TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to the communications field, and more specifically, to a control policy transmission method, PCF and AMF network elements, and a computer storage medium.

BACKGROUND

A next generation mobile communications network architecture (next generation system), also referred to as a 5th generation (5G) network architecture, has been released in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP).

In the 5G network architecture, transmission may be performed using an access and mobility management function (AMF) in a process in which a policy control function (PCF) network element communicates with a terminal apparatus (for example, the PCF sends a policy rule to the terminal apparatus). As subscription information, a location, a time, and the like change in the terminal apparatus, the PCF updates the policy rule delivered to the terminal apparatus.

When the terminal apparatus is in an idle mode, the terminal apparatus does not immediately update the policy rule. In this case, signaling overheads are unnecessary due to the policy rule delivered by the PCF to the terminal apparatus. Therefore, in the communication process in which the PCF delivers the policy rule to the terminal apparatus, how to reduce signaling overheads becomes an urgent problem to be resolved currently.

SUMMARY

This application provides a policy transmission method, PCF and AMF network elements, and a computer storage medium, such that signaling overheads can be reduced in a communication process in which a PCF delivers a policy rule to a terminal apparatus.

According to a first aspect, a control policy transmission method is provided. The method includes: obtaining, by a PCF network element, a connection management state of a terminal apparatus; and sending, by the PCF, policy rule information to the terminal apparatus when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is a connected mode.

It should be understood that the connection management state of the terminal apparatus may include the connected mode or an idle mode.

For example, the terminal apparatus is a user equipment (UE). If the UE is in the idle mode, it may indicate that there is no non-access stratum (NAS) signaling connection on an N1 interface between the UE and an AMF. There is no N2 connection between an access network (AN) and the AMF, and there is no N3 connection between the AN and a user plane function (UPF). When the UE is in the idle mode, the UE may respond to a paging initiation service request procedure on a network side or actively initiate a service request procedure to enter the connected mode.

If the UE is in the connected mode, it may indicate that there is an NAS signaling connection on an N11 interface between the UE and the AMF. When the UE is in the connected mode, the UE may access the idle mode using an AN release procedure.

An implementation in which the PCF network element obtains the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is not specifically limited in this embodiment of this application. In an example, the PCF may obtain the connection management state of the terminal apparatus using the AMF. In another example, the PCF may alternatively obtain the connection management state of the terminal apparatus using a network data analytics function (NWDAF). In another example, the PCF may alternatively obtain the connection management state of the terminal apparatus using an application function (AF).

In the foregoing technical solution, the PCF network element can obtain the connection management state of the terminal apparatus, and can deliver the policy rule to the terminal apparatus when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the connected mode, to avoid unnecessary signaling overheads caused because the terminal apparatus updates, when the terminal apparatus is in the idle mode, the policy rule delivered by the PCF, such that signaling overheads can be reduced.

With reference to the first aspect, in some possible implementations of the first aspect, the PCF obtains the connection management state of the terminal apparatus from an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element.

In this embodiment of this application, the AMF notifies the PCF of a current connection management state of the terminal apparatus in a plurality of implementations. This is not specifically limited in this application. In an example, the AMF can notify the PCF whether the current connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the connected mode, and the PCF can deliver a UE policy rule to the terminal apparatus when the terminal apparatus is in the connected mode. In another example, the AMF can alternatively notify the PCF of a time period in which the terminal apparatus is in the connected mode, and the PCF can deliver a UE policy rule to the terminal apparatus in the time period in which the terminal apparatus is in the connected mode based on the time period in which the terminal apparatus is in the connected mode.

In a possible implementation, the PCF sends a first message to the AMF, where the first message includes information about a trigger, and the trigger is configured to: when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is switched to the connected mode, trigger the AMF to send a second notification message to the PCF. The PCF receives the second notification message sent by the AMF, where the second notification message is used to notify the PCF that the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the connected mode.

It should be understood that the PCF can send a message that includes the information about the trigger to the AMF, and can dispose a trigger in the AMF. The trigger may be a connection management state trigger of the terminal apparatus. When the connection management state of the terminal apparatus changes (the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is switched to the connected mode), the trigger can trigger the AMF to notify the PCF that the terminal apparatus is currently in the connected mode. The PCF can send the policy rule to the terminal apparatus when the terminal apparatus is in the connected mode.

