Communication method and device

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and apparatus, relating to the field of communication technology. In the method, a PCF receives a request message from a terminal or a service server, the request message is used to request the establishment of a first QoS flow for the terminal, and the request message includes first indication information for indicating that network coding is to be performed on the first QoS flow. The PCF sends network coding information to the access network device and / or the terminal to which the terminal accesses according to the request message, and the network coding information includes second indication information for indicating that the QoS flow is to be network coded. The method provides a method for applying network coding in a mobile communication network, and the core network can indicate that network coding is to be performed on a certain QoS flow, thereby improving the transmission reliability of the QoS flow while reducing the data transmission delay.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0002] The fundamental concept of network coding is to allow intermediate network nodes (such as access network equipment and user plane functions (UPFs)) to participate in encoding and decoding. Network coding integrates the concepts of coding and routing. By allowing information from different links to be encoded and combined, network intermediate nodes can perform both routing and coding functions. Network coding improves data transmission reliability, avoiding issues such as unreliable transmission delays and reduced throughput caused by data retransmissions due to packet loss.

[0003] Currently, network coding can be performed between two point-to-point devices. The method and type of network coding used can be determined through negotiation between the two devices. Network coding has certain application value for real-time media services that require high data transmission reliability and bandwidth, improving data transmission reliability and throughput. However, how to apply network coding in mobile communication networks remains an urgent issue. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus for improving the reliability and throughput of data transmission through network coding.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] In the first aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: a PCF receives request information from a terminal or a service server, and sends network coding information to an access network device and / or the terminal to which the terminal accesses according to the request information. The service server is a service server for the service corresponding to the first QoS flow, and the request information is used to request the establishment of a first QoS flow for the terminal. The request information includes first indication information for indicating that network coding is to be performed on the first QoS flow, and the network coding information includes second indication information for indicating that the QoS flow is to be network coded. The method provided in the first aspect provides a method for applying network coding in a mobile communication network, and the core network can indicate that network coding is to be performed on a certain QoS flow, thereby improving the transmission reliability of the QoS flow while reducing the data transmission delay.

[0007] In one possible implementation, the request information further includes one or more of the following information: information about the type of network coding to be performed on the first QoS flow, and protocol layer information for implementing the type of network coding to be performed on the first QoS flow. In this possible implementation, the request information may be used to select parameters related to the network coding to be used by the terminal.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the request information received by the PCF comes from a service server and includes one or more of the following information: terminal address information, service server address information, and terminal identifier. In this possible implementation, the information included in the request information can be used for subsequent transmission of downlink service data.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the network coding information further includes one or more of the following information: information about the type of network coding to be performed on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information, and protocol layer information for implementing the type of network coding to be performed on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information. This possible implementation can further enable the terminal and the access network device to determine relevant parameters for the network coding.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the PCF determining network coding information; if the PCF determines to perform network coding on the first QoS flow, the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information is the first QoS flow; or, if the PCF determines not to perform network coding on the first QoS flow, the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information is the second QoS flow. In this possible implementation, when it is determined not to perform network coding on the first QoS flow, it is determined to establish the second QoS flow, thereby ensuring normal operation of the service.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the PCF determines the network coding information, including: the PCF determining the network coding information based on the network coding capabilities of the terminal and the access network device. In this possible implementation, the network coding information is determined based on the network coding capabilities of the terminal and the access network device to ensure that the terminal and the access network device can subsequently perform network coding based on the network coding information.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the network coding capability includes one or more of the following information: information on supported network coding types, and protocol layer information for implementing each supported network coding type.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the PCF receiving network coding capabilities from the terminal; and / or the PCF receiving network coding capabilities from the access network device. This possible implementation provides a method for obtaining the network coding capabilities of the terminal and the access network device.

[0014] A second aspect provides a communication method, including: a communication device receiving network coding information from a PCF, the network coding information including second indication information indicating a QoS flow to be network coded, the communication device being a terminal or an access network device; and the communication device performing network coding on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information. The method provided in the second aspect provides a method for applying network coding in a mobile communication network, wherein the core network can indicate that network coding be performed on a QoS flow, thereby improving the transmission reliability of the QoS flow while reducing data transmission latency.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the network coding information further includes one or more of the following information: information about the type of network coding to be performed on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information, and protocol layer information for implementing the type of network coding to be performed on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information; the communication device performing network coding on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information includes: the communication device performing network coding on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information according to the network coding information. This possible implementation can further enable the terminal and the access network device to determine relevant parameters for performing network coding.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the communication device sending the network coding capabilities of the communication device to the PCF, where the network coding capabilities include one or more of the following information: information about supported network coding types, and protocol layer information for implementing each supported network coding type. This possible implementation provides a method for reporting the network coding capabilities of a communication device.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the communication device is a terminal, and the method further includes: the communication device sending a request message for requesting establishment of a first QoS flow for the terminal, the request message including first indication information for indicating that network coding be performed on the first QoS flow. The terminal requests establishment of the QoS flow requiring network coding by sending the request message to the PCF.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the request information further includes one or more of the following information: information about the type of network coding to be performed on the first QoS flow, and protocol layer information for implementing the type of network coding to be performed on the first QoS flow. In this possible implementation, the request information may be used to select parameters related to the network coding to be used by the terminal.

[0019] In a possible implementation manner, the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information is the first QoS flow or the second QoS flow.

[0020] A third aspect provides a communication method, including: a service server generating request information, the request information being used to request establishment of a first QoS flow for the terminal, the request information including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that network coding should be performed on the first QoS flow, the service server being a service server for the service corresponding to the first QoS flow; and the service server sending the request information to a PCF. In the method provided in the third aspect, the service server requests establishment of a QoS flow requiring network coding by sending the request information to the PCF.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the request information further includes one or more of the following information: information about the type of network coding to be performed on the first QoS flow, and protocol layer information for implementing the type of network coding to be performed on the first QoS flow. In this possible implementation, the request information can be used to select parameters related to the network coding to be used by the terminal.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the request message further includes one or more of the following information: address information of the terminal, address information of the service server, and an identifier of the terminal. In this possible implementation, the information included in the request message can be used for transmission of downlink service data in a subsequent process.

[0023] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a communication unit and a processing unit; the communication unit is used to receive request information from a terminal or a service server, the request information is used to request to establish a first QoS flow for the terminal, the request information includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that network coding is to be performed on the first QoS flow; the service server is a service server for the service corresponding to the first QoS flow; the processing unit is used to send network coding information to the access network device accessed by the terminal and / or the terminal through the communication unit according to the request information, the network coding information includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate the QoS flow to be network coded.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the request information further includes one or more of the following information: information on the type of network coding for the first QoS flow, and protocol layer information for implementing the type of network coding for the first QoS flow.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the request information received by the communication unit comes from the service server, and the request information further includes one or more of the following information: address information of the terminal, address information of the service server, and identification of the terminal.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the network coding information also includes one or more of the following information: information on the type of network coding for the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information, and protocol layer information for implementing the type of network coding for the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is further used to determine the network coding information; if the processing unit determines to perform network coding on the first QoS flow, the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information is the first QoS flow; or, if the processing unit determines not to perform network coding on the first QoS flow, the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information is the second QoS flow.

