CN113950029A

CN113950029A - Communication method and device

Info

Publication number: CN113950029A
Application number: CN202010790603.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 许胜锋; 吴义壮; 杨艳梅; 李濛
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-07-17
Filing date: 2020-08-07
Publication date: 2022-01-18
Also published as: WO2022012361A1

Abstract

A communication method and device are used for enabling a RAN side to provide communication configuration parameters for relay communication for a UE so that the UE can configure a PC5 link. The method comprises the following steps: the terminal equipment sends first information to access network equipment, wherein the first information comprises a first PC5QoS parameter, and the first PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication of the terminal equipment; the access network equipment sends communication configuration parameters to the terminal equipment according to the first PC5QoS parameters; and the terminal equipment configures the PC5 link according to the communication configuration parameters. The access network device may thus provide the terminal device with communication configuration parameters for relaying communications to cause the terminal device to configure the PC5 link.

Description

Communication method and device

The present application claims priority of chinese patent application entitled "a method and apparatus for obtaining qos parameters in relay communication" filed by chinese patent office on 17/07/2020, application No. 202010694722.7, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

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

Background

With the rapid development of mobile communication, the widespread use of new service types, such as video chat, VR/AR, and other data services, has increased the demand of users for bandwidth. Device-to-device (D2D) communication allows direct communication between User Equipments (UEs), and may share spectrum resources with cell users under the control of a cell network, thereby effectively improving the utilization rate of spectrum resources. In D2D communication, UEs communicate with each other through a proximity-based service communication 5 (ProSe) communication 5, PC5) interface, and may be used for information transmission of a data plane and a control plane.

When the UE is out of network coverage or has a poor communication signal with a Radio Access Network (RAN), a remote UE (remote UE) may assist the UE through a relay UE (relay UE), and communicate with the relay UE and a network side server through the communication between the remote UE and the relay UE and the communication between the relay UE and the network side server, thereby implementing the communication between the remote UE and the network side server. By establishing a communication mode from the remote UE to the relay UE to the network, the communication from the UE out of the network coverage to the network can be supported in an expanded mode. The communication mode in which the Remote UE accesses the network through the Relay UE may also be referred to as indirect network communication (indirect network communication) or Relay communication (Relay communication).

Currently, in relay communication, a PC5 link for relay communication needs to be established between a remote UE and a relay UE, and how to acquire communication configuration parameters and communication resources for the PC5 link needs to be further studied.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a communication method and device, which are used for enabling a RAN side to acquire a PC5QoS parameter for relay communication during relay communication, so that the RAN side can provide a communication configuration parameter for the relay communication for UE.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which may include: an access network device receives first information from a terminal device, wherein the first information comprises a first PC5QoS parameter, and the first PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication of the terminal device; and the access network equipment sends communication configuration parameters to the terminal equipment according to the QoS parameters of the first PC 5.

Through the method, the access network equipment can provide the communication configuration parameters for the terminal equipment according to the QoS parameters of the first PC5 for relaying communication, so that the terminal equipment configures the PC5 link according to the communication configuration parameters.

In one possible design, the terminal device is a relay terminal device or a remote terminal device. Therefore, both the remote terminal device and the relay terminal device can acquire the communication configuration parameters by the method, and further configure the PC5 link.

In one possible design, before the access network device sends the communication configuration parameter to the terminal device according to the first PC5QoS parameter, the access network device obtains a second PC5QoS parameter of the terminal device, and the second PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication of the terminal device; the access network device authorizes the first PC5QoS parameters according to the second PC5QoS parameters.

Through the method, the first PC5QoS parameter provided by the terminal device can be authorized, so that the access network device can send communication configuration parameters to the terminal device according to the first PC5QoS parameter.

In a possible design, the access network device obtains the second PC5QoS parameter of the terminal device, and the specific method may be: the access network device receiving the second PC5QoS parameters from the first device; or, the access network device receives the second PC5QoS parameter and first indication information from the first device, the first indication information indicating that the second PC5QoS parameter is used for relaying communication.

Through the method, the access network equipment can accurately obtain the second PC5QoS parameter so as to authorize the first PC5QoS parameter subsequently.

In a possible design, the terminal device is a relay terminal device, and the access network device obtains a second PC5QoS parameter of the terminal device, where the specific method may be: the access network equipment receives a QoS configuration file and second indication information from the first equipment, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating that the second PC5QoS parameters are determined according to the QoS configuration file; and the access network equipment determines the QoS parameter of the second PC5 according to the QoS configuration file.

Through the method, the access network equipment can accurately obtain the second PC5QoS parameter so as to authorize the first PC5QoS parameter of the relay terminal equipment subsequently.

In one possible design, the access network device may determine the QoS parameter of the second PC5 according to the QoS configuration file, and the specific method may be: and the access network equipment determines the second PC5QoS parameter according to a QoS mapping relation and the QoS parameter in the QoS configuration file, wherein the QoS mapping relation is used for representing the mapping relation between the QoS parameter and the PC5QoS parameter. In this way, the access network device can accurately obtain the second PC5QoS parameter so as to subsequently authorize the first PC5QoS parameter.

In one possible design, the first device is a policy control function.

In one possible design, the first device is a session management function, and the terminal device is a relay terminal device.

In one possible design, the first information further includes third indication information indicating that the first PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication; or, the first information further includes fourth indication information and identification information of a PC5 link, the fourth indication information indicating that the PC5 link is used for relay communication. This may make clear that the first PC5QoS parameter is for relay communications.

In one possible design, the first information further includes identification information of the PC5 link; before the access network device receives the first information from the terminal device, the access network device receives second information from the terminal device, wherein the second information comprises fifth indication information and identification information of the PC5 link, and the fifth indication information is used for indicating that the PC5 link is used for relay communication. This may make clear that the first PC5QoS parameter is for relay communications.

In a possible design, the terminal device is a remote terminal device, and the access network device receives the first information from the terminal device, and the specific method may be as follows: and the access network equipment receives the first information from the terminal equipment through the relay terminal equipment. Thus, the remote terminal equipment can request the communication configuration parameters through the relay terminal equipment.

In a second aspect, the present application further provides a communication method, which may include: the first equipment acquires a second PC5QoS parameter of the terminal equipment, wherein the second PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication of the terminal equipment; and the first equipment sends the second PC5QoS parameter to the access network equipment.

Through the method, the first device sends the second PC5QoS parameter to the access network device, so that the access network device can authorize the PC5QoS parameter used by the terminal device for relaying communication according to the second PC5QoS parameter.

In one possible design, the terminal device is a relay terminal device or a remote terminal device. So that either the remote end device or the relay end device can subsequently be granted the PC5QoS parameters.

In one possible design, the first device may send first indication information to the access network device, the first indication information indicating that the second PC5QoS parameters are to be used for relaying communications. This allows the access network device to know the second PC5QoS parameter for relay communications, and subsequently authorize the first PC5QoS parameter of the terminal device based on the second PC5QoS parameter.

In one possible design, the first device receives relay capability information from the terminal device; the first device sends the second PC5QoS parameter to the access network device, and the specific method may be: and the first equipment sends the second PC5QoS parameter to the access network equipment according to the relay capability information. This enables the access network device to successfully obtain the second PC5QoS, and then the access network device subsequently authorizes the first PC5QoS parameter of the terminal device according to the second PC5QoS parameter.

In one possible design, the first device obtains the QoS parameter of the second PC5 of the terminal device, and the specific method may be: the first device receiving the second PC5QoS parameters from a policy control function; the terminal equipment is relay terminal equipment. So that the first device can accurately obtain the second PC5QoS parameters.

In one possible design, the first device obtains the QoS parameter of the second PC5 of the terminal device, and the specific method may be: the first device receives sixth indication information and a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule from a policy control function, wherein the sixth indication information is used for indicating that the second PC5QoS parameter is determined according to the QoS parameter in the PCC rule; and the first equipment determines the second PC5QoS parameter according to the QoS parameter in the PCC rule. So that the first device can accurately obtain the second PC5QoS parameters.

In one possible design, the first device determines the second PC5QoS parameter according to the QoS parameter in the PCC rule, and the specific method may be: the first equipment determines a QoS configuration file according to the QoS parameters in the PCC rules; and the first equipment determines the second PC5QoS parameters according to the QoS configuration file. So that the first device can accurately obtain the second PC5QoS parameters.

In one possible design, the first device is a policy control function.

In one possible design, the first device is a session management function.

In a third aspect, the present application further provides a communication method, which may include: a session management function receives a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule from a policy control function, wherein the PCC rule is used for relaying a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of a terminal device; the session management function determines a QoS configuration file according to the QoS parameters in the PCC rules; and the session management function sends second indication information and the QoS configuration file to access network equipment, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating that second adjacent service communication 5PC 5QoS parameters are determined according to the QoS configuration file, and the second PC5QoS parameters are used for relay communication of the relay terminal equipment.

By the method, the access equipment can determine the QoS parameter of the second PC5 according to the QoS configuration file, and further the access network equipment can authorize the QoS parameter of the PC5 used for relay communication for the terminal equipment according to the QoS parameter of the second PC 5.

In one possible design, the session management function receives sixth indication information from the policy control function, the sixth indication information indicating that the second PC5QoS parameter is determined according to the QoS parameter in the PCC rule; the session management function sends the second indication information to the access network device, and the specific method may be: and the session management function sends the second indication information to the access network equipment according to the sixth indication information. This may successfully send the second indication information to the access network device, so that the access network device may accurately determine the QoS parameter of the second PC 5.

In one possible design, the session management function receives the seventh indication information from an access and mobility management function, the seventh indication information indicating that the PDU session is for relay communication; the session management function sends the second indication information to the access network device, and the specific method may be: and the session management function sends the second indication information to the access network equipment according to the seventh indication information. This may successfully send the second indication information to the access network device, so that the access network device may accurately determine the QoS parameter of the second PC 5.

In a fourth aspect, the present application further provides a communication method, which may include: the terminal equipment sends first information to access network equipment, wherein the first information comprises a first PC5QoS parameter, and the first PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication of the terminal equipment; the terminal equipment receives communication configuration parameters from the access network equipment; and the terminal equipment configures the PC5 link according to the communication configuration parameters.

By the method, the terminal equipment can accurately acquire the communication configuration parameters, and further can accurately configure the PC5 link according to the communication configuration parameters, so that relay communication can be successfully carried out subsequently.

In one possible design, the end device receives the first PC5QoS parameters from a first device before the end device sends the first information to the access network device. This may enable the end device to send the first PC5QoS parameters to the access network device.

In one possible design, the terminal device receives eighth indication information from the first device, the eighth indication information indicating that the first PC5QoS parameter is used for relaying communications. This may be the terminal device making explicit that the first PC5QoS parameter is for relayed communications.

In one possible design, the first device is a policy control function or a session management function.

In one possible design, the first information further includes third indication information indicating that the first PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication; or, the first information further includes fourth indication information and identification information of a PC5 link, the fourth indication information indicating that the PC5 link is used for relay communication. This may be the terminal device making explicit that the first PC5QoS parameter is for relayed communications.

In one possible design, the first information further includes identification information of the PC5 link; before the terminal device sends the first information to the access network device, the terminal device sends second information to the access network device, where the second information includes fifth indication information and identification information of the PC5 link, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the PC5 link is used for relay communication. This may be the access network device making explicit that the first PC5QoS parameter is for relayed communications.

In a possible design, the terminal device is a remote terminal device, and the terminal device sends the first information to the access network device, and the specific method may be as follows: and the terminal equipment sends the first information to the access network equipment through the relay terminal equipment. In this way, the access network device may obtain the request of the remote terminal device for the communication configuration parameters through the relay terminal device.

