WO2024055692A1

WO2024055692A1 - Communication method, communication apparatus, and communication system

Info

Publication number: WO2024055692A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/103520
Authority: WO
Inventors: 王丹; 周汉; 魏鑫鹏; 李汉成
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司
Priority date: 2022-09-14
Filing date: 2023-06-28
Publication date: 2024-03-21
Also published as: CN117750424A

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of communications and discloses a communication method, a communication apparatus, and a communication system, for saving transmission resources. The communication method comprises: receiving a first protocol data unit (PDU) set of a first service used by a terminal device and a second PDU set of a second service used by the terminal device, wherein the first PDU set and the second PDU set are mapped to different quality of service (QoS) flows; sending the first PDU set to an access network element; and if the transmission of the first PDU set fails, according to a dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set, determining whether to send the second PDU set to the access network element.

Description

Communication method, communication device and communication system

This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on September 14, 2022, with application number 202211116854.7 and application name "communication method, communication device and communication system", the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Applying.

Technical field

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

Background technique

In the fifth generation (5G) communication system, in order to ensure the end-to-end service quality of the business, the concept of quality of service (QoS) flow is proposed. In the protocol data unit (PDU) session, the quality of service (QoS) flow is used to carry the business data flow and achieve differentiated management. Each QoS flow can be identified by the QoS flow identifier (QoS flow identifier (QFI) to uniquely identify it.

There are sometimes dependencies between PDU sets mapped to different QoS flows. For example, the service flow of an extended reality (XR) service can be mapped to different QoS flows, including intra-coded picture (I) frames and forward predictive coding pictures (predictive) of the video stream. -coded picture, P) frames are mapped to different QoS flows respectively, or the base layer and enhancement layer of the video stream are mapped to different QoS flows respectively, etc. There are still dependencies between the PDU sets mapped to different QoS flows. . For example, assume that all I frames are mapped to QoS flow 1, and all P frames are mapped to QoS flow 2. The P frames in QoS flow 2 need to depend on belonging to the same group of pictures in QoS flow 1. The I frame or the previous P frame belonging to the same GoP in QoS flow 2 are decoded. Once the transmission of the dependent I frame or P frame fails, the dependent P frame cannot be decoded due to the lack of a reference frame even if the transmission is successful. Therefore, Transmitting these P frames will waste transmission resources.

Contents of the invention

Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, communication device and communication system for saving transmission resources.

In order to achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of the present application adopt the following technical solutions:

In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, including: a user plane functional network element receiving a first protocol data unit PDU set of a first service used in a terminal device and a second PDU set of a second service used in the terminal device, Among them, the first PDU set and the second PDU set are mapped to different quality of service QoS flows; the user plane functional network element sends the first PDU set to the access network element; if the transmission of the first PDU set fails, the user plane functional network element The element determines whether to send the second PDU set to the access network element based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set.

In the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application, when the user plane functional network element determines that the first PDU set transmitted by the access network element to the terminal device fails to be transmitted, the communication method is determined based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set. Whether to send the second PDU set to the access network element avoids transmission of the second PDU set but cannot be correctly parsed under any circumstances, thus wasting transmission resources, and therefore can save transmission resources.

In a possible implementation, the user plane functional network element determines whether to send the second PDU set to the access network element based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set, including: user plane functional network element Resend the first PDU set to the access network element according to the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set, and determine whether to send the second PDU set to the access network element.

That is, only after the user plane functional network element determines to re-send the first PDU set to the access network element, it determines whether to send the second PDU set to the access network element. Otherwise, because the second PDU set depends on the first PDU Set, even if the user plane functional network element sends the second PDU set, it cannot be correctly parsed by the terminal device, which wastes transmission resources.

In a possible implementation, determining whether to send the second PDU set to the access network element includes: the user plane functional network element obtains the air interface congestion information of the access network element; the user plane functional network element obtains the air interface congestion information of the access network element according to the access network element. Determine whether to send the second PDU set to the access network element based on the air interface congestion information of the network element and/or the attribute information of the second PDU set.

The user plane functional network element determines whether to send the second PDU set to the access network network element based on the air interface congestion information of the access network network element, with the purpose of giving priority to ensuring normal network communication. The user plane functional network element determines whether to send data to the access network based on the attribute information of the second PDU set. The network element sends the second PDU set because sometimes it can be determined that the second PDU set is an important PDU set based on the attribute information of the second PDU set, so it sends the second PDU set to the access network element to ensure that the important PDU set transmission. For example, if the second PDU set is a P frame with an earlier time sequence, even if the air interface of the access network element is congested, the user plane functional network element still sends the second PDU set to the access network element.

In a possible implementation, the user plane functional network element obtains the air interface congestion information of the access network element, including: the user plane functional network element receives the air interface congestion information from the access network element or the session management function network element, or , The user plane functional network element obtains air interface congestion information through QoS monitoring. For example, an increase in transmission delay indicates that air interface congestion occurs.

In a possible implementation, the user plane functional network element determines whether to send the second PDU set to the access network element based on the air interface congestion information of the access network element and/or based on the attribute information of the second PDU set, including: if the air interface congestion information indicates that the air interface of the access network element is not congested, the user plane functional network element sends the second PDU set to the access network element; or, if the air interface congestion information indicates that the air interface of the access network element is congested, the user plane functional network element sends the second PDU set to the access network element based on the attribute information of the second PDU set. For example, if the air interface of the access network element is congested, but the second PDU set is a P frame with an earlier timing, the user plane functional network element still sends the second PDU set to the access network element to ensure the transmission of important PDU sets.

In a possible implementation, re-sending the first PDU set to the access network element includes: if the sending time point of the next cycle is not reached, delaying to the sending time point of the next cycle and re-sending the set of PDUs to the access network element. The network element sends the first PDU set.

For requirements such as periodic resource configuration or connected mode discontinuous reception (CDRX) of terminal equipment, the data that the access network element expects to receive is periodic, so if the transmission time of the next cycle is not reached, point, the user plane functional network element delays sending the second PDU set to the access network element until the sending time point of the next cycle.

In a possible implementation, sending the second PDU set to the access network element includes: if the sending time point of the next period is not reached, delaying to the sending time point of the next period to the access network element. Send a second set of PDUs.

For requirements such as periodic resource configuration or CDRX of terminal equipment, the data that the access network element expects to receive is periodic, so if the transmission time point of the next cycle is not reached, the user plane functional network element is delayed to the next The second PDU set is sent to the access network element at a periodic sending time point.

In a possible implementation, the method further includes: if the user plane functional network element determines not to send the second PDU set to the access network network element, the user plane functional network element sends sleep indication information to the access network network element, and the sleep indication The information is used to indicate not to send the second PDU set to the terminal device at N periodic sending time points in the future, where N is the number of the second PDU set that has been buffered within a period of time.

This implementation allows the terminal device to sleep during this period of time without receiving downlink data, thereby reducing power consumption.

In a possible implementation, the first PDU set is mapped to the first QoS flow, and the data packet carrying the first PDU set includes the identity of the first QoS flow and the identity of the first PDU set; the method further includes: The user plane functional network element receives a failure indication message from the access network element. The failure indication message includes the identifier of the first QoS flow and the identifier of the first PDU set. The failure indication message is used to indicate that the transmission of the first PDU set failed. The identifier of the first QoS flow and the identifier of the first PDU set are used to instruct the user plane functional network element to determine the second PDU set based on the first PDU set.

This implementation mode enables the access network element to notify the user plane functional network element of the transmission failure of the first PDU set, and further enables the user plane functional network element to determine the second PDU set based on the first PDU set.

In a possible implementation, the data packet carrying the first PDU set includes an identifier of the first PDU set and an association identifier of the first PDU set that commonly corresponds to the second PDU set; the method also includes: a user plane function The network element receives a failure indication message from the access network element. The failure indication message includes an association identifier and an identifier of the first PDU set. The failure indication message is used to indicate a transmission failure of the first PDU set. The received association identifier and the first PDU set The identifier is used to instruct the user plane functional network element to determine the second PDU set based on the first PDU set.

In a possible implementation, the first PDU set is an I frame in the video stream, and the second PDU set is a P frame in the same group as the I frame; or, the first PDU set is an earlier P frame in the video stream. frame, the second PDU set is the later P frame in the same group as the earlier P frame; or the first PDU set is the base layer in the video stream, and the second PDU set is the enhancement layer in the video stream; Alternatively, the first PDU set is one of video (corresponding to video services), audio (corresponding to audio services) or tactile (corresponding to sensory services) serving the same user, and the second PDU set is at least one of the remaining video, audio, and tactile services. one.

In a video stream of a service stream, if the I frame transmission fails, the P frame that depends on the I frame will not be transmitted even if the transmission is successful. cannot be parsed, and not transmitting P frames can save transmission resources. For another example, in a video stream of a service stream, if the base layer fails to be transmitted, the enhancement layer that relies on the base layer cannot be parsed even if the transmission is successful. Not transmitting the enhancement layer can save transmission resources. For another example, multiple terminals receive video, audio, and haptics respectively. If the video transmission fails, the user will not be able to get a complete experience even if the audio and haptics that depend on the video are output. Not transmitting audio and haptics can save transmission resources; or, video If any one of , audio and haptic data is not transmitted successfully, the user will not be able to get a complete experience. Not transmitting the other two types of data can save transmission resources.

In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, including: an access network element receiving a first protocol data unit PDU set of a first service used in a terminal device and a second service used in the terminal device from a user plane functional network element. The second PDU set, where the first PDU set and the second PDU set are mapped to different quality of service QoS flows; the access network element sends the first PDU set to the terminal device; if the transmission of the first PDU set fails, the access network element The network element entering the network determines whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set.

In the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application, when the access network element determines that the transmission of the first PDU set to the terminal device fails, it determines whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set. The second PDU set avoids wasting transmission resources by transmitting the second PDU set but failing to parse it correctly under any circumstances, so transmission resources can be saved.

In a possible implementation, the access network element determines whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set, including: the access network element determines whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device according to the second PDU set. The dependency relationship between the PDU set and the first PDU set resends the first PDU set to the terminal device, and determines whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device.

That is, the access network element determines whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device again only after it determines to re-send the first PDU set to the terminal device. Otherwise, because the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set, even if the access network Even if the network element sends the second PDU set, it cannot be correctly parsed by the terminal device, which wastes transmission resources.

In a possible implementation, determining whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device includes: the access network element determines whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device according to air interface congestion information and/or according to attribute information of the second PDU set. Two PDU sets.

The access network element determines whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device based on the air interface congestion information of the access network element, with the purpose of giving priority to ensuring normal network communication. The access network element determines whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device based on the attribute information of the second PDU set. The reason is that sometimes it can be determined that the second PDU set is an important PDU set based on the attribute information of the second PDU set, thereby sending the second PDU set to the terminal device. The terminal device sends the second PDU set to ensure the transmission of the important PDU set. For example, if the second PDU set is a P frame with an earlier timing, even if the air interface of the access network element is congested, the access network element still sends the second PDU set to the terminal device.

In a possible implementation, the first PDU set is mapped to the first QoS flow, the second PDU set is mapped to the second QoS flow, and the data packet carrying the first PDU set includes the first PDU set dependency information, The first PDU set dependency information includes the identifier of the first QoS flow and the first PDU set, the data packet carrying the second PDU set includes the second PDU set dependency information, and the second PDU set dependency information includes the first QoS The identity of the flow, the identity of the second QoS flow, the identity of the first PDU set and the identity of the second PDU set; the first PDU set dependency information and the second PDU set dependence information are used to indicate that the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set. This embodiment provides a way to indicate that the second set of PDUs is dependent on the first set of PDUs.

In a possible implementation, the data packet carrying the first PDU set includes third PDU set dependency information, and the third PDU set dependency information includes an association identifier and an identifier of the first PDU set; The data packet includes the fourth PDU set dependency information, and the fourth PDU set dependence information includes the association identifier, the identifier of the first PDU set, and the identifier of the second PDU set; the third PDU set dependency information and the fourth PDU set dependency information are To indicate that the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set. This embodiment provides another way of indicating that the second set of PDUs is dependent on the first set of PDUs.

In a possible implementation, the first PDU set is mapped to the first QoS flow, and the second PDU set is mapped to the second QoS flow. The method further includes: the access network element receives the third QoS flow from the session management function network element. First QoS flow dependency information and second QoS flow dependency information, or the data packet carrying the first PDU set includes the first QoS flow dependency information, and the data packet carrying the second PDU set includes the second QoS flow dependency information; wherein , the first QoS flow dependency information includes the identification of the first QoS flow and the first dependence indication information, and the second QoS flow dependence information includes the identification of the first QoS flow, the identification of the second QoS flow and the second dependence indication information, The first dependency indication information is used to indicate that the PDU set mapped to the first QoS flow is dependent on other PDU sets, and the second dependency indication information is used to indicate that the PDU set mapped to the second QoS flow depends on other PDU sets. The first QoS flow The dependency information and the second QoS flow dependency information are used to indicate that the second QoS flow depends on the first QoS flow. Thereby indicating that the second QoS flow is dependent on the first QoS flow.

