A control method and device for data packet duplication function, and communication equipment

Abstract

The present application provides a control method and device for a data packet replication function, and a communication device; the control method for the data packet replication function includes: the communication device determines to deactivate or activate the data packet replication function; the communication device performs an operation of deactivating or activating the data packet replication function accordingly. The present application can effectively activate or deactivate the data packet replication function.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese patent application with application number "201710313136.1", application date "May 5, 2017", and title "A control method and device for data packet replication function, and communication equipment". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to wireless communication technology, and in particular to a control method and device for a data packet duplication function, and communication equipment. Background Art

[0003] The fifth generation of mobile communication technology (5G) being studied by 3GPP will achieve greater throughput, more user connections, lower latency, higher reliability, and lower power consumption (including network-side devices and user-side devices). At present, the industry has proposed the following technical goals for 5G: by around 2020, a 1,000-fold increase in mobile data traffic per region, a 10-100-fold increase in throughput per user equipment (UE), a 10-100-fold increase in the number of connected devices, a 10-fold increase in battery life for low-power devices, and a 5-fold decrease in end-to-end latency. From the perspective of application scenarios, 5G will adopt a unified technical architecture to support enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type (mMTC) and ultra reliable and low latency services, which have different requirements for reliability. For services that require high reliability, data packet replication can be introduced to send data; the purpose of data packet replication is to use different wireless links (which can be different carriers or different wireless transceiver nodes) to transmit the same data packet, thereby improving the reliability of the data packet arriving at the receiving end.

[0004] In the process of implementing the technical solution implemented in this application, the inventor of this application discovered at least the following technical problems in the related technology:

[0005] The packet duplication function cannot be effectively controlled at present. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present application provides a control method and device for a data packet replication function, and a communication device, which can effectively activate or deactivate the data packet replication function.

[0007] The embodiments of the present application provide the following technical solutions.

[0008] A control method for a data packet copy function, comprising:

[0009] The communication device decides to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function;

[0010] The communication device accordingly performs an operation of deactivating or activating the data packet copy function.

[0011] Optionally, after the communication device decides to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function, the communication device further comprises:

[0012] The communication device notifies the opposite end device of the radio bearer to deactivate or activate the corresponding data packet duplication function.

[0013] Optionally, the communication device is a network side device, and the opposite end device of the radio bearer is a user side device;

[0014] or,

[0015] The communication device is a user-side device, and the opposite-end device of the wireless bearer is a network-side device.

[0016] Optionally, the communication device decides to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function, including:

[0017] The communication device determines whether to start the process of deactivating or activating the data packet copy function according to the local data packet sending status, and selects at least one branch to perform the corresponding operation of deactivating or activating the data packet copy function.

[0018] Optionally, the communication device decides to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function, including:

[0019] The communication device pre-configures one or more events; when the pre-configured event occurs, the communication device decides to start a process of deactivating or activating a data packet duplication function according to the event that occurs.

[0020] Optionally, when the communication device includes two sending and receiving nodes, the communication device pre-configuring one or more events includes: the communication device configuring corresponding events between the two sending and receiving nodes.

[0021] Optionally, when an event occurs, information related to the event is transmitted between two sending and receiving nodes of the communication device;

[0022] The communication device determines to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function, including:

[0023] The communication device decides to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function according to the transmitted event-related information, and selects at least one branch to perform corresponding operations of deactivating or activating the data packet copy function.

[0024] Optionally, when the event occurs, desired signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet replication function is transmitted between two transmitting and receiving nodes of the communication device;

[0025] The communication device determines to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function, including:

[0026] The communication device selects at least one branch to perform corresponding operations of deactivating or activating the data packet copy function according to a source sending and receiving node; the source sending and receiving node is a sending and receiving node that sends a signaling to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function.

[0027] Optionally, the communication device decides to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function, including:

[0028] The communication device receives a signaling for deactivating or activating a data packet copy function; the signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function includes an identifier of a branch that recommends deactivating or activating the data packet copy function.

[0029] Optionally, the radio bearer includes a primary branch and a secondary branch predefined by the communication device, each branch being an end-to-end connection including a radio link control entity;

[0030] The operation of deactivating or activating the data packet copy function of the communication device accordingly includes:

[0031] The communication device correspondingly starts disabling or enabling the data packet copy function. When the data packet copy function is disabled, the communication device stops sending the copied data packets to the radio link control RLC entity of the secondary branch; or, when the data packet copy function is enabled, the communication device starts sending the copied data packets to the RLC entity of the secondary branch.

[0032] Optionally, the communication device notifying the opposite end device of the radio bearer to deactivate or activate a corresponding data packet copy function includes:

[0033] The communication device accordingly sends a signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet duplication function to the opposite end device of the radio bearer.

[0034] Optionally, the signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function includes any one or more of the following:

[0035] Signaling messages of the radio resource control layer, protocol data unit PDU used by the packet data convergence protocol PDCP layer to transmit control messages, control unit of the medium access control MAC layer, and subheader of the medium access control layer.

[0036] Optionally, the signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet duplication function is used to trigger the opposite end device of the radio bearer to deactivate or activate the data packet duplication function for a predefined secondary branch response.

[0037] Optionally, the data packet duplication function is located in a PDCP layer of a peer device of the radio bearer, and what is copied is a PDU of the PDCP.

[0038] Optionally, the signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function includes an identifier of a branch for which the data packet copy function needs to be deactivated or activated.

[0039] Optionally, the communication device sending a signaling of deactivating or activating a data packet duplication function to a peer device of a radio bearer accordingly includes:

[0040] The communication device selects a branch to send a signaling to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function, and notifies the opposite end device of the wireless bearer of the branch that wishes to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function through the logical channel used for the actual transmission of the signaling to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function.

