Communication method, device and computer-readable storage medium

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a communication method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium. The method includes: receiving a first data packet; and sending the first data packet and first indication information to an access network device, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate whether the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, and the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine an access network packet delay budget (PDB) for a first quality of service (QoS) flow corresponding to the first data packet. This embodiment of the present invention can ensure that the residence time of a data packet in a 5GS meets requirements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a communication method, device, and computer-readable storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Time sensitive network (TSN) is a new generation network standard based on Ethernet, which has functions such as time synchronization and delay guarantee to ensure real-time performance. Currently, TSN specifies the upper limit requirement for the residence time of a data packet passing through a transparent clock. The 5G system (5G system, 5GS) supports TSN, and 5GS can be used as a transparent clock in TSN. Therefore, in order to meet the above requirements, the protocol stipulates that the residence time of the data packet in 5GS needs to be less than the above upper limit requirement. At present, the TSN timing in the protocol only has downlink timing scenarios, and does not specify uplink timing scenarios. In the uplink timing scenario, the TSN master clock connected to the user equipment (UE) can provide time synchronization to TSN nodes outside the user plane function (UPF) network element, and can also provide time synchronization to TSN nodes connected to other UEs. In the downlink timing scenario and the uplink timing scenario, when timing is provided to TSN nodes connected to other UEs, the (radio) access network (R)AN) equipment will receive data packets from the UPF network element. Since the quality of service (QoS) flow corresponding to the data packet has the same attributes as the QoS flow corresponding to the downlink data packet, the (R)AN device cannot distinguish whether the data packet from the UPF network element is a downlink data packet or an uplink data packet, and thus cannot guarantee that the residence time of the data packet in 5GS meets the requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of the present invention disclose a communication method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium for ensuring that the residence time of a data packet in a 5GS meets requirements.

[0004] A first aspect discloses a communication method, which can be applied to a UPF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) within the UPF network element. The method is described below using the application to the UPF network element as an example. The method may include: the UPF network element receiving a first data packet, sending the first data packet and first indication information to an access network device, the first indication information being used to indicate whether the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, and the first indication information being used by the access network device to determine an access network (AN) packet delay budget (PDB) for a first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet.

[0005] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the UPF network element sends a data packet to the access network device, it will indicate whether the data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, so that after the access network device receives the data packet, it can determine the type of the received data packet according to the indication information, and can determine the AN PDB of the QoS flow corresponding to the data packet in different ways according to different types, so as to ensure that the residence time of the data packet in 5GS meets the requirements.

[0006] As a possible implementation, when the first data packet is a data packet from an access network device, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet; when the first data packet is a data packet from a TSN application server, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, a UPF network element can determine whether a received data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet based on the source of the received data packet. When sending a data packet to an access network device, indication information indicating whether the data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet can be added. This allows the access network device to determine the type of the received data packet based on the indication information and determine the AN PDB for the QoS flow corresponding to the data packet in different ways based on the type of data packet, thereby ensuring that the data packet's residence time in the 5GS meets the requirements. The type here refers to an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet.

[0008] As a possible implementation method, when the first data packet is a data packet received by the first port, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet; when the first data packet is a data packet received by the second port, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, and the first port and the second port are different ports on the UPF network element.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, a UPF network element can determine whether a data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet based on the port on which the data packet is received. When sending a data packet to an access network device, indication information indicating whether the data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet can be added. This allows the access network device to determine the type of the received data packet based on the indication information and determine the AN PDB for the QoS flow corresponding to the data packet in different ways based on the type of data packet, thereby ensuring that the data packet's residence time in the 5GS meets the requirements. The type here refers to an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet.

[0010] As a possible implementation manner, the first indication information may include a general packet radio system (GPRS) tunneling protocol-user plane (GTP-U) header.

[0011] In the embodiment of the present invention, the first indication information may include a GTP-U header, and the GTP-U header in the first indication information may indicate whether the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet.

[0012] As a possible implementation, the method may also include: receiving a second data packet, the first data packet and the second data packet have the same service type, and the uplink and downlink of the first data packet are different from those of the second data packet; sending the second data packet and second indication information to the access network device, the second indication information is used to indicate that the second data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, and the second indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the second QoS flow corresponding to the second data packet, and the first QoS flow is different from the second QoS flow.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, uplink data packets and downlink data packets can use different QoS flows, and the access network equipment can determine the AN PDB of the QoS flow corresponding to the data packet in different ways according to different types, thereby ensuring that the residence time of the data packet in 5GS meets the requirements, and at the same time ensuring the rationality of the AN PDB of the QoS flow corresponding to different types of data packets.

[0014] As a possible implementation, the method may further include: receiving a third data packet, the first data packet and the third data packet have the same service type, and the uplink and downlink of the first data packet and the third data packet are different; sending the first data packet and the first indication information to the access network device includes: sending the first data packet, the third data packet, the first indication information and the third indication information to the access network device, the third indication information is used to indicate that the third data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet; the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, including: the first indication information and the third indication information are used by the access network device to determine the ANPDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet and the third data packet.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, uplink data packets and downlink data packets can use the same QoS flow. At this time, the access network device can adopt a strict method, that is, use the QoS flow corresponding to the uplink data packet as the parameter of the QoS flow, and determine the AN PDB of this QoS flow, so as to ensure that the residence time of the data packet in 5GS meets the requirements.

[0016] As a possible implementation manner, when the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet, the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, which may include: the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the device-side TSN adapter (device-side TSN translator, DS-TT), the residence time of the first data packet in the UE, the AN PDB of the third QoS flow, the core network (core network, CN) PDB of the third QoS flow, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow, where the third QoS flow is the uplink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet.

[0017] As a possible implementation manner, when the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, which may include: the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the network-side TSN translator (NW-TT), the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element, the residence time of the first data packet in the UE and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow.

[0018] A second aspect discloses a communication method, which can be applied to an access network device or a module (e.g., a chip) within the access network device. The method is described below using the access network device as an example. The method may include: receiving a first data packet and first indication information from a UPF network element, the first indication information being used to indicate whether the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet; and determining an AN PDB for a first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on the first indication information.

[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data packet sent by the UPF network element to the access network device indicates whether the data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet. The access network device can determine the type of the received data packet based on the indication information, and can determine the AN PDB of the QoS flow corresponding to the data packet in different ways according to different types, so as to ensure that the residence time of the data packet in 5GS meets the requirements.

[0020] As a possible implementation, when the first data packet is a data packet from an access network device, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet; when the first data packet is a data packet from a TSN application server, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet.

[0021] In an embodiment of the present invention, the UPF network element can determine whether a data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet based on the source of the received data packet, and can add indication information for indicating whether the data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet when sending the data packet to the access network device, so that the access network device can determine the type of the received data packet based on the indication information, and can determine the AN PDB of the QoS flow corresponding to the data packet in different ways according to different types, thereby ensuring that the residence time of the data packet in the 5GS meets the requirements.

[0022] As a possible implementation method, when the first data packet is a data packet received by the first port, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet; when the first data packet is a data packet received by the second port, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, and the first port and the second port are different ports on the UPF network element.

[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, a UPF network element can determine whether a data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet based on the port on which the data packet is received. When sending a data packet to an access network device, indication information indicating whether the data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet can be added. This allows the access network device to determine the type of the received data packet based on the indication information and determine the AN PDB for the QoS flow corresponding to the data packet in different ways based on the type of data packet, thereby ensuring that the data packet's residence time in the 5GS meets the requirements. The type here refers to an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet.

[0024] As a possible implementation manner, the first indication information includes a GTP-U header.

[0025] In the embodiment of the present invention, the first indication information may include a GTP-U header, and the GTP-U header in the first indication information may indicate whether the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet.

[0026] As a possible implementation, the method may also include: receiving a second data packet and second indication information from the UPF network element, the second indication information is used to indicate that the second data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, the first data packet and the second data packet have the same service type, and the uplink and downlink of the first data packet and the second data packet are different; determining the AN PDB of the second QoS flow corresponding to the second data packet according to the second indication information, and the first QoS flow is different from the second QoS flow.

[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, uplink data packets and downlink data packets can use different QoS flows, and the access network equipment can determine the AN PDB of the QoS flow corresponding to the data packet in different ways according to different types, thereby ensuring that the residence time of the data packet in 5GS meets the requirements, and at the same time ensuring the rationality of the AN PDB of the QoS flow corresponding to different types of data packets.

[0028] As a possible implementation manner, receiving a first data packet and a first indication message from a UPF network element includes: receiving a first data packet, a third data packet, a first indication message and a third indication message from a UPF network element, the third indication message being used to indicate that the third data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, the first data packet and the third data packet have the same service type, and the uplink and downlink of the first data packet and the third data packet are different; determining the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet according to the first indication information includes: determining the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet and the third data packet according to the first indication information and the third indication information.

[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, uplink data packets and downlink data packets can use the same QoS flow. At this time, the access network device can adopt a strict method, that is, use the QoS flow corresponding to the uplink data packet as the parameter of the QoS flow, and determine the AN PDB of this QoS flow, so as to ensure that the residence time of the data packet in 5GS meets the requirements.

[0030] As a possible implementation manner, when the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet, determining the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet according to the first indication information may include: determining the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet according to one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the UE, the AN PDB of the third QoS flow, the CN PDB of the third QoS flow, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow, the third QoS flow is the uplink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet.

[0031] As a possible implementation manner, when the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, determining the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet according to the first indication information may include: determining the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet according to one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the NW-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element, the residence time of the first data packet in the UE and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow.

[0032] A third aspect discloses a communication method, which can be applied to an access network device or a module (e.g., a chip) within the access network device. The method is described below using the access network device as an example. The method may include: receiving time synchronization information; and adjusting air interface time synchronization accuracy based on the time synchronization information.

[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, after receiving the time synchronization information, the access network device can adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface according to the time synchronization information, thereby ensuring that the 5GS time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements, thereby ensuring that the TSN time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements.

[0034] As a possible implementation manner, receiving time synchronization information may include: receiving time synchronization information from an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element.

[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, after the access network device receives the time synchronization information from the AMF network element, it can adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface according to the time synchronization information, thereby ensuring that the 5GS time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements, thereby ensuring that the TSN time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements.

[0036] As a possible implementation manner, receiving time synchronization information may include: receiving time synchronization information from a UE.

[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, after the access network device receives the time synchronization information from the UE, it can adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface according to the time synchronization information, thereby ensuring that the 5GS time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements, thereby ensuring that the TSN time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements.

[0038] As a possible implementation method, the time synchronization information can be the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the access network device; it can also be the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the UPF network element, and the time synchronization accuracy between the access network device and the UPF network element.

[0039] As a possible implementation, adjusting the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface according to the time synchronization information may include: adjusting the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface when the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the access network device corresponding to the time synchronization information is greater than a threshold.

[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the access network device corresponding to the time synchronization information is greater than a threshold, the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface can be adjusted to ensure that the 5GS time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements, thereby ensuring that the TSN time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements.

[0041] As a possible implementation manner, adjusting the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface may include sending instruction information for adjusting the time synchronization accuracy to the UE, where the instruction information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface.

[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the access network device can send indication information to the UE so that the UE can adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface according to the indication information, thereby ensuring that the 5GS time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements, and thus ensuring that the TSN time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements.

[0043] As a possible implementation manner, the indication information for the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface may include: the indication information for the UE to perform air interface delay compensation or adjust the granularity of timing advance (TA).

[0044] As a possible implementation method, the method may also include: sending time synchronization information to the AMF network element.

[0045] A fourth aspect discloses a communication method, which can be applied to an AMF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in an AMF network element. The method is described below using the application to an AMF network element as an example. The method may include sending time synchronization information to an access network device, where the time synchronization information is used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface.

