), where the storage module stores programs or instructions. When the processing module executes the program or instructions, the communications device 1300 is enabled to perform the functions of the session management function element in the communications method illustrated in fig. 4 and fig. 8 to 10 b.

In addition, the technical effects of the communication apparatus 1300 may refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in fig. 4 and any one of the possible implementations of fig. 8 to 10b, which are not described herein.

In one possible design, the communication device 1300 shown in fig. 13 may be adapted to the communication system shown in fig. 1, performing the functions of the source user plane functional network elements in the communication methods shown in fig. 4 and fig. 8 to 10 b.

The receiving module 1302 is configured to receive a session update request message from a session management function network element, and the sending module 1301 is configured to send a session update response message to the session management function network element. The session update request message may include a source access network side address and/or a source access network side address. The session update response message may include the source user plane side address and/or the source user plane side destination address.

Optionally, the communication device 1300 may further include a processing module and a storage module (not shown in fig. 13), where the storage module stores programs or instructions. When the processing module executes the program or the instruction, the communications apparatus 1300 may perform the functions of the source user plane functional network element in the communications method shown in fig. 4 and fig. 8 to fig. 10 b.

The communication apparatus 1300 may be a source user plane function network element, or may be a chip (system) or other components or assemblies that may be disposed in the source user plane function network element, which is not limited in this application.

The embodiment of the application provides a communication system. The communication system may include a source access network device, a session management function network element, and a source user plane function network element, and may further include a destination access network device and/or a destination user plane function network element. The source access network device, the session management function network element, the source user plane function network element, the destination access network device, and the destination user plane function network element are respectively configured to execute the actions of the source access network device, the session management function network element, the source user plane function network element, the destination access network device, and the destination user plane function network element in the foregoing method embodiment, and specific execution methods and procedures may refer to the foregoing method embodiment and are not repeated herein.

Embodiments of the present application provide a chip system including logic circuitry and input/output ports. The logic circuit may be used to implement a processing function related to the communication method provided by the embodiment of the application, and the input/output port may be used to transmit and receive a signal related to the communication method provided by the embodiment of the application.

Illustratively, the input port may be used to implement a receiving function related to the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application, and the output port may be used to implement a transmitting function related to the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application.

Illustratively, the processor in the communications device 1100 may be configured to perform, for example and without limitation, baseband related processing, and the transceiver in the communications device 1100 may be configured to perform, for example and without limitation, radio frequency transceiving. The above devices may be provided on separate chips, or may be provided at least partially or entirely on the same chip. For example, the processor may be further divided into an analog baseband processor and a digital baseband processor. Wherein the analog baseband processor may be integrated on the same chip as the transceiver and the digital baseband processor may be provided on a separate chip. With the continued development of integrated circuit technology, more and more devices may be integrated on the same chip, for example, a digital baseband processor may be integrated on the same chip with a variety of application processors (e.g., without limitation, graphics processors, multimedia processors, etc.). Such chips may be referred to as system on chips (system on chips). Whether the individual devices are independently disposed on different chips or integrally disposed on one or more chips is often dependent on the specific needs of the product design. The embodiment of the application does not limit the specific implementation form of the device.

In one possible design, the system on a chip further includes a memory for storing program instructions and data for implementing the functions related to the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application.

The present embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause a communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application to be performed.

Embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product comprising: computer programs or instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the communication methods provided by the embodiments of the present application to be performed.

It should be appreciated that the processor in embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (central processing unit, CPU), which may also be other general purpose processors, digital signal processors (digital signal processor, DSP), application specific integrated circuits (application specific integrated circuit, ASIC), off-the-shelf programmable gate arrays (field programmable gate array, FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, or the like. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.

It should also be appreciated that 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 but not limitation, many forms of random access memory (random access memory, RAM) are available, such as Static RAM (SRAM), dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (ESDRAM), synchronous Link DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct memory bus RAM (DR RAM).

The above embodiments may be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware (e.g., circuitry), firmware, or any other combination. When implemented in software, the above-described embodiments may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product comprises one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer program are loaded or executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in accordance with the embodiments of the present application are all or partially produced. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable apparatus. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website site, computer, server, or data center to another website site, computer, server, or data center by wired (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that contains one or more sets of available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium. The semiconductor medium may be a solid state disk.

It should be understood that the term "and/or" is merely an association relationship describing the associated object, and means that three relationships may exist, for example, a and/or B may mean: there are three cases, a alone, a and B together, and B alone, wherein a, B may be singular or plural. In addition, the character "/" herein generally indicates that the associated object is an "or" relationship, but may also indicate an "and/or" relationship, and may be understood by referring to the context.