The trigger disposed by the PCF in the AMF can subscribe to an event that the terminal apparatus enters the idle mode or the connected mode. The PCF can actively deliver an updated policy rule of the terminal apparatus only after the terminal apparatus enters the connected mode.

It should be understood that in some embodiments, if the terminal apparatus has not entered the connected mode, the policy rule that has been generated by the PCF can be stored in a buffer without being delivered, and the updated policy rule of the terminal apparatus can be actively delivered only after the terminal apparatus enters the connected mode.

In the foregoing technical solution, the PCF network element can dispose the connection management state trigger of the terminal apparatus in the AMF, and can trigger, when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is switched to the connected mode, the AMF to notify the PCF that the terminal apparatus is in the connected mode. The PCF can deliver the policy rule to the terminal apparatus when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the connected mode, to avoid a problem that the terminal apparatus updates, when the terminal apparatus is in the idle mode, the policy rule delivered by the PCF, such that signaling overheads can be reduced.

In a possible implementation, the PCF receives first flag information sent by the AMF, where the first flag information is used to indicate that the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the idle mode. The PCF receives a first notification message sent by the AMF, where the first notification message is used to notify the PCF that the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the connected mode.

The terminal apparatus is in the idle mode when there is no signaling connection on an interface between the terminal apparatus and the AMF. When the terminal apparatus is in the idle mode, the AMF forbids the PCF to deliver a control policy, and the AMF can send flag information to the PCF, which may be used to indicate that the terminal apparatus is currently in the idle mode.

The terminal apparatus is in the connected mode when there is a signaling connection on an interface between the terminal apparatus and the AMF. When the terminal apparatus is in the connected mode, the AMF sends a notification message to the PCF, to notify the PCF that the terminal apparatus is currently in the connected mode, and deletes a flag. The PCF can send a control policy to the terminal device after receiving the notification message sent by the AMF.

It should be understood that the foregoing flag may be a flag set by the AMF. The AMF can set the flag when detecting that there is no signaling connection on the interface between the AMF and the terminal apparatus. The AMF can delete the flag when detecting that there is a signaling connection on the interface between the AMF and the terminal apparatus.

In the foregoing technical solution, the AMF can notify, through logic of the AMF, the PCF that the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the connected mode, and can deliver the policy rule to the terminal apparatus when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the connected mode, to avoid unnecessary signaling overheads caused because the terminal apparatus updates, when the terminal apparatus is in the idle mode, the policy rule delivered by the PCF, such that signaling overheads can be reduced. Further, implementation is simple because there is no need to add a trigger.

In a possible implementation, before the PCF sends a first message to the AMF, the method further includes: receiving, by the PCF, first indication information sent by the AMF, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the policy rule fails to be sent; and sending, by the PCF, the first message to the AMF after the PCF receives the first indication information.

It should be understood that a UE route selection policy (URSP) may carry an indication indicating whether a control policy of the terminal apparatus needs to be immediately modified or may be later modified. For a terminal apparatus policy that carries an indication that the control policy of the terminal apparatus may be later modified, the PCF can subscribe to a connection state of the UE. For a terminal apparatus policy that carries an indication that the control policy of the terminal apparatus is immediately modified, the PCF needs to immediately deliver the policy, and triggers paging to the terminal apparatus when the terminal apparatus is in the idle mode.

Optionally, in some embodiments, a “paging priority” can be carried when the PCF transfers, to the AMF, a terminal apparatus policy that needs to be immediately delivered. After one paging failure, the PCF can improve the paging priority and retrigger paging. The AMF can re-page the terminal apparatus only in a case of a higher priority. The PCF can consider, only after a plurality of paging failures, that the terminal apparatus fails to be paged (the policy rule fails to be sent). In this case, the PCF can re-subscribe to the connection state of the UE from the AMF.

In the foregoing technical solution, when the policy rule of the terminal apparatus fails to be sent, the AMF can instruct the PCF to send a message that includes a trigger, can instruct the PCF to dispose the trigger in the AMF, and can deliver the policy rule to the terminal apparatus when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the connected mode, to avoid unnecessary signaling overheads caused because the terminal apparatus updates, when the terminal apparatus is in the idle mode, the policy rule delivered by the PCF, such that signaling overheads can be reduced.