In a fifth aspect, the present application further provides a communication apparatus, which may be an access network device, and the communication apparatus has a function of implementing the access network device in the first aspect or each possible design example of the first aspect. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions.

In a possible design, the structure of the communication apparatus may include a transceiver unit and a processing unit, and these units may perform corresponding functions of the access network device in the first aspect or each possible design example of the first aspect, for which specific reference is made to detailed descriptions in method examples, which are not described herein again.

In one possible design, the communication apparatus includes a transceiver and a processor, and optionally a memory, in its structure, the transceiver is configured to transmit and receive data and is configured to perform communication interaction with other devices in the communication system, and the processor is configured to support the communication apparatus to perform corresponding functions of the access network device in the first aspect or each possible design example of the first aspect. The memory is coupled to the processor and retains program instructions and data necessary for the communication device.

In a sixth aspect, the present application further provides a communication apparatus, which may be a first device, and the communication apparatus has a function of implementing the first device in the second aspect or each possible design example of the second aspect. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions.

In a possible design, the structure of the communication apparatus may include a transceiver unit and a processing unit, and these units may execute the corresponding functions of the first device in the second aspect or each possible design example of the second aspect, which is specifically referred to the detailed description in the method example, and is not described herein again.

In one possible design, the communication apparatus includes a transceiver and a processor, and optionally a memory, in its structure, the transceiver is configured to transmit and receive data and to perform communication interaction with other devices in the communication system, and the processor is configured to support the communication apparatus to perform corresponding functions of the first device in the second aspect or each possible design example of the second aspect. The memory is coupled to the processor and retains program instructions and data necessary for the communication device.

In a seventh aspect, the present application further provides a communication apparatus, which may be a session management function, and has a function of implementing the session management function in the third aspect or each possible design example of the third aspect. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions.

In a possible design, the structure of the communication apparatus may include a transceiver unit and a processing unit, and these units may perform corresponding functions of the session management function in the third aspect or each possible design example of the third aspect, for specific reference, detailed description in the method example is given, and details are not repeated here.

In one possible design, the communication apparatus includes a transceiver and a processor, and optionally a memory, in its structure, the transceiver is configured to transmit and receive data and to perform communication interaction with other devices in the communication system, and the processor is configured to support the communication apparatus to perform corresponding functions of the session management function in the third aspect or each possible design example of the third aspect. The memory is coupled to the processor and retains program instructions and data necessary for the communication device.

In an eighth aspect, the present application further provides a communication apparatus, which may be a terminal device, and has a function of implementing the session management function in each possible design example of the fourth aspect or the fourth aspect. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions.

In a possible design, the structure of the communication apparatus may include a transceiver unit and a processing unit, and these units may execute the corresponding functions of the terminal device in the fourth aspect or each possible design example of the fourth aspect, for which specific reference is made to the detailed description in the method example, which is not described herein again.

In one possible design, the communication apparatus includes a transceiver and a processor, and optionally a memory, in its structure, the transceiver is configured to transmit and receive data and to perform communication interaction with other devices in the communication system, and the processor is configured to support the communication apparatus to perform corresponding functions of the terminal device in the fourth aspect or each possible design example of the fourth aspect. The memory is coupled to the processor and retains program instructions and data necessary for the communication device.

In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which may include the above-mentioned access network device, first device (policy control function and/or session management function), terminal device, and the like.

In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided in an embodiment of the present application, where the computer-readable storage medium stores program instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the first aspect and any possible design thereof, the second aspect and any possible design thereof, the third aspect and any possible design thereof, or the fourth aspect and any possible design thereof in an embodiment of the present application. By way of example, computer readable storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. Taking this as an example but not limiting: a computer-readable medium may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium, a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

In an eleventh aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product comprising computer program code or instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to implement the method of the first aspect and any possible design thereof, the second aspect and any possible design thereof, the third aspect and any possible design thereof, or the fourth aspect and any possible design thereof, as described above.

In a twelfth aspect, the present application further provides a chip, coupled to the memory, for reading and executing the program instructions stored in the memory to implement the method of the first aspect and any possible design thereof, the second aspect and any possible design thereof, the third aspect and any possible design thereof, or the fourth aspect and any possible design thereof.

For each of the fifth to twelfth aspects and possible technical effects of each aspect, please refer to the above description of the possible technical effects for each possible solution in the first, second, third, or fourth aspects, and no repeated description is given here.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an architecture diagram of a communication system provided herein;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided in the present application;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a QoS flow based 5G QoS model provided herein;

fig. 4 is a QoS flow-based QoS model in D2D communication provided by the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided in the present application;

fig. 6 is a flow chart of a communication method provided herein;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of another method of communication provided herein;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of another method of communication provided herein;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of an example of a method of communication provided herein;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of an example of another method of communication provided herein;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of an example of another method of communication provided herein;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of an example of another method of communication provided herein;

fig. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in the present application;

fig. 14 is a block diagram of another communication device provided in the present application;

fig. 15 is a structural diagram of an access network device according to the present application.

Detailed Description

The present application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The embodiment of the application provides a communication method and device, which are used for enabling a RAN side to acquire a PC5QoS parameter for relay communication during relay communication, so that the RAN side can provide a communication configuration parameter for the relay communication for a UE. The method and the device are based on the same technical concept, and because the principles of solving the problems of the method and the device are similar, the implementation of the device and the method can be mutually referred, and repeated parts are not repeated.

Hereinafter, some terms in the present application are explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

Remote ue (remote ue): a UE communicatively connected to a network through an indirect network. Relay ue (relay ue): and assisting the Remote UE to access the UE of the network.

In the description of the present application, the terms "first," "second," and the like, are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, nor order.

The embodiment of the application provides a possible communication system architecture to which the communication method is applicable. The architecture of the communication system may include: an access network and a core network. Access networks are used to implement radio access-related functions, including the 3rd generation partnership project (3 GPP) access networks and non-3GPP (non-3 GPP) access networks. The core network mainly comprises the following key logical network elements: an access and mobility management function network element, a session management function network element, a user plane function network element, a policy control function network element, a unified data management function network element, and the like. For example, fig. 1 shows one possible example of an architecture of a communication system, in which various network elements or devices are shown in a specific example. Specifically, the architecture of the communication system shown in fig. 1 may include: a terminal device (e.g., a User Equipment (UE)), AN access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a Session Management Function (SMF) network element, a User Plane Function (UPF) network element, a Policy Control Function (PCF) network element, a unified data management function (UDM) network element, AN authentication server function (AUSF) network element, AN AUSF network element, a network open function (NEF) network element, AN Application Function (AF) network element, a network slice selection function (AUSF) network element, a (NSSF) network element, a (radio) access network (network), AN (R) network storage function (network, AN (R) network element, and AN (R) network storage function (NRF) network element. The AMF network element and the access network equipment can be connected through an N2 interface, the access network equipment and the UPF can be connected through an N3 interface, the SMF and the UPF can be connected through an N4 interface, and the AMF network element and the UE can be connected through an N1 interface. The interface name is only an example, and the embodiment of the present application is not particularly limited thereto. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application are not limited to the communication system shown in fig. 1, and the names of the network elements shown in fig. 1 are only illustrated as an example herein, and are not intended to limit the network elements included in the communication system architecture to which the communication method of the present application is applicable. The functions of the various network elements or devices in the communication system are described in detail below:

the terminal equipment: may be a UE, a handheld terminal, a notebook computer, a subscriber unit (subscriber unit), a cellular phone (cellular phone), a smart phone (smart phone), a wireless data card, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) computer, a tablet computer, a wireless modem (modem), a handheld device (hand), a laptop computer (laptop computer), a cordless phone (cordless phone) or a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Machine Type Communication (MTC) terminal or other devices that can access a network. The terminal device and the access network device communicate with each other by using a certain air interface technology (e.g., New Radio (NR) or LTE). In the communication of the internet of vehicles, a communication terminal uploaded by a vehicle is a terminal device, and a Road Side Unit (RSU) can also be a terminal device. The unmanned aerial vehicle is provided with the communication terminal and can be regarded as terminal equipment.

(R) AN device: the equipment for providing access for the terminal equipment comprises RAN equipment and AN equipment. The RAN device is mainly a 3GPP network wireless network device and the AN may be AN access network device defined by non-3 GPP. RAN equipment: the wireless network controller is mainly responsible for functions of wireless resource management, quality of service (QoS) management, data compression, encryption and the like on the air interface side. The access network equipment may include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also referred to as small stations), relay stations, access points, etc. In systems using different radio access technologies, the names of devices having a base station function may be different, for example, in a 5G system, referred to as RAN or gNB (5G NodeB).

Access and mobility management function network elements: is mainly responsible for the signaling processing parts, such as: access control, mobility management, attach and detach, and gateway selection. When the AMF network element provides service for the session in the terminal device, a storage resource of the control plane is provided for the session, so as to store the session identifier, the SMF network element identifier associated with the session identifier, and the like. For example, in 5G, the access and mobility management function network element may be an AMF network element, such as shown in fig. 1; in future communications, such as 6G, the access and mobility management function network element may still be an AMF network element, or have another name, and this application is not limited thereto. When the access and mobility management function network element is an AMF network element, the AMF may provide the Namf service.

A session management function network element: the method is mainly responsible for session management in the mobile network, such as session establishment, modification and release. The specific functions include allocating an IP address to a user, selecting a UPF providing a message forwarding function, and the like. For example, in 5G, the session management function network element may be an SMF network element, such as shown in fig. 1; in future communications, such as 6G, the session management function network element may still be an SMF network element, or have another name, and this application is not limited thereto. When the session management function network element is an SMF network element, the SMF may provide an Nsmf service.

User plane functional network element: and the terminal equipment is responsible for forwarding and receiving user data in the terminal equipment. User data can be received from a data network and transmitted to the terminal equipment through the access network equipment; the UPF network element may also receive user data from the terminal device via the access network device and forward the user data to the data network. The transmission resource and scheduling function for providing service for the terminal equipment in the UPF network element are managed and controlled by the SMF network element. For example, in 5G, the user plane function network element may be a UPF network element, such as shown in fig. 1; in future communications, such as 6G, the user plane function network element may still be a UPF network element, or have another name, and this application is not limited thereto.

A policy control function network element: the method mainly supports the provision of a unified policy framework to control network behaviors, provides policy rules to a control layer network function, and is responsible for acquiring user subscription information related to policy decision. For example, in 5G, the policy control function network element may be a PCF network element, such as shown in fig. 1; in future communications, such as 6G, the policy control function network element may still be a PCF network element, or have another name, and the present application is not limited thereto. When the policy control function network element is a PCF network element, the PCF network element may provide an Npcf service.

Network open function network element: the method mainly supports the interaction of the 3GPP network and the third-party application security. For example, in 5G, the network open function network element may be a NEF network element, such as shown in fig. 1; in future communications, such as 6G, the network open function network element may still be a NEF network element, or have another name, and this application is not limited thereto. When the network open function network element is the NEF, the NEF may provide the Nnef service to other network function network elements.

The application function network element: mainly supports the interaction with the 3GPP core network to provide services, such as influencing data routing decision, strategy control function or providing some services of a third party to the network side. For example, in 5G, the application function network element may be an AF network element, such as shown in fig. 1; in future communications, such as 6G, the application function network element may still be an AF network element or have another name, and this application is not limited thereto. When the application function network element is an AF network element, the AF network element may provide a Naf service.

Unified data management function network element: the method is used for generating authentication trusts, user identification processing (such as storing and managing user permanent identities and the like), access authorization control, subscription data management and the like. For example, in 5G, the unified data management function network element may be a UDM network element, such as shown in fig. 1; in future communications, such as 6G, the network element with unified data management function may still be a UDM network element, or have another name, and this application is not limited thereto. When the unified data management function network element is a UDM network element, the UDM network element may provide a numm service.