In the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. "at least one of" or the like means any combination of these items, including any combination of single item(s) or plural items(s). For example, at least one (one) of a, b, or c may represent: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, or a-b-c, wherein a, b, c may be single or plural.

It should be understood that, in various embodiments of the present application, the sequence numbers of the foregoing processes do not mean the order of execution, and the order of execution of the processes should be determined by the functions and internal logic thereof, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

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 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 U-disk, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (random access memory, RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, or other various media capable of storing program codes.

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 source user plane function network element sends a notification message to the session management function network element; the notification message comprises a source user plane side address and/or a source user plane side destination address; the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and source access network equipment is failed;

the source user plane function network element receives a session update request message from the session management function network element; wherein the session update request message includes: a source access network side address, a source access network side destination address, a destination user plane side user plane address and/or a destination access network side address;

and the source user plane functional network element sends data by using the updated address.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element to the source access network device is failed, and the notification message indicates that the source user plane side address is failed, and the notification message includes: and the address of the source user plane side destination.

3. The communication method according to claim 2, characterized in that the method further comprises:

the source user plane function network element adopts the source user plane side address to send a path detection request message to an address of an access network side outside the source access network;

and under the condition that the source user plane functional network element does not receive the path detection response message, the source user plane functional network element determines the source user plane side address fault.

4. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is failed, and the notification message indicates that the source access network side address is failed, and the notification message includes: the source user plane side address and/or the source user plane side destination address.

5. The communication method according to claim 4, characterized in that the method further comprises:

the source user plane function network element adopts the source user plane side address to send a path detection request message to an address of an access network side outside a source access network;

and under the condition that the source user plane functional network element receives the path detection response message, the source user plane functional network element determines the address fault of the source access network side.

6. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is faulty, and the notification message indicates that all addresses on the source user plane side are faulty.

7. A communication method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the source user plane function network element sends the data using the updated address, comprising:

and the source user plane function network element sends the data to the source access network equipment through the source user plane side destination address and the source access network side address or the source access network side destination address.

8. The communication method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the source user plane function network element sends the data using the updated address, comprising:

and the source user plane functional network element sends the data to the destination user plane functional network element through the destination user plane side user plane address.

9. The communication method according to claim 6, wherein the source user plane function network element sends the data using the updated address, comprising:

and the source user plane function network element sends the data to the destination access network equipment through the source user plane side address and the destination access network side address.

10. A method of communication, comprising:

the session management function network element receives a notification message from a source user plane function network element; the notification message comprises a source user plane side address and/or a source user plane side destination address; the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and source access network equipment is failed;

the session management function network element sends a session update request to the source access network device; wherein the session update request includes: the source user plane side address, the source user plane side destination address and/or the destination user plane side address; the session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network equipment fails;

the session management function network element receives a session update response from the source access network device; wherein the session update response is used to indicate that the session update between the session management function network element and the source access network device is successful.

11. The communication method according to claim 10, wherein the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element to the source access network device is failed, and the notification message indicates that the source user plane side address is failed, and the session update request includes: and the address of the source user plane side destination.

12. The communication method according to claim 10, wherein the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is failed, and the notification message indicates that the source access network side address is failed, and the session update request includes: the source user plane side address, and/or the source user plane side destination address.

13. The communication method according to claim 10, wherein the notification message indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is failed, and the notification message indicates that all addresses on a source user plane side are failed, and the session update request includes: the destination user plane side address.

14. The communication method according to any one of claims 10-13, wherein the session update response comprises: the source access network side address and/or the source access network side destination address.

15. A method of communication according to any of claims 10-14, characterized in that the method further comprises:

the session management function network element sends a session update request message to the source user plane function network element; wherein the session update request message includes: the source access network side address, the destination user plane side user plane address and/or the destination access network side address.

16. A method of communication according to any of claims 10-14, characterized in that the method further comprises:

the session management function network element sends a session deletion request message to a target user plane function network element; wherein the session deletion request message includes: destination user plane side user plane address.

17. A method of communication according to any of claims 13-16, characterized in that the method further comprises:

the session management function network element sends a session establishment request message to a target user plane function network element; wherein the session establishment request message includes: the source access network side address and/or the source access network side destination address.

18. A method of communication according to any of claims 13-16, characterized in that the method further comprises:

the session management function network element receives a session establishment response message from the target user plane function network element; wherein the session establishment response message includes: the destination user plane side address and the destination user plane side user plane address.

