Relay communication method and device

Abstract

The present application provides a relay communication method and apparatus, the communication method comprising: a first network element obtaining a quality of service (QoS) requirement of a data flow of a remote user device; the first network element generating a first candidate parameter set for the data flow based on the QoS requirement of the data flow and sending the result to a second network element; the second network element sending an alternative QoS profile to a RAN based on the first candidate parameter set, for the RAN node to select a matching alternative QoS profile that satisfies the data flow transmitted between the current relay user device and the user plane network element; the second network element determining PC5 QoS parameters of a PC5 link based on the matching alternative QoS profile, thereby adjusting the QoS parameters of the PC5 link to ensure the end-to-end QoS requirement of the remote user device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly, to a relay communication method and apparatus. Background Art

[0002] In the fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system, device-to-device (D2D) communication allows user equipment (UE) to communicate directly with each other. When the UE is out of network coverage or the communication signal between the UE and the access network (AN) / radio access network (RAN) is poor, the remote user equipment (Remote UE) can use a relay user equipment (Relay UE) for auxiliary transmission. For example, communication between the Remote UE and the Relay UE and between the Relay UE and the network-side server can be achieved, thereby enabling communication between the Remote UE and the network-side server.

[0003] Currently, D2D communication can support relaying, that is, the Remote UE can achieve uplink and downlink data transmission through the Proximity-based Services Communication 5 (PC5) link between the Remote UE and the Relay UE and the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of the Relay UE.

[0004] How to ensure the end-to-end QoS requirements of Remote UE in relay scenarios has become an urgent problem that needs to be solved in the industry. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides a relay communication method and apparatus, which can guarantee the end-to-end QoS requirements of Remote UE.

[0006] In a first aspect, a relay communication method is provided, characterized in that it includes: a first network element obtains the quality of service QoS requirement of a data stream of a remote user device; the first network element sends a first alternative parameter set to a second network element based on the QoS requirement of the data stream, and the first alternative parameter set is used to determine a target QoS parameter set, and the QoS parameters in the target QoS parameter set are used to transmit the data stream between the relay user device and the user plane function network element.

[0007] According to the relay communication method provided in the present application, the first network element, for example, the PCF network element, can generate a first set of alternative parameters for the data flow based on the QoS requirements of the remote user equipment data flow obtained from the AF network element, which is used for the RAN node to select a matching alternative QoS profile that meets the transmission data flow between the current relay user equipment and the user plane network element. Furthermore, the second network element, such as the SMF network element or the relay user equipment, determines the PC5 QoS parameters of the PC5 link based on the matching alternative QoS profile, thereby adjusting the QoS configuration of the PC5 link and the Relay UE PDU session to ensure the end-to-end QoS requirements of the remote user equipment.

[0008] In a possible implementation manner, the first network element obtains identification information and data flow information of the remote user equipment, and stores the identification information and data flow information of the remote user equipment.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the first network element determines that the requested service data flow is the data flow of the remote user equipment based on the stored identification information and data flow information of the remote user equipment and the acquired QoS requirement of the data flow of the remote user equipment.

[0010] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first candidate parameter set includes at least one QoS parameter set.

[0011] According to this technical solution, the first alternative parameter set includes multiple QoS parameter sets, so that multiple alternative QoS profiles can be generated, which facilitates the RAN to select a matching alternative QoS profile. Then, the SMF network element or relay user equipment determines the PC5 QoS parameters updated for the PC5 link based on the matching alternative QoS profile, thereby adjusting the QoS configuration of the PC5 link and the RelayUE PDU session, and ensuring the end-to-end QoS requirements of the remote user equipment.

[0012] For example, the QoS requirement of the data flow of the remote user equipment obtained by the first network element is (x, y, z), where x, y, and z are three different QoS parameters, and x, y, and z are greater than or equal to 0. The first network element can then generate different QoS parameter sets based on the QoS requirement, for example, (x1, y1, z1), (x2, y2, z2), (x3, y3, z3)... Among them, x1, x2, and x3 are three QoS parameters that meet the requirement of parameter x, y1, y2, and y3 are three QoS parameters that meet the requirement of parameter y, and z1, z2, and z3 are three QoS parameters that meet the requirement of parameter z.

[0013] For another example, in the QoS requirement of the data flow of the remote user equipment obtained by the first network element, x is the delay parameter, and the delay parameter requirement is 10ms. The first network element can generate different QoS parameter sets based on the delay requirement. For example, the delay parameter can be 6ms, 7ms, 8ms, and x1, x2, and x3 are 6ms, 7ms, and 8ms respectively. In other words, three QoS parameter sets can be generated, and the delay parameters in these three QoS parameter sets are 6ms, 7ms, and 8ms respectively.

[0014] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network element sends a second alternative parameter set to the second network element based on the QoS requirements of the data flow; or, the first network element sends a second alternative parameter set to the second network element based on the first alternative parameter set; wherein the second alternative parameter set is used to determine a target proximity service communication PC5 QoS parameter set, and the PC5 QoS parameters in the target PC5 QoS parameter set are used to transmit the data flow between the relay user device and the remote user device.

[0015] According to this technical solution, the first network element can also send a second candidate parameter set. The second network element then selects a target PC5 QoS parameter set based on the second candidate parameter set and determines updated PC5 QoS parameters for the PC5 link based on the matching candidate QoS profile. This allows for adjustments to the QoS configuration of the PC5 link and the Relay UE PDU session, ensuring the end-to-end QoS requirements of the remote user device.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the first network element generates a first candidate parameter set, in which the QoS parameters are used to transmit the data stream between the relay user equipment and the user plane function network element. The first network element may also generate a second candidate parameter set, in which the PC5 QoS parameters are used to transmit the data stream between the relay user equipment and the remote user equipment.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the first network element may generate a second candidate parameter set according to the QoS requirement of the data flow, or may determine the second candidate parameter set according to the generated first candidate parameter set.

[0018] For example, the QoS requirement of the data flow of the remote user equipment obtained by the first network element is (x, y, z), where x, y, and z are three different QoS parameters, and x, y, and z are greater than or equal to 0. Then, the first network element can generate different QoS parameter sets (first parameter sets) based on the QoS requirement, for example, (x1, y1, z1), (x2, y2, z2), (x3, y3, z3)... Among them, x1, x2, and x3 are three QoS parameters that meet the parameter x requirement, y1, y2, and y3 are three QoS parameters that meet the parameter y requirement, and z1, z2, and z3 are three QoS parameters that meet the parameter z requirement; the first network element can generate different PC5 QoS parameter sets based on the QoS requirement or the first alternative parameter set, for example, (x1', y1', z1'), (x2', y2', z2'), (x3', y3', z3')... Among them, x1' and x1 are the QoS parameters of the PC5 link and the PDU session respectively, and should meet the requirements of parameter x. The same applies to y1' and y1, and z1' and z1.

[0019] For another example, in the QoS requirement of the data flow of the remote user equipment obtained by the first network element, x is the delay parameter, and the delay parameter requirement is 10ms. The first network element can generate different QoS parameter sets based on the delay requirement. For example, the delay parameter can be 6ms, 7ms, 8ms, and x1, x2, and x3 are 6ms, 7ms, and 8ms respectively. In other words, three QoS parameter sets can be generated, and the delay parameters in these three QoS parameter sets are 6ms, 7ms, and 8ms respectively; the first network element can generate different PC5 QoS parameter sets based on the QoS requirement or the first alternative parameter set. For example, the delay parameter can be 4ms, 3ms, and 2ms, and x1', x2', and x3' are 4ms, 3ms, and 2ms respectively. In other words, three PC5 QoS parameter sets can be generated, and the delay parameters in these three PC5 QoS parameter sets are 4ms, 3ms, and 2ms respectively.

[0020] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the second candidate parameter set includes at least one PC5 QoS parameter set.

[0021] According to this technical solution, the second alternative parameter set includes multiple PC5 QoS parameter sets, which are used to determine the target PC5 QoS parameter set, and then combine the target PC5 QoS parameter set and the matching alternative QoS configuration file to determine the PC5 QoS parameters for the PC5 link update, thereby adjusting the QoS configuration of the PC5 link and the Relay UE PDU session to ensure the end-to-end QoS requirements of the remote user equipment.

[0022] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network element sends the correspondence between the first QoS parameter set and the second QoS parameter set to the second network element, or the first network element sends the correspondence between the QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set and the QoS parameters in the second QoS parameter set to the second network element; the first QoS parameter set belongs to the first alternative parameter set, and the second QoS parameter set belongs to the second alternative parameter set.

[0023] According to this technical solution, the first network element sends the correspondence between the first QoS parameter set and the second QoS parameter set or the correspondence between the QoS parameters in the two parameter sets, and then the second network element determines the updated PC5 QoS parameters of the PC5 link based on the correspondence and the matching alternative QoS profile, thereby adjusting the QoS parameters of the PC5 link and ensuring the end-to-end QoS requirements of the remote user equipment.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the first network element selects a parameter set in the first alternative parameter set as the first QoS parameter set, selects a parameter set in the second alternative parameter set corresponding to the first QoS parameter set as the second QoS parameter set, and sends the first QoS parameter set and the second QoS parameter set; or, the first network element sends the QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set and the PC5 QoS parameters corresponding to the QoS parameters in the second QoS parameter set.

[0025] For example, the first candidate parameter set includes: (x1, y1, z1), (x2, y2, z2), (x3, y3, z3)…, and the second candidate parameter set includes: (x1', y1', z1'), (x2', y2', z2'), (x3', y3', z3')…. Then, the first network element can send the first QoS parameter set (x1, y1, z1) and the second QoS parameter set (x1', y1', z1') to the second network element. It should be noted that x1 and x1' are corresponding QoS parameters. The correspondence here means that x1 is the QoS parameter for transmitting data flows between the relay user equipment and the user plane function network element, and x1' is the PC5 QoS parameter for transmitting data flows between the remote user equipment and the relay user equipment. x1 and x1' meet the QoS requirements of the data flow.

[0026] For another example, the first network element may send the correspondence between x1 and x1' to the second network element.

[0027] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network element determining the first candidate parameter set according to the QoS requirement of the data flow.

[0028] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network element determining the first candidate parameter set according to the QoS requirement of the data flow and the identification information of the remote user equipment.

[0029] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method also includes: the first network element determines the first set of alternative parameters based on the QoS requirements of the data flow and the contract information of the remote user device; or the first network element determines the first set of alternative parameters based on the QoS requirements of the data flow and the contract information of the relay user device; or the first network element determines the first set of alternative parameters based on the QoS requirements of the data flow, the contract information of the remote user device, and the contract information of the relay user device.

[0030] According to the technical solution, the first network element determines a first set of alternative parameters based on the QoS requirements of the data flow and the contract information of the remote user device or the relay user device, which means that the possible QoS parameters for transmitting the data flow between the relay user device and the user plane are determined based on the QoS requirements of the data flow and the QoS parameters included in the contract information. Combined with the contract information of the remote user device and the relay user device, it helps to further meet the QoS requirements of the user device for transmitting the data flow.

[0031] For example, the QoS requirement of the data flow of the remote user equipment obtained by the first network element is (x, y, z), where x, y, and z are three different QoS parameters, and x, y, and z are greater than or equal to 0. The subscription information of the remote user equipment includes QoS parameters x2, x3, and x5. The first network element can generate a first candidate parameter set based on the QoS requirement and the subscription information: (x2, y2, z2), (x3, y3, z3), and (x5, y5, z5).

[0032] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network element is a policy control function network element or a unified data management function network element, and the second network element is a session management function network element.

[0033] In a second aspect, a relay communication method is provided, characterized in that it includes: a second network element receives a first alternative parameter set from a first network element, wherein the first alternative parameter set is used to determine a target QoS parameter set, and the QoS parameters in the target QoS parameter set are used to transmit data streams of remote user equipment between a relay user equipment and a user plane function network element; the second network element sends an alternative QoS profile to a radio access network RAN ​​node based on the first alternative parameter set, and the alternative QoS profile is used by the RAN node to determine a matching alternative QoS profile; the second network element receives a matching alternative QoS profile from the RAN node, wherein the matching alternative QoS profile is a QoS profile satisfied by the RAN node, and the matching alternative QoS profile belongs to the alternative QoS profile; the second network element sends PC5 QoS parameters to the relay user equipment based on the matching alternative QoS profile, and the PC5 QoS parameters are used to transmit the data stream between the relay user equipment and the remote user equipment.

[0034] According to the relay communication method provided in the present application, the second network element receives the first set of alternative parameters and determines an alternative QoS profile and sends it to the RAN, which selects a matching alternative QoS profile from it. The second network element determines the PC5 QoS parameters for transmitting the data flow between the relay user device and the remote user device based on the matching alternative QoS profile, further implements the adjustment of the PC5 link configuration parameters, and ensures the end-to-end QoS requirements of the remote user device.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the second network element may generate multiple QoS profiles for the data flow based on the first alternative parameter set and send them to the RAN node. The RAN node may select a matching alternative QoS profile that meets the current transmission requirements based on the QoS requirements met by the current QoS flow, associate the profiles, and send them to the second network element. The second network element may determine the PC5 QoS parameters based on the matching alternative QoS profile.

[0036] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the second network element determining the PC5 QoS parameters based on the matching alternative QoS profile; and the second network element sending the PC5 QoS parameters to the relay user equipment.

[0037] According to this technical solution, the second network element determines the PC5 QoS parameters based on the matching candidate QoS profile sent by the RAN and sends them to the relay user equipment. The relay user equipment is used to notify the remote user equipment to adjust the PC5 QoS parameters of the PC5 link to ensure the end-to-end QoS requirements of the remote user equipment.

[0038] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the method also includes: the second network element receives a second alternative parameter set from the first network element, the second alternative parameter set including at least one PC5 QoS parameter set; the second network element determines a target PC5 QoS parameter set based on the second alternative parameter set and the matching alternative QoS profile, the target PC5 QoS parameter set including the PC5 QoS parameters.