In a possible implementation, the PCF receives first time information sent by the AMF, where the first time information includes a time indicating that the terminal apparatus enters the connected mode next time. The PCF sends the policy rule to the terminal apparatus in the time in which the terminal apparatus enters the connected mode.

Time information of which the AMF notifies the PCF is not specifically limited in this embodiment of this application. In an example, the AMF may notify the PCF of the time in which the terminal apparatus enters the connected mode next time, and the PCF may not generate a control rule for the terminal apparatus before a timer arrives. In another example, the time information sent by the AMF to the PCF may include all time periods that are in a period and in which the terminal apparatus enters the connected mode, and the PCF may not generate a control rule for the terminal apparatus before each time period in which the terminal apparatus enters the connected mode.

A tracking area (TA) of the terminal apparatus enables a network device to know a location of the terminal apparatus in a timely manner. When paging the terminal apparatus, the network device searches for all cells in a location area of the terminal apparatus. The location of the terminal apparatus does not need to be updated in a location area. When moving across TAs, the terminal apparatus needs to initiate a TA update process, such that a network knows the location area of the terminal apparatus. In addition, the terminal apparatus needs to periodically perform the TA update process to maintain close contact with a network side.

After a TA update (TAU) timer of the terminal apparatus expires, the terminal apparatus needs to update a TA location in a timely manner. When the terminal apparatus performs periodic TAU, the AMF can learn of a time period in which the terminal apparatus periodically enters the connected mode.

In the foregoing technical solution, the PCF can obtain, from the AMF, the time in which the terminal apparatus is in the connected mode next time, and can deliver the policy rule to the terminal apparatus in the time in which the terminal apparatus is in the connected mode next time, to avoid unnecessary signaling overheads caused because the terminal apparatus updates, when the terminal apparatus is in the idle mode, the policy rule delivered by the PCF, such that signaling overheads can be reduced. The PCF can determine, based on the time in which the terminal apparatus enters the connected mode next time, when and whether to prepare to deliver the policy rule, such that implementation is more flexible.

With reference to the first aspect, in some possible implementations of the first aspect, the PCF obtains second time information sent by a network data analytics function (NWDAF) network element, where the second time information is used to indicate a time in which the terminal apparatus enters the connected mode. The PCF sends the policy rule to the terminal apparatus in the time in which the terminal apparatus enters the connected mode.

In the foregoing technical solution, the PCF can obtain, from the NWDAF, the time in which the terminal apparatus is in the connected mode, and can deliver the policy rule to the terminal apparatus in the time in which the terminal apparatus is in the connected mode, to avoid unnecessary signaling overheads caused because the terminal apparatus updates, when the terminal apparatus is in the idle mode, the policy rule delivered by the PCF, such that signaling overheads can be reduced.

With reference to the first aspect, in some possible implementations of the first aspect, the PCF obtains third time information sent by an AF network element, where the third time information is used to instruct the AF to send a downlink data packet and/or accept an uplink data packet or indicate a time at which the AF sends a downlink data packet and/or accepts an uplink data packet. The PCF sends the policy rule to the terminal apparatus based on the third time information.

Optionally, in some embodiments, the PCF receives a third notification message sent by a session management function (SMF) network element, where the third notification message is used to notify the PCF that the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the connected mode.

It should be understood that when the SMF and the AMF select a same PCF, and the AF sends downlink data to the UPF, the UPF receives the downlink data. If the terminal apparatus is in the idle mode (there is no N3 connection between the radio access network (RAN) and the UPF), the UPF can send a data notification (DN) to the SMF, the SMF can notify the PCF after receiving the DN, and the PCF can deliver the policy rule information to the terminal apparatus after receiving the notification message sent by the SMF.

In the foregoing technical solution, the PCF can deliver the policy rule to the terminal apparatus at the time at which the AF sends the downlink data packet and/or accepts the uplink data packet, to avoid unnecessary signaling overheads caused because the terminal apparatus updates, when the terminal apparatus is in the idle mode, the policy rule delivered by the PCF, such that signaling overheads can be reduced.

According to a second aspect, a control policy transmission method is provided. The method includes notifying, by an AMF network element, a PCF network element of a connection management state of a terminal apparatus, where the connection management state includes a connected mode or an idle mode.