[0046] In an embodiment of the present invention, the AMF network element can send time synchronization information to the access network device so that the access network device can adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface according to the time synchronization information, thereby ensuring that the 5GS time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements, and thus ensuring that the TSN time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements.

[0047] As a possible implementation method, the time synchronization information can be the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the access network device; it can also be the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the UPF network element, and the time synchronization accuracy between the access network device and the UPF network element.

[0048] As a possible implementation method, the time synchronization information used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface may include: the time synchronization information is used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface when the time synchronization accuracy between the UE corresponding to the time synchronization information and the access network device is greater than a threshold.

[0049] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the access network device corresponding to the time synchronization information is greater than a threshold, the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface can be adjusted to ensure that the 5GS time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements, thereby ensuring that the TSN time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements.

[0050] As a possible implementation manner, the access network device adjusting the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface includes: the access network device sending indication information for adjusting the time synchronization accuracy to the UE, where the indication information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface.

[0051] In an embodiment of the present invention, the access network device can send indication information to the UE so that the UE can adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface according to the indication information, thereby ensuring that the 5GS time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements, and thus ensuring that the TSN time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements.

[0052] As a possible implementation manner, the indication information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface, which may include: the indication information is used by the UE to perform air interface delay compensation or adjust the granularity of the TA.

[0053] A fifth aspect discloses a communication method, which can be applied to a UE or a module (e.g., a chip) within the UE. The method is described below using the UE as an example. The method may include: sending time synchronization information to an access network device, where the time synchronization information is used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of an air interface.

[0054] In an embodiment of the present invention, the UE can send time synchronization information to the access network device so that the access network device can adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface according to the time synchronization information, thereby ensuring that the 5GS time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements, and thus ensuring that the TSN time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements.

[0055] As a possible implementation manner, the time synchronization information is the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the access network device.

[0056] As a possible implementation method, the time synchronization information used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface may include: the time synchronization information is used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface when the time synchronization accuracy between the UE corresponding to the time synchronization information and the access network device is greater than a threshold.

[0057] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the access network device corresponding to the time synchronization information is greater than a threshold, the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface can be adjusted to ensure that the 5GS time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements, thereby ensuring that the TSN time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements.

[0058] As a possible implementation manner, the access network device adjusting the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface includes: the access network device sending indication information for adjusting the time synchronization accuracy to the UE, where the indication information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface.

[0059] In an embodiment of the present invention, the access network device can send indication information to the UE so that the UE can adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface according to the indication information, thereby ensuring that the 5GS time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements, and thus ensuring that the TSN time synchronization accuracy meets the requirements.

[0060] As a possible implementation manner, the indication information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface, which may include: the indication information is used by the UE to perform air interface delay compensation or adjust the granularity of the TA.

[0061] As a possible implementation manner, the method may further include: receiving a precision error of the DS-TT from the DS-TT; and determining time synchronization information according to the precision error.

[0062] A sixth aspect discloses a communication device, which may be a UPF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in the UPF network element. The communication device may include: a receiving unit, configured to receive a first data packet; and a sending unit, configured to send the first data packet and first indication information to an access network device, wherein the first indication information is configured to indicate whether the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, and the first indication information is configured to be used by the access network device to determine an AN PDB for a first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet.

[0063] As a possible implementation manner, when the first data packet is a data packet from an access network device, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet; when the first data packet is a data packet from a delay-sensitive network application server, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet.

[0064] As a possible implementation manner, in a case where the first data packet is a data packet received by the first port, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet;

[0065] In the case where the first data packet is a data packet received by the second port, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, and the first port and the second port are different ports on the UPF network element.

[0066] As a possible implementation manner, the first indication information includes a GTP-U header.

[0067] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is also used to receive a second data packet, the first data packet and the second data packet have the same service type, and the uplink and downlink of the first data packet and the second data packet are different; the sending unit is also used to send the second data packet and second indication information to the access network device, the second indication information is used to indicate that the second data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, and the second indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the second QoS flow corresponding to the second data packet, and the first QoS flow is different from the second QoS flow.

[0068] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is also used to receive a third data packet, the first data packet and the third data packet have the same service type, and the uplink and downlink of the first data packet and the third data packet are different; the sending unit sends the first data packet and the first indication information to the access network device, including: sending the first data packet, the third data packet, the first indication information and the third indication information to the access network device, the third indication information is used to indicate that the third data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet; the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, including: the first indication information and the third indication information are used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet and the third data packet.

[0069] As a possible implementation manner, when the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet, the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, including: the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the UE, the AN PDB of the third QoS flow, the CN PDB of the third QoS flow, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow, and the third QoS flow is the uplink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet.

[0070] As a possible implementation manner, when the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, including: the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the NW-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element, the residence time of the first data packet in the UE and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow.

[0071] A seventh aspect discloses a communication device, which may be an access network device or a module (e.g., a chip) in the access network device. The communication device may include: a receiving unit configured to receive a first data packet and first indication information from a UPF network element, wherein the first indication information is configured to indicate whether the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet; and a determining unit configured to determine an ANPDB of a first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on the first indication information.

[0072] As a possible implementation manner, when the first data packet is a data packet from an access network device, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet; when the first data packet is a data packet from a TSN application server, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet.

[0073] As a possible implementation manner, when the first data packet is a data packet received by the first port, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet; when the first data packet is a data packet received by the second port, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, and the first port and the second port are different ports on the UPF network element.

[0074] As a possible implementation manner, the first indication information includes a GTP-U header.

[0075] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further used to receive a second data packet and a second indication information from the UPF network element, the second indication information is used to indicate that the second data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, the first data packet and the second data packet have the same service type, and the uplink and downlink of the first data packet are different from those of the second data packet; the determination unit is further used to determine the AN PDB of the second QoS flow corresponding to the second data packet based on the second indication information, and the first QoS flow is different from the second QoS flow.

[0076] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is specifically used to receive a first data packet, a third data packet, a first indication information and a third indication information from a UPF network element, the third indication information is used to indicate that the third data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, the first data packet and the third data packet have the same service type, and the uplink and downlink of the first data packet and the third data packet are different; the determination unit is specifically used to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet and the third data packet based on the first indication information and the third indication information.

[0077] As a possible implementation manner, when the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet, the determination unit determines the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet according to the first indication information, including: determining the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet according to one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the UE, the AN PDB of the third QoS flow, the CN PDB of the third QoS flow, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow, where the third QoS flow is the uplink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet.

[0078] As a possible implementation manner, when the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, the determination unit determines the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet according to the first indication information, including: determining the ANPDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet according to one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the NW-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element, the residence time of the first data packet in the UE and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow.

[0079] An eighth aspect discloses a communication device, which may be an access network device or a module (e.g., a chip) in the access network device. The communication device may include: a receiving unit configured to receive time synchronization information; and an adjustment unit configured to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of an air interface according to the time synchronization information.

[0080] As a possible implementation method, the receiving unit is specifically used to receive time synchronization information from the AMF network element.

[0081] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is specifically configured to receive time synchronization information from a UE.

[0082] As a possible implementation method, the time synchronization information is: the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the access network device; or the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the UPF network element, and the time synchronization accuracy between the access network device and the UPF network element.

[0083] As a possible implementation manner, the adjustment unit is specifically configured to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface when the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the access network device corresponding to the time synchronization information is greater than a threshold.

[0084] As a possible implementation manner, the adjusting unit adjusting the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface includes: sending indication information for adjusting the time synchronization accuracy to the UE, where the indication information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface.

[0085] As a possible implementation manner, the indication information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface, including: the indication information is used by the UE to perform air interface delay compensation or adjust the granularity of the TA.

[0086] As a possible implementation manner, the device also includes: a sending unit, used to send the time synchronization information to the AMF network element.

[0087] A ninth aspect discloses a communication device, which may be an AMF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in an AMF network element. The communication device may include: a sending unit configured to send time synchronization information to an access network device, wherein the time synchronization information is used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface.

[0088] As a possible implementation method, the time synchronization information is: the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the access network device; or the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the UPF network element, and the time synchronization accuracy between the access network device and the UPF network element.

[0089] As a possible implementation method, the time synchronization information is used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface, including: the time synchronization information is used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface when the time synchronization accuracy between the UE corresponding to the time synchronization information and the access network device is greater than a threshold.

[0090] As a possible implementation manner, the access network device adjusting the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface includes: the access network device sending indication information for adjusting the time synchronization accuracy to the UE, and the indication information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface.

[0091] As a possible implementation manner, the indication information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface, including: the indication information is used by the UE to perform air interface delay compensation or adjust the granularity of the TA.

[0092] A tenth aspect discloses a communication device, which may be a UE or a module (e.g., a chip) in the UE. The communication device may include: a sending unit configured to send time synchronization information to an access network device, wherein the time synchronization information is used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of an air interface.

[0093] As a possible implementation manner, the time synchronization information is the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the access network device.

[0094] As a possible implementation method, the time synchronization information is used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface, including: the time synchronization information is used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface when the time synchronization accuracy between the UE corresponding to the time synchronization information and the access network device is greater than a threshold.

[0095] As a possible implementation manner, the access network device adjusting the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface includes: the access network device sending indication information for adjusting the time synchronization accuracy to the UE, and the indication information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface.

[0096] As a possible implementation manner, the indication information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface, including: the indication information is used by the UE to perform air interface delay compensation or adjust the granularity of the TA.

[0097] As a possible implementation manner, the apparatus further includes: a receiving unit, configured to receive an accuracy error of the DS-TT from the DS-TT; and a determining unit, configured to determine the time synchronization information according to the accuracy error.

[0098] In an eleventh aspect, a communication device is disclosed, which may be a UPF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in a UPF network element. The communication device may include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface, wherein: the memory stores a computer program, and the processor is used to call the computer program stored in the memory to control the input interface and the output interface to perform corresponding operations; the input interface is used to receive a first data packet; the output interface is used to send the first data packet and first indication information to an access network device, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, and the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet.

[0099] As a possible implementation manner, when the first data packet is a data packet from an access network device, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet; when the first data packet is a data packet from a TSN application server, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet.

[0100] As a possible implementation manner, when the first data packet is a data packet received by the first port, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet; when the first data packet is a data packet received by the second port, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, and the first port and the second port are different ports on the UPF network element.

[0101] As a possible implementation manner, the first indication information includes a GTP-U header.

[0102] As a possible implementation, the input interface is also used to receive a second data packet; the output interface is also used to send the second data packet and second indication information to the access network device, the second indication information is used to indicate that the second data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, and the second indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the second QoS flow corresponding to the second data packet, and the first QoS flow is different from the second QoS flow.

[0103] As a possible implementation manner, the input interface is also used to receive a third data packet; the output interface sends the first data packet and the first indication information to the access network device, including: sending the first data packet, the third data packet, the first indication information and the third indication information to the access network device, the third indication information being used to indicate that the third data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet; the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, including: the first indication information and the third indication information are used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet and the third data packet.

[0104] As a possible implementation manner, when the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet, the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, including: the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the UE, the AN PDB of the third QoS flow, the CN PDB of the third QoS flow, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow, and the third QoS flow is the uplink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet.

[0105] As a possible implementation manner, when the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, including: the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the NW-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element, the residence time of the first data packet in the UE and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow.

[0106] A twelfth aspect discloses a communication device, which may be an access network device or a module (e.g., a chip) in the access network device. The communication device may include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface, wherein: the input interface is configured to receive a first data packet and first indication information from a UPF network element, the first indication information being configured to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet; the memory stores a computer program, and the processor is configured to call the computer program stored in the memory to perform the following operations: determine an AN PDB for a first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on the first indication information.

