CN115412963A

CN115412963A - Communication method, device and system

Info

Publication number: CN115412963A
Application number: CN202110592969.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 宗在峰; 吴问付
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-05-28
Filing date: 2021-05-28
Publication date: 2022-11-29
Also published as: WO2022247838A1

Abstract

The application discloses a communication method, a communication device and a communication system, and relates to the field of wireless communication. In the method, a first network side device may obtain first feature information of a first service flow and information of a first cell to which a first terminal is accessed, and determine a sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow according to the first feature information and feature information of other service flows except the first service flow in the first cell. Therefore, the data packet of the service flow in the first cell can be sent in a staggered peak mode, so that the occurrence of air interface congestion is reduced, the data packet loss rate and the data transmission delay are reduced, and the user experience is improved.

Description

Communication method, device and system

Technical Field

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

Background

In a communication system, a terminal may periodically transmit data packets to an access network device, or may periodically receive data packets from the access network device. Taking the example that the terminal periodically sends the data packet to the access network device, in one period, the terminal may send a plurality of data packets to the access network device, where each data packet has a different size. Some data packets are larger, the required bandwidth is larger when being sent, some data packets are smaller, and the required bandwidth is smaller when being sent. For example, in Virtual Reality (VR) video communication, a terminal may periodically transmit I frames and P frames. As shown in fig. 1, the terminal periodically transmits I frames and P frames in a pattern of I, P, I, P. Wherein, the time interval between two adjacent frames (I frame and I frame, I frame and P frame or P frame and P frame) is fixed. The I frame generally transmits a large data packet, occupies a large bandwidth, and has a burst high bandwidth characteristic. Taking the example of an I-frame comprising 20 milliseconds (ms), the I-frame is to transmit 80M of data. Compared with the I frame, the data packet transmitted by the P frame is smaller, the occupied bandwidth is smaller, and the data transmission is relatively smooth. Taking the example that a P frame includes 10ms, the P frame is to transmit 10M of data.

In the case of a terminal transmitting a large data packet, a large bandwidth is occupied, and therefore, a large challenge is created for wireless communication. Especially, under the condition that a plurality of terminals simultaneously transmit large data packets, the congestion of an air interface can be caused, the data packet loss rate and the data transmission delay are large, and the user experience is influenced.

Disclosure of Invention

The communication method, the communication device and the communication system can reduce the occurrence of air interface congestion, reduce the packet loss rate of data and the transmission delay of the data, and improve the user experience.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the embodiment of the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

in a first aspect, a communication method is provided, and a communication apparatus executing the communication method may be a first network side device; but also a module, such as a chip or a system of chips, applied in the first network-side device. The following description takes an execution subject as a first network side device as an example. The communication method comprises the following steps: acquiring first characteristic information of a first service flow and information of a first cell accessed by a first terminal, wherein the first service flow is the service flow of the first terminal, the first characteristic information is used for indicating the bandwidth and the period of the first service flow, and the information of the first cell is used for identifying the first cell; determining first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows, where the other service flows are service flows in the first cell except the first service flow, the other service flows include a second service flow, the second characteristic information of the second service flow is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the second service flow and a sending time of at least one data packet of the second service flow, and the first scheduling information is used to determine a sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow.

Based on the method provided in the first aspect, after obtaining the first characteristic information of the first service flow and the first cell information, the first network side device may determine, in combination with the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell except the first service flow, the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, so that the data packet of the service flow in the first cell may be sent in a peak-to-peak manner, thereby reducing the occurrence of congestion at the air interface, reducing the data packet loss rate and the data transmission delay, and improving user experience.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, if the data packet of the first service flow does not start to be transmitted, the first scheduling information is used to determine a starting transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow; or, if the data packet of the first service flow has already started to be transmitted, the first scheduling information is used to determine a next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. Based on the foregoing method, in a case that the data packet of the first service flow does not start to be sent, the first network side device may determine a starting sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, so that the at least one data packet of the first service flow may be sent according to the starting sending time, so as to reduce occurrence of an air interface congestion condition. In a case that the data packet of the first service flow has already started to be sent, the first network side device may determine a next sending time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow, so as to adjust the next sending time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow, thereby reducing occurrence of an air interface congestion condition.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, if the data packet of the first service flow has already started to be transmitted, the first feature information is further used to indicate a transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. Based on the above method, when the data packet of the first service flow has already started to be transmitted, the first network side device may consider the transmission time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow when determining the next transmission time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow, so as to avoid that the adjusted next transmission time is too different from the next transmission time before adjustment, which may affect the service.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first network side device is a session management network element. Based on the above method, the session management network element may determine a transmission time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow. In the communication system, the session management network element may obtain the first characteristic information of the first service flow through an existing signaling, and therefore, it is convenient for the session management network element to determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow.

With reference to the foregoing first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the obtaining first feature information includes: receiving the first characteristic information from the first terminal; alternatively, the first characteristic information is received from an application network element. Based on the method, the first characteristic information can be acquired in various ways, and the flexibility and diversity of acquiring the first characteristic information are improved.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the acquiring the first feature information includes: the first characteristic information is received from a user plane network element. Based on the method, the first characteristic information can be acquired from the user plane network element, so that the session management network element determines the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: and sending first indication information to the user plane network element, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating to detect first characteristic information of the first service flow. Based on the method, the user plane network element can start to detect the first characteristic information after receiving the first indication information of the session management network element, without continuously detecting the first characteristic information, thereby reducing the overhead of the user plane network element.

With reference to the foregoing first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first indication information includes configuration information of a detection window, where the configuration information of the detection window is used to configure the detection window, and the detection window is used by the user plane network element to detect the first feature information. Based on the method, the session management network element can configure the detection window for the user plane network element through the first indication information, so that the user plane network element detects the first characteristic information in the detection window.

With reference to the foregoing first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the obtaining first feature information includes: and receiving the identification information of the application corresponding to the first service flow from the user plane network element, and acquiring the first characteristic information according to the identification information of the application. Based on the method, the session management network element may obtain the first feature information according to the identification information of the application, and may further determine the sending time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow according to the first feature information and the feature information of the other service flows.

With reference to the foregoing first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: and sending first indication information to the user plane network element, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating detection application, and the first service flow is the service flow of the application. Based on the method, the user plane network element can start detecting the application after receiving the first indication information of the session management network element, and the application does not need to be continuously detected, so that the overhead of the user plane network element is reduced.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first indication information includes at least one of: the identifier of the application corresponding to the first service flow, the address of the application server corresponding to the first service flow, the port identifier of the application server corresponding to the first service flow, or the protocol identifier of the application server corresponding to the first service flow. Based on the above method, the user plane network element may determine the application to be detected according to the first indication information.

With reference to the foregoing first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the acquiring information of the first cell includes: information of the first cell is received from a mobility management network element. Based on the method, the session management network element may obtain the information of the first cell from the mobility management network element, so that the session management network element determines the feature information of the other service flows, except the first service flow, in the first cell, and further determines the sending time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow by combining the feature information of the first service flow and the feature information of the other service flows.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: and receiving second indication information from the first terminal or the application network element, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted. Based on the above method, the session management network element may determine whether it is necessary to determine the sending time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow according to the indication of the first terminal or the application network element. If the session management network element receives the second indication information, the session management network element may determine a sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow; if the session management network element does not receive the second indication information, or the session management network element receives the indication information that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow is not adjustable, the session management network element may not determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. In this way, computational and signalling overheads of the session management network element may be saved.

With reference to the foregoing first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: and sending the first scheduling information to the first access network device, where the first scheduling information is used for the first access network device to configure resources for transmitting the data packets of the first service flow. Based on the method, the first scheduling information can be sent to the first access network device, so that the first access network device reserves resources for the first terminal according to the first scheduling information.

With reference to the foregoing first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: and sending the first scheduling information to the first terminal, so that the first terminal sends the first scheduling information to an application network element corresponding to an application corresponding to the first service flow, or so that the first terminal sends a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. Based on the above method, the first scheduling information may be transmitted to the first terminal. In this way, the first terminal may send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, so that the data packet of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the first cell may be sent at an off-peak, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion. Or, the first terminal may send the first scheduling information to an application network element corresponding to an application corresponding to the first service flow, so that the application network element sends the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, so that the data packet of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the first cell may be sent at an off-peak, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion.

With reference to the foregoing first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first network side device is a policy control network element, a network open network element, or a first network element. Based on the method, there may be a plurality of network elements for determining the sending time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow, which increases the flexibility and diversity of implementing the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application.

With reference to the foregoing first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the obtaining first feature information includes: the first feature information is received from an application network element. Based on the method, the first characteristic information can be obtained from the application network element, and then the first scheduling information is determined according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the acquiring information of the first cell includes: receiving information of the first cell from the session management network element; alternatively, information of the first cell is received from a mobility management network element. Based on the method, the information of the first cell can be acquired in various ways, and the flexibility and diversity of acquiring the information of the first cell are improved.

With reference to the foregoing first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the acquiring first feature information of a first service flow and information of a first cell accessed by a first terminal includes: the first characteristic information and the information of the first cell are received from the session management network element. Based on the method, the first characteristic information and the information of the first cell can be obtained from the session management network element, and then the first scheduling information is determined according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell.

With reference to the foregoing first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first characteristic information is included in information of a first quality of service (QoS) flow corresponding to the first service flow. Based on the above method, a first traffic flow may be mapped to a first QoS flow. In this way, a mapping relationship between the first traffic flow and the first QoS flow may be established.

With reference to the foregoing first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: and sending the first scheduling information to the session management network element, so that the session management network element sends the first scheduling information to the first access network device and/or the first terminal. Based on the method, the first scheduling information may be sent to the session management network element, so that the session management network element may send the first scheduling information to the first access network device and/or the first terminal. In this way, the first access network device may reserve resources for the first terminal according to the first scheduling information. The first terminal may send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, or the first terminal may send the first scheduling information to the application network element, so that the application network element sends the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.

With reference to the foregoing first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: and receiving third indication information from the session management network element or the application network element, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted. Based on the above method, it may be determined whether it is necessary to determine the transmission time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow according to the third indication information. If the third indication information is received, the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow can be determined; if the third indication information is not received or the indication information that the transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow is not adjustable is received, the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow may not be determined. In this way, computational and signaling overhead may be saved.

With reference to the foregoing first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: and sending the first scheduling information to the application network element, so that the application network element sends the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, or so that the application network element sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal. Based on the method, the first scheduling information can be sent to the application network element. Thus, after receiving the first scheduling information, the application network element may send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, or send the first scheduling information to the first terminal, so that the first terminal may send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first characteristic information is further used to indicate a start time of a data packet of the first service flow that is expected to be sent. Based on the above method, when determining the start time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, the start time of the data packet of the first service flow expected to be transmitted may be considered, so as to avoid that the determined start time of at least one data packet of the first service flow is too different from the start time of the data packet of the first service flow expected to be transmitted, which may affect the service.

With reference to the foregoing first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first terminal has switched or is about to switch to a second cell, and the method further includes: acquiring information of a second cell, wherein the information of the second cell is used for identifying the second cell; and determining second scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell, wherein the other service flows in the second cell include a third service flow, the third characteristic information of the third service flow is used for indicating the bandwidth and the period of the third service flow and the sending time of at least one data packet of the third service flow, and the second scheduling information is used for determining the next sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell. Based on the method, the information of the second cell can be acquired when the first terminal is switched to or is about to be switched to the second cell, and the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow is determined by combining the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows except the first service flow in the second cell, so that the data packet of the service flow in the second cell can be sent in a peak-to-peak manner, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing the data packet loss rate and the data transmission delay, and improving the user experience.

In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, and a communication device executing the communication method may be a first access network device; but also a module, e.g. a chip or a chip system, applied in the first access network device. The following description will take the execution subject as the first access network device as an example. The communication method comprises the following steps: receiving first characteristic information of a first QoS flow, wherein the first QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to a first service flow, the first service flow is a service flow of a first terminal, and the first characteristic information is used for indicating the bandwidth and the period of the first service flow; determining first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows, where the other QoS flows are QoS flows in a first cell of the first access network device except the first QoS flow, the other QoS flows include a second QoS flow, the second QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to a second traffic flow, the second characteristic information of the second QoS flow is used for indicating a bandwidth and a period of the second QoS flow and a sending time of at least one data packet of the second traffic flow, and the first scheduling information is used for determining a sending time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow; and sending the first scheduling information to a session management network element.

Based on the method provided in the second aspect, after receiving the first characteristic information of the first QoS flow, the first access network device may determine, by combining with the characteristic information of other QoS flows in the first cell except the first QoS flow, the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, so that the data packet of the QoS flow in the first cell may be sent in a staggered manner, thereby reducing the occurrence of congestion at the air interface, reducing the packet loss rate and the transmission delay of data, and improving user experience. In addition, compared with the method for determining the first scheduling information by the first network side device, the first access network device does not need to acquire the information of the first cell from other devices in the process of determining the first scheduling information, so that signaling overhead is saved.

With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, if the data packet of the first service flow does not start to be transmitted, the first scheduling information is used to determine a starting transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow; or, if the data packet of the first service flow has already started to be transmitted, the first scheduling information is used to determine a next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. Based on the above method, under the condition that the data packet of the first service flow is not started to be sent, the first access network device may determine the starting sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, so that the at least one data packet of the first service flow may be sent according to the starting sending time, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion. In a case that the data packet of the first service flow has already started to be transmitted, the first access network device may determine a next transmission time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow, so as to adjust the next transmission time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow, thereby reducing occurrence of an air interface congestion condition.

With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, if the data packet of the first service flow has already started to be transmitted, the first characteristic information is further used to indicate a transmission time of at least one data packet in the first service flow. Based on the above method, when the data packet of the first service flow has already started to be transmitted, the first access network device may consider the transmission time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow when determining the next transmission time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow, so as to avoid that the adjusted next transmission time is too different from the next transmission time before adjustment, which may affect the service.

With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first feature information is received from the session management network element, where the first feature information is obtained by the session management network element from a user plane network element, or the first feature information is obtained according to a policy and charging control rule. Based on the method, the first access network device may obtain the first characteristic information from the session management network element, so that the first access network device determines, by combining the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of the other QoS flows in the first cell except the first QoS flow, a transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, so that the data packets of the QoS flows in the first cell may be transmitted in an off-peak manner.

With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: and receiving first indication information from the session management network element, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted. Based on the above method, the first access network device may determine whether it is necessary to determine the transmission time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow according to the first indication information. If the first access network device receives the first indication information, the first access network device may determine a transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow; if the first access network device does not receive the first indication information, or the first access network device receives the indication information that the transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow is not adjustable, the first access network device may not determine the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. In this way, computational and signaling overhead of the first access network device may be saved.

With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: characteristic information of the other QoS flow is received. Based on the above method, before determining the first scheduling information, the first access network device may receive the characteristic information of the other QoS flows, so that the first access network device determines the first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of the other QoS flows.

With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, when the first terminal is handed over from the second access network device to the first access network device, the first feature information is received from the second access network device or the session management network element. Based on the above method, when the first terminal is handed over from the second access network device to the first access network device, the first access network device may obtain the first feature information from the second access network device or the session management network element, so that the first access network device determines the first scheduling information according to the first feature information and the feature information of other QoS flows in the first cell.