[0039] According to this technical solution, the second network element can receive a second alternative parameter set, and based on the second alternative parameter set and the matching alternative QoS profile, it can determine the target PC5 QoS parameter set, and further determine the PC5 QoS parameters based on the target PC5 QoS parameter set, which is used to relay the user equipment to notify the remote user equipment to adjust the PC5 QoS parameters of the PC5 link, thereby ensuring the end-to-end QoS requirements of the remote user equipment.

[0040] For example, the first alternative parameter set received by the second network element includes: (x1, y1, z1), (x2, y2, z2), (x3, y3, z3), and the second alternative parameter set includes: (x1', y1', z1'), (x2', y2', z2'), (x3', y3', z3'), and the second network element determines that the target PC5 QoS parameter set is (x1', y1', z1') based on the matching alternative QoS profile, and further determines the PC5 QoS parameters based on the target PC5 QoS parameter set.

[0041] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the method also includes: the second network element receives the correspondence between the first QoS parameter set and the second QoS parameter set from the first network element, or the second network element receives the correspondence between the QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set and the QoS parameters in the second QoS parameter set from the first network element, the first QoS parameter set belongs to the first alternative parameter set, and the second QoS parameter set belongs to the second alternative parameter set; the second network element determines the PC5QoS parameters based on the correspondence and the matching alternative QoS profile.

[0042] According to this technical solution, the second network element receives the correspondence between the first QoS parameter set and the second QoS parameter set or the correspondence between the QoS parameters in the two parameter sets, and then the second network element determines the PC5 QoS parameters of the PC5 link based on the correspondence and the matching alternative QoS profile, thereby adjusting the QoS parameters of the PC5 link and ensuring the end-to-end QoS requirements of the remote user equipment.

[0043] For example, the correspondence between the first parameter set and the second parameter set received by the second network element is: (x1, y1, z1) corresponds to (x1', y1', z1'), or the correspondence between the QoS parameters of the first parameter set and the QoS parameters of the second parameter set received by the second network element is: x1 corresponds to x1'. The second network element further determines the PC5 QoS parameters based on the correspondence and the matching candidate QoS profile.

[0044] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the method also includes: if the relay user device has been pre-configured or the network has authorized the configuration of a correspondence between the QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set and the PC5QoS parameters in the second QoS parameter set, the relay user device determines the PC5 QoS parameters based on the correspondence, and the correspondence can be a correspondence between 5QI and PQI.

[0045] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first network element is a policy control function network element or a unified data management function network element, and the second network element is a session management function network element.

[0046] According to a third aspect, a relay communication method is provided, which is characterized in that it includes: a first network element obtains the quality of service (QoS) requirement of a data stream of a remote user device; the first network element sends a corresponding relationship to a second network element based on the quality of service (QoS) requirement of the data stream; wherein the corresponding relationship includes at least a first corresponding relationship and a second corresponding relationship, the first corresponding relationship includes a corresponding relationship between a first QoS parameter and a second QoS parameter, and the second corresponding relationship includes a corresponding relationship between a third QoS parameter and a fourth QoS parameter; wherein the first QoS parameter and the third QoS parameter are used to transmit the data stream between the relay user device and the remote user device, the second QoS parameter and the fourth QoS parameter are used to transmit the data stream between the relay user device and the user plane function network element, and the second QoS parameter is different from the fourth QoS parameter.

[0047] In a possible implementation manner, the corresponding relationship refers to a corresponding relationship between PC5 QoS parameters and QoS parameters corresponding to the PDU session of the Relay UE.

[0048] According to the relay communication method provided in the present application, the first network element can generate multiple sets of QoS parameter correspondences for the data flow based on the QoS requirements of the remote user equipment data flow obtained from the AF network element. The correspondence refers to the correspondence between the QoS parameters used to transmit the data flow between the relay user equipment and the remote user equipment and the QoS parameters used to transmit the data flow between the relay user equipment and the user plane function network element. It is used for the RAN node to select the current matching alternative QoS profile, and further the SMF network element or the relay user equipment determines the PC5 QoS parameters of the PC5 link based on the matching alternative QoS profile, thereby adjusting the QoS configuration of the PC5 link and ensuring the end-to-end QoS requirements of the remote user equipment.

[0049] For example, the QoS requirement of the data flow of the remote user equipment obtained by the first network element is (x, y, z), where x, y, and z are three different QoS parameters, and x, y, and z are greater than or equal to 0. The first network element can generate different corresponding relationships based on the QoS requirement. For example, the first corresponding relationship is the corresponding relationship between x1 and x1', and the second corresponding relationship is the corresponding relationship between x2 and x2'. Among them, x1, x2, x1', and x2' are three QoS parameters that meet the parameter x requirement. It should be understood that x1 and x1' are the first QoS parameter and the third QoS parameter, respectively, for transmitting the data flow between the relay user equipment and the remote user equipment, and x2 and x2' are the second QoS parameter and the fourth QoS parameter, respectively, for transmitting the data flow between the relay user equipment and the user plane function network element.

[0050] It should be noted that the second network element generates two different sets of QoS parameters corresponding to the PDU session of the Relay UE according to the QoS requirement, that is, the second QoS parameter is different from the fourth QoS parameter.

[0051] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: the first network element sending indication information to the second network element based on the quality of service (QoS) requirement of the data flow; wherein the indication information is used to indicate the generation of an alternative QoS profile, and the alternative QoS profile is used by the RAN node to determine a matching alternative QoS profile, and the matching alternative QoS profile is a QoS profile that the RAN node meets.

[0052] According to this technical solution, the first network element generates indication information for instructing the second network element to generate an alternative QoS profile, which is then used by the RAN node to determine a matching alternative QoS profile that satisfies the data flow transmitted between the current relay user equipment and the user plane network element. The indication information ensures that the second network element generates the matching alternative QoS profile, providing a prerequisite for subsequently determining the PC5 QoS parameters of the PC5 link, thereby adjusting the QoS configuration of the PC5 link and ensuring the end-to-end QoS requirements of the remote user equipment.

[0053] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: the first network element determining the corresponding relationship according to the quality of service QoS requirement of the data flow.

[0054] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: the first network element determining a corresponding relationship based on the QoS requirement of the data flow and the identification information of the remote user equipment.

[0055] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the method also includes: the first network element determines the corresponding relationship based on the QoS requirements of the data flow and the contract information of the remote user device; or the first network element determines the corresponding relationship based on the QoS requirements of the data flow and the contract information of the relay user device; or the first network element determines the corresponding relationship based on the QoS requirements of the data flow and the contract information of the remote user device and the contract information of the relay user device.

[0056] According to the technical solution, the first network element determines multiple groups of correspondences based on the QoS requirements of the data flow and the contract information of the remote user device or the relay user device, which means that the correspondence between possible PC5 QoS parameters and QoS parameters corresponding to the PDU session of the Relay UE is determined based on the QoS requirements of the data flow and the QoS parameters included in the contract information. Combined with the contract information of the remote user device and the relay user device, it helps to further meet the QoS requirements of the user device for transmitting the data flow.

[0057] For example, the QoS requirement of the data flow of the remote user equipment obtained by the first network element is (x, y, z), where x, y, and z are three different QoS parameters, and x, y, and z are greater than or equal to 0. The subscription information of the remote user equipment includes QoS parameters x3 and x5. The first network element can generate a corresponding relationship between x3 and x3', and between x5 and x5' based on the QoS requirement and the subscription information.

[0058] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: the first network element is a policy control function network element or a unified data management function network element, and the second network element is a session management function network element.

[0059] In a fourth aspect, a relay communication method is provided, characterized in that it includes: a second network element receives a correspondence relationship from a first network element; the second network element sends a fifth QoS parameter to the relay user equipment based on the correspondence relationship and a sixth QoS parameter, and the sixth QoS parameter is a QoS parameter satisfied by the link between the relay user equipment and the user plane function network element; wherein the correspondence relationship includes at least a first correspondence relationship and a second correspondence relationship, the first correspondence relationship includes a correspondence relationship between the first QoS parameter and the second QoS parameter, and the second correspondence relationship includes a correspondence relationship between the third QoS parameter and the fourth QoS parameter; the first QoS parameter and the third QoS parameter are used to transmit the data stream of the remote user equipment between the relay user equipment and the remote user equipment, the second QoS parameter and the fourth QoS parameter are used to transmit the data stream between the relay user equipment and the user plane function network element, and the second QoS parameter is different from the fourth QoS parameter.

[0060] According to the relay communication method provided in the present application, the second network element receives at least two sets of corresponding relationships, and determines an alternative QoS profile based on the corresponding relationship and sends it to the RAN. The RAN selects a matching alternative QoS profile from it. The second network element determines the sixth QoS parameter for transmitting the data flow between the relay user equipment and the user plane network element based on the matching alternative QoS profile, and further determines the fifth QoS parameter (PC5 QoS parameter) for transmitting the data flow between the remote user equipment based on the sixth QoS parameter and the corresponding relationship, further implementing PC5 link configuration parameter adjustment to ensure the end-to-end QoS requirements of the remote user equipment.

[0061] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: the second network element determines the fifth QoS parameter based on the sixth QoS parameter and the corresponding relationship; and the second network element sends the fifth QoS parameter to the relay user equipment.

[0062] According to this technical solution, the second network element can determine the corresponding PC5 QoS parameters based on the parameters and corresponding relationship of the Relay UE's PDU session. The second network element sends the PC5 QoS parameters to the relay user equipment, which is used by the relay user equipment to instruct the remote user equipment to implement PC5 link configuration parameter adjustment to ensure the end-to-end QoS requirements of the remote user equipment.

[0063] For example, the second network element receives a correspondence relationship: the first correspondence relationship is the correspondence relationship between x1 and x1', and the second correspondence relationship is the correspondence relationship between x2 and x2'. Here, x1, x2, x1', and x2' are four QoS parameters that meet the requirement of parameter x. It should be understood that x1 and x1' are the first and third QoS parameters, respectively, used to transmit the data flow between the relay user equipment and the remote user equipment, and x2 and x2' are the second and fourth QoS parameters, respectively, used to transmit the data flow between the relay user equipment and the user plane function network element. The second network element can generate an alternative QoS profile based on x1' and x2'. The RAN node determines a matching alternative QoS profile that meets the requirements for the data flow transmitted between the current relay user equipment and the user plane network element. Based on the matching alternative QoS profile, it determines a sixth QoS parameter x3' for transmission between the relay user equipment and the user plane network element. Based on the first and second correspondence relationships, it determines a fifth QoS parameter x3 corresponding to the sixth QoS parameter x3'.

[0064] The QoS requirement of the data stream of the remote user equipment obtained by the first network element is (x, y, z), where x, y, and z are three different QoS parameters, and x, y, and z are greater than or equal to 0. The first network element can generate different corresponding relationships based on the QoS requirement. For example, the first corresponding relationship is the corresponding relationship between x1 and x1', and the second corresponding relationship is the corresponding relationship between x2 and x2'. Among them, x1, x2, x1', and x2' are three QoS parameters that meet the parameter x requirement. It should be understood that x1 and x1' are the first QoS parameter and the third QoS parameter, respectively, for transmitting the data stream between the relay user equipment and the remote user equipment, and x2 and x2' are the second QoS parameter and the fourth QoS parameter, respectively, for transmitting the data stream between the relay user equipment and the user plane function network element.

[0065] It should be noted that the second network element generates two different sets of QoS parameters corresponding to the PDU session of the Relay UE according to the QoS requirement, that is, the second QoS parameter is different from the fourth QoS parameter.

[0066] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: the second network element receiving a matching alternative QoS profile from the RAN node, wherein the matching alternative QoS profile is a QoS profile satisfied by the RAN node; and the second network element determining the sixth QoS parameter based on the matching alternative QoS profile.

[0067] According to this technical solution, the second network element receives a matching alternative QoS profile from the RAN node that satisfies the data flow transmitted between the current relay user equipment and the user plane network element, and the second network element further determines the QoS parameters for transmission between the relay user equipment and the user plane network element based on the matching alternative QoS profile.

[0068] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: the second network element sending an alternative QoS profile to the RAN node based on the corresponding relationship, and the alternative QoS profile is used by the RAN node to determine a matching alternative QoS profile.

[0069] According to this technical solution, the second network element generates an alternative QoS profile based on the corresponding relationship and sends it to the RAN node, so that the RAN node can determine a matching alternative QoS profile that satisfies the data flow transmitted between the current relay user equipment and the user plane network element.

[0070] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: the second network element generates the alternative QoS profile based on the second QoS parameter and the fourth QoS parameter; and the second network element sends the alternative QoS profile to the RAN node.

[0071] According to this technical solution, the second network element generates a corresponding relationship based on the QoS parameters used to transmit data flows between the relay user equipment and the user plane network element, generates an alternative QoS profile, and sends it to the RAN node, so that the RAN node determines a matching alternative QoS profile that meets the requirements for the data flows transmitted between the current relay user equipment and the user plane network element.

[0072] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the method also includes: the second network element receives indication information from the first network element, the indication information is used to indicate the generation of an alternative QoS profile; the second network element generates the alternative QoS profile based on the second QoS parameter and the fourth QoS parameter, including: the second network element generates the alternative QoS profile based on the indication information, the second QoS parameter and the fourth QoS parameter.

[0073] According to this technical solution, the second network element generates an alternative QoS profile according to the indication information, which is used by the RAN node to determine a matching alternative QoS profile that satisfies the data flow transmitted between the current relay user equipment and the user plane network element.

[0074] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: the first network element is a policy control function network element or a unified data management function network element, and the second network element is a session management function network element.

[0075] In a fifth aspect, a relay communication device is provided, which is a unit that executes the method in the first aspect or various embodiments thereof.