[0107] As a possible implementation manner, when the first data packet is a data packet from an access network device, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet; when the first data packet is a data packet from a TSN application server, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet.

[0108] As a possible implementation manner, when the first data packet is a data packet received by the first port, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet; when the first data packet is a data packet received by the second port, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, and the first port and the second port are different ports on the UPF network element.

[0109] As a possible implementation manner, the first indication information includes a GTP-U header.

[0110] As a possible implementation, the input interface is also used to receive a second data packet and second indication information from the UPF network element, the second indication information is used to indicate that the second data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, the first data packet and the second data packet have the same service type, and the uplink and downlink of the first data packet and the second data packet are different; the processor is also used to call the computer program stored in the memory to perform the following operations: determine the AN PDB of the second QoS flow corresponding to the second data packet according to the second indication information, and the first QoS flow is different from the second QoS flow.

[0111] As a possible implementation manner, the input interface receives the first data packet and the first indication information from the UPF network element, including: receiving the first data packet, the third data packet, the first indication information and the third indication information from the UPF network element, the third indication information is used to indicate that the third data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, the first data packet and the third data packet have the same service type, and the uplink and downlink of the first data packet and the third data packet are different; the processor determines the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet according to the first indication information, including: determining the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet and the third data packet according to the first indication information and the third indication information.

[0112] As a possible implementation manner, when the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet, the processor determines the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet according to the first indication information, including: determining the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet according to one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the UE, the AN PDB of the third QoS flow, the CN PDB of the third QoS flow, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow, where the third QoS flow is the uplink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet.

[0113] As a possible implementation manner, when the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, the processor determines the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet according to the first indication information, including: determining the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet according to one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the NW-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element, the residence time of the first data packet in the user equipment UE and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow.

[0114] A thirteenth aspect discloses a communication method, wherein the communication device may be an access network device or a module (e.g., a chip) in the access network device. The communication device may include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface, wherein: the input interface is configured to receive time synchronization information; the memory stores a computer program, and the processor is configured to invoke the computer program stored in the memory to perform the following operations: adjusting the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface based on the time synchronization information.

[0115] As a possible implementation manner, the input interface receiving time synchronization information includes: receiving time synchronization information from an AMF network element.

[0116] As a possible implementation manner, the input interface receiving time synchronization information includes: receiving time synchronization information from a UE.

[0117] As a possible implementation method, the time synchronization information is: the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the access network device; or the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the UPF network element, and the time synchronization accuracy between the access network device and the UPF network element.

[0118] As a possible implementation manner, the processor adjusts the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface according to the time synchronization information, including: adjusting the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface when the time synchronization accuracy between the UE corresponding to the time synchronization information and the access network device is greater than a threshold.

[0119] As a possible implementation manner, the processor adjusting the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface includes: the output interface sending indication information for adjusting the time synchronization accuracy to the UE, where the indication information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface.

[0120] As a possible implementation manner, the indication information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface, including: the indication information is used by the UE to perform air interface delay compensation or adjust the granularity of the TA.

[0121] As a possible implementation method, the output interface is also used to send the time synchronization information to the AMF network element.

[0122] A fourteenth aspect discloses a communication method, where the communication device may be an AMF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in the AMF network element. The communication device may include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface, wherein: the output interface is used to send time synchronization information to an access network device, and the time synchronization information is used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface.

[0123] As a possible implementation method, the time synchronization information is: the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the access network device; or the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the UPF network element, and the time synchronization accuracy between the access network device and the UPF network element.

[0124] As a possible implementation method, the time synchronization information is used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface, including: adjusting the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface when the time synchronization accuracy between the UE corresponding to the time synchronization information and the access network device is greater than a threshold.

[0125] As a possible implementation manner, the access network device adjusting the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface includes: the access network device sending indication information for adjusting the time synchronization accuracy to the UE, and the indication information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface.

[0126] As a possible implementation manner, the indication information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface, including: the indication information is used by the UE to perform air interface delay compensation or adjust the granularity of the TA.

[0127] A fifteenth aspect discloses a communication method, wherein the communication device may be a UE or a module (e.g., a chip) within the UE. The communication device may include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface, wherein the output interface is configured to send time synchronization information to an access network device, the time synchronization information being used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of an air interface.

[0128] As a possible implementation manner, the time synchronization information is the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the access network device.

[0129] As a possible implementation method, the time synchronization information is used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface, including: adjusting the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface when the time synchronization accuracy between the UE corresponding to the time synchronization information and the access network device is greater than a threshold.

[0130] As a possible implementation manner, the access network device adjusting the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface includes: the access network device sending indication information for adjusting the time synchronization accuracy to the UE, and the indication information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface.

[0131] As a possible implementation manner, the indication information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface, including: the indication information is used by the UE to perform air interface delay compensation or adjust the granularity of the TA.

[0132] As a possible implementation manner, the input interface is used to receive the precision error of the DS-TT from the DS-TT; the memory stores a computer program, and the processor is used to call the computer program stored in the memory to perform the following operations: determine the time synchronization information based on the precision error.

[0133] A sixteenth aspect discloses a communication device, which may include an input interface, a logic circuit, and an output interface. The input interface and the output interface are connected via a logic circuit. The input interface is used to receive information from other communication devices, and the output interface is used to output, schedule, or send information to other communication devices. The logic circuit is used to perform operations other than the operations of the input interface and the output interface. The communication device may be the above-mentioned UPF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in the UPF network element.

[0134] A seventeenth aspect discloses a communication device, which may include an input interface, a logic circuit, and an output interface. The input interface and the output interface are connected via a logic circuit. The input interface is used to receive information from other communication devices, and the output interface is used to output, schedule, or send information to other communication devices. The logic circuit is used to perform operations other than the operations of the input interface and the output interface. The communication device may be the above-mentioned access network device or a module (e.g., a chip) in the access network device.

[0135] Aspect 18 discloses a communication device, which may include an input interface, a logic circuit, and an output interface. The input interface and the output interface are connected via a logic circuit. The input interface is used to receive information from other communication devices, and the output interface is used to output, schedule, or send information to other communication devices. The logic circuit is used to perform operations other than the operations of the input interface and the output interface. The communication device may be the above-mentioned AMF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in the AMF network element.

[0136] A nineteenth aspect discloses a communication device, which may include an input interface, a logic circuit, and an output interface. The input interface and the output interface are connected via a logic circuit. The input interface is used to receive information from other communication devices, and the output interface is used to output, schedule, or send information to other communication devices. The logic circuit is used to perform operations other than the operations of the input interface and the output interface. The communication device may be the above-mentioned UE or a module (e.g., a chip) in the UE.

[0137] The twentieth aspect discloses a computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program or computer instructions are stored. When the computer program or computer instructions are executed, the communication method disclosed above is implemented.

[0138] A twenty-first aspect discloses a computer program product, which includes a computer program code. When the computer program code is run, the communication method disclosed above is executed.

[0139] The twenty-second aspect discloses a communication system, which may include the communication device of the sixteenth aspect and the communication device of the seventeenth aspect.

[0140] A twenty-third aspect discloses a communication system, which may include the communication device of the seventeenth aspect and the communication device of the eighteenth aspect.

[0141] The twenty-fourth aspect discloses a communication system, which may include the communication device of the seventeenth aspect and the communication device of the nineteenth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0142] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a clock node type in a PTP protocol disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0143] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a 5GS as a transparent clock disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0144] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a PDB disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0145] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a gNB performing 5G timing according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0146] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0147] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of an uplink timing disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0148] Figure 7 This is a flow chart of a communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0149] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a data packet transmission in TSN disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0150] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of an NG-U protocol stack disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0151] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a GTP-U header disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0152] Figure 11 Schematic diagram of a GTP-U header carrying indication information disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0153] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a message type disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0154] Figure 13 This is a flow chart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0155] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of downlink timing synchronization information disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0156] Figure 15 This is a flow chart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0157] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of an F1-U interface message disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0158] Figure 17 This is a flow chart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0159] Figure 18 2 is a schematic diagram of another uplink timing system disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0160] Figure 19 This is a flow chart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0161] Figure 20 It is a structural diagram of a communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0162] Figure 21 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0163] Figure 22 is a structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0164] Figure 23 is a structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0165] Figure 24 is a structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0166] Figure 25 is a structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0167] Figure 26 It is a structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0168] Embodiments of the present invention disclose a communication method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium for ensuring that the residence time of a data packet in a 5GS meets requirements.

[0169] In order to better understand the communication method, device, and computer-readable storage medium disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention, some terms or concepts in the embodiments of the present invention are described below.

[0170] 1. TSN time synchronization accuracy

[0171] TSN time synchronization accuracy refers to the time offset (or time difference) between the two synchronized clocks at both ends of the TSN domain. In order to achieve synchronization between the two clocks, the master clock at one end of the TSN domain needs to send a synchronization message to the slave clock at the other end of the TSN domain. The synchronization message can contain the time information of the master clock when the master clock sends the synchronization message. 5GS can pass the synchronization message to the slave clock in a bridging role, that is, a transparent clock, and at the same time inform the slave clock of the time delay of the synchronization message within the 5GS. The slave clock calculates the current time information of the corresponding master clock by reading the time information in the synchronization message and the delay information transmitted by the synchronization message on the link, and completes synchronization with the master clock. It can be seen that the accuracy error of the time delay reported by 5GS will affect the time synchronization accuracy of TSN.

[0172] 2. TSN message delay

[0173] TSN message latency refers to the time it takes for a TSN message to be delivered across a link. TSN messages can include both service messages and synchronization messages. This refers specifically to the time it takes for TSN synchronization messages to be delivered within 5GS, which has an upper limit.

[0174] 3. 5GS synchronization accuracy

[0175] 5GS synchronization accuracy is the time offset between the master and slave clocks within the 5GS. The master clock can be a base station or other access network equipment. The slave clock can be a UE or a UPF network element.

[0176] 4. 5GS reserved packet delay

[0177] The 5GS Reserved Packet Delay (PDB) is a standard attribute of the QoS Class Identifier (QCI) at the bearer level in the evolved packet system (EPS). The PDB indicates the amount of time a packet may be delayed between the UE and the UPF network element. For a given QCI, the PDB value is the same in both the uplink and downlink directions.

[0178] 5. Time synchronization in TSN

[0179] In industrial control scenarios, the control signaling sent by a master node, such as a control console, can reach a slave node, such as an operating arm, within a specified time. The slave node can perform corresponding actions at a specified time point according to the control signaling. Therefore, the industrial control network is usually TSN. In order to support time-based control, TSN requires precise synchronization between TSN devices. Currently, TSN generally uses the precision time protocol (PTP) protocol or the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1588 protocol to achieve precise time synchronization between TSN devices. The timing signaling used for synchronization between PTP devices in the PTP protocol is usually also called PTP message / PTP message. Therefore, the data transmitted in TSN can include PTP messages for timing and service-related data packets.

[0180] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a clock node type in a PTP protocol disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1As shown in the figure, the PTP protocol defines three types of clock nodes: ordinary clock (OC), boundary clock (BC) and transparent clock (TC). OC has only one clock port to communicate with the network. OC can act as a grandmaster clock (GM) to publish time information to downstream nodes, or as a slave clock to synchronize time from upstream nodes. BC has multiple clock ports, one port synchronizes time from the upstream node, and the remaining ports publish time to downstream nodes. BC needs to maintain time synchronization with other nodes. When a PTP message arrives at BC, BC will synchronize the clock based on the PTP message, but will not forward it through other clock ports. BC will generate PTP messages by itself and send them through Figure 1 The TC is sent out through the M clock port shown. The TC does not need to maintain time synchronization with other nodes. The TC has multiple clock ports, which forward PTP messages between these clock ports and perform forwarding delay correction on them, but does not synchronize time from any port. When the PTP message passes through the TC, there will be a certain processing delay when the TC forwards the PTP message. When forwarding the PTP message, the TC will add the residence time of the PTP message in this node to the PTP message. For example, the residence time can be added to the correction field in the PTP message. After the TSN receives the PTP message from the node, it can synchronize its own clock based on the time information and residence time.