With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: and sending the first scheduling information to the second access network equipment so that the second access network equipment sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal. Based on the above method, the first access network device may send the first scheduling information to the second access network device, so that the second access network device may send the first scheduling information to the first terminal. Thus, the first terminal may send the first scheduling information to the application network element, so that after the first terminal is switched to the second access network device, the application network element may send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information; or, after the first terminal is handed over to the second access network device, the first terminal may send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.

With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: and receiving second indication information from the second access device or the session management network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted. Based on the above method, the first access network device may determine whether it is necessary to determine the sending time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow according to the second indication information. If the first access network device receives the second indication information, the first access network device may determine a transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow; if the first access network device does not receive the second indication information, or the first access network device receives the indication information that the transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow is not adjustable, the first access network device may not determine the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. In this way, computational and signaling overhead of the first access network device may be saved.

In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, and a communication apparatus performing the communication method may be a first terminal; but also a module, such as a chip or a system of chips, applied in the first terminal. The following description will be given taking the execution body as the first terminal as an example. The communication method comprises the following steps: acquiring first scheduling information, wherein the first scheduling information is used for determining the sending time of at least one data packet of a first service flow, the first service flow is a service flow of a first terminal, the first scheduling information is determined according to first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows, the first characteristic information is used for indicating the bandwidth and the period of the first service flow, the other service flows are service flows, except the first service flow, in a first cell accessed by the first terminal, the other service flows comprise a second service flow, and the second characteristic information of the second service flow is used for indicating the bandwidth and the period of the second service flow and the sending time of at least one data packet of the second service flow; transmitting a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information; or, the first scheduling information is sent to an application network element corresponding to the first service flow.

Based on the method provided in the third aspect, the first terminal may obtain the first scheduling information, and send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, so that the data packet of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the first cell may be sent at an off-peak, thereby reducing occurrence of air interface congestion. Or, the first terminal may send the first scheduling information to an application network element corresponding to an application corresponding to the first service flow, so that the application network element sends the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, so that the data packet of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the first cell may be sent in a staggered manner, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion.

With reference to the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first feature information is sent to a session management network element. Based on the method, the first terminal may send the first feature information of the first service flow to the session management network element, so that the session management network element determines the first scheduling information according to the first feature information and the feature information of the other service flows except the first service flow in the first cell. Alternatively, the session management network element may be caused to send the first feature information to another network element, for example, a policy control network element, a network open network element, or the first network element, so that the other network element determines the first scheduling information according to the first feature information and the feature information of the other service flows except the first service flow in the first cell.

With reference to the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, if the data packet of the first service flow is sent according to the first scheduling information, the obtaining the first scheduling information includes: receiving first scheduling information from a session management network element; or, receiving first scheduling information from the first access network device; alternatively, the first scheduling information is received from an application network element. Based on the method, the first terminal can acquire the first scheduling information in multiple modes, so that the flexibility and diversity of acquiring the first scheduling information by the first terminal are improved.

With reference to the foregoing third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, if the first scheduling information is sent to an application network element, the obtaining the first scheduling information includes: receiving the first scheduling information from a session management network element; alternatively, the first scheduling information is received from the first access network device. Based on the method, the first terminal can acquire the first scheduling information in multiple modes, so that the flexibility and diversity of acquiring the first scheduling information by the first terminal are improved.

With reference to the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: and sending second indication information to a session management network element or to the application network element, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted. Based on the above method, the first terminal may indicate to the session management network element or the application network element that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow is adjustable, and on one hand, may enable the session management network element to determine whether the first scheduling information needs to be determined, or enable the session management network element to indicate to other network elements (e.g., a policy control network element, a network open network element, or a first network element, etc.) whether the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow is adjustable; on the other hand, the application network element is enabled to determine whether the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted, or the application network element is enabled to indicate to other network elements (for example, a session management network element, a policy control network element, a network open network element or the first network element, etc.) whether the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

With reference to the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first terminal is about to switch or has switched to a second cell, where the second cell is a cell of the first access network device or a cell of the second access network device; the method further comprises the following steps: acquiring second scheduling information, where the second scheduling information is used to determine next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell, the second scheduling information is determined according to the first feature information and feature information of other service flows in the second cell, the other service flows in the second cell include a third service flow, and the third feature information of the third service flow is used to indicate bandwidth and period of the third service flow and transmission time of at least one data packet of the third service flow; and sending the data packet of the first service flow according to the second scheduling information, or sending the second scheduling information to an application network element. Based on the method, when the first terminal is about to switch or has switched to the second cell, the first terminal may obtain the second scheduling information, and send the data packet of the first service flow according to the second scheduling information, so that the data packet of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the second cell may be sent at an off-peak, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion. Or, the first terminal may send the second scheduling information to an application network element corresponding to the application corresponding to the first service flow, so that the application network element sends the data packet of the first service flow according to the second scheduling information, so that the data packet of the first service flow and the data packet of other service flows in the second cell may be sent in a staggered manner, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion.

In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, and a communication device executing the communication method may be an application network element; but also a module, e.g. a chip or a system of chips, applied in an application network element. The following description takes the execution subject as an application network element as an example. The communication method comprises the following steps: acquiring first scheduling information, wherein the first scheduling information is used for determining the sending time of at least one data packet of a first service flow, the first service flow is a service flow of a first terminal, the first scheduling information is determined according to first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows, the first characteristic information is used for indicating the bandwidth and the period of the first service flow, the other service flows are service flows, except the first service flow, in a first cell accessed by the first terminal, the other service flows comprise a second service flow, and the second characteristic information of the second service flow is used for indicating the bandwidth and the period of the second service flow and the sending time of at least one data packet of the second service flow; transmitting the first scheduling information to the first terminal; or, transmitting the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.

Based on the method provided in the fourth aspect, the application network element may obtain the first scheduling information, and send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, so that the data packet of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the first cell may be sent in a peak-to-peak manner, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion. Or, the application network element may send the first scheduling information to the first terminal, so that the first terminal sends the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, and the data packet of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the first cell may be sent in a staggered manner, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, if the first scheduling information is sent to the first terminal, the obtaining the first scheduling information includes: receiving the first scheduling information from a session management network element or a policy control network element. Based on the method, the application network element can acquire the first scheduling information in multiple modes, so that the flexibility and diversity of acquiring the first scheduling information by the application network element are improved.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, if the data packet of the first service flow is sent according to the first scheduling information, the obtaining the first scheduling information includes: receiving the first scheduling information from the first terminal, a session management network element or a policy control network element. Based on the method, the application network element can acquire the first scheduling information in multiple modes, so that the flexibility and diversity of acquiring the first scheduling information by the application network element are improved.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: and sending the first characteristic information to the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network open network element or the first network element. Based on the above method, the application network element may send the first feature information of the first service flow to the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network open network element, or the first network element, so that these network elements may determine the first scheduling information according to the first feature information and the feature information of other service flows in the first cell except for the first service flow.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: and sending second indication information to the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network open network element or the first network element, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted. Based on the method, the application network element can indicate to the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network open network element or the first network element that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted, so that the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network open network element or the first network element determines whether the first scheduling information needs to be determined.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first terminal is about to handover or has already handed over to the second cell, and the method further includes: acquiring second scheduling information, where the second scheduling information is used to determine next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell, the second scheduling information is determined according to the first feature information and feature information of other service flows in the second cell, the other service flows in the second cell include a third service flow, and the third feature information of the third service flow is used to indicate bandwidth and period of the third service flow and transmission time of at least one data packet of the third service flow; transmitting the second scheduling information to the first terminal; or, transmitting the data packet of the first service flow according to the second scheduling information. Based on the method, the application network element may obtain the second scheduling information when the first terminal is about to switch or has switched to the second cell, and send the data packet of the first service flow according to the second scheduling information, so that the data packet of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the second cell may be sent at an off-peak, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion. Or, the application network element may send the second scheduling information to the first terminal, so that the first terminal sends the data packet of the first service flow according to the second scheduling information, so that the data packet of the first service flow and the data packet of other service flows in the second cell may be sent in a staggered manner, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion.

In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the above method. The communication device may be the first network-side device of the first aspect, or a device including the first network-side device; alternatively, the communication device may be the first access network apparatus in the second aspect, or a device including the first access network apparatus; alternatively, the communication device may be the first terminal in the third aspect, or a device including the first terminal; alternatively, the communication device may be the application network element in the fourth aspect, or a device including the application network element. The communication device comprises corresponding modules, units or means (means) for implementing the above method, and the modules, units or means can be implemented by hardware, software or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation manner, the communication apparatus may include a processing module. The processing module may be configured to implement the processing function in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation manner thereof. The processing module may be, for example, a processor.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module may be configured to implement the processing function in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation manner thereof. The processing module may be, for example, a processor. The transceiver module, which may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, is configured to implement the transmitting and/or receiving functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation manners. The transceiver module may be formed by a transceiver circuit, a transceiver or a communication interface.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module includes a sending module and a receiving module, which are respectively configured to implement sending and receiving functions in any one of the above aspects and any possible implementation manner thereof.

In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, including: a processor; the processor is configured to be coupled to the memory, and to execute the method according to any one of the above aspects after reading the instruction in the memory. The communication device may be the first network-side device of the first aspect, or a device including the first network-side device; alternatively, the communication device may be the first access network apparatus in the second aspect, or a device including the first access network apparatus; alternatively, the communication device may be the first terminal in the third aspect, or a device including the first terminal; alternatively, the communication device may be the application network element in the fourth aspect, or a device including the application network element.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the communication device further includes a memory, and the memory is used for storing necessary program instructions and data.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation manner, the communication device is a chip or a chip system. Optionally, when the communication device is a chip system, the communication device may be formed by a chip, and may also include a chip and other discrete devices.

In a seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, including: a processor and interface circuitry; an interface circuit for receiving a computer program or instructions and transmitting the same to a processor; the processor is configured to execute the computer program or instructions to cause the communication device to perform the method according to any of the above aspects.

With reference to the seventh aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the communication device is a chip or a chip system. Optionally, when the communication device is a chip system, the communication device may be formed by a chip, and may also include a chip and other discrete devices.

In an eighth aspect, there is provided a computer readable storage medium having stored therein instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any of the above aspects.

In a ninth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any of the above aspects.

For technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect to the ninth aspect, reference may be made to the technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, and details are not described here again.

In a tenth aspect, there is provided a communication system including: the system comprises a session management network element and a user plane network element, wherein the user plane network element is used for sending first characteristic information of a first service flow to the session management network element; or, the user plane network element is configured to send, to the session management network element, identification information of an application corresponding to a first service flow, where the first service flow is a service flow of a first terminal, and the first feature information is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the first service flow; the session management network element is configured to receive the first feature information from the user plane network element; or, the session management network element is configured to receive the identification information of the application from the user plane network element, and obtain the first feature information of the first service flow according to the identification information of the application; the session management network element is further configured to obtain information of a first cell to which the first terminal is accessed, where the information of the first cell is used to identify the first cell; the session management network element is further configured to determine first scheduling information according to the first feature information and feature information of other service flows, where the other service flows are service flows in the first cell except the first service flow, the other service flows include a second service flow, second feature information of the second service flow is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the second service flow and a sending time of at least one data packet of the second service flow, and the first scheduling information is used to determine a sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow.

Based on the communication system in the tenth aspect, the session management network element may obtain the first feature information from the user plane network element, or obtain the first feature information according to the identification information of the application sent by the user plane network element, and determine the sending time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow by combining the feature information of the other service flows, except the first service flow, in the first cell, so that the data packet of the service flow in the first cell may be sent in an off-peak manner, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing the packet loss rate and the transmission delay of data, and improving user experience.

With reference to the tenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the communication system further includes a first access network device, where the first cell is a cell of the first access network device; the session management network element is further configured to send the first feature information and the first scheduling information to the first access network device; the first access network device is configured to receive the first feature information and the first scheduling information from the session management network element, and configure a first resource for the first terminal, where the first resource is used to transmit a data packet of the first service flow. Based on the communication system, the session management network element may send the first feature information and the first scheduling information to the first access network device, so that the first access network device may reserve resources for the first terminal according to the first feature information and the first scheduling information.

In an eleventh aspect, there is provided a communication system comprising: the second network side equipment is a strategy control network element, a network open network element or a first network element; the session management network element is configured to send, to the second network side device, first feature information of a first service flow and information of a first cell to which a first terminal accesses, where the first service flow is a service flow of the first terminal, the first feature information is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the first service flow, and the information of the first cell is used to identify the first cell; the second network side device is configured to receive the first feature information and the information of the first cell from the session management network element, and determine first scheduling information according to the first feature information and feature information of other service flows, where the other service flows are service flows in the first cell except the first service flow, the other service flows include a second service flow, the second feature information of the second service flow is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the second service flow and a sending time of at least one data packet of the second service flow, and the first scheduling information is used to determine a sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow.

Based on the communication system in the eleventh aspect, after the second network side device acquires the first feature information and the information of the first cell from the session management network element, the second network side device may determine, by combining the feature information of the other service flows in the first cell except the first service flow, the sending time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow, so that the data packet of the service flow in the first cell may be sent at an off-peak, thereby reducing occurrence of congestion at an air interface, reducing a data packet loss rate and a data transmission delay, and improving user experience.

With reference to the eleventh aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the second network side device is further configured to send the first scheduling information to the session management network element; the session management network element is further configured to receive the first scheduling information from the second network side device. Based on the communication system, the second network side device may send the first scheduling information to the session management network element, so that the session management network element sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal, and/or the application network element, and/or the first access network device.

With reference to the eleventh aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the communication system further includes a first access network device, where the first cell is a cell of the first access network device; the session management network element is further configured to send the first feature information and the first scheduling information to the first access network device; the first access network device is configured to receive the first feature information and the first scheduling information from the session management network element, and configure a first resource for the first terminal, where the first resource is used to transmit a data packet of the first service flow. Based on the communication system, the session management network element may send the first feature information and the first scheduling information to the first access network device, so that the first access network device may reserve resources for the first terminal according to the first feature information and the first scheduling information.

In a twelfth aspect, there is provided a communication system comprising: the session management network element is configured to send first feature information of a first QoS flow to the first access network device, where the first QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to a first service flow, the first service flow is a service flow of a first terminal, and the first feature information is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the first service flow; the first access network device is configured to receive the first feature information from the session management network element, determine first scheduling information according to the first feature information and feature information of other QoS streams, and send the first scheduling information to the session management network element; the other QoS flows are QoS flows in the first cell of the first access network device except the first QoS flow, the other QoS flows include a second QoS flow, the second QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to a second service flow, second characteristic information of the second QoS flow is used for indicating a bandwidth and a period of the second QoS flow and a sending time of at least one data packet of the second service flow, and the first scheduling information is used for determining a sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow; the session management network element is further configured to receive the first scheduling information from the first access network device.

Based on the communication system in the twelfth aspect, after receiving the first feature information of the first QoS flow, the first access network device may determine, by combining the feature information of the other QoS flows except the first QoS flow in the first cell, the sending time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow, so that the data packet of the QoS flow in the first cell may be sent in a staggered manner, thereby reducing occurrence of congestion at an air interface, reducing a packet loss rate and transmission delay of data, and improving user experience.

With reference to the twelfth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the communication system further includes an application network element, and the session management network element is further configured to send the first scheduling information to the application network element; the application network element is configured to receive the first scheduling information from the session management network element, and send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. Based on the communication system, the application network element may send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, so as to implement peak staggering sending of the data packet of the QoS flow in the first cell, thereby reducing occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing data packet loss rate and data transmission delay, and improving user experience.