Authentication server functional network element: for supporting authentication functions when the UE accesses the network and for supporting network element slice-specific authentication and authorization procedures. For example, in 5G, the authentication server function network element may be an AUSF network element, such as shown in fig. 1; in future communications, such as 6G, the authentication server function network element may still be an AUSF network element, or have another name, and this application is not limited thereto. When the authentication server function network element is an AUSF network element, the AUSF network element may provide a Nausf service.

And the network slice selection functional network element can be used for selecting the network slice for providing service for the terminal equipment. For example, in 5G, the network slice selection function network element may be an NSSF network element, such as shown in fig. 1; in future communications, such as 6G, the network slice selection function network element may still be an NSSF network element, or have another name, and this application is not limited thereto. When the network slice selection function network element is an NSSF network element, the NSSF network element may provide an NSSF service.

And the network storage function network element can be used for providing a network element discovery function and providing network element information corresponding to the network element type based on the request of other network elements. The NRF network element also provides network element management services such as network element registration, update, de-registration, and network element status subscription and push. For example, in 5G, the network storage function network element may be an NRF network element, such as shown in fig. 1; in future communications, such as 6G, the network storage function network element may still be an NRF network element, or have another name, and the present application is not limited thereto. When the network storage function network element is an NRF network element, the NRF network element may provide nrrf services.

A Data Network (DN) refers to a service network providing data transmission service for users, such as an IP Multimedia Service (IMS), the Internet (Internet), and the like.

The UE accesses the DN through a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session established between the UE and the DN.

Each network element in the core network may also be referred to as a functional entity or a device, and may be a network element implemented on dedicated hardware, a software instance running on dedicated hardware, or an instance of a virtualized function on an appropriate platform, for example, the virtualized platform may be a cloud platform.

It should be noted that the architecture of the communication system shown in fig. 1 is not limited to include only the network elements shown in the figure, and may also include other devices not shown in the figure, which are not specifically listed here.

It should be noted that the embodiments of the present application do not limit the distribution form of each network element, and the distribution form shown in fig. 1 is only an example, and the present application is not limited.

For convenience of description, in the following description, the network element shown in fig. 1 is taken as an example, and the XX network element is directly abbreviated as XX. It should be understood that the names of all network elements in the present application are only used as examples, and may also be referred to as other names in future communications, or network elements referred to in the present application may also be replaced by other entities or devices with the same function in future communications, and the present application does not limit the present application. The unified description is made here, and the description is not repeated.

The communication system shown in fig. 1 is not intended to limit the communication system to which the embodiments of the present application can be applied. The communication system architecture shown in fig. 1 is a 5G system architecture, and optionally, the method of the embodiment of the present application is also applicable to various future communication systems, such as a 6G or other communication networks.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided in the present application, where the application scenario includes a remote terminal device (remote UE), a relay terminal device (relay UE), an access network device, and a UPF. The application scene comprises UE-Relay-Network (Network) communication, namely, remote UE accesses the Network through Relay UE. The communication mode in which the remote UE accesses the network through the relay UE may be referred to as indirect network communication or relay communication. The relay communication is used in the following description, and the relay communication may be understood as indirect network communication.

It should be noted that the application scenario shown in fig. 2 is not limited to only include the network elements shown in the figure, and may also include other devices not shown in the figure, such as AMF, PCF, etc., which are not specifically listed herein.

In the present application, the PCF may be further divided into an access and mobility management (AM) PCF and a Session Management (SM) PCF. The AM PCF is a PCF responsible for issuing UE policies and access control policies during the UE access-related process (e.g. registration procedure). The SM PCF is a PCF responsible for issuing a session-related policy in the PDU session-related process of the UE (e.g. PDU session establishment procedure).

In the following, for the sake of facilitating understanding of the embodiments of the present application, first, concepts and basic knowledge related to the embodiments of the present application will be described.

1. 5G QoS management

In the 5G system, in order to guarantee the end-to-end service quality of the service, a 5G QoS model based on QoS flow is proposed, as shown in fig. 3. The 5G QoS model supports guaranteed bit rate (GRB) QoS flow (GBR QoS flow) and Non-guaranteed bit rate QoS flow (Non-GBR QoS flow), and receives the same transmission process (e.g., scheduling, admission threshold, etc.) using the same QoS flow-controlled packet.

For one UE, one or more PDU sessions may be established with the 5G network; one or more QoS flows may be established per PDU session. Each QoS flow is identified by a QoS Flow Identifier (QFI), which uniquely identifies a QoS flow in a session.

One QoS flow is GBR QoS flow or GBR QoS flow, determined by the corresponding QoS profile.

For GBR QoS flow, the corresponding QoS profile must contain the following QoS parameters: a 5G QoS indicator (5G QoS identifier, 5QI), Allocation and Retention Priority (ARP), Guaranteed Flow Bit Rate (GFBR), and Maximum Flow Bit Rate (MFBR). The optional QoS profile also contains a QoS Notification Control (QNC). The GBR QoS flow is divided into GRB QoS flow requiring QNC and GBR QoS flow not requiring QNC according to whether the QoS configuration file contains QNC or not. For GBR QoS flow requiring QNC, when RAN detects that the corresponding QoS flow resource can not be satisfied, RAN informs SMF of the event and then informs PCF. Further SMFs may initiate QoS flow deletion or modify flows.

For Non-GBR QoS flow, the corresponding QoS profile must contain the following QoS parameters: 5QI, ARP; the optional QoS profile also contains a Reverse QoS Attribute (RQA).

The specific QoS parameters are defined as follows:

5 QI: is a scalar to index to the corresponding 5G QoS feature; the 5QI is classified into a standardized 5QI, a preconfigured 5QI, and a dynamically assigned 5 QI. For a standardized 5QI, there is a one-to-one correspondence with a set of standardized 5G QoS characteristics; for a preconfigured 5QI, a corresponding 5G QoS feature value is preconfigured at the access network node (AN); for dynamically allocated 5 QIs, the corresponding 5G QoS characteristics are included in the QoS profile sent to the AN. The QoS characteristic values include a Resource Type (Resource Type, which is classified into GBR and Non-GBR), a priority level (priority level), a packet delay budget (packet delay budget, time delay of a packet from UE to UPF), a packet error probability (packet error rate), a maximum data burst size (maximum data burst volume), and an averaging window (averaging window, which is used to calculate a rate corresponding to GBR).

ARP: the method comprises the steps of (1) including priority level, preemption capability and preempted capability;

RQA: for indicating that the traffic transmitted using the corresponding QoS flow uses the reverse QoS;

and (3) QNC: for indicating whether the RAN informs the network when the GFBR cannot be met during the lifetime of the QoS flow;

GFBR: represents the bit rate expected to be provided to the GBR QoS flow;

MFBR: the bit rate provided to GBR QoS flow, i.e. the maximum bit rate provided to GBR QoS flow, is limited. E.g., exceeding the bit rate, the packet may be dropped.

The 5G network may execute a QoS control management procedure through a signaling plane, and the SMF performs binding of Service Data Flow (SDF) to QoS flow based on QoS and service requirements. The SMF allocates QFI of new QoS flow to the SDF according to a local policy or Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule sent by the PCF, and calculates QoS Profile and corresponding Packet Detection Rule (PDR) information. Wherein, the PCC rules include two types: dynamic PCC rules and predefined PCC rules. The dynamic PCC rules are provided by the PCF to the SMF, and the predefined PCC rules are configured on the SMF. The PCC rules include service data flow detection, charging, and policy control (policy control). Service data flow detection correlation data packets detected by a service data flow template (SDF template, a service data flow template in a PCC rule) form an SDF and template priority. The policy Control correlation includes Gate status (traffic data flow can be passed or dropped), authorized QoS parameters (5QI, ARP, maximum bitrate, guaranteed bitrate, etc.), QNC, and Reflective QoS Control. maximum bitrate is the maximum bitrate of the service data stream, and guaranteed bitrate is the bitrate guaranteed by the service data stream.

2. D2D QoS management

In D2D communication at 5G, UE a may establish one or more PC5 links (PC5 links) with UE B, each UE assigning a PC5 link identity (PC5 link identifier) to each link to identify a PC5 link. For one PC5 link between UE a and UE B, UE a and UE B use the same layer two identity pair to exchange signaling messages and data transmissions. The layer two identifiers are divided into a source layer two identifier (source layer-2ID) and a destination layer two identifier (destination layer-2 ID). The PC5 link may be used for direct inter-UE communication and also for relay communication. In the Relay communication scenario, the PC5 link between the Remote UE and the Relay UE is referred to as the PC5 link for Relay communication. In the inter-UE direct communication scenario, the PC5 link between UEs is referred to as the PC5 link for inter-UE direct communication.

Note that, in the present application, the PC5 link may also be referred to as a PC5 connection or a PC5 link, which is not limited in this application.

In the D2D communication of 5G, a QoS flow-based QoS model is proposed as shown in fig. 4, which is similar to the 5G QoS model shown in fig. 3. One or more QoS flows may be established in each PC5 link. Each QoS flow is identified by a PC5QoS flow identifier (PC 5QoS flow identifier, PFI) that uniquely identifies a QoS flow in the link. D2D QoS supports GBR QoS flow and Non-GBR QoS flow.

The PC5QoS parameters include the PQI (PC 55 QI), PC5 flow bit rate (PC5 flow bit rate), and PC5 link aggregated bit rate (PC5 link aggregated bits). The PQI is a special 5QI, and each PQI value corresponds to a QoS feature value in a one-to-one manner, and the content contained in the QoS feature value is the same as that involved in 5G QoS. The PC5 stream bit rates include GFBR and MFBR.

For QoS management in the D2D scenario, the UE obtains a QoS mapping configuration from the PCF during registration, and the QoS mapping configuration is included in the UE policy. The QoS mapping configuration comprises the following steps: 1) the corresponding relation between the service type or service requirement (priority, reliability, time delay and the like) and the QoS parameter (such as PQI, MFBR/GFBR and the like) of the PC 5; 2) the corresponding relation between the PC5QoS parameter and the Side Link Radio Bearer (SLRB). The PC5QoS parameter is a network authorized PC5QoS parameter. Configuration 1) is used for the situation that the UE is under network service and not under network service, and configuration 2) is used for the situation that the UE is not under network service. The PCF provides the UE with the authorized PC5QoS parameters, and also sends the authorized PC5QoS parameters to the RAN where the UE resides through the AMF. Note that the PC5QoS parameters sent to the UE and RAN are both PC5QoS parameters for direct inter-UE communication. The PC5QoS parameter for inter-UE direct communication may be understood as the PC5QoS parameter for the PC5 link for inter-UE direct communication.

In the process of establishing a link or updating the link between the UEs, the QoS parameter information of the PC5 is negotiated, and the PC5QoS flow is established. For each PC5QoS flow, the PC5QoS flow information includes PFI and QoS parameter information corresponding to the PFI. The UE derives a QoS rule (QoS rule) indicating a correspondence between the service packet and the PFI. The QoS rules include: QFI, packet filter set (packet filter set) and priority of the associated QoS flow. Packet filter sets are used in QoS rules and PDRs to identify data flows. The priority determines the order in which QoS rule is used.