[0076] Based on the above scheme, the relay communication device determines the PC5 QoS parameters of the PC5 link by executing the method in the first aspect or its various embodiments by matching the alternative QoS profile, thereby adjusting the QoS configuration of the PC5 link and the Relay UEPDU session to ensure the end-to-end QoS requirements of the remote user equipment.

[0077] In a sixth aspect, a relay communication device is provided, which is a unit that executes the method in the second aspect or various embodiments thereof.

[0078] Based on the above scheme, the relay communication device determines the PC5 QoS parameters of the PC5 link by executing the method in the second aspect or its various embodiments by matching the alternative QoS profile, thereby adjusting the QoS configuration of the PC5 link and the Relay UEPDU session to ensure the end-to-end QoS requirements of the remote user equipment.

[0079] In a seventh aspect, a relay communication device is provided, which is a unit that executes the method in the third aspect or its various embodiments.

[0080] Based on the above scheme, the relay communication device determines the PC5 QoS parameters of the PC5 link by executing the method in the third aspect or its various embodiments by matching the alternative QoS profile, thereby adjusting the QoS configuration of the PC5 link and the Relay UEPDU session to ensure the end-to-end QoS requirements of the remote user equipment.

[0081] In an eighth aspect, a relay communication device is provided, which is a unit that executes the method in the fourth aspect or its various embodiments.

[0082] Based on the above scheme, the relay communication device determines the PC5 QoS parameters of the PC5 link by executing the method in the fourth aspect or its various embodiments by matching the alternative QoS profile, thereby adjusting the QoS configuration of the PC5 link and the Relay UEPDU session to ensure the end-to-end QoS requirements of the remote user equipment.

[0083] In the ninth aspect, a relay communication device is provided, comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store computer instructions, and the processor is used to execute the computer instructions stored in the memory, so that the relay communication device executes the relay communication method in the first or second aspect or the third aspect or the fourth aspect and various possible implementation methods thereof.

[0084] Based on the above technical solution, the relay communication device determines the PC5 QoS parameters of the PC5 link by executing the method in the above embodiment by matching the alternative QoS profile, and then adjusts the QoS configuration of the PC5 link and the Relay UE PDU session to ensure the end-to-end QoS requirements of the remote user equipment.

[0085] Optionally, there are one or more processors and one or more memories.

[0086] Optionally, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory may be provided separately from the processor.

[0087] In a tenth aspect, a relay communication device is provided, comprising one of the above-mentioned first network element, second network element, remote user equipment, and relay user equipment.

[0088] In the eleventh aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, which stores a computer program (also referred to as code, or instructions) which, when run on a computer, enables the computer to execute a method in any possible implementation of the first, second, third and fourth aspects above.

[0089] In the twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes: a computer program (also referred to as code, or instructions), which, when run, enables the method in any possible implementation of the above-mentioned first or second aspect or third aspect or fourth aspect to be executed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0090] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a relay communication system architecture 100 applicable to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0091] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a network architecture 200 of a relay communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0092] Figure 3 A schematic block diagram of the relay communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0093] Figure 4 A schematic interaction diagram applicable to the relay communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0094] Figure 5 Another schematic block diagram of the relay communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0095] Figure 6 Another schematic interaction diagram applicable to the relay communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0096] Figure 7 A schematic block diagram of a relay communication device applicable to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0097] Figure 8 A schematic architecture diagram of a relay communication device applicable to an embodiment of the present application is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0098] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0099] The wireless communication systems mentioned in the embodiments of the present application include but are not limited to: Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication system, fifth generation (5G) system, future sixth generation (6G) or new radio (NR), etc.

[0100] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of them. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0101] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, first Figure 1 Briefly describe the structure of a communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 As shown, the communication system 100 may include two user equipments, such as Figure 1 As shown in FIGURE 1, the user equipment 111 and the user equipment 112, the communication system 100 may further include an access network device, such as Figure 1The access network device 121 shown. When the user equipment 111 is out of network coverage or the communication signal between the user equipment 111 and the access network device 121 is poor, the user equipment 111 can communicate with the user equipment 112, and the user equipment 112 can communicate with the access network device 121, thereby enabling communication between the user equipment 111 and the access network device 121, and the access network device 121 forwards the data to the data network through the UPF.

[0102] The user equipment 111 is connected to the network via indirect communication and may be referred to as a remote user equipment (Remote UE) in this embodiment of the present application. The user equipment 121 may be considered as a user equipment that assists the Remote UE in accessing the network and may be referred to as a relay user equipment (Relay UE) in this embodiment of the present application. That is, the Remote UE communicates with the network via the Relay UE to implement uplink and downlink data transmission between the Remote UE and the network.

[0103] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a network architecture 200 of the communication system of the present application is shown.

[0104] like Figure 2 As shown, the network architecture of the communication system includes but is not limited to the following network elements:

[0105] 1. User Equipment (UE): The user equipment in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user device, etc.

[0106] The user equipment may be a device that provides voice / data connectivity to the user, for example, a handheld device or a vehicle-mounted device with a wireless connection function. At present, some examples of terminals are: mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, user equipment in future 5G networks or future evolved public land mobile communication networks (PLMNs). The embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0107] As an example and not a limitation, in the embodiment of the present application, the user device may also be a wearable device. Wearable devices may also be called wearable smart devices, which are a general term for wearable devices that are intelligently designed and developed using wearable technology for daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. A wearable device is a portable device that is worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories. Wearable devices are not only hardware devices, but also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include those that are fully functional, large in size, and can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on smartphones, such as smart watches or smart glasses, as well as those that only focus on a certain type of application function and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0108] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present application, the user device may also be a user device in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. The IoT is an important component of future information technology development. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network that interconnects humans and machines, and objects and things.

[0109] In the embodiments of the present application, IoT technology can achieve massive connections, deep coverage, and terminal power saving through, for example, narrowband NB technology. For example, an NB can include one resource block (RB), that is, the NB bandwidth is only 180KB. To achieve massive access, it is necessary to require that terminals are discrete in access. According to the communication method of the embodiments of the present application, it can effectively solve the congestion problem of massive IoT terminals when accessing the network through NB.

[0110] In addition, the access device in the embodiment of the present application may be a device for communicating with a user device. The access device may also be referred to as an access network device or a wireless access network device. For example, the access device may be an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, or a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, or the access device may be a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, and an access device in a future 5G network or an access device in a future evolved PLMN network, etc. It may be an access point (AP) in a WLAN, or a gNB in ​​a new radio system (NR). The embodiment of the present application is not limited.

[0111] In addition, in the embodiment of the present application, the user equipment may also communicate with user equipment of other communication systems, for example, inter-device communication, etc. For example, the user equipment may also transmit (for example, send and / or receive) time synchronization messages with user equipment of other communication systems.

[0112] 2. Access device (AN / RAN): The access device in the embodiment of the present application may be a device for communicating with a user equipment. The access device may also be referred to as an access network device or a wireless access network device. For example, the access device may be an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, or a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, or the access device may be a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, an access device in a 5G network, or an access device in a future evolved PLMN network, etc. It may be an access point (AP) in a WLAN, or a gNB in ​​an NR system. The embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

[0113] In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, an access device is a device in the RAN, or in other words, a RAN node that connects a user equipment to a wireless network. For example, as an example and not a limitation, the access device may include: a gNB, a transmission reception point (TRP), an evolved Node B (eNB), a radio network controller (RNC), a Node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (e.g., a home evolved Node B, or a home Node B, HNB), a base band unit (BBU), or a wireless fidelity (Wifi) access point (AP). In a network structure, the network device may include a centralized unit (CU) node, a distributed unit (DU) node, a RAN device including a CU node and a DU node, or a RAN device including a control plane CU node (CU-CP node) and a user plane CU node (CU-UP node) and a DU node.

[0114] An access device provides services for a cell, and a user device communicates with the access device through the transmission resources used by the cell (e.g., frequency domain resources, or spectrum resources). The cell may be a cell corresponding to the access device (e.g., a base station). The cell may belong to a macro base station or a base station corresponding to a small cell. Small cells may include: metro cells, micro cells, pico cells, femto cells, etc. These small cells have the characteristics of small coverage and low transmission power, and are suitable for providing high-speed data transmission services.

[0115] In addition, multiple cells can operate simultaneously on the same frequency on a carrier in an LTE or 5G system. In some special scenarios, the concepts of carrier and cell can be considered equivalent. For example, in a carrier aggregation (CA) scenario, when a secondary carrier is configured for a UE, both the carrier index of the secondary carrier and the cell identification (Cell ID) of the secondary cell operating on the secondary carrier are carried. In this case, the concepts of carrier and cell can be considered equivalent, for example, a user equipment accessing a carrier is equivalent to accessing a cell.

[0116] The communication system of the present application can also be applied to vehicle to everything (V2X) technology, that is, the user equipment of the present application can also be a car, for example, a smart car or a self-driving car.

[0117] The "X" in V2X represents different communication goals. V2X can include but is not limited to: vehicle to vehicle (V2V), vehicle to infrastructure (V2I), vehicle to network (V2N), and vehicle to pedestrian (V2P).

[0118] In V2X, access devices can configure "zones" for UEs. These zones can also be called geographic regions. Once configured, the world is divided into multiple zones, defined by reference points, length, and width. When determining a zone identifier (ID), the UE uses the zone's length, width, the number of zones in the length, the number of zones in the width, and the reference points. This information can be configured by the access device.

[0119] V2X services can be provided in two ways: using the Proximity-based Services Communication 5 (PC5) interface and the Uu interface. The PC5 interface is defined based on a sidelink, enabling direct communication between communication devices (e.g., vehicles). The PC5 interface can be used both out of coverage (OOC) and in coverage (IC), but only authorized communication devices can use it for transmission.

[0120] 3. Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element: Mainly used for mobility management and access management, etc., and can be used to implement other functions of the mobility management entity (MME) in the LTE system except session management, such as lawful interception and access authorization / authentication. When the AMF network element provides services for a session in a user equipment, it will provide control plane storage resources for the session to store the session identifier, the SMF network element identifier associated with the session identifier, etc. In the embodiment of the present application, it can be used to implement the functions of the access and mobility management network element.

[0121] 4. Session Management Function (SMF) network element: This element is primarily used for session management, allocating and managing Internet Protocol (IP) addresses for user devices, selecting and managing endpoints for user plane functions, policy control, or charging function interfaces, and downlink data notification. In embodiments of the present application, this element can be used to implement the functions of the session management network element.

[0122] 5. Policy Control Function (PCF) network element: A unified policy framework used to guide network behavior, providing policy rule information and flow-based billing control functions for control plane function network elements (such as AMF, SMF network elements, etc.).

[0123] 6. Unified data management (UDM) network element: Mainly responsible for processing UE subscription data, including the storage and management of user identities, user subscription data, authentication data, etc.

[0124] 7. User Plane Function (UPF) network element: This element can be used for packet routing and forwarding, or for quality of service (QoS) processing of user plane data. User data can be connected to the data network (DN) through this element, and user data can also be received from the data network and transmitted to the user equipment through the access network equipment. The transmission resources and scheduling functions provided to the user equipment in the UPF network element are managed and controlled by the SMF network element. In the embodiments of the present application, this element can be used to implement the functions of the user plane network element.

[0125] 8. Network Exposure Function (NEF) network element: Used to securely expose services and capabilities provided by 3GPP network functions to the outside world, mainly supporting secure interaction between 3GPP networks and third-party applications.

[0126] 9. Application Function (AF) NE: This NE is used to perform application-influenced data routing, access network open function NEs, or interact with the policy framework for policy control, such as influencing data routing decisions, policy control functions, or providing third-party services to the network side.

[0127] 10. Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) network element: mainly responsible for network slice selection, and determines the network slice instance that the UE is allowed to access based on the UE's slice selection auxiliary information, contract information, etc.

[0128] 11. Authentication Server Function (AUSF) network element: supports 3GPP and non-3GPP access authentication.

[0129] 12. Network Repository Function (NRF) network element: supports registration and discovery of network functions.

[0130] 13. Unified Data Repository (UDR) network element: stores and retrieves contract data used by UDM and PCF.

[0131] In this network architecture, the N2 interface is the reference point between the RAN and AMF entities, used for sending NAS (Non-Access Stratum) messages, etc.; the N3 interface is the reference point between the RAN and UPF network elements, used for transmitting user plane data, etc.; the N4 interface is the reference point between the SMF network element and the UPF network element, used for transmitting information such as tunnel identification information of the N3 connection, data cache indication information, and downlink data notification messages.

[0132] It should be understood that Figure 2 The UE, (R)AN, UPF and DN are generally referred to as data plane network functions and entities. The user's data traffic can be transmitted through the PDU session established between the UE and DN, and the transmission will pass through the two network function entities (R)AN and UPF; the other parts are called control plane network functions and entities, which are mainly responsible for functions such as authentication and authorization, registration management, session management, mobility management and policy control, so as to achieve reliable and stable transmission of user layer traffic.

[0133] It should be understood that the above-mentioned network architecture applied to the embodiment of the present application is only an example of the network architecture described from the perspective of traditional point-to-point architecture and service-oriented architecture. The network architecture applicable to the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this. Any network architecture that can realize the functions of the above-mentioned network elements is applicable to the embodiment of the present application.

[0134] It should be understood that Figure 2 The interface names between the various network elements in the embodiment are only examples. The names of the interfaces in the specific implementation may be other names, and this application does not specifically limit this. In addition, the names of the messages (or signaling) transmitted between the above-mentioned network elements are only examples and do not constitute any limitation on the function of the messages themselves.

[0135] It should be noted that the above-mentioned "network element" can also be referred to as an entity, device, apparatus or module, etc., and this application does not specifically limit it. Moreover, in this application, for the sake of ease of understanding and explanation, the description of "network element" is omitted in some descriptions. For example, the SMF network element is referred to as SMF. In this case, the "SMF" should be understood as the SMF network element or SMF entity. The description of the same or similar situations will be omitted below.

