CN112040532A - Network slice selection method, device, equipment and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application discloses a method, apparatus, device and storage medium for selecting a network slice, and relates to the technical field of communications. The method is applied to a terminal, and the method includes: acquiring slice identification information from an input string, where the input string is a string related to the setting of the APN, and the slice identification information is used to specify a target network slice; The slice identification information is used to generate a registration request; the registration request is sent, and the registration request is used to request the network device to allocate the target network slice. The technical solutions provided in this application can meet the needs of users to choose network slices independently.

Description

Selection method, device, device and storage medium for network slicing

technical field

The present application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a method, apparatus, device, and storage medium for selecting a network slice.

Background technique

A network slice is a logically isolated network used to support specific network capabilities and network characteristics. It can include the entire network end-to-end (E2E), or some network functions can be included in multiple network slices. Sharing is the key technology to meet the needs of network differentiation in 5G mobile communication technology.

In the related art, users cannot independently select network slices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present application provide a method, device, device, and storage medium for selecting a network slice. The wireless interface layer in the terminal acquires an input string specified by a user and transmits the slice identification information in the input string. To the modem, the modem sends a registration request, because the registration request can request the network device to allocate the target network slice corresponding to the slice identification information, thus satisfying the user's requirement for autonomously selecting network slices. The technical solution is as follows:

According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided a method for selecting a network slice, suitable for use in a terminal, and the method includes:

Obtain slice identification information from an input string, the input string is a string related to the setting of the APN, and the slice identification information is used to specify a target network slice;

generating a registration request according to the slice identification information;

The registration request is sent, where the registration request is used to request the network device to allocate the target network slice.

According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided an apparatus for selecting a network slice, the apparatus comprising: a radio interface layer module and a modem module;

The wireless interface layer module is configured to obtain slice identification information from an input string, where the input string is a string related to the setting of the APN, and the slice identification information is used to specify a target network slice;

the wireless interface layer module, configured to transmit the slice identification information to the modem module;

the modem module, configured to generate a registration request according to the slice identification information;

The modem module is configured to send the registration request, where the registration request is used to request the network device to allocate the target network slice.

According to one aspect of the present application, a terminal is provided, the terminal comprising: a processor; a transceiver connected to the processor; a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor; wherein the processing The processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the method for selecting a network slice as described in the above aspects.

According to another aspect of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein the storage medium stores at least one instruction, at least one piece of program, code set or instruction set, the at least one instruction, the at least one piece of program , the code set or the instruction set is loaded and executed by the processor to implement the method for selecting network slices as described in the above aspects.

According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided a computer program product comprising computer instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The processor of the computer device reads the computer instruction from the computer-readable storage medium, and the processor executes the computer instruction, so that the computer device executes the method for selecting a network slice provided in the foregoing optional implementation manner.

The beneficial effects brought by the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application include at least:

The slice identification information is added to the input string related to the setting of the APN. The terminal obtains the slice identification information specified by the user from the input string, and sends the registration request generated according to the slice identification information. Since the registration request can request the network device to allocate The target network slice corresponding to the slice identification information, so as to meet the user's requirement of choosing network slices independently.

At the same time, by using the mechanism of setting APN, adding slice identification information to the input string of setting APN, the application processor in the terminal can obtain the slice identification information, without greatly modifying the code of the application processor in the terminal, reducing the number of User-selected network slice implementation difficulty.

Description of drawings

In order to illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application more clearly, the following briefly introduces the drawings that are used in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can also be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

1 is a schematic diagram of an Android architecture provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

3 is a flowchart of a method for selecting a network slice provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

4 is a flowchart of a method for selecting a network slice provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

5 is a schematic diagram of a terminal sending a registration request provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

6 is a flowchart of a method for selecting a network slice provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

7 is a schematic diagram of an APN setting interface provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

8 is a schematic diagram of an APN setting interface provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

9 is a schematic diagram of a registration process of a terminal provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a structural block diagram of an apparatus for selecting a network slice provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 11 is a structural block diagram of a terminal provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

Detailed ways

In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, briefly introduce the terms involved in the embodiments of the present application:

Access Point Name (APN): refers to a network access technology, and is a parameter that must be configured when a user accesses the Internet through a terminal (such as a mobile phone).

An APN is used to identify a data network (Data Network, DN). Different APNs correspond to different DNs, which can be defined by operators. The APN determines which access method the terminal uses to access the network, and different APNs can access the network range and access methods differently.

