A method for UE route selection policy (URSP) rule matching enhancement is proposed. When an application is executed, the upper layer of a UE sends the application information to URSP entity for matching a URSP rule. The UE finds an RSD of the matching URSP rule, and the UE tries to reuse an existing PDU session, e.g., the association of the application with the existing PDU session have certain exceptions. In one example, regarding DNN, S-NSSAI, SSC mode, and PDU session type, the above listed parameters in the RSD can either match with stored PDU session parameters of the existing PDU session or match with PDU session parameters requested by the UE during the PDU session establishment procedure.

A method for UE route selection policy (URSP) rule matching enhancement is proposed. When an application is executed, the upper layer of a UE sends the application information to URSP entity for matching a URSP rule. The UE finds an RSD of the matching URSP rule, and the UE tries to reuse an existing PDU session, e.g., the association of the application with the existing PDU session have certain exceptions. In one example, regarding DNN, S-NSSAI, SSC mode, and PDU session type, the above listed parameters in the RSD can either match with stored PDU session parameters of the existing PDU session or match with PDU session parameters requested by the UE during the PDU session establishment procedure.

A communication device is provided that makes a single or a plurality of functions desired by a service user act on a packet desired by the service user in a service for transferring a packet in a network. A communication device is provided that includes a communication unit that communicates with another node and a control unit that controls the communication by the communication unit, in which the control unit generates path information with a target node, and in the path information with the target node, at least information regarding communication with at least a single relay node that exists between the communication device and the target node, information regarding a function to be performed by the relay node, and content of processing according to the function execution result by the relay node are written.

A path selection apparatus for selecting a path when storing sensor reports from lower nodes in a packet and transmitting the packet to an upper node in a sensor tree including a plurality of nodes includes a node movement unit that selects a first node holding a child node under the first node in the sensor tree, and moves a second node under the subtree with the first node as a vertex to a position under a third node not belonging to the subtree in the sensor tree when a movement of the second node to the position under the third node decreases a total number of packets to be transmitted and received in the sensor tree.

A path selection apparatus for selecting a path when storing sensor reports from lower nodes in a packet and transmitting the packet to an upper node in a sensor tree including a plurality of nodes includes a node movement unit that selects a first node holding a child node under the first node in the sensor tree, and moves a second node under the subtree with the first node as a vertex to a position under a third node not belonging to the subtree in the sensor tree when a movement of the second node to the position under the third node decreases a total number of packets to be transmitted and received in the sensor tree.

A method that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, identifying, by a network device comprising a processor, a bearer path through a communication network for carrying internet protocol packets associated with a calling session between a first mobile device and a second mobile device and activating, by the network device, a bridging bearer path at a nearest network element to generate a direct tunnel for carrying the internet protocol packets associated with the calling session and to modify the bearer path to a shortest bearer path, where the nearest network element comprises a network element that is communicatively coupled to both the first mobile device and the second mobile device and that is closest to the first mobile device and the second mobile device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A method that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, identifying, by a network device comprising a processor, a bearer path through a communication network for carrying internet protocol packets associated with a calling session between a first mobile device and a second mobile device and activating, by the network device, a bridging bearer path at a nearest network element to generate a direct tunnel for carrying the internet protocol packets associated with the calling session and to modify the bearer path to a shortest bearer path, where the nearest network element comprises a network element that is communicatively coupled to both the first mobile device and the second mobile device and that is closest to the first mobile device and the second mobile device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

An aspect of the disclosure provides for a method for user equipment (UE) internet protocol (IP) address management. The method includes sending by an application function (AF), a request to a policy control function (PCF), the request including information identifying traffic and an indication that a UE IP address associated with the traffic should be preserved. The method further includes sending by the PCF, to a session management function (SMF) being responsible for managing a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session associated with the traffic, a policy and charging control (PCC) rule including the indication. In some embodiments, the request is sent by the AF to the PCF via a network exposure function (NEF). In some embodiments, the method further includes managing, by the SMF, the UE IP address according to the PCC rule. In some embodiments, the managing includes preserving the UE IP address for a PDU session associated with the traffic. In some embodiments, the preserving includes preventing reselection of a protocol data unit (PDU) session anchor (PSA) to which the UE IP address is associated.

An aspect of the disclosure provides for a method for user equipment (UE) internet protocol (IP) address management. The method includes sending by an application function (AF), a request to a policy control function (PCF), the request including information identifying traffic and an indication that a UE IP address associated with the traffic should be preserved. The method further includes sending by the PCF, to a session management function (SMF) being responsible for managing a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session associated with the traffic, a policy and charging control (PCC) rule including the indication. In some embodiments, the request is sent by the AF to the PCF via a network exposure function (NEF). In some embodiments, the method further includes managing, by the SMF, the UE IP address according to the PCC rule. In some embodiments, the managing includes preserving the UE IP address for a PDU session associated with the traffic. In some embodiments, the preserving includes preventing reselection of a protocol data unit (PDU) session anchor (PSA) to which the UE IP address is associated.

A communication method and a related device include in response to a first node determining that an RLF occurs on a radio link between the first node and a second node, and there is no other available path between the first node and a destination node, the first node sends first indication information to a third node. The first indication information indicates the RLF or indicates that a link recovery attempt is being made. The second node is a parent node of the first node, and the third node is a child node of the first node; or the second node is a child node of the first node, and the third node is a parent node of the first node, or a donor node connected to the first node.