[0028] In a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine the network coding information according to the network coding capability of the terminal and the network coding capability of the access network device.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the network coding capability includes one or more of the following information: information on supported network coding types, and protocol layer information for implementing each supported network coding type.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is further configured to receive the network coding capability from the terminal; and / or the communication unit is further configured to receive the network coding capability from the access network device.

[0031] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a communication unit and a processing unit; the communication unit is used to receive network coding information from a PCF, the network coding information includes second indication information, the second indication information is used to indicate a QoS flow to be network coded, and the communication device is a terminal or an access network device; the processing unit is used to perform network coding on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the network coding information also includes one or more of the following information: information on the type of network coding for the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information, and protocol layer information for implementing the type of network coding for the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information; the processing unit is specifically used to: perform network coding on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information according to the network coding information.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the communication unit is further used to send the network coding capability of the communication device to the PCF, where the network coding capability includes one or more of the following information: information on supported network coding types, and protocol layer information for implementing each supported network coding type.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the communication device is the terminal, and the communication unit is further used to send a request message, wherein the request message is used to request to establish a first QoS flow for the terminal, and the request message includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate network coding of the first QoS flow.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the request information further includes one or more of the following information: information on the type of network coding for the first QoS flow, and protocol layer information for implementing the type of network coding for the first QoS flow.

[0036] In a possible implementation manner, the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information is the first QoS flow or the second QoS flow.

[0037] In the sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, including: a processing unit and a communication unit; the processing unit is used to generate request information, the request information is used to request to establish a first QoS flow for the terminal, the request information includes first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate network coding of the first QoS flow, and the communication device is a communication device for the service corresponding to the first QoS flow; the communication unit is used to send the request information to the PCF.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the request information further includes one or more of the following information: information on the type of network coding for the first QoS flow, and protocol layer information for implementing the type of network coding for the first QoS flow.

[0039] In a possible implementation manner, the request information further includes one or more of the following information: address information of the terminal, address information of the communication device, and an identifier of the terminal.

[0040] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor coupled to a memory; the memory storing computer-executable instructions; and the processor executing the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication device implements any one of the methods provided in any one of the first to third aspects. The device may be in the form of a chip.

[0041] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and an interface, wherein the processor is coupled to a memory via the interface, and when the processor executes a computer program or instruction in the memory, any one of the methods provided in any one of the first to third aspects is executed.

[0042] In a ninth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising: one or more of the communication devices provided in the fourth to sixth aspects.

[0043] In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to execute any one of the methods provided in any one of the first to third aspects.

[0044] In an eleventh aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute any one of the methods provided in any one of the first to third aspects.

[0045] In each of the above aspects, the beneficial effects of the communication device, communication system, computer-readable storage medium, and computer program product corresponding to the method can be found in the beneficial effects of the corresponding method, and will not be repeated here. It should be noted that the various possible implementation methods of any of the above aspects can be combined as long as the solutions are not contradictory. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a 5G system network architecture;

[0047] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a PDU session;

[0048] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a PDU session and QoS flow;

[0049] Figure 4 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a QoS flow provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Figure 6A flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Figure 7 A flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Figure 8 A flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " means or. For example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" in this article is simply a description of the association relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more.

[0057] In addition, to facilitate the clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, the words "first" and "second" are used to distinguish between identical or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art will understand that the words "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and the words "first" and "second" do not necessarily mean different.

[0058] Among them, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to the fourth generation (4G) system, various systems based on the evolution of the 4G system, the fifth generation (5G) system, and various systems based on the evolution of the 5G system. Among them, the 4G system can also be called an evolved packet system (EPS). The core network of the 4G system can be called an evolved packet core (EPC), and the access network can be called long-term evolution (LTE). The core network of the 5G system can be called 5GC (5G core), and the access network can be called new radio (NR). For the convenience of description, the following example illustrates the present application by taking the application of the present application to the 5G system as an example. When the present application is applied to a 4G system or other communication system, the network elements involved in the present application can be replaced with network elements with the same or similar functions in the corresponding communication system.

[0059] Figure 1 The following is an example diagram of a network architecture of a 5G system. In this diagram, the 5G system may include: an authentication server function (AUSF) network element, an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a data network (DN), a unified data management (UDM) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, a (radio) access network (RAN) network element, a UPF network element, a terminal, an application function (AF) network element, and a session management function (SMF) network element.

[0060] For the convenience of description, in the following text, (R)AN network element, AMF network element, SMF network element, UDM network element, UPF network element, PCF network element, etc. will be referred to as RAN, AMF, SMF, UDM, UPF, PCF, etc. respectively.

[0061] The 5G system is divided into two parts: the access network and the core network. The access network implements functions related to wireless access and mainly includes the RAN. The core network is responsible for network service control and data transmission. The core network is composed of multiple network elements, including the AMF, SMF, UPF, PCF, and UDM.

[0062] Figure 1 The functions of some network elements in the middle are as follows:

[0063] PCF is responsible for providing policies to AMF and SMF, such as quality of service (QoS) policy and slice selection policy.

[0064] UDM is used to store user data, such as contract information and authentication / authorization information.

[0065] The AF, which can be an application server, can belong to the operator or a third party. It mainly supports interaction with the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) core network to provide services, such as influencing data routing decisions, policy control functions, or providing some third-party services to the network side.

[0066] AMF is mainly responsible for signaling processing, such as terminal registration management, terminal connection management, terminal reachability management, terminal access authorization and access authentication, terminal security functions, terminal mobility management (such as terminal location update, terminal registration network, terminal switching, etc.), network slice selection, SMF selection, terminal registration or deregistration and other functions.

[0067] SMF is mainly responsible for all control plane functions of terminal session management, including UPF selection, control and redirection, Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management, session QoS management, obtaining policy and charging control (PCC) policy from PCF, and establishing, modifying and releasing bearers or sessions.

[0068] The UPF, as the anchor point for protocol data unit (PDU) session connections, is responsible for terminal data packet filtering, data transmission / forwarding, rate control, billing information generation, user plane QoS processing, uplink transmission authentication, transmission level verification, downlink packet caching, and downlink data notification triggering. The UPF can also serve as a branch point for multi-homed PDU sessions. The transmission resources and scheduling functions provided by the UPF to terminals are managed and controlled by the SMF.

