Communication method, device and system

Abstract

The present application discloses a communication method, apparatus, and system relating to the field of wireless communications. In this method, a first network-side device can obtain first characteristic information of a first service flow and information about a first cell accessed by a first terminal, and determine the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell other than the first service flow. This allows data packets of the service flows in the first cell to be transmitted at staggered times, thereby reducing air interface congestion, lowering data packet loss rate and data transmission latency, and improving user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of wireless communications, and in particular to communication methods, devices, and systems. Background Art

[0002] In a communication system, a terminal can periodically send data packets to an access network device, and can also periodically receive data packets from an access network device. Taking the case where a terminal periodically sends data packets to an access network device as an example, within one period, the terminal can send multiple data packets to the access network device, and each data packet has a different size. Some data packets are larger and require a larger bandwidth when sent, while some data packets are smaller and require a smaller bandwidth when sent. For example, in virtual reality (VR) video communication, a terminal can periodically send I frames and P frames. Figure 1 As shown, the terminal periodically transmits I frames and P frames in the pattern of I, P, P, P, I, P, P, P. The time interval between two adjacent frames (I-frame to I-frame, I-frame to P-frame, or P-frame to P-frame) is fixed. I frames typically transmit larger data packets and occupy a larger bandwidth, exhibiting bursty high-bandwidth characteristics. For example, an I frame of 20 milliseconds (ms) transmits 80MB of data. Compared to I frames, P frames transmit smaller data packets and occupy less bandwidth, resulting in relatively smooth data transmission. For example, a P frame of 10 ms transmits 10MB of data.

[0003] When a terminal sends large data packets, it consumes a lot of bandwidth, posing a significant challenge to wireless communications. This is especially true when multiple terminals are sending large data packets simultaneously, leading to air interface congestion, high packet loss rates, and data transmission delays, impacting user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a communication method, device and system that can reduce air interface congestion, reduce data packet loss rate and data transmission delay, and improve user experience.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of the present application adopt the following technical solutions:

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication device executing the communication method may be a first network-side device; it may also be a module implemented in the first network-side device, such as a chip or chip system. The following description uses the first network-side device as an example. The communication method includes: obtaining first characteristic information of a first service flow and information about a first cell accessed by a first terminal, the first service flow being the service flow of the first terminal, the first characteristic information indicating the bandwidth and period of the first service flow, and the first cell information identifying the first cell; determining first scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows, the other service flows being service flows in the first cell other than the first service flow, the other service flows including a second service flow, the second characteristic information of the second service flow indicating the bandwidth, period, and transmission time of at least one data packet of the second service flow, and the first scheduling information determining the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow.

[0007] Based on the method provided in the first aspect above, after the first network side device obtains the first characteristic information and the first cell information of the first business flow, it can determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow in combination with the characteristic information of other business flows in the first cell except the first business flow, so that the data packets of the business flow in the first cell can be sent in staggered periods, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing data packet loss rate and data transmission delay, and improving user experience.

[0008] In combination with the first aspect above, in a possible implementation, if the data packets of the first business flow have not started to be sent, the first scheduling information is used to determine the starting sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow; or, if the data packets of the first business flow have started to be sent, the first scheduling information is used to determine the next sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow. Based on the above method, when the data packets of the first business flow have not started to be sent, the first network side device can determine the starting sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow, so that at least one data packet of the first business flow can be sent according to the starting sending time to reduce the occurrence of air interface congestion. When the data packets of the first business flow have started to be sent, the first network side device can determine the next sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow to adjust the next sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, if data packets of the first service flow have begun to be sent, the first characteristic information is further used to indicate the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. Based on the above method, when data packets of the first service flow have begun to be sent, the first network-side device may consider the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow when determining the next sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, so as to avoid the adjusted next sending time being too different from the next sending time before the adjustment, thereby affecting the service.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the first network-side device is a session management network element. Based on the above method, the session management network element can determine the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. In the communication system, the session management network element can obtain the first characteristic information of the first service flow through existing signaling. Therefore, it is relatively convenient to have the session management network element determine the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, obtaining the first characteristic information includes: receiving the first characteristic information from the first terminal; or receiving the first characteristic information from an application network element. Based on the above method, the first characteristic information can be obtained in multiple ways, increasing the flexibility and diversity of obtaining the first characteristic information.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, obtaining the first characteristic information includes receiving the first characteristic information from a user-plane network element. Based on the above method, the first characteristic information can be obtained from the user-plane network element, so that the session management network element determines the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending first indication information to the user plane network element, where the first indication information is used to instruct detection of first characteristic information of the first service flow. Based on the above method, the user plane network element can only begin detecting the first characteristic information after receiving the first indication information from the session management network element, without the need to continuously detect the first characteristic information, thereby reducing overhead for the user plane network element.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the first indication information includes detection window configuration information, where the detection window configuration information is used to configure a detection window, where the detection window is used by the user plane network element to detect the first characteristic information. Based on the above method, the session management network element may configure the detection window for the user plane network element using the first indication information, so that the user plane network element detects the first characteristic information within the detection window.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, obtaining the first characteristic information includes: receiving identification information of an application corresponding to the first service flow from a user-plane network element, and obtaining the first characteristic information based on the identification information of the application. Based on the above method, the session management network element can obtain the first characteristic information based on the identification information of the application, and further determine the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows.

[0016] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending first indication information to the user plane network element, where the first indication information is used to instruct detection of an application, and the first service flow is a service flow of the application. Based on the above method, the user plane network element can only begin detecting the application after receiving the first indication information from the session management network element, without the need to continuously detect the application, thereby reducing overhead for the user plane network element.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the first indication information includes at least one of the following: an identifier of the application corresponding to the first service flow, an address of the application server corresponding to the first service flow, a port identifier of the application server corresponding to the first service flow, or a protocol identifier of the application server corresponding to the first service flow. Based on the above method, the user plane network element can determine the application to be detected based on the first indication information.

[0018] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, obtaining the first cell information includes receiving the first cell information from a mobility management network element. Based on the above method, the session management network element can obtain the first cell information from the mobility management network element, so that the session management network element can determine characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell other than the first service flow, and then determine the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow by combining the characteristic information of the first service flow with the characteristic information of the other service flows.

[0019] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving second indication information from the first terminal or application network element, the second indication information being used to indicate that the transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted. Based on the above method, the session management network element can determine whether it is necessary to determine the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow based on the indication from the first terminal or application network element. If the session management network element receives the second indication information, the session management network element can determine the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow; if the session management network element does not receive the second indication information, or if the session management network element receives indication information indicating that the transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow cannot be adjusted, the session management network element may not determine the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. In this way, the computational overhead and signaling overhead of the session management network element can be reduced.

[0020] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending the first scheduling information to a first access network device, where the first scheduling information is used by the first access network device to configure resources for transmitting data packets of the first service flow. Based on the above method, the first scheduling information can be sent to the first access network device, so that the first access network device reserves resources for the first terminal based on the first scheduling information.

[0021] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending the first scheduling information to the first terminal, so that the first terminal sends the first scheduling information to the application network element corresponding to the application corresponding to the first business flow, or so that the first terminal sends the data packets of the first business flow according to the first scheduling information. Based on the above method, the first scheduling information can be sent to the first terminal. In this way, the first terminal can send the data packets of the first business flow according to the first scheduling information, so that the data packets of the first business flow and the data packets of other business flows in the first cell can be sent in staggered periods to reduce the occurrence of air interface congestion. Alternatively, the first terminal can send the first scheduling information to the application network element corresponding to the application corresponding to the first business flow, so that the application network element sends the data packets of the first business flow according to the first scheduling information, so that the data packets of the first business flow and the data packets of other business flows in the first cell can be sent in staggered periods to reduce the occurrence of air interface congestion.

[0022] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the first network-side device is a policy control network element, a network open network element, or a first network element. Based on the above method, multiple network elements can determine the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, thereby increasing the flexibility and diversity of implementing the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0023] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, obtaining the first characteristic information includes: receiving the first characteristic information from an application network element. Based on the above method, the first characteristic information can be obtained from the application network element, and the first scheduling information can be determined based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell.