In this embodiment of this application, the AMF notifies the PCF of a current connection management state of the terminal apparatus in a plurality of implementations. This is not specifically limited in this application. In an example, the AMF can notify the PCF whether the current connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the connected mode, and the PCF can deliver a UE policy rule to the terminal apparatus when the terminal apparatus is in the connected mode. In another example, the AMF can alternatively notify the PCF of a time period in which the terminal apparatus is in the connected mode, and the PCF can deliver a UE policy rule to the terminal apparatus in the time period in which the terminal apparatus is in the connected mode based on the time period in which the terminal apparatus is in the connected mode.

In this embodiment of this application, the AMF can instruct the PCF to learn, in a plurality of implementations, whether the terminal apparatus is in the connected mode. This is not specifically limited in this application. In an example, the AMF can notify the PCF of the connection management state of the terminal apparatus through logic of the AMF. In another example, the PCF can dispose a trigger in the AMF, and the AMF can trigger the trigger using an event, to notify the PCF of the connection management state of the terminal apparatus. In another example, the PCF can obtain, from the AMF, a time period in which the terminal apparatus is in the connected mode.

In the foregoing technical solution, the AMF network element can notify the PCF of a current connection management state of the terminal apparatus when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is switched to the connected mode, and the PCF can deliver a policy rule to the terminal apparatus when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the connected mode, to avoid a problem that the terminal apparatus updates, when the terminal apparatus is in the idle mode, the policy rule delivered by the PCF, such that signaling overheads can be reduced.

With reference to the second aspect, in some possible implementations of the second aspect, the AMF sends first flag information to the PCF when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the idle mode, where the first flag information is used to indicate that the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the idle mode. The AMF sends a first notification message to the PCF when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the idle mode, where the first notification message is used to notify the PCF that the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the connected mode.

In some possible implementations of the second aspect, the AMF receives a first message sent by the PCF, where the first message includes information about a trigger, and the trigger is configured to: when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is switched to the connected mode, trigger the AMF to send a second notification message to the PCF. The AMF sends the second notification message to the PCF when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is switched to the connected mode.

The PCF can send a message that includes the information about the trigger to the AMF, and can dispose a trigger in the AMF. The trigger may be a connection management state trigger of the terminal apparatus. When the connection management state of the terminal apparatus changes (the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is switched to the connected mode), the trigger can trigger the AMF to notify the PCF that the terminal apparatus is currently in the connected mode. The PCF can send a policy rule to the terminal apparatus when the terminal apparatus is in the connected mode.

With reference to the second aspect, in some possible implementations of the second aspect, the AMF sends first indication information to the PCF, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the policy rule fails to be sent.

It should be understood that the AMF can send a UE connected mode setting instruction to the PCF, to instruct the PCF to dispose the trigger. The PCF can dispose the trigger after receiving the instruction.

Optionally, in some embodiments, a URSP may carry an indication indicating whether policy content needs to be immediately modified or may be later modified.

When the URSP carries an indication that policy rule information of the terminal apparatus may be later modified, the PCF may not need to immediately deliver the policy rule information, and the PCF may actively deliver the policy rule information of the terminal device only after the terminal apparatus enters the connected mode.

When the URSP carries an indication that policy rule information of the terminal apparatus needs to be immediately modified, the PCF needs to immediately deliver the policy rule information of the terminal apparatus, and may initiate paging to the terminal apparatus if the terminal apparatus is in the idle mode.

In this embodiment of this application, if the PCF needs to immediately deliver the policy rule information of the terminal apparatus, a “paging priority” can be carried when the PCF transfers the policy rule information of the terminal apparatus to the AMF. After one paging failure, the PCF can improve the paging priority and retrigger paging. The AMF re-initiates paging only in a case of a higher priority. The PCF can consider, only after a plurality of paging failures, that the terminal apparatus fails to be paged (this may indicate that the policy rule fails to be sent). In this case, the PCF can re-subscribe to a connection state of the UE from the AMF.

With reference to the second aspect, in some possible implementations of the second aspect, the AMF sends first time information to the PCF, where the first time information includes a time indicating that the terminal apparatus enters the connected mode next time.

The AMF may send one piece of time information to the PCF, where the time information may include the time in which the terminal apparatus enters the connected mode next time, and the PCF may deliver an updated policy rule to the terminal apparatus in the time in which the terminal apparatus enters the connected mode next time.

After a TAU timer of the terminal apparatus expires, the terminal apparatus needs to update a TA location in a timely manner. When the terminal apparatus performs periodic TAU, the AMF can learn of a time period in which the terminal apparatus periodically enters the connected mode.