[0041] Optionally, when the radio bearer includes two branches, the communication device sends the above-mentioned signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function in one branch to indicate that it wishes to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function of another branch.

[0042] Optionally, the operation of deactivating the data packet copy function performed by the communication device includes any one or more of the following:

[0043] The communication device disables the data packet duplication function and stops sending the duplicated data packets to the RLC entity in the deactivated branch;

[0044] The communication device clears the buffer of the RLC entity in the deactivated branch;

[0045] The communication device resets parameters of the RLC entity in the deactivated branch.

[0046] Optionally, the operation of activating the data packet copy function performed by the communication device includes any one or more of the following:

[0047] The communication device starts a data packet duplication function and starts sending the duplicated data packets to the RLC entity in the activated branch;

[0048] The communication device starts or resumes the processing function of the RLC entity in the activated branch;

[0049] The communication device starts corresponding radio resource scheduling for the activated branch at the MAC layer.

[0050] Optionally, after the communication device performs the operation of deactivating or activating the data packet copy function, the operation further includes:

[0051] The communication device sends a buffer status report to a peer device of the radio bearer.

[0052] Optionally, the communication device determines to activate the data packet copy function, including:

[0053] The communication device selects to activate the data packet copy function immediately according to the initial configuration information of the radio bearer, or selects to activate the data packet copy function after an additional activation process.

[0054] A control device for a data packet duplication function, comprising:

[0055] A decision module, used for deciding to deactivate or activate the data packet replication function;

[0056] The execution module is used to perform the operation of deactivating or activating the data packet replication function accordingly.

[0057] Optionally, the control device further includes:

[0058] The notification module is used to notify the opposite end device of the wireless bearer to deactivate or activate the corresponding data packet duplication function after the decision module decides to deactivate or activate the data packet duplication function.

[0059] Optionally, the control device of the data packet replication function is arranged in a network side device, and the opposite end device of the radio bearer is a user side device;

[0060] or,

[0061] The control device of the data packet duplication function is arranged on the user side device, and the opposite end device of the wireless bearer is the network side device.

[0062] Optionally, the decision module decides to deactivate or activate the data packet replication function including any one or more of the following situations:

[0063] The decision module decides whether to start the process of deactivating or activating the data packet replication function according to the local data packet transmission status;

[0064] The decision module pre-configures one or more events; when the pre-configured event occurs, determines to start the process of deactivating or activating the data packet replication function according to the event that occurs;

[0065] The decision module receives a signaling to deactivate or activate a data packet duplication function.

[0066] Optionally, the execution module correspondingly performs the operation of deactivating or activating the data packet copy function, including any one or more of the following situations:

[0067] The execution module selects a branch to start disabling or enabling the data packet duplication function, and stops sending duplicate data packets to the radio link control RLC entity of the selected branch when the data packet duplication function is disabled; or starts sending duplicate data packets to the RLC entity of the selected branch when the data packet duplication function is enabled;

[0068] The execution module starts disabling or enabling the data packet copy function for the branch specified in the signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function, and stops sending the copied data packets to the RLC entity of the branch specified in the signaling for deactivating the data packet copy function when the data packet copy function is started to be disabled; or starts sending the copied data packets to the RLC entity of the specified branch when the data packet copy function is started to be enabled;

[0069] The execution module starts disabling or enabling the data packet duplication function for the secondary branch accordingly. When the data packet duplication function is disabled, the execution module stops sending duplicated data packets to the RLC entity of the secondary branch; or, when the data packet duplication function is enabled, the execution module starts sending duplicated data packets to the RLC entity of the secondary branch.

[0070] Optionally, the operation of deactivating the data packet copy function by the execution module includes any one or more of the following:

[0071] The execution module disables the data packet duplication function and stops sending the duplicated data packets to the RLC entity in the deactivated branch;

[0072] The execution module clears the buffer of the RLC entity in the deactivated branch;

[0073] The execution module resets the parameters of the RLC entity in the deactivated branch;

[0074] The operations performed by the execution module to activate the data packet copy function include any one or more of the following:

[0075] The execution module starts a data packet duplication function and starts sending the duplicated data packets to the RLC entity in the activated branch;

[0076] The execution module starts or resumes the processing function of the RLC entity in the activated branch;

[0077] The execution module starts corresponding wireless resource scheduling for the activated branch at the medium access control layer.

[0078] A communication device, comprising: a processor and a memory;

[0079] The memory is used to store executable instructions;

[0080] The processor is used to execute the executable instructions to perform the following operations:

[0081] Decide to deactivate or activate the packet replication function;

[0082] Deactivate or activate the data packet copy function accordingly.

[0083] Optionally, the processor executes the executable instruction and further performs the following operations:

[0084] After deciding to deactivate or activate the data packet duplication function, notify the opposite end device of the radio bearer to deactivate or activate the corresponding data packet duplication function.

[0085] Optionally, the communication device is a network side device, and the opposite end device of the radio bearer is a user side device;

[0086] or,

[0087] The communication device is a user-side device, and the opposite-end device of the wireless bearer is a network-side device.

[0088] Optionally, the decision to deactivate or activate the data packet replication function includes any one or more of the following situations:

[0089] A process of determining whether to start deactivating or activating a data packet replication function according to a local data packet transmission status;

[0090] Pre-configure one or more events; when the pre-configured event occurs, determine to start the process of deactivating or activating the data packet replication function according to the event that occurs;

[0091] Receive signaling to deactivate or activate the packet replication function.