[0136] It is understandable that the above entities or functions can be network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0137] The following specific embodiments are used to describe the technical solution of the present application in detail. The following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be described in detail in some embodiments.

[0138] Figure 3 300 is a schematic block diagram of a relay communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method 300 may include the following steps:

[0139] S301: A first network element obtains a quality of service (QoS) requirement of a data stream #A of a remote user equipment.

[0140] Specifically, the first network element may obtain the QoS requirements of the remote user equipment from the application function network element AF. The QoS requirements may include delay parameters, rate, priority, reliability, etc., as well as a data flow description (Flow description) corresponding to data flow #A. The data flow description may be in the form of a triple (destination IP address, destination port, and transport layer protocol) or a five-tuple (source IP address, source port, destination IP address, destination port, and transport layer protocol).

[0141] The first network element may also obtain a UE address (UE address), an AF identifier (AFIdentifier) ​​of the remote user equipment, and identification information of the user equipment.

[0142] It should be understood that the application function network element AF can obtain the QoS requirement and other information by interacting with the remote user equipment on service requirements.

[0143] The first network element may be a PCF network element or a UDM network element.

[0144] S302: The first network element generates a first candidate parameter set for the data flow #A according to the QoS requirement, and sends the first candidate parameter set to the second network element.

[0145] Specifically, the first network element determines a first alternative parameter set based on the QoS requirements and the identification information of the remote user device, wherein the first alternative parameter set refers to an optional QoS parameter set (Alternative QoS parametersets), including at least one QoS parameter set (QoS parameter set), and the first alternative parameter set is used to determine the target QoS parameter set, and the QoS parameters in the target QoS parameter set are used to transmit the data stream #A between the second device and the UPF network element.

[0146] In one possible implementation, the first network element may determine the first candidate parameter set based on the QoS requirements of the data flow #A and the subscription information of the remote user equipment. The subscription information of the remote user equipment may include authorized QoS parameters and may also include a correspondence between the QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session and the QoS parameters of the PC5 link.

[0147] In one possible implementation, the first network element may further determine the first candidate parameter set based on the QoS requirements of the data flow #A and the subscription information of the relay user equipment. The subscription information of the relay user equipment may include authorized QoS parameters and may also include a correspondence between the QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session and the QoS parameters of the PC5 link.

[0148] In a possible implementation, the first network element may further determine the first candidate parameter set based on the QoS requirements of the data stream #A and the subscription information of the remote user equipment and the relay user equipment, wherein the subscription information of the remote user equipment and the relay user equipment may include authorized QoS parameters.

[0149] In a possible implementation, the first network element may further generate and send a second candidate parameter set to the second network element.

[0150] The second alternative parameter set refers to an optional PC5 QoS parameter set (Alternative PC5 QoS parameter sets), including at least one PC5 QoS parameter set (PC5 QoS parameter set), and the second alternative parameter set is used to determine a target PC5 QoS parameter set, and the QoS parameters in the target PC5 QoS parameter set are used to transmit data stream #A between the second device and the first device.

[0151] In a possible implementation, the first network element further sends a correspondence between a first QoS parameter set and a second QoS parameter set to the second network element, where the first QoS parameter set belongs to the first candidate parameter set and the second QoS parameter set belongs to the second candidate parameter set.

[0152] S303: The second network element sends the candidate QoS profile to the RAN node according to the first candidate parameter set.

[0153] Specifically, the second network element generates and sends alternative QoS profiles (AQPs) based on the first alternative parameter set, where the alternative QoS profile means that the second network element can provide multiple sets of QoS profiles for the RAN for the same QoS flow, and any one of the multiple sets of QoS profiles can be used to transmit the data flow between the relay user equipment and the user plane function network element.

[0154] In one possible implementation, the second network element generates an alternative QoS profile for data flow #A based on the first candidate parameter set. Specifically, each QoS profile in the alternative QoS profile is generated based on the QoS parameter set in the first candidate parameter set, and the QoS parameters in the QoS profile are the same as the QoS parameters in the QoS parameter set.

[0155] The second network element may be an SMF network element.

[0156] S304: The second network element or the relay user equipment determines PC5 QoS parameters.

[0157] Specifically, when the RAN node finds that the profile associated with the current QoS flow cannot be satisfied, it selects a matching alternative QoS profile from the alternative QoS profiles and sends the matching alternative QoS profile index information to the second network element.

[0158] Specifically, the second network element determines the PC5 QoS parameters according to the matching candidate QoS profile.

[0159] In one possible implementation, the second network element receives the first candidate parameter set from the first network element while also receiving the second candidate parameter set. The QoS parameters in the first candidate parameter set and the QoS parameters in the second candidate parameter set may have a one-to-one relationship. For example, the Nth QoS parameter in the first candidate parameter set corresponds to the Nth QoS parameter in the second candidate parameter set, where N may be the number of QoS parameters in the first candidate parameter set. The second network element determines the PC5 QoS parameters based on the second candidate parameter set and the matching alternative QoS profile. Specifically, the second network element determines the QoS parameter set in the first candidate parameter set corresponding to the matching alternative QoS profile, and then determines the PC5 QoS parameters based on the QoS parameter set in the first alternative parameter set and the QoS parameter set in the second alternative parameter set.

[0160] In one possible implementation, a second network element receives a correspondence between QoS parameters in a first QoS parameter set and QoS parameters in a second QoS parameter set, sent by a first network element. The first QoS parameter set belongs to a first candidate parameter set, and the second QoS parameter set belongs to a second candidate parameter set. The second network element determines PC5 QoS parameters based on the correspondence and a matching candidate QoS profile. Specifically, the second network element determines QoS parameters for the corresponding Relay UE PDU session based on the matching candidate QoS profile. Further, the second network element determines the corresponding PC5 QoS parameters based on the QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session and the correspondence.

[0161] The above determination of PC5 QoS parameters may also be performed by the relay user equipment.

[0162] Specifically, if the relay user device has been pre-configured or the network has authorized the configuration of a correspondence between the QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set and the PC5 QoS parameters in the second QoS parameter set, the relay user device determines the PC5 QoS parameters based on the correspondence, which can be a correspondence between 5QI and PQI.

[0163] Based on the embodiment of the present application, the first network element generates multiple alternative parameter sets or multiple groups of parameter correspondences according to the QoS requirements of the data flow of the remote user equipment. The second network element can generate an alternative QoS profile based on the multiple alternative parameter sets or multiple groups of parameter correspondences. The RAN node selects a matching alternative QoS profile from the alternative QoS profile according to the current data flow transmission requirements and sends it to the second network element. Furthermore, the second network element or the relay user equipment can determine the PC5 QoS parameters for the PC5 link update based on the matching alternative QoS profile, thereby adjusting the QoS configuration of the PC5 link and the Relay UE PDU session to ensure the end-to-end QoS requirements of the first device.

[0164] It should be understood that the PC5 link may also be a PC5 connection.

[0165] In the following embodiments, for the sake of distinction and without loss of generality, the first device is taken as an example of Remote UE, the second device is taken as an example of Relay UE, PCF is taken as an example of the first network element, SMF is taken as an example of the second network element, and the first device communicates with the network side through the second device.

[0166] It should be understood that the first network element may also be a UDM.

[0167] Figure 4 It is a schematic interaction diagram of a relay communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 The method 400 corresponds to Figure 3 Specific implementation steps of method 300. Figure 4 The method shown may include steps S401 - S412 , and steps S401 - S412 are described in detail below.

[0168] S401, the first device establishes a PC5 link with the second device, the second device establishes a PDU session, and completes the establishment of a data plane connection with the user plane functional network element.

[0169] The user plane function network element may be a UPF network element.

[0170] The process of establishing a connection between the first device and the network side is mainly divided into two parts: one is to establish a PC5 link between the first device and the second device, and the other is to establish a PDU session with the second device.

[0171] The specific steps are as follows:

[0172] In the first step, the first device and the second device respectively obtain authorization information and communication parameter information from the network.

[0173] The authorization information specifically includes authorizing the first device and the second device to act as Remote UE and Relay UE respectively. The communication parameter information includes PC5 QoS parameters authorized by the network for communication between the first device and the second device, which can be used for QoS parameter configuration of the PC5 link between the first device and the second device.

[0174] In the second step, the second device establishes a PDU session.

[0175] The session management function network element SMF allocates address #1 to the second device for uplink and downlink data transmission between the second device and the UPF. Address #1 can be an IP address, MAC address, etc.

[0176] In the third step, the first device establishes a PC5 link with the second device.

[0177] The second device and the first device discover each other and establish a PC5 link, and the second device will assign IP address #2 for PC5 communication to the first device, and the second device will also assign address #3 for network-side communication to the first device. The second device can forward uplink or downlink data for the first device based on address #3, thereby realizing data transmission between the first device and the UPF and ensuring communication between the first device and the network side. Among them, address #3 can be an IP address, or an IP address and a port number. It should be understood that this step is similar to the prior art, and the solution given in this step is only an example. There may be other ways to establish links in the specific implementation, and this application does not limit this. In addition, the order of the specific processes in the above steps is only an example and does not constitute any limitation on the specific implementation of the solution.

[0178] S402, the second device reports information #A to the PCF.

[0179] This step includes the second device sending information #A to SMF, and SMF sending information #A to PCF.

[0180] Specifically, the second device can send information #A through the Remote UE Report message, and the SMF sends information #A to the PCF through the session management policy negotiation process.

[0181] The information #A includes: identification information of the first device and address #3 of the first device.

[0182] The identification information of the first device may be a Subscription Concealed Identifier (SUCI), a Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI), a Generic Public Subscription Identifier (GPSI), or an Application Layer Identifier (APPlayer ID).

[0183] It should be noted that the address #3 of the first device can be understood as address information used by the first device to transmit data, that is, data flow information of the first device.

[0184] PCF obtains the information #A and stores the information #A.

[0185] S403, PCF obtains information #B.

[0186] The PCF can obtain information #B from the application function network element AF.

[0187] Specifically, information #B includes the UE address (UE address) of the first device, AF identifier (AF Identifier), data flow description (Flow description), QoS requirement (QoS reference), and identification information of the first device.

[0188] The UE address may be an IP address or a MAC address.

[0189] The data flow description can be in the form of a triple (destination IP address, destination port, and transport layer protocol) or a quintuple (source IP address, source port, destination IP address, destination port, and transport layer protocol). The data flow corresponding to this data flow description is denoted as service data flow #A. Correspondingly, the PCF obtains information #B, which can also be understood as the PCF obtaining information #B of service data flow #A.

[0190] It should be noted that QoS requirements may include delay parameters, rate, priority, reliability, etc.

[0191] The process of AF sending information #B to PCF is as follows: AF first initiates a QoS AF session creation request message to NEF, which includes information #B. NEF further sends a policy authorization creation request message to PCF, which carries information #B.

[0192] It should be understood that AF can interact with the first device through the application layer to perform business needs, thereby obtaining information #B. The embodiment of the present application only provides an example of obtaining information #B. During specific implementation, information #B can be obtained through other methods, which will not affect the implementation of other steps and can be applied to the embodiment of the present application. This application does not limit this.

[0193] S404: The PCF determines a first candidate parameter set for the data stream #A of the first device according to the information #B.

[0194] The first alternative parameter set refers to an optional QoS parameter set (Alternative QoS parametersets), including at least one OoS parameter set (QoS parameter set). The first alternative parameter set is used to determine a target QoS parameter set, and the QoS parameters in the target QoS parameter set are used to transmit the data stream #A between the second device and the UPF network element.

[0195] Among them, the QoS parameter set may specifically include: 5G QoS indicator (5QI), packet delay budget (Packet Delay Budget), uplink guaranteed bit rate (UL-guaranteed bitrate), downlink guaranteed bit rate (DL-guaranteed bitrate), packet error rate and other QoS parameters.

[0196] In a possible implementation, the PCF determines the first candidate parameter set based on the QoS requirement of the data flow #A in the information #B and the information of the first device. The information of the first device may be address #3 information of the first device.

[0197] Specifically, the data flow description corresponding to data flow #A is the data flow of the first device, and the first device is a remote user device. The PCF network element determines that data flow #A is the data flow of the remote user device, and then determines a first set of candidate parameters for the remote user device based on the QoS requirements of data flow #A. Alternatively, the PCF determines that data flow #A is the data flow of the remote user device based on the fact that the data flow description corresponding to data flow #A is the same as the address #3 of the first device in information #A, and then determines a first set of candidate parameters for the remote user device based on the QoS requirements of data flow #A. The data flow description corresponding to data flow #A is the same as the address #3 of the first device in information #A, which can be understood as any information in the data flow description being the same as the corresponding information in address #3 of the first device, such as the source address in the data flow description being the same as the source address in address #3 of the first device.

[0198] In one possible implementation, the PCF may determine the first candidate parameter set based on the QoS requirement of data flow #A and the subscription information of the first device, where the subscription information of the first device may include authorized QoS parameters or a correspondence between QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session and QoS parameters of the PC5 link. The PCF may determine the first candidate parameter set based on the QoS requirement of data flow #A and the authorized QoS parameters or the correspondence.

[0199] For example, the delay parameter requirement in the QoS requirement of data stream #A in information #B is 10ms, and the contract information of the first device includes authorized delay QoS parameters of 4ms, 5ms and 6ms. Then, PCF can determine that the delay parameters in the first alternative parameter set are 4ms, 5ms, and 6ms respectively.

[0200] For another example, the delay parameter requirement in the QoS requirement of data stream #A in information #B is 10ms, and the correspondence between the QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session included in the subscription information of the first device and the PC5 link QoS parameters is (4ms, 6ms), (5ms, 5ms), (6ms, 4ms). Then, PCF can determine that the delay parameters in the first alternative parameter set are 4ms, 5ms, and 6ms respectively.