In a possible implementation, the first QoS flow dependency information also includes an identifier of the second QoS flow. Thereby indicating that the second QoS flow is dependent on the first QoS flow.

In a possible implementation, the first PDU set is mapped to the first QoS flow, and the second PDU set is mapped to the second QoS flow. The method further includes: the access network element receives the third QoS flow from the session management function network element. The third QoS flow dependency information and the fourth QoS flow dependency information, or the data packet carrying the first PDU set includes the third QoS flow dependency information, and the data packet carrying the second PDU set includes the fourth QoS flow dependence information; where , the third QoS flow dependency information includes the identifier, association identifier, and first dependency indication information of the first QoS flow, and the fourth QoS flow dependency information includes the identifier, association identifier, and second dependency indication information of the second QoS flow, and the third One dependency indication information is used to indicate that the PDU set mapped to the first QoS flow is dependent on other PDU sets, the second dependency indication information is used to indicate that the PDU set mapped to the second QoS flow depends on other PDU sets, and the third QoS flow depends on information and the fourth QoS flow dependency information are used to indicate that the second QoS flow depends on the first QoS flow. Thereby indicating that the second QoS flow is dependent on the first QoS flow.

In a possible implementation, the data packet carrying the first PDU set and the data packet carrying the second PDU set include the group identifier, or the data packet carrying the second PDU set also includes the group identifier of the first PDU set. Identification to indicate that the second set of PDUs is dependent on the first set of PDUs. Combined with the foregoing description that the second QoS flow depends on the first QoS flow, it is further determined that the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set.

In a possible implementation, the data packet carrying the first PDU set also includes an identifier of the second PDU set. Thereby indicating that the second set of PDUs is dependent on the first set of PDUs.

In a possible implementation, the first PDU set is mapped to the first QoS flow, and the second PDU set is mapped to the second QoS flow. The method further includes: the access network element receives the configuration information of the first QoS flow. , the configuration information of the first QoS flow includes sharing indication information and QoS parameters, and the sharing indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow share QoS parameters.

The sharing indication information indicates that all QoS flows of the service flow share a certain QoS parameter. For example, assuming that I and P frames belonging to one video stream are mapped to the first QoS stream and the second QoS stream respectively, the sharing indication information can be used to indicate that the two QoS flows jointly use a bandwidth of 10M. If there is no sharing indication information and Indicates that the bandwidth of these two QoS streams is 10M. The video stream will occupy a total of 20M bandwidth, which may easily cause congestion of transmission resources.

In a possible implementation, the sharing indication information is an association identifier or an identifier of the second QoS flow; wherein the association identifier is used to associate all QoS flows that share QoS parameters. This application does not limit the form of sharing instruction information.

In a video stream of a service stream, if the I frame transmission fails, the P frame that depends on the I frame cannot be parsed even if the transmission is successful. Not transmitting the P frame can save transmission resources. For another example, in a video stream of a service stream, if the base layer fails to be transmitted, the enhancement layer that relies on the base layer cannot be parsed even if the transmission is successful. Not transmitting the enhancement layer can save transmission resources. For another example, multiple terminals receive video, audio, and haptics respectively. If the video transmission fails, the user will not be able to get a complete experience even if the audio and haptics that depend on the video are output. Not transmitting audio and haptics can save transmission resources; or, video If any one of , audio and haptic data is not transmitted successfully, the user will not be able to get a complete experience. Not transmitting the other two types of data can save transmission resources.

In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, including: a user plane functional network element receiving a first protocol data unit PDU set of a first service used in a terminal device and a second PDU set of a second service used in the terminal device, Among them, the first PDU set and the second PDU set are mapped to different quality of service QoS flows; the user plane functional network element sends the first PDU set to the access network network element; the access network network element sends the first PDU set to the terminal device ; If the transmission of the first PDU set fails, the user plane function network element determines whether to send the second PDU set to the access network element based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set.

In a possible implementation, it is determined whether to send the second PDU set to the access network element, including: user plane functional network element Obtain the air interface congestion information of the access network element; the user plane function network element determines whether to send the second PDU to the access network element based on the air interface congestion information of the access network element and/or based on the attribute information of the second PDU set set.

In a possible implementation, the user plane functional network element obtains the air interface congestion information of the access network element, including: the user plane functional network element receives the air interface congestion information from the access network element or the session management function network element, or , The user plane functional network element obtains air interface congestion information through QoS monitoring.

In a possible implementation, the user plane functional network element determines whether to send the second PDU set to the access network element based on the air interface congestion information of the access network element and/or based on the attribute information of the second PDU set, Including: if the air interface congestion information indicates that the air interface of the access network element is not congested, the user plane functional network element sends the second PDU set to the access network element; or, if the air interface congestion information indicates that the air interface of the access network element is If congestion occurs, the user plane functional network element sends the second PDU set to the access network element according to the attribute information of the second PDU set.

In a possible implementation, the first PDU set is mapped to the first QoS flow, and the data packet carrying the first PDU set includes an identifier of the first QoS flow and an identifier of the first PDU set; the method further includes: user The plane function network element receives a failure indication message from the access network element. The failure indication message includes the identifier of the first QoS flow and the identifier of the first PDU set. The failure indication message is used to indicate that the transmission of the first PDU set fails. The identifier of a QoS flow and the identifier of the first PDU set are used to instruct the user plane functional network element to determine the second PDU set based on the first PDU set.

In a possible implementation, the first PDU set is an I frame in the video stream, and the second PDU set is a P frame in the same group as the I frame; or, the first PDU set is an earlier P frame in the video stream. frame, the second PDU set is the later P frame in the same group as the earlier P frame; or the first PDU set is the base layer in the video stream, and the second PDU set is the enhancement layer in the video stream; Alternatively, the first PDU set is one of video, audio, or haptic that serves the same user, and the second PDU set is at least one of the remaining video, audio, or haptic.

In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, including: a user plane function network element sending a first protocol data unit PDU set of a first service used in a terminal device and a second service used in the terminal device to an access network element. The second PDU set, where the first PDU set and the second PDU set are mapped to different quality of service QoS flows; the access network element sends the first PDU set to the terminal device; if the transmission of the first PDU set fails, the access network element The network element entering the network determines whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set.

In a possible implementation, the first PDU set is mapped to the first QoS flow, the second PDU set is mapped to the second QoS flow, and the data packet carrying the first PDU set includes the first PDU set dependency information, The first PDU set dependency information includes the identifier of the first QoS flow and the first PDU set, the data packet carrying the second PDU set includes the second PDU set dependency information, and the second PDU set dependency information includes the first QoS The identity of the flow, the identity of the second QoS flow, the identity of the first PDU set and the identity of the second PDU set; the first PDU set dependency information and the second PDU set dependence information are used to indicate that the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set.

In a possible implementation, the data packet carrying the first PDU set includes third PDU set dependency information, and the third PDU set dependency information includes an association identifier and an identifier of the first PDU set; The data packet includes the fourth PDU set dependency information, and the fourth PDU set dependence information includes the association identifier, the identifier of the first PDU set, and the identifier of the second PDU set; the third PDU set dependency information and the fourth PDU set dependency information are To indicate that the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set.

In a possible implementation, the first PDU set is mapped to the first QoS flow, and the second PDU set is mapped to the second QoS flow. The method further includes: the access network element receives the third QoS flow from the session management function network element. First QoS flow dependency information and second QoS flow dependency information, or the data packet carrying the first PDU set includes the first QoS flow dependency information, and the data packet carrying the second PDU set includes the second QoS flow dependency information; wherein , the first QoS flow dependency information includes the identification of the first QoS flow and the first dependence indication information, and the second QoS flow dependence information includes the identification of the first QoS flow, the identification of the second QoS flow and the second dependence indication information, The first dependency indication information is used to indicate that the PDU set mapped to the first QoS flow is dependent on other PDU sets, and the second dependency indication information is used to indicate that the PDU set mapped to the second QoS flow depends on other PDU sets. The first QoS flow The dependency information and the second QoS flow dependency information are used to indicate that the second QoS flow depends on the first QoS flow.

In a possible implementation, the first QoS flow dependency information also includes an identifier of the second QoS flow.

In a possible implementation, the first PDU set is mapped to the first QoS flow, and the second PDU set is mapped to the second QoS flow. The method further includes: the access network element receives the third QoS flow from the session management function network element. The third QoS flow dependency information and the fourth QoS flow dependency information, or the data packet carrying the first PDU set includes the third QoS flow dependency information, and the data packet carrying the second PDU set includes the fourth QoS flow dependence information; where , the third QoS flow dependency information includes the identifier, association identifier, and first dependency indication information of the first QoS flow, and the fourth QoS flow dependency information includes the identifier, association identifier, and second dependency indication information of the second QoS flow, and the third One dependency indication information is used to indicate that the PDU set mapped to the first QoS flow is dependent on other PDU sets, the second dependency indication information is used to indicate that the PDU set mapped to the second QoS flow depends on other PDU sets, and the third QoS flow depends on information and the fourth QoS flow dependency information are used to indicate that the second QoS flow depends on the first QoS flow.

In a possible implementation, the data packet carrying the first PDU set and the data packet carrying the second PDU set include the group identifier, or the data packet carrying the second PDU set also includes the group identifier of the first PDU set. Identification to indicate that the second set of PDUs is dependent on the first set of PDUs.

In a possible implementation, the data packet carrying the first PDU set also includes an identifier of the second PDU set.

In a possible implementation, the sharing indication information is an association identifier or an identifier of the second QoS flow; wherein the association identifier is used to associate all QoS flows that share QoS parameters.

In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor and a memory. Instructions are stored in the memory. When the processor executes the instructions, the method described in the first to fourth aspects and any one of its implementations is executed.

A sixth aspect provides a communication system, including the communication device described in the fifth aspect.

In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, including instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to execute the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects and any of the implementations thereof.

In an eighth aspect, a computer program product containing instructions is provided. When the instructions are run on the above-mentioned communication device, the communication device causes the communication device to execute the method described in the first aspect and any embodiment thereof.

In a ninth aspect, a chip system is provided. The chip system includes a processor and is used to support a communication device to implement the functions involved in the above-mentioned first to fourth aspects. In a possible design, the device further includes an interface circuit, which can be used to receive signals from other devices (such as a memory) or to send signals to other devices (such as a communication interface). The chip system may include chips and may also include other discrete devices.

For the technical effects of the third to ninth aspects, refer to the technical effects of the first to second aspects and any implementation thereof, which will not be repeated here.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic architectural diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a QoS flow provided by an embodiment of the present application;

Figure 3 is a schematic flow chart of the first communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application;

Figure 4 is a schematic flow chart of the second communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application;

Figure 5 is a schematic flow chart of the third communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application;

Figure 6 is a schematic flow chart of the fourth communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application;

Figure 7 is a schematic flow chart of the fifth communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application;

Figure 8 is a schematic flow chart of the sixth communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application;

Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

Figure 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

Figure 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed ways

The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of explaining the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application more clearly, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application. Those of ordinary skill in the art will know that with the network With the evolution of architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

In the embodiment of the present application, "/" indicates that the two characters before and after the symbol are in an "or" relationship.

The embodiments of this application can be applied to both time division duplexing (TDD) scenarios and frequency division duplexing (FDD) scenarios without limitation.

The embodiments of this application are explained based on the scenario of 5G network in a wireless communication network. It should be noted that the solutions in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other wireless communication networks, and the corresponding names can also be used in other wireless communication networks. Replace with the name of the corresponding function.

Figure 1 provides a communication system architecture, including: terminal equipment 101, wireless access network ((radio) access network, (R)AN) network element 102, user plane function (UPF) network element 103, Data network (DN) 104, access and mobility management function (AMF) network element 105, session management function (SMF) network element 106, policy control network element control function (PCF) network element 107, unified data management (UDM) network element 108, application function (AF) network element 109, authentication server function (AUSF) network element 110 and network slice selection function (NSSF) network element 111.