[0024] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, obtaining the first cell information includes: receiving the first cell information from the session management network element; or receiving the first cell information from the mobility management network element. Based on the above method, the first cell information can be obtained in multiple ways, increasing the flexibility and diversity of obtaining the first cell information.

[0025] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, obtaining first characteristic information of the first service flow and information about the first cell accessed by the first terminal includes receiving the first characteristic information and information about the first cell from the session management network element. Based on the above method, the first characteristic information and information about the first cell can be obtained from the session management network element, and the first scheduling information can be determined based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell.

[0026] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the first characteristic information is included in information about a first quality of service (QoS) flow corresponding to the first service flow. Based on the above method, the first service flow can be mapped to the first QoS flow. In this way, a mapping relationship between the first service flow and the first QoS flow can be established.

[0027] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending the first scheduling information to the session management network element so that the session management network element sends the first scheduling information to the first access network device and / or the first terminal. Based on the above method, the first scheduling information can be sent to the session management network element so that the session management network element can send the first scheduling information to the first access network device and / or the first terminal. In this way, the first access network device can reserve resources for the first terminal based on the first scheduling information. The first terminal can send data packets of the first service flow based on the first scheduling information, or the first terminal can send the first scheduling information to the application network element so that the application network element sends data packets of the first service flow based on the first scheduling information.

[0028] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving third indication information from the session management network element or the application network element, the third indication information being used to indicate that the transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted. Based on the above method, whether it is necessary to determine the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow can be determined based on the third indication information. If the third indication information is received, the transmission time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow can be determined; if the third indication information is not received, or if indication information is received indicating that the transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow cannot be adjusted, the transmission time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow may not be determined. In this way, computing overhead and signaling overhead can be saved.

[0029] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending the first scheduling information to the application network element so that the application network element sends the data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, or so that the application network element sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal. Based on the above method, the first scheduling information can be sent to the application network element. In this way, after receiving the first scheduling information, the application network element can send the data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, or send the first scheduling information to the first terminal so that the first terminal can send the data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.

[0030] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the first characteristic information is further used to indicate the estimated start time for sending the data packet of the first service flow. Based on the above method, when determining the start time for sending at least one data packet of the first service flow, the estimated start time for sending the data packet of the first service flow can be considered to avoid a situation where the determined start time for sending at least one data packet of the first service flow differs too much from the estimated start time for sending the data packet of the first service flow, thereby preventing the service from being affected.

[0031] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the first terminal has switched to or is about to switch to a second cell, and the method further includes: obtaining information about the second cell, the information about the second cell being used to identify the second cell; determining second scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell, the other service flows in the second cell including a third service flow, the third characteristic information of the third service flow being used to indicate the bandwidth, period, and transmission time of at least one data packet of the third service flow, and the second scheduling information being used to determine the next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell. Based on the above method, when the first terminal has switched to or is about to switch to the second cell, information about the second cell can be obtained, and the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow can be determined by combining the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell other than the first service flow, so that the data packets of the service flow in the second cell can be transmitted at off-peak times, thereby reducing air interface congestion, lowering data packet loss rate and data transmission delay, and improving user experience.

[0032] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication device executing the communication method may be a first access network device; or a module implemented in the first access network device, such as a chip or chip system. The following description uses the first access network device as an example. The communication method includes: receiving first characteristic information of a first QoS flow, the first QoS flow corresponding to a first service flow, the first service flow being a service flow of a first terminal, the first characteristic information indicating the bandwidth and period of the first service flow; determining first scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows, the other QoS flows being QoS flows other than the first QoS flow in a first cell of the first access network device, the other QoS flows including a second QoS flow corresponding to a second service flow, the second characteristic information of the second QoS flow indicating the bandwidth, period, and transmission time of at least one data packet of the second service flow, the first scheduling information being used to determine the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow; and transmitting the first scheduling information to a session management network element.

[0033] Based on the method provided in the second aspect above, after receiving the first characteristic information of the first QoS flow, the first access network device can determine the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in combination with the characteristic information of other QoS flows in the first cell other than the first QoS flow, so that the data packets of the QoS flow in the first cell can be sent at off-peak times, thereby reducing air interface congestion, reducing data packet loss rate and data transmission delay, and improving user experience. In addition, compared with the method in which the first network-side device determines the first scheduling information, the first access network device does not need to obtain information about the first cell from other devices in the process of determining the first scheduling information, saving signaling overhead.

[0034] In combination with the above-mentioned second aspect, in a possible implementation, if the data packets of the first business flow have not started to be sent, the first scheduling information is used to determine the starting sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow; or, if the data packets of the first business flow have started to be sent, the first scheduling information is used to determine the next sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow. Based on the above method, when the data packets of the first business flow have not started to be sent, the first access network device can determine the starting sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow, so that at least one data packet of the first business flow can be sent according to the starting sending time to reduce the occurrence of air interface congestion. When the data packets of the first business flow have started to be sent, the first access network device can determine the next sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow to adjust the next sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion.

[0035] In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, if data packets of the first service flow have begun to be sent, the first characteristic information is further used to indicate the sending time of at least one data packet in the first service flow. Based on the above method, when data packets of the first service flow have begun to be sent, the first access network device may consider the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow when determining the next sending time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow, thereby avoiding a large difference between the adjusted next sending time and the pre-adjusted next sending time, which could impact the service.

[0036] In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the first characteristic information is received from the session management network element, where the first characteristic information is obtained by the session management network element from a user plane network element, or the first characteristic information is obtained based on a policy and charging control rule. Based on the above method, the first access network device can obtain the first characteristic information from the session management network element, so that the first access network device can determine the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow by combining the first characteristic information with characteristic information of other QoS flows in the first cell other than the first QoS flow, thereby enabling the data packets of the QoS flows in the first cell to be transmitted at off-peak times.

[0037] In combination with the above-mentioned second aspect, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving first indication information from the session management network element, the first indication information being used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted. Based on the above-mentioned method, the first access network device can determine whether it is necessary to determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow according to the first indication information. If the first access network device receives the first indication information, the first access network device can determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow; if the first access network device does not receive the first indication information, or the first access network device receives indication information indicating that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow cannot be adjusted, the first access network device may not determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. In this way, the computing overhead and signaling overhead of the first access network device can be saved.

[0038] In conjunction with the above second aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving characteristic information of the other QoS flows. Based on the above method, before determining the first scheduling information, the first access network device may receive the characteristic information of the other QoS flows, so that the first access network device can determine the first scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of the other QoS flows.

[0039] In conjunction with the above-mentioned second aspect, in one possible implementation, when the first terminal is handed over from the second access network device to the first access network device, the first characteristic information is received from the second access network device or the session management network element. Based on the above-mentioned method, when the first terminal is handed over from the second access network device to the first access network device, the first access network device can obtain the first characteristic information from the second access network device or the session management network element, so that the first access network device can determine the first scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows in the first cell.

[0040] In conjunction with the above-mentioned second aspect, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending the first scheduling information to the second access network device so that the second access network device sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal. Based on the above-mentioned method, the first access network device can send the first scheduling information to the second access network device, so that the second access network device can send the first scheduling information to the first terminal. In this way, the first terminal can send the first scheduling information to the application network element, so that after the first terminal switches to the second access network device, the application network element can send data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information; or, after the first terminal switches to the second access network device, it can send data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.

[0041] In combination with the above-mentioned second aspect, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving second indication information from the second access device or the session management network element, the second indication information being used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted. Based on the above-mentioned method, the first access network device can determine whether it is necessary to determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow according to the second indication information. If the first access network device receives the second indication information, the first access network device can determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow; if the first access network device does not receive the second indication information, or the first access network device receives indication information indicating that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow cannot be adjusted, the first access network device may not determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. In this way, the computing overhead and signaling overhead of the first access network device can be saved.

[0042] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication device executing the communication method may be a first terminal; it may also be a module applied to the first terminal, such as a chip or chip system. The following description takes the execution subject as the first terminal as an example. The communication method includes: obtaining first scheduling information, the first scheduling information being used to determine the transmission time of at least one data packet of a first service flow, the first service flow being the service flow of the first terminal, the first scheduling information being determined based on first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows, the first characteristic information being used to indicate the bandwidth and period of the first service flow, the other service flows being service flows other than the first service flow in the first cell accessed by the first terminal, the other service flows including a second service flow, the second characteristic information of the second service flow being used to indicate the bandwidth, period, and transmission time of at least one data packet of the second service flow; sending the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information; or sending the first scheduling information to the application network element corresponding to the first service flow.