After the UE negotiates the PC5QoS parameter information, the UE determines the communication configuration parameters corresponding to the PC5QoS parameters and acquires the communication resources. Under network service, the UE provides the PC5QoS parameter information and link information (such as a PC5 link identifier or a destination layer two identifier) to the RAN to obtain communication configuration parameters and communication resources corresponding to the PC5QoS parameter, the RAN provides the corresponding communication configuration parameters to the UE, and the RAN provides the corresponding communication resources to the UE. The communication configuration parameters may be understood as access stratum configuration parameters, such as sidelink radio bearer (SLRB) configuration, Radio Link Control (RLC) configuration, and logical channel (logical channel) configuration. The SLRB configuration includes a sequence number (sequence number), a header compression (header compression) parameter, and the like. The RLC configuration includes a transparent mode (transparent mode), an unacknowledged mode (unacknowledged mode), or an acknowledged mode (acknowledged mode). The logical channel configuration includes logical channel priority and the like. The RAN authorizes the PC5QoS parameter provided by the UE according to the authorized PC5QoS parameter acquired from the PCF, and provides communication configuration parameters and communication resources after the authorization is passed.

In the process of sending data by the UE, the UE maps the application layer data packet to the PFI according to the QoS Rule, obtains the corresponding QoS parameter according to the PFI, and then obtains the communication configuration parameter and the communication resource from the RAN according to the QoS parameter so as to send the corresponding data.

3. The Remote UE needs to realize uplink and downlink transmission of its data through a PC5 link between the Remote UE and the Relay UE and a PDU session of the Relay UE. In the Relay communication scenario, the PC5 link between the Remote UE and the Relay UE is referred to as the PC5 link for Relay communication. The end-to-end QoS requirements of the Remote UE can be split into PC5QoS parameters for relay communication and QoS parameters corresponding to PDU sessions. The PC5QoS parameter for relay communication may be understood as the PC5QoS parameter for the PC5 link of relay communication. The PC5 link and PDU session for relay communication are QoS processed based on the QoS flow model. The Relay UE may forward data of the Remote UE according to a one-to-one mapping relationship between the QoS flow in the PC5 link for Relay communication and the QoS flow in the Relay UE PDU session.

The QoS rules and QoS parameters corresponding to the QoS flows in the PDU session are determined by the SMF. And the SMF provides the QoS rule corresponding to the QoS flow and the corresponding QoS parameter to the Relay UE. The Relay UE converts the QoS parameters (e.g., 5QI, GFBR, MFBR, etc.) corresponding to the QoS flows in the PDU session into corresponding PC5QoS parameters (e.g., PQI, GFBR, MFBR, etc.) for Relay communication. Since the PC5 link and PDU session for relay communication are QoS-processed based on the QoS flow model, the QoS parameters of most QoS flow levels can be directly used. For example, when the Relay UE acquires a GFBR corresponding to a certain QoS flow from the SMF, the GFBR is also set as the GFBR of the corresponding QoS flow on the PC5 link for Relay communication, so that the QoS flow in the PC5 link for Relay communication coincides with the GFBR parameter of the corresponding QoS flow in the PDU session. The MFBR for QoS flows on the PC5 link for relay communication is also similarly set. However, for the 5QI corresponding to the QoS flow in the PDU session, the Relay UE determines the value of PQI according to the mapping relationship between the 5QI and the PQI. The mapping relationship may be pre-configured on the Relay UE.

Currently, there is no consideration that the PC5QoS parameters for relay communication may be different from the PC5QoS parameters for direct inter-UE communication, which may cause RAN authorization problems. For example, currently, the RAN acquires only the PC5QoS parameters for direct communication between UEs, and there is no scheme for acquiring the PC5QoS parameters for relay communication from the core network. Therefore, the RAN cannot authorize the PC5QoS parameter for relaying communication, i.e., cannot provide the communication configuration parameter and communication resource for relaying communication. Specifically, the scenario diagram shown in fig. 5 may make it clear that the PC5QoS parameters for relay communication are different from the PC5QoS parameters for direct communication between UEs. End-to-end for direct communication between UEs is denoted as UE1(Remote UE) as the source point of data and UE2(Relay UE) as the destination point of data. The end-to-end of relay communication of the Remote UE indicates that a source point of data is the Remote UE, and a destination point of the data is a server in the network. In both cases, when the end-to-end delay is the same (10ms), the delay (3ms) left for the PC5 communication in the case of relay communication is less than the delay for direct communication between UEs. It can also be appreciated that the PC5QoS parameters (e.g., latency) for relay communications may be more stringent than the PC5QoS parameters (e.g., latency) for direct inter-UE communications.

Based on this, the present application provides a communication method, so as to enable the RAN side to acquire the PC5QoS parameters for relay communication during relay communication, so that the RAN side can authorize the PC5QoS parameters for relay communication, thereby providing the UE with communication configuration parameters for relay communication.

In order to more clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following describes in detail a communication method and apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The communication method provided by the embodiment of the application is suitable for the communication system shown in fig. 1 and the application scenario shown in fig. 2. Referring to fig. 6, a specific process of the method may include:

step 601: the terminal equipment sends first information to access network equipment, wherein the first information comprises a first PC5QoS parameter, and the first PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication of the terminal equipment.

Step 602: and the access network equipment sends communication configuration parameters to the terminal equipment according to the QoS parameters of the first PC 5.

Step 603: and the terminal equipment configures the PC5 link according to the communication configuration parameters.

Specifically, the terminal device is a relay terminal device or a remote terminal device.

In an optional implementation manner, the first information may be contained in a first message, where the first message is a sidelink terminal information nr (sidelinkueinformationnr) message, and the first message is used to report information of a PC5 link of a terminal device. Or, the first message is a sidelink configuration parameter request message, and the first message is used for requesting a communication configuration parameter. The communication configuration parameters are configuration parameters of a PC5 link used for the terminal equipment, and the PC5 link is used for relay communication. Illustratively, the communication configuration parameters may be access stratum configuration parameters such as SLRB configuration, RLC configuration, and logical channel configuration. The SLRB configuration includes a sequence number and a header compression parameter, etc. The RLC configuration includes a transparent mode, an unacknowledged mode, or an acknowledged mode. The logical channel configuration includes logical channel priority and the like.

In an optional implementation manner, before the access network device sends the communication configuration parameters to the terminal device according to the first PC5QoS parameters, the access network device obtains a second PC5QoS parameter of the terminal device, and the second PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication of the terminal device; the access network device authorizes the first PC5QoS parameters according to the second PC5QoS parameters. The second PC5QoS parameter is a QoS parameter used by the terminal device for relay communication or a QoS parameter authorized by the network to be used by the terminal device for relay communication. The first PC5QoS parameters may include PQI, MFBR, GFBR, etc. The second PC5QoS parameters may include PQI, MFBR, GFBR, etc.

Specifically, according to different actual scenarios, when the access network device obtains the QoS parameter of the second PC5 of the terminal device, the method may specifically include the following steps:

method a 1: the access network device receiving the second PC5QoS parameters from the first device; or, the access network device receives the second PC5QoS parameter and first indication information from the first device, the first indication information indicating that the second PC5QoS parameter is used for relaying communication.

Specifically, the QoS parameter of the second PC5 and the first indication information may be carried in one message.

In the method a1, the first device is a policy control function; or, the first device is a session management function. And under the condition that the first equipment is a policy control function, the access network equipment receives the second PC5QoS parameter and the first indication information from the policy control function through an access and mobility management function, wherein the terminal equipment is relay terminal equipment or remote terminal equipment. And in the case that the first device is a session management function, the access network device receives the second PC5QoS parameter and the first indication information from the session management function through an access and mobility management function, and the terminal device is a relay terminal device.

Method a 2: the access network equipment receives a QoS configuration file and second indication information from the first equipment, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating that the second PC5QoS parameters are determined according to the QoS configuration file; and the access network equipment determines the QoS parameter of the second PC5 according to the QoS configuration file.

In the method a2, the first device is a session management function, and the terminal device is a relay terminal device. The access network device receives the QoS profile and the second indication information from the session management function through the access and mobility management functions.

Specifically, the access network device determines the QoS parameter of the second PC5 according to the QoS configuration file, and the specific method may be: the access network equipment determines the second PC5QoS parameter according to a QoS mapping relation and the QoS parameter in the QoS configuration file, wherein the QoS mapping relation is used for representing the mapping relation between the QoS parameter in the QoS configuration file and the PC5QoS parameter. The QoS parameters in the QoS profile may include 5QI, GFBR, MFBR, etc. The QoS mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between a QoS parameter 5QI in a QoS profile and a PC5QoS parameter PQI, a mapping relationship between a QoS parameter GFBR in a QoS profile and a PC5QoS parameter GFBR, a mapping relationship between a QoS parameter MFBR in a QoS profile and a PC5QoS parameter MFBR, and the like. For example, the mapping relationship between 5QI and PQI may be 5QI ═ 10 mapping to PQI ═ 20 mapping, and the mapping relationship between GFBR and MFBR may be equal in value.

In an optional embodiment, the first information further comprises third indication information, the third indication information is used for indicating that the first PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication; or, the first information further includes fourth indication information and identification information of a PC5 link, the fourth indication information indicating that the PC5 link is used for relay communication.

In an alternative embodiment, the first information further includes identification information of the PC5 link; further, before the access network device receives the first information from the terminal device, the access network device receives second information from the terminal device, the second information includes fifth indication information and identification information of the PC5 link, and the fifth indication information is used for indicating that the PC5 link is used for relay communication.

In an optional implementation manner, when the terminal device is a remote terminal device, the remote terminal device sends the second information to the access network device through a relay terminal device.

In a specific implementation manner, when the terminal device is a remote terminal device, the receiving, by the access network device, the first information from the terminal device may specifically be: and the access network equipment receives the first information from the terminal equipment through the relay terminal equipment. That is, the terminal device sends the first information to the access network device through the relay terminal device.

In an alternative embodiment, the terminal device receives the first PC5QoS parameters from a first device before the terminal device sends the first information to the access network device.

Optionally, the terminal device further receives eighth indication information from the first device, where the eighth indication information is used to indicate that the QoS parameter of the first PC5 is used for relay communication.

In an optional embodiment, the access network device further sends PC5 communication resources to the terminal device according to the first PC5 QoS.

By adopting the communication method provided by the application, the access network equipment can provide the communication configuration parameters for the terminal equipment according to the QoS parameters of the first PC5 for relay communication, so that the terminal equipment configures the PC5 link according to the communication configuration parameters.

The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication method, which is suitable for the communication system shown in fig. 1 and the application scenario shown in fig. 2. Referring to fig. 7, a specific process of the method may include:

step 701: the first device acquires a second PC5QoS parameter of the terminal device, and the second PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication of the terminal device.

Step 702: and the first equipment sends the second PC5QoS parameter to the access network equipment.

In an optional implementation manner, the first device sends first indication information to the access network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the second PC5QoS parameter is used for relaying communication. In this case, the first device is a policy control function or a session management function.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first device receives relay capability information (relay capability) from the terminal device; further, the first device sends the second PC5QoS parameter to the access network device, and the specific method may be: and the first equipment sends the second PC5QoS parameter to the access network equipment according to the relay capability information. At this time, the first device is a policy control function. Wherein the relay capability information may be sent to the first device by a Non Access Stratum (NAS) message by the terminal device during a registration procedure of the terminal device.

In an example, the specific method for the first device to obtain the QoS parameter of the second PC5 of the terminal device may be as follows: the first device receiving the second PC5QoS parameters from a policy control function; in this case, the terminal device is a relay terminal device. At this time, the first device is a session management function.

In another example, the method for acquiring the QoS parameter of the second PC5 of the terminal device by the first device may include: the first device receives sixth indication information and a PCC rule from a policy control function, wherein the sixth indication information is used for indicating that the second PC5QoS parameter is determined according to the QoS parameter in the PCC rule; and the first equipment determines the second PC5QoS parameter according to the QoS parameter in the PCC rule. At this time, the first device is a session management function.