It should be noted that the interface names between each network element in Figure 1 are just an example. In specific implementation, the interface names may be other names and are not restricted. For example, the interface between the terminal device 101 and the AMF network element 105 may be an N1 interface, the interface between the RAN network element 102 and the AMF network element 105 may be an N2 interface, and the interface between the RAN network element 102 and the UPF network element 103 It can be an N3 interface. The interface between UPF network element 103 and SMF network element 106 can be an N4 interface. The interface between PCF network element 107 and AF network element 109 can be an N5 interface. The interface between UPF network element 103 and DN 104 The interface between SMF network element 106 and PCF network element 107 can be an N7 interface, the interface between AMF network element 105 and UDM network element 108 can be an N8 interface, and the interface between UPF network element 103 and UPF network element 103 can be an N7 interface. The interface between elements 103 can be an N9 interface, the interface between SMF network element 106 and UDM network element 108 can be an N10 interface, the interface between AMF network element 105 and SMF network element 106 can be an N11 interface, and the interface between PCF network element 106 can be an N10 interface. The interface between 107 and UDM network element 108 can be N25 interface, the interface between AMF network element 105 and AUSF network element 110 can be N12, the interface between UDM network element 108 and AUSF network element 110 can be N13, AMF The interface between the network element 105 and the NSSF network element 111 may be N22.

The terminal device 101 may include various handheld devices, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems with wireless communication functions; it may also include a subscriber unit, a cellular phone , smart phone (smart phone), wireless data card, personal digital assistant (PDA) computer, tablet computer, wireless modem (modem), handheld device (handheld), laptop computer (laptop computer), cordless phone (cordless phone) or wireless local loop (WLL) station, machine type communication (MTC) terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station, MS), terminal device or relay user equipment, etc. Among them, the relay user equipment may be a 5G residential gateway (RG). For convenience of description, the devices mentioned above can be collectively referred to as terminal devices.

The RAN network element 102 provides wireless access equipment for the terminal device 101, including but not limited to gNodeB, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point, world interoperability for microwave access, WiMAX) base station, etc. The RAN network element can be a RAN network element, which is a RAN network element that accesses the 5G core network. It can be an NR gNodeB, or it can be an evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) in LTE. ) network element.

UPF network element 103 is mainly responsible for processing user messages, such as forwarding and accounting. The UPF network element can be a unicast UPF network element, a multicast UPF network element or a multicast/broadcast user plane function (MB-UPF) network element. The unicast UPF network element and the multicast UPF network element can be the same UPF network element. The unicast UPF network element is functionally the same as the multicast UPF network element, except that the unicast UPF network element transmits the unicast data stream of the current terminal device (the UPF network element can also transmit multicast data stream, such as transmitting other The multicast data stream of the multicast service of the terminal device), the multicast data stream of the current terminal device is transmitted on the multicast UPF network element (the UPF network element can also transmit the unicast data stream). Both unicast UPF network elements and multicast UPF network elements send data streams to RAN network elements in the form of tunnels. The MB-UPF network element is a UPF network element specially used to send multicast data flows, that is, it is used to transmit multicast data flows and send multicast data flows to RAN network elements in the form of multicast.

DN 104 refers to the network that provides data transmission services to users, such as IP multimedia service (IMS), Internet, etc. The terminal device 101 accesses the application server (AS) in the DN 104 by establishing a protocol data unit (PDU) session between the terminal device, the RAN network element 102, the UPF network element 103 and the DN 104.

AMF network element 105 is mainly responsible for mobility management in mobile networks, such as user location update, user registration network, user switching, etc. The AMF network element 105 may be a multicast access and mobility management function (M-AMF) network element. The M-AMF network element is an AMF network element specially used to manage multicast context. This network element stores the temporary mobile group identity (TMGI) of the multicast service and the first number of the corresponding MB-UPF network element. Internet Protocol (IP) multicast address and common tunnel endpoint identifier (C-TEID).

The SMF network element 106 is mainly responsible for session management in the mobile network, such as session establishment, modification, and release. For example, specific functions include: assigning IP addresses to users, selecting UPF that provides message forwarding functions, etc. The SMF network element 106 may be a multicast/broadcast session management function (MB-SMF) network element. The MB-SMF network element is an SMF network element specially used to manage multicast context. The network element stores The TMGI of the multicast service and the first IP multicast address and C-TEID of the corresponding MB-UPF network element.

Among them, TMGI is used to uniquely identify multicast and broadcast bearer services in multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS). The first IP multicast address and C-TEID are allocated by the MB-SMF network element or MB-UPF network element. The first IP multicast address is used to identify the multicast service transmitted by the MB-UPF network element, and the C-TEID is used to identify The port of the MB-UPF network element.

The PCF network element 107 is responsible for providing policies, such as QoS policies, slice selection policies, etc.

UDM network element 108 is used to store user data, such as contract information and authentication/authorization information.

The AF network element 109 can also be called a server and is responsible for providing services to the 3GPP network, such as affecting service routing, interacting with PCF network elements for policy control, etc.

AUSF network element 110 is used to authenticate and authorize users.

NSSF network element 111 is used to centrally manage the slicing function.

Some concepts involved in this application are described below.

QoS flow: As shown in Figure 2, in a communication system (such as a 5G communication system), data can be transmitted through data sessions (such as PDU sessions) between terminal equipment, RAN network elements, and UPF network elements. In the PDU session, the service data flow is carried through the quality of service (QoS) flow (flow) and differentiated management is achieved. Each QoS flow can pass the QoS Flow identifier (QoS flow identifier, QFI) to uniquely identify. The QoS flow can be pre-configured by the SMF network element or established through the PDU session establishment process or PDU session modification process. The QoS flow is transmitted between the RAN network element and the UPF network element through a user plane General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol (GPRS tunneling protocol-user plane, GTP-U) tunnel. When the QoS flow is transmitted between the terminal device and the RAN network element, the QoS flow is mapped to the corresponding air interface resource.

I frame and P frame: The data packets transmitted by the QoS stream of the video stream (such as XR service) include intra-coded picture (I) frame and forward predictive-coded picture (predictive-coded picture, P) frame. And I frames and P frames are transmitted alternately. I frame is an intra-coded image frame, which is an independent frame that carries all its own information and can be independently decoded without reference to other images, so it is a key frame. P frame is a forward prediction encoded image frame, which represents the difference between the current frame image and the previous frame image. When decoding, the previous frame image needs to be superimposed on the difference between the current frame image and the previous frame image to generate the current frame image. Therefore, the data amount of I frame is greater than the data amount of P frame, and the QoS requirements of I frame and P frame are different.

Base layer and enhancement layer: Scalable video coding (SVC) can divide the video stream into a base layer and multiple enhancement layers according to needs. The base layer provides users with the most basic video quality, frame rate and resolution. , and the enhancement layer further enhances the video quality. The more SVC layers the user receives, the higher the video quality obtained.

The PDU set can be data such as media frames (frames), media slices (slices), or media blocks (tiles). The PDU set can include I frames and P frames, or base layers and enhancement layers, or video, audio, and tactile sensations. wait.

As mentioned above, there are sometimes dependencies between PDU sets mapped to different QoS flows. For example, the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set, the first PDU set is mapped to the first QoS flow, and the second PDU set is Mapping to the second QoS flow, if the transmission of the first PDU set fails, even if the second PDU set is successfully transmitted, it will not be decoded due to the lack of the dependent first PDU set. At this time, transmitting the second PDU set will cause transmission resources of waste.

For example, in a video stream of a service stream, a certain GoP structure is an IPPP frame. At this time, the decoding of the P frame depends on the parsing of the I frame (referred to as the P frame depends on the I frame), and the parsing of the subsequent P frame depends on the Analysis of the previous P frame (referred to as the following P frame depends on the previous P frame). For another example, a video stream of a service stream includes a base layer and an enhancement layer. In this case, the analysis of the enhancement layer depends on the analysis of the base layer (referred to as the enhancement layer depends on the base layer). For another example, multiple terminals serve the same user together, and multiple terminals respectively receive video (corresponding to video services), audio (corresponding to audio services), tactile (corresponding to perception services) and other types of data streams, that is, multiple terminals receive different types of data streams. Business flow, at this time, the audio and tactile output depends on the video display (referred to as audio and tactile dependence on video), or the video display, audio and tactile output are indispensable (that is, video, audio, and tactile depend on each other) ),etc.

To this end, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method. For the first PDU set and the second PDU set from the same AS, when the transmission of the first PDU set fails, the UPF network element or the RAN network element uses the second PDU set according to the second PDU set. The dependency relationship between the PDU set and the first PDU set determines whether to continue transmitting the second PDU set.

For example, in a video stream of a service stream, if the I frame transmission fails, the P frame that depends on the I frame cannot be parsed even if the transmission is successful. Not transmitting the P frame can save transmission resources. For another example, in a video stream of a service stream, if the base layer fails to be transmitted, the enhancement layer that relies on the base layer cannot be parsed even if the transmission is successful. Not transmitting the enhancement layer can save transmission resources. For another example, multiple terminals receive video, audio, and haptics respectively. If the video transmission fails, the user will not be able to get a complete experience even if the audio and haptics that depend on the video are output. Not transmitting audio and haptics can save transmission resources; or, video If any one of , audio and haptic data is not transmitted successfully, the user will not be able to get a complete experience. Not transmitting the other two types of data can save transmission resources.

In a communication method, when the UPF network element transmits the first PDU set to the RAN network element and the transmission fails, the UPF network element determines whether to continue to transmit the first PDU set to the RAN network based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set. Yuan transmits the second PDU set, as shown in Figure 3. The communication method includes:

S101. The UPF network element receives a first PDU set of the first service used on the terminal device and a second PDU set of the second service used on the terminal device from the AS.

The first service and the second service may be the same service or different services. The first PDU set and the second PDU set are from the same AS. The second set of PDUs depends on the first set of PDUs. The QoS requirements of the first PDU set are different from the QoS requirements of the second PDU set, or the importance of the first PDU set is different from the importance of the second PDU set.

The dependencies involved in this application may be that the second PDU set needs to depend on the first PDU set during decoding. For example, the first PDU set is an I frame and the second PDU set is a P frame, then the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set. . The second PDU set is the enhancement layer, and the first PDU The set is the base layer, then the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set. The dependencies involved in this application can also be dependencies on business use or display. For example, the first PDU set corresponds to the video stream, and the second PDU set corresponds to audio or haptic. If the video transmission fails, the audio and tactile experience will not be complete, so The second set of PDUs is considered dependent on the first set of PDUs. For service usage or display dependencies, the PDU set corresponding to any data flow can be the first PDU set, and the PDU set corresponding to other data flows can be the second PDU set. When any data stream is not transmitted successfully, the transmission of other data streams also makes the experience incomplete. Therefore, it can be considered that the PDU sets corresponding to each data flow using the same service are dependent on each other. The services of this application may be media services (such as video, audio), perception services (such as tactile sensation), etc.

The UPF network element can obtain the dependency relationship between the first PDU set and the second PDU set through various methods. For example, when the AS sends the first PDU set and the second PDU set to the UPF network element, the AS can directly indicate the dependency relationship between the first PDU set and the second PDU set through the indication information, such as indicating the second PDU set through the indication information. Depends on the first PDU set. Alternatively, the UPF network element can obtain the dependency relationship between the first PDU set and the second PDU set by detecting the attribute information (attributes) of the first PDU set and the second PDU set, where the attribute information of the PDU set may include: I frame and P frame, or base layer and enhancement layer, or video, audio and haptic, etc. For example, P frames depend on I frames belonging to the same GoP, P frames with later timing depend on P frames with earlier timing, enhancement layers depend on base layers, audio and haptics depend on video, or video, audio and haptics depend on each other. etc.

Therefore, the first PDU set may be I frames in the video stream, and the second PDU set may be P frames belonging to the same GoP as the I frame. Alternatively, the first PDU set may be P frames with earlier timing in the video stream, and the second PDU set may be P frames with later timing in the same group as the P frames with earlier timing. Alternatively, the first PDU set is a base layer in the video stream, and the second PDU set is an enhancement layer in the video stream. Alternatively, the first PDU set is one of video, audio, or haptics serving the same user, and the second PDU set is at least one of the remaining video, audio, or haptics; for example, the first PDU set is video, and the second PDU set is video, audio, or haptic. PDU sets are audio and/or haptic.

The UPF network element may map the first PDU set and the second PDU set to different QoS flows according to different attribute information of the first PDU set and the second PDU set.

For example, for I frames and P frames belonging to the same GoP, the UPF network element maps the I frame to the first QoS flow and the P frame to the second QoS flow. For another example, for multiple P frames belonging to the same GoP, the UPF network element maps the P frame with earlier timing to the first QoS flow, and maps the P frame with later timing to the second QoS flow. For another example, for the base layer and enhancement layer, the UPF network element maps the base layer to the first QoS flow and the enhancement layer to the second QoS flow.