[0069] The RAN, consisting of one or more access network devices (also called RAN nodes or network equipment), implements wireless physical layer functions, resource scheduling and radio resource management, radio access control and mobility management, quality of service management, data compression and encryption, and other functions. Access network devices connect to the UPF via the user plane interface N3 to transmit terminal data. Access network devices establish a control plane signaling connection with the AMF via the control plane interface N2 to implement functions such as radio access bearer control.

[0070] Access network equipment can be a base station, wireless fidelity (WiFi) access point (AP), world-wide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) site, etc. Base stations can include various types of base stations, such as macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small cells), relay stations, access points, etc. Specifically, it can be: an AP in a wireless local area network (WLAN), a base transceiver station (BTS) in a global system for mobile communications (GSM) or code division multiple access (CDMA), a base station (NodeB, NB) in wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), an evolved node B (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE, or a relay station or access point, or a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, and the next generation node B (gNB) in the future 5G system or a base station in the future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN) network, etc.

[0071] The terminal can be a wireless terminal or a wired terminal. A wireless terminal can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, a handheld device with wireless connection function, or other processing equipment connected to a wireless modem. The terminal and the access network equipment communicate with each other using a certain air interface technology (such as NR technology or LTE technology). Terminals can also communicate with each other using a certain air interface technology (such as NR technology or LTE technology). The wireless terminal can communicate with one or more core network devices via the access network equipment, such as communicating with AMF, SMF, etc. The wireless terminal can be a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone), a smart phone, a satellite wireless device, a wireless modem card, and a computer with a mobile terminal, for example, a laptop, portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-built-in or vehicle-mounted mobile device, which exchanges voice and / or data with the access network equipment. For example, a wireless terminal may be a personal communication service (PCS) phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), virtual reality (VR) glasses, augmented reality (AR) glasses, a machine-type communication terminal, an Internet of Things (IoT) terminal, or the like. In vehicle-to-vehicle (IoV) communications, a vehicle-mounted communication device is a terminal, and a roadside unit (RSU) can also be considered a terminal. A wireless terminal may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), terminal equipment, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, access point, access terminal, user terminal, user agent, or the like.

[0072] DN refers to the operator network that provides data transmission services to users, such as IP multi-media service (IMS) and the Internet. A terminal accesses the DN by establishing a PDU session from the terminal to the access network device to the UPF and then to the DN.

[0073] It is understandable that except Figure 1 In addition to the functional network elements shown, the network architecture of the 5G network may also include other functional network elements. For example, a network exposure function (NEF) network element may be included between the AF and the PCF, which may be used to exchange internal and external network information. In the embodiments of the present application, a network element may also be referred to as an entity or device.

[0074] It should be noted that Figure 1 The RAN, AMF, SMF, AUSF, UDM, UPF and PCF in the specification are just names, and the names do not limit the network elements themselves. In 5G systems and other future networks, the entities or devices corresponding to these network elements may also have other names, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this. For example, UDM may also be replaced by a home subscriber server (HSS) or a user subscription database (USD) or a database network element, etc., which are uniformly explained here and will not be repeated below.

[0075] In order to make the embodiments of the present application clearer, some concepts involved in the present application are briefly introduced below.

[0076] 1. PDU session, QoS flow

[0077] See also Figure 2 , a PDU session is a connection between a terminal and a DN, used to provide a PDU connection service. Among them, the PDU session type can be an IP connection, an Ethernet connection, or an unstructured data connection. The PDU connection service supported by the core network of the 5G system refers to a service that provides PDU exchange between a terminal and a DN determined by a data network name (DNN). The terminal can initiate the establishment of one or more PDU sessions to connect to the same DN or different DNs. For example, Figure 2 In the example, the terminal initiates the establishment of PDU session 1 and PDU session 2 to connect to the same DN.

[0078] A PDU session can include one or more QoS flows. A QoS flow identity (QFI) is used to identify a QoS flow, and a QoS flow is associated with a QoS profile. Each QoS flow can carry one or more services. For example, Figure 3 As shown in FIG, a PDU session includes three QoS flows, namely QoS flow 1, QoS flow 2, and QoS flow 3. In one QoS flow, the QoS of different services is the same.

[0079] In the current QoS model, for downlink data packets, when the UPF receives a downlink data packet, the UPF will encapsulate the downlink data packets with the same reliability requirements into the same QoS flow according to the packet detection rule filter (PDR filter) pre-configured by the SMF. Multiple QoS flows may exist in one PDU session. The network side will use the same QoS guarantee for data packets belonging to the same QoS flow according to the parameters in the QoS configuration file, such as latency, forwarding priority, packet loss rate, etc. When the access network device receives the downlink QoS flow from the UPF, the access network device will encapsulate several QoS flows into the same radio bearer (RB) according to certain mapping rules. The same RB will enjoy the same air interface side reliability guarantee.

[0080] The transmission process of the uplink data packet is the reverse process of the transmission process of the downlink data packet. You can refer to the transmission process of the downlink data packet for understanding, and will not be repeated here.

[0081] 2. Network Coding

[0082] The basic principle of network coding is: if the sender wants to send n (n is an integer greater than 0) data packets, it can multiply them by a preset matrix to convert the n data packets into n' (n' is an integer greater than n) data packets and send them to the receiver. As long as the receiver receives any n of the n' data packets, it can restore the n data packets that the sender wants to send through the preset matrix without receiving all n' data packets, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission while meeting the data transmission delay.

[0083] Types of network coding include random linear network coding (RLNC), batch sparse coding (BATS), fountain codes, etc.

[0084] The advantages of using network coding for data transmission include: improving network throughput, improving network load balancing, increasing bandwidth utilization, improving reliability, and saving energy consumption of wireless network nodes.

[0085] The above is a brief introduction to several concepts involved in this application.

[0086] The methods provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to extended reality (XR) services, including AR, VR, and mixed reality (MR). In other words, XR is actually a general term that includes at least one of AR, VR, and MR services. AR technology is a technology that cleverly integrates virtual information with the real world. It widely utilizes a variety of technical means such as multimedia, three-dimensional modeling, real-time tracking and registration, intelligent interaction, and sensing. It simulates computer-generated virtual information such as text, images, three-dimensional models, music, and videos and applies them to the real world. The two types of information complement each other, thereby achieving an "enhancement" of the real world. VR technology, also known as spiritual environment technology, integrates computer, electronic information, and simulation technologies. Its basic implementation method is to simulate a virtual environment with a computer to give people a sense of environmental immersion. The virtual scenes created by MR technology can enter real life and recognize the user. For example, through the user's device, the user can measure the scale and orientation of real-life objects by seeing a scene in their eyes. Its most significant feature is that the virtual world and the real world can interact. XR refers to a human-computer interaction environment that combines the real and virtual, created through computer technology and wearable devices. XR builds on the foundations of AR, VR, and MR. XR services aim to leverage high-speed networks and technologies like 360-degree imaging to create an interactive and immersive experience. XR services are new services supported by 5G systems and are used in consumer entertainment, education, and healthcare applications. They can also be applied to vertical industry scenarios such as industrial manufacturing and engineering. Table 1 lists the data transmission characteristics of some XR services.