[0092] Optionally, the corresponding operation of deactivating or activating the data packet copy function includes any one or more of the following situations:

[0093] Select a branch to start disabling or enabling a data packet duplication function, and in the case of starting to disable the data packet duplication function, stop sending duplicate data packets to a radio link control RLC entity of the selected branch; or, in the case of starting to enable the data packet duplication function, start sending duplicate data packets to the RLC entity of the selected branch;

[0094] For the branch specified in the signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function, the data packet copy function is correspondingly disabled or enabled. When the data packet copy function is disabled, the duplicated data packets are stopped from being sent to the RLC entity of the branch specified in the signaling for deactivating the data packet copy function; or, when the data packet copy function is enabled, the duplicated data packets are started to be sent to the RLC entity of the specified branch;

[0095] For the secondary branch, the packet duplication function starts to be disabled or enabled accordingly. When the packet duplication function is disabled, the sending of duplicated packets to the RLC entity of the secondary branch is stopped; or, when the packet duplication function is enabled, the sending of duplicated packets to the RLC entity of the secondary branch is started.

[0096] Optionally, the operation of deactivating the data packet copy function includes any one or more of the following:

[0097] Disabling the data packet duplication function and stopping sending duplicated data packets to the RLC entity in the deactivated branch;

[0098] clearing the buffer of the RLC entity in the deactivated branch;

[0099] Resetting parameters of the RLC entity in the deactivated branch;

[0100] The operation of activating the data packet copy function includes any one or more of the following:

[0101] Start the data packet duplication function and start sending the duplicated data packets to the RLC entity in the activated branch;

[0102] Starting or resuming the processing function of the RLC entity in the activated branch;

[0103] The corresponding radio resource scheduling is started for the activated branch at the medium access control layer.

[0104] Through the solution of the embodiment of the present application, the data packet replication function can effectively perform deactivation or activation operations. When activated, different links can be used to improve the reliability of data packet reception. When the reliability cannot be improved, deactivation can be performed to save wireless resources.

[0105] Other features and advantages of the present application will be described in the following description, and partly become apparent from the description, or understood by practicing the present application. The purpose and other advantages of the present application can be realized and obtained by the structures specifically pointed out in the description, claims and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0106] The accompanying drawings are used to provide further understanding of the technical solution of the present application and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the embodiments of the present application, they are used to explain the technical solution of the present application and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solution of the present application.

[0107] Figure 1 is a flow chart of a control method for a data packet copy function of embodiment 1;

[0108] Figure 2 is a flow chart of a control method for a data packet copy function of Embodiment 2;

[0109] Figure 3 is a flow chart of a control method for a data packet copy function of Embodiment 3;

[0110] Figure 4a is a schematic diagram of implementing data packet replication and transmission using the CA mode in implementation example 1;

[0111] Figure 4b This is a schematic diagram of implementing example 1 using the DC mode to implement data packet replication transmission.

[0112] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the network side device provided in Implementation Example 2, which determines to deactivate or activate the data packet replication function according to the data packet sending status of each branch RLC.

[0113] Figure 6 This is a flowchart provided by Implementation Example 3 in which another sending / receiving node of a network-side device decides to deactivate or activate a data packet copy function.

[0114] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of implementation example 4 in which the user-side device decides to deactivate / activate the data packet replication function.

[0115] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of the deactivation of the packet copy function provided in implementation example 5.

[0116] Fig. 9 is a flowchart of the activation data packet copy function provided by implementation example 6;

[0117] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram of a control device for a data packet duplication function in a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0118] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application more clear, the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other arbitrarily without conflict.

[0119] The steps shown in the flowchart of the accompanying drawings can be executed in a computer system such as a set of computer executable instructions. Also, although a logical sequence is shown in the flowchart, in some cases, the steps shown or described can be performed in a sequence different from that shown here.

[0120] Embodiment 1: A control method for a data packet copy function, such as Figure 1 As shown, step S110 is included:

[0121] S110: The communication device selects to immediately activate the data packet copy function according to the initial configuration information of the radio bearer, or selects to activate the data packet copy function after an additional activation process.

[0122] In this embodiment, the data packet duplication function is defined in the initial configuration of the radio bearer.

[0123] The data packet replication function is activated immediately after the initial configuration of the radio bearer is completed, that is, no additional activation process is required.

[0124] The data packet duplication function may be formally activated after an additional activation process is performed after the initial configuration of the radio bearer is completed.

[0125] The additional activation process may include any one or more of the following:

[0126] An event for activating the packet copy function occurs, and a signaling for activating the packet copy function is received.

[0127] Optionally, the predetermined condition (such as whether an additional activation process is required) may be specified by the initial configuration of the radio bearer.

[0128] Optionally, after activating the data packet replication function, the method may further include: suspending or restoring the data packet replication function of the radio bearer accordingly through an additional deactivation or activation process.

[0129] Embodiment 2: A control method for a data packet copy function, such as Figure 2 As shown, steps S210 to S220 are included:

[0130] S210, the communication device decides to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function;

[0131] S220: The communication device deactivates or activates the data packet copy function accordingly.

[0132] In this embodiment, steps S210 and S220 may be performed by a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity of the communication device.

[0133] Optionally, after the communication device decides to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function, the communication device further comprises:

[0134] The communication device notifies the opposite end device of the radio bearer to deactivate or activate the corresponding data packet duplication function.

[0135] Optionally, the communication device is a network side device, and the opposite end device of the radio bearer is a user side device;

[0136] or,

[0137] The communication device is a user-side device, and the opposite-end device of the wireless bearer is a network-side device.

[0138] Optionally, the communication device determining to activate the data packet copy function may include:

[0139] The communication device selects to activate the data packet copy function immediately according to the initial configuration information of the radio bearer, or selects to activate the data packet copy function after an additional activation process.

[0140] For other implementation details of this optional solution, please refer to Example 1 or the optional solution of Example 1.

[0141] Optionally, the communication device deciding to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function may include: the communication device autonomously deciding whether to start a process of deactivating or activating the data packet copy function according to a local data packet sending status.

[0142] Optionally, the communication device decides to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function, which may include: the communication device may pre-configure one or more events; when the pre-configured event occurs, the communication device decides to start the process of deactivating or activating the data packet copy function according to the event that occurred.