In the related art, the user can set the APN. Exemplarily, the user inputs the APN, the application layer in the terminal transmits the APN to the wireless interface layer, the wireless interface layer transmits the APN to the modem, and the modem sends the APN to the core network to request access to the external data network corresponding to the APN. .

Radio Interface Layer (RIL): The middle layer responsible for communication functions in Android. RIL consists of two parts: RILJ and RILD.

1) RIL Java (RILJ): responsible for sending the communication request of the upper-layer application to the Hardware Abstract Layer (HAL);

2) RIL C++ (RILD): a system daemon, responsible for sending RILJ's request commands to a Communication Processor (CP), which can be regarded as a HAL layer corresponding to CP.

With reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an Android architecture provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application, including: an application layer (Application), an application framework layer (Application Framework), a system runtime layer (Libraries), and a Linux Kernel. and modem (Modem).

The top layer is the application layer, which includes various applications, such as call (Call), SMS (Message) and SIM card management (SIM TOOL KIT, STK), which is mainly responsible for sending user instructions to RILJ.

The second layer is the application framework layer. Developers can use the application framework layer to access device hardware, obtain location information, and so on. RILJ in the application framework layer provides a common application programming interface (Application Programming Interface, API) for the upper layer, such as TelephonyManager, including calls, network status; Subscription Manager, including card status; and Sms management Device (SmsManager) and so on. At the same time, RILJ is also responsible for maintaining communication with RILD and sending upper-layer requests to RILD.

The third layer is the system runtime layer. RILD in the system runtime layer is the daemon process of the system, which is essential for mobile platforms that support the call function. The main function of RILD is to continue to pass the request sent by RILJ to CP, and at the same time, it will send the status change of CP to RILJ in time.

The fourth layer is the core layer that provides core system services based on the Linux kernel. When the Linux kernel receives the data packet (Data Packet), the data packet is sent to the CP, and finally sent to the network by the CP. After the network returns the result, the CP sends the result back to the RILD.

The modem is the bottom module in the terminal, and the modem includes the CP that communicates with the network side.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication system includes: User Equipment (the nomenclature for mobile terminals by 3GPP) (User Equipment, UE), a (radio) access network ((R)AN), a core network, and a data network (Data Network, DN).

The core network may include: a user plane function (User Plane Function, UPF) and a control plane function. Control plane functions may include: Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Policy Control Function (PCF), and Unified Data Manager (Unified Data Manager) , UDM), application function (Application Function, AF), network slice selection function (Network Slice Selection Function, NSSF), authentication service function (Authentication Server Function, AUSF). AMF is a mobility management function in the core network, and SMF is a session management function in the core network. In addition to the mobility management of the UE, the AMF is also responsible for forwarding messages related to session management between the UE and the SMF. The PCF is a policy management function in the core network, and is responsible for formulating policies related to the mobility management, session management, and charging of the UE. UPF is a user plane function in the core network. It transmits data to external data networks through the N6 interface, and transmits data to the AN through the N3 interface.

The UE may include various handheld devices, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to wireless modems with wireless communication functions, as well as various forms of user equipment, such as mobile stations (Mobile Station, MS). , terminal (terminal device) and so on.

As shown in Figure 2, the UE performs an Access Stratum (AS) connection with the AN through the Uu air interface, exchanges AS messages and performs wireless data transmission, and the UE performs a non-access stratum (Non Access Stratum, NAS) connection with the AMF through the N1 interface. ) to connect and exchange NAS messages.

It can be understood that FIG. 2 is only an architecture diagram of an exemplary communication system, and the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Global System of Mobile Communication (GSM) system, code Division Multiple Access (Code Division Multiple Access, CDMA) system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, WCDMA) system, General Packet Radio Service (General Packet Radio Service, GPRS), Long Term Evolution (Long Term Evolution, LTE) system, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) system, Advanced Long Term Evolution (Advanced Long Term Evolution, LTE-A) system, New Radio (New Radio) , NR) system, evolution system of NR system, LTE-based access to Unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) system on unlicensed frequency band, NR-U system, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), global interconnection Microwave access (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, WiMAX) communication system, Wireless Local Area Networks (Wireless Local Area Networks, WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (Wireless Fidelity, WiFi), next-generation communication systems or other communication systems.