[0043] Based on the method provided in the third aspect above, the first terminal can obtain the first scheduling information and send data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, so that the data packets of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the first cell can be sent at staggered times to reduce air interface congestion. Alternatively, the first terminal can send the first scheduling information to the application network element corresponding to the application corresponding to the first service flow, so that the application network element sends the data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, so that the data packets of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the first cell can be sent at staggered times to reduce air interface congestion.

[0044] In conjunction with the third aspect above, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending the first characteristic information to a session management network element. Based on the above method, the first terminal may send the first characteristic information of the first service flow to the session management network element, so that the session management network element determines the first scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell other than the first service flow. Alternatively, the session management network element may send the first characteristic information to other network elements, such as a policy control network element, a network open network element, or the first network element, so that the other network elements determine the first scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell other than the first service flow.

[0045] In conjunction with the third aspect above, in one possible implementation, if the data packet of the first service flow is sent according to the first scheduling information, obtaining the first scheduling information includes: receiving the first scheduling information from a session management network element; or receiving the first scheduling information from a first access network device; or receiving the first scheduling information from an application network element. Based on the above method, the first terminal can obtain the first scheduling information through multiple methods, thereby increasing the flexibility and diversity of the first terminal in obtaining the first scheduling information.

[0046] In conjunction with the third aspect above, in one possible implementation, if the first scheduling information is sent to the application network element, obtaining the first scheduling information includes: receiving the first scheduling information from a session management network element; or receiving the first scheduling information from a first access network device. Based on the above method, the first terminal can obtain the first scheduling information in multiple ways, thereby increasing the flexibility and diversity of the first terminal in obtaining the first scheduling information.

[0047] In conjunction with the third aspect above, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending second indication information to the session management network element or to the application network element, the second indication information being used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted. Based on the above method, the first terminal can indicate to the session management network element or the application network element that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted. On the one hand, the session management network element can be enabled to determine whether the first scheduling information needs to be determined, or the session management network element can indicate to other network elements (e.g., the policy control network element, the network open network element, or the first network element) whether the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted; on the other hand, the application network element can be enabled to determine whether the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted, or the application network element can be enabled to indicate to other network elements (e.g., the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network open network element, or the first network element) whether the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

[0048] In conjunction with the third aspect above, in one possible implementation, the first terminal is about to switch or has already switched to a second cell, where the second cell is a cell of a first access network device or a cell of a second access network device; the method further includes: obtaining second scheduling information, the second scheduling information being used to determine the next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell, the second scheduling information being determined based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell, the other service flows in the second cell including a third service flow, the third characteristic information of the third service flow being used to indicate the bandwidth, period, and transmission time of at least one data packet of the third service flow; sending the data packet of the first service flow based on the second scheduling information, or sending the second scheduling information to an application network element. Based on the above method, when the first terminal is about to switch or has already switched to the second cell, the first terminal can obtain the second scheduling information and send the data packet of the first service flow based on the second scheduling information, so that the data packet of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the second cell can be sent at staggered times to reduce air interface congestion. Alternatively, the first terminal can send the second scheduling information to the application network element corresponding to the application corresponding to the first service flow, so that the application network element sends the data packets of the first service flow according to the second scheduling information, so that the data packets of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the second cell can be sent in staggered periods to reduce air interface congestion.

[0049] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication device that executes the communication method may be an application network element; or it may be a module applied to the application network element, such as a chip or a chip system. The following description is made using the execution subject as an application network element as an example. The communication method includes: obtaining first scheduling information, the first scheduling information being used to determine the sending time of at least one data packet of a first service flow, the first service flow being the service flow of a first terminal, the first scheduling information being determined based on first feature information and feature information of other service flows, the first feature information being used to indicate the bandwidth and period of the first service flow, the other service flows being service flows other than the first service flow in the first cell accessed by the first terminal, the other service flows including a second service flow, the second feature information of the second service flow being used to indicate the bandwidth, period, and sending time of at least one data packet of the second service flow; sending the first scheduling information to the first terminal; or sending data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.

[0050] Based on the method provided in the fourth aspect above, the application network element may obtain the first scheduling information and send data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, so that the data packets of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the first cell can be sent at staggered times to reduce air interface congestion. Alternatively, the application network element may send the first scheduling information to the first terminal so that the first terminal sends data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, so that the data packets of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the first cell can be sent at staggered times to reduce air interface congestion.

[0051] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, if the first scheduling information is sent to the first terminal, obtaining the first scheduling information includes receiving the first scheduling information from a session management network element or a policy control network element. Based on the above method, the application network element can obtain the first scheduling information in multiple ways, thereby increasing the flexibility and diversity of the application network element in obtaining the first scheduling information.

[0052] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, if the data packet of the first service flow is sent according to the first scheduling information, obtaining the first scheduling information includes: receiving the first scheduling information from the first terminal, a session management network element, or a policy control network element. Based on the above method, the application network element can obtain the first scheduling information in multiple ways, thereby increasing the flexibility and diversity of the application network element in obtaining the first scheduling information.

[0053] In conjunction with the fourth aspect above, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending the first characteristic information to the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network open network element, or the first network element. Based on the above method, the application network element may send the first characteristic information of the first service flow to the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network open network element, or the first network element, so that these network elements can determine the first scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell other than the first service flow.

[0054] In conjunction with the fourth aspect above, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending second indication information to the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network openness network element, or the first network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted. Based on the above method, the application network element can indicate to the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network openness network element, or the first network element that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted, so that the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network openness network element, or the first network element determines whether it is necessary to determine the first scheduling information.

[0055] In combination with the fourth aspect above, in a possible implementation, the first terminal is about to switch or has already switched to the second cell, and the method further includes: obtaining second scheduling information, the second scheduling information is used to determine the next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell, the second scheduling information is determined based on the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell, the other service flows in the second cell include a third service flow, the third characteristic information of the third service flow is used to indicate the bandwidth, period and transmission time of at least one data packet of the third service flow; sending the second scheduling information to the first terminal; or sending the data packet of the first service flow according to the second scheduling information. Based on the above method, when the first terminal is about to switch or has already switched to the second cell, the application network element can obtain the second scheduling information and send the data packet of the first service flow according to the second scheduling information, so that the data packet of the first service flow and the data packet of other service flows in the second cell can be sent at staggered times to reduce air interface congestion. Alternatively, the application network element can send the second scheduling information to the first terminal so that the first terminal sends the data packets of the first service flow according to the second scheduling information, so that the data packets of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the second cell can be sent in staggered periods to reduce air interface congestion.

[0056] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the above method. The communication device may be the first network-side device in the above first aspect, or a device including the above first network-side device; or, the communication device may be the first access network device in the above second aspect, or a device including the above first access network device; or, the communication device may be the first terminal in the above third aspect, or a device including the above first terminal; or, the communication device may be the application network element in the above fourth aspect, or a device including the above application network element. The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above method, and the modules, units, or means may be implemented by hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0057] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication device may include a processing module. The processing module may be configured to implement the processing functions of any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof. The processing module may be, for example, a processor.

[0058] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module may be configured to implement the processing functions described in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof. The processing module may, for example, be a processor. The transceiver module, also referred to as a transceiver unit, may be configured to implement the transmitting and / or receiving functions described in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof. The transceiver module may be comprised of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface.

[0059] In combination with the fifth aspect above, in a possible implementation, the transceiver module includes a sending module and a receiving module, which are respectively used to implement the sending and receiving functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof.

[0060] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor; the processor is configured to be coupled to a memory, and after reading instructions from the memory, execute the method described in any of the above aspects in accordance with the instructions. The communication device may be the first network-side device described in the first aspect, or a device including the first network-side device; or the communication device may be the first access network device described in the second aspect, or a device including the first access network device; or the communication device may be the first terminal described in the third aspect, or a device including the first terminal; or the communication device may be the application network element described in the fourth aspect, or a device including the application network element.

[0061] In combination with the sixth aspect above, in a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory, which is used to store necessary program instructions and data.