In addition, the UPF network element allocates the identifier of the first PDU set to the first PDU set, allocates the identifier of the second PDU set to the second PDU set, and stores the dependency relationship between the first PDU set and the second PDU set.

When UPF network elements allocate PDU set identifiers to dependent PDU sets, they can allocate PDU set identifiers based on QoS flow granularity, that is, PDU sets mapped to the same QoS flow have different identifiers, and PDUs mapped to different QoS flows The identifiers of the sets may be the same. In other words, the identifiers of the first PDU set may be the same as or different from the identifiers of the second PDU set.

The UPF network element associates the identifier QFI1 of the first QoS flow, the identifier of the first PDU set, the identifier QFI2 of the second QoS flow and the identifier of the second PDU set to obtain the first association relationship, and records the first PDU set and the second PDU set. Dependency relationship between PDU sets, thereby achieving storage of dependency relationships between the first PDU set and the second PDU set. Furthermore, the UPF network element may determine (the identity of) the second PDU set that is mapped to the second QoS flow depending on the first PDU set according to the identity QFI of the first QoS flow and the identity of the first PDU set.

Alternatively, when the UPF network element allocates PDU set identifiers to dependent PDU sets, it can allocate PDU set identifiers based on service flow granularity. That is, the identifiers of PDU sets for the same service flow are different, regardless of which QoS flow they are mapped to. , the identifier of the first PDU set is different from the identifier of the second PDU set. At this time, the UPF network element can allocate the same association identifier to the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow, that is, the association identifier can be used to identify the QoS flow of the same service flow. At this time, the UPF network element associates the association identifier, the identifier of the first PDU set and the identifier of the second PDU set to obtain the second association relationship, and records the dependency relationship between the first PDU set and the second PDU set, thereby achieving A dependency relationship between the first PDU set and the second PDU set is stored. Furthermore, the UPF network element can determine (the identity of) the second PDU set that depends on the first PDU set according to the association identity and the identity of the first PDU set.

S102. The UPF network element sends the first PDU set to the RAN network element.

The UPF network element sends the first PDU set to the RAN network element through the first QoS flow, and accordingly, the RAN network element receives the first PDU set. The GTP-U data packet carrying the first PDU set includes the identifier QFI1 of the first QoS flow and the identifier of the first PDU set, or the GTP-U data packet carrying the first PDU set includes the header of the GTP-U data packet carrying the first PDU set. Including the association identifier and the identifier of the first PDU set.

It should be noted that for requirements such as periodic resource configuration or connected mode discontinuous reception (CDRX) of terminal equipment, the data that the RAN network element expects to receive is periodic, but the data received by the UPF network element There will be time deviations between multiple PDU sets (for example, the AS does not deliver PDU sets strictly periodically). At this time, when the UPF network element sends a PDU set to the RAN network element, it needs to determine the time interval for sending the PDU set based on the frame rate of the received PDU set or self-detect the frame rate of the PDU set to determine the time interval for sending the PDU set, in order to achieve Periodically sends PDU sets to RAN network elements. Therefore, if the sending time point of the next cycle is not reached, the UPF network element may delay sending the first PDU set to the RAN network element until the sending time point of the next cycle. That is to say, for the PDU set that is sent periodically, if the UPF network element receives the PDU set in advance, it will cache it first and delay sending the PDU set until the sending time point of the next period, so as to realize the periodic sending of the PDU set. .

S103. The RAN network element sends the first PDU set to the terminal device.

S104. In response to the transmission failure of the first PDU set, the RAN network element sends a failure indication message to the UPF network element.

The RAN network element may determine that the transmission of the first PDU set fails in the following manner, for example, the terminal device reports that the first PDU set is not received, the RAN network element fails to successfully allocate resources for the first PDU set, etc.

The failure indication message is used to indicate that the transmission of the first PDU set fails. For example, the transmission failure of the first PDU set may be indicated through the entire message or a certain information element in the message.

In a possible implementation, if in step S104, the RAN network element receives the identifier QFI1 of the first QoS flow and the identifier of the first PDU set from the UPF network element, the failure indication message includes the identifier of the first QoS flow. , the identifier of the first PDU set, used to instruct the UPF network element to determine the second PDU set based on the first PDU set.

In another possible implementation, if in step S104, the RAN network element receives the association identifier and the identifier of the first PDU set from the UPF network element, then the failure indication message includes the association identifier and the identifier of the first PDU set, Used to instruct the first device to determine the second PDU set based on the first PDU set. This implementation mode corresponds to the UPF network element allocating the identifier of the PDU set based on the service flow granularity.

S105. If the transmission of the first PDU set fails, the UPF network element determines whether to send the second PDU set to the RAN network element based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set.

As described in step S104, the UPF network element can search for the first association relationship stored in step S101 and the relationship between the first PDU set and the second PDU set according to the identifier QFI of the first QoS flow and the identifier of the first PDU set in the failure indication message. The dependency relationship between PDU sets determines the second PDU set (identity) mapped to the second QoS flow that depends on the first PDU set, or the UPF network element can determine the dependence on the first PDU set based on the association identification in the failure indication message and the first PDU The identifier of the set is searched for the second association relationship stored in step S101 and the dependency relationship between the first PDU set and the second PDU set, and the (identity of) the second PDU set that is dependent on the first PDU set is determined.

The UPF network element determines whether to resend the first PDU set to the RAN network element according to the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set. If the first PDU set is dependent on other PDU sets (such as the second PDU set), for example, the first PDU set is an I frame, or the first PDU set is a P frame with an earlier timing, or the first PDU set is based on layer, or if the first PDU set is video, the UPF network element resends the first PDU set to the RAN network element. In addition, when congestion occurs on the air interface, the UPF network element can decide whether to re-send the first PDU set to the RAN network element based on delivery rules, local configuration, etc.

Optionally, for requirements such as periodic resource configuration or CDRX of terminal equipment, the data received by the RAN network element is expected to be periodic, so if the transmission time point of the next cycle is not reached, the UPF network element can be delayed until the next The first PDU set is re-sent to the RAN network element at the sending time point of one cycle.

If the first PDU set is not relied upon by other PDU sets (eg, the second PDU set), the UPF network element may not re-send the first PDU set to the RAN network element.

The UPF network element further determines whether to send the second PDU set to the RAN network element:

If the UPF network element does not re-send the first PDU set to the RAN network element, the UPF network element does not send the second PDU set to the RAN network element. Because the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set, even if the UPF network element sends the second PDU set, it cannot be correctly parsed by the terminal device, which wastes transmission resources.

If the UPF network element resends the first PDU set to the RAN network element, the UPF network element can send the second PDU set to the RAN network element. Further, if the UPF network element resends the first PDU set to the RAN network element, the UPF network element can also obtain the air interface congestion information of the RAN network element, and based on the air interface congestion information of the RAN network element and/or according to the second PDU set attribute letter information to determine whether to send the second PDU set to the RAN network element.

Among them, the air interface congestion information can come from the RAN network element or the SMF network element, or the UPF network element can determine the air interface congestion information of the RAN network element through the transmission delay obtained by QoS monitoring (QoS monitoring, QM), for example, during transmission A large delay indicates congestion on the air interface.

Specifically, if the air interface congestion information indicates that the air interface of the RAN network element is not congested, the UPF network element may send the second PDU set to the RAN network element. If the air interface congestion information indicates that the air interface of the RAN network element is congested, the UPF network element may not send the second PDU set to the RAN network element, or the UPF network element may send the second PDU set to the RAN network element based on the attribute information of the second PDU set. PDU set, for example, if the air interface of the RAN network element is congested, but the second PDU set is a P frame with earlier timing, the UPF network element still sends the second PDU set to the RAN network element.

Optionally, for requirements such as periodic resource configuration or CDRX of terminal equipment, the data received by the RAN network element is expected to be periodic, so if the sending time point of the next cycle is not reached, the UPF network element delays to the next The second PDU set is sent to the RAN network element at a periodic sending time point.

In addition, if the UPF network element determines not to send the second PDU set to the RAN network element, the UPF network element sends the sleep indication information to the RAN network element, and the RAN network element forwards it to the terminal device. The dormancy indication information is used to indicate not to send the second PDU set to the terminal device at N periodic sending time points in the future, where N is the number of the second PDU set that has been buffered within a period of time, so that the terminal device can You can sleep during this time without receiving downlink data to reduce power consumption.

In the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application, when the UPF network element determines that the transmission of the first PDU set transmitted by the RAN network element to the terminal device has failed, it determines whether to transmit the first PDU set to the RAN network based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set. Transmitting the second PDU set in one step avoids the waste of transmission resources by transmitting the second PDU set but not being able to parse it correctly under any circumstances, so transmission resources can be saved.

In another communication method, the UPF network element maps the first PDU set and the second PDU set to different QoS flows, stores the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set, and stores the dependency relationship Sent to RAN network element. When the RAN network element transmits the first PDU set to the terminal device and the transmission fails, the RAN network element determines whether to continue transmitting the second PDU set to the terminal device based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set to save money. Transport resources. As shown in Figure 4, the communication method includes:

S201. The UPF network element receives the first PDU set and the second PDU set from the AS.

For this step, refer to step S101, which will not be described again here.

S202. The UPF network element sends the first PDU set to the RAN network element through the first QoS flow, and sends the second PDU set to the RAN network element through the second QoS flow.

Correspondingly, the RAN network element receives the first PDU set and the second PDU set from the UPF network element. The first set of PDUs is mapped to the first QoS flow and the second set of PDUs is mapped to the second QoS flow. For other contents of the first PDU set, the second PDU set, the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow, refer to the foregoing description and will not be repeated here.

The UPF network element may send the dependency relationship between the first PDU set and the second PDU set to the RAN network element, including the following implementation methods:

In a possible implementation, when the UPF network element sends the first PDU set and the second PDU set to the RAN network element, the GTP-U data packet (the header) carrying the first PDU set may include the third PDU set. The first PDU set dependency information includes the second PDU set dependency information in (the header of) the GTP-U data packet carrying the second PDU set. The first PDU set dependency information includes an identifier of the first QoS flow and an identifier of the first PDU set. The second PDU set dependency information includes the identity of the first QoS flow, the identity of the second QoS flow, the identity of the first PDU set, and the identity of the second PDU set. The first PDU set dependency information and the second PDU set dependence information are used to indicate that the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set.

Since the first PDU set does not depend on other PDU sets, the first PDU set dependency information only needs to include the identifier of the first QoS flow and the identifier of the first PDU set. Since the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set, the second PDU set dependency information not only includes the identifier of the second QoS flow and the identifier of the second PDU set, but also includes the identifier of the first QoS flow and the identifier of the first PDU set. logo.

At this time, when the UPF network element allocates the identifier of the PDU set to the dependent PDU set, it may allocate the identifier of the PDU set based on the QoS flow granularity, or it may allocate the identifier of the PDU set based on the service flow granularity.

In another possible implementation, when the UPF network element sends the first PDU set and the second PDU set to the RAN network element, The third PDU set dependency information may be included in (the header of) the GTP-U data packet carrying the first PDU set, and the fourth PDU set dependency information may be included in (the header of) the GTP-U data packet carrying the second PDU set. . The third PDU set dependency information includes an association identifier and an identifier of the first PDU set. The fourth PDU set dependency information includes an association identifier, an identifier of the first PDU set, and an identifier of the second PDU set.

The third PDU set dependency information and the fourth PDU set dependence information are used to indicate that the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set. Since the first PDU set does not depend on other PDU sets, the first PDU set dependency information only needs to include the association identifier and the identifier of the first PDU set. Since the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set, the second PDU set dependency information not only includes the association identifier and the identifier of the second PDU set, but also includes the identifier of the first PDU set.

At this time, when the UPF network element allocates the identifier of the PDU set to the dependent PDU set, it allocates the identifier of the PDU set based on the service flow granularity.

Alternatively, the SMF network element or the UPF network element can send the dependency relationship between the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow to the RAN network element. Since the second QoS flow depends on the first QoS flow, it is mapped to the second QoS flow. The set of PDUs also depends on the set of PDUs mapped to the first QoS flow. Further, the GTP-U data packet (the header) carrying the first PDU set and the GTP-U data packet (the header) carrying the second PDU set also include the same group identifier; or, the second PDU set is carried The GTP-U data packet (the header) also includes the identifier of the first PDU set. Optionally, the GTP-U data packet (the header) carrying the first PDU set also includes the identifier of the second PDU set. Thereby indicating that the second set of PDUs is dependent on the first set of PDUs.