[0087] Table 1

[0088]

[0089] In addition to the aforementioned XR services, 5G systems also support tactile internet services. The tactile internet integrates one or more of AR, VR, and MR, along with 5G systems and the latest technologies such as haptic sensing. It represents another evolution of internet technology, transforming the internet from a content delivery network to a skills delivery network. The tactile internet also offers a new form of human-computer interaction, adding a real-time tactile experience to vision and hearing, allowing users to interact with virtual environments in a more natural way. Furthermore, the tactile internet defines a basic communication network with low latency, high reliability, high connection density, and high security. It is a key application scenario for 5G systems and can be widely used in industries requiring millisecond-level response times, such as industrial control, autonomous driving, smart grids, gaming, entertainment, healthcare, and education. It also expands network functionality from environmental information monitoring to environmental control. Table 2 shows the data transmission characteristics of a tactile internet service.

[0090] Table 2

[0091]

[0092]

[0093] In the tactile Internet, the same application may contain multiple data streams, such as tactile data streams, visual data streams, and sound data streams. Each data stream has different requirements for reliability and rate. Therefore, the core network will map different data streams to different QoS flows.

[0094] Real-time media services such as XR services and the tactile Internet are sensitive to latency. For example, when the frame rate of cloud VR is 90, the downlink transmission time window for each frame is 11ms (that is, the latency requirement is 11ms). When the sampling frequency of tactile data of the tactile Internet is 500 times per second, the latency requirement for each frame of tactile data is 2ms. Retransmission is basically not allowed. Therefore, the existing retransmission reliability guarantee mechanism cannot meet business needs. To this end, this application provides a communication method that improves data transmission reliability while reducing data transmission latency by performing network coding on one or more QoS flows, so as to meet the business needs of XR services and the tactile Internet.

[0095] See also Figure 4 , the method comprising:

[0096] 401. A PCF receives request information, where the request information is used to request establishment of a first QoS flow for a terminal. The request information includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to instruct network coding to be performed on the first QoS flow.

[0097] Among them, step 401 can be implemented by the following method 1 or method 2.

[0098] Method 1: SMF sends a request message to PCF, and PCF receives the request message from SMF.

[0099] In method 1, the terminal can send a request message to the AMF through the access network device. After receiving the request message, the AMF sends it to the SMF. After receiving the request message, the SMF further sends the request message to the PCF. When enabling a certain service, the terminal can send a request message to the AMF to establish the QoS flow corresponding to the service (i.e., the first QoS flow).

[0100] In method 1, illustratively, the terminal can trigger a PDU session modification process and send a request message to the AMF in the PDU session modification process.

[0101] Method 2: The business server generates a request message and sends it to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the request message from the business server.

[0102] The service server is the service server for the service corresponding to the first QoS flow. In mode 2, the service server can send a request message to the PCF through the NEF. The service server can send a request message to the PCF when it needs to send downlink service data to the terminal or has established a service data flow connection with the terminal.

[0103] In the second method, illustratively, the service server may trigger a PDU session modification process and send a request message to the PCF during the PDU session modification process.

[0104] In an embodiment of the present application, the service corresponding to the first QoS flow (referred to as the first service) may be a high reliability and / or low latency service. A high reliability service may be a service whose packet loss rate is less than or equal to a first threshold or the number of packet losses within a certain length of time period is less than or equal to a second threshold, and a low latency service may be a service whose latency is less than or equal to a third threshold. The first threshold, the second threshold, and the third threshold may be preset or specified by the protocol, and are not limited in this application. For example, the first threshold may be 0.1%, the second threshold may be 2, and the third threshold may be 10ms. Exemplarily, the first service may be an XR service or a tactile Internet service or other service with high reliability and low latency requirements.

[0105] As can be seen from the above, in the tactile Internet, the same application may contain multiple data streams, such as tactile data streams, visual data streams, and sound data streams. Each data stream has different requirements for reliability and rate, so the core network will map different data streams to different QoS streams. For example, for visual data streams, the basic layer video data and audio data have higher requirements for latency and reliability, while the enhancement layer video data has relatively lower requirements for latency and reliability. Therefore, see Figure 5 If the terminal initiates a visual data service, the terminal may send request information 1, which is used to request the establishment of QoS flow 1. QoS flow 1 is used to transmit base layer video data and audio data. Request information 1 includes first indication information, which indicates that network coding should be performed on QoS flow 1. The terminal may also send request information 2, which is used to request the establishment of QoS flow 2. QoS flow 2 is used to transmit enhancement layer video data. The request information does not include information indicating that network coding should be performed on QoS flow 2.

[0106] The request information may include a QoS class identifier (QCI), and the QoS requirement of the first QoS flow may be indicated by the QCI. The QCI may also indicate whether network coding is performed on the first QoS flow. For example, some QCIs may indicate that network coding is performed on the QoS flow (for example, QCIs of certain values ​​may indicate that network coding is performed on the QoS flow). These QCIs may be newly defined QCIs (for example, newly defined QCI values, and QCIs of these values ​​may indicate that network coding is performed on the QoS flow), or they may be existing QCIs (for example, existing QCI values, and QCIs of these values ​​may indicate that network coding is performed on the QoS flow). When a QCI does not indicate that network coding is performed on the QoS flow, the request information may include information indicating whether network coding is performed on the first QoS flow. The information may be a parameter. When the parameter exists, it indicates a request for network coding on the first QoS flow. When the parameter does not exist, it indicates that network coding is not requested on the first QoS flow. Alternatively, the information may be a bit, where when the value of the bit is 1, it indicates a request to perform network coding on the first QoS flow, and when the value of the bit is 0, it indicates a request not to perform network coding on the first QoS flow, and vice versa. When a QCI indicates that network coding is to be performed on the QoS flow, the request information may not include information indicating that network coding is to be performed on the first QoS flow.

[0107] Optionally, the request information further includes one or more of the following information: information on the type of network coding for the first QoS flow, and protocol layer information for implementing the type of network coding for the first QoS flow.

[0108] Among them, the types of network coding in this application may include RLNC, BATS, fountain code, etc. There may be only one type of network coding for the first QoS flow, or there may be multiple types. The protocol layer used to implement the type of network coding may be a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, or other protocol layers. Since the lower the protocol layer for implementing a certain type of network coding, the higher the flexibility in implementing the type of network coding, the information can be used to select the type of network coding used by the terminal.

[0109] If the PCF receives a request message from the service server, the request message may optionally include one or more of the following information: the terminal's address information, the service server's address information, and the terminal's identifier. This information can be used for subsequent transmission of downlink service data.