[0201] In one possible implementation, the PCF may determine the first candidate parameter set based on the QoS requirements of data flow #A and the subscription information of the second device, where the subscription information of the second device may include authorized QoS parameters or a correspondence between QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session and PC5 link QoS parameters. The PCF may determine the first candidate parameter set based on the QoS requirements of data flow #A and the authorized QoS parameters or the correspondence.

[0202] For example, the delay parameter requirement in the QoS requirement of data stream #A in information #B is 10ms, and the contract information of the second device includes authorized delay QoS parameters of 4ms, 5ms and 6ms. Then, PCF can determine that the delay parameters in the first alternative parameter set are 4ms, 5ms, and 6ms respectively.

[0203] For another example, the delay parameter requirement in the QoS requirement of data stream #A in information #B is 10ms, and the correspondence between the QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session included in the subscription information of the second device and the PC5 link QoS parameters is (4ms, 6ms), (5ms, 5ms), (6ms, 4ms). Then, PCF can determine that the delay parameters in the first alternative parameter set are 4ms, 5ms, and 6ms respectively.

[0204] In one possible implementation, the PCF may determine the first set of candidate parameters based on the QoS requirements of data stream #A and the contract information of the first device and the second device. The PCF may determine the first set of candidate parameters based on the QoS requirements of data stream #A and the QoS parameters authorized for use by the first device and the second device.

[0205] For example, the delay parameter requirement in the QoS requirement of data stream #A in information #B is 10ms, the contract information of the first device includes authorized delay QoS parameters of 4ms, 6ms, 8ms and 12ms, and the contract information of the second device includes authorized delay QoS parameters of 3ms, 4ms, 6ms and 12ms. The PCF can take the intersection parameter information of the delay QoS parameters authorized for use by the first device and the second device, that is, 4ms, 6ms and 12ms. The PCF can combine the QoS requirement of data stream #A and the intersection parameter information to determine that the delay parameters in the first alternative parameter set are 4ms and 6ms respectively.

[0206] For another example, the delay parameter requirement in the QoS requirement of data stream #A in information #B is 10ms, the contract information of the first device includes authorized delay QoS parameters of 4ms, 6ms, 8ms and 12ms, and the contract information of the second device includes authorized delay QoS parameters of 3ms, 4ms, 6ms and 12ms. The PCF can determine that the delay QoS parameters of the RelayUE PDU session are 3ms, 4ms, 6ms based on the contract information of the second device, and then determine the PC5 delay QoS parameters as 4ms, 6ms, 8ms based on the contract information of the first device. Combined with the delay parameter requirements, the delay parameters in the first alternative parameter set that meet the delay requirements are: 4ms, 6ms.

[0207] In a possible implementation, the PCF may also identify its preferred QoS parameter set.

[0208] In a possible implementation, the PCF may also generate a second candidate parameter set.

[0209] The second alternative parameter set refers to an optional PC5 QoS parameter set (Alternative PC5 QoS parameter sets), including at least one PC5 QoS parameter set (PC5 QoS parameter set), and the second alternative parameter set is used to determine a target PC5 QoS parameter set, and the QoS parameters in the target PC5 QoS parameter set are used to transmit data stream #A between the second device and the first device.

[0210] Among them, the PC5 OoS parameter set can specifically include: PC5 5G QoS indicator (PQI), packet delay budget (Packet Delay Budget), uplink guaranteed bit rate (UL-guaranteed bitrate), downlink guaranteed bit rate (DL-guaranteed bitrate), packet error rate and other QoS parameters.

[0211] Each PC5 QoS parameter set in the second candidate parameter set corresponds to each QoS parameter set in the first candidate parameter set.

[0212] In a possible implementation, the PCF determines the second candidate parameter set according to the QoS requirement of the data flow #A in the information #B and the identification information of the first device.

[0213] Specifically, the data flow #A is the data flow of the first device, and the first device is a remote user device. The PCF network element determines that the data flow #A is the data flow of the remote user device based on the identification information of the remote user device, and then determines a second alternative parameter set for the remote user device based on the QoS requirements of the data flow #A.

[0214] In one possible implementation, the PCF may determine the second candidate parameter set based on the QoS requirements of data flow #A and the subscription information of the first device, where the subscription information of the first device may include authorized QoS parameters or a correspondence between QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session and QoS parameters of the PC5 link. The PCF may determine the second candidate parameter set based on the QoS requirements of data flow #A and the authorized QoS parameters or the correspondence.

[0215] For example, the delay parameter requirement in the QoS requirement of data stream #A in information #B is 10ms, and the contract information of the first device includes authorized delay QoS parameters of 4ms, 5ms and 6ms. Then, PCF can determine that the delay parameters in the second alternative parameter set are 6ms, 5ms, and 4ms respectively.

[0216] For another example, the delay parameter requirement in the QoS requirement of data stream #A in information #B is 10ms, and the correspondence between the QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session included in the subscription information of the first device and the PC5 link QoS parameters is (4ms, 6ms), (5ms, 5ms), (6ms, 4ms). Then, PCF can determine that the delay parameters in the second alternative parameter set are 6ms, 5ms, and 4ms respectively.

[0217] In one possible implementation, the PCF may determine the second candidate parameter set based on the QoS requirement of data flow #A and the subscription information of the second device, where the subscription information of the second device may include authorized QoS parameters or a correspondence between QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session and PC5 link QoS parameters. The PCF may determine the second candidate parameter set based on the QoS requirement of data flow #A and the authorized QoS parameters or the correspondence.

[0218] For example, the delay parameter requirement in the QoS requirement of data stream #A in information #B is 10ms, and the contract information of the second device includes authorized delay QoS parameters of 4ms, 5ms and 6ms. Then, the PCF can determine that the delay parameters in the second alternative parameter set are 6ms, 5ms, and 4ms respectively.

[0219] For another example, the delay parameter requirement in the QoS requirement of data stream #A in information #B is 10ms, and the correspondence between the QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session included in the subscription information of the second device and the PC5 link QoS parameters is (4ms, 6ms), (5ms, 5ms), (6ms, 4ms). Then, PCF can determine that the delay parameters in the second alternative parameter set are 6ms, 5ms, and 4ms respectively.

[0220] In one possible implementation, specifically, the PCF can determine the second set of alternative parameters based on the QoS requirements of data stream #A and the contract information of the first device and the second device. The PCF can determine the second set of alternative parameters based on the QoS requirements of data stream #A and the QoS parameters authorized for use by the first device and the second device.

[0221] For example, the delay parameter requirement in the QoS requirement of data stream #A in information #B is 10ms, the contract information of the first device includes authorized delay QoS parameters of 4ms, 6ms, 8ms and 12ms, and the contract information of the second device includes authorized delay QoS parameters of 3ms, 4ms, 6ms and 12ms. The PCF can take the intersection parameter information of the delay QoS parameters authorized for use by the first device and the second device, that is, 4ms, 6ms and 12ms. The PCF can combine the QoS requirement of data stream #A and the intersection parameter information to determine that the delay parameters in the second alternative parameter set are 6ms and 4ms respectively.

[0222] For another example, the delay parameter requirement in the QoS requirement of data stream #A in information #B is 10ms, the contract information of the first device includes authorized delay QoS parameters of 4ms, 6ms, 8ms and 12ms, and the contract information of the second device includes authorized delay QoS parameters of 3ms, 4ms, 6ms and 12ms. The PCF can determine the delay QoS parameters of the RelayUE PDU session as 3ms, 4ms, 6ms based on the contract information of the second device, and then determine the PC5 delay QoS parameters as 4ms, 6ms, 8ms based on the contract information of the first device. Combined with the delay parameter requirements, the delay parameters in the second alternative parameter set that meet the delay requirements are: 6ms, 4ms.

[0223] In one possible implementation, the PCF determines the second alternative parameter set based on the first alternative parameter set. For example, the delay parameter requirement in the QoS requirement of data stream #A in information #B is 10ms. The PCF needs to split the delay of the PC5 link and the Relay UE PDU session based on the end-to-end delay requirement of 10ms. The delay of the PC5 link is xms, and the delay of the Relay UE PDU session is x'ms, where x≥0, x'≥0. Then, the delay of the PC5 link and the delay of the Relay UE PDU session need to satisfy: x+x'≤10ms. The delay in the first alternative parameter set generated by the PCF can be 6ms, 7ms, and 8ms. That is, the first alternative parameter set includes three different QoS parameter sets, where the delay parameters are x1'=6ms, x2'=7ms, and x3'=8ms respectively.

[0224] The PCF generates a second candidate parameter set. Specifically, for example, if the delays in the first candidate parameter set generated by the PCF are 6ms, 7ms, and 8ms, the PCF splits the PC5 link delay and the Relay UE PDU session delay based on the 10ms delay requirement. That is, the PC5 link delay x1 ≤ 4ms, x2 ≤ 3ms, and x3 ≤ 2ms. In other words, the second candidate parameter set has medium delays x1, x2, and x3.

[0225] It should be understood that the delay of the PC5 link refers to the delay in transmitting data stream #A between the first device and the second device, and the delay of the Relay UE PDU session refers to the delay in transmitting data stream #A between the second device and the UPF.

[0226] S405, PCF sends information #C.

[0227] Specifically, PCF sends information #C to SMF in the session management policy negotiation process.

[0228] According to step S404, the PCF may generate two types of information. The PCF sends the information #C in two cases:

[0229] In case 1, the PCF sends information #C to the SMF. This information #C includes the first candidate parameter set, the QoS notification control message, and the data flow #A information of the first device. The PCF generates a PCC rule based on the service requirements requested by the AF and sends it to the SMF. Optionally, this information #C can be included in the PCC rule. That is, the PCF can include the first candidate parameter set, the QoS notification control message, and the data flow #A of the first device in the PCC rule and send it.

[0230] In case 2, the information #C includes the first candidate parameter set, the second candidate parameter set, the QoS notification control message, and the data flow #A information of the first device. The specific sending method is the same as that of case 1.

[0231] In a possible implementation, the PCF may also send the correspondence between the first parameter set and the second parameter set to the SMF, or send the correspondence between the QoS parameters in the first parameter set and the QoS parameters in the second parameter set, for example, sending the correspondence between the parameter set (x1, x2, x3) and the parameter set (x1', x2', x3'), where x1 corresponds to x1', x2 corresponds to x2', and x3 corresponds to x3'. Or send the correspondence between the 5QI in the first parameter set and the PQI in the second parameter set, which can be understood as the correspondence between specific parameters, for example, x1 and x1' meet the overall delay requirement. It should be understood that the first parameter set is one of the first alternative parameter sets, and the second parameter set is one of the second alternative parameter sets.

[0232] Accordingly, the SMF receives the information #C and stores the information #C.

[0233] S406, SMF generates alternative QoS profiles (AQPs) according to information #C.

[0234] Among them, the alternative QoS profile means that the SMF can provide multiple groups of QoS profiles for the RAN for the same QoS flow, and any group of the multiple groups of QoS profiles can be used to transmit the data flow between the relay user equipment and the user plane function network element.

[0235] Among them, the alternative QoS profile includes at least one QoS profile, and the QoS profile in the alternative QoS profile corresponds to the QoS parameter set in the first alternative parameter set. The specific QoS parameters in each QoS profile are: 5QI (5G QoS Identifier, 5G QoS indicator), ARP (Allocation and Retention Priority, allocation retention priority), GFBR (Guaranteed Flow Bit Rate, guaranteed flow bit rate) and MFBR (Maximum Flow Bit Rate, maximum flow bit rate), optionally including QNC (QoS Notification Control, QoS notification control) or 5QI, ARP; optionally including RQA (Reflective QoS Attribute, reverse QoS attribute). It is consistent with the specific content of the profile in the prior art.

[0236] The SMF generates or modifies QoS flow #1 for the PDU session based on the PCC rules obtained from the PCF.

[0237] It should be understood that QoS flow #1 is associated with an alternative QoS profile. Data flow #A is associated with the corresponding QoS flow #1, and the identifier of QoS flow #1 is QFI #1 (QoS Flow Identifier, QFI).

[0238] It should be understood that for a user device, one or more PDU sessions can be established with the 5G network. Each PDU session can establish one or more QoS flows. Each QoS flow is identified by a QFI (QoS Flow Identifier). The QFI uniquely identifies a QoS flow in the session. Each QoS flow can carry multiple service data flows with the same QoS requirements.

[0239] In a possible implementation, information #C includes a first candidate parameter set, and the SMF generates an alternative QoS profile for data flow #A based on the first candidate parameter set.

[0240] Specifically, each QoS profile in the candidate QoS profiles is generated according to the QoS parameter set in the first candidate parameter set, and the QoS parameters in the QoS profile are the same as the QoS parameters in the QoS parameter set.

[0241] For example, the first candidate parameter set includes three parameter sets, namely: (x1, y1, z1), (x2, y2, z2), (x3, y3, z3), where x1, x2, x3 are three QoS parameters that meet the parameter x requirement, y1, y2, y3 are three QoS parameters that meet the parameter y requirement, z1, z2, z3 are three QoS parameters that meet the parameter z requirement, x, y, z are three different QoS parameter requirements, and x, y, z are greater than or equal to 0. The SMF can generate three QoS profiles based on the three parameter sets, namely: (x1, y1, z1), (x2, y2, z2), (x3, y3, z3).

[0242] It should be understood that the QoS parameter may be a delay parameter, rate, priority, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0243] S407, SMF sends information #D to RAN.

[0244] This information #D includes an alternative QoS profile, QFI #1, and a notification control message. This information #D is used to inform the RAN of the alternative QoS profile associated with QoS flow #1. This notification control message is used to instruct the RAN to activate the notification control mechanism when it detects that the profile associated with the current QoS flow #1 cannot be met or can meet a more preferred profile. The RAN will send a notification message to the SMF and inform the SMF of the currently supported QoS profile information or the more preferred profile information. The RAN can determine whether the current profile cannot be guaranteed or whether the preferred profile can be met based on the QoS requirements and current data transmission conditions.