[0143] The event may be, for example but not limited to: activating the data packet copy function when the signal-to-noise ratio is greater than or equal to a first predetermined threshold, and deactivating the data packet copy function when the signal-to-noise ratio is less than or equal to a second predetermined threshold.

[0144] Optionally, the communication device deciding to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function may include: the communication device receiving a signaling to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function.

[0145] Among them, the signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function can be sent by the opposite end device of the wireless bearer, or can be sent by a sending and receiving node in the communication device. For example, the communication device includes two sending and receiving nodes, and the radio link layer control (Radio Link Control, RLC) entity in one sending and receiving node decides to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function, and notifies the PDCP entity in the other sending and receiving node through the signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function.

[0146] Optionally, when the communication device includes two sending and receiving nodes, the communication device may configure corresponding events between the two sending and receiving nodes.

[0147] Optionally, after an event occurs, information related to the event may be transmitted between two sending and receiving nodes of the communication device.

[0148] Optionally, the communication device deciding to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function may include:

[0149] The communication device decides to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function according to the transmitted event-related information, and selects at least one branch to perform corresponding operations of deactivating or activating the data packet copy function.

[0150] Optionally, when an event occurs, desired signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet replication function may be transmitted between the two sending and receiving nodes of the communication device.

[0151] Among them, configuring corresponding events, transmitting event-related information, and transmitting signaling between two sending and receiving nodes can be but not limited to through the Xn interface.

[0152] Optionally, the signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function may include an identifier of a branch for suggesting deactivating or activating the data packet copy function.

[0153] In this optional manner, the operation of the communication device to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function may include:

[0154] The communication device starts disabling or enabling the data packet copy function for the branch recommended in the signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function, and stops sending duplicated data packets to the RLC entity of the recommended branch when the data packet copy function is disabled; or starts sending duplicated data packets to the RLC entity of the recommended branch when the data packet copy function is enabled.

[0155] In other optional manners, the communication device may also independently decide or select a branch to deactivate or activate the data packet replication function.

[0156] Optionally, the identifier of the branch may be a logical channel identifier of the branch.

[0157] Optionally, the communication device may predefine a primary branch and a secondary branch of a radio bearer, wherein each branch is an end-to-end connection including an RLC entity.

[0158] Optionally, the operation of deactivating or activating the data packet copy function by the communication device accordingly may include:

[0159] The communication device starts disabling or enabling the data packet copy function for the secondary branch accordingly. When the data packet copy function is disabled, the communication device stops sending the copied data packets to the RLC entity of the secondary branch; or, when the data packet copy function is enabled, the communication device starts sending the copied data packets to the RLC entity of the secondary branch.

[0160] In an example of this optional scheme, after the communication device receives a signaling to deactivate or activate the data packet replication function from the opposite end device of the wireless bearer, it starts to disable or enable the data packet replication function accordingly. When the data packet replication function is disabled, it stops sending replicated data packets to the RLC entity of the secondary branch; or, when the data packet replication function is enabled, it starts sending replicated data packets to the RLC entity of the secondary branch.

[0161] Optionally, the communication device deciding to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function may include:

[0162] The communication device can select at least one branch to perform corresponding operations of deactivating or activating the data packet duplication function according to the source sending and receiving node (ie, the sending and receiving node that sends the signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet duplication function).

[0163] Optionally, the communication device notifying the opposite end device of the radio bearer to deactivate or activate a corresponding data packet replication function includes:

[0164] The communication device accordingly sends a signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet duplication function to the opposite end device of the radio bearer.

[0165] The signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function may be used to instruct the peer device of the radio bearer to disable or enable the data packet copy function.

[0166] Optionally, the signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function includes any one or more of the following:

[0167] Optionally, the signaling for activating or deactivating the data packet replication function may include at least one or more of the following: a signaling message of the radio resource control (RRC) layer, a protocol data unit (PDU) of the PDCP layer used to transmit control messages, a control unit of the medium access control (MAC) layer, and a sub-header of the medium access control layer.

[0168] Optionally, the signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet duplication function is used to trigger the opposite end device of the radio bearer to deactivate or activate the data packet duplication function for a predefined secondary branch response.

[0169] Optionally, the data packet duplication function is located in the PDCP layer of the opposite-end device of the wireless bearer, and what is copied is the PDU of the PDCP.

[0170] Optionally, the signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function includes an identifier of a branch on which the data packet copy function needs to be deactivated or activated.

[0171] Optionally, the identifier of the branch may be a logical channel identifier of the branch.

[0172] Optionally, the communication device sending a signaling of deactivating or activating a data packet duplication function to a peer device of a radio bearer accordingly includes:

[0173] The communication device selects a branch to send a signaling to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function, and notifies the opposite end device of the wireless bearer of the branch that wishes to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function through the logical channel used for the actual transmission of the signaling to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function.

[0174] Optionally, when the radio bearer includes two branches, the communication device sends the above-mentioned signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function in one branch to indicate that it wishes to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function of another branch.

[0175] Optionally, the operation of deactivating the data packet copy function performed by the communication device may include any one or more of the following:

[0176] The communication device disables the data packet duplication function and stops sending the duplicated data packets to the RLC entity in the deactivated branch;

[0177] The communication device clears the buffer of the RLC entity in the deactivated branch;

[0178] The communication device resets parameters of the RLC entity in the deactivated branch.

[0179] Optionally, the operation of activating the data packet copy function performed by the communication device may include any one or more of the following:

[0180] The communication device starts a data packet duplication function and starts sending the duplicated data packets to the RLC entity in the activated branch;

[0181] The communication device starts or resumes the processing function of the RLC entity in the activated branch;

[0182] The communication device starts corresponding radio resource scheduling for the activated branch at the MAC layer.