[0062] In conjunction with the sixth aspect above, in one possible implementation, the communication device is a chip or a chip system. Optionally, when the communication device is a chip system, it can be composed of a chip or include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0063] In the seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit; the interface circuit is used to receive a computer program or instruction and transmit it to the processor; the processor is used to execute the computer program or instruction so that the communication device executes the method described in any of the above aspects.

[0064] In conjunction with the seventh aspect above, in one possible implementation, the communication device is a chip or a chip system. Optionally, when the communication device is a chip system, it can be composed of a chip or include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0065] In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein instructions are stored in the computer-readable storage medium. When the computer-readable storage medium is run on a computer, the computer can execute the method described in any one of the above aspects.

[0066] In a ninth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in any one of the above aspects.

[0067] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any possible implementation method of the fifth to ninth aspects can be referred to the technical effects brought about by any possible implementation method of the first to fourth aspects mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0068] In a tenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes: a session management network element and a user plane network element, the user plane network element is used to send first feature information of a first business flow to the session management network element; or, the user plane network element is used to send identification information of an application corresponding to the first business flow to the session management network element, wherein the first business flow is a business flow of a first terminal, and the first feature information is used to indicate the bandwidth and period of the first business flow; the session management network element is used to receive the first feature information from the user plane network element; or, the session management network element is used to receive the identification information of the application from the user plane network element, and obtain according to the identification information of the application The first characteristic information of the first service flow; the session management network element is further used to obtain information about the first cell accessed by the first terminal, and the information about the first cell is used to identify the first cell; the session management network element is further used to determine first scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows, the other service flows are service flows in the first cell other than the first service flow, the other service flows include second service flows, the second characteristic information of the second service flow is used to indicate the bandwidth, period and sending time of at least one data packet of the second service flow, and the first scheduling information is used to determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow.

[0069] Based on the communication system of the tenth aspect above, the session management network element can obtain the first characteristic information from the user plane network element, or obtain the first characteristic information based on the identification information of the application sent by the user plane network element, and determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in combination with the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell except the first service flow, so that the data packets of the service flows in the first cell can be sent in staggered time, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing the data packet loss rate and data transmission delay, and improving user experience.

[0070] In conjunction with the tenth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication system further includes a first access network device, the first cell being a cell of the first access network device; the session management network element is further configured to send the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information to the first access network device; the first access network device is configured to receive the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information from the session management network element and configure a first resource for the first terminal, the first resource being used to transmit data packets of the first service flow. Based on the above communication system, the session management network element may send the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information to the first access network device, so that the first access network device can reserve resources for the first terminal based on the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information.

[0071] In the eleventh aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes: a second network side device and a session management network element, the second network side device being a policy control network element, a network open network element or a first network element; the session management network element being used to send first characteristic information of a first service flow and information of a first cell accessed by a first terminal to the second network side device, the first service flow being the service flow of the first terminal, the first characteristic information being used to indicate the bandwidth and period of the first service flow, and the information of the first cell being used to identify the first cell; the second network side device being used to receive the first characteristic information and the information of the first cell from the session management network element, and determining first scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows, the other service flows being service flows in the first cell other than the first service flow, the other service flows including a second service flow, the second characteristic information of the second service flow being used to indicate the bandwidth, period and sending time of at least one data packet of the second service flow, and the first scheduling information being used to determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow.

[0072] Based on the communication system of the above-mentioned eleventh aspect, after the second network side device obtains the first characteristic information and the information of the first cell from the session management network element, it can combine the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell except the first service flow to determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, so that the data packets of the service flow in the first cell can be sent in staggered periods, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing the data packet loss rate and data transmission delay, and improving user experience.

[0073] In conjunction with the above-mentioned eleventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the second network-side device is further configured to send the first scheduling information to the session management network element; and the session management network element is further configured to receive the first scheduling information from the second network-side device. Based on the above-mentioned communication system, the second network-side device can send the first scheduling information to the session management network element, so that the session management network element sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal, and / or the application network element, and / or the first access network device.

[0074] In conjunction with the above-mentioned eleventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication system further includes a first access network device, the first cell being a cell of the first access network device; the session management network element is further configured to send the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information to the first access network device; the first access network device is configured to receive the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information from the session management network element, and configure a first resource for the first terminal, the first resource being used to transmit data packets of the first service flow. Based on the above-mentioned communication system, the session management network element may send the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information to the first access network device, so that the first access network device can reserve resources for the first terminal based on the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information.

[0075] In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes: a session management network element and a first access network device, the session management network element being configured to send first characteristic information of a first QoS flow to the first access network device, the first QoS flow being a QoS flow corresponding to a first service flow, the first service flow being a service flow of a first terminal, and the first characteristic information being used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the first service flow; the first access network device being configured to receive the first characteristic information from the session management network element, determine first scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows, and send the first scheduling information to the session management network element; wherein the other QoS flows are QoS flows other than the first QoS flow in a first cell of the first access network device, the other QoS flows including a second QoS flow, the second QoS flow being a QoS flow corresponding to a second service flow, the second characteristic information of the second QoS flow being used to indicate a bandwidth, a period, and a sending time of at least one data packet of the second service flow, and the first scheduling information being used to determine a sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow; the session management network element being further configured to receive the first scheduling information from the first access network device.

[0076] Based on the communication system in the above-mentioned twelfth aspect, after the first access network device receives the first characteristic information of the first QoS flow, it can determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in combination with the characteristic information of other QoS flows in the first cell except the first QoS flow, so that the data packets of the QoS flow in the first cell can be sent in staggered time, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing data packet loss rate and data transmission delay, and improving user experience.

[0077] In conjunction with the twelfth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication system further includes an application network element, the session management network element further configured to send the first scheduling information to the application network element; and the application network element configured to receive the first scheduling information from the session management network element and send data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. Based on the above communication system, the application network element can send data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information to achieve staggered sending of data packets for the QoS flow in the first cell, thereby reducing air interface congestion, lowering data packet loss rate and data transmission delay, and improving user experience.

[0078] It can be understood that the relevant content of any possible implementation method of the first to fourth aspects above can be referred to the communication systems of the tenth to twelfth aspects above without limitation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0079] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of periodically sending data packets to a terminal;

[0080] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a communication system architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of another communication system architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of another communication system architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] Figure 5a This is a diagram of the service-oriented architecture of the existing fifth-generation (5G) network;

[0084] Figure 5b for Figure 5a The corresponding 5G network architecture diagram based on the reference point;

[0085] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] Figure 7 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the business flow provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the time interval provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0089] Figure 10A flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0090] Figure 11 A flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0091] Figure 12 A flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0092] Figure 13 A flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0093] Figure 14 A flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0094] Figure 15 A schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0095] The following describes in detail the implementation of the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0096] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG, a communication system 20 provided in an embodiment of the present application includes a session management network element 201 and a user plane network element 202 .

[0097] Figure 2 In the communication system 20 shown, the user plane network element 202 can send the first characteristic information of the first service flow to the session management network element 201. The session management network element 201 can receive the first characteristic information from the user plane network element 202, and obtain the information of the first cell accessed by the first terminal, and determine the first scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell. Alternatively, the user plane network element 202 can send the identification information of the application corresponding to the first service flow to the session management network element 201. The session management network element 201 can receive the identification information of the application from the user plane network element 202, obtain the first characteristic information of the first service flow based on the identification information of the application, and obtain the information of the first cell accessed by the first terminal, and determine the first scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell. A detailed introduction to the above method can be found in the following Figure 10 The method is described in detail and will not be described here.

[0098] Optionally, the communication system 20 further includes an access network device 203. The access network device 203 may receive the first feature information and the first scheduling information from the session management network element 201, and configure the first resource for the first terminal according to the first feature information and the first scheduling information.

[0099] Optionally, the communication system 20 further includes an application network element 204. The application network element 204 can receive the first scheduling information from the session management network element 201, and send data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.

[0100] Optionally, the communication system 20 further includes an access network device 205. When the first terminal is about to switch or has already switched to the second cell of the access network device 205, the access network device 205 may receive the second scheduling information from the session management network element 201, obtain the first feature information, and configure resources for the first terminal based on the first feature information and the second scheduling information.