[0245] It should be understood that the more preferred profile can be understood as the QoS parameters satisfied by the current Relay UE PDU session can be better than the QoS parameters of the currently associated profile. For example, the delay parameter of the profile associated with the current QoS flow #1 Relay UE PDU session is 6ms, but the RAN monitors that the delay parameter that can be satisfied by the current QoS flow is 4ms. In this case, the RAN will also notify the control mechanism, send a notification message to the SMF, and inform the SMF of the information of the more optimal profile currently supported.

[0246] S408, RAN sends information #E to SMF based on information #D.

[0247] When the RAN finds that the profile associated with the current QoS flow #1 cannot be satisfied or that a more preferred profile is available, it sends the supported QoS profile information or the index information of the more preferred profile information. Therefore, this information #E includes the notification message and the index information of the matching alternative QoS profile.

[0248] It should be understood that the matching alternative QoS profile is the QoS profile satisfied by RAN. The QoS profile satisfied by RAN means that RAN selects the QoS profile for QoS flow #1 from the alternative QoS profiles that satisfies the current data flow #A transmitted between the second device and UPF.

[0249] It should be understood that the matching alternative QoS profile corresponds to a parameter set in the first alternative parameter set.

[0250] S409, SMF determines the PC5 QoS parameters of the current PC5 link according to information #E.

[0251] The PC5 QoS parameters are used to transmit data stream #A between the second device relay and the first device.

[0252] Specifically, the SMF receives the second candidate parameter set sent from the PCF, and determines the PC5 QoS parameters according to the second candidate parameter set and the matching candidate QoS profile.

[0253] In one possible implementation, while receiving the first candidate parameter set from the first network element, the second network element also receives the second candidate parameter set sent from the first network element. The QoS parameters in the first candidate parameter set and the QoS parameters in the second candidate parameter set can have a one-to-one relationship. For example, the Nth QoS parameter in the first candidate parameter set corresponds to the Nth QoS parameter in the second candidate parameter set, where N can be the number of QoS parameters in the first candidate parameter set. The second network element determines the PC5 QoS parameters based on the second candidate parameter set and the matching alternative QoS profile. Specifically, the second network element determines the QoS parameter set in the first candidate parameter set corresponding to the matching alternative QoS profile, and then determines the PC5 QoS parameters based on the QoS parameter set in the first alternative parameter set and the QoS parameter set in the second alternative parameter set.

[0254] In one possible implementation, the SMF receives a correspondence between a first QoS parameter set and a second QoS parameter set from the PCF, where the first QoS parameter set belongs to a first candidate parameter set, and the second QoS parameter set belongs to a second candidate parameter set. Based on the correspondence and the second candidate parameter set, the SMF may determine a target PC5 QoS parameter set, where the target PC5 QoS parameter set includes the PC5 QoS parameters, and further determine the PC5 QoS parameters based on the target PC5 QoS parameter set and a matching candidate QoS profile.

[0255] In a possible implementation, the SMF receives a correspondence between QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set and QoS parameters in the second QoS parameter set sent by the PCF, and the SMF determines the PC5 QoS parameters according to the correspondence and a matching candidate QoS profile.

[0256] For example, the second alternative parameter set received by SMF from PCF is: (x1', y1', z1'), (x2', y2', z2'), (x3', y3', z3'), and the matching alternative QoS profile is (x2, y2, z2). The target PC5 QoS parameter set can be determined to be (x2', y2', z2'); the correspondence between the first QoS parameter set and the second QoS parameter set is (x1, y1, z1) and (x1', y1', z1'). Combined with this correspondence, the PC5 QoS parameters can be determined.

[0257] In one possible implementation, the SMF can determine a target PC5 QoS parameter set based on the correspondence between the preconfigured first QoS parameter set and the second QoS parameter set, and the second alternative parameter set, where the target PC5 QoS parameter set includes the PC5 QoS parameters, and further determine the PC5 QoS parameters based on the target PC5 QoS parameter set and the matching alternative QoS profile.

[0258] In a possible implementation, the SMF determines the PC5 QoS parameters according to the correspondence between the preconfigured first QoS parameter set and the second QoS parameter set, and matching the candidate QoS profile.

[0259] It should be understood that the SMF can determine the matching alternative QoS profile based on the index information of the matching alternative QoS profile in information #E. It should be noted that when the matching alternative QoS profile indicated by indication information #A includes a better profile, the SMF may not perform the step of determining the PQI. In this case, the current QoS flow #1 can meet the QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session better. For example, the delay parameter can be increased from the current 6ms to 4ms. The delay requirement of QoS flow #1 is 10ms, and the corresponding PC5 QoS parameters do not need to be adjusted. For example, the delay parameter of the PC5 link is currently 4ms, and the total delay requirement can still be met without adjustment.

[0260] It should be noted that this step is optional. If the second device has already configured a correspondence between the QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set and the PC5 QoS parameters in the second QoS parameter set, and the PC5 QoS parameters are determined by the second device based on this correspondence, the SMF does not need to perform this step. This correspondence can be between the 5QI and the PQI. S410: The SMF sends information #F to the second device.

[0261] Specifically, SMF sends information #F to the second device through the NAS message of AMF.

[0262] Information #F is used to indicate the QoS parameters satisfied by the current Relay UE PDU session of the second device. Information #F includes: QoS parameters matching the alternative QoS profile and identifier QFI#1 of QoS flow #1, where the QoS parameters satisfied by the Relay UE PDU session may be 5QI#1.

[0263] Optionally, information #F also includes PC5 QoS parameters, such as PQI.

[0264] The SMF can determine whether to include PC5 QoS parameters in information #F. Specifically, the SMF determines whether the correspondence between QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set and QoS parameters in the second QoS parameter set is pre-configured or authorized by the network on the second device. If so, PC5 QoS parameters are not included in information #F; if not, PC5 QoS parameters are included in information #F.

[0265] S411: The second device determines PC5 QoS parameters according to information #F.

[0266] Optionally, if information #F does not include PC5 QoS parameters, the second device determines the QoS parameters based on information #F, and further determines the PC5 QoS parameters based on the correspondence between the QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set and the QoS parameters in the second QoS parameter set. This correspondence may be preconfigured on the second device or obtained from the network, and specifically may be a correspondence between a 5QI and a PQI. The second device determines the PQI based on the 5QI information in information #F and the correspondence.

[0267] It should be noted that this step is optional and is performed when the information #F does not include PC5 QoS parameters.

[0268] S412: The second device sends request information to the first device.

[0269] This request message includes PC5 QoS flow information and PC5 QoS parameters, such as PFI#1 and PQI#1. This request message is used to request the first device to modify the PC5 QoS parameters corresponding to the PC5 QoS flow in the current PC5 link, implementing the PC5 QoS parameter adjustment through the PC5 link modification process. This request message may be a link modification request message.

[0270] Through the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the PCF generates a first alternative parameter set for the data stream #A of the first device according to the QoS request provided by the AF, and the SMF generates multiple alternative QoS profiles for the data stream #A according to the alternative parameter set. The SMF obtains the current Relay UE PDU session from the RAN to match the alternative QoS profile, and further the SMF or the second device determines the updated PC5 QoS parameters of the PC5 link according to the matching profile, thereby adjusting the QoS configuration of the PC5 link and the RelayUE PDU session to ensure the end-to-end QoS requirements of the first device.

[0271] Figure 5 5 is another schematic block diagram of a relay communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Method 500 may include the following steps:

[0272] S501: A first network element obtains a quality of service (QoS) requirement of a data stream #A of a remote user equipment.

[0273] Specifically, the first network element may obtain the QoS requirements of the remote user equipment from the application function network element AF. The QoS requirements may include delay parameters, rate, priority, reliability, etc., as well as a data flow description (Flow description) corresponding to data flow #A. The data flow description may be in the form of a triple (destination IP address, destination port, and transport layer protocol) or a five-tuple (source IP address, source port, destination IP address, destination port, and transport layer protocol).

[0274] The first network element may also obtain a UE address (UE address), an AF identifier (AFIdentifier) ​​of the remote user equipment, and identification information of the user equipment.

[0275] It should be understood that the application function network element AF can obtain the QoS requirement and other information by interacting with the remote user equipment on service requirements.

[0276] The first network element may be a PCF network element or a UDM network element.

[0277] S502: The first network element generates a correspondence between multiple sets of PC5 QoS parameters and QoS parameters of the Relay UEPDU session for the data flow #A according to the QoS requirement, and sends the correspondence to the second network element.

[0278] Specifically, the first network element determines the correspondence between multiple sets of PC5 QoS parameters and QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session based on the QoS requirements and the identification information of the remote user equipment, wherein the multiple sets of correspondences may include a first correspondence and a second correspondence, wherein the first correspondence includes the correspondence between the first QoS parameter and the second QoS parameter, and the second correspondence includes the correspondence between the third QoS parameter and the fourth QoS parameter. The first QoS parameter and the third QoS parameter refer to PC5 QoS parameters, which are used to transmit data stream #A between the remote user equipment and the relay user equipment, and the second QoS parameter and the fourth QoS parameter refer to QoS parameters corresponding to the Relay UE's PDU session, which are used to transmit data stream #A between the relay user equipment and the user plane function network element.

[0279] In one possible implementation, the first network element may determine a correspondence between the multiple sets of PC5 QoS parameters and the QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session based on the QoS requirements of the data flow #A and the subscription information of the remote user equipment. The subscription information of the remote user equipment may include authorized QoS parameters and may also include a correspondence between the QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session and the PC5 link QoS parameters.

[0280] In one possible implementation, the first network element may further determine a correspondence between the multiple sets of PC5 QoS parameters and the QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session based on the QoS requirements of the data flow #A and the subscription information of the relay user equipment. The subscription information of the relay user equipment may include authorized QoS parameters and may also include a correspondence between the QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session and the PC5 link QoS parameters.

[0281] In one possible implementation, the first network element may further determine a correspondence between the multiple sets of PC5 QoS parameters and the QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session based on the QoS requirements of data flow #A and the subscription information of the remote user equipment and the relay user equipment. The subscription information of the remote user equipment and the relay user equipment may include authorized QoS parameters.

[0282] In a possible implementation, the first network element may also send indication information to the second network element based on the quality of service (QoS) requirement of the data stream #A. The indication information is used to indicate the generation of an alternative QoS profile. The alternative QoS profile is used by the RAN node to determine a matching alternative QoS profile. The matching alternative QoS profile is a QoS profile that is satisfied by the RAN node.

[0283] S503: The second network element sends the candidate QoS profile to the RAN node according to the correspondence between the multiple groups of PC5 QoS parameters and the QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session.

[0284] In one possible implementation, the second network element generates an alternative QoS profile for data flow #A based on the QoS parameters for the relay UE PDU session (e.g., the second parameter and the fourth parameter) included in the correspondence between multiple sets of PC5 QoS parameters and the QoS parameters for the relay UE PDU session. Specifically, each QoS profile in the alternative QoS profile is generated based on the QoS parameters for the relay UE PDU session included in the correspondence between a set of PC5 QoS parameters and the QoS parameters for the relay UE PDU session, and the QoS parameters in the QoS profile are the same as the QoS parameters for the relay UE PDU session in the one set of correspondence.

[0285] In a possible implementation, the second network element generates an alternative QoS profile for data flow #A according to the indication information and the QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session included in the correspondence between the multiple groups of PC5 QoS parameters and the QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session.

[0286] The second network element may be an SMF network element.

[0287] S504: The second network element or the relay user equipment determines PC5 QoS parameters.

[0288] Specifically, when the RAN node finds that the profile associated with the current QoS flow cannot be satisfied, it selects a matching alternative QoS profile from the alternative QoS profiles and sends the matching alternative QoS profile index information to the second network element.

[0289] Specifically, the second network element determines the PC5 QoS parameters according to the matching candidate QoS profile.

[0290] In one possible implementation, the second network element determines the QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session based on matching the alternative QoS profile, and determines the PC5 QoS parameters based on the correspondence between the QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session and the PC5 QoS parameters and the QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session.

[0291] The above determination of PC5 QoS parameters may also be performed by the relay user equipment.

[0292] Specifically, if the relay user device has been pre-configured or the network has authorized the configuration of a correspondence between the QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set and the PC5 QoS parameters in the second QoS parameter set, the relay user device determines the PC5 QoS parameters based on the correspondence, which can be a correspondence between 5QI and PQI.

[0293] Based on the embodiment of the present application, the first network element generates multiple groups of QoS parameters for the Relay UE PDU session and the correspondence between the PC5 QoS parameters and the QoS parameters of the Relay UE PDU session according to the QoS requirements of the data flow of the remote user equipment. The second network element can generate an alternative QoS profile based on the multiple groups of correspondences. The RAN node selects a matching alternative QoS profile from the alternative QoS profile according to the current data flow transmission requirements and sends it to the second network element. Furthermore, the second network element or the relay user equipment can determine the updated PC5 QoS parameters of the PC5 link according to the matching alternative QoS profile, thereby adjusting the QoS configuration of the PC5 link and the Relay UE PDU session to ensure the end-to-end QoS requirements of the first device.

[0294] It should be understood that the PC5 link may also be a PC5 connection.

[0295] Figure 6 This is another schematic interaction diagram of a relay communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 6 The method 600 corresponds to Figure 5 Specific implementation steps of method 500.

[0296] Figure 6 The method shown may include steps S601 - S611 , and steps S601 - S611 are described in detail below.

[0297] S601 - S603 are substantially the same as steps S401 - S403 of method 400 , and are not described again to avoid redundancy.

[0298] S604: PCF generates multiple sets of correspondences for the data stream #A of the first device according to the information #B.

[0299] This correspondence refers to the correspondence between the PC5 QoS parameters and the QoS parameters corresponding to the PDU session of the Relay UE.