[0183] Optionally, after the communication device performs the operation of deactivating or activating the data packet copy function accordingly, the following steps may also be included:

[0184] The communication device sends a buffer status report to a peer device of the radio bearer.

[0185] Embodiment 3: A control method for a data packet copy function, such as Figure 3 As shown, steps S310 to S320 are included:

[0186] S310, the communication device decides to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function;

[0187] S320: The communication device sends a signaling to deactivate or activate the data packet duplication function to the opposite end device of the radio bearer.

[0188] In this embodiment, the deactivation or activation process may be notified by the communication device to the opposite end device of the radio bearer by means of deactivation or activation signaling.

[0189] In this embodiment, the signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet duplication function may be sent to a PDCP entity of the opposite end device of the radio bearer.

[0190] Optionally, the communication device is a network side device, and the opposite end device of the radio bearer is a user side device;

[0191] or,

[0192] The communication device is a user-side device, and the opposite-end device of the wireless bearer is a network-side device.

[0193] Optionally, the signaling for activating or deactivating the data packet replication function may include any one or more of the following: a signaling message of the radio resource control (RRC) layer, a protocol data unit (PDU) of the PDCP layer used to transmit control messages, a control unit of the medium access control (MAC) layer, and a sub-header of the medium access control layer.

[0194] Optionally, the signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function is used to instruct the opposite end device of the radio bearer to correspondingly start disabling or enabling the data packet copy function.

[0195] Optionally, the data packet duplication function may be located in the PDCP layer of the opposite-end device of the radio bearer, that is, what is copied is the PDU of the PDCP.

[0196] Optionally, the opposite end device of the radio bearer may predefine the main branch and the secondary branch of the radio bearer, wherein each branch is an end-to-end connection including an RLC entity.

[0197] In this optional solution, the signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet duplication function may be used to trigger the opposite end device of the radio bearer to deactivate or activate the data packet duplication function for the secondary branch accordingly.

[0198] In this optional scheme, after receiving the signaling to deactivate or activate the data packet replication function, the counterpart device of the wireless bearer starts to disable or enable the data packet replication function for the secondary branch accordingly. When the data packet replication function is disabled, the device stops sending replicated data packets to the RLC entity of the secondary branch; or, when the data packet replication function is enabled, the device starts sending replicated data packets to the RLC entity of the secondary branch.

[0199] Optionally, the signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function may include an identifier of a branch for which the data packet copy function needs to be deactivated or activated.

[0200] Optionally, the identifier of the branch may be a logical channel identifier of the branch.

[0201] Optionally, the communication device sending a signaling of deactivating or activating a data packet duplication function to a peer device of a radio bearer may include:

[0202] The communication device can select a branch of a wireless bearer to send the above-mentioned signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function, and notify the opposite end device of the wireless bearer of the branch that wishes to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function through the logical channel used for the actual transmission of the above-mentioned signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function.

[0203] Optionally, when the radio bearer includes two branches, if the communication device sends the above-mentioned signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function in one branch, it indicates that it wishes to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function of another branch.

[0204] For other implementation details, please refer to Example 2.

[0205] The above embodiment is described below using six implementation examples. In the following implementation examples 2 to 4, the network side device is used as the above communication device, and the user side device is used as the opposite end device of the above wireless bearer; however, in actual application, it is not limited to this, and the user side device can be used as the above communication device, and the network side device can be used as the opposite end device of the above wireless bearer.

[0206] Figure 4a and Figure 4b Two functional implementation diagrams for implementing data packet replication transmission are provided for this implementation example. The data replication method includes two modes:

[0207] One is the carrier aggregation (CA) mode, where a radio bearer includes a PDCP entity, two RLC entities, and a MAC entity; Figure 4a As shown, PDCP1 is connected to RLC1 and RLC2 respectively, and RLC1 and RLC2 are both connected to MAC1.

[0208] In this mode, PDCP1, RLC1, RLC2 and MAC1 can be regarded as a sending and receiving node, and RLC1 and RLC2 each serve as a wireless link channel.

[0209] The other is the Dual Connectivity (DC) mode, where a radio bearer includes a PDCP entity, two RLC entities, and two MAC entities. Figure 4b As shown, PDCP3 is connected to RLC3 and RLC4 respectively, RLC3 is connected to MAC3, and RLC4 is connected to MAC4.

[0210] In this mode, PDCP3, RLC3 and MAC3 can be regarded as a sending and receiving node, and RLC4 and MAC4 can be regarded as another sending and receiving node; RLC3 and RLC4 each serve as a wireless link channel.

[0211] In both modes, the PDCP entity will copy the data packet and then forward the two identical data packets to the two RLC entities. In CA mode, the two RLC entities are scheduled by the same MAC entity; while in DC mode, the two RLC entities are scheduled by different MAC entities.

[0212] Assuming that the packet replication function is activated, when the channel quality of the two wireless links is significantly different, the reliability enhancement provided by the poor quality wireless link is negligible; in this case, the packet replication function can be deactivated to save unnecessary wireless overhead. When the poor quality wireless link channel quality improves, the packet replication function can be reactivated.

[0213] Implementation Example 2

[0214] Figure 5 The flow chart of the network side device provided for this implementation example determines whether to deactivate or activate the data packet replication function according to the data packet transmission status of each branch RLC. Figure 5 As shown, the implementation process includes the following steps 201 to 203:

[0215] Step 201: The RLC entity of each branch of the network side device reports its data packet sending status to the PDCP entity respectively.

[0216] Optionally, the above reporting can be performed within a sending or receiving node; for example Figure 4a In the mode shown, RLC1 reports the data packet sending status of RLC1 to PDCP1, and RLC2 reports the data packet sending status of RLC2 to PDCP1; for example Figure 4b In the mode shown, RLC3 reports the data packet sending status of RLC3 to PDCP3.