The UPF network element sends the dependency relationship between the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow to the RAN network element, including the following implementation methods:

In a possible implementation, when the UPF network element sends the first PDU set and the second PDU set to the RAN network element, the GTP-U data packet (the header) carrying the first PDU set may include the third PDU set. QoS flow dependency information, including the second QoS flow dependency information in (the header of) the GTP-U data packet carrying the second PDU set. The first QoS flow dependency information includes an identifier of the first QoS flow and first dependency indication information. Optionally, the first QoS flow dependency information also includes an identifier of the second QoS flow. The second QoS flow dependency information includes the identifier of the first QoS flow, the identifier of the second QoS flow, and the second dependency indication information. The first dependency indication information is used to indicate that the PDU set mapped to the first QoS flow is dependent on other PDU sets, and the second dependency indication information is used to indicate that the PDU set mapped to the second QoS flow depends on other PDU sets. The first QoS flow The dependency information and the second QoS flow dependency information are used to indicate that the second QoS flow depends on the first QoS flow.

In another possible implementation, when the UPF network element sends the first PDU set and the second PDU set to the RAN network element, it may be included in (the header of) the GTP-U data packet carrying the first PDU set. The third QoS flow dependency information includes the fourth QoS flow dependency information in (the header of) the GTP-U data packet carrying the second PDU set. The third QoS flow dependency information includes the identifier, association identifier, and first dependency indication information of the first QoS flow, and the fourth QoS flow dependency information includes the identifier, association identifier, and second dependency indication information of the second QoS flow. The first dependency indication information is used to indicate that the PDU set mapped to the first QoS flow is dependent on other PDU sets, the second dependency indication information is used to indicate that the PDU set mapped to the second QoS flow depends on other PDU sets, and the third QoS flow The dependency information and the fourth QoS flow dependency information are used to indicate that the second QoS flow depends on the first QoS flow.

It should be noted that the first dependency indication information and the second dependence indication information involved in this application can be represented by different values of the same field. For example, the value of this field is 1 to represent the first dependence indication information, and the value of this field is 0 represents the second dependency indication information, or a value of 1 in this field represents the second dependence indication information, and a value of 0 in this field represents the first dependence indication information. The third PDU set dependency information and the fourth PDU set dependency information indicate that the second QoS flow depends on the first QoS flow, that is, the second PDU set equivalent to the same group (for example: the same GoP) transmitted by the second QoS flow also depends on The first set of PDUs of the same group (for example: the same GoP) transmitted by the first QoS stream.

The SMF network element sends the dependency relationship between the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow to the RAN network element:

The SMF network element sends a first QoS flow configuration message and a second QoS flow configuration message to the RAN network element. The first QoS flow configuration message includes the first QoS flow dependency information, and the second QoS flow configuration message includes the second QoS flow dependency information. information, or the first QoS flow configuration message includes third QoS flow dependency information, and the second QoS flow configuration message includes fourth QoS flow dependency information.

S203. The RAN network element sends the first PDU set to the terminal device.

S204. If the transmission of the first PDU set fails, the RAN network element determines whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set.

Regarding how the RAN network element can determine the transmission failure of the first PDU set, refer to step S104, which will not be described again here.

The RAN network element may determine that the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set according to the first PDU set dependency information and the second PDU set dependence information. Alternatively, the RAN network element may determine that the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set according to the third PDU set dependency information and the fourth PDU set dependence information.

Alternatively, the RAN network element may determine that the second QoS flow depends on the first QoS flow based on the first QoS flow dependency information and the second QoS flow dependency information, and further determine the second PDU set mapped to the second QoS flow through the group identifier. The first PDU set belongs to the same group, so it can be determined that the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set. Alternatively, the RAN network element uses the identifier of the first PDU set carried in (the header of) the GTP-U data packet carrying the first set of PDUs and the identifier of the first set of GTP-U data carried in (the header of) the GTP-U data packet carrying the second set of PDUs. The identifier of the second PDU set determines that the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set.

Alternatively, the RAN network element may determine that the second QoS flow depends on the first QoS flow based on the third QoS flow dependency information and the fourth QoS flow dependence information, and further determine the second PDU set mapped to the second QoS flow through the group identifier. The first PDU set belongs to the same group, so it can be determined that the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set. Alternatively, the RAN network element uses the identifier of the first PDU set carried in (the header of) the GTP-U data packet carrying the first set of PDUs and the identifier of the first set of GTP-U data carried in (the header of) the GTP-U data packet carrying the second set of PDUs. The identifier of the second PDU set determines that the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set.

The RAN network element determines whether to re-send the first PDU set to the terminal device according to the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set. If the first PDU set is dependent on other PDU sets (such as the second PDU set), for example, the first PDU set is an I frame, or the first PDU set is a P frame with an earlier timing, or the first PDU set is based on layer, or if the first PDU set is video, the RAN network element re-sends the first PDU set to the terminal device. If the first PDU set is not relied upon by other PDU sets (eg, the second PDU set), the RAN network element may not re-send the first PDU set to the terminal device. In addition, when the air interface is congested, the RAN network element can decide whether to resend the first PDU set to the terminal device based on delivery rules, local configuration, etc., to prioritize ensuring normal network communication.

The RAN network element further determines whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device:

If the RAN network element determines not to re-send the first PDU set to the terminal device, the RAN does not send the second PDU set to the terminal device. Because the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set, even if the RAN sends the second PDU set, it cannot be correctly parsed by the terminal device, which wastes transmission resources.

If the RAN re-sends the first set of PDUs to the terminal device, the RAN may send the second set of PDUs to the terminal device. Further, if the RAN network element re-sends the first PDU set to the terminal device, the RAN network element may also determine whether to send the third PDU set to the terminal device according to the air interface congestion information of the RAN network element and/or according to the attribute information of the second PDU set. Two PDU sets.

Specifically, if the air interface congestion information indicates that no congestion occurs on the air interface, the RAN network element may send the second PDU set to the terminal device. If the air interface congestion information indicates that congestion occurs on the air interface, the RAN network element may not send the second PDU set to the terminal device, or the RAN network element may send the second PDU set to the terminal device according to the attribute information of the second PDU set. If the RAN network element If the air interface of the RAN network element is congested, but the second PDU set is a P frame with an earlier timing, the RAN network element still sends the second PDU set to the terminal device.

In the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application, when the RAN network element determines that the transmission of the first PDU set to the terminal device fails, it determines whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set. The PDU set avoids wasting transmission resources by transmitting the second PDU set but failing to parse it correctly under any circumstances, so transmission resources can be saved.

The technical solution of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to specific implementation modes.

Figure 5 is a specific implementation of the communication method shown in Figure 3 in this application. In this implementation, the UPF network element maps the first PDU set and the second PDU set to different QoS flows, and stores the second PDU set. The dependency relationship between the PDU set and the first PDU set. After the UPF network element sends the first PDU set to the RAN network element, if an indication message indicating that the transmission of the first PDU set failed is received from the RAN network element, the UPF network element may no longer send the second PDU set according to the dependency relationship to save money. Transport resources.

Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the communication method includes steps S301-S310.

S301. The AF network element sends QoS requirements of the first PDU set and QoS requirements of the second PDU set of the service flow (for example, video stream) to the PCF network element.

This application takes as an example that the QoS requirements of the first PDU set are higher than the QoS requirements of the second PDU set, but is not intended to be limited thereto. For example, for I frames and P frames belonging to the same GoP, the first PDU set is I frames and the second PDU set is P frames. The QoS requirements of I frames are higher than the QoS requirements of P frames (for example, the bandwidth of I frames requirements are higher than the bandwidth requirements of P frames). For another example, For multiple P frames belonging to the same GoP, the first PDU set is P frames with earlier timing, and the second PDU set is P frames with later timing. The QoS requirements of P frames with earlier timing are higher than those with later timing. QoS requirements of P frames (for example, the scheduling priority requirements of P frames with earlier timing are higher than the scheduling priority requirements of P frames with later timing). For another example, for the base layer and the enhancement layer, the first PDU set is the base layer, the second PDU set is the enhancement layer, and the QoS requirements of the base layer are higher than the QoS requirements of the enhancement layer (for example, the bit error rate of the base layer is less than the bit error rate of the enhancement layer).

Since the QoS requirements of the first PDU set and the QoS requirements of the second PDU set are different, the first PDU set and the second PDU set are mapped to different QoS flows.

For example, the AF network element sends the QoS requirements of the I frames (first PDU set) and the P frames (second PDU set) of the same GoP in the video stream to the PCF network element.

S302. The PCF network element sends policy and charging control (PCC) rules to the SMF network element.

The PCC rule includes the QoS requirements of the first PDU set and the QoS requirements of the second PDU set. In the existing technology, since the data of the same service flow is basically mapped to the same QoS flow, the AF network element delivers QoS parameters for the service flow but does not deliver QoS parameters for the QoS flow. Therefore, the PCC rule may also indicate that all QoS flows of the service flow (i.e., the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow involved in this application) share a certain QoS parameter, for example, indicate that all QoS flows of the service flow share guaranteed bits Rate (guaranteed bit rate, GBR) bandwidth, etc.

For example, the PCC rules include QoS requirements for I frames (first set of PDUs) and QoS requirements for P frames (second set of PDUs) of the same GoP in the video stream.

S303. The SMF network element sends mapping rules to the UPF network element.

The mapping rule is used to instruct the UPF network element to map the first PDU set and the second PDU set to different QoS flows respectively.

Exemplarily, the mapping rule instructs the UPF network element to map the I frame (first PDU set) in the video stream to the first QoS flow (indicated by associating the I frame with the identifier QFI1 of the first QoS flow), which will be P frames (second set of PDUs) of I frames belonging to the same GoP are mapped to the second QoS flow (indicated by associating the P frames with the identity QFI2 of the second QoS flow).

Mapping rules can be carried in N4 rules, which are used to instruct UPF network elements how to process received data flows.

Optionally, the N4 rule also includes first processing instruction information, which is used to instruct the UPF network element to determine whether to send the second PDU set to the RAN network element based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set. Exemplarily, the first processing indication information may indicate that the UPF network element determines whether to send the second PDU set to the RAN network element based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set. . The first processing indication information may indicate that the UPF network element does not need to determine whether to send the second PDU set to the RAN network element based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set by the value of this bit being 0.

S304. The SMF network element sends the first QoS flow configuration message and the second QoS flow configuration message to the RAN network element.

The SMF network element allocates the identifier QFI1 of the first QoS stream to the first QoS stream, and allocates the identifier QFI2 of the second QoS stream to the second QoS stream. The QoS requirements satisfied by the first QoS flow are higher than the QoS requirements satisfied by the second QoS flow. The first QoS stream transmits a first set of PDUs with higher QoS requirements, and the second QoS flow transmits a second set of PDUs with lower QoS requirements.

For example, the first QoS flow configuration message and the second QoS flow configuration message may be N2 messages. The first QoS flow configuration message includes configuration information of the first QoS flow, such as the identifier QFI1 of the first QoS flow, and/or the QoS parameters of the first QoS flow (located in the QoS profile). The second QoS flow configuration message includes configuration information of the second QoS flow, such as the identifier QFI2 of the second QoS flow, and/or the QoS parameters of the second QoS flow (located in the QoS configuration file).

Optionally, if the PCC rule in step S302 indicates that all QoS flows of the service flow share a certain QoS parameter, the first QoS flow configuration message and the second QoS flow configuration message also include sharing indication information and QoS parameters, sharing The indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow share the QoS parameter; otherwise, the first QoS flow configuration message and the second QoS flow configuration message do not include the sharing indication information. For example, assuming that I and P frames belonging to one video stream are mapped to the first QoS stream and the second QoS stream respectively, the sharing indication information can be used to indicate that the two QoS flows jointly use a bandwidth of 10M. If there is no sharing indication information and Indicates that the bandwidth of these two QoS streams is 10M. The video stream will occupy a total of 20M bandwidth, which may easily cause congestion of transmission resources.

Wherein, the sharing indication information in the first QoS flow configuration message and the second QoS flow configuration message may be the same QoS parameters. Number association identifier. Alternatively, the sharing indication information in the first QoS flow configuration message is the identifier QFI2 of the second QoS flow, and the sharing indication information in the second QoS flow configuration message is the identifier QFI1 of the first QoS flow.

S305. The AS sends the first PDU set and the second PDU set to the UPF network element.

For example, the AS sends I frames (first PDU set) and P frames (second PDU set) of the same GoP in the video stream to the UPF network element.

S306. The UPF network element maps the first PDU set to the first QoS flow according to different attribute information of the first PDU set and the second PDU set, maps the second PDU set to the second QoS flow, and stores the first PDU set and Dependencies between the second PDU set.

The UPF network element can obtain the dependency relationship between the first PDU set and the second PDU set through various methods. For details, refer to step S101.