[0181] 6. 5GS supports TSN solutions:

[0182] In industrial manufacturing and other scenarios, TSN is usually used for production line control. Currently, TSN is carried on wired networks, and wired methods have some inherent defects, such as high cable deployment costs, security risks, and low flexibility. If wireless methods are used instead of wired methods, especially if wireless methods are used at the last hop of TSN, the above problems can be effectively avoided. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Rel-16 discussed the solution for 5GS to support TSN. TSN can regard 5GS as a TSN bridge device, and TSN service data packets can be sent uplink / downlink through 5GS. In addition, in order to support the PTP protocol, TSN requires 5GS to adapt to the PTP protocol. The solution adopted by 3GPP is to treat 5GS as a transparent clock. Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a 5GS as a transparent clock disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 2As shown, the PTP message sent by TSN GM can be forwarded to the TSN end station through 5GS. A TSN adapter is required at the boundary where 5GS and TSN are connected to process PTP protocol related messages or TSN service data packets. For example, Figure 2 The UE-side TSN adapter (TSN translator, TT) is DS-TT, and the UPF-side TT is NW-TT. DS-TT can be a processing device connected to the UE or a logical function of the UE, and NW-TT can be a processing device connected to the UPF network element or a logical function of the UPF network element.

[0183] When the transparent clock forwards the PTP message, it needs to correct the residence time of the PTP message in the local node to the PTP message. In order to obtain the residence time of the PTP message in the 5GS, the 5G clock synchronization between the UPF network element and the UE needs to be ensured. The clock synchronization between the UE and the UPF network element can be ensured by both obtaining time from the same clock source. Figure 2 As shown in Figure 1, the next generation base station (generation nodeB, gNB) and 5G GM perform clock synchronization. Furthermore, the UE and gNB can achieve clock synchronization through the air interface synchronization solution, and the UPF network element and gNB can achieve clock synchronization through the PTP protocol. When the PTP message enters from the UPF network element side, the NW-TT adds the 5G entry timestamp t in the PTP message. in DS-TT marks the 5G output time in the PTP message as t out DS-TT also needs to add the PTP message residence time t in the PTP message out -t in .

[0184] In 5GS solutions supporting TSN, TSN time synchronization requires a synchronization error of less than 1µs between the TSN GM and the TSN slave clock. Time synchronization of user-plane network elements within 5GS, such as UEs, gNBs, and UPFs, is fundamental to implementing a transparent clock solution.

[0185] 7. PDB

[0186] The protocol defines PDB as the upper bound of the possible delay time of data packets between UE and UPF network element. In 3GPP, PDB is used to support scheduling configuration and link layer functions. Figure 3 , Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a PDB disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3As shown, the end-to-end PDB can include the AN portion of the latency, namely the AN PDB, and the CN portion of the latency, namely the CN PDB. In the current protocol, the PDB in the 5G radio access network (RAN) (new generation RAN, NG-RAN) is the end-to-end latency, that is, the latency between the UE and the anchor UPF network element. Currently, the CN PDB is considered to be a fixed value of 1ms.

[0187] 8. 5G air interface time synchronization

[0188] In the R16 standard, 5G air interface time synchronization can be achieved by the gNB indicating a reference point 5G time to the UE. The gNB can provide 5G timing to the UE through broadcast methods, such as system information, or unicast methods, such as radio resource control (RRC) signaling. Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a gNB performing 5G timing according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 As shown in the figure, using unicast as an example, the gNB sends a downlink (DL) information transfer (DLInformationTransfer) message to the UE in a time slot of system frame number (SFN) x-3. The DLInformationTransfer message includes a specific 5G time and a time reference point SFN x. This specific 5G time can be denoted as T. After receiving the DLInformationTransfer message, the UE can use the DLInformationTransfer message to determine the 5G time corresponding to the end position of the radio frame with SFN = x closest to the time when the DLInformationTransfer message was received, which is T.

[0189] The signal sent by the base station will experience a certain propagation delay when it propagates through the air to reach the UE. Assume that the downlink signal sent by the base station has a propagation delay of T p Due to the existence of propagation delay, there is a T delay between the actual frame boundary of the base station and the frame boundary determined by the UE. p In the above example, the UE performs 5G time synchronization based on the unicast timing message. When determining the 5G time at the end of the SFN=x radio frame, T must be added to T. p , can be used as the actual 5G synchronization time, that is, the UE needs to compensate for the propagation delay.

[0190] In an orthogonal multiple access system, to ensure orthogonality in uplink transmissions and avoid intra-cell interference, the base station requires that signals from different UEs using the same subframe but different frequency resources arrive at the base station at roughly the same time. To ensure time synchronization on the receiving side, i.e., the base station, New Radio (NR) employs an uplink TA mechanism. From the UE's perspective, TA essentially means a negative offset between the start time of receiving a downlink subframe and the time of transmitting an uplink subframe. The base station can achieve this by appropriately controlling the offset for each UE, achieving consistent arrival times for uplink signals from different UEs.

[0191] When base stations use the aforementioned 5G air interface synchronization solution to synchronize air time with UEs, there is a certain degree of timing error. This error is primarily due to errors introduced by base station hardware during reception and transmission of signals, errors introduced by UE hardware during reception and transmission of signals, and errors introduced by the TA adjustment step size. 3GPP evaluations at the Rel-16 stage indicate that, at a 15kHz subcarrier spacing (SCS), the air interface synchronization error between the UE and gNB is approximately 540ns. Of this, the error introduced by the TA adjustment step size is approximately 260ns.

[0192] 9. Requirements for the residence time of PTP timing messages in the 5GS system

[0193] The PTP protocol specifies the upper limit of the residence time of the PTP message through a transparent clock, also known as the delay-aware system. The upper limit of the residence time can be recorded as R th To meet this requirement, 3GPP stipulates that the sum of the PDB corresponding to the QoS flow transmitting the PTP message and the UE's stay time to the DS-TT must be less than R th , thus ensuring that the total stay time of the PTP message from entering NW-TT from outside the UPF network element to being sent from DS-TT is less than R th .

[0194] In order to better understand the communication method, device, and computer-readable storage medium disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention, the network architecture used in the embodiments of the present invention is described below. Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5As shown in the figure, the network architecture may include a TSN master node, a 5GS and a TSN slave node. The TSN slave node may be a TSN bridge, a TSN terminal, etc. The 5GS may serve as a logical TSN bridging device for connecting the TSN master node and the TSN slave node. The 5GS may include a UE, (R)AN equipment, a UPF network element, a data network (DN), an AMF network element, a session management function (SMF) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, an application function (AF) network element, a unified data management (UDM) network element and a network exposure function (NEF) network element, etc. The UE and (R)AN equipment can communicate directly, the UE and AMF network element can communicate through the N1 interface, the (R)AN equipment and AMF network element can communicate through the N2 interface, the (R)AN equipment and UPF network element can communicate through the N3 interface, the UPF network element and SMF network element can communicate through the N4 interface, the UPF network element and DN can communicate through the N6 interface, different UPF network elements can communicate through the N9 interface, the AMF network element and SMF network element can communicate through the N11 interface, the AMF network element and UDM network element can communicate through the N8 interface, the SMF network element and UDM network element can communicate through the N10 interface, the SMF network element and PCF network element can communicate through the N7 interface, the PCF network element and AF network element can communicate through the N5 interface, and the AF network element and NEF network element can communicate through the N33 interface. The user plane in 5GS may include UE, (R)AN equipment, UPF network element and DN, and the control plane in 5GS may include AMF network element, SMF network element, PCF network element, AF network element, UDM network element, NEF network element, etc. Among them, the above 5GS can be replaced by other communication systems, such as 6GS, future communication systems, etc.

[0195] UPF network elements can be connected through NW-TT ( Figure 5 (not shown) and the TSN system, the UE can connect to the TSN system through DS-TT ( Figure 5(not shown) and the TSN bridge / terminal station. In the downlink direction, after the TSN service data packet arrives at the NW-TT from the TSN master node, it can be forwarded in the 5GS through the protocol data unit (PDU) session between the UPF network element and the UE. After that, the UE can send the service data to the corresponding TSN slave node through the DS-TT. Correspondingly, in the uplink direction, after the TSN service data packet is sent from the TSN slave node to the DS-TT, it can be forwarded in the 5GS through the PDU session between the UE and the UPF network element. The UPF network element can send the service data packet to the TSN slave node through the NW-TT, or forward it to another UE through the PDU session with another UE, and then send it to another TSN slave node by the DS-TT of the other UE.

[0196] UE, also known as terminal equipment, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., refers to a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users. It can be a handheld terminal, a laptop computer, a subscriber unit (SU), a cellular phone, a smartphone, a wireless data card, a personal communication service (PCS) phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a subscriber station (SS), a mobile station (MB), a mobile station, a remote station (RS), an access point (AP), a remote terminal (RT), an access terminal (AT), a user terminal (UT), a user agent (UA), a user device (UD), a personal digital assistant (PDA) computer, a tablet computer, a wireless modem, a handheld device (handheld), a laptop computer, a cordless phone or a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a machine type communication (MTC) terminal or other device that can access the network.

[0197] (R)AN equipment refers to the node or device that connects the terminal device to the network. (R)AN equipment can include RAN equipment and AN equipment. RAN equipment is 3GPP wireless network equipment, and AN equipment is non-3GPP defined access network equipment. RAN equipment is mainly responsible for wireless resource management, QoS management, data compression and encryption and other functions on the air interface side. RAN equipment can include various forms of base stations, such as macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relay stations, access points, etc. AN equipment allows terminal devices and the 3GPP core network to interconnect and communicate using non-3GPP technologies. Non-3GPP technologies can be wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), code division multiple access (CDMA) networks, etc.

[0198] The AMF network element belongs to the core network element and is mainly responsible for signaling processing, such as access control, mobility management, registration, deregistration, and gateway selection. When the AMF network element provides services for a session in the UE, it will provide control plane storage resources for the session to store the session identifier and the SMF network element identifier associated with the session identifier.

[0199] The SMF network element is responsible for user plane network element selection, user plane network element redirection, Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation, session establishment, modification, release and QoS control.

[0200] The UDM network element is responsible for user key management, user identity processing, access authorization of subscription data, UE network function entity management, session and service continuity management, short message push, lawful interception, contract management, and short message management.

[0201] In order to better understand the communication method, device, and computer-readable storage medium disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention, the application scenarios of the embodiments of the present invention are described below. Currently, the standard does not specify the specific allocation scheme for the time synchronization accuracy budget within 5GS, including whether the RAN device needs to control the time accuracy of the air interface based on the time accuracy budget from the RAN device to the core network during the uplink when the UE sends the TSN synchronization message to the core network. If no regulations are added, the RAN device may consume excessive time accuracy at the air interface, causing the overall time accuracy of the 5GS to exceed the threshold.

[0202] The TSN timing scenario considered by Rel-16 is that the master clock is located outside the UPF network element and provides timing to the TSN slave node connected to the UE, that is, the downlink timing scenario. Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of an uplink timing disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 As shown in Figure 1, 3GPP is considering introducing an uplink timing scenario in the Rel-17 standard. In this case, the master clock can be located on a TSN slave node connected to the UE, and can provide timing to a TSN master node located outside the UPF network element, or to a TSN slave node connected to other UEs. The transmission path for timing to a TSN master node located outside the UPF network element can be shown as path 1, and the transmission path for timing to a TSN slave node connected to other UEs can be shown as path 2.