[0101] It is understandable that the devices or network elements in the communication system 20 can communicate directly with each other or communicate through forwarding by other devices. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0102] Understandably, the above Figure 2 It is only a schematic diagram and does not constitute a limitation on the applicable scenarios of the technical solutions provided in this application. Those skilled in the art should understand that in the specific implementation process, the communication system 20 may include Figure 2 Fewer devices or network elements are shown, or the communication system 20 may further include other devices or other network elements. The number of devices or network elements in the communication system 20 may also be determined according to specific needs.

[0103] like Figure 3 As shown, another communication system 30 provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown. The communication system 30 includes a session management network element 301 and a network-side device 302. The network-side device 302 can be a policy control network element, a network open network element, or a first network element. The network-side device 302 can correspond to the second network-side device in the following embodiments. The first network element can be a newly configured network element, independently deployed in the network, or an existing network element, without limitation.

[0104] Figure 3 In the communication system 30 shown, the session management network element 301 can send the first characteristic information of the first service flow to the network side device 302. The network side device 302 can receive the first characteristic information from the session management network element 301. The network side device 302 can also obtain information about the first cell accessed by the first terminal and determine the first scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell. The above method can be described in detail as follows Figure 12 The method is described in detail and will not be described here.

[0105] Optionally, the communication system 30 further includes an access network device 303. The access network device 303 may receive the first feature information and the first scheduling information from the session management network element 301, and configure the first resource for the first terminal according to the first feature information and the first scheduling information.

[0106] Optionally, the communication system 30 further includes an application network element 304. The application network element 304 may receive first scheduling information from the session management network element 301 or the network side device 302, and send data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.

[0107] Optionally, the communication system 30 further includes a user plane network element 305. The user plane network element 305 may send the first feature information of the first service flow to the session management network element 301, or the user plane network element 305 may send the identification information of the application corresponding to the first service flow to the session management network element 301.

[0108] Optionally, the communication system 30 further includes an access network device 306. When the first terminal is about to be handed over or has already been handed over to the second cell of the access network device 306, the access network device 306 may receive the second scheduling information from the session management network element 301, obtain the first feature information, and configure resources for the first terminal based on the first feature information and the second scheduling information.

[0109] It is understandable that the devices or network elements in the communication system 30 can communicate directly with each other or communicate through forwarding by other devices. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0110] Understandably, the above Figure 3 It is only a schematic diagram and does not constitute a limitation on the applicable scenarios of the technical solutions provided in this application. Those skilled in the art should understand that in the specific implementation process, the communication system 30 may also include Figure 3 Fewer devices or network elements are shown, or the communication system 30 may further include other devices or other network elements. The number of devices or network elements in the communication system 30 may also be determined according to specific needs.

[0111] like Figure 4 As shown in FIG, another communication system 40 provided in an embodiment of the present application includes a session management network element 401 and an access network device 402 .

[0112] Figure 4In the communication system 40 shown, the session management network element 401 can send first characteristic information of a first quality of service (QoS) flow to the access network device 402. The access network device 402 can receive the first characteristic information from the session management network element 401, determine first scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows in the first cell except the first QoS flow, and send the first scheduling information to the session management network element 401. For a detailed description of the above method, please refer to the following Figure 14 The method is described in detail and will not be described here.

[0113] Optionally, the communication system 40 further includes an application network element 403. The application network element 403 may receive first scheduling information from the session management network element 401, and send data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.

[0114] Optionally, the communication system 40 further includes a user plane network element 404. The user plane network element 404 may send the first feature information of the first service flow to the session management network element 401, or the user plane network element 404 may send the identification information of the application corresponding to the first service flow to the session management network element 401.

[0115] Optionally, the communication system 40 further includes an access network device 405. When the first terminal is about to be handed over or has been handed over to a third cell of the access network device 405, the access network device 405 may determine third scheduling information based on the first feature information and feature information of other QoS flows in the third cell except the first QoS flow, and send the third scheduling information to the session management network element 401.

[0116] It is understandable that the devices or network elements in the communication system 40 can communicate directly with each other or communicate through forwarding by other devices. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0117] Understandably, the above Figure 4 It is only a schematic diagram and does not constitute a limitation on the applicable scenarios of the technical solutions provided in this application. Those skilled in the art should understand that in the specific implementation process, the communication system 40 may also include Figure 4 Fewer devices or network elements are shown, or the communication system 40 may also include other devices or other network elements. The number of devices or network elements in the communication system 40 may also be determined according to specific needs without limitation.

[0118] Optionally, the above-mentioned communication system 20, communication system 30 or communication system 40 can be applicable to the 5G network currently under discussion, or to other networks in the future, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0119] For example, taking the communication system 20, the communication system 30 or the communication system 40 as an example, which can be applied to the 5G network currently under discussion, the device or entity corresponding to the above-mentioned session management network element can be Figure 5a The session management function (SMF) in the 5G network. The network element or entity corresponding to the above access network equipment can be Figure 5a The radio access network (RAN) equipment in the 5G network. The equipment or entity corresponding to the above application network element can be Figure 5a The device or entity corresponding to the above-mentioned user plane network element can be Figure 5a The device or entity corresponding to the above-mentioned policy control network element can be Figure 5a The device or entity corresponding to the above network open network element can be Figure 5a The network exposure function (NEF) in the 5G network.

[0120] In addition, if Figure 5a As shown, the 5G network may also include an authentication server function (AUSF), an access and mobility management function (AMF), a charging function (CHF), a network slice selection function (NSSF), a network exposure function repository function (NRF), a policy control function (PCF), a unified data management (UDM), a unified data repository (UDR) or a data network, etc.

[0121] Among them, such as Figure 5aAs shown in the figure, the terminal accesses the 5G network through the RAN device, and the terminal communicates with the AMF through the N1 interface (referred to as N1); the RAN device communicates with the AMF through the N2 interface (referred to as N2); the RAN device communicates with the UPF through the N3 interface (referred to as N3); the SMF communicates with the UPF through the N4 interface (referred to as N4), and the UPF accesses the data network through the N6 interface (referred to as N6). In addition, Figure 5a The control plane functions shown in the figure, such as AUSF, AMF, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, PCF, UDM, UDR, CHF or AF, interact with each other using service-based interfaces. For example, the service-based interface provided by AUSF is Nausf; the service-based interface provided by AMF is Namf; the service-based interface provided by SMF is Nsmf; the service-based interface provided by NSSF is Nnssf; the service-based interface provided by NEF is Nnef; the service-based interface provided by NRF is Nnrf; the service-based interface provided by PCF is Npcf; the service-based interface provided by UDM is Nudm; the service-based interface provided by UDR is Nudr; the service-based interface provided by CHF is Nchf; and the service-based interface provided by AF is Naf. For relevant function descriptions and interface descriptions, please refer to the 5G system architecture diagram in the 23501 standard, which will not be repeated here.

[0122] Optionally, the 5G network further includes a first network element. For an introduction to the first network element, please refer to the above Figure 3 The first network element can communicate with the SMF.

[0123] Figure 5a This is a diagram of the service-oriented architecture of the existing 5G network. Figure 5b for Figure 5a The corresponding 5G network architecture diagram based on reference points. Figure 5bAs shown, the terminal accesses the 5G network through the RAN device, and the terminal communicates with the AMF through the N1 interface (referred to as N1); the RAN device communicates with the AMF through the N2 interface (referred to as N2); the RAN device communicates with the UPF through the N3 interface (referred to as N3); different UPFs communicate through the N9 interface (referred to as N9); and the UPF accesses the data network (DN) through the N6 interface (referred to as N6). In addition, the SMF communicates with the UPF through the N4 interface (referred to as N4); the AMF communicates with the SMF through the N11 interface (referred to as N11); the AMF communicates with the UDM through the N8 interface (referred to as N8); the AMF communicates with the AUSF through the N12 interface (referred to as N12); the AMF communicates with the PCF through the N15 interface (referred to as N15); the AMF communicates with the NSSF through the N22 interface (referred to as N22); different AMFs communicate through the N14 interface (referred to as N14); the SMF communicates with the PCF through the N7 interface (referred to as N7); the SMF The F communicates with the UDM via the N10 interface (N10 for short); the SMF communicates with the NEF via the N29 interface (N29 for short); the SMF communicates with the NRF via the Nnrf interface (Nnrf for short); the SMF communicates with the CHF via the Nchf interface (Nchf for short); the PCF communicates with the NEF via the N5 interface (N5 for short); the UDR communicates with the PCF via the N36 interface (N36 for short); the UDR communicates with the NEF via the N37 interface (N37 for short); and the UDM communicates with the AUSF via the N13 interface (N13 for short). The first network element can communicate with the SMF.