It is to be understood that the relevant contents of any possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the fourth aspect may be incorporated into the communication system of the tenth aspect to the twelfth aspect without limitation.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a terminal periodically sending a data packet;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of another communication system architecture according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of another communication system architecture according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5a is a schematic diagram of a service architecture of a conventional fifth generation (5th generation, 5G) network;

fig. 5b is a schematic diagram of a reference point-based 5G network architecture corresponding to fig. 5 a;

fig. 6 is a schematic hardware structure diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a service flow provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of time intervals provided by an embodiment of the present application;

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

fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 13 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 14 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 2 shows a communication system 20 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication system 20 comprises a session management network element 201 and a user plane network element 202.

In the communication system 20 shown in fig. 2, the user plane network element 202 may send the first characteristic information of the first traffic flow to the session management network element 201. The session management network element 201 may receive the first feature information from the user plane network element 202, obtain information of a first cell to which the first terminal accesses, and determine first scheduling information according to the first feature information and feature information of other service flows in the first cell. Alternatively, the user plane network element 202 may send identification information of an application corresponding to the first service flow to the session management network element 201. The session management network element 201 may receive the identification information of the application from the user plane network element 202, obtain the first feature information of the first service flow according to the identification information of the application, obtain information of the first cell to which the first terminal accesses, and determine the first scheduling information according to the first feature information and the feature information of other service flows in the first cell. The detailed description of the above method can be referred to the method shown in fig. 10, which is not repeated herein.

Optionally, the communication system 20 further comprises an access network device 203. The access network device 203 may receive the first feature information and the first scheduling information from the session management network element 201, and configure the first resource for the first terminal according to the first feature information and the first scheduling information.

Optionally, the communication system 20 further includes an application network element 204. The application network element 204 may receive the first scheduling information from the session management network element 201, and send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.

Optionally, the communication system 20 further comprises an access network device 205. In case that the first terminal is about to be handed over or has been handed over to the second cell of the access network device 205, the access network device 205 may receive the second scheduling information from the session management network element 201, obtain the first characteristic information, and configure resources for the first terminal according to the first characteristic information and the second scheduling information.

It can be understood that the devices or network elements in the communication system 20 may communicate directly or may communicate through forwarding of other devices, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

It should be understood that fig. 2 is only a schematic diagram, and does not limit the applicable scenarios of the technical solutions provided in the present application. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that in a specific implementation, the communication system 20 may include fewer devices or network elements than those shown in fig. 2, or the communication system 20 may include other devices or other network elements, and the number of devices or network elements in the communication system 20 may be determined according to specific needs.

Fig. 3 shows a further communication system 30 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication system 30 comprises a session management network element 301 and a network side device 302. The network side device 302 may be a policy control network element, a network open network element, or a first network element. The network side device 302 may correspond to a second network side device in the following embodiments. The first network element may be a newly configured network element, which is independently deployed in the network, or an existing network element, which is not limited.

In the communication system 30 shown in fig. 3, the session management network element 301 may send the first characteristic information of the first traffic flow to the network side device 302. The network side device 302 may receive the first feature information from the session management network element 301. The network side device 302 may further obtain information of a first cell to which the first terminal accesses, and determine the first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell. The detailed description of the above method can be described in the method shown in fig. 12 below, and is not repeated herein.

Optionally, the communication system 30 further comprises an access network device 303. The access network device 303 may receive the first feature information and the first scheduling information from the session management network element 301, and configure the first resource for the first terminal according to the first feature information and the first scheduling information.

Optionally, the communication system 30 further comprises an application network element 304. The application network element 304 may receive the first scheduling information from the session management network element 301 or the network side device 302, and send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.

Optionally, the communication system 30 further comprises a user plane network element 305. The user plane network element 305 may send the first feature information of the first service flow to the session management network element 301, or the user plane network element 305 may send identification information of an application corresponding to the first service flow to the session management network element 301.

Optionally, the communication system 30 further includes an access network device 306. In a case that the first terminal is about to be handed over or has been handed over to the second cell of the access network device 306, the access network device 306 may receive the second scheduling information from the session management network element 301, acquire the first feature information, and configure resources for the first terminal according to the first feature information and the second scheduling information.

It can be understood that the devices or network elements in the communication system 30 may communicate directly with each other, or may communicate through forwarding of other devices, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the application.

It should be understood that fig. 3 is only a schematic diagram, and does not limit the applicable scenarios of the technical solutions provided in the present application. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that, in a specific implementation process, the communication system 30 may also include fewer devices or network elements than those shown in fig. 3, or the communication system 30 may also include other devices or other network elements, and the number of devices or network elements in the communication system 30 may also be determined according to specific needs.

Fig. 4 shows a further communication system 40 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication system 40 comprises a session management network element 401 and an access network device 402.

In the communication system 40 shown in fig. 4, the session management network element 401 may send first characteristic information of a first quality of service (QoS) flow to the access network device 402. The access network device 402 may receive the first feature information from the session management network element 401, determine first scheduling information according to the first feature information and feature information of QoS flows in the first cell except the first QoS flow, and send the first scheduling information to the session management network element 401. The detailed description of the above method can be referred to the method shown in fig. 14, which is described below and will not be repeated herein.

Optionally, the communication system 40 further includes an application network element 403. The application network element 403 may receive the first scheduling information from the session management network element 401, and send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.

Optionally, the communication system 40 further comprises a user plane network element 404. The user plane network element 404 may send the first feature information of the first service flow to the session management network element 401, or the user plane network element 404 may send the identification information of the application corresponding to the first service flow to the session management network element 401.

Optionally, the communication system 40 further comprises an access network device 405. When the first terminal is about to be handed over or has been handed over into a third cell of the access network device 405, the access network device 405 may determine third scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other QoS flows in the third cell except the first QoS flow, and send the third scheduling information to the session management network element 401.

It can be understood that the devices or network elements in the communication system 40 may communicate directly with each other, or may communicate through forwarding of other devices, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the application.

It should be understood that fig. 4 is a schematic diagram, and does not limit the applicable scenarios of the technical solutions provided in the present application. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that, in a specific implementation process, the communication system 40 may also include fewer devices or network elements than those shown in fig. 4, or the communication system 40 may also include other devices or other network elements, and the number of devices or network elements in the communication system 40 may also be determined according to specific needs, without limitation.

Optionally, the communication system 20, the communication system 30, or the communication system 40 may be applied to a 5G network in the present discussion, or may be applied to other networks in the future, and the embodiment of the present application is not particularly limited thereto.

For example, taking the case that the communication system 20, the communication system 30, or the communication system 40 may be adapted to the currently discussed 5G network, the device or entity corresponding to the session management network element may be a Session Management Function (SMF) in the 5G network described in fig. 5 a. The network element or entity corresponding to the access network device may be a Radio Access Network (RAN) device in the 5G network described in fig. 5 a. The device or entity corresponding to the application network element may be an Application Function (AF) in the 5G network described in fig. 5 a. The device or entity corresponding to the user plane network element may be a User Plane Function (UPF) in the 5G network described in fig. 5 a. The device or entity corresponding to the policy control network element may be a Policy Control Function (PCF) in the 5G network described in fig. 5 a. The device or entity corresponding to the network open network element may be a network open function (NEF) in the 5G network described in fig. 5 a.

Furthermore, as shown in fig. 5a, the 5G network may further include an authentication server Function (AUSF), a mobility management Function (AMF), a charging Function (CHF), a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), a network Function storage Function (NRF), a Policy Control Function (PCF), a Unified Data Management (UDM), a unified data storage (UDR), or a data network.

As shown in fig. 5a, the terminal accesses the 5G network through the RAN device, and communicates with the AMF through an N1 interface (referred to as N1 for short); RAN equipment communicates with AMF through an N2 interface (N2 for short); RAN equipment communicates with UPF through an N3 interface (N3 for short); the SMF communicates with the UPF via an N4 interface (referred to as N4 for short), and the UPF accesses the data network via an N6 interface (referred to as N6 for short). Furthermore, the control plane functions shown in fig. 5a, such as AUSF, AMF, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, PCF, UDM, UDR, CHF, or AF, use a service interface for interaction. For example, the serving interface provided by the AUSF is Nausf; the serving interface provided by the AMF is Namf; the serving interface provided by the SMF is Nsmf; the external serving interface provided by the NSSF is Nnssf; the serving interface provided by the NEF is Nnef; the NRF provides a service interface for the outside as Nnrf; the service interface provided by PCF is Npcf; a serving interface externally provided by the UDM is Nudm; the external serving interface provided by the UDR is Nudr; the serving interface externally provided by the CHF is Nchf; the serving interface provided by the AF to the outside is Naf. The description of related functions and interfaces can refer to the 5G system architecture (5G system architecture) diagram in the 23501 standard, which is not repeated herein.

Optionally, the 5G network further includes a first network element, and the description of the first network element may refer to fig. 3 described above. The first network element may communicate with the SMF.

Fig. 5a is a schematic diagram of a service architecture of a conventional 5G network. Fig. 5b is a schematic diagram of the reference point-based 5G network architecture corresponding to fig. 5 a. As shown in fig. 5b, the terminal accesses the 5G network through the RAN device, and the terminal communicates with the AMF through an N1 interface (abbreviated as N1); RAN equipment communicates with AMF through an N2 interface (N2 for short); RAN equipment communicates with UPF through an N3 interface (N3 for short); different UPFs communicate with each other through an N9 interface (N9 for short); the UPF accesses a Data Network (DN) through an N6 interface (N6 for short). In addition, the SMF communicates with the UPF via an N4 interface (abbreviated as N4); the AMF communicates with the SMF through an N11 interface (N11 for short); the AMF communicates with the UDM through an N8 interface (N8 for short); the AMF is communicated with the AUSF through an N12 interface (N12 for short); the AMF communicates with the PCF through an N15 interface (N15 for short); the AMF communicates with the NSSF through an N22 interface (N22 for short); different AMFs communicate with each other through an N14 interface (N14 for short); the SMF communicates with the PCF through an N7 interface (N7 for short); the SMF communicates with the UDM through an N10 interface (N10 for short); SMF communicates with NEF through N29 interface (abbreviated as N29); the SMF communicates with the NRF through an Nnrf interface (Nnrf for short); SMF communicates with CHF via Nchf interface (Nchf for short); the PCF communicates with the NEF via an N5 interface (N5 for short); the UDR communicates with the PCF via an N36 interface (abbreviated N36); the UDR communicates with the NEF via an N37 interface (abbreviated N37); the UDM communicates with the AUSF over an N13 interface (abbreviated N13). The first network element may communicate with the SMF.

Optionally, in the embodiment of this application, each network element or device (for example, a session management network element, an access network device, an application network element, a user plane network element, a policy control network element, a network open network element, or a first network element, etc.) in fig. 2, fig. 3, or fig. 4 may also be referred to as a communication apparatus, which may be a general device or a special device, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of this application.

Optionally, related functions of each network element or device in fig. 2, fig. 3, or fig. 4 in the embodiment of the present application may be implemented by one device, may also be implemented by multiple devices together, and may also be implemented by one or more functional modules in one device, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application. It is understood that the above functions may be network elements in a hardware device, or may be software functions running on dedicated hardware, or a combination of hardware and software, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

In a specific implementation, each device or network element shown in fig. 2, fig. 3, or fig. 4 may use the component structure shown in fig. 6, or include the components shown in fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hardware structure of a communication device applicable to the embodiment of the present application. The communication device 60 includes at least one processor 601 and at least one communication interface 604 for implementing the methods provided by the embodiments of the present application. Optionally, the communication device 60 may further include a communication line 602 and a memory 603.

The processor 601 may be a general processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more ics for controlling the execution of programs in accordance with the present disclosure.

Communication link 602 may include a path, such as a bus, that carries information between the aforementioned components.

A communication interface 604 for communicating with other devices or a communication network. The communication interface 604 may be any transceiver or other device, such as an ethernet interface, a Radio Access Network (RAN) interface, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) interface, a transceiver, pins, a bus, or transceiver circuitry.

The memory 603 may be, but is not limited to, a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a Random Access Memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, optical disk storage (including compact disk, laser disk, optical disk, digital versatile disk, blu-ray disk, etc.), magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. The memory may be self-contained and coupled to the processor 601 via a communication link 602. The memory 603 may also be integrated with the processor 601. The memory provided by the embodiment of the application can be generally nonvolatile.

The memory 603 is used for storing computer-executable instructions related to executing the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application, and is controlled by the processor 601 to execute. The processor 601 is configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 603, so as to implement the method provided by the embodiment of the present application.

Alternatively, in this embodiment of the application, the processor 601 may also perform functions related to processing in the method provided in the following embodiments of the application, and the communication interface 604 is responsible for communicating with other devices or a communication network, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the application.

Optionally, the computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as application program codes, which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

The coupling in the embodiments of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, and may be in an electrical, mechanical or other form, which is used for information interaction between the devices, units or modules.

For one embodiment, processor 601 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 of FIG. 6.

For one embodiment, communications device 60 may include multiple processors, such as processor 601 and processor 607 in fig. 6. Each of these processors may be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. The processor herein may include, but is not limited to, at least one of: various computing devices running software, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or an artificial intelligence processor, may each include one or more cores for executing software instructions to perform operations or processing.

The communications apparatus 60 may also include an output device 605 and/or an input device 606, for one embodiment. An output device 605 is coupled to the processor 601 and can display information in a variety of ways. For example, the output device 605 may be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display device, a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) display device, a projector (projector), or the like. The input device 606 is coupled to the processor 601 and may receive user input in a variety of ways. For example, the input device 606 may be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, or a sensing device, among others.

It is to be understood that the component structures shown in fig. 6 are not to be construed as limiting the communication device, and that the communication device may include more or less components than shown, or some components may be combined, or a different arrangement of components than shown, in addition to the components shown in fig. 6.

The following describes a communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application, taking the architectures shown in fig. 2, fig. 3, and fig. 4 as examples. Each network element in the following embodiments may have the components shown in fig. 6, which are not described in detail.

It should be noted that, in the following embodiments of the present application, names of messages between network elements or names of parameters in messages are only an example, and other names may also be used in a specific implementation, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, "and/or" may be used to describe that there are three relationships in the associated object, for example, a and/or B may represent: a exists singly, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists singly, wherein A and B can be singular or plural. Furthermore, expressions similar to "at least one of a, B and C" or "at least one of a, B or C" are generally used to denote any of the following: a is present alone; b is present alone; c is present alone; both A and B are present; both A and C are present; both B and C are present; a, B and C are present simultaneously. The above description is made for the purpose of illustrating the optional items of the item with three elements, a, B and C, and when there are more elements in the expression, the meaning of the expression can be obtained according to the aforementioned rules.

For convenience of describing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "first", "second", and the like may be used to distinguish technical features having the same or similar functions. The terms "first", "second", and the like do not necessarily limit the number and execution order, and the terms "first", "second", and the like do not necessarily differ. In the embodiments of the present application, the words "exemplary" or "such as" are used to mean examples, illustrations or illustrations, and any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "such as" is not to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. The use of the terms "exemplary" or "such as" are intended to present relevant concepts in a concrete fashion for ease of understanding.

In the embodiments of the present application, for a technical feature, the technical features in the technical feature are distinguished by "first", "second", "third", "a", "B", "C", and "D", and the like, where the technical features described in "first", "second", "third", "a", "B", "C", and "D" are not in sequence or in order of magnitude.

It is to be understood that steps or technical features of the same step or the same function in the embodiments of the present application may be referred to with each other between different embodiments.