[0300] For example, the PCF generates a first correspondence and a second correspondence, where the first correspondence includes a correspondence between a first QoS parameter and a second QoS parameter, and the second correspondence includes a correspondence between a third QoS parameter and a fourth QoS parameter. The first QoS parameter and the third QoS parameter refer to PC5 QoS parameters, which are used to transmit data stream #A between the second device and the first device; the second QoS parameter and the fourth QoS parameter refer to QoS parameters corresponding to the PDU session of the Relay UE, which are used to transmit data stream #A between the second device and the user plane function network element; and the second device forwards data stream #A between the first device and the user plane function network element.

[0301] Among them, the QoS parameter set may specifically include: 5G QoS indicator (5QI), packet delay budget (Packet Delay Budget), uplink guaranteed bit rate (UL-guaranteed bitrate), downlink guaranteed bit rate (DL-guaranteed bitrate), packet error rate and other QoS parameters.

[0302] It should be understood that

[0303] It should be noted that the second QoS parameter is different from the fourth QoS parameter, which means that the PCF generates two different sets of QoS parameters corresponding to the PDU session of the Relay UE according to the QoS requirements in the information #B.

[0304] The PCF determines multiple groups of correspondences based on the QoS requirements of the data flow #A in the information #B and the identification information of the first device.

[0305] Specifically, the data flow #A is the data flow of the first device, and the first device is a remote user device. The PCF network element determines that the data flow #A is the data flow of the remote user device based on the identification information of the remote user device, and then determines multiple groups of corresponding relationships for the remote user device based on the QoS requirements of the data flow #A.

[0306] In one possible implementation, the PCF may determine the multiple groups of correspondences based on the QoS requirements of data flow #A and the subscription information of the first device, where the subscription information of the first device may include authorized QoS parameters or the correspondence between Relay UE PDU session QoS parameters and PC5 link QoS parameters. The PCF may determine the multiple groups of correspondences based on the QoS requirements of data flow #A and the authorized QoS parameters or the correspondence.

[0307] Specifically, the PCF may determine a correspondence based on the QoS requirements of data stream #A and the contract information of the first device, where the contract information of the first device includes authorized QoS parameters. The PCF may determine multiple sets of correspondences based on the QoS requirements of data stream #A and the authorized QoS parameters.

[0308] For example, the delay parameter requirement in the QoS requirement of data stream #A in information #B is 10ms, and the contract information of the first device includes authorized delay QoS parameters of 4ms, 5ms and 6ms. Then, PCF can determine multiple groups of corresponding relationships as (4ms, 6ms), (5ms, 5ms), and (6ms, 4ms).

[0309] For another example, the delay parameter requirement in the QoS requirement of data stream #A in information #B is 10ms, and the correspondence between the Relay UE PDU session QoS parameters and the PC5 link QoS parameters included in the contract information of the first device is (4ms, 6ms), (5ms, 5ms), (6ms, 4ms). Then, PCF can determine multiple groups of correspondences as (4ms, 6ms), (5ms, 5ms), (6ms, 4ms).

[0310] In one possible implementation, the PCF may determine multiple sets of correspondences based on the QoS requirements of data flow #A and the subscription information of the second device, where the subscription information of the second device includes authorized QoS parameters and may also include a correspondence between Relay UE PDU session QoS parameters and PC5 link QoS parameters. The PCF may determine the multiple sets of correspondences based on the QoS requirements of data flow #A and the authorized QoS parameters or the correspondence.

[0311] For example, the delay parameter requirement in the QoS requirement of data stream #A in information #B is 10ms, and the contract information of the second device includes authorized delay QoS parameters of 4ms, 5ms and 6ms. Then, the corresponding relationships that PCF can determine are (4ms, 6ms), (5ms, 5ms), and (6ms, 4ms).

[0312] For another example, the delay parameter requirement in the QoS requirement of data stream #A in information #B is 10ms, and the correspondence between the Relay UE PDU session QoS parameters and the PC5 link QoS parameters included in the contract information of the second device is (4ms, 6ms), (5ms, 5ms), (6ms, 4ms). Then, PCF can determine multiple groups of correspondences as (4ms, 6ms), (5ms, 5ms), (6ms, 4ms).

[0313] In one possible implementation, the PCF may determine multiple sets of correspondences based on the QoS requirements of data stream #A and the contract information of the first device and the second device. The PCF may determine multiple sets of correspondences based on the QoS requirements of data stream #A and the QoS parameters authorized for use by the first device and the second device.

[0314] For example, the delay parameter requirement in the QoS requirement of data stream #A in information #B is 10ms, the contract information of the first device includes authorized delay QoS parameters of 4ms, 6ms, 8ms and 12ms, and the contract information of the second device includes authorized delay QoS parameters of 3ms, 4ms, 6ms and 12ms. The PCF can take the intersection parameter information of the delay QoS parameters authorized for use by the first device and the second device, that is, 4ms, 6ms and 12ms. The PCF can combine the QoS requirement of data stream #A and the intersection parameter information to determine multiple groups of corresponding relationships as (4ms, 6ms) and (6ms, 4ms) respectively.

[0315] For another example, the delay parameter requirement in the QoS requirement of data stream #A in information #B is 10ms, the contract information of the first device includes authorized delay QoS parameters of 4ms, 6ms, 8ms and 12ms, and the contract information of the second device includes authorized delay QoS parameters of 3ms, 4ms, 6ms and 12ms. The PCF can determine that the delay QoS parameters of the RelayUE PDU session are 3ms, 4ms, 6ms based on the contract information of the second device, and then determine the PC5 delay QoS parameters as 4ms, 6ms, 8ms based on the contract information of the first device. Combined with the delay parameter requirements, the multiple groups of corresponding relationships that meet the delay requirements are determined to be: (4ms, 6ms), (6ms, 4ms), respectively.

[0316] In a possible implementation, the PCF may further generate indication information according to the information #B, where the indication information is used to instruct the SMF to generate an alternative QoS profile according to the information #B.

[0317] Among them, the alternative QoS profile means that the SMF can provide multiple groups of QoS profiles for the RAN for the same QoS flow, and any group of the multiple groups of QoS profiles can be used to relay the data flow between the user equipment and the user plane function network element.

[0318] Among them, the alternative QoS profile includes at least one QoS profile, and the QoS profile in the alternative QoS profile corresponds to the QoS parameter set in the first alternative parameter set. The specific QoS parameters of each QoS profile are: 5QI (5G QoS Identifier), ARP (Allocation and Retention Priority), GFBR (Guaranteed Flow Bit Rate) and MFBR (Maximum Flow Bit Rate), optionally including QNC (QoS Notification Control) or 5QI, ARP; optionally including RQA (Reflective QoS Attribute). It is consistent with the specific content of the profile in the prior art.

[0319] In one possible implementation, the second network element generates an alternative QoS profile for data flow #A based on the QoS parameters for the relay UE PDU session included in the correspondence between multiple groups of PC5 QoS parameters and the QoS parameters for the relay UE PDU session. Specifically, each QoS profile in the alternative QoS profile is generated based on the QoS parameters for the relay UE PDU session included in the correspondence between one group of PC5 QoS parameters and the QoS parameters for the relay UE PDU session, and the QoS parameters in the QoS profile are the same as the QoS parameters for the relay UE PDU session in the one group of correspondence.

[0320] In a possible implementation manner, the PCF sends the indication information.

[0321] S605, PCF sends information #G to SMF.

[0322] Information #G includes information of data stream #A, multiple group correspondences and QoS notification control messages.

[0323] The PCF generates a PCC rule based on the service requirements of the AF request and sends it to the SMF. Optionally, the information #G can be placed in the PCC rule, that is, the PCF can place the corresponding relationship, QoS notification control message and data flow #A information in the PCC rule and send it.

[0324] In one possible manner, the information #G may also include indication information.

[0325] S606: The SMF generates alternative QoS profiles (AQPs) for the data flow #A of the first device according to the information #G, and sends the AQPs to the RAN.

[0326] The SMF generates or modifies QoS flow #1 for the PDU session based on the PCC rules obtained from the PCF.

[0327] It should be understood that QoS flow #1 is associated with an alternative QoS profile to associate data flow #A with the corresponding QoS flow #1, and the identifier of QoS flow #1 is QFI #1 (QoS Flow Identifier, QFI).

[0328] SMF generates an alternative QoS profile for the data stream #A of the first device based on information #G. Specifically, SMF generates an alternative QoS profile for the data stream #A based on the QoS parameters (for example, the second parameter and the fourth parameter) of the second device PDU session included in the multiple groups of correspondences in information #G.

[0329] For example, the correspondence between multiple groups is: (x1, x1'), (x2, x2'), where x1 and x2 are PC5 link QoS parameters, x1' and x2' are QoS parameters of the second device PDU session, and SMF can generate alternative QoS profiles based on the QoS parameters of the second device PDU session, which are: x1' and x2' respectively.

[0330] It should be understood that the QoS parameter may be a delay parameter, rate, priority, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0331] In a possible implementation, information #G includes indication information, and the SMF generates an alternative QoS profile for data flow #A based on the indication information and the corresponding relationship.

[0332] S607, SMF sends information #D to RAN.

[0333] This information #D includes an alternative QoS profile, QFI #1, and a notification control message. This information #D is used to inform the RAN of the alternative QoS profile associated with QoS flow #1. This notification control message is used to instruct the RAN to activate the notification control mechanism when it detects that the profile associated with the current QoS flow #1 cannot be met or can meet a more preferred profile. The RAN will send a notification message to the SMF and inform the SMF of the currently supported QoS profile information or the more preferred profile information. The RAN can determine whether the current profile cannot be guaranteed or whether the preferred profile can be met based on the QoS requirements and current data transmission conditions.

[0334] The more preferred profile can be understood as the QoS parameters satisfied by QoS flow #1 of the current Relay UE PDU session can be better than the QoS parameters of the currently associated profile. For example, the delay parameter of the profile associated with QoS flow #1 of the current Relay UE PDU session is 6ms, but the RAN monitors that the delay parameter that can be satisfied by the current QoS flow is 4ms. In this case, the RAN will also notify the control mechanism, send a notification message to the SMF, and inform the SMF of the information of the more optimal profile currently supported.

[0335] S608, RAN sends information #E to SMF based on information #D.

[0336] When the RAN finds that the profile associated with the current QoS flow #1 cannot be satisfied or that a more preferred profile is available, it selects and sends the supported QoS profile information or the index information of the more preferred profile information from the alternative QoS profiles in information #D. Therefore, information #E includes the notification message and the index information of the matching alternative QoS profile (including the supported profile information or the more preferred profile information).

[0337] It should be understood that the matching alternative QoS profile is the QoS profile satisfied by RAN. The QoS profile satisfied by RAN means that RAN selects the QoS profile for QoS flow #1 from the alternative QoS profiles that satisfies the current data flow #A transmitted between the second device and UPF.

[0338] S609, SMF determines the fifth QoS parameter according to information #E.

[0339] The SMF determines a matching alternative QoS profile based on information #E, and determines a corresponding sixth QoS parameter based on the matching alternative QoS profile.

[0340] Further, the SMF determines the corresponding fifth QoS parameter based on the sixth QoS parameter and the corresponding relationship.

[0341] For example, the alternative QoS profile generated by the SMF based on the QoS parameters (second parameter and fourth parameter) of the PDU session of the second device is: x1' and x2', the matching alternative QoS profile notified by the RAN is x2', and the SMF determines the sixth QoS parameter (QoS parameter of the PDU session of the second device) as x2' based on the matching alternative QoS profile, and the corresponding relationship is (x1, x1'), (x2, x2'). The SMF determines the fifth QoS parameter as x2 based on the sixth QoS parameter and the corresponding relationship.

[0342] The SMF sends a fifth QoS parameter to the second device, where the fifth QoS parameter is used for QoS parameter configuration of the PC5 link.

[0343] Steps S610 - S612 are similar to steps S410 - S412 of method 400 and are not described in detail here.

[0344] Through the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the PCF generates multiple groups of correspondences for the data stream #A of the first device according to the QoS request provided by the AF, and the SMF generates multiple alternative QoS profiles for the data stream #A according to the multiple groups of correspondences. The SMF obtains the QoS profile matching the current Relay UE PDU session from the RAN, and further determines the fifth QoS parameter, that is, the updated QoS parameter of the PC5 link, based on the matching profile and the correspondence, by the SMF or the second device, thereby adjusting the QoS configuration of the PC5 link and the Relay UE PDU session to ensure the end-to-end QoS requirements of the first device.

[0345] The various embodiments described herein may be independent solutions or may be combined according to internal logic, and all of these solutions fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0346] It should be understood that each step in the above embodiments is only one possible implementation method and is not limited to the embodiments of the present application.

[0347] It can be understood that in the above-mentioned method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by the user equipment can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the user equipment, and the methods and operations implemented by the access network equipment (such as a RAN node) can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the access network equipment.

[0348] The above mainly introduces the solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application from the perspective of various interactions. It is understandable that each network element, such as a transmitting device or a receiving device, includes a hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to the execution of each function in order to implement the above functions. Those skilled in the art should be aware that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is 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.

[0349] In the embodiment of the present application, the functional modules of the transmitting device or the receiving device can be divided according to the above method example. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. The following is an example of dividing each functional module according to each function.

[0350] Above, combined Figures 3 to 5 The method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail. Figures 6 and 7 The apparatus provided in the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail. It should be understood that the description of the apparatus embodiment corresponds to the description of the method embodiment, and therefore, for matters not described in detail, reference can be made to the method embodiment above, and for the sake of brevity, no further description will be given here.