Specifically, the first device determines the QoS parameter of the second PC5 according to the QoS parameter in the PCC rule, and the specific method may be: the first equipment determines a QoS configuration file according to the QoS parameters in the PCC rules; and the first equipment determines the second PC5QoS parameters according to the QoS configuration file. At this time, the first device is a session management function.

Specifically, after the access network device receives the second PC5QoS parameter, the access network device authorizes the first PC5QoS parameter received by the access network device from the terminal device according to the second PC5QoS parameter. In particular, reference may be made to the embodiment shown in fig. 6 in relation to the description.

By adopting the communication method provided by the embodiment of the application, the first device sends the second PC5QoS parameter to the access network device, so that the access network device can authorize the PC5QoS parameter used for relay communication for the terminal device according to the second PC5QoS parameter.

The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication method, which is suitable for the communication system shown in fig. 1 and the application scenario shown in fig. 2. Referring to fig. 8, a specific process of the method may include:

step 801: and the session management function receives a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule from the policy control function, wherein the PCC rule is used for relaying the PDU session of the terminal equipment.

Step 802: and the session management function determines a QoS configuration file according to the QoS parameters in the PCC rules.

Step 803: and the session management function sends second indication information and the QoS configuration file to access network equipment, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating that second PC5QoS parameters are determined according to the QoS configuration file, and the second PC5QoS parameters are used for relay communication of the relay terminal equipment.

In an alternative embodiment, the session management function receives sixth indication information from the policy control function, the sixth indication information indicating that the second PC5QoS parameter is determined according to the QoS parameter in the PCC rule; further, the session management function sends the second indication information to the access network device, and the specific method may be: and the session management function sends the second indication information to the access network equipment according to the sixth indication information.

In another optional embodiment, the session management function receives seventh indication information from an access and mobility management function, the seventh indication information indicating that the PDU session is used for relay communication; further, the session management function sends the second indication information to the access network device, and the specific method may be: and the session management function sends the second indication information to the access network equipment according to the seventh indication information.

Specifically, after receiving the QoS configuration file, the access network device determines the second PC5QoS parameter according to the QoS configuration file, and then the access network device authorizes the first PC5QoS parameter, which is received by the access network device from the terminal device, according to the second PC5QoS parameter. In particular, reference may be made to the embodiment shown in fig. 6 in relation to the description.

By adopting the communication method provided by the embodiment of the application, the subsequent access device can determine the second PC5QoS parameter according to the QoS configuration file, and further the access network device can authorize the PC5QoS parameter used for relay communication for the terminal device according to the second PC5QoS parameter.

Based on the above embodiments, the communication method provided by the present application is explained in detail below by the examples shown in fig. 9 to 12. In the following example, a terminal device is taken as a UE, an access network device is taken as a RAN, a session management function is taken as an SMF, and a policy control function is taken as a PCF.

Fig. 9 shows an example of a communication method provided by the present application. In this example, the PCF provides the UE and the RAN with the PC5QoS parameters for relay communication, and the UE indicates the PC5 link corresponding to the PC5QoS parameters to be used for relay communication when requesting to acquire the communication configuration parameters or communication resources corresponding to the PC5QoS parameters from the RAN. The UE may be a remote UE (remote UE) or a relay UE (relay UE). Remote UEs reside in RAN1, Relay UEs reside in RAN2, and RAN1 and RAN2 may be the same RAN or different RANs. Specifically, the flow of this example may be:

step 901: in the process of registering the Remote UE, the Remote UE sends an NAS message to the AM PCF through the AMF, where the NAS message includes relay capability (relay capability) information, and the relay capability information may also be relay access capability (relay access capability) information.

Step 902: after the AM PCF acquires subscription information of Remote UE from UDR, the AM PCF transmits a second PC5QoS parameter (Authorized PC5QoS parameter (Authorized PC5QoS parameter)) to RAN1 according to the relay capability information.

Specifically, the AM PCF further sends first indication information (for playing indication) to the RAN 1.

Wherein, the AM PCF may send a registration response message to the RAN1 through the AMF, and the registration response message includes the second PC5QoS parameter and the first indication information.

After receiving the Authorized PC5QoS parameter and for relaying indication, the RAN1 stores the Authorized PC5QoS parameter and for relaying indication in the context of Remote UEs.

Wherein, the Authorized PC5QoS parameter represents the PC5QoS parameter Authorized by the Remote UE, and is used for the relay communication of the terminal device; the for relaying indication indicates that the authorized PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication or the PC5 link corresponding to the authorized PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication.

In addition, optionally, the AM PCF further sends a correspondence between a service type or service requirement (such as priority, reliability, time delay, etc.) for relay communication and an Authorized PC5QoS parameter (here, referred to as a first PC5QoS parameter) to the Remote UE through the AMF. And the Remote UE determines the PC5QoS parameter corresponding to the service of the relay communication by using the corresponding relation.

Step 903-step 904: the registration procedure of the Relay UE is similar to that of the Remote UE, and reference may be specifically made to the relevant descriptions in step 901 and step 902, which are not described in detail herein. Wherein, the RAN corresponding to the Relay UE is RAN 2.

Step 905: the Remote UE establishes a PC5 link with the Relay UE, the PC5 link being used for Relay communication.

Specifically, the Remote UE and the Relay UE determine the PC5QoS parameter corresponding to the service of the Relay communication according to the corresponding relationship between the service type or service requirement (such as priority, reliability, time delay, etc.) of the Relay communication and the Authorized PC5QoS parameter. And the Remote UE and the Relay UE negotiate a PC5QoS parameter corresponding to a transmission service under Relay communication.

Step 906: and the Relay UE establishes a PDU session.

Then, the Relay UE requests the RAN to acquire the communication configuration parameters or the communication resources corresponding to the QoS parameters of the PC5, which may be the following two cases, step 907a and step 907 b.

Step 907 a: including step 907a-1 and step 907a-2.

Step 907 a-1: after establishing the PC5 link, the Relay UE sends an RRC message to the RAN2, where the RRC message includes second information, the second information includes fifth indication information (Relay indication) and identification information of the PC5 link (that is, PC5 link information link info), and the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the PC5 link is used for Relay communication. The identification information of the PC5 link can be destination layer two identification of the PC5 link. Wherein, the RRC message is a sidelink terminal information NR message. Or, the first message is a sidelink configuration parameter request message.

Step 907 a-2: the Relay UE sends a request message (i.e. the first message mentioned above) to the RAN2, where the request message is used to request communication configuration parameters or communication resources, and the request message includes the first information mentioned above, where the first information includes the first PC5QoS parameters and the PC5 link identification information. The request message is a sidelink terminal information (NR) message or a sidelink configuration parameter request message.

Step 907 b: when the Relay UE requests RAN2 to acquire communication configuration parameters or communication resources corresponding to PC5QoS parameters, first information is sent to the RAN2, the first information comprises a first PC5QoS parameter and third indication information, and the third indication information is used for indicating that the first PC5QoS parameters are used for Relay communication; or, the first information includes a first PC5QoS parameter, fourth indication information and identification information of a PC5 link, the fourth indication information indicating that the PC5 link is used for relay communication. Wherein the first information is carried in a request message that the Relay UE requests the RAN2 for communication configuration parameters or communication resources.

Step 908: the RAN2 authorizes the first PC5QoS parameters (i.e., authorizes the first PC5QoS parameters) according to the second PC5QoS parameters (authorized PC5QoS parameters in step 904).

Step 909: after the authorization in step 908 is passed, the RAN2 sends a communication configuration parameter to the Relay UE according to the QoS parameter of the first PC5, where the communication configuration parameter is used for Relay communication.

The RAN2 also sends communication resources for Relay communication to the Relay UE.

Specifically, for the flow that the Remote UE requests the RAN1 to acquire the communication configuration parameters or the communication resources corresponding to the QoS parameters of the PC5, similar to the request flow of the Relay UE in steps 907a to 909, reference may be made to each other, which is not described in detail here and is not shown in fig. 9.

With the above example, the RAN can perceive the PC5QoS parameter for direct inter-UE communication and the PC5QoS parameter for relay communication, and can authorize the communication configuration parameter or the PC5QoS parameter in the communication resource request procedure in both cases, respectively.

Fig. 10 shows an example of another communication method provided herein. In this example, RAN1 (the RAN on which the Remote UE resides) and RAN2 (the RAN on which the Relay UE resides) each obtain PC5QoS parameters for relaying communications from the core network. The Remote UE and the Relay UE respectively request the resident RAN to acquire communication configuration parameters or communication resources corresponding to the PC5QoS parameters for Relay communication. Where Remote UEs reside in RAN1, Relay UEs reside in RAN2, and RAN1 and RAN2 may also be the same. Specifically, the flow of this example may be:

step 1001: the Remote UE establishes a PC5 link with the Relay UE.

Step 1002: the Relay UE establishes a PDU session. After the PDU session is established, the Relay UE reports the Remote UE information to the SMF through the AMF, and the Remote UE information comprises Remote UE identification information and Remote UE address information. SMF reports the Remote UE information to SM PCF.

Step 1003: the SM PCF perceives the service data flow requested by the AF as a Remote UE, and determines a PCC rule and a PC5QoS parameter (namely a second PC5QoS parameter) for relay communication.

Specifically, the SM PCF determines that the target UE of the AF request is a Remote UE according to the address information provided by the AF and the Remote UE address information acquired from the SMF. The PCF generates PCC rules and second PC5QoS parameters based on the service requirements requested by the AF.

Step 1004: the SM PCF sends a second PC5QoS parameter and PCC Rule (Rule) to the SMF.

Step 1005: the SMF sends the second PC5QoS parameter to RAN2, the second PC5QoS parameter being used for Relay communication for the Relay UE.

Specifically, the second PC5QoS parameter is also used to authorize the PC5QoS parameter for Relay communication requested by the Relay UE (i.e., the first PC5QoS parameter).

Wherein the SMF may transmit the second PC5QoS parameter to the RAN2 through N2 SM information (info). Specifically, the method comprises the following steps: mode 1: when the SMF receives PCC Rule and second PC5QoS parameters from the SM PCF, the second PC5QoS parameters are put into N2 SM info; mode 2: the SMF, upon acquiring a PDU session for relay communication (PDU session for relay) information from the AMF and receiving a QoS parameter for the second PC5 from the SM PCF, puts the second PC5QoS parameter into N2 SM info.

Optionally, the SMF further sends first indication information (for relaying indication) to the RAN2, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the QoS parameter of the second PC5 is used for relaying communication.

The RAN2 then stores the second PC5QoS parameters obtained from the SMF for Relay communications by the Relay UE.

Step 1006: and the SMF sends the second PC5QoS parameter to the Relay UE and the Remote UE.

The SMF sends the second PC5QoS parameter to the Relay UE through the AMF, and the Relay UE sends the second PC5QoS parameter to the Remote UE through the PC5 link.

Step 1007: the SM PCF sends a first update message to the UDR, the first update message including identity information of the Remote UE, a second PC5QoS parameter, and indication information (first indication information) for relay communication.

The second PC5QoS parameters may be updated to the UDR, i.e. the subscription data of the Remote UE is updated, via step 1007.

Step 1008: and the UDR sends a second updating message to the RAN1 through an AM PCF, wherein the second updating message comprises identification information of the Remote UE, a second PC5QoS parameter and indication information (first indication information) for relay communication.

The UDR may trigger the AM PCF to update the Remote UE context in RAN1, i.e. update the PC5QoS parameters used by the Remote UE for relaying communications, via step 1008. RAN1 then stores the second PC5QoS parameters for Remote UE relay communications.

The steps 1009a to 1011 are the same as the steps 907a to 909 shown in fig. 9, and they can be referred to each other and are not repeated here.