[0203] like Figure 6 As shown, the GM connected to UE1 performs TSN timing on another TSN slave node connected to UE2. The transmission path of the PTP message is UE1->UPF network element->UE2, that is, the PTP message needs to be sent from UE1 to the UPF network element through the uplink QoS flow, and then sent from the UPF network element to UE2 through the downlink QoS flow. The synchronization message undergoes local switching at the UPF network element. Compared with downlink timing, the residence time of the PTP message for the uplink timing will be doubled within 5GS. According to the existing technical provisions of 3GPP, the PDB corresponding to a QoS flow for transmitting PTP messages is less than R th , which will cause the PTP message to not be able to meet the requirement within 5GS.

[0204] For uplink and downlink synchronization messages, because the QoS flow attributes are identical, the gNB cannot distinguish whether the QoS flow of synchronization messages received from the UPF network element is a downlink synchronization message or an uplink synchronization message that undergoes local conversion at the UPF network element. Therefore, if the gNB determines the PDB of synchronization messages received from the UPF network element based solely on the QoS flow attributes, it may not meet the PTP message residence time requirement in the 5GS. For example, if the packet delay budget for the 5G air interface is 10ms, the existing technology uses a 10ms PDB for downlink synchronization messages on the air interface, corresponding to the gNB→UE process. However, if the above uplink synchronization scenario is introduced while maintaining the existing 10ms PDB on the air interface, the actual air interface packet delay will double to 20ms, corresponding to the UE1→gNB→UE2 process, exceeding the 10ms delay budget for the 5G air interface. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce a mechanism to instruct the gNB to distinguish between uplink and downlink synchronization messages to reduce the PDB of uplink synchronization messages on the air interface.

[0205] In addition, when the PTP message enters the 5GS at the DS-TT of UE1, the DS-TT on the UE1 side is stamped with a 5G timestamp t in When DS-TT on UE2 sends a PTP message, it will be marked with 5G time as t out , and the DS-TT on the UE2 side will add the stay time t in the 5GS to the PTP message out -t in If the synchronization error between UE1 and the gNB is △1, and the synchronization error between UE2 and the gNB is △1, the synchronization error between UE1 and UE2 must be at least 2*△1 > 1us. Therefore, existing 5G air interface time synchronization solutions cannot meet the requirement of a synchronization error of less than 1us between the TSN master clock and the TSN slave clock in the above uplink timing scenario.

[0206] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a flow chart of a communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. The steps performed by the UPF network element below can also be performed by a module (e.g., a chip) in the UPF network element, and the steps performed by the RAN device below can also be performed by a module (e.g., a chip) in the RAN device. This communication method is to solve the problem that the RAN device cannot distinguish whether the data packet from the UPF network element is a downlink data packet or an uplink data packet, so that it cannot ensure that the residence time of the data packet in the 5GS meets the requirements. Figure 7 As shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0207] 701. The UPF network element receives a first data packet.

[0208] The first data packet can be a data packet from a RAN device or a data packet from a TSN application server. The access network device in the claims can be a RAN device or a device with equivalent functionality, without limitation. The first data packet can be a data packet transmitted in the TSN network, can be the aforementioned PTP message, can be a data packet in the TSN network, or can be any other data packet, message, or message used to transmit information in the TSN network.

[0209] 702. The UPF network element sends a first data packet and first indication information to the RAN device.

[0210] Correspondingly, the RAN device receives the first data packet and first indication information from the UPF network element.

[0211] After receiving the first data packet, the UPF network element may send the first data packet and first indication information to the RAN device. The first indication information is used to indicate whether the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet. Specifically, the UPF network element may first determine whether the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, and then generate the first indication information based on whether the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet. The UPF network element may include the first indication information in the first data packet and send it to the RAN device. The UPF network element may also first generate a data packet, information, instruction, or message including the first data packet and the first indication information before sending it to the RAN device. The UPF network element may also send the first data packet and the first indication information separately to the RAN device, without limitation. The first indication information may be explicit or implicit. The UPF network element may determine whether the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet based on the device sending the first data packet, or may determine whether the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet based on the port receiving the first data packet. The device sending the first data packet is the device that directly sends the first data packet to the UPF network element, i.e., the device that precedes the UPF network element in the transmission path of the first data packet in the transmission direction.

[0212] 703. The RAN device determines the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet according to the first indication information.

[0213] After receiving the first data packet and first indication information from the UPF network element, the RAN device can determine the AN PDB for the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on the first indication information. Specifically, the RAN device can first determine whether the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet based on the first indication information, and then determine the AN PDB for the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on the uplink and downlink of the first data packet. The first QoS flow here is a downlink QoS flow.

[0214] Optionally, when the first data packet is a data packet from a RAN device, the first indication information may indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet; when the first data packet is a data packet from a TSN application server, the first indication information may indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet.

[0215] See also Figure 8 , Figure 8 FIG is a schematic diagram of a data packet transmitted in TSN disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8As shown, if the first data packet originates from a RAN device, the first data packet is sent from the TSN master clock on UE1 to the TSN slave clock on UE2 and is an uplink data packet. If the first data packet originates from a TSN application server, the first data packet is sent from the TSN master clock on the UPF network element to the TSN slave clock on UE2 and is a downlink data packet. Therefore, the UPF network element can determine whether the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet based on the device sending the first data packet, thereby generating the first indication information.

[0216] Optionally, when the first data packet is a data packet received by the first port, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet; when the first data packet is a data packet received by the second port, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, and the first port and the second port are different ports on the UPF network element.

[0217] The UPF network element may also determine whether the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet based on the port through which the first data packet is received. The first port may be a port on the UPF network element used to communicate with the RAN device, and the second port may be a port on the UPF network element used to communicate with the TSN application server.

[0218] Optionally, the first indication information may include a GTP-U header.

[0219] The UPF network element can add indication information to the GTP-U header of the 5G (new generation, NG) user plane interface (NG-U) data packet sent to the NG-RAN device. The UPF network element can use this indication information to specifically inform the RAN device whether the synchronization message sent from the UPF network element has undergone local conversion at the UPF network element. If local conversion has occurred, it indicates that the data packet is an uplink data packet. If local conversion has not occurred, it indicates that the data packet is a downlink data packet. Please refer to Figure 9 , Figure 9 Schematic diagram of an NG-U protocol stack disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9As shown in the figure, the NG-U protocol stack is the specific protocol stack for the data packets sent by the UPF network element to the NG-RAN equipment in the protocol. The NG-U protocol stack can include user plane PDUs (user plane PDUs), GTP-U header, user datagram protocol (UDP), IP, data link layer (datalink layer) and physical layer. The GTP-U header is located in the second layer of the protocol stack and is added by the UPF network element on the lower layer protocol stack. The data packet is then placed on the GTP-U header and the entire data packet is finally sent to the NG-RAN. Please refer to Figure 10 , Figure 10 Schematic diagram of a GTP-U header disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 As shown, the first line of the GTP-U header includes 8 bits. The first bit is the N-PDU number flag (PN), which is used to identify whether PN exists. The second bit is the extension header flag (E), which is used to identify whether E exists. The third bit is the sequence number flag (S), which is used to identify whether S exists. The fourth bit is a spare bit. The fifth bit is the protocol type (PT). Bits 6-8 are the version. The second line is used to indicate the message type. Please refer to Figure 11 , Figure 11 Schematic diagram of a GTP-U header carrying indication information disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 As shown, the GTP-U header can carry indication information in three ways. The first way is to add indication information in the 4th bit of the first line to indicate whether the data packet has undergone local conversion. For example, when the bit is 0, it can indicate that local conversion has occurred, and when the bit is 1, it can indicate that no conversion has occurred, and vice versa. The second way is to use the message type in the second line to indicate whether the data packet has undergone local conversion. There are two ways to carry indication information in the message type. One way is to change the existing field and redefine certain message type values ​​(message type value) as "local conversion class message" and / or "non-local conversion class message". Another way is to add a message type value to correspond to the "local conversion class message", and the remaining message type values ​​correspond to non-local conversion class messages by default. Please refer to Figure 12 , Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a message type disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12As shown, 1-255 already exist in the existing protocol. 256 pairs of "whether local translation has occurred" message types can be added to the existing message type table. A third approach is to add a row to indicate whether local translation has occurred. This newly added row can include X bits, which can be used to define a type and a mapping between the corresponding bit representation and whether local translation has occurred. For example, assuming X is 8, if these 8 bits are 00000001, local translation has occurred; if these 8 bits are 00000000, local translation has not occurred.

[0220] Optionally, the method may further include: the UPF network element receives a second data packet, and sends the second data packet and second indication information to the RAN device. The RAN device receives the second data packet and the second indication information from the UPF network element, and determines, based on the second indication information, an AN PDB for a second QoS flow corresponding to the second data packet. The first data packet and the second data packet have the same service type; for example, the first data packet and the second data packet are both timing TSN messages. The first data packet and the second data packet have different uplink and downlink directions, i.e., if the first data packet is an uplink data packet, the second data packet is a downlink data packet, and if the first data packet is a downlink data packet, the second data packet is an uplink data packet. The first QoS flow and the second QoS flow are different, i.e., the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow are different QoS flows, i.e., they are not the same QoS flow. Therefore, the uplink data packet and the downlink data packet can be transmitted via different QoS flows. If the uplink data packet and the downlink data packet are transmitted via different QoS flows, after receiving the data packet, the RAN device may determine whether the data packet is an uplink / downlink data packet based on the indication information. If the data packet is an uplink data packet, the AN PDB with a smaller absolute value may be assigned to the QoS flow corresponding to the data packet, and if the data packet is a downlink data packet, the AN PDB with a larger absolute value may be assigned to the QoS flow corresponding to the data packet. For example, a 10 ms AN PDB may be assigned to the QoS flow corresponding to the downlink data packet, and a 5 ms AN PDB may be assigned to the QoS flow corresponding to the uplink data packet.

[0221] The above method may also include: the UPF network element receives the third data packet. Step 702 may include: sending the first data packet, the third data packet, the first indication information and the third indication information to the access network device. The RAN device receiving the first data packet and the first indication information from the UPF network element may include: the RAN device receiving the first data packet, the third data packet, the first indication information and the third indication information from the UPF network element. Step 703 may include: determining the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet and the third data packet based on the first indication information and the third indication information. It can be seen that uplink data packets and downlink data packets can be transmitted through the same QoS flow. Specifically, the types of two or more data packets transmitted through the same QoS flow can be determined first, that is, it can be determined whether each data packet among all data packets transmitted through the same QoS flow is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, and then the AN PDB of this QoS flow is determined based on the type of the data packet transmitted through this QoS flow. When the first indication information indicates that the first data packet is an uplink data packet and the third indication information indicates that the third data packet is a downlink data packet, or when the first indication information indicates that the first data packet is a downlink data packet and the third indication information indicates that the third data packet is an uplink data packet, this indicates that the uplink data packet and the downlink data packet are transmitted simultaneously via the same QoS flow. An AN PDB with a smaller absolute value can be determined for the AN PDBs of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first and third data packets. Because the path of the uplink data packet is longer than the path of the downlink data packet, to ensure that the residence time of the uplink data packet in the 5GS meets the requirements, when the uplink data packet and the downlink data packet are transmitted via the same QoS flow, the AN PDB of this QoS flow is determined based on the determination method of the QoS flow corresponding to the uplink data packet. That is, the AN PDB with a smaller absolute value is assigned to the QoS flow corresponding to the data packet. This ensures that the path with the longest path meets the requirements, that is, that the time-sensitive path meets the requirements, and that the data packets in the QoS flow that traverse two (or more) hops over the air interface meet the packet delay budget of the air interface, thereby ensuring that all data packets transmitted through the QoS flow meet the requirements. Because the more hops a packet takes across the air interface, the longer its latency increases, so if the PDB for packets that have traversed two (or more) air hops is satisfied, the PDB for packets that have traversed one air hop is also satisfied. For example, if the PDB for uplink packets in a QoS flow is 5ms and the PDB for downlink packets is 10ms, a 5ms PDB is assigned to this QoS flow.