According to a third aspect, a control policy transmission method is provided. The method includes sending, by an NWDAF network element, second time information to a PCF, where the second time information is used to indicate a time in which the terminal apparatus enters a connected mode.

In the foregoing technical solution, the NWDAF network element can notify the PCF of the time in which the terminal apparatus enters the connected mode, and the PCF can deliver a policy rule to the terminal apparatus when a connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the connected mode, to avoid a problem that the terminal apparatus updates, when the terminal apparatus is in an idle mode, the policy rule delivered by the PCF, such that signaling overheads can be reduced.

According to a fourth aspect, a control policy transmission method is provided. The method includes sending, by an AF network element, third time information to a PCF, where the third time information is used to instruct the AF to send a downlink data packet and/or accept an uplink data packet or indicate a time at which the AF sends a downlink data packet and/or accepts an uplink data packet.

It should be understood that when an SMF and an AMF select a same PCF, and the AF network element needs to deliver the downlink data packet or needs to receive the uplink data packet, the AF can send a download data packet message to a UPF, and the UPF can send a data notification DN to the SMF after receiving the download data packet message. The SMF can notify, after receiving the DN, the PCF that a terminal apparatus is currently in a connected mode, and the PCF can send a policy rule to the terminal apparatus after receiving the notification.

An implementation in which the SMF can notify, after receiving the DN, the PCF that the terminal apparatus is currently in the connected mode is not specifically limited in this embodiment of this application. In an example, a trigger may be disposed in the SMF when the SMF and the AMF select the same PCF. The trigger may be configured to: when there is the data notification DN, trigger the SMF to notify the PCF of a current connection state of the terminal apparatus.

In the foregoing technical solution, the AF network element can notify the PCF that the AF sends the downlink data packet and/or accepts the uplink data packet or of the time at which the AF sends the downlink data packet and/or accepts the uplink data packet. The PCF can deliver the policy rule to the terminal apparatus at the time at which the AF sends the downlink data packet and/or accepts the uplink data packet, to avoid a problem that the terminal apparatus updates, when the terminal apparatus is in an idle mode, the policy rule delivered by the PCF, such that signaling overheads can be reduced.

According to a fifth aspect, a PCF network element is provided. The PCF includes: a first obtaining module configured to obtain a connection management state of a terminal apparatus, where the connection management state includes a connected mode or an idle mode; and a first transceiver module configured to send policy rule information to the terminal apparatus when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the connected mode.

In the foregoing technical solution, the PCF network element can obtain the connection management state of the terminal apparatus, and can deliver the policy rule to the terminal apparatus when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the connected mode, to avoid unnecessary signaling overheads caused because the terminal apparatus updates, when the terminal apparatus is in the idle mode, the policy rule delivered by the PCF, such that signaling overheads can be reduced.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in some possible implementations of the fifth aspect, the first obtaining module is configured to obtain the connection management state of the terminal apparatus from an AMF network element.

In some possible implementations of the fifth aspect, the first obtaining module is configured to: receive first flag information sent by the AMF, where the first flag information is used to indicate that the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the idle mode; and receive a first notification message sent by the AMF, where the first notification message is used to notify the PCF that the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the connected mode.

In some possible implementations of the fifth aspect, the first obtaining module is configured to: send a first message to the AMF, where the first message includes information about a trigger, and the trigger is configured to: when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is switched to the connected mode, trigger the AMF to send a second notification message to the PCF; and receive the second notification message sent by the AMF, where the second notification message is used to notify the PCF that the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the connected mode.

In some possible implementations of the fifth aspect, the PCF further includes a second transceiver module configured to receive first indication information sent by the AMF, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the policy rule fails to be sent. Additionally, the first obtaining module is configured to send, by the PCF, the first message to the AMF after receiving the first indication information.