Similarly, for the flow that the Remote UE requests the RAN1 to acquire the communication configuration parameters or the communication resources corresponding to the QoS parameters of the PC5, similar to the request flow of the Relay UE in steps 1009a to 1011, reference may be made to each other, which is not described in detail here and is not shown in fig. 10.

With the above example, the RAN may obtain, from the core network, the PC5QoS parameters for the Remote UE and Relay UE Relay communications, and may be able to authorize the Remote UE and Relay UE to request the PC5QoS parameters for the Relay communications in the communication configuration parameters or communication resources process.

Fig. 11 shows an example of another communication method provided herein. This example differs from the example shown in fig. 10 in that: only RAN2 (RAN on which the Relay UE resides) obtains the PC5QoS parameters for relaying communications from the core network. The Relay UE assists the Remote UE to request the RAN2 for communication configuration parameters or communication resources corresponding to the PC5QoS parameters of the Relay communication. Specifically, the flow of this example may be:

the steps 1101-1106 are the same as the steps 1001-1006 in the embodiment shown in fig. 10, and they can be referred to each other, and are not repeated herein.

The procedure of requesting, by the Relay UE, the RAN2 for the communication configuration parameter or the communication resource corresponding to the QoS parameter of the PC5 for Relay communication is the same as the steps 907a to 909 in the embodiment shown in fig. 9, and is not repeated here. Which is not shown again in fig. 11.

The process of requesting, by the Remote UE, the RAN2 for the communication configuration or the communication resource corresponding to the QoS parameter of PC5 for relay communication may include the following steps 1107-:

step 1107: and the Remote UE sends first information to the RAN2 through the Relay UE.

Specifically, the step 1107 may include the following steps 1107a and 1107 b:

step 1107 a: and the Remote UE sends a first request message to the Relay UE, wherein the first request message comprises the first information, and the first information comprises a first PC5QoS parameter and PC5 link identification information. The first request message may be a PC 5-transport (PC5-Signalling, PC5-S) message.

Step 1107 b: and the Relay UE sends a second request message to the RAN2, wherein the second request message comprises the first information, and the first information comprises first PC5QoS parameters and PC5 link identification information. The second request message may further include indication information, where the indication information is that the first information is from a Remote UE. Specifically, the indication information may be Remote UE ID information.

Optionally, the first information may further include a relay indication that indicates the PC5 link is used for relay communication.

Step 1108: the RAN2 authorizes the first PC5QoS parameters according to the second PC5QoS parameters obtained from step 1105.

Step 1109: the RAN2 sends communication configuration parameters (or communication resources) to the Remote UE through the Relay UE.

Specifically, the RAN2 sends the communication configuration parameter to the Relay UE according to the QoS parameter of the first PC5 (which may be sent by a first response message), and then the Relay UE forwards the communication configuration parameter to the Remote UE (which may be forwarded by a second response message).

Fig. 12 shows an example of another communication method provided herein. In this example, the RAN generates a PC5QoS parameter for relaying communications according to the for relaying indication of the SMF. Specifically, the flow of this example may be:

step 1201: a PC5 link for Relay communication is established between the Remote UE and the Relay UE.

Step 1202: the Relay UE establishes or modifies a PDU session for Relay communication. And the Relay UE reports the Remote UE information to the SMF through the AMF, wherein the Remote UE information comprises Remote UE identification information and Remote UE address information. SMF reports the Remote UE information to SM PCF.

Step 1203: and the SM PCF determines a PCC rule, and the PCC rule is used for relaying the PDU conversation of the terminal equipment.

Specifically, the SM PCF determines that the target UE of the AF request is a Remote UE based on address information provided by the AF in the service requirement corresponding to the AF request service data stream and Remote UE address information acquired from the SMF, and the SM PCF generates a PCC rule according to the service requirement of the AF request.

Step 1204: and the SM PCF sends the PCC rule to the SMF.

Optionally, the SM PCF sends sixth indication information (for playing indication) to the SMF, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate that the QoS parameter of the second PC5 is determined according to the QoS parameter in the PCC rule.

Step 1205: and the SMF determines a QoS configuration file according to the QoS parameters in the PCC rules.

Step 1206: the SMF sends second indication information and a QoS profile to the RAN 2.

Wherein, the two ways of acquiring/determining the second indication information by the SMF include: 1) obtaining the sixth indication information obtained from the SM PCF; 2) and the SMF receives seventh indication information from the AMF, and the SMF obtains the second indication information according to the seventh indication information. The second indication information is used for indicating that a second PC5QoS parameter is determined according to the QoS profile, and the second PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication of the relay terminal equipment.

The QoS profile (QoS profile) includes 5QI, GFBR, MFBR.

Specifically, the SMF may send the second indication information to the RAN2 through N2 SM info.

Step 1207: the RAN2 determines the second PC5QoS parameters from the QoS profile.

Specifically, the RAN2 determines the second PC5QoS parameters (PQI, GFBR, MFBR) according to a QoS mapping relationship (e.g., 5QI/PQI mapping relationship) and QoS parameters (including 5QI, GFBR, MFBR) in the QoS profile, where the QoS mapping relationship is used to represent a mapping relationship between QoS parameters and PC5QoS parameters. RAN2 determines the PQI in the QoS parameters of second PC5 based on the 5QI/PQI mapping) and the 5QI in the QoS profile. The RAN2 sets the GFBR in the second PC5QoS parameter equal to the GFBR in the QoS profile. The RAN2 sets the MFBR in the second PC5QoS parameter equal to the MFBR in the QoS profile.

Wherein the 5QI/PQI mapping is pre-configured at RAN2, or AM PCF is provided to RAN2 through AMF during Relay UE registration, or SMF, or SM PCF. For example, the 5QI/PQI mapping relationship may be that 5QI ═ 10 maps to PQI ═ 20.

Step 1208: the SMF sends the QoS parameters in the PDU session of 5QI and the like to the Relay UE.

Step 1209: and the Relay UE maps out a PC5QoS parameter for Relay communication according to the QoS parameter in the PDU session such as 5QI and the like, and sends the QoS parameter to the Remote UE.

Thereafter, the flow of requesting communication configuration parameters or communication resources by the Relay UE and the Remote UE is the same as the procedure involved in the embodiment shown in fig. 11. Specifically, for the Relay UE, refer to steps 907a to 909 in the embodiment shown in fig. 9, which are the same and are not repeated here. Not shown here in fig. 12; for the Remote UE, steps 1210 to 1212 may refer to steps 1107 to 1109 in the embodiment shown in fig. 11, and are not repeated here.

With the above example, the RAN can generate the PC5QoS parameter of the Relay communication, which coincides with the PC5QoS parameter of the Relay communication generated by the Relay UE/Remote UE, and can authorize the PC5QoS parameter of the Relay communication in requesting the communication configuration parameter or communication resource procedure.

Based on the above embodiments, the present application provides a communication device. As shown in fig. 13, the communication apparatus 1300 may include a transceiver unit 1301 and a processing unit 1302. The transceiver 1301 is used for the communication apparatus 1300 to receive information (message or data) or send information (message or data), and the processing unit 1302 is used for controlling and managing the operation of the communication apparatus 1300. The processing unit 1302 may also control the steps performed by the transceiving unit 1301.

For example, the communication apparatus 1300 may be an access network device in the foregoing embodiments, and specifically may be a processor, a chip or a chip system, or a functional module in the access network device; alternatively, the communication apparatus 1300 may be the first device in the foregoing embodiment, and specifically may be a processor, a chip or a chip system in the first device, or a functional module; alternatively, the communication apparatus 1300 may be a session management function in the foregoing embodiments, and specifically may be a processor, or a chip system, or a functional module in the session management function; alternatively, the communication apparatus 1300 may be the terminal device in the foregoing embodiments, and specifically may be a processor, a chip or a chip system in the terminal device, or a functional module.

In an embodiment, when the communication apparatus 1300 is used to implement the function of the access network device in the foregoing embodiments, the method may specifically include:

the transceiving unit 1301 is configured to receive first information from a terminal device, the first information including a first proximity-based serving communication 5PC5 quality of service QoS parameter, the first PC5QoS parameter being used for relay communication of the terminal device; sending communication configuration parameters to the terminal equipment according to the QoS parameters of the first PC 5; the processing unit 1302 is configured to control transceiving operation of the transceiving unit 1301.

In an optional implementation manner, the terminal device is a relay terminal device or a remote terminal device.

Specifically, before the transceiving unit 1301 transmits the communication configuration parameter to the terminal device according to the QoS parameter of the first PC5, the processing unit 1302 is further configured to: acquiring a second PC5QoS parameter of the terminal equipment, wherein the second PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication of the terminal equipment; authorizing the first PC5QoS parameters in accordance with the second PC5QoS parameters.

For example, when the processing unit 1302 acquires the QoS parameter of the second PC5 of the terminal device, it is specifically configured to: controlling the transceiving unit 1301 to receive the second PC5QoS parameter from the first device; or, the transceiving unit 1301 is controlled to receive the second PC5QoS parameter and first indication information from a first device, the first indication information indicating that the second PC5QoS parameter is used for relaying communication.

In an optional implementation manner, the terminal device is a relay terminal device, and when the processing unit 1302 acquires the QoS parameter of the second PC5 of the terminal device, it is specifically configured to: controlling the transceiving unit 1301 to receive a QoS profile and second indication information from the first device, the second indication information indicating that the second PC5QoS parameter is determined according to the QoS profile; determining the second PC5QoS parameters according to the QoS profile.

Specifically, when the processing unit 1302 determines the QoS parameter of the second PC5 according to the QoS configuration file, it is specifically configured to: and determining the second PC5QoS parameter according to a QoS mapping relation and the QoS parameter in the QoS configuration file, wherein the QoS mapping relation is used for representing the mapping relation between the QoS parameter and the PC5QoS parameter.

Optionally, the first device is a policy control function.

Optionally, the first device is a session management function, and the terminal device is a relay terminal device.

In a specific embodiment, the first information further includes third indication information, the third indication information is used for indicating that the first PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication; or, the first information further includes fourth indication information and identification information of a PC5 link, the fourth indication information indicating that the PC5 link is used for relay communication.

In another specific embodiment, the first information further includes identification information of the PC5 link; before the transceiving unit 1301 receives the first information from the terminal device, the transceiving unit 1301 is further configured to: receiving second information from the terminal device, the second information including fifth indication information indicating that the PC5 link is used for relay communication and identification information of the PC5 link.

In an example, the terminal device is a remote terminal device, and when the transceiver unit 1301 receives the first information from the terminal device, the transceiver unit is specifically configured to: receiving the first information from the terminal device through a relay terminal device.

In an embodiment, when the communication apparatus 1300 is used to implement the function of the first device in the foregoing embodiments, the method may specifically include:

the processing unit 1302 is configured to obtain a second proximity-based service communication 5PC5 quality of service QoS parameter of a terminal device, the second PC5QoS parameter being used for relay communication of the terminal device; the transceiving unit 1301 is configured to send the second PC5QoS parameter to an access network device.

Illustratively, the transceiving unit 1301 is further configured to send first indication information to the access network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the QoS parameter of the second PC5 is used for relaying communication.

Specifically, the transceiver unit 1301 is further configured to receive relay capability information from the terminal device; further, when the transceiving unit 1301 sends the second PC5QoS parameter to the access network device, it is specifically configured to: and sending the second PC5QoS parameter to the access network equipment according to the relay capability information.

Optionally, when the processing unit 1302 acquires the QoS parameter of the second PC5 of the terminal device, it is specifically configured to: controlling the transceiving unit 1301 to receive the second PC5QoS parameter from a policy control function; the terminal equipment is relay terminal equipment.