Generally speaking, traditional communication systems support a limited number of connections and are easy to implement. However, with the development of communication technology, mobile communication systems will not only support traditional communication, but also support, for example, Device to Device (D2D). ) communication, Machine to Machine (M2M) communication, Machine Type Communication (MTC), Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) communication and Vehicle to Everything (V2X) systems, etc. The embodiments of the present application can also be applied to these communication systems.

Hereinafter, the technical solutions of the present application will be described with reference to several exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a method for selecting a network slice provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application, and the method can be applied to a terminal (ie, UE) in the communication system shown in FIG. 2 . The method may include the following steps:

Step 310: Obtain slice identification information from an input string, where the input string is a string related to the setting of the APN.

The slice identification information is used to specify the target network slice. Network slicing is a technology that divides the network into multiple types of virtual networks by using network virtualization technology. Network slicing increases flexibility by configuring separate logical networks for each service or subscriber. With network slicing, the required resources can be allocated from a virtualized network resource pool based on the type of service.

The slice identification information may specify one or more network slices, that is, the number of target network slices may be one or more. The following embodiments are only exemplified by the fact that the target network slice is a network slice.

The APN is used to indicate the external target data network accessed by the terminal. Different APNs correspond to different DNs, which can be defined by operators. The APN determines which access method the terminal uses to access the network, and different APNs can access the network range and access methods differently.

The input string is a string related to the setting of the APN. The user can set the APN of the terminal. In this embodiment of the present application, the input string may include various pieces of information including slice identification information and APN. The input string can be specified by the user and obtained by the terminal. That is to say, the user can independently select the network slice and data network that the terminal accesses.

Exemplarily, the wireless interface layer in the terminal is configured to obtain slice identification information from the input string. The wireless interface layer is the middle layer responsible for the communication function in Android. The radio interface layer can include two parts: RILJ and RILD, and the RILJ in the radio interface layer obtains the input string from the upper layer.

Exemplarily, the wireless interface layer passes the slice identification information in the input string to the modem. The modem is the low-level module of the terminal.

The radio interface layer may consist of two parts: RILJ and RILD. In a possible implementation, the RILJ obtains the input string from the upper layer, extracts the slice identification information in the input string, transmits the slice identification information to the RILD, and then the RILD transmits the slice identification information to the modem. In another possible implementation, the RILJ obtains the input string from the upper layer, transfers the input string to the RILD, and the RILD extracts the slice identification information in the input string, and transmits the slice identification information to the modem.

Step 320: Generate a registration request according to the slice identification information.

After acquiring the slice identification information from the input string, the terminal generates a registration request according to the acquired slice identification information.

The registration request is used to request the network device to allocate the target network slice.

Illustratively, the registration request is part of the registration process. The registration process can attach the terminal to the core network containing one or more network slices.

Exemplarily, the modem in the terminal is configured to generate a registration request according to the slice identification information.

Step 330, sending a registration request.

The terminal sends a registration request (registration request) to the network device, requesting the network device to allocate the target network slice, so as to hope to obtain the service corresponding to the target network slice.

Exemplarily, a modem in the terminal may initiate communication with the network device, and the modem is used to send a registration request, where the registration request includes slice identification information.

To sum up, in the method provided in this embodiment, slice identification information is added to the input string related to the setting of the APN, the terminal obtains the slice identification information specified by the user from the input string, and sends the generated slice identification information according to the Since the registration request can request the network device to allocate the target network slice corresponding to the slice identification information, the user's requirement of autonomously selecting network slices is satisfied.

At the same time, in the method provided by this embodiment, by using the mechanism of setting APN, slice identification information is added to the input string of setting APN, and the application processor in the terminal can obtain the slice identification information, and it is not necessary to significantly modify the application in the terminal. The code of the processor reduces the implementation difficulty for users to select network slices.

In an optional embodiment based on FIG. 3 , FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a method for selecting a network slice provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application, and the method can be applied to the terminal in the communication system shown in FIG. 2 . (ie UE). The method may include the following steps:

Step 410: Obtain slice identification information from an input string, where the input string is a string related to the setting of the APN.

The slice identification information is used to specify the target network slice. The APN is used to indicate the external target data network accessed by the terminal.

The input string is a string related to the setting of the APN. The input string contains various information including slice identification information and APN. The input string can be specified by the user and obtained by the terminal. That is to say, the user can independently select both the network slice and the data network that the terminal accesses.

Exemplarily, the wireless interface layer in the terminal is configured to obtain slice identification information from the input string.