[0217] Optionally, the above report can be sent and received between different nodes through X n Interface implementation; for example Figure 4b In the mode shown, RLC4 reports the data packet sending status of RLC4 to PDCP3.

[0218] Optionally, the above-mentioned data packet sending status may include at least one of the following:

[0219] The number of data packets buffered in the RLC entity, the number of data packets sent by the RLC entity, the number of data packets confirmed to have been correctly received by the RLC entity, and the sequence numbers of data packets confirmed to have been correctly received by the RLC entity.

[0220] Step 202: The PDCP entity of the network side device decides whether to deactivate or activate the data packet duplication function according to the data packet sending status reported by the RLC entity.

[0221] Step 203: The PDCP entity of the network side device performs a deactivation or activation operation of the data packet duplication function accordingly, and notifies the RLC entity in the same sending and receiving node to perform a deactivation or activation operation of the data packet duplication function accordingly.

[0222] Another implementation example is basically the same as implementation example 2, except that the network-side device in implementation example 2 is replaced by a user-side device.

[0223] Implementation Example 3

[0224] Figure 6 This example provides a flowchart of another sending and receiving node of a network side device deciding to deactivate or activate a data packet replication function. Figure 6 As shown, the implementation process includes the following steps 301 to 303:

[0225] Step 301: A remote RLC entity located at another sending / receiving node of a network-side device decides whether to deactivate or activate a data packet replication function according to the local data packet transmission status. Figure 4b In the mode shown, in this step, RLC4 decides to deactivate or activate the data packet duplication function according to the local data packet sending status.

[0226] Step 302: The remote RLC entity of the network side device transmits a signaling to deactivate or activate the data packet duplication function through the Xn interface. Figure 4b In the illustrated mode, RLC4 transmits the signaling of deactivating or activating the data packet duplication function to PDCP3 via the Xn interface, which is equivalent to transmitting the signaling of deactivating or activating the data packet duplication function between two sending and receiving nodes via the Xn interface.

[0227] Step 303: The PDCP entity of the network side device performs a deactivation or activation operation of the data packet duplication function accordingly, and notifies the RLC entity in the same sending and receiving node to perform a deactivation or activation operation of the data packet duplication function accordingly; for example Figure 4b In the shown mode, PDCP3 notifies RLC3 to deactivate or activate the data packet copy function.

[0228] Another implementation example is basically the same as implementation example 3, except that the network-side device in implementation example 3 is replaced by a user-side device.

[0229] Implementation Example 4

[0230] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of the user-side device determining to deactivate or activate the data packet replication function provided in this implementation example. Figure 7 As shown, the implementation process includes the following steps 401 to 403:

[0231] Step 401: The PDCP entity of the user side device decides whether to deactivate or activate the data packet duplication function according to the local data packet reception status.

[0232] Optionally, the local data packet receiving status may include at least one of the following:

[0233] The number of correctly decoded data packets in each branch RLC entity, the number of data packets received by each branch RLC entity, and the sequence number of data packets that each branch RLC entity confirms have been correctly received.

[0234] Step 402: The PDCP entity of the user side device sends a signaling to deactivate or activate the data packet duplication function. The signaling may be sent to the PDCP entity of the network side device.

[0235] Optionally, the deactivation / activation signaling may include at least one of the following:

[0236] Signaling messages of the RRC layer, specific PDUs of the PDCP layer used to transmit control messages, specific MAC layer control units, and subheaders of the MAC layer.

[0237] Optionally, the network side device can pre-define the main branches and secondary branches of the wireless bearer, where each branch is an end-to-end connection including an RLC entity; after receiving the above-mentioned signaling to deactivate or activate the packet replication function, the network side device begins to disable or enable the packet replication function accordingly; when the packet replication function is disabled, stop sending replicated data packets to the RLC entity of the secondary branch.

[0238] Optionally, the signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function may include a branch identifier for which the data packet copy function needs to be deactivated or activated.

[0239] Optionally, the branch identifier may be a logical channel identifier of the branch.

[0240] Optionally, the user-side device can select a branch to send the above-mentioned signaling for deactivating or activating the packet replication function, and notify the network-side device through the logical channel that actually transmits the above-mentioned signaling for deactivating or activating the packet replication function, which branch the user-side device wishes to deactivate or activate the packet replication function.

[0241] Optionally, if the user-side device sends the above-mentioned signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet duplication function in one branch, it means that the user-side device wishes to deactivate or activate the data packet duplication function of another branch.

[0242] Step 403: The PDCP entity of the network side device deactivates or activates the data packet duplication function according to the received signaling, and notifies the RLC entity in the same sending and receiving node to deactivate or activate the data packet duplication function accordingly.

[0243] Another implementation example is basically the same as implementation example 4, except that the network side device and the user side device in implementation example 4 are replaced with each other.

[0244] Implementation Example 5

[0245] Figure 8 The flowchart of the operation of deactivating the data packet copy function provided in this implementation example. Figure 8 As shown, the implementation process includes the following steps 501 to 503:

[0246] Step 501: The communication device stops copying data packets at the PDCP layer.

[0247] Step 502: The communication device directly forwards the un-duplicated data packet to the RLC entity of the active branch.

[0248] Step 503: The communication device notifies the RLC entity of the deactivated branch to clear the data buffer and reset each parameter of the RLC entity.

[0249] The communication device in this implementation example may be a network-side device or a user-side device.

[0250] Implementation Example 6

[0251] Fig. 9 A flowchart of the operation of activating the packet copy function is provided for this implementation example. Fig. 9 As shown, the implementation process includes the following steps 601-602:

[0252] Step 601: The communication device starts to replicate data packets at the PDCP layer.

[0253] Step 602: The communication device forwards the copied data packet to the RLC entity of each active branch, and starts corresponding radio resource scheduling for the activated branch at the MAC layer.