[0351] Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram of a relay communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The relay communication device 700 includes a transceiver unit 710 and a processing unit 720. The transceiver unit 710 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing unit 720 is used to perform data processing to enable the communication device to implement the aforementioned method embodiment. The transceiver unit 710 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0352] Optionally, the relay communication device 700 may further include a storage unit, which may be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 720 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit so that the communication device implements the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0353] The relay communication device 700 can be used to perform the actions performed by the first network element in the above method embodiment. In this case, the relay communication device 700 can be the first network element or a component that can be configured in the first network element. The transceiver unit 710 is used to perform the operations related to transceiver transmission on the first network element side in the above method embodiment. The storage unit 720 is used to perform the operations related to data or instruction storage on the first network element side in the above method embodiment. The processing unit 730 is used to perform the operations related to processing on the first network element side in the above method embodiment. The first network element can be a PCF network element or a UDM network element.

[0354] Alternatively, the relay communication device 700 can be used to execute the actions performed by the second network element in the above method embodiment. In this case, the relay communication device 700 can be the second network element or a component that can be configured in the second network element. The transceiver unit 710 is used to perform the transceiver-related operations on the second network element side in the above method embodiment. The storage unit 720 is used to perform the data or instruction storage-related operations on the second network element side in the above method embodiment. The processing unit 730 is used to perform the processing-related operations on the second network element side in the above method embodiment. The second network element can be an SMF network element.

[0355] As a design, the relay communication device 700 is used to perform the above Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the first network element performs the following actions: the transceiver unit 710 is configured to obtain a quality of service (QoS) requirement for a data flow of a remote user equipment and, based on the QoS requirement for the data flow, send a first candidate parameter set to the second network element. The first candidate parameter set is used to determine a target QoS parameter set. The QoS parameters in the target QoS parameter set are used to transmit the data flow between the relay user equipment and the user plane function network element. The processing unit 720 is configured to determine the first candidate parameter set based on the QoS requirement for the data flow.

[0356] The relay communication device 700 can implement the steps or processes executed by the first network element in the method 400 and the method 600 according to the embodiment of the present application. The relay communication device 700 may include a Figure 4 Method 400 and Figure 6 The units of the method performed by the first network element in the method 600. In addition, the units in the relay communication device 700 and the above-mentioned other operations and / or functions are respectively for implementing Figure 4 Method 400 and Figure 6 The corresponding process of method 600.

[0357] Wherein, when the communication device 700 is used to perform Figure 4 When the method 400 is performed, the transceiver unit 710 may be used to execute step 403 and step 405 in the method 400, and the processing unit 720 may be used to execute step 404 in the method 400.

[0358] When the communication device 700 is used to perform Figure 6 When the method 600 is performed, the transceiver unit 710 may be used to execute steps 603 and 605 in the method 600, and the processing unit 720 may be used to execute step 604 in the method 600.

[0359] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit executing the corresponding step has been described in detail in the above method embodiment, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0360] As another design, the relay communication device 700 is used to perform the above Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the second network element performs the following actions: the transceiver unit 710 is configured to receive a first candidate parameter set from the first network element, wherein the first candidate parameter set is used to determine a target QoS parameter set, wherein the QoS parameters in the target QoS parameter set are used to transmit a data stream of a remote user device between the relay user device and the user plane function network element; and further configured to send PC5 QoS parameters to the relay user device based on the matching candidate QoS profile, wherein the PC5 QoS parameters are used to transmit the data stream between the relay user device and the remote user device. The processing unit 720 is configured to determine the PC5 QoS parameters based on the matching candidate QoS profile.

[0361] The relay communication device 700 can implement the steps or processes executed by the second network element in the method 400 and the method 600 according to the embodiment of the present application. The relay communication device 700 may include a device for executing Figure 4 Method 400 and Figure 6 The units of the method performed by the second network element in the method 600. In addition, the units in the relay communication device 700 and the above-mentioned other operations and / or functions are respectively for implementing Figure 4 Method 400 and Figure 6 The corresponding process of method 600.

[0362] Wherein, when the relay communication device 700 is used to perform Figure 4 When performing method 400 in the embodiment, the transceiver unit 710 may be used to execute steps 404, 407, 408, and 410 in the method 400, and the processing unit 720 may be used to execute steps 406 and 409 in the method 400.

[0363] When the relay communication device 700 is used to perform Figure 6 When performing method 600 in the embodiment of the present invention, the transceiver unit 710 may be used to execute steps 605, 607, 608 and 610 in the method 600, and the processing unit 720 may be used to execute steps 606 and 609 in the method 600.

[0364] The processing unit 720 in the above embodiment can be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuit. The transceiver unit 710 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit. The transceiver unit 710 can also be called a communication unit or communication interface. The storage unit can be implemented by at least one memory.

[0365] like Figure 8As shown, the embodiment of the present application further provides a relay communication device 800. The relay communication device 800 includes a processor 810, the processor 810 is coupled to a memory 820, the memory 820 is used to store computer programs or instructions and / or data, and the processor 810 is used to execute the computer programs or instructions and / or data stored in the memory 820.

[0366] Optionally, the relay communication device 800 includes one or more processors 810.

[0367] Alternatively, as Figure 8 As shown, the communication device 800 may further include a memory 820 .

[0368] Optionally, the relay communication device 800 may include one or more memories 820 .

[0369] Optionally, the memory 820 may be integrated with the processor 810 or provided separately.

[0370] As a solution, the relay communication device 800 is used to implement the operations performed by the first network element in the above method embodiment.

[0371] For example, the processor 810 is configured to implement operations related to the processing performed by the first network element in the above method embodiment.

[0372] As another solution, the relay communication device 800 is used to implement the operations performed by the second network element in the above method embodiment.

[0373] For example, the processor 810 is configured to implement operations related to the processing performed by the second network element in the above method embodiment.

[0374] It should be noted that the above-mentioned method embodiments of the present application can be applied to a processor or implemented by a processor. The processor may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above-mentioned method embodiments can be completed by hardware integrated logic circuits in the processor or by software instructions. The above-mentioned processor 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 various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or executed. The general-purpose processor may 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 module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0375] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct RAM bus random access memory (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0376] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this document simply describes a relationship between related objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone. Furthermore, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0377] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0378] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0379] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0380] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0381] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0382] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0383] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0384] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A relay communication method, characterized in that: include: The second network element receives a first candidate parameter set from the first network element, where the first candidate parameter set includes at least one QoS parameter set, wherein the first candidate parameter set is used to determine a target QoS parameter set, where the QoS parameters in the target QoS parameter set are used to transmit a data flow of a remote user equipment between the relay user equipment and the user plane function network element; The second network element sends an alternative QoS profile to a radio access network RAN ​​node according to the first candidate parameter set, where the alternative QoS profile is used by the RAN node to determine a matching alternative QoS profile; The second network element receives a matching candidate QoS profile from the RAN node, wherein the matching candidate QoS profile is a QoS profile satisfied by the RAN node, and the matching candidate QoS profile belongs to the candidate QoS profile; The second network element determines PC5 QoS parameters according to the matching candidate QoS profile, where the PC5 QoS parameters are used to transmit the data flow between the relay user equipment and the remote user equipment; The second network element sends the PC5 QoS parameter to the relay user equipment; The second network element determines the PC5 QoS parameters according to the matching candidate QoS profile, including: The second network element receives a second candidate parameter set from the first network element, where the second candidate parameter set includes at least one PC5 QoS parameter set; The second network element determines the PC5 QoS parameter according to the second candidate parameter set and the matching candidate QoS profile; or The second network element receives a correspondence between a first QoS parameter set and a second QoS parameter set from the first network element, or the second network element receives a correspondence between QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set and QoS parameters in the second QoS parameter set from the first network element, the first QoS parameter set belongs to the first candidate parameter set, and the second QoS parameter set belongs to the second candidate parameter set; The second network element determines the PC5 QoS parameter according to the corresponding relationship and the matching candidate QoS profile.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first network element is a policy control function network element or a unified data management function network element, and the second network element is a session management function network element.

3. A relay communication method, characterized in that: include: The first network element obtains the QoS requirement of the data flow of the remote user equipment; The first network element sends a first candidate parameter set and a second candidate parameter set to the second network element according to the QoS requirement of the data flow; or, The first network element sends the second candidate parameter set to the second network element based on the first candidate parameter set, where the first candidate parameter set is used to determine a target QoS parameter set, where QoS parameters in the target QoS parameter set are used to transmit the data flow between the relay user equipment and the user plane function network element, and the first candidate parameter set includes at least one QoS parameter set. The second candidate parameter set is used to determine a target proximity service communication PC5 QoS parameter set, the PC5 QoS parameters in the target PC5 QoS parameter set are used to transmit the data flow between the relay user equipment and the remote user equipment, and the second candidate parameter set includes at least one PC5 QoS parameter set; The method further comprises: The first network element sends a correspondence between the first QoS parameter set and the second QoS parameter set to the second network element, or the first network element sends a correspondence between the QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set and the QoS parameters in the second QoS parameter set to the second network element; The first QoS parameter set belongs to the first candidate parameter set, and the second QoS parameter set belongs to the second candidate parameter set.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first network element determines the first candidate parameter set according to the QoS requirement of the data flow.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first network element determines, according to the QoS requirement of the data flow, the first candidate parameter set, including: The first network element determines the first candidate parameter set according to the QoS requirement of the data flow and the information of the remote user equipment.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first network element determines, according to the QoS requirement of the data flow, the first candidate parameter set, including: The first network element determines the first candidate parameter set according to the QoS requirement of the data flow and the subscription information of the remote user equipment; or The first network element determines the first candidate parameter set according to the QoS requirement of the data flow and the subscription information of the relay user equipment; or The first network element determines the first candidate parameter set according to the QoS requirement of the data flow, the subscription information of the remote user equipment, and the subscription information of the relay user equipment.

7. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that The first network element is a policy control function network element or a unified data management function network element, and the second network element is a session management function network element.

8. A relay communication device, characterized in that: include: The transceiver unit is used to obtain the QoS requirements of the data flow of the remote user equipment; The transceiver unit is further configured to send a first candidate parameter set to the second network element according to the QoS requirement of the data flow, where the first candidate parameter set is used to determine a target QoS parameter set, where the QoS parameters in the target QoS parameter set are used to transmit the data flow between the relay user equipment and the user plane function network element, and the first candidate parameter set includes at least one QoS parameter set; The transceiver unit is further configured to send a second candidate parameter set according to the QoS requirement of the data flow; Alternatively, sending a second candidate parameter set according to the first candidate parameter set; The second candidate parameter set is used to determine a target proximity service communication PC5 QoS parameter set, the PC5 QoS parameters in the target PC5 QoS parameter set are used to transmit the data flow between the relay user equipment and the remote user equipment, and the second candidate parameter set includes at least one PC5 QoS parameter set; The transceiver unit is further used to send the corresponding relationship between the first QoS parameter set and the second QoS parameter set, or to send the corresponding relationship between the QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set and the QoS parameters in the second QoS parameter set; The first QoS parameter set belongs to the first candidate parameter set, and the second QoS parameter set belongs to the second candidate parameter set.

9. The relay communication device according to claim 8, wherein: include: A processing unit is configured to determine the first candidate parameter set according to the QoS requirement of the data flow.

10. The relay communication device according to claim 9, wherein: The processing unit is specifically configured to determine the first candidate parameter set according to the QoS requirement of the data flow and the identification information of the remote user equipment.

11. The relay communication device according to claim 9, wherein: The processing unit is further configured to determine the first candidate parameter set according to the QoS requirement of the data flow and the subscription information of the remote user equipment; or used to determine the first candidate parameter set according to the QoS requirement of the data flow and the subscription information of the relay user equipment; or Used to determine the first candidate parameter set according to the QoS requirement of the data flow, the subscription information of the remote user equipment, and the subscription information of the relay user equipment.

12. The relay communication device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that: The second network element is a session management function network element.

13. A relay communication device, characterized in that: include: a transceiver unit, configured to receive a first candidate parameter set from a first network element, the first candidate parameter set including at least one QoS parameter set, wherein the first candidate parameter set is used to determine a target QoS parameter set, the QoS parameters in the target QoS parameter set being used to transmit a data stream of a remote user equipment between the relay user equipment and the user plane function network element; The transceiver unit is further configured to send an alternative QoS profile to a radio access network RAN ​​node according to the first candidate parameter set, where the alternative QoS profile is used by the RAN node to determine a matching alternative QoS profile; The transceiver unit is further configured to receive a matching candidate QoS profile from the RAN node, wherein the matching candidate QoS profile is a QoS profile satisfied by the RAN node, and the matching candidate QoS profile belongs to the candidate QoS profile; The transceiver unit is further configured to send PC5 QoS parameters to the relay user equipment according to the matching candidate QoS profile, wherein the PC5 QoS parameters are used to transmit the data stream between the relay user equipment and the remote user equipment; a processing unit, configured to determine the PC5 QoS parameters according to the matching candidate QoS profile; The transceiver unit is specifically configured to receive a second candidate parameter set from the first network element, where the second candidate parameter set includes at least one PC5 QoS parameter set; The processing unit is specifically configured to determine a target PC5 QoS parameter set according to the second candidate parameter set and the matching candidate QoS profile, wherein the target PC5 QoS parameter set includes the PC5 QoS parameters; or, The transceiver unit is further configured to receive a correspondence between a first QoS parameter set and a second QoS parameter set from the first network element, or to receive a correspondence between QoS parameters in a first QoS parameter set and QoS parameters in a second QoS parameter set from the first network element, where the first QoS parameter set belongs to the first candidate parameter set, and the second QoS parameter set belongs to the second candidate parameter set; The processing unit is further configured to determine the PC5 QoS parameters according to the corresponding relationship and the matching candidate QoS profile.

14. The relay communication device according to claim 13, wherein: The first network element is a policy control function network element or a unified data management function network element.

15. A relay communication device, characterized in that: include: A processor, configured to execute a computer program stored in a memory, so that the communication device executes the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

16. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

17. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises instructions for executing the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

18. A chip, characterized in that: The chip is installed in a communication device, and the chip includes a processor and a communication interface. When the processor reads instructions through the communication interface and runs, the communication device executes any one of methods 1 to 7.

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