[0110] For example, the terminal address information may be at least one of the terminal's IP address, port number, etc. The service server address information may be at least one of the service server's IP address, port number, Uniform Resource Locator (URL), etc. The terminal identifier may be a subscriber permanent identifier (SUPI).

[0111] 402. The PCF sends network coding information to the communication device according to the request information, where the network coding information includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate the QoS flow to be network coded. Correspondingly, the communication device receives the network coding information from the PCF.

[0112] The communication device may include an access network device and / or a terminal accessed by the terminal.

[0113] 403. The communication device performs network coding on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information.

[0114] The method provided in the embodiment of the present application provides a method for applying network coding in a mobile communication network. The core network can instruct network coding to be performed on a certain QoS flow, thereby improving the transmission reliability of the QoS flow while reducing data transmission delay.

[0115] Optionally, before step 402, the method further includes:

[0116] 11) PCF determines the network coding information.

[0117] If the PCF determines to perform network coding on the first QoS flow, the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information is the first QoS flow; or if the PCF determines not to perform network coding on the first QoS flow, the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information is the second QoS flow.

[0118] Among them, the second QoS flow can be a QoS flow with the same or similar QoS parameters as the first QoS flow, so as to meet the business needs of the first business. The QoS parameters of the QoS flow may include multiple, for example, delay, packet loss rate, etc. Similar QoS flows may refer to two QoS flows with the same partial QoS parameters, for example, two QoS flows with the same delay and / or packet loss rate. Similar QoS flows may also refer to two QoS flows whose difference between the same QoS parameters does not exceed a threshold. The threshold may be preset or predefined or specified by the protocol or determined by negotiation between network elements, and this application does not impose any restrictions. For example, two QoS flows with a delay difference of no more than 2ms can be considered to be similar QoS flows, or two QoS flows with a delay difference of no more than 2ms and / or a packet loss rate difference of no more than 0.1% can be considered to be similar QoS flows.

[0119] Optionally, step 11) may include, during specific implementation, the PCF determining network coding information based on the network coding capabilities of the terminal and the access network device. The terminal and the access network device may each send their respective network coding capabilities to the PCF. In response, the PCF receives the network coding capabilities of the terminal and the access network device, thereby obtaining the network coding capabilities of the terminal and the access network device.

[0120] For example, the terminal may send the network coding capability as a type of radio capability information of the terminal to the PCF when performing network registration. For example, the terminal may send the network coding capability to the PCF through the access network device, AMF and SMF. After receiving the network coding capability of the terminal, the AMF may store the network coding capability of the terminal in the context of the terminal. The access network device may send the network coding capability of the access network device to the AMF during the process of establishing the N2 connection, and the AMF may send the network coding capability of the access network device directly to the PCF or to the PCF through the SMF.

[0121] Optionally, the network coding capability includes one or more of the following information: information about supported network coding types, and protocol layer information for implementing each supported network coding type. For example, a possible scenario of the network coding capability of the terminal and access network device can be seen in Table 3.

[0122] Table 3

[0123]

[0124] Optionally, the terminal and access network device can also indicate to the PCF whether they each support network coding. This can be done through an identifier, for example, a flag bit named "Support_NC." If this flag bit occupies one bit, a value of 1 indicates support for network coding, while a value of 0 indicates non-support, and vice versa. For any network coding type, a flag bit can also be used to indicate whether the network coding type is supported. For example, for RLNC, the flag bit can be named "Support_NC_RLNC." If this flag bit occupies one bit, a value of 1 indicates support for RLNC, while a value of 0 indicates non-support for RLNC, and vice versa. For BATS, the flag bit can be named "Support_NC_BATS." If this flag bit occupies one bit, a value of 1 indicates support for BATS, while a value of 0 indicates non-support for BATS, and vice versa.

[0125] If the request information only includes information on the type of network coding for the first QoS flow, the PCF can determine whether the terminal and the access network device support the type of network coding for the first QoS flow. If so, it is determined that the first QoS flow is to be network coded. If not, it is determined not to perform network coding on the first QoS flow. For example, if the network coding capabilities of the terminal and the access network device are as shown in Table 3. If the type of network coding for the first QoS flow included in the request information is RLNC, since both the terminal and the access network device support network coding of type RLNC, the PCF determines that the first QoS flow is to be network coded. If the type of network coding for the first QoS flow included in the request information is fountain code, since the access network device does not support network coding of type fountain code, the PCF determines not to perform network coding on the first QoS flow.

[0126] If the request information includes information on the type of network coding for the first QoS flow and information on the protocol layer for implementing the type of network coding for the first QoS flow, if the PCF determines that the terminal and the access network device support the type of network coding for the first QoS flow based on the network coding capability, and the protocol layer for implementing the type of network coding in the network coding capability is consistent with the protocol layer in the request information, then it is determined that network coding is performed on the first QoS flow; otherwise, it is determined not to perform network coding on the first QoS flow. For example, if the network coding capabilities of the terminal and the access network device are as shown in Table 3. If the type of network coding for the first QoS flow included in the request information is RLNC and the protocol layer for implementing the type of network coding for the first QoS flow is PDCP, then the PCF determines that network coding is performed on the first QoS flow; if the type of network coding for the first QoS flow included in the request information is BATS and the protocol layer for implementing the type of network coding for the first QoS flow is PDCP, then the PCF determines that network coding is not performed on the first QoS flow.

[0127] In step 11), in a specific implementation, the PCF may determine network coding information based on the network coding capabilities of the terminal and the access network device, in addition to combining other information (e.g., information about QoS flows permitted by the terminal, service requirements, application requirements, etc.), which is not limited in this application. For example, if the first QoS flow is not a QoS flow permitted by the terminal, the PCF determines not to perform network coding on the first QoS flow.

[0128] In the above embodiment, if the PCF determines not to perform network coding on the first QoS flow, in one case, the PCF may redefine a QoS flow, namely, a second QoS flow, and send network coding information to the terminal and the access network device. In another case, the PCF may not determine another QoS flow, but instead send an indication to the device (terminal or service server) that sent the request information, indicating that network coding on the first QoS flow is not accepted.

[0129] Optionally, the network coding information further includes one or more of the following information: information on the type of network coding to be performed on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information, and protocol layer information for implementing the type of network coding to be performed on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information. In this case, step 403 may, in specific implementation, include: the communication device performing network coding on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information according to the network coding information.

[0130] For example, if the network coding information also includes information on the type of network coding for the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information, the communication device uses the network coding type to network code the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information. If the network coding information also includes protocol layer information for implementing the type of network coding for the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information, the communication device performs network coding on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information at the protocol layer indicated by the information.

[0131] Optionally, the communication device performs network coding on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information according to the network coding information, including: the communication device performs network coding on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information according to the network coding information and the current channel quality.