[0124] Optionally, the embodiment of the present application Figure 2 、 Figure 3 or Figure 4 Each network element or device in the communication system (such as a session management network element, an access network device, an application network element, a user plane network element, a policy control network element, a network open network element or a first network element, etc.) can also be referred to as a communication device, which can be a general device or a dedicated device. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0125] Optionally, the embodiment of the present application Figure 2 、 Figure 3 or Figure 4 The relevant functions of each network element or device in the network can be implemented by a single device, or by multiple devices together, or by one or more functional modules within a single device, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this. It is understood that the above functions can be network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or a combination of hardware and software, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0126] In the specific implementation, Figure 2 、 Figure 3 or Figure 4 Each device or network element shown can use Figure 6 The structure shown, or including Figure 6 Parts shown. Figure 6 The figure shows a hardware structure diagram of a communication device applicable to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 60 includes at least one processor 601 and at least one communication interface 604, which are used to implement the method provided in the embodiment of the present application. Optionally, the communication device 60 may also include a communication circuit 602 and a memory 603.

[0127] The processor 601 can be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits used to control the execution of the program of the present application.

[0128] The communication link 602 may include a path for transmitting information between the above components, such as a bus.

[0129] Communication interface 604 is used to communicate with other devices or communication networks. Communication interface 604 can be any transceiver-like device, such as an Ethernet interface, a radio access network (RAN) interface, a wireless local area network (WLAN) interface, a transceiver, a pin, a bus, or a transceiver circuit.

[0130] The memory 603 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program codes in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory can be independent and coupled to the processor 601 via a communication line 602. The memory 603 can also be integrated with the processor 601. The memory provided in the embodiment of the present application can generally be non-volatile.

[0131] The memory 603 is used to store computer-executable instructions for executing the solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 601. The processor 601 is used to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 603, thereby implementing the method provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0132] Alternatively, optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the processor 601 may also perform processing-related functions in the method provided in the following embodiments of the present application, and the communication interface 604 is responsible for communicating with other devices or communication networks, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0133] Optionally, the computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as application code, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0134] The coupling in the embodiments of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms, and is used for information exchange between devices, units or modules.

[0135] As an embodiment, the processor 601 may include one or more CPUs, such as Figure 6 CPU0 and CPU1 in.

[0136] As an embodiment, the communication device 60 may include multiple processors, such as Figure 6Processor 601 and processor 607 in. Each of these processors can be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. The processor here can include but is not limited to at least one of the following: a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or an artificial intelligence processor, etc., and various types of computing devices that run software. Each computing device may include one or more cores for executing software instructions to perform calculations or processing.

[0137] As an embodiment, the communication device 60 may further include an output device 605 and / or an input device 606. The output device 605 is coupled to the processor 601 and can display information in a variety of ways. For example, the output device 605 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector. The input device 606 is coupled to the processor 601 and can receive user input in a variety of ways. For example, the input device 606 can be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, or a sensor device.

[0138] Understandably, Figure 6 The structure shown in the figure does not constitute a limitation on the communication device, except Figure 6 In addition to the components shown, the communication device may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or arrange the components differently.

[0139] The following will be Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 The communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is described by taking the architecture shown in the figure as an example. Each network element in the following embodiment may have Figure 6 The components shown are not described in detail.

[0140] It should be noted that the message names between network elements or the names of parameters in the messages in the following embodiments of the present application are only examples, and other names may be used in specific implementations. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0141] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, "and / or" can be used to describe the existence of three relationships between associated objects. For example, A and / or B can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In addition, expressions similar to "at least one of A, B and C" or "at least one of A, B or C" are usually used to represent any of the following: A exists alone; B exists alone; C exists alone; A and B exist at the same time; A and C exist at the same time; B and C exist at the same time; A, B and C exist at the same time. The above uses A, B and C as an example to illustrate the optional items of the item. When there are more elements in the expression, the meaning of the expression can be obtained according to the above rules.

[0142] In order to facilitate the description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "first" and "second" can be used to distinguish technical features with the same or similar functions. The words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit them to be different. In the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design. The use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete way for easy understanding.

[0143] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, for a technical feature, the technical features in the technical feature are distinguished by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D", and there is no order of precedence or size between the technical features described by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D".

[0144] It can be understood that the same step or steps or technical features with the same functions in the embodiments of the present application can be referenced and borrowed from each other in different embodiments.

[0145] It is understood that in the embodiments of the present application, each network element or device may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application. These steps are merely examples, and the embodiments of the present application may also perform other steps or variations of various steps. In addition, the steps may be performed in a different order than those presented in the embodiments of the present application, and it is possible that not all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application need to be performed.

[0146] like Figure 7 As shown, a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes S701-S702.

[0147] S701: A first network-side device obtains first characteristic information of a first service flow and information of a first cell accessed by a first terminal.

[0148] In the embodiment of the present application, the first network side device may be a session management network element or a second network side device. For example, the first network side device may be Figure 2 The session management network element 201 in, or Figure 3 Alternatively, the first network side device may also be Figure 5a or Figure 5b SMF, PCF, NEF or first network element in.

[0149] In the embodiment of the present application, the first service flow may be a service flow of the first terminal. The information of the first cell may be used to identify the first cell. For example, the information of the first cell may include an identifier of the first cell. The first cell may be a cell of the first RAN device. If the first network side device is Figure 2 The session management network element 201 in the first RAN device may be Figure 2 The access network device 203 in the first network side device is Figure 3 The network side device 302 in the first RAN device may be Figure 3 The access network device 303 in the first network side device is Figure 5a or Figure 5b The first RAN device may be an SMF, NEF, PCF or first network element in Figure 5a or Figure 5b RAN equipment in the network.

[0150] In an embodiment of the present application, the first characteristic information can be used to indicate the bandwidth and period of the first business flow. In other words, the first characteristic information can indicate the sending regularity of the data packets of the first business flow. For example, the first characteristic information can include at least one of the following information: the time interval between two adjacent bursts (or frames), the bandwidth occupied by each burst (or frame), the sending mode of the bursts (or frames) included in a period, etc. In other words, the first characteristic information can at least restore the sending regularity of the larger burst of the first business flow. For example, the first characteristic information can include at least one of the following information: the time interval between two adjacent larger bursts (or frames), the bandwidth occupied by the larger burst (or frame). In an embodiment of the present application, frames and bursts can be replaced with each other. At least one data packet of the first business flow can be sent in a burst (or frame).

[0151] As an example, if the sending rule of the data packets of the first service flow is as follows Figure 1As shown, the first characteristic information can indicate: the transmission mode of I frames and P frames (in this example, the transmission mode is IPPP, that is, sending one I frame, then three P frames, then one I frame, then three P frames, and so on, where I frames are one type of burst and P frames are another type of burst), the period corresponding to the transmission mode (that is, the time interval between one I frame and the next I frame), the time interval between two adjacent P frames in a period, the time interval between adjacent I frames and P frames in a period, the size of the data packet transmitted by the I frame (that is, the bandwidth occupied by the I frame), and the size of the data packet transmitted by the P frame (that is, the bandwidth occupied by the P frame). In specific applications, the time interval between two adjacent frames can be the same. For example, in the above example, the time interval between an I frame and its adjacent P frame, the time interval between two adjacent P frames, and the time interval between the last P frame of the previous period and the I frame of the adjacent next period are all the same. In this case, the first characteristic information can be simplified to: the transmission mode of I frames and P frames (such as IPPP), the frame interval (or frequency), the bandwidth occupied by I frames, and the bandwidth occupied by P frames.