[0254] The communication device in this implementation example may be a network-side device or a user-side device.

[0255] Embodiment 4: A control device for a data packet copy function, such as Fig.10 As shown, including:

[0256] A decision module 71, used for deciding to deactivate or activate the data packet replication function;

[0257] The execution module 72 is used to perform the operation of deactivating or activating the data packet replication function accordingly.

[0258] Optionally, the control device may further include:

[0259] The notification module is used to notify the opposite end device of the wireless bearer to deactivate or activate the corresponding data packet duplication function after the decision module decides to deactivate or activate the data packet duplication function.

[0260] Optionally, the control device of the data packet replication function is arranged in a network side device, and the opposite end device of the radio bearer is a user side device;

[0261] or,

[0262] The control device of the data packet duplication function is arranged on the user side device, and the opposite end device of the wireless bearer is the network side device.

[0263] Optionally, the decision module decides to deactivate or activate the data packet replication function including any one or more of the following situations:

[0264] The decision module decides whether to start the process of deactivating or activating the data packet replication function according to the local data packet transmission status;

[0265] The decision module pre-configures one or more events; when the pre-configured event occurs, determines to start the process of deactivating or activating the data packet replication function according to the event that occurs;

[0266] The decision module receives a signaling to deactivate or activate a data packet duplication function.

[0267] Optionally, the execution module correspondingly performs the operation of deactivating or activating the data packet copy function, including any one or more of the following situations:

[0268] The execution module selects a branch to start disabling or enabling the data packet duplication function, and stops sending duplicated data packets to the RLC entity of the selected branch when the data packet duplication function is disabled; or starts sending duplicated data packets to the RLC entity of the selected branch when the data packet duplication function is enabled;

[0269] The execution module starts disabling or enabling the data packet copy function for the branch specified in the signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function, and stops sending the copied data packets to the RLC entity of the branch specified in the signaling for deactivating the data packet copy function when the data packet copy function is started to be disabled; or starts sending the copied data packets to the RLC entity of the specified branch when the data packet copy function is started to be enabled;

[0270] The execution module starts disabling or enabling the data packet duplication function for the secondary branch accordingly. When the data packet duplication function is disabled, the execution module stops sending duplicated data packets to the RLC entity of the secondary branch; or, when the data packet duplication function is enabled, the execution module starts sending duplicated data packets to the RLC entity of the secondary branch.

[0271] Optionally, the operation of deactivating the data packet copy function by the execution module may include any one or more of the following:

[0272] The execution module disables the data packet duplication function and stops sending the duplicated data packets to the radio link control RLC entity in the deactivated branch;

[0273] The execution module clears the buffer of the RLC entity in the deactivated branch;

[0274] The execution module resets the parameters of the RLC entity in the deactivated branch.

[0275] Optionally, the operation of activating the data packet copy function by the execution module may include any one or more of the following:

[0276] The execution module starts a data packet duplication function and starts sending the duplicated data packets to the RLC entity in the activated branch;

[0277] The execution module starts or resumes the processing function of the RLC entity in the activated branch;

[0278] The execution module starts corresponding wireless resource scheduling for the activated branch at the medium access control layer.

[0279] For other implementation details, please refer to Example 2.

[0280] If the above modules are implemented in the form of software function modules and sold or used as independent products, they can also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention can be essentially or partly reflected in the form of a software product that contributes to the prior art. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to enable a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the method described in the present invention. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk. In this way, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software.

[0281] Embodiment 5: A communication device, comprising: a processor and a memory;

[0282] The memory is used to store executable instructions;

[0283] The processor is used to execute the executable instructions to perform the following operations:

[0284] Decide to deactivate or activate the packet replication function;

[0285] Deactivate or activate the data packet copy function accordingly.

[0286] Optionally, the processor executes the executable instruction and further performs the following operations:

[0287] After deciding to deactivate or activate the data packet duplication function, notify the opposite end device of the radio bearer to deactivate or activate the corresponding data packet duplication function.

[0288] Optionally, the communication device is a network side device, and the opposite end device of the radio bearer is a user side device;

[0289] or,

[0290] The communication device is a user-side device, and the opposite-end device of the wireless bearer is a network-side device.

[0291] Optionally, the decision to deactivate or activate the data packet replication function includes any one or more of the following situations:

[0292] A process of determining whether to start deactivating or activating a data packet replication function according to a local data packet transmission status;

[0293] Pre-configure one or more events; when the pre-configured event occurs, determine to start the process of deactivating or activating the data packet replication function according to the event that occurs;

[0294] Receive signaling to deactivate or activate the packet replication function.

[0295] Optionally, the corresponding operation of deactivating or activating the data packet copy function includes any one or more of the following situations:

[0296] Select a branch to start disabling or enabling a data packet duplication function, and in the case of starting to disable the data packet duplication function, stop sending duplicated data packets to the RLC entity of the selected branch; or, in the case of starting to enable the data packet duplication function, start sending duplicated data packets to the RLC entity of the selected branch;

[0297] For the branch specified in the signaling for deactivating or activating the data packet copy function, the data packet copy function is correspondingly disabled or enabled. When the data packet copy function is disabled, the duplicated data packets are stopped from being sent to the RLC entity of the branch specified in the signaling for deactivating the data packet copy function; or, when the data packet copy function is enabled, the duplicated data packets are started to be sent to the RLC entity of the specified branch;

[0298] For the secondary branch, the packet duplication function starts to be disabled or enabled accordingly. When the packet duplication function is disabled, the sending of duplicated packets to the RLC entity of the secondary branch is stopped; or, when the packet duplication function is enabled, the sending of duplicated packets to the RLC entity of the secondary branch is started.