Step 420, segment the input string to determine the APN and slice identification information.

Since the input string includes slice identification information and APN, the terminal needs to segment the input string to determine the APN and slice identification information in the input string.

Optionally, the input string corresponds to a preset format, and the terminal divides the input string according to the preset format to determine the APN and slice identification information. The preset format can be: there are split characters in the input string; or, the character length of each information in the input string is fixed. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific expression form of the preset format.

In an exemplary embodiment, the terminal determines the split character corresponding to the input string; the input string is split according to the split character, and the APN and slice identification information are determined.

Wherein, the dividing characters include at least one of letters, numbers, words and symbols. The split character is known to the terminal, and after receiving the input string, the terminal can use the split character to split the input string. Different terminals may correspond to the same segmentation character, or may correspond to different segmentation characters, which are not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

Exemplarily, the input string includes: ctnet[nssai1:2]. Among them, the split character is: []. Then, the terminal splits the input string, and determines that the APN is: ctnet, and the slice identification information is: nssai1:2.

Exemplarily, the input string includes: ctnet/nssai1:1. Among them, the split character is: /. Then, the terminal splits the input string, and determines that the APN is: ctnet, and the slice identification information is: nssai1:1.

Exemplarily, the wireless interface layer in the terminal is used to segment the input string to determine the APN and slice identification information. After the wireless interface layer in the terminal divides the slice identification information and the APN in the input string, the wireless interface layer transmits the obtained slice identification information and APN to the modem.

In an exemplary embodiment, the wireless interface layer determines API interface parameters between the wireless interface layer and the modem; the wireless interface layer transmits the APN and slice identification information to the modem according to the API interface parameters.

Step 430: Generate a registration request according to the slice identification information.

Exemplarily, the modem in the terminal is configured to generate a registration request according to the slice identification information.

Step 440, sending a registration request.

After determining the slice identification information and the APN, the terminal sends a registration request to the network device, where the registration request includes the slice identification information, and requests the network device to allocate the target network slice.

Exemplarily, the modem in the terminal is configured to send a registration request, where the registration request includes slice identification information.

Step 450: Send an APN setting request, where the APN setting request includes the APN.

The APN setting request is used to request access to the target data network corresponding to the APN.

Exemplarily, after the terminal successfully requests the network device to allocate the target network slice by sending a registration request, the terminal sends an APN setting request to the core network (such as an AMF network element) according to the acquired APN, where the APN setting request includes the APN.

Exemplarily, after the terminal establishes a connection with the target data network corresponding to the APN through the core network, the terminal successfully accesses the target data network.

Exemplarily, the modem in the terminal is used to send the APN setting request, and the APN setting request includes the APN.

To sum up, in the method provided in this embodiment, slice identification information is added to the input string related to the setting of the APN, the terminal obtains the slice identification information specified by the user from the input string, and sends the generated slice identification information according to the Since the registration request can request the network device to allocate the target network slice corresponding to the slice identification information, the user's requirement of autonomously selecting network slices is satisfied.

At the same time, in the method provided by this embodiment, by using the mechanism of setting APN, slice identification information is added to the input string of setting APN, and the application processor in the terminal can obtain the slice identification information, and it is not necessary to significantly modify the application in the terminal. The code of the processor reduces the implementation difficulty for users to select network slices.

Meanwhile, in the method provided by this embodiment, the terminal can obtain the APN and slice identification information by dividing the input string by dividing the characters, which is convenient and efficient.

In an optional embodiment based on FIG. 3 , the registration request includes: a first registration request and a second registration request. The destination of the first registration request is the base station, and the destination of the second registration request is the core network.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a terminal sending a registration request according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. FIG. 5 includes: a terminal 501 , a base station 502 and a core network 503 .

A modem may be included in the terminal 501, and the modem may be used to send the registration request.

The base station 502 is a device deployed in the access network to provide the terminal 501 with a wireless communication function. The base station may include various forms of macro base station, micro base station, relay station and so on. In systems using different radio access technologies, the names of devices with base station functions may vary. For example, in LTE systems, they are called eNodeBs or eNBs; in 5GNR-U systems, they are called gNodeBs or gNBs. As communication technology evolves, the description of "base station" may change. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation form of the base station.

The core network 503 may be more specifically a functional network element AMF in the core network 503 .

The terminal 501 sends a first registration request to the base station 502 through radio resource control (Radio Resource Control, RRC) signaling, and the first registration request includes slice identification information; the terminal 501 sends a second registration request to the core network 503 through NAS signaling , the second registration request includes slice identification information.