It should be understood that, in the embodiment of the present application, each network element or device may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiment of the present application, and these steps are merely examples, and the embodiment of the present application may also perform other steps or variations of various steps. Further, the various steps may be performed in a different order presented in the embodiments of the application, and not all of the steps in the embodiments of the application may be performed.

As shown in fig. 7, a communication method provided in this embodiment of the present application includes S701-S702.

S701: the first network side equipment acquires first characteristic information of the first service flow and information of a first cell accessed by the first terminal.

In this embodiment, the first network side device may be a session management network element or a second network side device. For example, the first network side device may be the session management network element 201 in fig. 2 or the network side device 302 in fig. 3. Alternatively, the first network side device may also be the SMF, PCF, NEF or the first network element in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b.

In this embodiment, the first service flow may be a service flow of the first terminal. The information of the first cell may be used to identify the first cell. For example, the information of the first cell may include an identification of the first cell. The first cell may be a cell of a first RAN device. If the first network-side device is the session management network element 201 in fig. 2, the first RAN device may be the access network device 203 in fig. 2. If the first network-side device is the network-side device 302 in fig. 3, the first RAN device may be the access network device 303 in fig. 3. If the first network-side device is the SMF, NEF, PCF, or first network element in fig. 5a or fig. 5b, the first RAN device may be the RAN device in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b.

In this embodiment, the first characteristic information may be used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the first traffic flow. Alternatively, the first characteristic information may indicate a transmission rule of the data packets of the first service flow, for example, the first characteristic information may include at least one of the following information: a time interval of two adjacent bursts (or frames), a size of a bandwidth occupied by each burst (or frame), a transmission mode of a burst (or frame) included in one period, and the like. Or, the first characteristic information may at least recover the transmission rule of the larger burst of the first traffic flow, for example, the first characteristic information may include at least one of the following information: the time interval between two adjacent larger burst (or frame) frames, the size of the bandwidth occupied by the larger burst (or frame). In the embodiment of the present application, the frame and the burst may be replaced with each other. At least one data packet of the first traffic flow may be transmitted in one burst (or frame).

As an example, if the transmission rule of the data packet of the first traffic flow is as shown in fig. 1, the first characteristic information may indicate: the transmission mode of the I frame and the P frame (in this example, the transmission mode is IPPP, that is, 1I frame is transmitted, 3P frames are transmitted, and so on, where an I frame is a burst and a P frame is another burst), a period corresponding to the transmission mode (that is, a time interval between one I frame and the next I frame), a time interval between two adjacent P frames in one period, a time interval between an adjacent I frame and a P frame in one period, a size of a data packet transmitted by an I frame (that is, a bandwidth occupied by an I frame), and a size of a data packet transmitted by a P frame (that is, a bandwidth occupied by a P frame). In a specific application, the time interval between two adjacent frames may be the same. For example, in the above example, the time interval between the I frame and its adjacent P frame, the time interval between two adjacent P frames, and the time interval between the last P frame of the previous period and the I frame of the next adjacent period are all the same, in which case the first characteristic information can be simplified as follows: the transmission mode of the I-frame and the P-frame (e.g., IPPP), the frame interval (or frequency), the size of the bandwidth occupied by the I-frame, and the size of the bandwidth occupied by the P-frame.

As another example, to reduce complexity of the first network-side device, the first characteristic information may be simplified. For example, the first characteristic information may not indicate information of a smaller frame (for example, a P frame), but indicate information of a larger frame (for example, an I frame), so that the first network side device recovers a transmission rule of the larger frame according to the first characteristic information. For example, the first feature information may include: the transmission period (or frequency) of the I-frame, and the size of the bandwidth occupied by the I-frame. The first characteristic information may further include a transmission duration of the I frame and/or the P frame. The transmission duration of an I-frame may also be referred to as the transmission duration of a large packet, i.e., the duration of an I-frame. The transmission duration of a P frame may also be referred to as the transmission duration of a small packet, i.e., the duration of a P frame. The transmission duration of the I frame and the transmission duration of the P frame may be the same or different.

Optionally, if the data packet of the first service flow does not start to be transmitted, the first characteristic information may also be used to indicate an expected starting transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow. The first characteristic information may also be used to indicate a transmission time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow, or a transmission time of at least one frame, or a start time of at least one period, if the data packet of the first traffic flow has already started to be transmitted. For example, the first characteristic information may also indicate a transmission time of a first packet of the first traffic flow; alternatively, the first characteristic information may further indicate a start time of one period (e.g., if one period starts from an I frame, the first characteristic information may further indicate a transmission time of the I frame, or a transmission time of a first packet of the I frame); alternatively, the first characteristic information may also indicate a transmission time of any one frame (or at least one packet of the frame) in one cycle. If the first characteristic information indicates the transmission time of at least one frame (or at least one data packet of the frame), the first characteristic information may also indicate which frame in one period the frame (or the frame corresponding to the data packet) corresponds to, so that the first network side device determines the transmission time of the first traffic flow (i.e., the position of the first traffic flow on the time axis).

It can be understood that, after the first network side device obtains the first characteristic information, the first network side device may recover the sending rule of the data packet of the first service flow according to the first characteristic information. Or, after the first network side device acquires the first feature information, it may recover the sending rule of the larger frame in the first service flow at least according to the first feature information. In this way, the first network side device may determine, in combination with the feature information of the other service flows in the first cell except for the first service flow, the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, so that the data packet of the service flow in the first cell may be sent in a staggered manner, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion.

S702: and the first network side equipment determines first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows.

Wherein, the other service flows are service flows in the first cell except the first service flow. That is to say, after acquiring the information of the first cell, the first network side device may acquire, according to the information of the first cell, feature information of other service flows transmitted through the first cell, and then determine the first scheduling information according to the first feature information and the feature information of the other service flows. Wherein the other traffic flow comprises a second traffic flow. The second traffic flow is different from the first traffic flow. The second traffic flow may be a traffic flow of the first terminal, or may be a traffic flow of another terminal accessing the first cell besides the first terminal. The data packets of the second traffic flow have started to be transmitted or have not started to be transmitted.

Wherein, the second characteristic information of the second service flow can be used to indicate the bandwidth, the period and the transmission time of at least one data packet of the second service flow. The second characteristic information may enable the first network side device to recover a transmission rule of a data packet of the second service flow. Or, the second characteristic information may at least enable the first network side device to recover a transmission rule of a larger frame in the second service flow. Taking the transmission rule of the data packet of the second service flow as shown in fig. 1 as an example, the second characteristic information may indicate: the method comprises the steps of sending modes of I frames and P frames, a period corresponding to the sending modes, a time interval of two adjacent P frames in one period, a time interval of two adjacent I frames and two adjacent P frames in one period, the starting time of any period of a second service flow, the bandwidth size occupied by the I frames and the bandwidth size occupied by the P frames. Alternatively, the second characteristic information may indicate: the transmission period (or frequency) of the I frame, the transmission time of any I frame of the second service flow, and the bandwidth occupied by the I frame.

In one possible implementation manner, the second feature information is obtained by the first network-side device before S702. The process of acquiring the second feature information by the first network side device is similar to the process of acquiring the first feature information by the first network side device, and reference may be made to the following description of acquiring the first feature information by the first network side device, which is not repeated herein.

In this embodiment, the first scheduling information is used to determine a transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. For example, the first scheduling information may include a transmission time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow, or the first scheduling information may indicate at least one time interval within which the transmission time of the at least one data packet of the first traffic flow may be located. The at least one data packet may be at least one data packet of a first frame of the first service flow (that is, the first scheduling information is used to determine a starting transmission time of the first frame of the first service flow), or the at least one data packet may also be at least one data packet of a first frame of at least one period of the first service flow (that is, the first scheduling information is used to determine a starting time of the at least one period of the first service flow).

Optionally, the first scheduling information may further include a coding rate, and/or a modulation order. If the first service flow has a high reliability requirement, the first network side device may determine a lower coding rate or a lower modulation order.

It can be understood that, if the data packet of the first service flow does not start to be transmitted, the first scheduling information is used to determine a starting transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, or a starting transmission time of a first frame of at least one period. If the data packet of the first service flow has already started to be transmitted, the first scheduling information is used to determine the next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, or the next transmission time of at least one frame, where the at least one frame may be any one frame including the first frame in one period. It is to be understood that, if the data packet of the first service flow has already started to be transmitted, the first scheduling information may include an adjustment time of at least one data packet transmission time of the first service flow, for example, delayed by 10ms for transmission.

In this embodiment, the first network side device may determine the first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of the other service flows, so that the data packet of the first service flow may be sent at a time when an air interface is not congested, or an air interface congestion caused by sending a larger frame of the first service flow and a larger frame of the other service flows at the same time is avoided.

In a possible implementation manner, under the condition that the data packet of the second service flow is sent according to the second characteristic information, and the data packet of the first service flow is sent according to the first scheduling information, the maximum value of the sum of the bandwidths occupied by the data packet of the second service flow and the data packet of the first service flow at the same time is less than or equal to the first threshold.

Illustratively, taking the first cell including the first traffic flow and the second traffic flow, the bandwidth and the period of the first traffic flow are the same as those of the second traffic flow, which is illustrated in fig. 8 as an example. In fig. 8, the transmission modes of the first service flow and the second service flow are that an I frame is transmitted first, then two P frames are transmitted, then an I frame is transmitted, then two P frames are transmitted, and so on. The periods corresponding to the transmission modes of the first service flow and the second service flow are both T, and the time intervals of two adjacent frames in the first service flow and the second service flow are both T1. If the sending time of the first frame of the second service flow is t0, the first network side device may determine that the sending time of the first I frame of the first service flow is located in the time interval 801, or the first network side device may determine that the sending time of the next I frame of the first service flow is located in the time interval 801. The time interval 801 is [ t0+ [ delta ] t + I × t1, t0+ (I + 1) × t1], where I is an integer greater than or equal to 0 and Δ t is the transmission duration of the I frame. In fig. 8, the transmission duration of the I frame is the same as the transmission duration of the P frame. As can be seen, time interval 801 includes a plurality of intervals, only one of which is shown in fig. 8. If the bandwidth occupied by the P frame packet of the second service flow is smaller, for example, the sum of the bandwidth occupied by the P frame of the second service flow and the bandwidth occupied by the I frame of the first service flow is less than or equal to the first threshold, the first network side device may determine that the transmission time of the first I frame of the first service flow is located in the time interval 802, or the first network side device may determine that the transmission time of the next I frame of the first service flow is located in the time interval 802. The time interval 802 is [ T0+ [ Δ T + i ] T, T0+ (i + 1) T ]. It can be seen that time interval 802 includes a plurality of intervals, only one of which is shown in fig. 8.

It should be understood that, in the above example, for ease of understanding, the description is given by taking as an example that the bandwidth and the period of the first traffic flow are the same as the bandwidth and the period of the second traffic flow. In a specific application, the number of the other service flows in the first cell may be greater than 1, and the bandwidth and the period of the first service flow may be the same as or different from those of the other service flows, or may be the same as or different from those of some of the service flows in the other service flows, which is not limited.

It can be understood that, if the first characteristic information indicates an expected initial transmission time of a data packet of the first service flow, the first network side device may consider the expected initial transmission time when determining to determine the first scheduling information. For example, if the expected initial transmission time is located in the time interval indicated by the first scheduling information, for example, in the time interval 801 or the time interval 802, the transmission time of the first data packet of the first traffic flow may be determined as the expected initial transmission time; if the expected initial transmission time is not located in the time interval indicated by the first scheduling information, the transmission time of the first data packet of the first service flow may be located in a time interval adjacent to the expected initial transmission time, where the time interval is indicated by the first scheduling information.

For example, taking an example that the first network side device determines that the transmission time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow may be located in time interval 1, time interval 2, and time interval 3, time interval 1, time interval 2, and time interval 3 may be as shown in fig. 9. If the expected initial transmission time is time 901, the transmission time of the first packet of the first service flow is time 901. If the expected initial transmission time is time 902, the transmission time of the first packet of the first service flow may be in time interval 1 or time interval 2. If the expected initial transmission time is time 903, the transmission time of the first packet of the first service flow may be in time interval 2 or time interval 3.

Based on the method shown in fig. 7, after obtaining the first feature information and the first cell information of the first service flow, the first network side device may determine, by combining the feature information of the other service flows except the first service flow in the first cell, the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, so that the data packet of the service flow in the first cell may be sent at an off-peak, thereby reducing occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing a data packet loss rate and a data transmission delay, and improving user experience.

The actions of the first network-side device in S701-S702 may be executed by the processor 601 in the communication apparatus 60 shown in fig. 6 calling the application program code stored in the memory 603, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

In this embodiment of the present application, in a case that a first network side device is a session management network element or a second network side device, steps included in a communication method provided in this embodiment of the present application are different. The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described below by taking the first network side device as an SMF and the first network side device as a PCF as examples.

First, a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application is described in detail by taking a first network side device as an SMF as an example. Specifically, reference may be made to the methods illustrated in FIGS. 10-11, described below.

As shown in fig. 10, in a possible implementation manner of the method shown in fig. 7, the SMF may obtain the first feature information and the information of the first cell in at least any one of the following four manners. Of course, the four acquisition methods are not limited.

Mode 1: s701 may include S1001 and S1002.

S1001: the first terminal sends the first feature information to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives first feature information from the first terminal.

Optionally, the first terminal sends the first feature information to the SMF when a data packet of the first service flow is about to start sending.

In one possible implementation, the first terminal sends the first feature information to the first RAN device. And after receiving the first characteristic information, the first RAN equipment sends the first characteristic information to the AMF. And after receiving the first characteristic information, the AMF sends the first characteristic information to the SMF. Wherein the AMF may be the AMF of FIG. 5a or FIG. 5 b.

S1002: the AMF transmits information of the first cell to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives information from the first cell of the AMF.

In one possible implementation, the AMF sends the SMF locally stored information of the first cell. Illustratively, the SMF may subscribe to the AMF for cell information accessed by the first terminal. When the cell accessed by the first terminal changes, the AMF may send information of the cell newly accessed by the first terminal to the SMF.

In another possible implementation manner, after receiving the first feature information, the first RAN device may send information of the first cell to the AMF. The first RAN device may send the first feature information and the information of the first cell to the AMF at the same time, or may send the first feature information and the information of the first cell to the AMF in different steps, respectively. And after receiving the information of the first cell, the AMF sends the information of the first cell to the SMF. The AMF may simultaneously transmit the first feature information and the information of the first cell to the SMF, or may transmit the first feature information and the information of the first cell to the SMF in different steps, respectively.

The embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution order of S1001 and S1002. For example, in the embodiment of the present application, S1001 may be executed first and then S1002 may be executed, S1002 may be executed first and then S1001 may be executed, and S1001 and S1002 may be executed simultaneously.

It can be understood that, through the above-mentioned S1001-S1002, the SMF may obtain the first feature information from the first terminal, and obtain the information of the first cell from the AMF. Thus, the SMF may determine the feature information of the other service flows of the first cell according to the information of the first cell, and determine the first scheduling information by combining the first feature information and the feature information of the other service flows.

Mode 2: s701 may include S1003 and S1004.

S1003, carrying out: the AF sends the first feature information to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives the first feature information from the AF.

The AF may be an AF of an application corresponding to the first service flow. The AF may be, for example, the application network element 204 in fig. 2. The AF may also be the AF in FIG. 5a or FIG. 5 b.

Optionally, the AF sends the first feature information to the SMF when a data packet of the first service flow is about to start sending.