Exemplarily, the UPF network element maps I frames (first PDU set) to the first QoS flow and P frames (second PDU set) to the second QoS flow based on I frames and P frames of the same GoP in the video stream. , and stores the dependency relationship between I frames (first PDU set) and P frames (second PDU set) (P frames depend on I frames).

For other contents of this step, refer to step S101 and will not be described again here.

S307. The UPF network element sends the first PDU set to the RAN network element through the first QoS flow.

Exemplarily, the UPF network element sends the I frame (first PDU set) in the video stream to the RAN network element through the first QoS stream.

For other contents of this step, refer to step S102 and will not be described again here.

S308. The RAN network element sends the first PDU set to the terminal device.

Exemplarily, the RAN network element sends the I frame (first PDU set) in the video stream to the terminal device.

S309. If the transmission of the first PDU set fails, the RAN network element sends a failure indication message to the UPF network element.

For example, if the transmission of the I frame (first PDU set) in the video stream fails, the RAN network element sends a failure indication message to the UPF network element.

For other contents of this step, refer to step S104 and will not be described again here.

S310. If the transmission of the first PDU set fails, the UPF network element determines whether to send the second PDU set to the RAN network element based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set.

For example, if the transmission of the I frame (first PDU set) in the video stream fails, the UPF network element determines whether to send the P frame (second PDU set) to the RAN network element based on the P frame of the same GoP and depends on the I frame. For example, if the UPF network element determines to resend I frames to the RAN network element, the UPF network element can send P frames to the RAN network element, or if the UPF network element determines to resend I frames to the RAN network element, and the air interface of the RAN network element is not If congestion occurs, the UPF network element can send P frames to the RAN network element.

For other contents of this step, refer to step S105 and will not be described again here.

Figure 6 is a specific implementation of the communication method shown in Figure 3 in this application. In this implementation, for scenarios such as periodic resource configuration or connected mode discontinuous reception (CDRX) of the terminal device, , the data that the RAN network element expects to receive is periodic, but there will be a time deviation between the multiple PDU sets received by the UPF network element (for example, the AS does not deliver PDU sets strictly periodically). When the UPF network element sends a PDU set to the RAN network element, it needs to determine the time interval for sending the PDU set based on the frame rate of the received PDU set or self-detect the frame rate of the PDU set to determine the time interval for sending the PDU set, in order to achieve periodic sending. The RAN network element sends the PDU set.

Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the communication method includes steps S401-S410, wherein steps S401-S406 refer to steps S301-S306 in Figure 5.

S407. If the sending time point of the next cycle has not been reached, the UPF network element delays to the sending time point of the next cycle and sends the first PDU set to the RAN network element through the first QoS flow.

For example, assuming that the period (or time interval) of the UPF network element sending I frames and P frames in the video stream to the RAN network element is 20ms, then the sending time points of each cycle are 20ms, 40ms, 60ms, and so on. If the current time is 30ms, the UPF network element delays sending I frames in the video stream to 40ms.

S408. The RAN network element sends the first PDU set to the terminal device.

S409. If the transmission of the first PDU set fails, the RAN network element sends a failure indication message to the UPF network element.

S410. If the transmission of the first PDU set fails, the UPF network element determines whether to send the second PDU set to the RAN network element based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set.

As described in step S105, if the UPF network element determines to re-send the first PDU set to the RAN network element based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set, and if the sending time point of the next cycle is not reached, , then the UPF network element can delay sending the first PDU set to the RAN network element again until the sending time point of the next cycle.

For example, assuming that the period (or time interval) for the UPF network element to send I frames and P frames in the video stream to the RAN network element is 20ms, then the sending time points of each cycle are 20ms, 40ms, 60ms, and 80ms, respectively. analogy. If the transmission of the I frame (first PDU set) in the video stream fails after 40ms, and the current time is 50ms, the UPF network element delays to 60ms and resends the video stream to the RAN network element. I frames (first PDU set) in the network element, and send P frames (second PDU set) of the same GoP to the RAN network element in 60ms according to the original transmission rhythm.

If the UPF network element determines not to send the second PDU set to the RAN network element, the UPF network element sends the sleep indication information to the RAN network element, and the RAN network element forwards it to the terminal device. Regarding the sleep indication information, refer to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

For other contents of this step, please refer to steps S105 and S310, which will not be described again here.

Figure 7 is a specific implementation of the communication method shown in Figure 4 in this application. In this implementation, the UPF network element maps the first PDU set and the second PDU set to different QoS flows, and stores the second PDU The dependency relationship between the first PDU set and the first PDU set, and the dependency relationship is sent to the RAN network element through the first PDU set dependency information and the second PDU set dependence information. Or, the dependency relationship is sent to the RAN network element through the third PDU set dependency information and the fourth PDU set dependence information. After scheduling the first PDU set, if the RAN network element determines that the transmission of the first PDU set fails, it determines whether to continue transmitting the second PDU set to the terminal device based on the dependency relationship to save transmission resources. Regarding the dependence information of the first PDU set, the dependence information of the second PDU set, the dependence information of the third PDU set and the dependence information of the fourth PDU set, refer to the foregoing description and will not be repeated here.

Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, the communication method includes steps S501-S509.

S501. The AF network element sends the QoS requirements of the first PDU set and the QoS requirements of the second PDU set of the service flow (for example, video stream) to the PCF network element.

For other contents of this step, refer to step S301 and will not be described again here.

S502. The PCF network element sends the PCC rule to the SMF network element.

For other contents of this step, please refer to step S302, which will not be described again here.

S503. The SMF network element sends mapping rules to the UPF network element.

Optionally, the N4 rule also includes second processing instruction information, used to instruct the UPF network element to send the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set to the RAN network element, and the RAN network element will process the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set according to the second PDU set. The dependency relationship between the set and the first PDU set determines whether to send the second PDU set to the RAN network element.

For example, the second processing instruction information may have a field value of 1 to indicate that the UPF network element sends the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set to the RAN network element. The second processing instruction information may indicate that the UPF network element does not need to send the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set to the RAN network element by setting the value of this field to 0.

S504. The SMF network element sends the first QoS flow configuration message and the second QoS flow configuration message to the RAN network element.

Optionally, the first QoS flow configuration message or the second QoS flow configuration message also includes third processing indication information, used to indicate whether the RAN network element determines whether to Send the second PDU set.

For example, the third processing instruction information may have a field value of 1 to indicate that the RAN network element determines whether to send the second PDU set to the RAN network element based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set. The third processing indication information may indicate that the value of this field is 0: the RAN network element does not need to determine whether to send the second PDU set to the RAN network element based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set.

For other contents of this step, please refer to step S304, which will not be described again here.

S505. The AS sends the first PDU set and the second PDU set to the UPF network element.

S506. The UPF network element maps the first PDU set to the first QoS flow according to different attribute information of the first PDU set and the second PDU set, maps the second PDU set to the second QoS flow, and stores the first PDU set and Dependencies between the second PDU set.

For this step, refer to step S101, which will not be described again here.

S507. The UPF network element sends the first PDU set to the RAN network element through the first QoS flow, sends the second PDU set to the RAN network element through the second QoS flow, and sends between the first PDU set and the second PDU set to the RAN network element. dependencies.

The GTP-U data packet (the header) carrying the first PDU set includes the first PDU set dependency information, and the GTP-U data packet (the header) carrying the second PDU set includes the second PDU set dependency information; or, The GTP-U data packet (the header) carrying the first PDU set includes the third PDU set dependency information, and the GTP-U data packet (the header) carrying the second PDU set includes the fourth PDU set dependence information. Thereby, the dependency relationship between the first PDU set and the second PDU set is sent to the RAN network element.

For example, the UPF network element sends I frames (first PDU set) in the video stream to the RAN network element through the first QoS flow, and sends P frames of the same GoP (second PDU set) to the RAN network element through the second QoS flow. The GTP-U data packet (the header) carrying the I frame includes the identifier of the first QoS flow and the I frame, and the GTP-U data packet (the header) carrying the P frame includes the identifier of the first QoS flow, the identifier of the first QoS flow, and the identifier of the I frame. The identifier of the second QoS flow, the identifier of the I frame, and the identifier of the P frame; or, the GTP-U data packet (the header) carrying the I frame includes the association identifier and the identifier of the I frame, and the GTP-U data packet carrying the P frame (The header) includes the association identifier, the I-frame identifier and the P-frame identifier. Thus, the dependency relationship between the I frame and the P frame is sent to the RAN network element (the P frame in the same GoP depends on the I frame).

Regarding the first PDU set dependency information, the second PDU set dependence information, the third PDU set dependence information and the fourth PDU set dependence information, refer to the relevant description in step S202, which will not be described again here.

S508. The RAN network element sends the first PDU set to the terminal device.

S509. If the transmission of the first PDU set fails, the RAN network element determines whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set.

For example, if the transmission of an I frame (first PDU set) in the video stream fails, the RAN network element determines whether to send the P frame (second PDU set) to the terminal device based on the P frame of the same GoP depending on the I frame. For example, if the RAN network element determines to resend I frames to the terminal device, the RAN network element can send P frames to the terminal device, or if the RAN network element determines to resend I frames to the terminal device, and the air interface of the RAN network element is not congested, Then the RAN network element can send the P frame to the terminal device.

For other contents of this step, please refer to step S204, which will not be described again here.

Figure 8 is another specific implementation of the communication method shown in Figure 3 in this application. The difference from the specific implementation shown in Figure 7 is that the RAN network element obtains the first QoS flow from the SMF network element or the UPF network element. Dependency information and second QoS flow dependence information, or obtain third QoS flow dependence information and fourth QoS flow dependence information from the SMF network element or UPF network element, thereby determining that the second QoS flow depends on the first QoS flow. The RAN network element further determines through the group identifier that the second PDU set mapped to the second QoS flow and the first PDU set belong to the same group, so it can be determined that the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set. Alternatively, the RAN network element uses the identifier of the first PDU set carried in (the header of) the GTP-U data packet that carries the first PDU set and carries the second PDU set. The identifier of the second PDU set carried in the GTP-U data packet (the header) determines that the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set. Regarding the first QoS flow dependence information, the second QoS flow dependence information, the third QoS flow dependence information and the fourth QoS flow dependence information, refer to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

Specifically, as shown in Figure 8, the communication method includes steps S601-S609, wherein steps S601-S603 refer to steps S301-S303 in Figure 5:

S604. The SMF network element sends the first QoS flow configuration message and the second QoS flow configuration message to the RAN network element.

As described in step S304, the SMF network element allocates the identifier QFI1 of the first QoS stream to the first QoS stream, and allocates the identifier QFI2 of the second QoS stream to the second QoS stream.

Optionally, the SMF network element sends the dependency relationship between the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow to the RAN network element:

In a possible implementation, the SMF network element determines the first dependency indication information and the second dependence indication information. The first QoS flow configuration message includes the first QoS flow dependency information, and the second QoS flow configuration message includes the second QoS flow dependency information, thereby sending the dependency relationship between the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow to the RAN network element. . That is, the first QoS flow configuration message includes the identifier QFI1 and the first dependency indication information of the first QoS flow. Optionally, it may also include the identifier QFI2 of the second QoS flow; the second QoS flow configuration message includes the second QoS flow. The identifier QFI2, the identifier QFI1 of the first QoS flow and the second dependency indication information.

For example, the first dependency indication information and the second dependency indication information can be represented by different values of the same field. For example, a value of 1 in this field represents the first dependence indication information, and a value of 0 in this field represents the second dependence. Indication information, or a value of 1 in this field indicates the second dependency indication information, and a value of 0 in this field indicates the first dependence indication information.

Or, in another possible implementation, the SMF network element determines the first dependency indication information and the second dependence indication information, and allocates the same association identifier to the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow. The first QoS flow configuration message includes the third QoS flow dependency information, and the second QoS flow configuration message includes the fourth QoS flow dependency information, thereby sending the dependency relationship between the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow to the RAN network element. . That is, the first QoS flow configuration message includes the identifier QFI1, association identifier, and first dependency indication information of the first QoS flow, and the second QoS flow configuration message includes the identifier QFI1, association identifier, and second dependency indication information of the second QoS flow. .

For the first dependency indication information, the second dependence indication information, the association identification, the first QoS flow dependence information, the second QoS flow dependence information, the third QoS flow dependence information and the fourth QoS flow dependence information, refer to the relevant description in step S202 , which will not be described in detail here.

For other contents of step S604, refer to step S304, which will not be described again here.

S605. The AS sends the first PDU set and the second PDU set to the UPF network element.

S606. The UPF network element maps the first PDU set to the first QoS flow according to different attribute information of the first PDU set and the second PDU set, maps the second PDU set to the second QoS flow, and stores the first PDU set and Dependencies between the second PDU set.