The NAS layer exists in the wireless communication protocol stack of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) as a functional layer between the core network and the terminal. The NAS signaling is the signaling transmitted at the NAS layer, and data transmission between the terminal 501 and the core network 503 is implemented through the NAS signaling.

The RRC layer is the functional layer responsible for handling control plane procedures related to the radio access network. The RRC signaling is the signaling transmitted at the RRC layer, and data transmission between the terminal 501 and the base station 502 is implemented through the RRC signaling.

Exemplarily, the base station 502 may receive RRC signaling and NAS signaling, and the base station 502 parses the RRC signaling whose destination is the base station, but does not parse the NAS signaling whose destination is the core network. The base station 502 selects an AMF for the terminal 501 according to the slice identification information obtained by parsing the RRC signaling, and then the base station 502 forwards the NAS signaling to the selected AMF.

In an optional embodiment based on FIG. 3 , the slice identification information includes: Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (NSSAI).

The NSSAI may include two parts, a slice service type (Slice Service Type, SST) and a slice differentiator (Slice Differentiator, SD). Among them, SST can include standardized and operator-defined types, and SD is optional information supplementing SST to distinguish multiple network slices of the same SST.

Exemplarily, with reference to Table 1, which shows normalized SST values.

Table I

Exemplarily, when the NSSAI is 1:1, the target network slice is network slice 1; when the NSSAI is 1:2, the target network slice is network slice 2; when the NSSAI is 2:1, the target network slice is network slice 3.

In an alternative embodiment based on FIG. 3 , in addition to the wireless interface layer and the modem, the terminal also includes: an application layer. As shown in Figure 1, the application layer is the upper layer of the wireless interface layer.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a method for selecting a network slice provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application, and the method can be applied to a terminal (ie, UE) in the communication system shown in FIG. 2 . The method may include the following steps:

Step 610: Determine the input character string according to the APN setting interface.

The APN setting interface is a user interface displayed on the terminal for setting the APN. The input string is specified by the user. The input string is a string related to the setting of the APN.

In a possible implementation manner, step 610 includes: displaying an APN setting interface; and determining an input character string in response to receiving an input operation on the APN setting interface.

Exemplarily, the APN setting interface includes an input area, and the user can perform input operations in the input area, and the input operations include but are not limited to: text input, voice input, picture input, and the like. After receiving the input operation, the terminal can determine the input string corresponding to the input operation.

Referring to FIG. 7 in combination, the APN setting interface 701 displays a plurality of optional candidate options, and each candidate option corresponds to a candidate input string. For example, the candidate input string corresponding to the candidate option "internet_no_NSSAI" is "internet"; the candidate input string corresponding to the candidate option "internet2_vEPG_no_NSSAI" is "internet2"; the candidate input string corresponding to the candidate option "internet2_vEPG_Slice_2" is "internet2[nssai1" :2]". It can be understood that the candidate input strings corresponding to the first two candidate options only include APNs and do not include slice identification information, and the candidate input strings corresponding to the last candidate options include APNs and slice identification information. If users do not want to choose network slices, they can choose from the first two candidate options and only set the APN.

In the APN setting interface 701, an add control 702 is also displayed. When the user does not want to select among the provided candidate options, the user can trigger the add control to display the APN setting interface 703 . The user can perform an input operation in the input area 704 of the APN setting interface 703, for example, input: internet[nssai1:3]. The application layer determines that the input string is "internet[nssai1:3]".

In another possible implementation manner, step 610 includes: displaying an APN setting interface, where the APN setting interface includes candidate options corresponding to the slice identification information; in response to receiving a selection operation on the target option in the candidate options on the APN setting interface, Determines the input string corresponding to the target option.

The APN setting interface displays at least one candidate option, and each candidate option corresponds to a candidate input string. The user selects among the candidate options, and the candidate option selected by the user becomes the target option. It can be understood that the candidate options within the user's selection range are the candidate options corresponding to the slice identification information, such as: the candidate option "internet_Slice_1", if the candidate option does not correspond to the slice identification information, but only corresponds to the APN, it is not in the user Within the selection range, the candidate option "internet_no_NSSAI" in Figure 7.

The selection operation may be at least one of clicking, double-clicking, dragging, sliding, pressing, scanning, copying, pasting, and searching. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific type of the selection operation.