[0132] To ensure reliable data transmission, the service layer (also known as the application layer) typically uses forward error correction (FEC) in existing technologies. This algorithm generates and transmits redundant data packets of service data. FEC mechanisms fail to take into account the real-time state of the network and cannot determine FEC parameters in real time based on this state. This can result in excessive redundant data packets, further increasing the network transmission load, or insufficient redundant data packets, making reliable transmission impossible.

[0133] In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device can obtain channel quality and select network coding parameters based on the current channel quality, such as the ratio of n to n'. If the channel quality is good, the ratio of n to n' can be large; if the channel quality is poor, the ratio of n to n' can be small. This can avoid the existing problem of excessive redundant data packets causing further increase in network transmission load, and the problem of insufficient redundant data packets causing inability to support reliable transmission.

[0134] Optionally, after the first QoS flow is successfully configured, the above method also includes: PCF sends a third indication information to the service server, and the service server adapts the application layer transmission according to the third indication information. For example, when the user datagram protocol (UDP) protocol is transmitted, the upper layer application does not perform error correction and data redundancy processing (that is, FEC is not used).

[0135] In the above embodiment, the request information is used to request network coding of the first QoS flow of the terminal. In actual implementation, the request information can also request network coding of multiple QoS flows of the terminal, which is not limited in this application.

[0136] In order to make the embodiments of the present application clearer, the above method is exemplified below through Examples 1 to 3.

[0137] Example 1

[0138] Example 1 provides an exemplary description of the process of the terminal reporting the network coding capability in the above embodiment. Figure 6 ,include:

[0139] 601. The terminal sends a registration request to the AMF via the access network device. Correspondingly, the AMF receives the registration request from the terminal via the access network device.

[0140] The registration request may include non-access stratum (NAS) information. The registration request includes information about the terminal's network coding capability (NC capability). The terminal's network coding capability may be one type of wireless capability information. A description of the network coding capability is provided above and is not repeated here.

[0141] In the specific implementation of step 601, after the access network device receives the registration request sent by the terminal, it can perform AMF selection (AMF selection) and send a registration request to the selected AMF.

[0142] 602. AMF performs authentication on the terminal.

[0143] Through authentication and verification, the AMF can confirm the authenticity of the terminal identity and the key used by the terminal to determine the control plane connection. This step is conventional technology and will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0144] 603. AMF saves the network coding capability of the terminal in the terminal context (UE Context).

[0145] 604. The AMF and the PCF perform an AM policy association establishment or an AM policy association modification process.

[0146] In the AM policy association establishment or AM policy association modification process, the AMF sends the terminal's network coding capabilities to the PCF. For example, the terminal's network coding capabilities may be carried in an information element in the AM Policy Establishment Request or AM Policy Modification Request.

[0147] 605. The AMF sends a registration request acceptance message to the terminal, notifying the terminal that its registration request has been accepted and that the terminal is allowed to register with the mobile network. This step is conventional and will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0148] Through the method provided in Example 1, the terminal can provide its own network coding capability to the core network, and then the core network can determine whether to enable network coding for the established QoS flow according to the capability of the terminal.

[0149] Example 2

[0150] Example 2 describes a process of establishing a data connection between the terminal and a service server (ie, AF) through a PDU session modification process when the terminal initiates an XR service.

[0151] See also Figure 7 , the method comprising:

[0152] 701. When the terminal activates the XR service, it sends a PDU session modification request to the AMF through the access network device. Correspondingly, the AMF receives the PDU session modification request from the terminal through the access network device.

[0153] Among them, the PDU session modification request includes request information. For the relevant description of the request information, please refer to the above and will not be repeated here.

[0154] 702. The AMF sends a PDU session update session management context (Nsmf PDUsession update SMcontext) request to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the Nsmf PDUsession update SM context request from the AMF.

[0155] The Nsmf PDUsession update SM context request includes request information.

[0156] 703. The SMF and PCF execute the session management policy association modification (SM Policy Association Modification) process.

[0157] In the SM Policy Association Modification process, the SMF requests the PCF for the session management policy (SM Policy), which includes the above request information. The PCF sends a response to the SMF, which includes the network coding information. For details about the network coding information, refer to the previous section.

[0158] Embodiment 2 is described by taking the example that the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information included in the network coding information is the first QoS flow.

[0159] After determining to perform network coding on the first QoS flow, the PCF determines to establish the first QoS flow.

[0160] 704. SMF updates the PDU session by interacting with UPF.

[0161] In the specific implementation of step 704, the SMF may send an N4 PDU session establishment request (N4 PDU session establishment request) to the UPF, and in response, the UPF sends an N4 PDU session establishment response (N4 PDU session establishment response) to the SMF. Alternatively, the SMF may send an N4 PDU session modification request (N4 PDU session modification request) to the UPF, and in response, the UPF sends an N4 PDU session modification response (N4 PDU session modification response) to the SMF.

[0162] 705. SMF sends a PDU session update session management context response (response of NsmfPDUsession update SM context) to AMF. Correspondingly, AMF receives the PDU session update session management context response from SMF.

[0163] The PDU session update session management context response includes N2 Flow configuration information and a PDU session modification acknowledgment (PDU session modification ACK). The N2 Flow configuration information includes network coding information sent to the access network device, and the PDU session modification ACK includes network coding information sent to the terminal.

[0164] 706. The AMF sends an N2 message to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the N2 message from the AMF.

[0165] The N2 message includes N2 Flow configuration information and PDU session modification ACK.

[0166] 707. The access network device sends an AN specific resource modification of transport to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the AN specific resource modification of transport from the access network device.

[0167] The AN specific resource modification of transport includes a PDU session modification ACK, and the AN specific resource modification of transport may be, for example, an RRC connection reconfiguration message.

[0168] 708. The access network device notifies the UPF through AMF and SMF that the configuration of the first QoS flow is completed.

[0169] Among them, the access network device can notify AMF of the completion of the configuration of the first QoS flow through the response message of the N2 message, AMF can notify SMF of the completion of the configuration of the first QoS flow through the PDU session update session management context request (PDU session update SM context request), and SMF notifies UPF of the completion of the configuration of the first QoS flow through the N4 PDU session modification request (N4 PDU session modification request).

[0170] 709. The SMF notifies the PCF that the configuration of the first QoS flow is complete.

[0171] The configuration of the first QoS flow in step 708 and step 709 refers to the configuration regarding network coding.

[0172] 710. If the AF configures the adaptation of the application layer transmission, the PCF sends the third indication information to the AF, and the AF performs the adaptation of the application layer transmission according to the third indication information.

[0173] Example 3

[0174] Example 3 describes the process of establishing a data connection between a terminal and the AF through a PDU session modification process when the service server (ie, AF) initiates an XR service.

[0175] See also Figure 8 , the method comprising:

[0176] 801. AF sends an application service request to PCF through NEF.