In some possible implementations of the fifth aspect, the first obtaining module is configured to receive first time information sent by the AMF, where the first time information includes a time indicating that the terminal apparatus enters the connected mode next time. The first transceiver module is configured to send the policy rule to the terminal apparatus in the time in which the terminal apparatus enters the connected mode.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in some possible implementations of the fifth aspect, the PCF further includes a second obtaining module configured to obtain second time information sent by an NWDAF network element, where the second time information is used to indicate a time in which the terminal apparatus enters the connected mode. The first transceiver module is configured to send the policy rule to the terminal apparatus in the time in which the terminal apparatus enters the connected mode.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in some possible implementations of the fifth aspect, the PCF further includes a third obtaining module configured to obtain third time information sent by an AF network element, where the third time information is used to instruct the AF to send a downlink data packet and/or accept an uplink data packet or indicate a time at which the AF sends a downlink data packet and/or accepts an uplink data packet. The first transceiver module is configured to send the policy rule to the terminal apparatus based on the third time information.

According to a sixth aspect, an AMF network element is provided. The AMF includes a notification module, configured to notify a PCF network element of a connection management state of a terminal apparatus, where the connection management state includes a connected mode or an idle mode.

In the foregoing technical solution, the AMF network element can notify the PCF of a current connection management state of the terminal apparatus when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is switched to the connected mode, and the PCF can deliver a policy rule to the terminal apparatus when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the connected mode, to avoid a problem that the terminal apparatus updates, when the terminal apparatus is in the idle mode, the policy rule delivered by the PCF, such that signaling overheads can be reduced.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in some possible implementations of the sixth aspect, the notification module is configured to: send first flag information to the PCF when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the idle mode, where the first flag information is used to indicate that the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the idle mode; and send a first notification message to the PCF when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the idle mode, where the first notification message is used to notify the PCF that the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is the connected mode.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in some possible implementations of the sixth aspect, the notification module is configured to: receive a first message sent by the PCF, where the first message includes information about a trigger, and the trigger is configured to: when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is switched to the connected mode, trigger the AMF to send a second notification message to the PCF; and send the second notification message to the PCF when the connection management state of the terminal apparatus is switched to the connected mode.

In some possible implementations of the sixth aspect, the AMF further includes a transceiver module configured to send first indication information to the PCF, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the policy rule fails to be sent.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in some possible implementations of the sixth aspect, the notification module is configured to send first time information to the PCF, where the first time information includes a time indicating that the terminal apparatus enters the connected mode next time.

According to a seventh aspect, an NWDAF network element is provided, and includes a transceiver module configured to send second time information to a PCF, where the second time information is used to indicate a time in which the terminal apparatus enters a connected mode.

According to an eighth aspect, an AF network element is provided, and includes a transceiver module configured to send third time information to a PCF, where the third time information is used to instruct the AF to send a downlink data packet and/or accept an uplink data packet or indicate a time at which the AF sends a downlink data packet and/or accepts an uplink data packet.

According to a ninth aspect, a PCF network element is provided, and includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor. The transceiver, the memory, and the processor communicate with each other using an internal connection channel. The memory is configured to store an instruction. The processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory, to control a receiver to receive a signal and control a transmitter to send a signal, such that the PCF performs the method in any one of the first aspect or the possible implementations of the first aspect.

According to a tenth aspect, an AMF network element is provided, and includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor. The transceiver, the memory, and the processor communicate with each other using an internal connection channel. The memory is configured to store an instruction. The processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory, to control a receiver to receive a signal and control a transmitter to send a signal, such that the AMF performs the method in any one of the second aspect or the possible implementations of the second aspect.

According to an eleventh aspect, an NWDAF network element is provided, and includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor. The transceiver, the memory, and the processor communicate with each other using an internal connection channel. The memory is configured to store an instruction. The processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory, to control a receiver to receive a signal and control a transmitter to send a signal, such that the NWDAF performs the method in any one of the third aspect or the possible implementations of the third aspect.

According to a twelfth aspect, an AF network element is provided, and includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor. The transceiver, the memory, and the processor communicate with each other using an internal connection channel. The memory is configured to store an instruction. The processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory, to control a receiver to receive a signal and control a transmitter to send a signal, such that the AF performs the method in any one of the fourth aspect or the possible implementations of the fourth aspect.

According to a thirteenth aspect, a computer readable medium is provided, and is configured to store a computer program. The computer program includes an instruction used to perform the method in any possible implementation of any aspect.

According to a fourteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes computer program code. When the computer program code is run on a computer, the computer is enabled to perform the method in any possible implementation of any aspect.

According to a fifteenth aspect, a communications chip is provided, and stores an instruction. When the instruction is run on a wireless communications apparatus, the communications chip is enabled to perform the method in any possible implementation of any aspect.