Referring to FIG. 8 in combination, the APN setting interface 801 displays a plurality of optional candidate options, and each candidate option corresponds to a candidate input string. For example: the candidate input string corresponding to the candidate option "internet_Slice_1" is "internet[nssai1:1]"; the candidate input string corresponding to the candidate option "internet2_vEPG_Slice_2" is "internet2[nssai1:2]"; the candidate option "internet2_vEPG_Slice_3" corresponds to The candidate input string is "internet2[nssai1:3]".

The user selects the candidate option "internet_Slice_1" as the target option. Correspondingly, the input string is "internet[nssai1:1]", and the terminal determines that the input string is "internet[nssai1:1]".

Exemplarily, the application layer in the terminal is used to determine the input string. After the application layer determines the input string, the input string is passed to the wireless interface layer. The wireless interface layer is the middle layer responsible for the communication function in Android. The radio interface layer may consist of two parts: RILJ and RILD. The RILJ in the radio interface layer gets the input string from the application layer.

Step 620: Obtain slice identification information from an input string, where the input string is a string related to the setting of the APN.

The slice identification information is used to specify the target network slice.

Exemplarily, the wireless interface layer in the terminal is configured to obtain slice identification information from the input string, and transmit the slice identification information to the modem.

Step 630: Generate a registration request according to the slice identification information.

Exemplarily, the modem in the terminal is configured to generate a registration request according to the slice identification information.

Step 640, sending a registration request.

The registration request is used to request the network device to allocate the target network slice.

Exemplarily, a modem in the terminal is used to send the registration request.

To sum up, in the method provided in this embodiment, slice identification information is added to the input string related to the setting of the APN, the terminal obtains the slice identification information specified by the user from the input string, and sends the generated slice identification information according to the Since the registration request can request the network device to allocate the target network slice corresponding to the slice identification information, the user's requirement of autonomously selecting network slices is satisfied.

At the same time, in the method provided by this embodiment, by using the mechanism of setting APN, slice identification information is added to the input string of setting APN, and the application processor in the terminal can obtain the slice identification information, and it is not necessary to significantly modify the application in the terminal. The code of the processor reduces the implementation difficulty for users to select network slices.

At the same time, in the method provided in this embodiment, the terminal determines the input string from the user. On the APN setting interface, the user can select a target option through a selection operation, the terminal obtains the input string corresponding to the target option, and the user can also input operation, the terminal obtains the input string input by the user, which improves the flexibility of the selection method of the network slice.

The registration request sent by the modem is part of the registration process between the terminal and the network device. Referring to FIG. 9 in conjunction, FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of a registration process provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

As shown in FIG. 9, in step 903, the terminal sends a registration request (ie, the first registration request) to the base station through RRC signaling. In step 904, the base station performs AMF selection. In step 905, the terminal sends a registration request (ie, a second registration request) to the AMF in the core network through NAS signaling. The above-mentioned first registration request and second registration request may carry slice identification information of the terminal, such as NSSAI.

In subsequent steps, AMF, AUSF, and UDM will authenticate the terminal. After the authentication is passed, the terminal successfully registers with the core network. Referring to step 938, through NAS signaling, the terminal feeds back a registration complete message to the AMF.

After the terminal is successfully registered with the core network, the core network can allocate the target network slice to the terminal according to the slice identification information. The terminal can then establish a connection with the target network slice allocated by the core network and use the services provided by the target network slice.

Below, the following application scenarios are used to illustrate the embodiments of the present application:

At the exhibition in the communication field, the user is the staff of the mobile phone manufacturer, and the user is showing the function of network slicing. The user knows the slice identification information (such as NSSAI) corresponding to the network slice, and the characteristics of the services that the network slice can provide. For example, the delay corresponding to the network slice 1 is small, and the speed corresponding to the network slice 2 is fast.

The user can enter the slice identification information corresponding to network slice 1 on the APN setting interface, and establish a connection between the terminal and network slice 1. The user can demonstrate the characteristics of network slice 1, such as: the video delay is very low; Enter the slice identification information corresponding to network slice 2 in the setting interface, and establish a connection between the terminal and network slice 2. The user demonstrates the characteristics of network slice 2, such as: the speed of real-time games is very fast.

It should be noted that, the foregoing method embodiments may be implemented separately, or may be implemented in combination, which is not limited in this application.