[0222] Optionally, when the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet, step 704 may include: the RAN device determining the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the UE, the AN PDB of the third QoS flow, the CN PDB of the third QoS flow, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element, and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow. The third QoS flow is the uplink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet.

[0223] like Figure 8As shown, when the TSN master clock connected to UE1 synchronizes time with the slave clock connected to UE2, the data packet transmission path can be UE1-RAN device-UPF network element-RAN device-UE2. The data packet can be transmitted between UE1 and the UPF network element via an uplink QoS flow, and between the UPF network element and UE2 via a downlink QoS flow. It can be seen that uplink data packets that undergo local conversion at the UPF network element are transmitted within the 5GS via two QoS flows. As can be seen from the above, the 5GS can serve as a transparent clock in TSN, and the standard specifies an upper limit on the time a data packet can reside in the 5GS. Therefore, after receiving a first data packet from the UPF network element, the RAN device can determine the AN PDB for the downlink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on the time the first data packet resides in UE1, UE2, the RAN device, and the UPF network element, the PDBs for the uplink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet (including the AN PDB and CN PDB), and the CN PDB for the downlink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet. When the DS-TT is 5GS, after the RAN device receives a first data packet from the UPF network element, it can determine the AN PDB for the downlink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on one or more of the first data packet's residence time in the DS-TT, UE1, UE2, the RAN device, and the UPF network element, the PDB (including the AN PDB and CN PDB) for the uplink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, and the CN PDB for the downlink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet. The residence time in the DS-TT can include the residence time in the DS-TT connected to UE1 and the residence time in the DS-TT connected to UE2. When determining the AN PDB for the downlink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, the aforementioned upper limit value can also be used. The residence time in the RAN device can include the residence time in the RAN device during the UE1-RAN device-UPF network element process, as well as the residence time in the RAN device during the UPF network element-RAN device-UE2 process. If UE1 and UE2 are connected to different UPF network elements, the residence time in the UPF network element can include the residence time in the two UPF network elements and the transmission time between the two UPF network elements.

[0224] Optionally, in the case where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, step 704 may include: the RAN device may determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the NW-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element, the residence time of the first data packet in the UE, and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow.

[0225] like Figure 8 As shown, when the TSN master clock connected to the UPF network element synchronizes time with the TSN slave clock connected to UE2, the data packet transmission path can be UPF network element-RAN device-UE2. Therefore, after the RAN device receives the first data packet from the UPF network element, it can determine the ANPDB of the downlink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on the residence time of the first data packet in UE2, the RAN device, and the UPF network element, as well as one or more of the CN PDBs of the downlink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet. When the DS-TT and NW-TT belong to 5GS, after the RAN device receives the second data packet from the UPF network element, it can determine the AN PDB of the downlink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on the residence time of the first data packet in UE2, the DS-TT, the NW-TT, the RAN device, and the UPF network element, as well as one or more of the CN PDBs of the downlink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet. When determining the AN PDB of the downlink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, the above-mentioned upper limit value can also be used.

[0226] Alternatively, as Figure 8 As shown, according to existing standards, the PDB of the uplink QoS flow includes the transmission time from UE1 to the UPF network element (i.e., including AN PDB and CN PDB), and the PDB of the downlink QoS flow includes the transmission time from the UPF network element to UE2 (i.e., including AN PDB and CN PDB). The above embodiment takes this method as an example. In fact, when defining the PDB, in addition to the above parts, other parts of time may also be included. Specifically, the PDB of the uplink QoS flow may include any combination of one or more of the stay time of the data packet in the DS-TT, the stay time in UE1, the transmission time from UE1 to the UPF network element, and the uplink processing time of the data packet by the UPF network element. The PDB of the downlink QoS flow may include any combination of one or more of the downlink processing time of the data packet by the UPF network element, the transmission time from UPF to UE2, the stay time in UE2, and the stay time in the DS-TT. For example, a PDB definition can be: the PDB of the uplink QoS flow can include the data packet's residence time in UE1, the transmission time from UE1 to UPF, and the uplink processing time of the data packet by the UPF network element; the PDB of the downlink QoS flow can include the downlink processing time of the data packet by the UPF network element, the transmission time from UPF to UE2, and the residence time in UE2. Under this PDB definition, 5GS needs to ensure that the sum of the data packet's DS-TT residence time in UE1, the DS-TT residence time in UE2, the PDB of QoS flow 1, and the PDB of QoS flow 2 is less than or equal to R th .

[0227] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 13 , Figure 13 It is a flowchart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. The steps performed by the UE below can also be performed by a module (e.g., a chip) in the UE, the steps performed by the RAN device below can also be performed by a module (e.g., a chip) in the RAN device, and the steps performed by the AMF network element below can also be performed by a module (e.g., a chip) in the AMF network element. The method can be applied to downlink timing scenarios and / or uplink timing scenarios. The communication method is to solve the problem that the synchronization error between the TSN master clock and the TSN slave clock cannot meet the requirements. Figure 13 As shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0228] 1301. The AMF network element sends time synchronization information to the RAN device.

[0229] The AMF network element can send time synchronization information to the RAN device in real time or periodically. It can also send time synchronization information to the RAN device when the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface needs to be adjusted. The AMF network element can send the time synchronization information to the RAN device in a message, for example, in an N2 message. It can also be sent directly to the RAN device.

[0230] Accordingly, the RAN device receives time synchronization information from the AMF network element.

[0231] 1302. The RAN device adjusts the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface according to the time synchronization information.

[0232] After receiving the time synchronization information from the AMF network element, the RAN device can adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface based on the time synchronization information. This can be done to improve or reduce the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface.

[0233] Optionally, the time synchronization information may be the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the RAN device, or the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the UPF network element, or the time synchronization accuracy between the access network device and the UPF network element.

[0234] See also Figure 14 , Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of downlink timing synchronization information disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 14 As shown in the figure, T1 is the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the UPF network element, T2 is the time synchronization accuracy between the RAN equipment and the UPF network element, and T3 is the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the RAN equipment. The time synchronization information can be T3 or T1 and T2. Among them, T1 = T2 + T3.

[0235] Optionally, step 1302 may include: if the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the RAN device corresponding to the time synchronization information is greater than a threshold, adjusting the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface.

[0236] After the RAN device receives the time synchronization information from the AMF network element, if the time synchronization information is the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the RAN device, it can determine whether the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the RAN device is greater than a threshold. If it is determined to be greater than the threshold, the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface can be adjusted, that is, the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface can be improved. If it is determined to be less than or equal to the threshold, the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface can be adjusted, that is, the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface can be reduced, or the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface can be kept unchanged. If the time synchronization information is the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the UPF network element and the time synchronization accuracy between the access network device and the UPF network element, the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the RAN device can be first calculated based on the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the UPF network element and the time synchronization accuracy between the access network device and the UPF network element, and then it can be determined whether the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the RAN device is greater than the threshold.

[0237] Optionally, the RAN device adjusting the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface may include: the RAN device may send instruction information for adjusting the time synchronization accuracy to the UE, where the instruction information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface. Specifically, the RAN device may send instruction information for improving the time synchronization accuracy to the UE, where the instruction information is used by the UE to improve the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface; and may also send instruction information for reducing the time synchronization accuracy to the UE, where the instruction information is used by the UE to reduce the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface.

[0238] Optionally, the instruction information for the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface may include: the instruction information for the UE to perform air interface delay compensation or adjust the granularity of the TA. Specifically, the instruction information for the UE to improve the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface may include: the instruction information for the UE to perform air interface delay compensation or reduce the granularity of the TA. The instruction information for the UE to reduce the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface may include: the instruction information for the UE to perform air interface delay compensation or increase the granularity of the TA.

[0239] RAN equipment can be separated into central units (CU) and distributed units (DU), or it can be centralized. Figure 15 , Figure 15 This is a flow chart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15As shown, after the CU receives the time synchronization information from the AMF network element, it can determine whether it is necessary to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface based on the time synchronization information, and then send the result to the DU, or directly forward the time synchronization information to the DU. The CU can put the information to be sent in the F1 access point (AP) message and send it to the DU through the F1 interface. For example, the information can be sent in the newly added indication field uplink (UL) synchronization indication (UL sync indication) in the UE context establishment request (UECONTEXT SETUP REQUEST) message in the UE context setup (UE context setup) process, the UE context modification request (UECONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUEST) message in the UE context modification (UE context modification) process, or the UE context modification confirmation (UE CONTEXT MODIFICATIONCONFIRM) message in the UE context modification request (UE context modification required) process. Please refer to Figure 16 , Figure 16 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an F1-U interface message disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 16 As shown, the bits originally reserved for UL synchronization indication in the F1-U interface message can be used to send the above information. In the case where the indication information sent by the CU to the DU is for adjusting the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface, if this field exists, it means that the CU indicates to the DU that the UE needs to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface; if this field does not exist, it means that no adjustment is required. In the case where the information sent by the CU to the DU is time synchronization information, different values ​​of the time synchronization information can be represented by different values ​​of this field. In addition, the CU can also store the time synchronization information for subsequent calls, for example, to perform air interface accuracy budgeting in order to reserve sufficient time synchronization accuracy between the RAN device and the UPF network element. After receiving the information from the CU, the DU can determine whether it is necessary to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface based on the received information. After determining to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface, the indication information can be sent to the UE. After receiving the indication information from the DU, the UE can adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface based on the indication information.

[0240] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 17 , Figure 17It is a flow chart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Among them, the steps executed by the UE below can also be executed by a module (for example, a chip) in the UE, the steps executed by the RAN device below can also be executed by a module (for example, a chip) in the RAN device, and the steps executed by the AMF network element below can also be executed by a module (for example, a chip) in the AMF network element. Among them, this method can be applied to downlink timing scenarios and uplink timing scenarios. Among them, this communication method is to solve the problem that the synchronization error between the TSN master clock and the TSN slave clock cannot meet the requirements. As Figure 17 As shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0241] 1701. The UE sends time synchronization information to the RAN device.

[0242] The UE can send time synchronization information to the RAN device in real time or periodically, or when the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface needs to be adjusted. The UE network element can send the time synchronization information to the RAN device by including it in a message or directly sending it to the RAN device.

[0243] Accordingly, the RAN device receives time synchronization information from the UE.

[0244] 1702. The RAN device adjusts the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface according to the time synchronization information.

[0245] After receiving the time synchronization information from the UE, the RAN device can adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface according to the time synchronization information. This can be done by improving the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface or reducing the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface. Figure 18 , Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of another uplink timing disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 18 As shown, uplink timing can be from the TSN master clock to the UPF network element, or from the TSN master clock to TSN slave clock 2. The adjustment here is for the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface. The accuracy error of air interface time synchronization accuracy is caused by the clock drift between the master clock of the RAN equipment and the slave clock of the UE. Therefore, only the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and RAN equipment needs to be discussed, and the time synchronization accuracy between the RAN equipment and the UPF network element does not need to be considered. In addition, the difference between the time drift T1 and T2 occurring on the air interface during uplink and downlink can be ignored.

[0246] Optionally, the time synchronization information may be the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the access network device.