[0177] The application service request may include request information. For the description of the request information, please refer to the above and will not be repeated here.

[0178] During the specific implementation of step 801 , the AF may send the application service request to the NEF, and the NFE may send the application service request to the PCF that manages the QoS flow of the terminal.

[0179] 802. The PCF and SMF execute a session management policy association modification process.

[0180] The relevant description of step 802 can be found in the above step 703 and will not be repeated here.

[0181] 803. SMF instructs UPF to configure the first QoS flow for the terminal (for example, configure existing information such as QCI) through the N4 PDU session establishment process or the N4 PDU session modification process. Accordingly, UPF configures the first QoS flow for the terminal according to the instruction.

[0182] 804. SMF sends an N1N2 communication message (Namf communication N1N2 message transfer) to AMF. Correspondingly, AMF receives the N1N2 communication message from SMF.

[0183] The N1N2 transmission message includes N2 Flow configuration information and a PDU session modification command. The N2 Flow configuration information includes network coding information sent to the access network device, specifically, an indication of which QoS flow to enable network coding and an indication of the type of network coding enabled, including RLNC, BATS, and fountain codes. The PDU session modification command includes network coding information sent to the terminal, specifically, an indication of which QoS flow to enable network coding and an indication of the type of network coding enabled.

[0184] 805. The AMF sends an N2 message to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the N2 message from the AMF.

[0185] The N2 message includes N2 Flow configuration information and a PDU session modification command. The AMF instructs the access network device to establish a first QoS flow for the terminal through the N2 message, which includes the QoS configuration information corresponding to the first QoS flow (e.g., existing information such as the QCI).

[0186] 806. The access network device sends the AN specific transmission resource modification to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the AN specific transmission resource modification from the access network device.

[0187] In AN specific resource modification of transport, the access network device sends an indication to the terminal about which QoS flow network coding is enabled, and may also send the type of network coding enabled and the network coding configuration parameters of the network coding type, such as the size of the network coding data packet, to the terminal, so that the access network device and the terminal can reach an agreement on the configuration parameters of the network coding and perform encoding and decoding operations on the data packets of the QoS flow according to the configuration parameters.

[0188] The AN specific resource modification of transport includes a PDU session modification command. The AN specific resource modification of transport may be, for example, an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message.

[0189] Before step 806, the access network device determines that network coding is enabled for the first QoS flow to be established according to the N2 Flow configuration information in the N2 message.

[0190] 807-809 are the same as steps 708 to 710 respectively.

[0191] The above mainly introduces the scheme of the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of the interaction between various network elements. It can be understood that in order to realize the above functions, each network element, such as PCF, communication equipment, service server, etc., includes a hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to the execution of each function. It should be easy for those skilled in the art to realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this document, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in a hardware or computer software-driven hardware manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0192] In the embodiment of the present application, the PCF, communication equipment, and service server can be divided into functional units according to the above method examples. For example, each functional unit can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing unit. The above integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units. It should be noted that the division of units in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0193] In the case of integrated units, Figure 9 A communication device involved in the above embodiment is shown. The communication device may include a processing unit 901 and a communication unit 902. Optionally, the communication device further includes a storage unit 903.

[0194] In one example, the communication device may be the PCF mentioned above, or a chip used in the PCF. In this case, the processing unit 901 is used to support the PCF to execute Figure 4 401 and 402, Figure 6 602 and 604, Figure 7 703, 709 and 710, Figure 8 801, 802, 808 and 809 in the embodiment of the present application, and / or other operations that the PCF needs to perform. The processing unit 901 is also used to communicate with other network entities through the communication unit 902, for example, Figure 8 The storage unit 903 is used to store PCF program codes and data.

[0195] In another example, the communication device may be the communication device mentioned above, or a chip used in the communication device. In this case, the processing unit 901 is used to support the communication device to execute Figure 4 402 and 403 in Figure 6 601 and 605 in (the communication device is a terminal or access network device in this case), Figure 7 701 and 707 in (the communication device is a terminal at this time), Figure 7 701, 706, 707 and 708 (the communication device is an access network device at this time), Figure 8 806 in (the communication device is a terminal at this time), Figure 8 805 to 807 (in this case, the communication device is an access network device), and / or other operations that the communication device in the embodiment of the present application needs to perform. The processing unit 901 is also used to communicate with other network entities through the communication unit 902, for example, Figure 8 The storage unit 903 is used to store program codes and data of the communication device.

[0196] In another example, the communication device may be the service server mentioned above, or a chip used in the service server. In this case, the processing unit 901 is used to support the service server to execute Figure 7 710 in (at this time, the business server is AF), Figure 8 801 and 809 (in this case, the service server is AF), and / or other operations that the service server needs to perform in the embodiment of the present application. The processing unit 901 is also used to communicate with other network entities through the communication unit 902, for example, Figure 8 The storage unit 903 is used to store program codes and data of the service server.

[0197] Figure 9If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software function module and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions to enable a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor (processor) to execute all or part of the steps of the various embodiments of the present application. The storage medium for storing computer software products includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0198] Figure 9 A unit in a can also be called a module, for example, a processing unit can be called a processing module.

[0199] Figure 10 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a communication device 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 100 includes one or more processors 1001 and a communication interface 1003 .

[0200] Optionally, the communication device 100 further includes a memory 1004, which may include ROM and RAM and provides operation instructions and data to the processor 1001. A portion of the memory 1004 may also include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM).

[0201] In the embodiment of the present application, the communication device 100 performs corresponding operations by calling the operation instructions stored in the memory 1004 (the operation instructions may be stored in the operating system).

[0202] The processor 1001 may also be referred to as a central processing unit (CPU).

[0203] The processor 1001, the communication interface 1003 and the memory 1004 are coupled together via a bus system 1002, wherein the bus system 1002 may include a power bus, a control bus and a status signal bus in addition to a data bus. Figure 10 Various buses are labeled as bus system 1002.

[0204] The methods disclosed in the above embodiments of the present application can be applied to or implemented by processor 1001. Processor 1001 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by hardware integrated logic circuits or software instructions in processor 1001. The above processor 1001 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. The methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or executed. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly implemented and executed by a hardware decoding processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in RAM, flash memory, ROM, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, and other storage media well-known in the art.

[0205] In one possible implementation, the processor 1001 controls the communication interface 1003 to execute the receiving and sending steps performed by the PCF, communication device, and service server in the embodiment of the present application. The processor 1001 is used to execute the processing steps performed by the PCF, communication device, and service server in the embodiment of the present application.

[0206] The communication unit or communication interface mentioned above may be an interface circuit on a communication device for receiving signals from other devices. For example, when the communication device is implemented as a chip, the communication unit or communication interface is the interface circuit of the chip for receiving signals from or sending signals to other chips or devices.