FIG. 10 is a structural block diagram of an apparatus for selecting a network slice provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The apparatus may be implemented as a terminal, or may be implemented as a part of a terminal. The apparatus includes: a wireless interface layer module 1001 and a modem module 1002 ;

The wireless interface layer module 1001 is used to obtain slice identification information from an input string, the input string is a string related to the setting of the APN, and the slice identification information is used to specify the target network slice;

The wireless interface layer module 1001 is used to transmit slice identification information to the modem module 1002;

a modem module 1002, configured to generate a registration request according to the slice identification information;

The modem module 1002 is configured to send a registration request, where the registration request is used to request a network device to allocate a target network slice.

In an optional embodiment, the wireless interface layer module 1001 is configured to segment the input string to determine the APN and slice identification information.

In an optional embodiment, the wireless interface layer module 1001 is configured to determine the split character corresponding to the input string; the wireless interface layer module 1001 is configured to split the input string according to the split character, and determine the APN and slice identification information .

In an optional embodiment, the wireless interface layer module 1001 is used to determine the API interface parameters between the wireless interface layer module 1001 and the modem module 1002; the wireless interface layer module 1001 is used to convert the APN and the modem module 1001 according to the API interface parameters. The slice identification information is passed to the modem module 1002.

In an optional embodiment, the modem module 1002 is configured to initiate an APN setting request to the core network, the APN setting request includes an APN, and the APN setting request is used to request access to a target data network corresponding to the APN.

In an optional embodiment, the modem module 1002 is configured to send a first registration request to the base station through RRC signaling, where the first registration request includes slice identification information; the modem module 1002 is configured to send to the core network through NAS signaling The second registration request includes slice identification information.

In an optional embodiment, the slice identification information includes: NSSAI.

In an optional embodiment, the apparatus further includes: an application layer module 1003; the application layer module 1003 is used to determine the input string according to the APN setting interface, the APN setting interface is a user interface for setting the APN; the application layer module 1003 , for passing the input string into the wireless interface layer module 1001 .

In an optional embodiment, the application layer module 1003 is configured to display an APN setting interface; the application layer module 1003 is configured to determine an input string in response to receiving an input operation on the APN setting interface.

In an optional embodiment, the application layer module 1003 is configured to display an APN setting interface, and the APN setting interface includes candidate options corresponding to the slice identification information; the application layer module 1003 is configured to respond to receiving a pair of candidate options on the APN setting interface The selection operation of the target option in the options determines the input string corresponding to the target option.

It should be noted that: the apparatus for selecting network slices provided in the above-mentioned embodiments is only illustrated by the division of the above-mentioned functional modules. The internal structure is divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above. In addition, the apparatus and method embodiments provided in the above embodiments belong to the same concept, and the specific implementation process thereof is detailed in the method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

Please refer to FIG. 11 , which shows a schematic structural diagram of a terminal 1100 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The terminal 1100 may include: a processor 1101 , a receiver 1102 , a transmitter 1103 , a memory 1104 , and a bus 1105 .

The processor 1101 includes one or more processing cores, and the processor 1101 executes various functional applications and information processing by running software programs and modules.

The receiver 1102 and the transmitter 1103 may be implemented as a communication component, which may be a communication chip.

The memory 1104 is connected to the processor 1101 through the bus 1105 .

The memory 1104 can be used to store a computer program, and the processor 1101 is used to execute the computer program, so as to implement various steps performed by the terminal in the above method embodiments.

Additionally, memory 1104 may be implemented by any type or combination of volatile or non-volatile storage devices including, but not limited to, magnetic or optical disks, electrically erasable and programmable Read-Only Memory (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory, EEPROM), Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (Read-Only Memory, ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory, Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM).

The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, where at least one instruction, at least one piece of program, code set or instruction set is stored in the readable storage medium, the at least one instruction, the at least one piece of program, the at least one piece of program, the The code set or instruction set is loaded and executed by the processor to implement the network slice selection method provided by any of the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments.

Embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product, where the computer program product includes computer instructions, and the computer instructions are stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The processor of the computer device reads the computer instruction from the computer-readable storage medium, and the processor executes the computer instruction, so that the computer device executes the method for selecting a network slice provided in the foregoing optional implementation manner.

Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the steps of implementing the above embodiments can be completed by hardware, or can be completed by instructing relevant hardware through a program, and the program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium mentioned may be a read-only memory, a magnetic disk or an optical disk, etc.

The above descriptions are only optional embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the protection of the present application. within the range.