19. A method of communication, comprising:

the source access network equipment receives a session update request from a session management function network element; wherein the session update request includes: a source user plane side address, a source user plane side destination address and/or a destination user plane side address; the session update request indicates that a transmission path between a source user plane function network element and the source access network equipment is failed;

The source access network device sends a session update response to the session management function network element; wherein the session update response is used for indicating that the session between the session management function network element and the source access network device is updated successfully; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the source access network equipment sends a switching request message to the destination access network equipment; the switching request message is used for requesting to connect the terminal equipment to the destination access network equipment.

20. The communication method according to claim 19, wherein the session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is failed, and the session update response indicates that a source access network side address is failed for the session update request, and wherein the session update response includes: source access network side address.

21. The communication method according to claim 19, wherein the session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element to the source access network device is failed, the session update request indicates that the source user plane side address is failed, and the session update response includes: source access network side address and/or source access network side destination address.

22. The communication method according to claim 21, wherein the source access network device sends a session update response to the session management function network element, comprising:

the source access network equipment adopts the source access network side address to send a path detection request message to the source user plane side address;

and under the condition that the source access network equipment receives the path detection response message, the source access network equipment sends the session update response to the session management function network element.

23. The communication method according to claim 19, wherein the source access network device sending the handover request message to the destination access network device comprises:

and under the condition that the session updating request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network equipment fails, the address failure at the source access network side is indicated by the session updating request, and all address failures at the source access network side are determined, the source access network equipment sends the switching request message to the target access network equipment.

24. The communication method according to claim 19, wherein the source access network device sending a handover request message to the destination access network device comprises:

And under the condition that the session updating request indicates that the transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network equipment fails and indicates that all addresses of the source access network side fail, the source access network equipment sends the switching request message to the target access network equipment.

25. A method of communication, comprising:

the source access network device sends a session update request to a session management function network element; the session updating request comprises a source access network side address and/or a source access network side address, and indicates that a transmission path between a source user plane function network element and source access network equipment is failed;

the source access network equipment receives a session update response from the session management function network element; wherein the session update response includes: a source user plane side address, a source user plane side destination address, and/or a destination user plane side address;

and the source access network equipment sends the data by using the updated address.

26. The communication method according to claim 25, wherein the session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element and the source access network device is failed, and the session update request indicates that the source access network side address is failed, and the session update request includes: and the address of the source access network side destination.

27. The communication method according to claim 25, wherein the session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element to the source access network device is failed, the session update request indicates that the source user plane side address is failed, and the session update request includes: the source access network side address and/or the source access network side destination address.

28. The communication method according to claim 25, wherein the session update request indicates all address failures at the source access network side.

29. A method of communication, comprising:

the method comprises the steps that a session management function network element receives a session update request from source access network equipment; the session updating request comprises a source access network side address and/or a source access network side address, and indicates that a transmission path between a source user plane function network element and source access network equipment is failed;

the session management function network element sends a session update request message to the source user plane function network element, or the session management function network element sends a session establishment request message to the destination user plane function network element; wherein the session update request message includes: the source access network side address and/or the source access network side address, and the session establishment request message includes: the source access network side address and/or the source access network side destination address;

The session management function network element sends a session update response to the source access network device; wherein the session update response includes: source user plane side address, and/or destination user plane side address.

30. The communication method according to claim 29, wherein the session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element to the source access network device is failed, the session update request indicates that the source access network side address is failed, and the session update request message includes: and the address of the source access network side destination.

31. The communication method according to claim 29, wherein the session update request indicates that a transmission path between the source user plane function network element to the source access network device is failed, and the session update request indicates a source user plane side address failure for the session update request, and the session update request message includes: the source access network side address and/or the source access network side destination address.

32. A method of communication, comprising:

the source user plane function network element receives a session update request message from the session management function network element; the session updating request message comprises a source access network side address and/or a source access network side destination address;

The source user plane function network element sends a session update response message to the session management function network element; the session update response message comprises a source user plane side address and/or a source user plane side destination address.

33. A communication method according to claim 32, characterized in that the session update request message indicates that the source access network side address is faulty, the session update response message comprising the source user plane side address and/or the source user plane side destination address.

34. The communication method according to claim 32, wherein the session update request message indicates the source user plane side address failure, and wherein the session update response message includes: and the address of the source user plane side destination.

35. A communication device comprising means or modules for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 34.

36. A communication device, the communication device comprising: a processor; the processor configured to perform the communication method of any of claims 1-34.

37. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when run on a computer, cause the communication method according to any one of claims 1-34 to be performed.

38. A computer program product, the computer program product comprising: computer program or instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the communication method according to any one of claims 1-34 to be performed.