[0152] As another example, in order to reduce the complexity of the first network side device, the first characteristic information can be simplified. For example, the first characteristic information may not indicate the information of a smaller frame (such as a P frame), but may indicate the information of a larger frame (such as an I frame), so that the first network side device can restore the sending rule of the larger frame based on the first characteristic information. For example, the first characteristic information may include: the sending period (or frequency) of the I frame, and the bandwidth occupied by the I frame. The first characteristic information may also include the sending duration of the I frame and / or the P frame. The sending duration of the I frame can also be called the sending duration of the large data packet, that is, the duration of the I frame. The sending duration of the P frame can also be called the sending duration of the small data packet, that is, the duration of the P frame. The sending duration of the I frame and the sending duration of the P frame may be the same or different.

[0153] Optionally, if the data packets of the first service flow have not yet started to be sent, the first characteristic information may also be used to indicate the estimated start time of sending the data packets of the first service flow. If the data packets of the first service flow have already started to be sent, the first characteristic information may also be used to indicate the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, or the sending time of at least one frame, or the start time of at least one cycle. For example, the first characteristic information may also indicate the sending time of the first data packet of the first service flow; or, the first characteristic information may also indicate the starting time of a cycle (e.g., if a cycle starts with an I frame, the first characteristic information may also indicate the sending time of the I frame, or the sending time of the first data packet of the I frame); or, the first characteristic information may also indicate the sending time of any frame (or at least one data packet of the frame) in a cycle. If the first characteristic information indicates the sending time of at least one frame (or at least one data packet of the frame), the first characteristic information may also indicate which frame in a cycle the frame (or the frame corresponding to the data packet) corresponds to, so that the first network-side device can determine the sending time of the first service flow (i.e., the position of the first service flow on the timeline).

[0154] It is understandable that after the first network-side device obtains the first characteristic information, it can recover the transmission pattern of the data packets of the first service flow based on the first characteristic information. In other words, after the first network-side device obtains the first characteristic information, it can at least recover the transmission pattern of the larger frames in the first service flow based on the first characteristic information. In this way, the first network-side device can determine the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow based on the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell other than the first service flow, so that the data packets of the service flows in the first cell can be sent at staggered times, thereby reducing air interface congestion.

[0155] S702: The first network-side device determines first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows.

[0156] Among them, other service flows are service flows in the first cell other than the first service flow. That is, after the first network-side device obtains information about the first cell, it can obtain characteristic information of other service flows transmitted through the first cell based on the information of the first cell, and then determine the first scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of the other service flows. Among them, other service flows include a second service flow. The second service flow is different from the first service flow. The second service flow can be a service flow for the first terminal, or it can be a service flow for other terminals connected to the first cell other than the first terminal. Data packets of the second service flow have started to be sent or have not yet started to be sent.

[0157] Among them, the second characteristic information of the second business flow can be used to indicate the bandwidth, period and sending time of at least one data packet of the second business flow. The second characteristic information can enable the first network side device to restore the sending pattern of the data packets of the second business flow. In other words, the second characteristic information can at least enable the first network side device to restore the sending pattern of the larger frames in the second business flow. Taking the sending pattern of the data packets of the second business flow as an example, Figure 1 Taking the example shown, the second characteristic information may indicate: the transmission mode of I frames and P frames, the period corresponding to the transmission mode, the time interval between two adjacent P frames in a period, the time interval between adjacent I frames and P frames in a period, the start time of any period of the second service flow, the bandwidth occupied by I frames, and the bandwidth occupied by P frames. Alternatively, the second characteristic information may indicate: the transmission period (or frequency) of I frames, the transmission time of any I frame of the second service flow, and the bandwidth occupied by I frames.

[0158] In one possible implementation, the second characteristic information is obtained by the first network device before S702. The process by which the first network device obtains the second characteristic information is similar to the process by which the first network device obtains the first characteristic information. For reference, the following description of the first network device obtaining the first characteristic information is provided and is omitted for brevity.

[0159] In an embodiment of the present application, the first scheduling information is used to determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow. For example, the first scheduling information may include the sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow, or the first scheduling information may indicate at least one time interval, and the sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow may be within the time interval. The at least one data packet may be at least one data packet of the first frame of the first business flow (that is, the first scheduling information is used to determine the start sending time of the first frame of the first business flow), or the at least one data packet may also be at least one data packet of the first frame of at least one period of the first business flow (that is, the first scheduling information is used to determine the start time of at least one period of the first business flow).

[0160] Optionally, the first scheduling information may further include a coding rate and / or a modulation order. If the first service flow has a high reliability requirement, the first network-side device may determine a lower coding rate or a lower modulation order.

[0161] It is understandable that if the data packets of the first business flow have not started to be sent, the first scheduling information is used to determine the starting sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow, or the starting sending time of the first frame, or the starting sending time of the first frame of at least one cycle. If the data packets of the first business flow have started to be sent, the first scheduling information is used to determine the next sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow, or the next sending time of at least one frame, wherein the at least one frame can be any frame in a cycle including the first frame. It is understandable that if the data packets of the first business flow have started to be sent, the first scheduling information may include the adjustment time of the sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow, for example, delaying the sending by 10ms.

[0162] In an embodiment of the present application, the first network side device can determine the first scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows, so that the data packets of the first service flow can be sent at a time when the air interface is not congested, or avoid the large frames of the first service flow and the large frames of other service flows being sent at the same time to cause air interface congestion.

[0163] A possible implementation method is that when data packets of the second business flow are sent according to the second characteristic information, and data packets of the first business flow are sent according to the first scheduling information, the maximum value of the total bandwidth occupied by the data packets of the second business flow and the data packets of the first business flow at the same time is less than or equal to the first threshold.

[0164] For example, the first cell includes a first service flow and a second service flow, and the bandwidth and period of the first service flow are the same as the bandwidth and period of the second service flow. Figure 8 Shown as an example. Figure 8 In the example, the sending mode of the first business flow and the second business flow is to first send an I frame, then send two P frames, then send an I frame, then send two P frames, and so on. The periods corresponding to the sending modes of the first business flow and the second business flow are both T, and the time intervals between two adjacent frames in the first business flow and the second business flow are both t1. If the sending time of the first frame of the second business flow is t0, the first network side device can determine that the sending time of the first I frame of the first business flow is within the time interval 801, or the first network side device can determine that the sending time of the next I frame of the first business flow is within the time interval 801. The time interval 801 is [t0+△t+i*t1, t0+(i+1)*t1], where i is an integer greater than or equal to 0, and △t is the sending duration of the I frame. Figure 8 In the example, the sending duration of the I frame is the same as the sending duration of the P frame. It can be seen that the time interval 801 includes multiple intervals. Figure 8Only one interval is shown. If the bandwidth occupied by the P frame packet of the second business flow is small, for example, the sum of the bandwidth occupied by the P frame of the second business flow and the bandwidth occupied by the I frame of the first business flow is less than or equal to the first threshold, then the first network side device can determine that the sending time of the first I frame of the first business flow is within the time interval 802, or the first network side device can determine that the sending time of the next I frame of the first business flow is within the time interval 802. The time interval 802 is [t0+△t+i*T, t0+(i+1)*T]. It can be seen that the time interval 802 includes multiple intervals, Figure 8 Only one interval is shown.

[0165] It should be understood that, for ease of understanding, the above example describes the case where the bandwidth and period of the first service flow are the same as the bandwidth and period of the second service flow. In specific applications, the number of other service flows in the first cell may be greater than one, and the bandwidth and period of the first service flow may be the same as, or different from, the bandwidth and period of the other service flows, or the same as the bandwidth and period of some of the other service flows, without limitation.

[0166] It can be understood that if the first characteristic information indicates the expected start sending time of the data packet of the first business flow, the first network side device can consider the expected start sending time when determining the first scheduling information. Exemplarily, if the expected start sending time is within the time interval indicated by the first scheduling information, for example, within time interval 801 or time interval 802, the sending time of the first data packet of the first business flow can be determined as the expected start sending time; if the expected start sending time is not within the time interval indicated by the first scheduling information, the sending time of the first data packet of the first business flow can be within the time interval indicated by the first scheduling information, which is a time interval adjacent to the expected start sending time.

[0167] For example, taking the example that the first network side device determines that the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow can be located in time interval 1, time interval 2 and time interval 3, time interval 1, time interval 2 and time interval 3 can be as follows: Figure 9 If the estimated start sending time is time 901, the sending time of the first data packet of the first service flow is time 901. If the estimated start sending time is time 902, the sending time of the first data packet of the first service flow can be in time interval 1 or time interval 2. If the estimated start sending time is time 903, the sending time of the first data packet of the first service flow can be in time interval 2 or time interval 3.