In one possible implementation, the AF sends the first characteristic information to the NEF (not shown in the figure). The NEF, having received the first feature information, sends the first feature information to the PCF (not shown). And after receiving the first characteristic information, the PCF sends the first characteristic information to the SMF. Wherein the NEF may be the NEF of fig. 5a or 5b, and the PCF may be the PCF of fig. 5a or 5 b.

S1004: the AMF transmits information of the first cell to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives information from the first cell of the AMF.

Wherein, the AMF may be the AMF in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b.

In one possible implementation, the SMF may subscribe to the AMF for cell information accessed by the first terminal. When the cell accessed by the first terminal changes, the AMF may send information of the cell newly accessed by the first terminal to the SMF.

Illustratively, the AMF sends information of the first cell to the SMF after the first terminal is handed over from the other cells to the first cell.

The embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution order of S1003 and S1004. For example, in the embodiment of the present application, S1003 and S1004 may be executed first, S1004 and S1003 may be executed first, or S1003 and S1004 may be executed simultaneously.

It is understood that, through the above-mentioned S1003 to S1004, the SMF may acquire the first characteristic information from the AF and the information of the first cell from the AMF. Thus, the SMF can determine the feature information of other service flows in the first cell according to the information of the first cell, and determine the first scheduling information by combining the first feature information and the feature information of other service flows.

Mode 3: s701 may include S1005 and S1006.

S1005: the UPF sends the first feature information to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives the first characteristic information from the UPF.

The UPF may be the user plane network element 202 in fig. 2. The UPF may also be the UPF in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b.

Optionally, before S1005, the SMF sends the first indication information to the UPF. The first indication information is used for indicating to detect first characteristic information of the first service flow, or the first indication information is used for indicating to detect a characteristic of an application. The first traffic flow is a traffic flow of the application.

As an example, in a case where the first indication information indicates detection of first characteristic information of the first traffic flow, the first indication information may include an identification of the first traffic flow. For example, the identifier of the first traffic flow may be a five-tuple or a triple corresponding to the first traffic flow or an address of an application server corresponding to the first traffic flow. After receiving the first indication information, the UPF may detect a feature of the first service flow to obtain first feature information, and send the first feature information to the SMF.

As another example, in a case where the first indication information is used to indicate a feature of the detection application, the first indication information may include at least one of: an identification of the application (e.g., an ID of the application, or a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) of the application), an address of an application server corresponding to the first traffic flow (e.g., an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the application server), a port identification of the application server corresponding to the first traffic flow (e.g., a port number of the application server), or a protocol identification of the application server corresponding to the first traffic flow (e.g., a protocol number of the application server). And after receiving the first indication information, the UPF can detect the characteristics of the application to obtain the characteristic information of the application and send the characteristic information of the application to the SMF. The feature information of the application may include an identification of the service flow (including the first service flow) of the application, and feature information of the service flow identified by the identification of each service flow (including the feature information of the first service flow). Thus, after receiving the application feature information, the SMF may determine the first feature information of the first service flow according to the application feature information.

In this embodiment of the present application, the SMF may indicate to the UPF which applications to detect, may also indicate to the UPF which service flows in the applications to detect, and may also indicate which features to detect, without limitation. Illustratively, the SMF may indicate to the UPF the size of each frame, the time interval of the frame, and the transmission mode for detecting the first traffic flow.

Optionally, the first indication information further includes configuration information of the detection window. The configuration information of the detection window is used for configuring the detection window, and the detection window is used for detecting the first characteristic information by the UPF.

Illustratively, the detection window may be a time window, e.g., the detection window comprises 1ms. And after receiving the first indication information, the UPF performs sampling by taking 1ms as a window so as to determine information such as the number and the size of data packets corresponding to the first service flow in the 1ms. And when the 1ms is adopted, the UPF continues to adopt the next 1ms, and calculates the information such as the number, the size and the like of the data packets corresponding to the first service flow in the next 1ms. Thus, the UPF can determine characteristic information of the first traffic stream (e.g., when to send a data frame (e.g., an I-frame or a P-frame), the size of the data frame, etc.) after consecutive 1ms window samples.

It will be appreciated that the SMF may configure different detection windows for different applications. In addition, for method 3, the upf already starts sending packets for the first traffic flow when detecting the characteristics of the first traffic flow or the characteristics of the application. That is, when the SMF receives the first feature information, the data packet of the first service flow has already started to be transmitted. In this case, the first feature information reported by the UPF may include a starting transmission time of at least one frame of the first service flow, and the SMF determines a next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. It can be understood that, if the UPF receives the first indication information and the data packet of the first service flow has not yet started to be transmitted, the UPF may wait until the data packet of the first service flow starts to be transmitted, and then detect the feature of the first service flow or the feature of the application.

S1006: the AMF transmits information of the first cell to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives information from the first cell of the AMF.

The specific process of S1006 is similar to S1004, so that reference may be made to the corresponding description in S1004, which is not described herein again.

The present embodiment does not limit the execution order of S1005 and S1006. For example, in the embodiment of the present application, S1005 may be executed first and then S1006 may be executed, S1006 may be executed first and then S1005 may be executed, or S1005 and S1006 may be executed simultaneously.

It is understood that, through the above-mentioned S1005-S1006, the SMF may obtain the first feature information from the UPF and obtain the information of the first cell from the AMF. Thus, the SMF may determine the feature information of the other service flows in the first cell according to the information of the first cell, and determine the first scheduling information by combining the first feature information and the feature information of the other service flows.

Mode 4: s701 may include S1007-S1009.

S1007: and the UPF sends the identification information of the application corresponding to the first service flow to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives identification information of an application corresponding to the first service flow from the UPF.

Optionally, before S1007, the SMF sends the first indication information to the UPF. Wherein the first indication information is used for indicating to detect the application.

Illustratively, the first indication information may include at least one of: the identifier of the application, the address of the application server corresponding to the first service flow, the port identifier of the application server corresponding to the first service flow, or the protocol identifier of the application server corresponding to the first service flow. And after receiving the first indication information, the UPF can detect the application. If the UPF detects that the data packet corresponding to the application starts to be sent, or if the UPF detects that the data packet of the service flow corresponding to the application starts to be sent, the UPF may send the identification information of the application corresponding to the first service flow to the SMF, so that the SMF determines that the data packet of the service flow corresponding to the application has already started to be sent.

S1008: and the SMF acquires the first characteristic information of the first service flow according to the identification information of the application.

In a possible implementation, the SMF stores a correspondence between the identifier of the application and the first feature information of the first service flow. Therefore, after receiving the identification information of the application, the SMF may obtain the first feature information according to the identification information of the application.

It is to be understood that, in the mode 4, the identification information of the application may also be replaced by the identification information of the first service flow. That is, the UPF may send identification information of the first traffic flow to the SMF. The SMF stores the corresponding relationship between the identifier of the first service flow and the first feature information, and after receiving the identifier information of the first service flow, the SMF may obtain the first feature information according to the identifier information of the first service flow and the corresponding relationship between the identifier information of the first service flow and the first feature information. Correspondingly, in the first indication information, the SMF indicates the UPF to detect a data packet corresponding to the first service flow, the first indication information includes identification information of the first service flow, and the UPF sends the identification information of the first service flow to the SMF after detecting the data packet corresponding to the first service flow.

S1009: the AMF transmits information of the first cell to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives information from the first cell of the AMF.

The specific process of S1009 is similar to S1004, so that reference may be made to the corresponding description in S1004, which is not described herein again.

The present embodiment does not limit the execution order of S1007, S1008, and S1009. For example, in the embodiment of the present application, S1007-S1008 may be executed first, and then S1009 may be executed, S1009 may be executed first, and then S1007-S1008 may be executed, or S1007-S1008 and S1009 may be executed at the same time.

It can be understood that, through the above S1007-S1009, the SMF may receive the identification information of the application corresponding to the first service flow from the UPF, acquire the first feature information according to the identification information of the application, and acquire the information of the first cell from the AMF. Thus, the SMF can determine the feature information of other service flows in the first cell according to the information of the first cell, and determine the first scheduling information by combining the first feature information and the feature information of other service flows

The actions of the first terminal, the AF, the UPF, the AMF, or the SMF in S1001-S1009 may be executed by the processor 601 in the communication device 60 shown in fig. 6 calling the application program code stored in the memory 603, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

Optionally, in a possible implementation manner of the method shown in fig. 7, the first terminal or the AF may indicate to the SMF that the transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow is adjustable. In this case, the SMF may determine the first scheduling information. Specifically, as shown in fig. 11, the method shown in fig. 7 further includes S1101.

S1101: and the first terminal or the AF sends second indication information to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives second indication information from the first terminal or the AF.

The introduction of the first terminal and the AF can refer to the foregoing description. The second indication information may be used to indicate that the transmission time of the data packets of the first traffic flow can be adjusted. The adjustment of the transmission time of the data packets of the first traffic flow may alternatively be described as the first traffic flow supporting off-peak scheduling.

In one possible implementation manner, before S702, the first terminal or the AF sends the second indication information to the SMF.

It can be understood that, if the SMF does not receive the second indication message, or the SMF receives the indication message that the transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow is not adjustable, the first terminal or the AF may transmit the data packet of the first service flow according to the expected initial transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow, which is described above.

It is understood that the SMF can acquire the first feature information even if the transmission time of the data packet of the first traffic flow is not adjustable. Thus, the SMF can subsequently determine scheduling information of other traffic flows, for which the transmission time of the data packet can be adjusted, based on the first characteristic information.

It is understood that S1101 may also be performed in the method shown in fig. 10, for example, in S1001 or S1003, without limitation. For another example, S1101 may be performed before S702 in the method shown in fig. 10.

It is understood that, through the above S1101, the SMF may determine whether the first scheduling information needs to be determined according to an instruction of the first terminal or the AF. If the SMF receives the second indication information, the SMF may determine the first scheduling information; if the SMF does not receive the second indication information, or if the SMF receives the indication information that the transmission time of the packet of the first traffic flow is not adjustable, the SMF may not perform S701 to S702, or the SMF may not perform S702. In this way, the computational and signaling overhead of the SMF may be saved.

Optionally, in a possible implementation manner of the method shown in fig. 7, after determining the first scheduling information, the SMF may send the first feature information and the first scheduling information to the first RAN device. After receiving the first feature information and the first scheduling information, the first RAN device may configure a resource for transmitting a data packet of the first service flow for the first terminal. Specifically, as shown in fig. 11, the method shown in fig. 7 further includes S1102-S1103.

S1102: the SMF transmits the first feature information and the first scheduling information to the first RAN device. Accordingly, the first RAN device receives the first feature information and the first scheduling information from the SMF.

Reference may be made to the preceding description for introduction of the first RAN apparatus.

In one possible implementation, the SMF sends the first feature information and the first scheduling information to the first RAN device through the AMF.

In one possible implementation, the SMF sends the first feature information and the first scheduling information to the first RAN device through a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session modification request. The PDU session modification request includes information of the QoS flow. The QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to the first traffic flow. The information of the QoS flow includes first characteristic information and first scheduling information.

It is to be understood that the first feature information in S1102 may not be sent by the SMF to the first RAN device. For example, with respect to manner 1 described above, the smf may transmit the first scheduling information to the first RAN apparatus without transmitting the first feature information to the first RAN apparatus, and the first feature information may be transmitted by the first terminal to the first RAN apparatus.

Optionally, after S1102, the first RAN device may send the first scheduling information to the first terminal. For example, the first RAN device may transmit the first scheduling information to the first terminal when transmitting information of the first resource described below to the first terminal. If the first service flow is an uplink service flow, that is, the first service flow is a service flow sent by the first terminal, after receiving the first scheduling information, the first terminal may send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. For example, after receiving the first scheduling information, the first terminal may send the first scheduling information to an application layer of the first terminal. And the application layer of the first terminal is the application layer corresponding to the first service flow. After receiving the first scheduling information, the application layer of the first terminal may send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. Or, if the first service flow is a downlink service flow, that is, the first service flow is a service flow received by the first terminal, after receiving the first scheduling information, the first terminal may send the first scheduling information to an application server corresponding to the first terminal. After receiving the first scheduling information, the application server may send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. It is to be understood that, if the first scheduling information indicates at least one time interval, the first terminal may also determine a first time interval in the at least one time interval (the first time interval is included in the at least one time interval), and send information of the first time interval to the application server, and the first terminal may also determine one or more specific times in the at least one time interval, and send the one or more specific times to the application server.

In this embodiment of the present application, the AF and the application server may be the same network element or device, or different network elements or devices, which is not limited.

S1103: the first RAN equipment configures first resources for the first terminal.

The first resource may be used to transmit a data packet of the first service flow. The first resource may be a resource corresponding to the QoS flow. The first resource may include at least one of: time domain resources, frequency domain resources, or spatial domain resources.

Optionally, after S1103, the first RAN device sends a response message to the SMF. The response information may be used to indicate that the first resource configuration is complete.

It is understood that S1102-S1103 can also be performed in the method shown in fig. 10 without limitation. For example, S1102-S1103 may be performed after S702 in the method shown in fig. 10.

It can be understood that, through the above S1102-S1103, after determining the first scheduling information, the SMF may send the first feature information and the first scheduling information to the first RAN device, so that the first RAN device reserves resources for the QoS flow according to the first feature information and the first scheduling information.

Optionally, in a possible implementation manner of the method shown in fig. 7, after determining the first scheduling information, the SMF may send the first scheduling information to the first terminal, so that the first terminal sends the first scheduling information to an AF corresponding to an application corresponding to the first service flow, or so that the first terminal sends a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. Specifically, as shown in fig. 11, the method shown in fig. 7 further includes S1104.

S1104: the SMF transmits the first scheduling information to the first terminal. Accordingly, the first terminal receives the first scheduling information from the SMF.

In one possible implementation, the SMF sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal through a Non Access Stratum (NAS) message.

In a possible implementation manner, if the SMF acquires the first feature information by the foregoing manner 1, after determining the first scheduling information, the SMF sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal.

Optionally, if the first service flow is an uplink service flow, after S1104, the first terminal may send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. For example, the first terminal may transmit the first scheduling information to an application layer of the first terminal. And the application layer of the first terminal is the application layer corresponding to the first service flow. After receiving the first scheduling information, the application layer of the first terminal may send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.

Optionally, if the first service flow is a downlink service flow, after S1104, the first terminal may send the first scheduling information to the application server corresponding to the first terminal. After receiving the first scheduling information, the application server may send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. It is to be understood that, if the first scheduling information indicates at least one time interval, the first terminal may also determine a first time interval in the at least one time interval and send information of the first time interval to the application server, and the first terminal may also determine one or more specific times in the at least one time interval and send the one or more specific times to the application server.

It is understood that S1104 may also be performed in the method shown in fig. 10, without limitation. For example, S1104 may be performed after S702 in the method illustrated in fig. 10.

It can be understood that, if the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application includes both S1102-S1103 and S1104, S1102-S1103 may be executed before S1104, or after S1104, or may be executed simultaneously with S1104. In addition, if the first RAN sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal in S1102-S1103, the communication method provided in this embodiment may not include S1104.

Optionally, in a possible implementation manner of the method shown in fig. 7, after determining the first scheduling information, the SMF may send the first scheduling information to the AF, so that the AF sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal, or so that the AF sends a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. Specifically, as shown in fig. 11, the method shown in fig. 7 further includes S1105.

S1105: the SMF transmits the first scheduling information to the AF. Accordingly, the AF receives the first scheduling information from the SMF.