The UPF network element allocates the identifier of the first PDU set to the first PDU set, and allocates the identifier of the second PDU set to the second PDU set. When the UPF network element allocates the identifier of the PDU set to the dependent PDU set, it can be based on The identifier of the PDU set assigned to the service flow granularity.

Optionally, if the SMF network element does not send the dependency relationship between the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow to the RAN network element in S604, then the UPF network element determines the first dependency indication information and the second dependency indication information at this time . Further optionally, the UPF network element may allocate the same association identifier to the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow.

For other contents of this step, please refer to step S306, which will not be described again here.

S607. The UPF network element sends the first PDU set to the RAN network element through the first QoS flow, and sends the second PDU set to the RAN network element through the second QoS flow.

The (header of) the GTP-U data packet carrying the first PDU set includes the identifier of the first QoS flow and the identifier of the first PDU set. knowledge. The (header of) the GTP-U data packet carrying the second PDU set includes the identifier of the second QoS flow and the identifier of the second PDU set.

For example, the UPF network element sends I frames (first PDU set) in the video stream to the RAN network element through the first QoS flow, and sends P frames of the same GoP (second PDU set) to the RAN network element through the second QoS flow. The GTP-U data packet (the header) carrying the I frame includes the identifier of the first QoS flow and the I frame, and the GTP-U data packet (the header) carrying the P frame includes the identifier of the second QoS flow and the P frame. Frame ID.

Optionally, if the SMF network element does not send the dependency relationship between the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow to the RAN network element in S604, the UPF network element sends the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow to the RAN network element. Dependencies between streams.

In a possible implementation, the GTP-U data packet carrying the first PDU set includes first QoS flow dependency information, and the GTP-U data packet carrying the second PDU set also includes Includes second QoS flow dependency information. Alternatively, (the header of) the GTP-U data packet carrying the first set of PDUs includes the third QoS flow dependency information, and the (the header of) the GTP-U data packet carrying the second set of PDUs also includes the fourth QoS flow dependency information. .

Exemplarily, (the header of) the GTP-U data packet carrying the I frame also includes the identifier of the first QoS flow, the first dependency indication information, optionally also includes the identifier of the second QoS flow, the GTP packet carrying the P frame The (header of) the -U data packet includes the identifier of the first QoS flow, the identifier of the second QoS flow, and the second dependency indication information.

Alternatively, (the header of) the GTP-U data packet carrying the I frame also includes the identifier, association identifier, and first dependency indication information of the first QoS flow, and (the header of the GTP-U data packet carrying the P frame) includes the first QoS flow identifier. The identifier, association identifier, and second dependency indication information of the second QoS flow.

In addition, (the header of) the GTP-U data packet carrying the first set of PDUs and (the header of) the GTP-U data packet carrying the second set of PDUs may also include a group identifier (such as a GoP identifier) to represent the first The PDU set and the second PDU set belong to the same group. Alternatively, the GTP-U data packet (the header) carrying the first PDU set also includes the identifier of the second PDU set, and the GTP-U data packet (the header) carrying the second PDU set also includes the identifier of the first PDU set. logo. Thereby indicating that the second set of PDUs is dependent on the first set of PDUs.

For example, (the header of) the GTP-U data packet carrying I frames and (the header of) the GTP-U data packet carrying P frames also include a GoP identifier. Alternatively, (the header of) the GTP-U data packet carrying the I frame also includes the identifier of the P frame, and the (the header of the GTP-U data packet carrying the P frame) includes the identifier of the I frame.

S608. The RAN network element sends the first PDU set to the terminal device.

S609. If the transmission of the first PDU set fails, the RAN network element determines whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set.

As shown in FIG. 9 , this embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 900 including a processor 910 . Optionally, the communication device 900 further includes a memory 930. Processor 910 is coupled to memory 930 for storing instructions. When the communication device 900 is used to implement the method described above, the processor 910 is used to execute instructions in the memory 930 to implement the functions shown in FIGS. 3-8 above.

Optionally, the communication device 900 further includes an interface circuit 920. The processor 910 and the interface circuit 920 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 920 may be a transceiver or an input-output interface, used for communicating with other communication devices.

For example, when the communication device 900 is a chip applied to a RAN network element, a UPF network element, or an SMF network element, the chip implements the functions of the RAN network element, the UPF network element, and the SMF network element in the above method embodiment. The chip receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the RAN network element, UPF network element, and SMF network element, and the information is sent to the RAN network element, UPF network element, or SMF network element by other devices; or, The chip sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the RAN network element, UPF network element, and SMF network element. The information is sent by the RAN network element, UPF network element, and SMF network element to other devices.

As shown in Figure 10, an embodiment of the present application also provides a chip system. The chip system 1000 includes at least one processor 1010 and at least one interface circuit 1020. At least one processor 1010 and at least one interface circuit 1020 may be interconnected by wires. The processor 1010 is used to support the communication device to implement various steps in the above method embodiments, such as the methods shown in Figures 3 to 8. At least one interface circuit 1020 can be used to receive signals from other devices (such as memory), or to other devices. A device (such as a communication interface) sends a signal. The chip system may include chips and may also include other discrete devices.

It can be understood that in the above embodiments, the methods and/or steps implemented by the RAN network element can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used in the RAN network element. The methods and/or steps implemented by the UPF network element can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used in the RAN network element. or steps, which can also be implemented by components that can be used in UPF network elements.

The above mainly introduces the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of interaction between various network elements. Correspondingly, embodiments of the present application also provide a communication device, which is used to implement the above various methods. The communication device may be the RAN network element or UPF network element in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above RAN network element or UPF network element, or a component that can be used for the above RAN network element or UPF network element. It can be understood that, in order to implement the above functions, the communication device includes corresponding hardware structures and/or software modules for performing each function. Persons skilled in the art should easily realize that, with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed by hardware or computer software driving the hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality using different methods for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

Embodiments of the present application can divide the communication device into functional modules according to the above method embodiments. For example, each functional module can be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or software function modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

For example, take the communication device as the RAN network element or UPF network element in the above method embodiment. Figure 11 shows a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 1100. The communication device 1100 includes a processing module 1101 and a transceiver module 1102. The transceiver module 1102, which may also be called a transceiver unit, is used to implement sending and/or receiving functions, and may be, for example, a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface.

When the communication device 1100 is a UPF network element:

In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1102 is configured to receive a first protocol data unit PDU set of the first service used in the terminal device and a second PDU set of the second service used in the terminal device, wherein the first The PDU set and the second PDU set are mapped to different quality of service QoS flows; and the first PDU set is sent to the access network element. The processing module 1101 is configured to determine whether to send the second PDU set to the access network element based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set if the transmission of the first PDU set fails.

In a possible implementation, the processing module 1101 is configured to control the transceiver module 1102 to re-send the first PDU set to the access network element according to the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set, and determine whether to send the first PDU set to the access network element. The access network element sends the second PDU set.

In a possible implementation, the processing module 1101 is configured to obtain the air interface congestion information of the access network element; and determine whether to send the data to the access network element according to the air interface congestion information of the access network element and/or the attribute information of the second PDU set. The access network element sends the second PDU set.

In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1102 is configured to receive air interface congestion information from an access network element or a session management function network element, or obtain air interface congestion information through QoS monitoring.

In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1102 is configured to send the second PDU set to the access network element if the air interface congestion information indicates that the air interface of the access network element is not congested; or, if the air interface congestion information indicates If the air interface of the access network element is congested, the second PDU set is sent to the access network element according to the attribute information of the second PDU set.

In a possible implementation, the transceiving module 1102 is configured to delay sending the first PDU set to the access network element again until the sending time point of the next cycle if the sending time point of the next cycle is not reached.

In a possible implementation, the transceiving module 1102 is configured to delay sending the second PDU set to the access network element until the sending time point of the next cycle if the sending time point of the next cycle is not reached.

In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1102 is configured to send sleep indication information to the access network element if it is determined not to send the second PDU set to the access network element. The sleep indication information is used to indicate that in the next N times The periodic sending time point does not end The end device sends the second PDU set, and N is the number of the second PDU set cached within a period of time.

In a possible implementation, the first PDU set is mapped to the first QoS flow, and the data packet carrying the first PDU set includes the identity of the first QoS flow and the identity of the first PDU set; the transceiver module 1102 is configured to A failure indication message is received from the access network element. The failure indication message includes the identifier of the first QoS flow and the identifier of the first PDU set. The failure indication message is used to indicate that the transmission of the first PDU set fails. The received first QoS flow The identifier and the identifier of the first PDU set are used to instruct the user plane functional network element to determine the second PDU set based on the first PDU set.

In a possible implementation, the data packet carrying the first PDU set includes an identifier of the first PDU set and an association identifier of the first PDU set that commonly corresponds to the second PDU set; the transceiver module 1102 is configured to access from The network element receives the failure indication message. The failure indication message includes the association identifier and the identifier of the first PDU set. The failure indication message is used to indicate the transmission failure of the first PDU set. The received association identifier and the identifier of the first PDU set are used to indicate. The user plane functional network element determines the second PDU set according to the first PDU set.

When the communication device 1100 is a RAN network element:

In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1102 is configured to receive a first protocol data unit PDU set of the first service used in the terminal device and a second PDU of the second service used in the terminal device from the user plane functional network element. Set, wherein the first PDU set and the second PDU set are mapped to different quality of service QoS flows; send the first PDU set to the terminal device; the processing module 1101 is used to if the transmission of the first PDU set fails, then according to the second PDU set The dependency relationship with the first PDU set determines whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device.

In a possible implementation, the processing module 1101 is configured to control the transceiver module 1102 to re-send the first PDU set to the terminal device according to the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set, and determine whether to send the first PDU set to the terminal device. Second PDU set.

In a possible implementation, the processing module 1101 is configured to determine whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device according to the air interface congestion information and/or according to the attribute information of the second PDU set.

In a possible implementation, the first PDU set is mapped to the first QoS flow, the second PDU set is mapped to the second QoS flow, and the transceiver module 1102 is configured to receive the first QoS flow dependency from the session management function network element. information and the second QoS flow dependency information, or the data packet carrying the first PDU set includes the first QoS flow dependence information, and the data packet carrying the second PDU set includes the second QoS flow dependence information; wherein, the first QoS The flow dependency information includes the identification of the first QoS flow and the first dependence indication information. The second QoS flow dependence information includes the identification of the first QoS flow, the identification of the second QoS flow, the second dependence indication information, and the first dependence indication. The information is used to indicate that the PDU set mapped to the first QoS flow is dependent on other PDU sets, the second dependency indication information is used to indicate that the PDU set mapped to the second QoS flow depends on other PDU sets, the first QoS flow dependency information and the The second QoS flow dependency information is used to indicate that the second QoS flow depends on the first QoS flow.

In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1102 is configured to receive the third QoS flow dependency information from the session management function network element. information and the fourth QoS flow dependency information, or the data packet carrying the first PDU set includes the third QoS flow dependency information, and the data packet carrying the second PDU set includes the fourth QoS flow dependency information; wherein, the third QoS The flow dependency information includes the identifier, association identifier, and first dependency indication information of the first QoS flow. The fourth QoS flow dependency information includes the identifier, association identifier, and second dependency indication information of the second QoS flow. The first dependency indication information used to indicate that the PDU set mapped to the first QoS flow is dependent on other PDU sets, the second dependency indication information is used to indicate that the PDU set mapped to the second QoS flow depends on other PDU sets, the third QoS flow dependency information and the fourth The QoS flow dependency information is used to indicate that the second QoS flow depends on the first QoS flow.

In a possible implementation, the first PDU set is mapped to the first QoS flow, the second PDU set is mapped to the second QoS flow, and the transceiver module 1102 is configured to receive the configuration information of the first QoS flow. The first QoS The configuration information of the flow includes sharing indication information and QoS parameters, and the sharing indication information is used to instruct the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow to share QoS parameters.

Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium includes instructions. When the instructions are run on the above-mentioned communication device, the communication device causes the communication device to perform various steps in the above-mentioned method embodiments, such as executing the steps shown in FIG. 3-The method shown in Figure 8.

Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product including instructions. When the instructions are run on the above-mentioned communication device, the communication device causes the communication device to perform various steps in the above-mentioned method embodiments, such as executing the methods shown in Figures 3-8. .

Regarding the technical effects of the chip system, computer-readable storage media, and computer program products, refer to the technical effects of the previous method embodiments.

The processor involved in the embodiment of this application may be a chip. For example, it can be a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on chip (SoC), a central processing unit (CPU) , network processor (network processor, NP), digital signal processor (digital signal processor, DSP), micro control unit (micro controller unit, MCU), programmable logic device (programmable logic device, PLD) or other integrated chips.