[0247] Optionally, step 1702 may include: when the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the access network device corresponding to the time synchronization information is greater than a threshold, adjusting the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface.

[0248] After receiving time synchronization information from the UE, the RAN device can determine whether the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the RAN device is greater than a threshold based on the time synchronization accuracy. If the time synchronization accuracy is greater than the threshold, the air interface time synchronization accuracy can be adjusted to improve the air interface time synchronization accuracy. If the time synchronization accuracy is less than or equal to the threshold, the air interface time synchronization accuracy can be adjusted to reduce the air interface time synchronization accuracy, or the air interface time synchronization accuracy can be maintained unchanged.

[0249] Optionally, the RAN device adjusting the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface may include: the RAN device sending, to the UE, instruction information for adjusting the time synchronization accuracy, where the instruction information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface. Specifically, the RAN device sending, to the UE, instruction information for improving the time synchronization accuracy, where the instruction information is used by the UE to improve the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface. The RAN device sending, to the UE, instruction information for reducing the time synchronization accuracy, where the instruction information is used by the UE to reduce the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface.

[0250] Optionally, the instruction information for the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface may include: the instruction information for the UE to perform air interface delay compensation or adjust the granularity of the TA. Specifically, the instruction information for the UE to improve the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface may include: the instruction information for the UE to perform air interface delay compensation or reduce the granularity of the TA. The instruction information for the UE to reduce the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface may include: the instruction information for the UE to perform air interface delay compensation or increase the granularity of the TA.

[0251] Optionally, the above method may further include: the RAN device sending time synchronization information to the AMF network element.

[0252] After the RAN device receives the time synchronization information from the UE, it can send the time synchronization information to the AMF network element. After the AMF network element receives the time synchronization information from the RAN device, it can store the time synchronization information so that it can subsequently use the time synchronization information to determine a reasonable time accuracy budget between the UPF network element and the RAN device, thereby reserving sufficient budget for the air interface.

[0253] Optionally, before step 1701, the method may further include: the RAN receiving an accuracy error of the DS-TT from the DS-TT, and determining time synchronization information according to the accuracy error.

[0254] A UE may be connected to multiple DS-TTs. The TSN domain accuracy errors (i.e., DS-TT accuracy errors) corresponding to different DS-TTs may be different. Therefore, multiple DS-TTs connected to the UE can report the accuracy errors of different TSN domains. After receiving the DS-TT accuracy error from the DS-TT, the UE can determine time synchronization information based on the accuracy error.

[0255] In the case of separation of CU and DU of RAN equipment, please refer to Figure 19 , Figure 19 This is a flow chart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 19 As shown, the DS-TT can send the DS-TT accuracy error to the UE. After receiving the DS-TT accuracy error from the DS-TT, the UE can determine time synchronization information based on the DS-TT accuracy error and send the time synchronization information to the DU. After receiving the time synchronization information from the UE, the DU can determine the need to adjust the time synchronization accuracy based on the synchronization time information and send an indication to the UE. In addition, the time synchronization information can also be sent to the AMF network element. After receiving the indication information, the UE can adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface based on the indication information.

[0256] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 20 , Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 20 As shown, the communication device may include:

[0257] The receiving unit 2001 is configured to receive a first data packet;

[0258] The sending unit 2002 is used to send a first data packet and a first indication information to the access network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, and the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet.

[0259] In one embodiment, when the first data packet is a data packet from the access network device, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet;

[0260] In a case where the first data packet is a data packet from a TSN application server, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet.

[0261] In one embodiment, when the first data packet is a data packet received by the first port, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet;

[0262] In the case where the first data packet is a data packet received by the second port, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, and the first port and the second port are different ports on the UPF network element.

[0263] In one embodiment, the first indication information includes a GTP-U header.

[0264] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 2001 is further configured to receive a second data packet, the first data packet and the second data packet have the same service type, and the first data packet and the second data packet have different uplink and downlink information;

[0265] The sending unit 2002 is also used to send a second data packet and a second indication information to the access network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the second data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet. The second indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the second QoS flow corresponding to the second data packet, and the first QoS flow is different from the second QoS flow.

[0266] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 2001 is further configured to receive a third data packet, wherein the first data packet and the third data packet have the same service type, and the uplink and downlink of the first data packet and the third data packet are different;

[0267] The sending unit 2002 sends the first data packet and the first indication information to the access network device, including:

[0268] Sending a first data packet, a third data packet, first indication information, and third indication information to the access network device, where the third indication information is used to indicate whether the third data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet;

[0269] The first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, and includes:

[0270] The first indication information and the third indication information are used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet and the third data packet.

[0271] In one embodiment, when the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet, the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, including:

[0272] The first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the ANPDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the UE, the AN PDB of the third QoS flow, the CN PDB of the third QoS flow, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element, and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow, where the third QoS flow is the uplink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet.

[0273] In one embodiment, when the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, including:

[0274] The first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the NW-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element, the residence time of the first data packet in the UE and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow.

[0275] For a more detailed description of the receiving unit 2001 and the sending unit 2002, please refer to the above Figure 7 The relevant description of the UPF network element in the method embodiment shown is directly obtained and will not be repeated here.

[0276] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 21 , Figure 21 FIG is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 21 As shown, the communication device may include:

[0277] The receiving unit 2101 is configured to receive a first data packet and first indication information from a UPF network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate whether the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet;

[0278] The determining unit 2102 is configured to determine the ANPDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet according to the first indication information.

[0279] In one embodiment, when the first data packet is a data packet from an access network device, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet; when the first data packet is a data packet from a TSN application server, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet.

[0280] In one embodiment, when the first data packet is a data packet received by the first port, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet;

[0281] In the case where the first data packet is a data packet received by the second port, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, and the first port and the second port are different ports on the UPF network element.

[0282] In one embodiment, the first indication information includes a GTP-U header.

[0283] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 2101 is further configured to receive a second data packet and second indication information from a UPF network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the second data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, the first data packet and the second data packet have the same service type, and the uplink and downlink of the first data packet are different from those of the second data packet;

[0284] The determining unit 2102 is further configured to determine, according to the second indication information, an ANPDB of a second QoS flow corresponding to the second data packet, where the first QoS flow is different from the second QoS flow.

[0285] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 2101 is specifically configured to receive a first data packet, a third data packet, first indication information, and third indication information from a UPF network element, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the third data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, the first data packet and the third data packet have the same service type, and the uplink and downlink of the first data packet and the third data packet are different;

[0286] The determining unit 2102 is specifically configured to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet and the third data packet according to the first indication information and the third indication information.

[0287] In one embodiment, when the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet, the determining unit 2102 determines the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet according to the first indication information, including:

[0288] According to one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the UE, the AN PDB of the third QoS flow, the CN PDB of the third QoS flow, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element and the CNPDB of the first QoS flow, the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet is determined, and the third QoS flow is the uplink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet.

[0289] In one embodiment, when the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, the determining unit 2102 determines the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet according to the first indication information, including:

[0290] Determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the NW-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element, the residence time of the first data packet in the UE and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow.

[0291] For a more detailed description of the receiving unit 2101 and the determining unit 2102, please refer to the above Figure 7 The relevant description of the RAN device in the illustrated method embodiment is directly obtained and will not be repeated here.

[0292] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 22 , Figure 22 This is a structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 22 As shown, the communication device may include:

[0293] Receiving unit 2201, configured to receive time synchronization information;

[0294] The adjusting unit 2202 is configured to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface according to the time synchronization information.

[0295] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 2201 is specifically used to receive time synchronization information from the AMF network element.

[0296] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 2201 is specifically configured to receive time synchronization information from a UE.

[0297] In one embodiment, the time synchronization information may be:

[0298] The time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the access network equipment; or

[0299] The time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the UPF network element, as well as the time synchronization accuracy between the access network equipment and the UPF network element.

[0300] In one embodiment, the adjusting unit 2202 is specifically configured to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface when the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the access network device corresponding to the time synchronization information is greater than a threshold.

[0301] In one embodiment, the adjusting unit 2202 adjusts the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface including:

[0302] The instruction information for adjusting the time synchronization accuracy is sent to the UE, where the instruction information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface.

[0303] In one embodiment, the indication information used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface includes:

[0304] The indication information is used by the UE to perform air interface delay compensation or adjust the granularity of the TA.

[0305] In one embodiment, the communication device may further include:

[0306] The sending unit 2203 is used to send time synchronization information to the AMF network element.

[0307] For a more detailed description of the receiving unit 2201, the adjusting unit 2202 and the sending unit 2203, please refer to the above Figure 13 or Figure 17 The relevant description of the RAN device in the illustrated method embodiment is directly obtained and will not be repeated here.

[0308] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 23 , Figure 23 This is a structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 23 As shown, the communication device may include:

[0309] The sending unit 2301 is configured to send time synchronization information to an access network device, where the time synchronization information is used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of an air interface.

[0310] In one embodiment, the time synchronization information may be:

[0311] The time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the access network equipment; or

[0312] The time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the UPF network element, as well as the time synchronization accuracy between the access network equipment and the UPF network element.

[0313] In one embodiment, the time synchronization information used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface includes:

[0314] The time synchronization information is used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface when the time synchronization accuracy between the UE corresponding to the time synchronization information and the access network device is greater than a threshold.

[0315] In one embodiment, the access network device adjusts the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface including:

[0316] The access network device sends instruction information for adjusting time synchronization accuracy to the UE, where the instruction information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface.

[0317] In one embodiment, the indication information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface, including: the indication information is used by the UE to perform air interface delay compensation or adjust the granularity of the TA.

[0318] For a more detailed description of the sending unit 2301, please refer to the above Figure 13 The relevant description of the AMF network element in the method embodiment shown is directly obtained and will not be repeated here.

[0319] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 24 , Figure 24 This is a structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 24 As shown, the communication device may include:

[0320] The sending unit 2401 is configured to send time synchronization information to the access network device. The time synchronization information is used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface.

[0321] In one embodiment, the time synchronization information is the time synchronization accuracy between the UE and the access network device.

[0322] In one embodiment, the time synchronization information used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface includes:

[0323] The time synchronization information is used by the access network device to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface when the time synchronization accuracy between the UE corresponding to the time synchronization information and the access network device is greater than a threshold.

[0324] In one embodiment, the access network device adjusts the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface including:

[0325] The access network device sends instruction information for adjusting time synchronization accuracy to the UE, where the instruction information is used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface.

[0326] In one embodiment, the indication information used by the UE to adjust the time synchronization accuracy of the air interface includes:

[0327] The indication information is used by the UE to perform air interface delay compensation or adjust the granularity of the TA.

[0328] In one embodiment, the communication device may further include:

[0329] The receiving unit 2402 is configured to receive the accuracy error of the DS-TT from the DS-TT;

[0330] The determining unit 2403 is configured to determine the time synchronization information according to the precision error.

[0331] For a more detailed description of the sending unit 2401, the receiving unit 2402 and the determining unit 2403, please refer to the above Figure 17 The relevant description of the UE in the method embodiment shown is directly obtained and will not be repeated here.

[0332] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 25 , Figure 25 This is a structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 25 As shown, the communication device may include a processor 2501, a memory 2502, an input interface 2503, an output interface 2504, and a bus 2505. The processor 2501 may be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), multiple CPUs, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the present invention. The memory 2502 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), 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 can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory 2502 may exist independently and may be connected to the processor 2501 via a bus 2505. The memory 2502 may also be integrated with the processor 2501. The bus 2505 is used to implement connections between these components.