In one possible implementation, the SMF may directly send the first scheduling information to the AF. The SMF may also transmit the first scheduling information to the AF through the PCF or the NEF.

In a possible implementation manner, if the SMF acquires the first feature information in the foregoing manner 2, the SMF determines the first scheduling information and then sends the first scheduling information to the AF.

In this embodiment of the present application, after S1105, operations performed by the AF are different when the AF and the application server are the same network element or device than when the AF and the application server are different network elements or devices. If the AF and the application server are the same network element or device, after S1105, the AF may send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, or the AF network element may send the first scheduling information to the first terminal. If the AF and the application server are different network elements or devices, after S1105, the AF may send the first scheduling information to the application server. After receiving the first scheduling information, the application server may send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, or send the first scheduling information to the first terminal. In particular, reference may be made to the following two example presentations.

As an example, in a case that the AF and the application server are the same network element or device, if the first service flow is a downlink service flow, after S1105, the AF may send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. If the first service flow is an uplink service flow, after S1105, the AF may send first scheduling information to the first terminal. After receiving the first scheduling information, the first terminal may send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. It is to be understood that, if the first scheduling information indicates at least one time interval, the AF may also determine a first time interval in the at least one time interval and send information of the first time interval to the first terminal, and the AF may also determine one or more specific times in the at least one time interval and send the one or more specific times to the first terminal.

As another example, in a case where the AF and the application server are different network elements or devices, if the first traffic flow is a downlink traffic flow, after S1105, the AF may send the first scheduling information to the application server. After receiving the first scheduling information, the application server may send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. If the first service flow is an uplink service flow, after S1105, the AF may send first scheduling information to the application server. After receiving the first scheduling information, the application server may send the first scheduling information to the first terminal. After receiving the first scheduling information, the first terminal may send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. It is to be understood that, if the first scheduling information indicates at least one time interval, the application server may also determine a first time interval in the at least one time interval and send information of the first time interval to the first terminal, and the application server may also determine one or more specific times in the at least one time interval and send the one or more specific times to the first terminal.

It is understood that S1105 may also be performed in the method shown in fig. 10, without limitation. For example, S1105 may be performed after S702 in the method illustrated in fig. 10.

It can be understood that, in the embodiment of the present application, after determining the first scheduling information, the SMF may send the first scheduling information to the first terminal and the AF, respectively. The SMF may also send the first scheduling information to the first terminal, and then the first terminal sends the first scheduling information to the AF. The SMF may also send the first scheduling information to the AF, and then send the first scheduling information to the first terminal through the AF. It should be understood that if the first traffic flow is an uplink traffic flow, the SMF or the first terminal may not transmit the first scheduling information to the AF, and if the first traffic flow is a downlink traffic flow, the SMF or the AF may not transmit the first scheduling information to the first terminal.

Optionally, in a possible implementation manner of the method shown in fig. 7, after or about to switch the first terminal from the first cell of the first RAN device to the second cell, the SMF may acquire information of the second cell, and determine, according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell, next sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell. Specifically, as shown in fig. 11, the method shown in fig. 7 further includes S1106-S1107.

S1106: the SMF acquires information of the second cell.

Wherein the information of the second cell may be used to identify the second cell. The second cell may or may not be a cell of the first RAN device. For example, the second cell may be a cell of a second RAN device that is different from the first RAN device. The second RAN device may be access network device 205 in fig. 2.

For example, if the second cell is a cell of the first RAN device, the first RAN device may send information of the second cell to the SMF, and accordingly, the SMF may receive the information of the second cell from the first RAN device. For example, the first RAN device sends information of the second cell to the SMF through the AMF, and accordingly, the SMF receives information of the second cell from the first RAN device through the AMF.

For example, if the second cell is a cell of the second RAN device, the second RAN device may send information of the second cell to the SMF, and accordingly, the SMF may receive the information of the second cell from the second RAN device. For example, the second RAN device sends information of the second cell to the SMF through the AMF, and accordingly, the SMF receives information of the second cell from the second RAN device through the AMF.

Illustratively, the SMF may also subscribe to the AMF for cell information accessed by the first terminal. When the cell accessed by the first terminal changes (for example, after the cell accessed by the first terminal is switched from the first cell to the second cell), the AMF may send information of the cell newly accessed by the first terminal (for example, information of the second cell) to the SMF.

S1107: and the SMF determines second scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell.

The other service flows in the second cell may be other service flows in the second cell except for the first service flow. That is, after acquiring the information of the second cell, the SMF may acquire feature information of other service flows transmitted through the second cell according to the information of the second cell, and determine the second scheduling information according to the first feature information and the feature information of other service flows in the second cell. Wherein the other traffic flows in the second cell include a third traffic flow. The third traffic flow is different from the first traffic flow. The third traffic flow may be a traffic flow of the first terminal, or may be a traffic flow of another terminal, which is accessed to the second cell, besides the first terminal. The data packets of the third traffic flow have started to be transmitted or have not started to be transmitted.

In this embodiment, the third characteristic information of the third service flow may be used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the third service flow and a transmission time of at least one data packet of the third service flow. The third feature information may enable the SMF to recover a transmission rule of the data packet of the third traffic flow. Or, the third characteristic information at least enables the SMF to recover the transmission rule of the larger frame in the third traffic flow.

In one possible implementation, the third feature information is obtained by the SMF before S1107. The process of the SMF acquiring the third feature information is similar to the process of the SMF acquiring the first feature information, and reference may be made to the description of the SMF acquiring the first feature information, which is not described herein again.

In this embodiment, the second scheduling information may be used to determine a next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell. For example, the second scheduling information may include a next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow, or the second scheduling information may indicate at least one time interval within which the next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow may be located, or the second scheduling information may indicate an adjusted time of the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow, for example, the at least one data packet of the first traffic flow is delayed from being transmitted by 10 ms.

Optionally, the second scheduling information may further include a coding rate, and/or a modulation order. If the first traffic stream has a high reliability requirement, the SMF may determine a lower coding rate or a lower modulation order.

It can be understood that the process of the SMF determining the second scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of the other service flows in the second cell is similar to the process of the SMF determining the first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of the other service flows in the first cell. Therefore, reference may be made to the description of S1107 corresponding to S702, which is not described herein again.

It may be appreciated that after S1107, the SMF may transmit the second scheduling information to the first RAN device, the second RAN device, the first terminal, or the AF. This process may refer to the corresponding description in S1102-S1103, S1104 or S1105 described above. It should be noted that, when the SMF sends the second scheduling information to the second RAN apparatus, the second RAN apparatus may reserve resources for the first terminal. This process may occur after the first terminal has handed over to the second cell or before the first terminal has handed over to the second cell.

For example, in the Xn interface-based handover procedure, the second RAN device may send the information of the second cell to the SMF through the AMF in a path switch request (path switch request), and the SMF may send the second scheduling information to the second RAN device through the AMF in a response message of the handover request.

For example, during the N2-based handover, the SMF may obtain information of the second cell from the first RAN device (through the AMF), and send the second scheduling information to the second RAN device in the handover request message (through the AMF). In this way, in the handover preparation phase, the second RAN device may reserve the resource for the first terminal according to the second scheduling information, so that the first terminal may receive or send the data packet of the first service flow in time according to the reserved resource.

Or, if the first terminal has not been handed over to the second cell, the SMF may send the second scheduling information to the first RAN device, and subsequently, the first RAN device may send the second scheduling information to the second RAN device, so that the second RAN device reserves resources for the first terminal. For example, the first RAN device sends the information of the second cell to the SMF before preparing handover, and receives the second scheduling information from the SMF, where the handover information sent by the first RAN device to the second RAN device includes the second scheduling information. It can be appreciated that, if the first RAN apparatus has reserved resources for the first terminal according to the first scheduling information before receiving the second scheduling information. After receiving the second scheduling information, the first RAN device may reserve resources for the first terminal again according to the second scheduling information.

In addition to the above method, the SMF may also send the second scheduling information to the second RAN device through an update message after the cell handover is completed, which is not limited.

In a possible implementation manner, if the second cell is a cell of the first RAN device, the SMF may send the second scheduling information to the first RAN device through an update message. It can be appreciated that, if the first RAN apparatus has reserved resources for the first terminal according to the first scheduling information before receiving the second scheduling information. After receiving the second scheduling information, the first RAN device may reserve resources for the first terminal again according to the second scheduling information.

It can be understood that in S1106-S1107 above, when the first terminal has switched or is about to switch from the first cell of the first RAN device to the second cell, the SMF may obtain information of the second cell, and determine, according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell, next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell, so that the data packet of the service flow in the second cell may be sent in a peak-to-peak manner, thereby reducing occurrence of congestion at an air interface, reducing a data packet loss rate and a data transmission delay, and improving user experience.

The actions of the first terminal, the AF, the SMF, or the first RAN device in S1101-S1107 above may be executed by the processor 601 in the communication apparatus 60 shown in fig. 6 calling the application program code stored in the memory 603, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

The methods shown in fig. 10 to fig. 11 are communication methods provided in the embodiments of the present application, which are described by taking a first network side device as an SMF as an example. The following describes the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application in detail by taking the first network side device as the PCF as an example. Specifically, reference may be made to the methods illustrated in fig. 12-13 described below. It is to be understood that in the methods shown in fig. 12 and 13, the PCF may be replaced by the NEF or the first network element.

As shown in fig. 12, in a possible implementation manner of the method shown in fig. 7, the PCF may obtain the first characteristic information and the information of the first cell at least in one manner of manners 5 to 7 described below. Of course, it is not limited to these three ways.

Mode 5: s701 may include S1201 and S1202.

S1201: the AF sends the first characteristic information to the PCF. Accordingly, the PCF receives the first characteristic information from the AF.

The AF may be an AF of an application corresponding to the first service flow. For example, the AF is the application network element 304 in fig. 3. The AF may also be the AF in FIG. 5a or FIG. 5 b.

Optionally, the AF sends the first feature information to the PCF when the data packet of the first service flow is about to start sending.

Optionally, the AF may further send the identifier of the first terminal to the PCF, so that the PCF determines that the first feature information is the feature information of the first service flow of the first terminal. The identifier of the first terminal may be an IP address of the first terminal, a General Public Subscriber Identifier (GPSI) of the first terminal, or a subscriber identity identifier (SUPI) of the first terminal.

S1202: the SMF sends information of the first cell to the PCF. Accordingly, the PCF receives information from the first cell of the SMF.

The SMF may be the session management network element 301 in fig. 3. The SMF may also be the SMF in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b. The SMF may acquire the information of the first cell by any one of the methods 1 to 4, and send the information of the first cell to the PCF.

The embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution order of S1201 and S1202. For example, in the embodiment of the present application, S1201 may be executed first and then S1202 is executed, S1202 may be executed first and then S1201 is executed, or S1201 and S1202 may be executed simultaneously.

It is understood that, through the above-mentioned S1201-S1202, the PCF may obtain the first characteristic information from the AF and the information of the first cell from the SMF. Thus, the PCF can determine the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell according to the information of the first cell, and determine the first scheduling information by combining the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows.

Mode 6: s701 may include S1203 and S1204.

S1203: the AF sends the first characteristic information to the PCF. Accordingly, the PCF receives the first characteristic information from the AF.

The specific process of S1203 is similar to S1201, so that reference may be made to the corresponding description in S1201, which is not described herein again.

S1204: the AMF sends information of the first cell to the PCF. Accordingly, the PCF receives information from the first cell of the AMF.

Wherein, the AMF may be the AMF in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b.

As an example, if the AF sends the IP address of the first terminal to the PCF in S1203, the PCF may obtain the SUPI of the first terminal according to the IP address of the first terminal, and obtain information of the AMF serving the first terminal from a Unified Data Management (UDM) according to the SUPI of the first terminal. Subsequently, the PCF may send a request message to the AMF to request to acquire the cell information currently accessed by the first terminal, i.e. the information of the first cell. If the AF sends the SUPI of the first terminal to the PCF in S1203, the PCF may obtain information of the AMF serving the first terminal from the UDM based on the SUPI of the first terminal. Subsequently, the PCF may send a request message to the AMF to request to acquire the cell information currently accessed by the first terminal, i.e. the information of the first cell.

As another example, the PCF may subscribe to the AMF for cell information accessed by the first terminal. When the cell accessed by the first terminal changes, the AMF may send information of the cell newly accessed by the first terminal to the PCF. Illustratively, after the first terminal is handed over from the other cells to the first cell, the AMF sends information of the first cell to the PCF.

It can be understood that, for the case that the PCF requests the AMF for the cell information currently accessed by the first terminal, S1203 may be executed first, and then S1204 is executed. For the case that the PCF subscribes to the cell information accessed by the first terminal from the AMF, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution sequence of S1203 and S1204. For example, in the embodiment of the present application, S1203 may be executed first and then S1204 may be executed, S1204 may be executed first and then S1203 may be executed, and S1203 and S1204 may be executed at the same time.

It is understood that, through the above S1203-S1204, the PCF may obtain the first characteristic information from the AF and the information of the first cell from the AMF. Therefore, the PCF can determine the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell according to the information of the first cell, and determine the first scheduling information by combining the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows.

Mode 7: s701 may include S1205.

S1205: the SMF transmits the first feature information and the information of the first cell to the PCF. Accordingly, the PCF receives the first characteristic information from the SMF and the information of the first cell.

The SMF may be the session management network element 301 in fig. 3. The SMF may also be the SMF in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b. The SMF may acquire the first feature information and the information of the first cell by any one of the methods 1 to 4, and send the first feature information and the information of the first cell to the PCF.

It is understood that the SMF may transmit the first feature information and the information of the first cell to the PCF through different messages, respectively, or may transmit the first feature information and the information of the first cell to the PCF by including them in one message. The first characteristic information and/or the information of the first cell may be included in information of a first QoS flow corresponding to the first traffic flow.

It can be understood that the SMF may acquire the first feature information and the information of the first cell by the methods described in the manner 1 to the manner 4.

It is understood that the PCF may obtain the first characteristic information and the information of the first cell from the SMF through S1205 described above. Therefore, the PCF can determine the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell according to the information of the first cell, and determine the first scheduling information by combining the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows.

The actions of the AF, SMF, AMF, or PCF in S1201-S1205 may be executed by the processor 601 in the communication apparatus 60 shown in fig. 6 calling the application program code stored in the memory 603, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

Optionally, in a possible implementation manner of the method shown in fig. 7, after determining the first scheduling information, the PCF may send the first scheduling information to the SMF, so that the SMF sends the first scheduling information to the first RAN device, and/or the first terminal, and/or the AF. Specifically, as shown in fig. 13, the method shown in fig. 7 further includes S1301.

S1301: the PCF sends the first scheduling information to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives the first scheduling information from the PCF.

In one possible implementation, the first scheduling information may be included in a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule sent to the SMF.

In one possible implementation manner, after S1301, the SMF may send the first scheduling information to the first RAN device, the first terminal, or the AF. Specifically, reference may be made to the corresponding description in S1102-S1103, S1104, or S1105, which is not described herein again. In the embodiment of the present application, the PCF may send the first scheduling information to the AF directly, in addition to sending the first scheduling information to the AF through the SMF, without limitation.

It is understood that S1301 may also be performed in the method shown in fig. 12. For example, S1301 may be performed after S702 in the method illustrated in fig. 12.

The actions of the SMF or PCF in S1301 above may be executed by the processor 601 in the communication apparatus 60 shown in fig. 6 calling the application program code stored in the memory 603, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

It is to be understood that the PCF may also send the first scheduling information directly to the AF.