[0299] Optionally, the operation of deactivating the data packet copy function may include any one or more of the following:

[0300] Disabling the data packet duplication function and stopping sending duplicated data packets to the RLC entity in the deactivated branch;

[0301] clearing the buffer of the RLC entity in the deactivated branch;

[0302] Resetting parameters of the RLC entity in the deactivated branch;

[0303] Optionally, the operation of activating the data packet copy function may include any one or more of the following:

[0304] The execution module starts a data packet duplication function and starts sending the duplicated data packets to the RLC entity in the activated branch;

[0305] Starting or resuming the processing function of the RLC entity in the activated branch;

[0306] The corresponding radio resource scheduling is started for the activated branch at the medium access control layer.

[0307] For other implementation details, please refer to Example 2.

[0308] Various combinations of the optional modes of the above embodiments are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0309] Correspondingly, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer storage medium, in which a computer program is stored, and the computer program is used to execute the implementation method provided by the present invention.

[0310] Although the embodiments disclosed in this application are as above, the contents described are only embodiments adopted to facilitate understanding of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Any technician in the field to which this application belongs can make any modifications and changes in the form and details of implementation without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed in this application, but the scope of patent protection of this application shall still be based on the scope defined in the attached claims.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication, comprising: A user equipment preconfigures one or more events associated with a radio bearer, the user equipment operating in a dual connectivity mode, wherein the radio bearer comprises a first radio link control RLC entity and a second RLC entity, the first RLC entity being associated with a primary branch connected to a first medium access control MAC entity, the second RLC entity being associated with a secondary branch connected to a second MAC entity; The user equipment autonomously determines whether to deactivate or activate a packet copy function based on the one or more events associated with the radio bearer; and The user equipment initiates deactivation or activation of a data packet copy function based on the autonomous determination, wherein activation of the data packet copy function includes transmitting data packets to the first RLC entity via the primary branch and transmitting the replicated data packets to the second RLC entity via the secondary branch, and wherein deactivation of the data packet copy function includes transmitting data packets to the first RLC entity only via the primary branch.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The one or more events include: a local data packet sending status of the user equipment.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The one or more events include: whether the user equipment receives a signaling for deactivating or activating a data packet duplication function.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The user equipment determines to deactivate or activate the data packet replication function according to one or more events that occur, including: When the signal-to-noise ratio is greater than or equal to a first predetermined threshold, the user equipment decides to activate a data packet duplication function.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The user equipment determines to deactivate or activate the data packet replication function according to one or more events that occur, including: When the signal-to-noise ratio is less than or equal to a second predetermined threshold, the user equipment decides to deactivate the data packet duplication function.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The user equipment determines to activate the data packet replication function including: Choose to activate the packet replication feature immediately, or Select to activate the packet copy feature after an additional activation process.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that After the user equipment performs an operation of deactivating or activating the data packet duplication function according to the decision, the method further includes: The user equipment sends a buffer status report to a peer device of the radio bearer.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more events are preconfigured via an Xn interface.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the one or more events occur, transmitting relevant information of the one or more events between the first MAC entity and the second MAC entity of the user equipment; The user equipment determines to deactivate or activate the data packet replication function including: The user equipment decides to deactivate or activate the data packet duplication function according to the related information of the transmitted one or more events, and selects at least one branch to perform corresponding operations of deactivating or activating the data packet duplication function.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The relevant information of the one or more events is transmitted through the Xn interface.

11. A user equipment configured to operate in a dual connectivity mode, wherein a radio bearer comprises a first radio link control (RLC) entity and a second RLC entity, the first RLC entity being associated with a primary branch connected to a first medium access control (MAC) entity, the second RLC entity being associated with a secondary branch connected to a second MAC entity, the user equipment comprising: processor, and A memory storing processor-executable instructions, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to perform the following operations: pre-configuring one or more events associated with the radio bearer; autonomously determining whether to deactivate or activate a packet copy function based on the one or more events associated with the radio bearer; and Deactivation or activation of a data packet copy function is initiated based on the autonomous determination, wherein activation of the data packet copy function includes transmitting data packets to the first RLC entity via the primary branch and transmitting the replicated data packets to the second RLC entity via the secondary branch, and wherein deactivation of the data packet copy function includes transmitting data packets to the first RLC entity only via the primary branch.

12. The user equipment according to claim 11, characterized in that The one or more events include: a local data packet sending status of the user equipment.

13. The user equipment according to claim 11, characterized in that The one or more events include: whether the user equipment receives a signaling for deactivating or activating a data packet duplication function.

14. The user equipment according to claim 11, characterized in that The packet replication function is deactivated or activated based on one or more events that occur, including: When the signal-to-noise ratio is greater than or equal to a first predetermined threshold, it is determined to activate the data packet copy function.

15. The user equipment according to claim 11, characterized in that The packet replication function is deactivated or activated based on one or more events that occur, including: When the signal-to-noise ratio is less than or equal to a second predetermined threshold, it is decided to deactivate the data packet copy function.

16. The user equipment according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that: The decision to activate the packet replication feature includes: Choose to activate the packet replication feature immediately, or Select to activate the packet copy feature after an additional activation process.

17. The user equipment according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that: After deactivating or activating the data packet replication function according to the decision, the method further includes: Send a buffer status report to the peer device of the radio bearer.

18. The user equipment according to claim 11, wherein the one or more events are pre-configured through an Xn interface.

19. The user equipment according to claim 11, characterized in that: When the one or more events occur, transmitting relevant information of the one or more events between the first MAC entity and the second MAC entity of the user equipment; The decision to deactivate or activate the data packet replication function includes: Deactivation or activation of the data packet replication function is determined according to the related information of the transmitted one or more events, and at least one branch is selected to perform corresponding operations of deactivation or activation of the data packet replication function.

20. The user equipment according to claim 19, characterized in that The relevant information of the one or more events is transmitted through the Xn interface.

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