[0207] In the above embodiment, the instructions stored in the memory for execution by the processor may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product may be pre-written in the memory or downloaded and installed in the memory in the form of software.

[0208] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions; when the computer-readable storage medium is run on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the method provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0209] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product including computer instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0210] An embodiment of the present application provides a chip, which includes a processor. When the processor executes instructions, the chip can execute the method provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0211] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, including one or more of the above-mentioned PCF, terminal, access network equipment and service server.

[0212] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function according to the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from a website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more media integrated therewith. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0213] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, in the process of implementing the claimed application, those skilled in the art may understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments by reviewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple situations. A single processor or other unit may implement several functions listed in the claims. Certain measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0214] Although the present application has been described with reference to specific features and embodiments thereof, it is apparent that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings are merely illustrative of the present application as defined by the appended claims and are deemed to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present application. Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, the present application is intended to include such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The policy control function PCF receives a request message from a terminal or a service server, the request message being used to request establishment of a first quality of service QoS flow for the terminal, the request message including first indication information, the first indication information being used to instruct network coding to be performed on the first QoS flow; The service server is a service server for the service corresponding to the first QoS flow; The PCF sends network coding information to the access network device accessed by the terminal and / or the terminal according to the request information, where the network coding information includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate the QoS flow to be network coded.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The request information further includes one or more of the following information: information on the type of network coding performed on the first QoS flow, and protocol layer information for implementing the type of network coding performed on the first QoS flow.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The request information received by the PCF comes from the service server, and the request information further includes one or more of the following information: address information of the terminal, address information of the service server, and identification of the terminal.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The network coding information also includes one or more of the following information: information on the type of network coding for the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information, and protocol layer information for implementing the type of network coding for the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: The PCF determines the network coding information; If the PCF determines to perform network coding on the first QoS flow, the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information is the first QoS flow; or, if the PCF determines not to perform network coding on the first QoS flow, the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information is the second QoS flow.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The PCF determines the network coding information, including: The PCF determines the network coding information according to the network coding capability of the terminal and the network coding capability of the access network device.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The network coding capability includes one or more of the following information: information on supported network coding types, and protocol layer information for implementing each supported network coding type.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: The PCF receives the network coding capability from the terminal; and / or, The PCF receives the network coding capability from the access network device.

9. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The communication device receives network coding information from a policy control function (PCF), where the network coding information includes second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a quality of service (QoS) flow to be network coded, and the communication device is a terminal or an access network device; The communication device performs network coding on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The network coding information further includes one or more of the following information: information on the type of network coding performed on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information, and protocol layer information for implementing the type of network coding performed on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information; The communication device performing network coding on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information, including: The communication device performs network coding on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information according to the network coding information.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: The communication device sends the network coding capability of the communication device to the PCF, where the network coding capability includes one or more of the following information: information on supported network coding types, and protocol layer information for implementing each supported network coding type.

12. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that The communication device is the terminal, and the method further includes: The communication device sends request information, where the request information is used to request establishment of a first QoS flow for the terminal. The request information includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to instruct network coding to be performed on the first QoS flow.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The request information further includes one or more of the following information: information on the type of network coding performed on the first QoS flow, and protocol layer information for implementing the type of network coding performed on the first QoS flow.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The QoS flow indicated by the second indication information is the first QoS flow or the second QoS flow.

15. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a communication unit and a processing unit; The communication unit is configured to receive a request message from a terminal or a service server, the request message being used to request establishment of a first quality of service (QoS) flow for the terminal, the request message including first indication information being used to instruct network coding to be performed on the first QoS flow; The service server is a service server for the service corresponding to the first QoS flow; The processing unit is used to send network coding information to the access network device accessed by the terminal and / or the terminal through the communication unit according to the request information, wherein the network coding information includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate the QoS flow for network coding. The communication device according to claim 15 , wherein: The request information further includes one or more of the following information: information on the type of network coding performed on the first QoS flow, and protocol layer information for implementing the type of network coding performed on the first QoS flow.

17. The communication device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that: The request information received by the communication unit comes from the service server, and the request information further includes one or more of the following information: address information of the terminal, address information of the service server, and identification of the terminal.

18. The communication device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that The network coding information also includes one or more of the following information: information on the type of network coding for the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information, and protocol layer information for implementing the type of network coding for the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information.

19. The communication device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that The processing unit is further configured to determine the network coding information; If the processing unit determines to perform network coding on the first QoS flow, the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information is the first QoS flow; or, if the processing unit determines not to perform network coding on the first QoS flow, the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information is the second QoS flow.

20. The communication device according to claim 19, wherein The processing unit is specifically configured to: The network coding information is determined according to the network coding capability of the terminal and the network coding capability of the access network device.

21. The communication device according to claim 20, wherein: The network coding capability includes one or more of the following information: information on supported network coding types, and protocol layer information for implementing each supported network coding type.

22. The communication device according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that The communication unit is further configured to receive network coding capabilities from the terminal; and / or, The communication unit is further configured to receive network coding capabilities from the access network device.

23. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a communication unit and a processing unit; The communication unit is configured to receive network coding information from a policy control function (PCF), wherein the network coding information includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate a quality of service (QoS) flow to be performed by network coding. The communication device is a terminal or an access network device; The processing unit is configured to perform network coding on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information.

24. The communication device according to claim 23, wherein: The network coding information further includes one or more of the following information: information on a type of network coding performed on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information, and protocol layer information for implementing the type of network coding performed on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information; the processing unit is specifically configured to: Perform network coding on the QoS flow indicated by the second indication information according to the network coding information.

25. The communication device according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that The communication unit is further configured to send the network coding capability of the communication device to the PCF, where the network coding capability includes one or more of the following information: information on supported network coding types, and protocol layer information for implementing each supported network coding type.

26. The communication device according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that The communication device is the terminal, The communication unit is further used to send request information, where the request information is used to request establishment of a first QoS flow for the terminal, and the request information includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate network coding of the first QoS flow.

27. The communication device according to claim 26, characterized in that The request information further includes one or more of the following information: information on the type of network coding performed on the first QoS flow, and protocol layer information for implementing the type of network coding performed on the first QoS flow.

28. The communication device according to claim 26, wherein: The QoS flow indicated by the second indication information is the first QoS flow or the second QoS flow.

29. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a processor, the processor being coupled to the memory; The memory is used to store computer-executable instructions, and the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication device implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

30. The device according to claim 29, characterized in that The device exists in the product form of a chip.

31. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a processor, the processor being coupled to the memory; The memory is used to store computer-executable instructions, and the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication device implements the method according to any one of claims 9 to 14.

32. The device according to claim 31, characterized in that The device exists in the product form of a chip.

33. A computer program product comprising instructions, characterized in that When the method is run on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or the method according to any one of claims 9 to 14.

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