[0333] In one embodiment, the communication device may be a UPF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in the UPF network element. When the computer program instructions stored in the memory 2502 are executed, the processor 2501 is used to control the receiving unit 2001 and the sending unit 2002 to perform the operations performed in the above embodiment. The input interface 2503 is used to perform the operations performed by the receiving unit 2001 in the above embodiment, and the output interface 2504 is used to perform the operations performed by the sending unit 2002 in the above embodiment. The above-mentioned UPF network element or the module in the UPF network element can also be used to perform the above-mentioned Figure 7 The various methods performed by the UPF network element in the method embodiment shown are not described in detail.

[0334] In one embodiment, the communication device may be an access network device or a module (e.g., a chip) in the access network device. When the computer program instructions stored in the memory 2502 are executed, the processor 2501 is used to control the receiving unit 2101 to perform the operations performed in the above embodiment. The processor 2501 is also used to execute the operations performed by the determining unit 2102 in the above embodiment. The input interface 2503 is used to execute the operations performed by the receiving unit 2101 in the above embodiment. The output interface 2504 is used to send information to other communication devices. The above access network device or the module in the access network device can also be used to perform the above Figure 7 The various methods performed by the RAN device in the method embodiment shown are not described in detail.

[0335] In one embodiment, the communication device may be an access network device or a module (e.g., a chip) in the access network device. When the computer program instructions stored in the memory 2502 are executed, the processor 2501 is used to control the receiving unit 2201 and the sending unit 2203 to perform the operations performed in the above embodiment. The processor 2501 is also used to perform the operations performed by the adjustment unit 2202 in the above embodiment. The input interface 2503 is used to perform the operations performed by the receiving unit 2201 in the above embodiment. The output interface 2504 is used to perform the operations performed by the sending unit 2203 in the above embodiment. The above access network device or the module in the access network device may also be used to perform the above Figure 13 or Figure 17 The various methods performed by the RAN device in the method embodiment shown are not described in detail.

[0336] In one embodiment, the communication device may be an AMF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in the AMF network element. When the computer program instructions stored in the memory 2502 are executed, the processor 2501 is used to control the sending unit 2301 to perform the operations performed in the above embodiment, the input interface 2503 is used to receive information from other communication devices, and the output interface 2504 is used to perform the operations performed by the sending unit 2301 in the above embodiment. The above-mentioned AMF network element or module in the AMF network element can also be used to perform the above-mentioned Figure 13 The various methods performed by the AMF network element in the method embodiment shown are not repeated here.

[0337] In one embodiment, the communication device may be a UE or a module (e.g., a chip) in the UE. When the computer program instructions stored in the memory 2502 are executed, the processor 2501 is used to control the sending unit 2401 and the receiving unit 2402 to perform the operations performed in the above embodiment. The processor 2501 is also used to execute the operations performed by the determination unit 2403 in the above embodiment. The input interface 2503 is used to execute the operations performed by the receiving unit 2402 in the above embodiment, and the output interface 2504 is used to execute the operations performed by the sending unit 2401 in the above embodiment. The above UE or the module in the UE may also be used to perform the above Figure 17 The various methods executed by the UE in the method embodiment shown are not described in detail again.

[0338] See also Figure 26 , Figure 26 This is a structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 26 As shown, the communication device may include an input interface 2601, a logic circuit 2602, and an output interface 2603. The input interface 2601 and the output interface 2603 are connected via the logic circuit 2602. The input interface 2601 is used to receive information from other communication devices, and the output interface 2603 is used to output, schedule, or send information to other communication devices. The logic circuit 2602 is used to perform operations other than those of the input interface 2601 and the output interface 2603, such as implementing the functions implemented by the processor 2501 in the above-described embodiment. The communication device may be a terminal device or a module in a terminal device, or a network device or a module in a network device. A more detailed description of the input interface 2601, the logic circuit 2602, and the output interface 2603 can be directly obtained by referring to the relevant descriptions of the UPF network element or a module in the UPF network element, the RAN device or a module in the RAN device, the AMF network element or a module in the AMF network element, and the UE or a module in the UE in the above-described method embodiments, and is not repeated here.

[0339] An embodiment of the present invention further discloses a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed, the method in the above method embodiment is executed.

[0340] The embodiment of the present invention further discloses a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed, execute the method in the above method embodiment.

[0341] The embodiment of the present invention also discloses a communication system, which may include a UPF network element and a RAN device. For detailed description, please refer to Figure 7 The communication method shown.

[0342] The embodiment of the present invention also discloses a communication system, which may include an AMF network element and a RAN device. For detailed description, please refer to Figure 13 The communication method shown.

[0343] The embodiment of the present invention also discloses a communication system, which may include a UE and a RAN device. For a detailed description, please refer to Figure 17 The communication method shown.

[0344] The specific implementation methods described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solutions and beneficial effects of this application. It should be understood that the above description is only the specific implementation methods of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made on the basis of the technical solutions of this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to user plane function (UPF) network elements, including: receiving a first data packet; The first data packet and first indication information are sent to the access network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, and the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the access network AN packet delay budget PDB of the first quality of service QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, and the first indication information includes the user plane part GTP-U header of the General Packet Radio System Tunneling Protocol.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that In a case where the first data packet is a data packet from an access network device, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet; In a case where the first data packet is a data packet from a delay-sensitive network TSN application server, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a second data packet, where the first data packet and the second data packet have the same service type, and the uplink and downlink of the first data packet and the second data packet are different; The second data packet and the second indication information are sent to the access network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the second data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, and the second indication information is used by the access network device to determine the ANPDB of the second QoS flow corresponding to the second data packet, and the first QoS flow is different from the second QoS flow.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a third data packet, where the first data packet and the third data packet have the same service type, and the uplink and downlink of the first data packet and the third data packet are different; The sending the first data packet and the first indication information to the access network device includes: Sending the first data packet, the third data packet, first indication information, and third indication information to the access network device, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the third data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet; The first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the ANPDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, including: The first indication information and the third indication information are used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet and the third data packet.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that When the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet, the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine an AN PDB for a first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, including: The first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the device-side TSN adapter DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the user equipment UE, the AN PDB of the third QoS flow, the core network CN PDB of the third QoS flow, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element and the CNPDB of the first QoS flow, where the third QoS flow is the uplink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that When the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, including: The first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the network side TSN adapter NW-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element, the residence time of the first data packet in the UE and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow.

7. A communication method, characterized in that: Applicable to access network equipment, including: receiving a first data packet and first indication information from a user plane function (UPF) network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet; An access network AN packet delay budget PDB of a first quality of service QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet is determined according to the first indication information, where the first indication information includes a General Packet Radio System Tunneling Protocol user plane part GTP-U header.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that In a case where the first data packet is a data packet from an access network device, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet; In a case where the first data packet is a data packet from a delay-sensitive network TSN application server, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a second data packet and second indication information from the UPF network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the second data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, the first data packet and the second data packet have the same service type, and the uplink and downlink of the first data packet and the second data packet are different; An ANPDB of a second QoS flow corresponding to the second data packet is determined according to the second indication information, where the first QoS flow is different from the second QoS flow.

10. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The receiving of the first data packet and the first indication information from the UPF network element includes: receiving a first data packet, a third data packet, first indication information, and third indication information from a UPF network element, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the third data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, the first data packet and the third data packet have the same service type, and the uplink and downlink of the first data packet and the third data packet are different; The determining, according to the first indication information, the AN PDB for the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet includes: An AN PDB of a first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet and the third data packet is determined according to the first indication information and the third indication information.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that: In a case where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet, determining the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet according to the first indication information includes: According to one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the device-side TSN adapter DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the user equipment UE, the AN PDB of the third QoS flow, the core network CN PDB of the third QoS flow, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow, the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet is determined, and the third QoS flow is the uplink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that: In a case where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, determining the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet according to the first indication information includes: Determine the ANPDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the network side TSN adapter NW-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element, the residence time of the first data packet in the UE and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow.

13. A communication device, characterized in that: Applied to user plane function (UPF) network elements, including: A receiving unit, configured to receive a first data packet; A sending unit is used to send the first data packet and first indication information to an access network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, and the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the access network AN packet delay budget PDB of the first quality of service QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, and the first indication information includes a general packet radio system tunneling protocol user plane part GTP-U header.

14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that In a case where the first data packet is a data packet from an access network device, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet; In a case where the first data packet is a data packet from a TSN application server, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet.

15. The device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The receiving unit is further configured to receive a second data packet, wherein the first data packet and the second data packet have the same service type, and the uplink and downlink of the first data packet and the second data packet are different; The sending unit is also used to send the second data packet and second indication information to the access network device, the second indication information is used to indicate that the second data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, and the second indication information is used by the access network device to determine the ANPDB of the second QoS flow corresponding to the second data packet, and the first QoS flow is different from the second QoS flow.

16. The device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The receiving unit is further configured to receive a third data packet, wherein the first data packet and the third data packet have the same service type, and the uplink and downlink of the first data packet and the third data packet are different; The sending unit sending the first data packet and the first indication information to the access network device includes: Sending the first data packet, the third data packet, first indication information, and third indication information to the access network device, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the third data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet; The first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the ANPDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, including: The first indication information and the third indication information are used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet and the third data packet.

17. The device according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that When the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet, the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine an AN PDB for a first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, including: The first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the device-side TSN adapter DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the user equipment UE, the AN PDB of the third QoS flow, the core network CN PDB of the third QoS flow, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element and the CNPDB of the first QoS flow, where the third QoS flow is the uplink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet.

18. The device according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that When the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, the first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet, including: The first indication information is used by the access network device to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the network side TSN adapter NW-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element, the residence time of the first data packet in the UE and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow.

19. A communication device, characterized in that: Applicable to access network equipment, including: A receiving unit, configured to receive a first data packet and first indication information from a user plane function UPF network element, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet; A determination unit is used to determine the access network AN packet delay budget PDB of the first quality of service QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet according to the first indication information, and the first indication information includes the general packet radio system tunneling protocol user plane part GTP-U header.

20. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that In a case where the first data packet is a data packet from an access network device, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet; In a case where the first data packet is a data packet from a TSN application server, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet.

21. The device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The receiving unit is further configured to receive a second data packet and second indication information from the UPF network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the second data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, the first data packet and the second data packet have the same service type, and the uplink and downlink of the first data packet and the second data packet are different; The determining unit is further configured to determine, according to the second indication information, an ANPDB of a second QoS flow corresponding to the second data packet, where the first QoS flow is different from the second QoS flow.

22. The device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The receiving unit is specifically configured to receive a first data packet, a third data packet, first indication information, and third indication information from a UPF network element, wherein the third indication information is used to indicate that the third data packet is an uplink data packet or a downlink data packet, the first data packet and the third data packet have the same service type, and the uplink and downlink of the first data packet and the third data packet are different; The determining unit is specifically configured to determine the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet and the third data packet according to the first indication information and the third indication information.

23. The device according to any one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that In a case where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is an uplink data packet, the determining unit determining, according to the first indication information, the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet includes: According to one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the device-side TSN adapter DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the user equipment UE, the AN PDB of the third QoS flow, the core network CN PDB of the third QoS flow, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow, the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet is determined, and the third QoS flow is the uplink QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet.

24. The device according to any one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that In a case where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first data packet is a downlink data packet, the determining unit determining, according to the first indication information, the AN PDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet includes: Determine the ANPDB of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data packet based on one or more of the residence time of the first data packet in the DS-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the network side TSN adapter NW-TT, the residence time of the first data packet in the UPF network element, the residence time of the first data packet in the UE and the CN PDB of the first QoS flow.

25. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a processor, a memory, an input interface and an output interface, wherein the input interface is used to receive information from other communication devices outside the communication device, the output interface is used to output information to other communication devices outside the communication device, and the processor calls the computer program stored in the memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or computer instructions, and when the computer program or computer instructions are executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 is implemented.

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