Claims (21)

1. A method for selecting a network slice is applicable to a terminal, and is characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:

acquiring slice identification information from an input string, the input string being a string related to a setting of an access point name, APN, the slice identification information being used to specify a target network slice;

generating a registration request according to the slice identification information;

and sending the registration request, wherein the registration request is used for requesting a network device to allocate the target network slice.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining slice identification information from the input string comprises:

and segmenting the input character string, and determining the APN and the slice identification information.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the segmenting the input string, and determining the APN and the slice identification information comprises:

determining a segmentation character corresponding to the input character string;

and segmenting the input character string according to the segmentation characters, and determining the APN and the slice identification information.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

and initiating an APN setting request to a core network, wherein the APN setting request comprises the APN, and the APN setting request is used for requesting to access a target data network corresponding to the APN.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the registration request comprises:

sending a first registration request to a base station through Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, wherein the first registration request comprises the slice identification information;

and sending a second registration request to a core network through non-access stratum (NAS) signaling, wherein the second registration request comprises the slice identification information.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the slice identification information includes: network slice assisted selection information NSSAI.

7. The method of any of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:

and determining the input character string according to an APN setting interface, wherein the APN setting interface is a user interface for setting the APN.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein determining the input string according to the APN setting interface comprises:

displaying the APN setting interface;

and determining the input character string in response to receiving an input operation on the APN setting interface.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein determining the input string according to the APN setting interface comprises:

displaying the APN setting interface, wherein the APN setting interface comprises candidate options corresponding to the slice identification information;

in response to receiving a selection operation of a target option in the candidate options on the APN setting interface, determining the input character string corresponding to the target option.

10. An apparatus for selecting a network slice, the apparatus comprising: a wireless interface layer module and a modem module;

the wireless interface layer module is used for acquiring slice identification information from an input character string, wherein the input character string is a character string related to the setting of an Access Point Name (APN), and the slice identification information is used for specifying a target network slice;

the wireless interface layer module is used for transmitting the slice identification information into the modem module;

the modem module is used for generating a registration request according to the slice identification information;

the modem module is configured to send the registration request, where the registration request is used to request a network device to allocate the target network slice.

11. The apparatus of claim 10,

and the wireless interface layer module is used for segmenting the input character string and determining the APN and the slice identification information.

12. The apparatus of claim 11,

the wireless interface layer module is used for determining the segmentation character corresponding to the input character string;

and the wireless interface layer module is used for segmenting the input character string according to the segmentation characters and determining the APN and the slice identification information.

13. The apparatus of claim 11,

the wireless interface layer module is used for determining API (application programming interface) interface parameters between the wireless interface layer module and the modem module;

and the wireless interface layer module is used for transmitting the APN and the slice identification information into the modem module according to the API interface parameters.

14. The apparatus of claim 13,

the modem module is configured to initiate an APN setting request to a core network, where the APN setting request includes the APN, and the APN setting request is used to request access to a target data network corresponding to the APN.

15. The apparatus of claim 10,

the modem module is configured to send a first registration request to a base station through radio resource control RRC signaling, where the first registration request includes the slice identification information;

the modem module is configured to send a second registration request to a core network through NAS signaling, where the second registration request includes the slice identification information.

16. The apparatus of any one of claims 10 to 15,

the slice identification information includes: network slice assisted selection information NSSAI.

17. The apparatus of any one of claims 10 to 15, further comprising: an application layer module;

the application layer module is used for determining the input character string according to an APN setting interface, wherein the APN setting interface is a user interface used for setting the APN;

the application layer module is used for transmitting the input character string into the wireless interface layer module.

18. The apparatus of claim 17,

the application layer module is used for displaying the APN setting interface;

and the application layer module is used for responding to the input operation received on the APN setting interface and determining the input character string.

19. The apparatus of claim 17,

the APN setting interface is used for displaying the APN setting interface, and the APN setting interface comprises candidate options corresponding to the slice identification information;

the application layer module is used for responding to the received selection operation of a target option in the candidate options on the APN setting interface and determining the input character string corresponding to the target option.

20. A terminal, characterized in that the terminal comprises:

a processor;

a transceiver coupled to the processor;

a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor;

wherein the processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the method of network slice selection of any of claims 1 to 9.

21. A computer readable storage medium having stored therein at least one instruction, at least one program, set of codes, or set of instructions, which is loaded and executed by a processor to implement the method of selecting a network slice of any of claims 1 to 9.

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