The memory involved in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (erasable PROM, EPROM), electrically removable memory. Erase electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM) or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of illustration, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM) ) and direct memory bus random access memory (direct rambus RAM, DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

It should be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its functions and internal logic, and should not be used in the embodiments of the present application. The implementation process constitutes any limitation.

Those of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that the modules and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented with electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality using different methods for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and simplicity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and modules described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be described again here.

In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be used through other way to achieve. For example, the device embodiments described above are only illustrative. For example, the division of modules is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components may be combined or can be integrated into another device, or some features can be ignored, or not implemented. On the other hand, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between each other shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or modules, which may be in electrical, mechanical or other forms.

The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules, that is, they may be located on one device, or they may be distributed to multiple devices. Some or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

In addition, each functional module in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in one device, or each module can exist physically alone, or two or more modules can be integrated in one device.

In the above embodiments, it may be implemented in whole or in part 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. When computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transferred from a website, computer, server, or data center Transmission to another website, computer, server or data center through wired (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or include one or more data storage devices such as servers and data centers that can be integrated with the medium. The available media may be magnetic media (eg, floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), optical media (eg, DVD), or semiconductor media (eg, Solid State Disk (SSD)), etc.

The above are only specific embodiments of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application. should be covered by the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

A communication method, characterized by including:

Receive a first protocol data unit PDU set of the first service used in the terminal device and a second PDU set of the second service used in the terminal device, wherein the first PDU set and the second PDU set are Mapping to different quality of service QoS flows;

Send the first PDU set to the access network element;

If the transmission of the first PDU set fails, it is determined whether to send the second PDU set to the access network element according to the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining whether to send the second PDU to the access network element is based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set. set, including:

Resend the first PDU set to the access network element according to the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set, and determine whether to send the first PDU set to the access network element. Second PDU set.
The method according to claim 2, wherein the determining whether to send the second PDU set to the access network element includes:

Obtain air interface congestion information of the access network element;

Determine whether to send the second PDU set to the access network element according to the air interface congestion information of the access network element and/or according to the attribute information of the second PDU set.
The method according to claim 3, wherein the obtaining the air interface congestion information of the access network element includes:

The air interface congestion information is received from the access network element or the session management function network element, or the air interface congestion information is obtained through QoS monitoring.
The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the step of determining whether to send a request to the access network element is based on the air interface congestion information of the access network element and/or the attribute information of the second PDU set. The network element sends the second PDU set, including:

If the air interface congestion information indicates that the air interface of the access network element is not congested, then send the second PDU set to the access network element;

or,

If the air interface congestion information indicates that the air interface of the access network element is congested, the second PDU set is sent to the access network element according to the attribute information of the second PDU set.
The method according to any one of claims 2-5, wherein re-sending the first PDU set to the access network element includes:

If the sending time point of the next cycle is not reached, the first PDU set is re-sent to the access network element after being delayed to the sending time point of the next cycle.
The method according to any one of claims 2-6, characterized in that sending the second PDU set to the access network element includes:

If the sending time point of the next cycle has not been reached, sending the second PDU set to the access network element is delayed to the sending time point of the next cycle.
The method according to any one of claims 1-7, further comprising:

If it is determined not to send the second PDU set to the access network element, send sleep indication information to the access network element, where the sleep indication information is used to indicate N periodic sending time points in the future The second PDU set is not sent to the terminal device, and N is the number of the second PDU set that has been cached within a period of time.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first PDU set is mapped to a first QoS flow, and the data packet carrying the first PDU set includes the first QoS flow. and the identification of the first PDU set; the method further includes:

A failure indication message is received from the access network element. The failure indication message includes the identifier of the first QoS flow and the identifier of the first PDU set. The failure indication message is used to indicate the first The transmission of the PDU set fails, and the received identifier of the first QoS flow and the identifier of the first PDU set are used to instruct the user plane functional network element to determine the second PDU set based on the first PDU set.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the data packet carrying the first PDU set includes The identifier of the first PDU set and the association identifier of the first PDU set that corresponds to the second PDU set; the method further includes:

A failure indication message is received from the access network element. The failure indication message includes the association identifier and the identifier of the first PDU set. The failure indication message is used to indicate that the transmission of the first PDU set fails. , the received association identifier and the identifier of the first PDU set are used to instruct the user plane functional network element to determine the second PDU set according to the first PDU set.
The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that,

The first PDU set is I frames in the video stream, and the second PDU set is P frames in the same group as the I frame;

Alternatively, the first PDU set is P frames with earlier timing in the video stream, and the second PDU set is P frames with later timing that are in the same group as the P frame with earlier timing;

Alternatively, the first PDU set is a base layer in the video stream, and the second PDU set is an enhancement layer in the video stream;

Alternatively, the first PDU set is one of video, audio, or haptics serving the same user, and the second PDU set is at least one of the remaining video, audio, and haptics.
A communication method, characterized by including:

Receive from the user plane functional network element a first protocol data unit PDU set of the first service used in the terminal device and a second PDU set of the second service used in the terminal device, wherein the first PDU set and the The second set of PDUs is mapped to different quality of service QoS flows;

Send the first PDU set to the terminal device;

If the transmission of the first PDU set fails, it is determined whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device according to the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set.
The method of claim 12, wherein determining whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device according to the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set includes: :

Resend the first PDU set to the terminal device according to the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set, and determine whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device.
The method according to claim 13, wherein the determining whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device includes:

Determine whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device according to the air interface congestion information and/or according to the attribute information of the second PDU set.
The method according to any one of claims 12-14, characterized in that the first PDU set is mapped to a first QoS flow, and the second PDU set is mapped to a second QoS flow,

The data packet carrying the first PDU set includes first PDU set dependency information, and the first PDU set dependency information includes the identifier of the first QoS flow and the identifier of the first PDU set,

The data packet carrying the second PDU set includes second PDU set dependency information, and the second PDU set dependency information includes the identifier of the first QoS flow, the identifier of the second QoS flow, the An identifier of a PDU set and an identifier of the second PDU set;

The first PDU set dependency information and the second PDU set dependency information are used to indicate that the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set.
The method according to any one of claims 12-14, characterized in that,

The data packet carrying the first PDU set includes third PDU set dependency information, and the third PDU set dependency information includes an association identifier and an identifier of the first PDU set;

The data packet carrying the second PDU set includes fourth PDU set dependency information, and the fourth PDU set dependency information includes the association identifier, the identifier of the first PDU set, and the identifier of the second PDU set. logo;

The third PDU set dependency information and the fourth PDU set dependence information are used to indicate that the second PDU set depends on the first PDU set.
The method according to any one of claims 12-14, characterized in that the first PDU set is mapped to a first QoS flow, and the second PDU set is mapped to a second QoS flow, the method further include:

Receive the first QoS flow dependency information and the second QoS flow dependency information from the session management function network element, or the data packet carrying the first PDU set includes the first QoS flow dependence information and carries the second PDU The set of packets includes the 2. QoS flow dependency information;

Wherein, the first QoS flow dependency information includes the identifier of the first QoS flow and first dependency indication information, and the second QoS flow dependency information includes the identifier of the first QoS flow, the second QoS flow dependency information. The identifier of the QoS flow and the second dependency indication information. The first dependence indication information is used to indicate that the PDU set mapped to the first QoS flow is dependent on other PDU sets. The second dependence indication information is used to indicate the mapping to The PDU set of the second QoS flow depends on other PDU sets, and the first QoS flow dependency information and the second QoS flow dependence information are used to indicate that the second QoS flow depends on the first QoS flow.
The method according to claim 17, wherein the first QoS flow dependency information further includes an identifier of the second QoS flow.
The method according to any one of claims 12-14, characterized in that the first PDU set is mapped to a first QoS flow, and the second PDU set is mapped to a second QoS flow, the method further include:

Receive the third QoS flow dependency information and the fourth QoS flow dependency information from the session management function network element, or the data packet carrying the first PDU set includes the third QoS flow dependence information and carries the second PDU The set of data packets includes the fourth QoS flow dependency information;

Wherein, the third QoS flow dependency information includes the identification, association identification and first dependence indication information of the first QoS flow, and the fourth QoS flow dependence information includes the identification of the second QoS flow, the association identification and second dependency indication information. The first dependence indication information is used to indicate that the PDU set mapped to the first QoS flow is dependent on other PDU sets. The second dependence indication information is used to indicate that the PDU set mapped to the first QoS flow is dependent on the first QoS flow. The PDU set of the second QoS flow depends on other PDU sets, and the third QoS flow dependency information and the fourth QoS flow dependence information are used to indicate that the second QoS flow depends on the first QoS flow.
The method according to any one of claims 17-19, characterized in that,

The data packet carrying the first PDU set and the data packet carrying the second PDU set include a group identifier, or the data packet carrying the second PDU set also includes an identifier of the first PDU set. , to indicate that the second set of PDUs depends on the first set of PDUs.
The method according to claim 20, characterized in that the data packet carrying the first PDU set further includes an identifier of the second PDU set.
The method according to any one of claims 12-21, characterized in that the first PDU set is mapped to a first QoS flow, and the second PDU set is mapped to a second QoS flow, and the method further include:

Receive configuration information of the first QoS flow. The configuration information of the first QoS flow includes sharing indication information and QoS parameters. The sharing indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow share the QoS parameters.
The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the sharing indication information is an association identifier or an identifier of the second QoS flow;

Wherein, the association identifier is used to associate all QoS flows that share QoS parameters.
The method according to any one of claims 12-23, characterized in that,

The first PDU set is I frames in the video stream, and the second PDU set is P frames in the same group as the I frame;

Alternatively, the first PDU set is P frames with earlier timing in the video stream, and the second PDU set is P frames with later timing that are in the same group as the P frame with earlier timing;

Alternatively, the first PDU set is a base layer in the video stream, and the second PDU set is an enhancement layer in the video stream;

Alternatively, the first PDU set is one of video, audio, or haptics serving the same user, and the second PDU set is at least one of the remaining video, audio, and haptics.
A communication method, characterized by including:

The user plane functional network element receives the first protocol data unit PDU set of the first service used by the terminal device and the second PDU set of the second service used by the terminal device, wherein the first PDU set and the The second set of PDUs is mapped to different quality of service QoS flows;

The user plane network element sends the first PDU set to the access network element;

The access network element receives the first PDU set from the user plane network element and sends the first PDU set to the terminal device;

If the transmission of the first PDU set fails, the user plane function network element determines whether to send the access network element to the access network element based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set. Second PDU set.
The method according to claim 25, characterized in that the user plane functional network element determines whether to send data to the access network element based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set. The second PDU set includes:

The user plane functional network element resends the first PDU set to the access network element according to the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set, and determines whether to send the first PDU set to the access network element. The network element entering the network sends the second PDU set.
The method according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the determining whether to send the second PDU set to the access network element includes:

The user plane function network element obtains the air interface congestion information of the access network element;

The user plane functional network element determines whether to send the second PDU set to the access network element according to the air interface congestion information of the access network element and/or according to the attribute information of the second PDU set. .
The method according to claim 27, characterized in that the user plane functional network element obtains the air interface congestion information of the access network element, including:

The user plane functional network element receives the air interface congestion information from the access network element or the session management function network element, or the user plane functional network element obtains the air interface congestion information through QoS monitoring.
A communication method, characterized by including:

The user plane functional network element sends the first protocol data unit PDU set of the first service used in the terminal equipment and the second PDU set of the second service used in the terminal equipment to the access network element, wherein the first protocol data unit PDU set is used in the terminal equipment. A set of PDUs and the second set of PDUs are mapped to different quality of service QoS flows;

The access network element receives the first PDU set and the second PDU set from the user plane functional network element, and sends the first PDU set to the terminal device;

If the transmission of the first PDU set fails, the access network element determines whether to send the second PDU to the terminal device according to the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set. set.
The method according to claim 29, characterized in that the access network element determines whether to send the third PDU set to the terminal device based on the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set. Two PDU sets, including:

The access network element re-sends the first PDU set to the terminal device according to the dependency relationship between the second PDU set and the first PDU set, and determines whether to send the first PDU set to the terminal device. Describe the second PDU set.
The method according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that the determining whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device includes: the access network element based on air interface congestion information and/or based on the The attribute information of the second PDU set is used to determine whether to send the second PDU set to the terminal device.
A communication device, characterized in that it includes a processor and a memory, instructions are stored in the memory, and when the processor executes the instructions, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24 is executed.
A communication system, characterized by comprising the communication device according to claim 32.
A computer-readable storage medium, characterized by comprising instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-24.