Optionally, in a possible implementation manner of the method shown in fig. 7, the SMF or the AF may indicate to the PCF that the transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow is adjustable. In this case, the PCF may determine the first scheduling information. Specifically, as shown in fig. 13, the method shown in fig. 7 further includes S1302.

S1302: the SMF or AF sends the third indication information to the PCF. Accordingly, the PCF receives the third indication from the SMF or AF.

The introduction of SMF or AF can be referred to the above description. The third indication information may be used to indicate that the transmission time of the data packets of the first traffic flow can be adjusted. The adjustment of the transmission time of the data packets of the first traffic flow can also be alternatively described as the first traffic flow supporting off-peak scheduling.

In one possible implementation, before S702, the SMF or AF sends the third indication information to the PCF.

It can be understood that, if the PCF does not receive the third indication information, or the PCF receives the indication information that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow is not adjustable, the first terminal or the AF may send the data packet of the first service flow according to the expected initial sending time of the data packet of the first service flow as described above.

It is understood that the PCF may obtain the first characteristic information even if the transmission time of the data packets of the first traffic flow is not adjustable. In this way, the subsequent second network-side device may determine, according to the first feature information, scheduling information of a service flow for which the transmission time of the data packet is adjustable.

It is understood that S1302 may also be performed in the method shown in fig. 12. For example, S1302 may be performed before S702 in the method illustrated in fig. 12.

It is understood that through S1302 described above, the PCF may determine whether the first scheduling information needs to be determined according to the indication of the SMF or AF. If the PCF receives the third indication information, the PCF may determine the first scheduling information; if the PCF does not receive the third indication information, or the PCF receives the indication information that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow is not adjustable, the PCF may not perform S701-S702, or the PCF may not perform S702. In this way, computational and signaling overhead of the PCF may be saved.

The actions of the SMF, AF, or PCF in S1302 may be executed by the processor 601 in the communication apparatus 60 shown in fig. 6 calling the application program code stored in the memory 603, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Optionally, in a possible implementation manner of the method shown in fig. 7, the first terminal has switched or is about to switch from the first cell of the first RAN device to the second cell, and the PCF may obtain information of the second cell, and determine, according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell, a next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell. Specifically, as shown in fig. 13, the method shown in fig. 7 further includes S1303-S1304.

S1303: the PCF obtains information of the second cell.

Wherein the information of the second cell may be used to identify the second cell. The second cell may or may not be a cell of the first RAN device. For example, the second cell may be a cell of a second RAN device that is different from the first RAN device. The second RAN device may be access network device 306 in fig. 3.

In one possible implementation manner, the SMF acquires the information of the second cell by the method described in S1106, and sends the information of the second cell to the PCF.

In another possible implementation, the AMF sends the PCF information of the second cell. For example, the PCF may subscribe the AMF with cell information accessed by the first terminal. When the cell accessed by the first terminal changes (e.g., after the cell accessed by the first terminal is switched from the first cell to the second cell), the AMF may send information of the cell newly accessed by the first terminal (e.g., information of the second cell) to the PCF.

S1304: and the PCF determines second scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell.

In the embodiment of the present application, the process of S1304 is similar to the process of S1107. Therefore, reference may be made to the description in S1107 for the introduction of S1304, which is not described herein again.

It is to be appreciated that subsequent to S1304, the PCF may send the second scheduling information to the SMF such that the SMF sends the second scheduling information to the first RAN device, the second RAN device, the first terminal, or the AF. The PCF may also send the second scheduling information directly to the AF.

It can be understood that, through the above S1303-S1304, when the first terminal has switched or is about to switch from the first cell of the first RAN device to the second cell, the PCF may obtain information of the second cell, and determine, according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell, next sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell, so that the data packet of the service flow in the second cell may be sent in a staggered manner, thereby reducing occurrence of congestion at an air interface, reducing a packet loss rate and a transmission delay of data, and improving user experience.

The actions of the SMF or the PCF in S1303-S1304 may be executed by the processor 601 in the communication apparatus 60 shown in fig. 6 calling the application program code stored in the memory 603, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

In the methods shown in fig. 7 and fig. 10 to fig. 13, the device that determines the first scheduling information is the first network side device. In a specific application, the device that determines the first scheduling information may also be a RAN device. The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described below by taking an example that the device for determining the first scheduling information is the first RAN device.

As shown in fig. 14, a communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application includes S1401-S1403.

S1401: the SMF transmits first characteristic information for the first QoS flow to the first RAN device. Accordingly, a first RAN device receives first characteristic information for a first QoS flow from an SMF.

Where the SMF may be the session management network element 401 in fig. 4. The SMF may also be the SMF in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b. The first RAN device may be access network device 402 in fig. 4. The first RAN equipment may also be the RAN equipment in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b. The first QoS flow may be a QoS flow corresponding to the first traffic flow. The first traffic flow may be a traffic flow of the first terminal. The first characteristic information may be used to indicate a bandwidth and a periodicity of the first traffic flow. Alternatively, the first characteristic information may indicate a transmission rule of a data packet of the first traffic flow, or the first characteristic information may at least enable the first RAN device to recover a transmission rule of a larger frame in the first traffic flow. For detailed introduction of the first feature information, reference may be made to the corresponding description in S701, which is not described herein again. In this embodiment, the QoS flow and the traffic flow may be replaced with each other.

In a possible implementation manner, the SMF obtains the first feature information in any one of the foregoing manners 1 to 4, or the SMF may obtain the first feature information according to the PCC rule. After acquiring the first feature information, the SMF maps the first service flow to a first QoS flow, and sends the first feature information to the first RAN device.

In one possible implementation, the SMF sends a PDU session modification request to the first RAN device. The PDU session modify request includes first characteristic information for a first QoS flow.

S1402: the first RAN equipment determines first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows.

Wherein the other QoS flows are QoS flows in the first cell of the first RAN device other than the first QoS flow. The other QoS flows include a second QoS flow. The second QoS flow is different from the first QoS flow. The second QoS flow may be a QoS flow corresponding to the second traffic flow. The second traffic flow may be a traffic flow of the first terminal, or may be a traffic flow of another terminal accessing the first cell besides the first terminal. The data packets of the second traffic flow have started to be transmitted or have not started to be transmitted.

Wherein, the second characteristic information of the second QoS flow may be used to indicate the bandwidth, the period of the second QoS flow and the transmission time of at least one data packet of the second service flow. The second characteristic information may enable the first RAN device to recover a transmission rule of the data packets of the second traffic flow. Or, the second characteristic information at least may enable the first RAN device to recover a transmission rule of a larger frame in the second traffic flow.

In one possible implementation, the second feature information is obtained by the first RAN device before S1402. The process of acquiring the second feature information by the first RAN device is similar to the process of acquiring the first feature information by the first RAN device, and reference may be made to the description of acquiring the first feature information by the first RAN device, which is not repeated.

In this embodiment, the first scheduling information is used to determine a transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. Detailed introduction of the first scheduling information and a specific process of the first RAN device determining the first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other QoS flows may refer to the corresponding description in S702, which is not described herein again.

S1403: the first RAN device transmits first scheduling information to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives first scheduling information from the first RAN apparatus.

In one possible implementation, the first RAN device sends the first scheduling information to the AMF. And after receiving the first scheduling information, the AMF sends the first scheduling information to the SMF.

In a possible implementation manner, after receiving the first scheduling information, the SMF may send the first scheduling information to the first terminal and/or the AF. Specifically, reference may be made to the descriptions in S1104 and S1105 above.

In a possible implementation manner, after determining the first scheduling information, the first RAN device may configure the first resource for the first terminal according to the first scheduling information. Specifically, reference may be made to the corresponding description in S1103 described above.

In a possible implementation manner, after determining the first scheduling information, the first RAN device may send the first scheduling information to the first terminal. Specifically, reference may be made to the corresponding description in S1102 above.

Based on the method shown in fig. 14, after receiving the first feature information of the first QoS flow, the first RAN device may determine, by combining feature information of other QoS flows except the first QoS flow in the first cell, the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, so that the data packet of the QoS flow in the first cell may be sent in an off-peak manner, thereby reducing occurrence of congestion at an air interface, reducing a packet loss rate and transmission delay of data, and improving user experience. In addition, compared with the method for determining the first scheduling information by the first network side device, the method shown in fig. 14 may not need to acquire the information of the first cell, thereby saving signaling overhead.

Alternatively, in one possible implementation of the method shown in fig. 14, the SMF may indicate to the first RAN device that the transmission time of the data packet of the first traffic flow is adjustable. In this case, the first RAN equipment may determine the first scheduling information. Specifically, the method shown in fig. 14 further includes S1404.

S1404: the SMF sends first indication information to the first RAN apparatus. Accordingly, the first RAN device receives the first indication information from the SMF.

Wherein the first indication information may be used to indicate that the transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted. The adjustment of the transmission time of the data packets of the first traffic flow may alternatively be described as the first traffic flow supporting off-peak scheduling.

In one possible implementation, before S1402, the SMF sends the first indication information to the first RAN apparatus. For example, the SMF transmits the first indication information in S1401.

It can be understood that, if the first RAN device does not receive the first indication information, or the first RAN device receives the indication information that the transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow is not adjustable, the first terminal or the AF may transmit the data packet of the first service flow according to the aforementioned predicted initial transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow, that is, the first RAN device does not determine the first scheduling information.

It is to be appreciated that the first RAN apparatus may obtain the first characteristic information even if the transmission time of the data packets of the first traffic flow is not adjustable. In this way, the subsequent first RAN apparatus may determine, according to the first characteristic information, scheduling information of a service flow for which the transmission time of the data packet is adjustable.

It is to be appreciated that, through S1404 above, the first RAN device may determine whether the first scheduling information needs to be determined according to the first indication information. If the first RAN device receives the first indication information, the first RAN device may determine first scheduling information; if the first RAN device does not receive the first indication information, or the first RAN device receives the indication information that the transmission time of the data packet of the first traffic flow is not adjustable, the first RAN device may not perform S1401-S1403, or the first RAN device may not perform S1402-S1403. In this manner, computational and signaling overhead of the first RAN device may be saved.

Optionally, in a possible implementation manner of the method shown in fig. 14, the first terminal has switched or is about to switch from a first cell of the first RAN apparatus to a second cell of the first RAN apparatus, and the first RAN apparatus may determine, according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows in the second cell, a next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell. Specifically, the method shown in fig. 14 further includes S1405.

S1405: the first RAN equipment determines second scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other QoS flows in the second cell.

In the embodiment of the present application, the process of S1405 is similar to the process of S1402. Therefore, reference may be made to the description in S1402 for introduction of S1405, and details are not repeated herein.

It is to be appreciated that after S1405, the first RAN apparatus may transmit the second scheduling information to the SMF, so that the SMF transmits the second scheduling information to the first RAN apparatus, the first terminal, or the AF. The first RAN equipment may also send the second scheduling information to the first terminal. It can be understood that, when the transmission time of the first traffic flow needs to be adjusted, the first RAN device transmits the second scheduling information to the SMF or the first terminal.

It can be understood that, through the above S1405, when the first terminal has switched or is about to switch from the first cell of the first RAN device to the second cell of the first RAN device, the first RAN device may determine, according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other QoS flows in the second cell, the next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell, so that the data packet of the QoS flow in the second cell may be sent in an off-peak manner, thereby reducing a congestion at an air interface, reducing a packet loss rate and a transmission delay of data, and improving user experience.

Optionally, in a possible implementation manner of the method shown in fig. 14, after the first terminal has handed over or is about to hand over from the first cell of the first RAN device to the third cell of the second RAN device, the first RAN device or the SMF may send the first feature information to the second RAN device, so that the second RAN device determines, according to the first feature information and the feature information of other QoS flows in the third cell, a next sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the third cell. Specifically, the method shown in FIG. 14 further includes S1406-S1407.

S1406: the first RAN device or the SMF sends the first feature information to the second RAN device.

Where the second RAN device may be the access network device 405 in fig. 4.

In one possible implementation, a first RAN device sends a handover request message to a second RAN device. The handover request message includes first feature information, e.g., the first feature information is included in a transparent container sent by the first RAN equipment to the second RAN equipment. Alternatively, in another possible implementation, the SMF sends the first feature information to the second RAN device, for example, in an N2 handover preparation process, the SMF sends the first feature information to the second RAN device.

S1407: and the second RAN equipment determines third scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other QoS flows in the third cell.

In the present embodiment, the process of S1407 is similar to the process of S1402. Therefore, the introduction of S1407 can refer to the corresponding description in S1402, which is not described herein again.

In one possible implementation, the second RAN apparatus may send the third scheduling information to the first RAN apparatus, so that the first RAN apparatus sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal. The third scheduling information sent by the first RAN apparatus to the first terminal may be included in the handover command message.

In one possible implementation, the second RAN device may send the third scheduling information to the SMF, so that the SMF sends the third scheduling information to the first RAN device, the first terminal, or the AF. For example, the third scheduling information sent by the second RAN apparatus to the SMF may be included in a path switch request (path switch request).

In a possible implementation manner, the second RAN device may also directly send the third scheduling information to the first terminal, so that the first terminal sends the uplink data packet of the first service flow according to the third scheduling information, or the first terminal sends the third scheduling information to the AF, so as to adjust the downlink sending time of the first service flow. For example, the second RAN apparatus may transmit the third scheduling information to the first terminal after the first terminal accesses the third drop zone.

In a possible implementation manner, after S1407, the second RAN apparatus may configure the second resource for the first terminal according to the third scheduling information. Wherein the second resource may be used for transmitting data packets of the first traffic flow. The second resource may be a resource corresponding to the first QoS flow. The second resource may include at least one of: time domain resources, frequency domain resources, or spatial domain resources.

In one possible implementation, before S1407, the second RAN apparatus may receive the second indication information from the first RAN apparatus or the SMF. The second indication information is used for indicating that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

It can be understood that, through the foregoing S1406-S1407, when the first terminal has switched or is about to switch from the first cell of the first RAN device to the third cell of the second RAN device, the second RAN device may obtain the first feature information from the first RAN device or the SMF, and determine, according to the first feature information and the feature information of other QoS flows in the third cell, the next sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the third cell, so that the data packet of the QoS flow in the third cell may be sent in a wrong peak, thereby reducing the occurrence of congestion at the air interface, reducing the data packet loss rate and the data transmission delay, and improving user experience.

The actions of the SMF, the first RAN device, or the second RAN device in S1401-S1407 may be executed by the processor 601 in the communication apparatus 60 shown in fig. 6 calling the application program code stored in the memory 603, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

It is to be understood that, in the above embodiments, the method and/or the steps implemented by the first network-side device may also be implemented by a component (for example, a chip or a circuit) that can be used for the first network-side device; the methods and/or steps implemented by the first access network device may also be implemented by a component (e.g., a chip or circuitry) operable with the first access network device; the methods and/or steps implemented by the first terminal may also be implemented by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) that may be used for the first terminal; the methods and/or steps implemented by the application network element may also be implemented by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) that is available to the application network element; the methods and/or steps implemented by the user plane network element may also be implemented by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) that is available to the user plane network element.