Optionally, when the first device of the processing unit 1302 acquires the QoS parameter of the second PC5 of the terminal device, it is specifically configured to: controlling the transceiver unit 1301 to receive sixth indication information and a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule from a policy control function, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate that the second PC5QoS parameter is determined according to a QoS parameter in the PCC rule; and determining the second PC5QoS parameter according to the QoS parameter in the PCC rule.

For example, when the processing unit 1302 determines the QoS parameter of the second PC5 according to the QoS parameter in the PCC rule, it is specifically configured to: determining a QoS configuration file according to the QoS parameters in the PCC rules; determining the second PC5QoS parameters according to the QoS profile.

In an alternative embodiment, the first device is a policy control function.

In another optional implementation, the first device is a session management function.

In an embodiment, when the communication apparatus 1300 is used to implement the function of the session management function in the foregoing embodiments, the method may specifically include:

the transceiver unit 1301 is configured to receive a policy and charging control PCC rule from a policy control function, where the PCC rule is used for a protocol data unit PDU session of a relay terminal device; the processing unit 1302 is configured to determine a QoS configuration file according to a quality of service QoS parameter in the PCC rule; the transceiving unit 1301 is further configured to send second indication information and the QoS profile to an access network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate that a second proximity service communication 5PC 5QoS parameter is determined according to the QoS profile, and the second PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication of the relay terminal device.

In an optional implementation, the transceiving unit 1301 is further configured to receive sixth indication information from the policy control function, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate that the second PC5QoS parameter is determined according to the QoS parameter in the PCC rule; when the transceiving unit 1301 transmits the second indication information to the access network device, the transceiving unit is specifically configured to: and sending the second indication information to the access network equipment according to the sixth indication information.

In an optional embodiment, the transceiving unit 1301 is further configured to receive the seventh indication information from an access and mobility management function, where the seventh indication information is used to indicate that the PDU session is used for relay communication;

when the transceiving unit 1301 transmits the second indication information to the access network device, the transceiving unit is specifically configured to: and sending the second indication information to the access network equipment according to the seventh indication information.

In an embodiment, when the communication apparatus 1300 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the foregoing embodiments, the method may specifically include:

the transceiving unit 1301 is configured to send first information to an access network device, where the first information includes a first proximity-based service communication 5PC5 quality of service QoS parameter, and the first PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication of the terminal device; receiving communication configuration parameters from the access network device; the processing unit 1302 is configured to configure the PC5 link according to the communication configuration parameter.

Specifically, before the transceiver unit 1301 transmits the first information to the access network device, the transceiver unit 1301 is further configured to: the first PC5QoS parameters are received from a first device.

Illustratively, the transceiving unit 1301 is further configured to receive eighth indication information from the first device, where the eighth indication information is used to indicate that the QoS parameter of the first PC5 is used for relaying communication.

Optionally, the first device is a policy control function or a session management function.

Specifically, the first information further includes third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the QoS parameter of the first PC5 is used for relay communication; or, the first information further includes fourth indication information and identification information of a PC5 link, the fourth indication information indicating that the PC5 link is used for relay communication.

Illustratively, the first information further includes identification information of the PC5 link; before the transceiving unit 1301 transmits the first information to the access network device, the transceiving unit is further configured to: sending second information to the access network device, wherein the second information comprises fifth indication information and identification information of the PC5 link, and the fifth indication information is used for indicating that the PC5 link is used for relay communication.

In an optional implementation manner, the terminal device is a remote terminal device, and when the transceiver 1301 sends the first information to the access network device, the transceiver is specifically configured to: and sending the first information to the access network equipment through the relay terminal equipment.

It should be noted that the division of the unit in the embodiment of the present application is schematic, and is only a logic function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation. The functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in a form of hardware, and can also be realized in a form of a software functional unit.

The integrated unit, if implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application may be substantially implemented or contributed by the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution may be embodied in a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, a network device, or the like) or a processor (processor) to execute all or part of the steps of the method according to the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: various media capable of storing program codes, such as a usb disk, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

Referring to fig. 14, a communication device 1400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a transceiver 1401 and a processor 1402. Optionally, the communication device 1400 may also include a memory 1403. The memory 1403 may be provided inside the communication device 1400, or may be provided outside the communication device 1400. The processor 1402 may control the transceiver 1401 to receive and transmit data or information, etc., among other things.

Specifically, the processor 1402 may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Network Processor (NP), or a combination of a CPU and an NP. The processor 1402 may further include a hardware chip. The hardware chip may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), or a combination thereof. The PLD may be a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a General Array Logic (GAL), or any combination thereof.

Wherein the transceiver 1401, the processor 1402 and the memory 1403 are connected to each other. Optionally, the transceiver 1401, the processor 1402 and the memory 1403 are connected to each other by a bus 1404; the bus 1404 may be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, or the like. The bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is shown in FIG. 14, but this is not intended to represent only one bus or type of bus.

In an alternative embodiment, the memory 1403 is used for storing programs and the like. In particular, the program may include program code comprising computer operating instructions. Memory 1403 may include RAM, and may also include non-volatile memory (non-volatile memory), such as one or more disk memories. The processor 1402 executes the application program stored in the memory 1403 to implement the above-described functions, thereby implementing the functions of the communication apparatus 1400.

The communication device 1400 may be, for example, the access network device, the first device, the session management function, or the terminal device.

In an embodiment, when the communication device 1400 is used to implement the function of the access network device in the foregoing embodiments, the method may specifically include:

the transceiver 1401 is configured to receive first information from a terminal device, the first information comprising a first proximity-based serving communication 5PC5 quality of service, QoS, parameter, the first PC5QoS parameter being for a relay communication of the terminal device; sending communication configuration parameters to the terminal equipment according to the QoS parameters of the first PC 5; the processor 1402 is used to control the transceiving operation of the transceiver 1401.

Specifically, before the transceiver 1401 is configured to send the communication configuration parameter to the terminal device according to the QoS parameter of the first PC5, the processor 1402 is further configured to: acquiring a second PC5QoS parameter of the terminal equipment, wherein the second PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication of the terminal equipment; authorizing the first PC5QoS parameters in accordance with the second PC5QoS parameters.

For example, when the processor 1402 obtains the QoS parameter of the second PC5 of the terminal device, the processor is specifically configured to: control the transceiver 1401 to receive the second PC5QoS parameter from the first device; alternatively, the transceiver 1401 is controlled to receive the second PC5QoS parameter and first indication information indicating that the second PC5QoS parameter is used for relaying communication from the first device.

In an optional implementation manner, the terminal device is a relay terminal device, and when the processor 1402 acquires the QoS parameter of the second PC5 of the terminal device, the processor is specifically configured to: control the transceiver 1401 to receive a QoS profile and second indication information indicating that the second PC5QoS parameter is determined according to the QoS profile from the first device; determining the second PC5QoS parameters according to the QoS profile.

Specifically, when the processor 1402 determines the QoS parameter of the second PC5 according to the QoS configuration file, the processor 1402 is specifically configured to: and determining the second PC5QoS parameter according to a QoS mapping relation and the QoS parameter in the QoS configuration file, wherein the QoS mapping relation is used for representing the mapping relation between the QoS parameter and the PC5QoS parameter.

Optionally, the first device is a policy control function.

In another specific embodiment, the first information further includes identification information of the PC5 link; before the transceiver 1401 receives the first information from the terminal device, the transceiver 1401 is further configured to: receiving second information from the terminal device, the second information including fifth indication information indicating that the PC5 link is used for relay communication and identification information of the PC5 link.

In an example, the terminal device is a far-end terminal device, and when the transceiver 1401 receives the first information from the terminal device, it is specifically configured to: receiving the first information from the terminal device through a relay terminal device.

In an embodiment, when the communication apparatus 1400 is used to implement the function of the first device in the foregoing embodiments, the method may specifically include:

the processor 1402 is configured to obtain a second proximity-based service communication 5PC5 quality of service QoS parameter of a terminal device, the second PC5QoS parameter being for relay communication of the terminal device; the transceiver 1401 is configured to send the second PC5QoS parameter to an access network device.

Illustratively, the transceiver 1401 is further configured to send, to the access network device, first indication information indicating that the second PC5QoS parameter is used for relaying communication.

Specifically, the transceiver 1401 is further configured to receive relay capability information from the terminal device; further, when the transceiver 1401 sends the QoS parameter of the second PC5 to the access network device, it is specifically configured to: and sending the second PC5QoS parameter to the access network equipment according to the relay capability information.

Optionally, when the processor 1402 obtains the QoS parameter of the second PC5 of the terminal device, the processor is specifically configured to: control the transceiver 1401 to receive the second PC5QoS parameter from a policy control function; the terminal equipment is relay terminal equipment.

Optionally, when the first device of the processor 1402 acquires the QoS parameter of the second PC5 of the terminal device, the first device is specifically configured to: controlling the transceiver 1401 to receive sixth indication information and a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule from a policy control function, wherein the sixth indication information is used for indicating that the second PC5QoS parameter is determined according to the QoS parameter in the PCC rule; and determining the second PC5QoS parameter according to the QoS parameter in the PCC rule.

For example, when the processor 1402 determines the QoS parameter of the second PC5 according to the QoS parameter in the PCC rule, the processor is specifically configured to: determining a QoS configuration file according to the QoS parameters in the PCC rules; determining the second PC5QoS parameters according to the QoS profile.

In an alternative embodiment, the first device is a policy control function.

In an embodiment, when the communication device 1400 is used to implement the function of the session management function in the foregoing embodiments, the method may specifically include:

the transceiver 1401 is configured to receive a policy and charging control, PCC, rule from a policy control function, where the PCC rule is used for relaying a protocol data unit, PDU, session of a terminal device; the processor 1402 is configured to determine a QoS profile according to a quality of service QoS parameter in the PCC rule; the transceiver 1401 is further configured to send, to the access network device, second indication information and the QoS profile, the second indication information being used to indicate that a second proximity service communication 5PC 5QoS parameter is determined according to the QoS profile, and the second PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication of the relay terminal device.

In an optional embodiment, the transceiver 1401 is further configured to receive sixth indication information from the policy control function, the sixth indication information being configured to indicate that the second PC5QoS parameter is determined according to the QoS parameter in the PCC rule; when the transceiver 1401 sends the second indication information to the access network device, it is specifically configured to: and sending the second indication information to the access network equipment according to the sixth indication information.

In an alternative embodiment, the transceiver 1401 is further configured to receive the seventh indication information from an access and mobility management function, wherein the seventh indication information is used for indicating that the PDU session is used for relay communication;

when the transceiver 1401 sends the second indication information to the access network device, it is specifically configured to: and sending the second indication information to the access network equipment according to the seventh indication information.

In an embodiment, when the communication apparatus 1400 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the foregoing embodiments, the method may specifically include:

the transceiver 1401 is configured to transmit first information to an access network device, the first information comprising a first proximity-based serving communication 5PC5 quality of service QoS parameter, the first PC5QoS parameter being used for relaying communication of the terminal device; receiving communication configuration parameters from the access network device; the processor 1402 is configured to configure the PC5 link according to the communication configuration parameters.

Specifically, before the transceiver 1401 transmits the first information to the access network device, the transceiver 1401 is further configured to: the first PC5QoS parameters are received from a first device.

Illustratively, the transceiver 1401 is further configured to receive eighth indication information from the first device, the eighth indication information indicating that the first PC5QoS parameter is used for relaying communications.

Illustratively, the first information further includes identification information of the PC5 link; before the transceiver 1401 is configured to send the first information to the access network device, it is further configured to: sending second information to the access network device, wherein the second information comprises fifth indication information and identification information of the PC5 link, and the fifth indication information is used for indicating that the PC5 link is used for relay communication.