The above-mentioned scheme provided by the embodiment of the present application is introduced mainly from the perspective of interaction between network elements. Correspondingly, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication apparatus, where the communication apparatus may be the first network-side device in the foregoing method embodiment, or an apparatus including the first network-side device, or a component that is available for the first network-side device; alternatively, the communication apparatus may be the first RAN device in the foregoing method embodiment, or an apparatus including the foregoing first RAN device, or a component that can be used for the first RAN device; alternatively, the communication device may be the first terminal in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above first terminal, or a component that can be used for the first terminal; alternatively, the communication device may be an application network element in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above application network element, or a component that can be used for the application network element. It is understood that the communication device comprises hardware structures and/or software modules for performing the respective functions in order to realize the functions. Those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed in hardware or computer software drives hardware depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

Fig. 15 shows a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 150. The communication device 150 includes a transceiver module 1501 and a processing module 1502. The transceiver module 1501, which may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, may be a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, or a communication interface, for example.

In one implementation, taking the communication apparatus 150 as the first network side device in the foregoing method embodiment as an example:

the transceiver module 1501 is configured to acquire first feature information of a first service flow and information of a first cell to which a first terminal accesses, where the first service flow is a service flow of the first terminal, the first feature information is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the first service flow, and the information of the first cell is used to identify the first cell. Illustratively, in conjunction with fig. 7, the transceiver module 1501 may be configured to perform S701.

The processing module 1502 is further configured to determine first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows, where the other service flows are service flows in the first cell except the first service flow, the other service flows include a second service flow, the second characteristic information of the second service flow is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the second service flow and a sending time of at least one data packet of the second service flow, and the first scheduling information is used to determine a sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. Illustratively, in conjunction with fig. 7, the processing module 1502 may be configured to perform S702.

Optionally, the processing module 1502 is specifically configured to receive the first feature information from the first terminal through the transceiver module 1501; alternatively, the processing module 1502 is specifically configured to receive the first feature information from the application network element through the transceiver module 1501.

Optionally, the processing module 1502 is specifically configured to receive the first feature information from the user plane network element through the transceiver module 1501.

Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is configured to send first indication information to the user plane network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate to detect first feature information of the first service flow.

Optionally, the processing module 1502 is specifically configured to receive, through the transceiver module 1501, identification information of an application corresponding to a first service flow from a user plane network element; the processing module 1502 is further specifically configured to obtain the first feature information according to the identification information of the application.

Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to send first indication information to the user plane network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate detection application, and the first service flow is an application service flow.

Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to receive second indication information from the first terminal or the application network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

Optionally, the processing module 1502 is specifically configured to receive the first feature information from the application network element through the transceiver module 1501.

Optionally, the processing module 1502 is specifically configured to receive, through the transceiver module 1501, information of a first cell from a session management network element; or, optionally, the processing module 1502 is specifically configured to receive, through the transceiver module 1501, information of the first cell from the mobility management network element.

Optionally, the processing module 1502 is specifically configured to receive, through the transceiver module 1501, the first feature information and the information of the first cell from the session management network element.

Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to send the first scheduling information to the session management network element, so that the session management network element sends the first scheduling information to the first access network device and/or the first terminal.

Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to receive third indication information from the session management network element or the application network element, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

In another implementation, taking the communication apparatus 150 as the first RAN device in the foregoing method embodiment as an example:

the transceiving module 1501 is configured to receive first feature information of a first QoS flow, where the first QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to a first service flow, the first service flow is a service flow of a first terminal, and the first feature information is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the first service flow. Illustratively, in conjunction with fig. 14, the transceiver module 1501 may be configured to perform S1401.

The processing module 1502 is configured to determine first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows, where the other QoS flows are QoS flows other than the first QoS flow in the first cell of the first access network device, the other QoS flows include a second QoS flow, the second QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to the second traffic flow, the second characteristic information of the second QoS flow is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the second QoS flow and a sending time of at least one data packet of the second traffic flow, and the first scheduling information is used to determine a sending time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow. Illustratively, in conjunction with fig. 14, the processing module 1502 may be configured to perform S1402.

The transceiver 1501 is further configured to send the first scheduling information to the session management network element. For example, in conjunction with fig. 14, the transceiver module 1501 may be configured to perform S1403.

Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to receive first indication information from the session management network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow is adjustable.

Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to receive first feature information from the second access network device or the session management network element when the first terminal is handed over from the second access network device to the first access network device.

Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to receive second indication information from the second access device or the session management network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

In another implementation, taking the communication device 150 as the first terminal in the above method embodiment as an example:

a processing module 1502, configured to obtain first scheduling information, where the first scheduling information is used to determine sending time of at least one data packet of a first service flow, the first service flow is a service flow of a first terminal, the first scheduling information is determined according to first feature information and feature information of other service flows, the first feature information is used to indicate bandwidth and cycle of the first service flow, the other service flows are service flows, except the first service flow, in a first cell to which the first terminal accesses, and the other service flows include a second service flow, and second feature information of the second service flow is used to indicate bandwidth and cycle of the second service flow and sending time of at least one data packet of the second service flow. Illustratively, in conjunction with fig. 11, the processing module 1502 may be configured to perform S1104.

A transceiver module 1501, configured to send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information; or, the transceiver 1501 is configured to send the first scheduling information to an application network element corresponding to the first service flow.

Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to send the first feature information to a session management network element.

Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to send second indication information to the session management network element or to the application network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow is adjustable.

In another implementation, taking the communication device 150 as an example of the application network element in the foregoing method embodiment:

the processing module 1502 is configured to obtain first scheduling information, where the first scheduling information is used to determine sending time of at least one data packet of a first service flow, the first service flow is a service flow of a first terminal, the first scheduling information is determined according to first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows, the first characteristic information is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the first service flow, the other service flows are service flows, except the first service flow, in a first cell to which the first terminal is accessed, and the other service flows include a second service flow, and second characteristic information of the second service flow is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the second service flow and sending time of at least one data packet of the second service flow. Illustratively, in conjunction with fig. 11, the processing module 1502 may be configured to execute S1105.

A transceiver module 1501, configured to send the first scheduling information to the first terminal; or, the transceiver module 1501 is configured to transmit a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.

The transceiver module 1501 is further configured to send the first feature information to the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network open network element, or the first network element.

The transceiver module 1501 is further configured to send second indication information to the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network open network element, or the first network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow is adjustable.

All relevant contents of each step related to the above method embodiment may be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and are not described herein again.

In the present embodiment, the communication device 150 is presented in a form in which the respective functional modules are divided in an integrated manner. A "module" herein may refer to a particular ASIC, a circuit, a processor and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and/or other device that provides the functionality described herein. In a simple embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the communication device 150 may take the form of the communication device 60 shown in FIG. 6.

For example, the processor 601 in the communication device 60 shown in fig. 6 may execute the instructions by calling a computer stored in the memory 603, so that the communication device 60 executes the communication method in the above method embodiment.

Specifically, the functions/implementation processes of the transceiver module 1501 and the processing module 1502 in fig. 15 can be implemented by the processor 601 in the communication device 60 shown in fig. 6 calling the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 603. Alternatively, the function/implementation process of the processing module 1502 in fig. 15 may be implemented by the processor 601 in the communication device 60 shown in fig. 6 calling the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 603, and the function/implementation process of the transceiving module 1501 in fig. 15 may be implemented by the communication interface 604 in the communication device 60 shown in fig. 6.

Since the communication apparatus 150 provided in this embodiment can perform the above communication method, the technical effect obtained by the method can refer to the above method embodiment, and will not be described herein again.

It should be noted that one or more of the above modules or units may be implemented in software, hardware or a combination of both. When any of the above modules or units are implemented in software, which is present as computer program instructions and stored in a memory, a processor may be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flows. The processor may be built in an SoC (system on chip) or ASIC, or may be a separate semiconductor chip. The processor may further include a necessary hardware accelerator such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a PLD (programmable logic device), or a logic circuit for implementing a dedicated logic operation, in addition to a core for executing software instructions to perform an operation or a process.

When the above modules or units are implemented in hardware, the hardware may be any one or any combination of a CPU, a microprocessor, a Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, a Micro Controller Unit (MCU), an artificial intelligence processor, an ASIC, an SoC, an FPGA, a PLD, a dedicated digital circuit, a hardware accelerator, or a non-integrated discrete device, which may run necessary software or is independent of software to perform the above method flow.

Optionally, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, including: at least one processor coupled with the memory through the interface, and an interface, the at least one processor causing the method of any of the above method embodiments to be performed when the at least one processor executes the computer program or instructions in the memory. In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory. Optionally, the chip system may be composed of a chip, and may also include a chip and other discrete devices, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

In the above embodiments, all or part of the implementation may be realized by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, it may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. The procedures or functions described in accordance with the embodiments of the present application are all or partially generated upon loading and execution of computer program instructions on a computer. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a network of computers, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wire (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital Subscriber Line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or can comprise one or more data storage devices, such as a server, a data center, etc., that can be integrated with the medium. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a Solid State Disk (SSD)), among others.

While the present application has been described in connection with various embodiments, other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed application, from a review of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the word "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Although the present application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments thereof, it will be evident that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. Accordingly, the specification and figures are merely exemplary of the present application as defined in the appended claims and are intended to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of the present application. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made in the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. Thus, if such modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is intended to include such modifications and variations as well.

Claims

1. A communication method is applied to a first network side device, and is characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:

acquiring first characteristic information of a first service flow and information of a first cell accessed by a first terminal, wherein the first service flow is the service flow of the first terminal, the first characteristic information is used for indicating the bandwidth and the period of the first service flow, and the information of the first cell is used for identifying the first cell;

determining first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows, where the other service flows are service flows in the first cell except the first service flow, the other service flows include a second service flow, the second characteristic information of the second service flow is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the second service flow and a sending time of at least one data packet of the second service flow, and the first scheduling information is used to determine a sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow.

2. The method of claim 1,

if the data packet of the first service flow does not start to be transmitted, the first scheduling information is used for determining the initial transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow; alternatively, the first and second liquid crystal display panels may be,

if the data packet of the first service flow has already started to be transmitted, the first scheduling information is used for determining the next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first characteristic information is further used to indicate a transmission time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow if the data packet of the first traffic flow has already started to be transmitted.

4. The method according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the first network-side device is a session management network element.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the obtaining the first feature information comprises:

receiving the first characteristic information from the first terminal; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

receiving the first feature information from an application network element.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the obtaining the first feature information comprises:

receiving the first feature information from a user plane network element.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

and sending first indication information to the user plane network element, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating and detecting first characteristic information of the first service flow.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first indication information comprises configuration information of a detection window, and the configuration information of the detection window is used for configuring a detection window, and the detection window is used for the user plane network element to detect the first feature information.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the obtaining the first feature information comprises:

receiving identification information of an application corresponding to the first service flow from a user plane network element;

and acquiring the first characteristic information according to the identification information of the application.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

and sending first indication information to the user plane network element, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating detection application, and the first service flow is the service flow of the application.

11. The method according to any one of claims 4-10, further comprising:

and receiving second indication information from the first terminal or the application network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

12. The method according to any one of claims 4-11, further comprising:

and sending the first scheduling information to first access network equipment, wherein the first scheduling information is used for the first access network equipment to configure resources for transmitting the data packets of the first service flow.

13. The method according to any one of claims 4-12, further comprising:

and sending the first scheduling information to the first terminal, so that the first terminal sends the first scheduling information to an application network element corresponding to an application corresponding to the first service flow, or so that the first terminal sends a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.

14. The method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first network-side device is a policy control network element, a network open network element, or a first network element.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the obtaining the first feature information comprises:

receiving the first feature information from an application network element.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the obtaining information of the first cell comprises:

receiving information of the first cell from the session management network element; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

receiving information of the first cell from a mobility management network element.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the obtaining the first characteristic information of the first service flow and the information of the first cell accessed by the first terminal comprises:

receiving the first feature information and the information of the first cell from the session management network element.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14-17, further comprising:

and sending the first scheduling information to the session management network element, so that the session management network element sends the first scheduling information to the first access network device and/or the first terminal.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14-18, further comprising:

and receiving third indication information from the session management network element or the application network element, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

20. The method according to any one of claims 1-19, further comprising:

and sending the first scheduling information to the application network element so that the application network element sends a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, or so that the application network element sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal.

21. The method according to any of claims 1-20, wherein the first terminal has handed over or is about to hand over to a second cell, the method further comprising:

acquiring information of a second cell, wherein the information of the second cell is used for identifying the second cell;

and determining second scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell, where the other service flows in the second cell include a third service flow, the third characteristic information of the third service flow is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the third service flow and a transmission time of at least one data packet of the third service flow, and the second scheduling information is used to determine a next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell.

22. A communication method applied to a first access network device is characterized by comprising the following steps:

receiving first characteristic information of a first QoS (quality of service) flow, wherein the first QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to a first service flow, the first service flow is a service flow of a first terminal, and the first characteristic information is used for indicating the bandwidth and the period of the first service flow;

determining first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows, where the other QoS flows are QoS flows in a first cell of the first access network device except the first QoS flow, the other QoS flows include a second QoS flow, the second QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to a second service flow, the second characteristic information of the second QoS flow is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the second QoS flow and a transmission time of at least one data packet of the second service flow, and the first scheduling information is used to determine a transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow;

and sending the first scheduling information to a session management network element.

23. The method of claim 22,

if the data packet of the first service flow does not start to be transmitted, the first scheduling information is used for determining the initial transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

24. The method of claim 23, wherein if the data packet of the first traffic flow has started to be transmitted,

the first characteristic information is further used for indicating the sending time of at least one data packet in the first service flow.

25. The method according to any of claims 22-24, characterised in that the first feature information is received from a session management network element, the first feature information being obtained by the session management network element from a user plane network element, or the first feature information being obtained according to policy and charging control rules.

26. The method according to any one of claims 22-25, further comprising:

and receiving first indication information from the session management network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

27. The method of any of claims 22-24, wherein the first characteristic information is received from a second access network device or the session management network element when the first terminal is handed over from the second access network device to the first access network device.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

and sending the first scheduling information to the second access network equipment so that the second access network equipment sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal.

29. The method of claim 27 or 28, further comprising:

receiving second indication information from the second access device or the session management network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

30. A communications device, wherein the communications device is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 29.

31. A communication system, the communication system comprising: a session management network element and a first access network device,

the session management network element is configured to send first feature information of a first quality of service QoS flow to the first access network device, where the first QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to a first service flow, the first service flow is a service flow of a first terminal, and the first feature information is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the first service flow;

the first access network device is configured to receive the first feature information from the session management network element, determine first scheduling information according to the first feature information and feature information of other QoS streams, and send the first scheduling information to the session management network element; the other QoS flows are QoS flows in a first cell of the first access network device except the first QoS flow, and include a second QoS flow, where the second QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to a second service flow, second characteristic information of the second QoS flow is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the second QoS flow and a transmission time of at least one data packet of the second service flow, and the first scheduling information is used to determine a transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow;

the session management network element is further configured to receive the first scheduling information from the first access network device.

32. The communication system according to claim 31, wherein the communication system further comprises a user plane network element,

the session management network element is further configured to send first indication information to the user plane network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate to detect first feature information of the first service flow;

the user plane network element is configured to receive the first indication information from the session management network element, detect the first feature information, and send the first feature information to the session management network element;

the session management network element is further configured to receive the first feature information from the user plane network element.

33. The communication system according to claim 31 or 32,

the session management network element is further configured to send first indication information to the first access network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

34. The communication system according to any of claims 31-33, wherein said communication system further comprises an application network element,

the session management network element is further configured to send the first scheduling information to the application network element;

the application network element is configured to receive the first scheduling information from the session management network element, and send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.