In an optional implementation manner, the terminal device is a far-end terminal device, and when the transceiver 1401 sends the first information to the access network device, it is specifically configured to: and sending the first information to the access network equipment through the relay terminal equipment.

Fig. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of an access network device provided in an embodiment of the present application, for example, a schematic structural diagram of a base station. As shown in fig. 15, the access network device may be applied in the communication system shown in fig. 1, and performs the functions of any one of the access network devices in the above-described method embodiments. Base station 1500 may include one or more Distributed Units (DUs) 1501 and one or more Centralized Units (CUs) 1502. The DU1501 may include at least one antenna 15011, at least one radio frequency unit 15012, at least one processor 15017, and at least one memory 15014. The DU1501 is mainly used for transceiving radio frequency signals, converting radio frequency signals and baseband signals, and partially processing baseband. CU1502 may include at least one processor 15022 and at least one memory 15021. CU1502 and DU1501 may communicate via an interface, wherein a Control plane (Control plane) interface may be Fs-C, such as F1-C, and a User plane (User plane) interface may be Fs-U, such as F1-U.

The CU1502 is mainly used for performing baseband processing, controlling a base station, and the like. The DU1501 and the CU1502 may be physically located together or physically located separately, i.e. distributed base stations. The CU1502 is a control center of the base station, and may also be referred to as a processing unit, and is mainly used for performing a baseband processing function. For example, the CU1502 may be configured to control the base station to perform the operation procedure related to the access network device in the above method embodiment.

Specifically, the baseband processing on the CU and the DU may be divided according to the protocol layers of the radio network, for example, the functions of the PDCP layer and the above protocol layers are set in the CU, and the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer, for example, the functions of the RLC layer and the MAC layer, are set in the DU. For another example, a CU implements functions of an RRC and PDCP layer, and a DU implements functions of an RLC, MAC, and Physical (PHY) layer.

Further, optionally, base station 1500 may include one or more radio frequency units (RUs), one or more DUs, and one or more CUs. Wherein the DU may include at least one processor 15017 and at least one memory 15014, the RU may include at least one antenna 15011 and at least one radio frequency unit 15012, and the CU may include at least one processor 15022 and at least one memory 15021.

In an example, the CU1502 may be formed by one or more boards, where the multiple boards may jointly support a radio access network with a single access indication (e.g., a 5G network), or may respectively support radio access networks with different access schemes (e.g., an LTE network, a 5G network, or other networks). The memory 15021 and processor 15022 may serve one or more boards. That is, the memory and processor may be provided separately on each board. Multiple boards may share the same memory and processor. In addition, each single board can be provided with necessary circuits. The DU1501 may be formed by one or more boards, where the boards may jointly support a radio access network with a single access instruction (e.g., a 5G network), and may also respectively support radio access networks with different access schemes (e.g., an LTE network, a 5G network, or other networks). The memory 15014 and processor 15017 may serve one or more boards. That is, the memory and processor may be provided separately on each board. Multiple boards may share the same memory and processor. In addition, each single board can be provided with necessary circuits.

Based on the above embodiments, the present application provides a communication system, which may include the first device (policy control function or session management function), the access network device, the terminal device, and the like, related to the above embodiments.

The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, where the computer-readable storage medium is used for storing a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer may implement the communication method provided by the above method embodiment.

The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, where the computer program product is used to store a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer may implement the communication method provided by the above method embodiment.

The embodiment of the application also provides a chip, wherein the chip is coupled with the memory and is used for realizing the communication method provided by the embodiment of the method.

The embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, where the chip system includes a processor, and is configured to support the communication apparatus to implement the functions related to the foregoing aspects. In one possible design, the system-on-chip further includes a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. The chip system may be constituted by a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, embodiments of the present application may be provided as a method, system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present application may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present application may take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, and the like) having computer-usable program code embodied therein.

The present application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to the application. It will be understood that each flow and/or block of the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, and combinations of flows and/or blocks in the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made in the present application without departing from the scope of the application. Thus, if such modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is intended to include such modifications and variations as well.

Claims

1. A method of communication, comprising:

an access network device receiving first information from a terminal device, the first information comprising a first proximity-based serving communication 5PC5 quality of service QoS parameter, the first PC5QoS parameter being for relaying communication of the terminal device;

and the access network equipment sends communication configuration parameters to the terminal equipment according to the QoS parameters of the first PC 5.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the terminal device is a relay terminal device or a remote terminal device.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein before the access network device sends the communication configuration parameters to the terminal device according to the first PC5QoS parameters, the method further comprises:

the access network equipment acquires a second PC5QoS parameter of the terminal equipment, wherein the second PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication of the terminal equipment;

the access network device authorizes the first PC5QoS parameters according to the second PC5QoS parameters.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the access network device obtaining the second PC5QoS parameter for the terminal device comprises:

the access network device receiving the second PC5QoS parameters from the first device; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

the access network device receives the second PC5QoS parameter and first indication information from a first device, the first indication information indicating that the second PC5QoS parameter is used for relaying communications.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the terminal device is a relay terminal device, and the access network device obtains the second PC5QoS parameter of the terminal device, including:

the access network equipment receives a QoS configuration file and second indication information from the first equipment, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating that the second PC5QoS parameters are determined according to the QoS configuration file;

and the access network equipment determines the QoS parameter of the second PC5 according to the QoS configuration file.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the access network device determining the second PC5QoS parameter from the QoS profile, comprising:

and the access network equipment determines the second PC5QoS parameter according to a QoS mapping relation and the QoS parameter in the QoS configuration file, wherein the QoS mapping relation is used for representing the mapping relation between the QoS parameter and the PC5QoS parameter.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the first device is a policy control function.

8. The method of any of claims 4-6, wherein the first device is a session management function and the terminal device is a relay terminal device.

9. The method of any of claims 1-8, wherein the first information further comprises third indication information indicating that the first PC5QoS parameter is for relaying communications; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

the first information further includes fourth indication information indicating that the PC5 link is used for relay communication and identification information of the PC5 link.

10. The method of any of claims 1-8, wherein the first information further comprises identification information of a PC5 link;

before the access network device receives the first information from the terminal device, the method further includes:

the access network device receives second information from the terminal device, wherein the second information comprises fifth indication information and identification information of the PC5 link, and the fifth indication information is used for indicating that the PC5 link is used for relay communication.

11. The method of any one of claims 1-4, 7, wherein the terminal device is a remote terminal device, and wherein the receiving, by the access network device, the first information from the terminal device comprises:

and the access network equipment receives the first information from the terminal equipment through the relay terminal equipment.

12. A method of communication, comprising:

the first equipment acquires a second proximity-based service communication 5PC 5QoS parameter of the terminal equipment, wherein the second PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication of the terminal equipment;

and the first equipment sends the second PC5QoS parameter to the access network equipment.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the terminal device is a relay terminal device or a remote terminal device.

14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the method further comprises:

the first device sends first indication information to the access network device, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating that the second PC5QoS parameter is used for relaying communication.

15. The method of any one of claims 12-14, further comprising:

the first device receiving relay capability information from the terminal device;

the first device sends the second PC5QoS parameter to the access network device, including: and the first equipment sends the second PC5QoS parameter to the access network equipment according to the relay capability information.

16. The method of any of claims 12-14, wherein the first device obtaining a second PC5QoS parameter for the terminal device comprises:

the first device receiving the second PC5QoS parameters from a policy control function;

the terminal equipment is relay terminal equipment.

17. The method of any of claims 12-14, wherein the first device obtaining a second PC5QoS parameter for the terminal device comprises:

the first device receives sixth indication information and a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule from a policy control function, wherein the sixth indication information is used for indicating that the second PC5QoS parameter is determined according to the QoS parameter in the PCC rule;

and the first equipment determines the second PC5QoS parameter according to the QoS parameter in the PCC rule.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first device determining the second PC5QoS parameter from the QoS parameter in the PCC rule comprises:

the first equipment determines a QoS configuration file according to the QoS parameters in the PCC rules;

and the first equipment determines the second PC5QoS parameters according to the QoS configuration file.

19. The method of any of claims 12-16, wherein the first device is a policy control function.

20. The method of any of claims 12-14, 16-18, wherein the first device is a session management function.

21. A method of communication, comprising:

a session management function receives a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule from a policy control function, wherein the PCC rule is used for relaying a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of a terminal device;

the session management function determines a QoS configuration file according to the QoS parameters in the PCC rules;

and the session management function sends second indication information and the QoS configuration file to access network equipment, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating that second adjacent service communication 5PC 5QoS parameters are determined according to the QoS configuration file, and the second PC5QoS parameters are used for relay communication of the relay terminal equipment.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the method further comprises:

the session management function receiving sixth indication information from the policy control function, the sixth indication information indicating that the second PC5QoS parameter is determined according to the QoS parameter in the PCC rule;

the session management function sends second indication information to the access network device, including:

and the session management function sends the second indication information to the access network equipment according to the sixth indication information.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the method further comprises:

the session management function receiving the seventh indication information from an access and mobility management function, the seventh indication information indicating that the PDU session is used for relay communication;

and the session management function sends the second indication information to the access network equipment according to the seventh indication information.

24. A method of communication, comprising:

the terminal equipment sends first information to access network equipment, wherein the first information comprises a first proximity-based service communication 5PC 5QoS parameter, and the first PC5QoS parameter is used for relay communication of the terminal equipment;

the terminal equipment receives communication configuration parameters from the access network equipment;

and the terminal equipment configures the PC5 link according to the communication configuration parameters.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the terminal device is a relay terminal device or a remote terminal device.

26. The method of claim 24 or 25, wherein prior to the terminal device sending the first information to the access network device, the method further comprises:

the terminal device receives the first PC5QoS parameters from a first device.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the method further comprises:

the terminal device receives, from the first device, eighth indication information indicating that the first PC5QoS parameter is used for relaying communication.

28. The method of claim 26 or 27, wherein the first device is a policy control function or a session management function.

29. The method of any of claims 24-28, wherein the first information further comprises third indication information indicating that the first PC5QoS parameter is for relaying communications; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

30. The method of any one of claims 24-28, wherein the first information further includes identification information of a PC5 link;

before the terminal device sends the first information to the access network device, the method further includes:

the terminal device sends second information to the access network device, where the second information includes fifth indication information and identification information of the PC5 link, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the PC5 link is used for relay communication.

31. The method of any one of claims 24-30, wherein the terminal device is a remote terminal device, and wherein the terminal device sends the first information to the access network device, comprising:

and the terminal equipment sends the first information to the access network equipment through the relay terminal equipment.

32. A communication device, characterized in that it comprises means or modules for performing the method according to any of claims 1-11.

33. A communication apparatus, characterized in that it comprises means or modules for performing the method according to any of claims 12-20.

34. A communication apparatus, characterized in that it comprises means or modules for performing the method according to any of claims 21-23.

35. A communications device, characterized in that it comprises means or modules for performing the method according to any of claims 24-31.

36. A communication device comprising a processor and a transceiver, wherein:

the transceiver is used for transceiving data or information;

the processor, coupled with the memory, for invoking a program in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method of any of claims 1-11.

37. A communication device comprising a processor and a transceiver, wherein:

the transceiver is used for transceiving data or information;

the processor, coupled with the memory, for invoking a program in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method of any of claims 12-20.

38. A communication device comprising a processor and a transceiver, wherein:

the transceiver is used for transceiving data or information;

the processor, coupled with the memory, to invoke the program in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method of any of claims 21-23.

39. A communication device comprising a processor and a transceiver, wherein:

the transceiver is used for transceiving data or information;

the processor, coupled with the memory, to invoke the program in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method of any of claims 24-31.