[0168] based on Figure 7According to the method shown, after the first network side device obtains the first characteristic information and the first cell information of the first business flow, it can determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow in combination with the characteristic information of other business flows in the first cell except the first business flow, so that the data packets of the business flow in the first cell can be sent in a staggered manner, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing the data packet loss rate and data transmission delay, and improving the user experience.

[0169] The actions of the first network side device in the above S701-S702 can be performed by Figure 6 The processor 601 in the communication device 60 shown calls the application code stored in the memory 603 for execution, and the embodiment of the present application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0170] In the embodiments of the present application, when the first network-side device is a session management network element or a second network-side device, the steps included in the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application are different. The following describes the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application using the first network-side device being an SMF and the first network-side device being a PCF as examples.

[0171] First, taking the first network side device as SMF as an example, the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is described in detail. Figure 10-11 The method shown.

[0172] like Figure 10 As shown, in Figure 7 In a possible implementation of the method shown, the SMF may obtain the first characteristic information and the information of the first cell by at least one of the following four methods. Of course, the method is not limited to these four methods.

[0173] Mode 1: S701 may include S1001 and S1002.

[0174] S1001: A first terminal sends first feature information to an SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the first feature information from the first terminal.

[0175] Optionally, when the data packet of the first service flow is about to start being sent, the first terminal sends the first characteristic information to the SMF.

[0176] In one possible implementation, the first terminal sends the first feature information to the first RAN device. After receiving the first feature information, the first RAN device sends the first feature information to the AMF. After receiving the first feature information, the AMF sends the first feature information to the SMF. The AMF may be Figure 5a or Figure 5b AMF in.

[0177] S1002: The AMF sends information about the first cell to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the information about the first cell from the AMF.

[0178] In one possible implementation, the AMF sends the locally stored information of the first cell to the SMF. For example, the SMF may subscribe to the information of the cell accessed by the first terminal from the AMF. When the cell accessed by the first terminal changes, the AMF may send the information of the cell most recently accessed by the first terminal to the SMF.

[0179] In another possible implementation, after receiving the first feature information, the first RAN device may send the first cell information to the AMF. The first RAN device may send the first feature information and the first cell information to the AMF simultaneously, or may send the first feature information and the first cell information to the AMF in separate steps. After receiving the first cell information, the AMF sends the first cell information to the SMF. The AMF may send the first feature information and the first cell information to the SMF simultaneously, or may send the first feature information and the first cell information to the SMF in separate steps.

[0180] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution order of S1001 and S1002. For example, the embodiment of the present application may execute S1001 first and then S1002, or may execute S1002 first and then S1001, or may execute S1001 and S1002 simultaneously.

[0181] It is understandable that through the above S1001-S1002, the SMF can obtain the first characteristic information from the first terminal and the information of the first cell from the AMF. In this way, the SMF can determine the characteristic information of other service flows of the first cell based on the information of the first cell, and determine the first scheduling information by combining the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of the other service flows.

[0182] Mode 2: S701 may include S1003 and S1004.

[0183] S1003: The AF sends the first feature information to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the first feature information from the AF.

[0184] Among them, AF can be the AF of the application corresponding to the first service flow. For example, AF can be Figure 2 AF can also be used for Figure 5a or Figure 5b AF in.

[0185] Optionally, when the data packet of the first service flow is about to start being sent, the AF sends the first characteristic information to the SMF.

[0186] In a possible implementation, the AF sends the first feature information to the NEF (not shown in the figure). After receiving the first feature information, the NEF sends the first feature information to the PCF (not shown in the figure). After receiving the first feature information, the PCF sends the first feature information to the SMF. Figure 5a or Figure 5b NEF and PCF in can be Figure 5a or Figure 5b PCF in.

[0187] S1004: The AMF sends the information of the first cell to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the information of the first cell from the AMF.

[0188] Among them, AMF can be Figure 5a or Figure 5b AMF in.

[0189] In one possible implementation, the SMF may subscribe to the AMF for information about the cell accessed by the first terminal. When the cell accessed by the first terminal changes, the AMF may send information about the cell most recently accessed by the first terminal to the SMF.

[0190] Exemplarily, after the first terminal switches from other cells to the first cell, the AMF sends information of the first cell to the SMF.

[0191] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution order of S1003 and S1004. For example, the embodiment of the present application may execute S1003 first and then S1004, or may execute S1004 first and then S1003, or may execute S1003 and S1004 simultaneously.

[0192] It is understandable that through the above S1003-S1004, the SMF can obtain the first characteristic information from the AF and the information of the first cell from the AMF. In this way, the SMF can determine the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell based on the information of the first cell, and determine the first scheduling information by combining the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of the other service flows.

[0193] Mode 3: S701 may include S1005 and S1006.

[0194] S1005: The UPF sends the first characteristic information to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the first characteristic information from the UPF.

[0195] Among them, UPF can be Figure 2 The user plane network element 202 in the UPF can also be Figure 5a or Figure 5b UPF in.

[0196] Optionally, before S1005, the SMF sends first indication information to the UPF. The first indication information is used to indicate first characteristic information of detecting a first service flow, or the first indication information is used to indicate characteristics of detecting an application. The first service flow is the service flow of the application.

[0197] As an example, when the first indication information indicates detecting first characteristic information of a first service flow, the first indication information may include an identifier of the first service flow. Exemplarily, the identifier of the first service flow may be a quintuple or triple corresponding to the first service flow, or the address of an application server corresponding to the first service flow. After receiving the first indication information, the UPF may detect the characteristics of the first service flow, obtain the first characteristic information, and send the first characteristic information to the SMF.

[0198] As another example, in the case where the first indication information is used to indicate the detection of application characteristics, the first indication information may include at least one of the following: an identifier of the application (for example, the ID of the application, or the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the application), the address of the application server corresponding to the first business flow (for example, the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the application server), the port identifier of the application server corresponding to the first business flow (for example, the port number of the application server), or the protocol identifier of the application server corresponding to the first business flow (for example, the protocol number of the application server). After receiving the first indication information, the UPF can detect the characteristics of the application, obtain the characteristic information of the application, and send the characteristic information of the application to the SMF. The characteristic information of the application may include the identifier of the business flow (including the first business flow) of the application, and the characteristic information of the business flow identified by the identifier of each business flow (including the characteristic information of the first business flow). In this way, after receiving the characteristic information of the application, the SMF can determine the first characteristic information of the first business flow based on the characteristic information of the application.

[0199] In the embodiment of the present application, the SMF may instruct the UPF which applications to detect, which service flows in the applications to detect, and which features to detect, without limitation. For example, the SMF may instruct the UPF to detect the size of each frame of the first service flow, the frame time interval, and the transmission mode.

[0200] Optionally, the first indication information further includes configuration information of a detection window, wherein the configuration information of the detection window is used to configure a detection window used by the UPF to detect the first characteristic information.

[0201] Exemplarily, the detection window can be a time window, for example, the detection window includes 1ms. After receiving the first indication information, the UPF performs sampling with 1ms as the window to determine the number, size and other information of the data packets corresponding to the first business flow within the 1ms. When the sampling of 1ms ends, the UPF continues to sample the next 1ms and calculates the number, size and other information of the data packets corresponding to the first business flow within the next 1ms. In this way, after performing continuous sampling with 1ms as the window, the UPF can determine the characteristic information of the first business flow (such as when to send the data frame (for example, I frame or P frame), the size of the data frame, etc.).

[0202] It is understandable that SMF can configure different detection windows for different applications. In addition, for method 3, when UPF detects the characteristics of the first business flow or the characteristics of the application, the data packets of the first business flow have already started to be sent. That is, when SMF receives the first characteristic information, the data packets of the first business flow have already started to be sent. In this case, the first characteristic information reported by UPF may include the start sending time of at least one frame of the first business flow, and SMF determines the next sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow. It is understandable that if the data packets of the first business flow have not started to be sent when UPF receives the first indication information, UPF can wait until the data packets of the first business flow start to be sent to detect the characteristics of the first business flow or the characteristics of the application.

[0203] S1006: The AMF sends the information of the first cell to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the information of the first cell from the AMF.

[0204] The specific process of S1006 is similar to that of S1004, so you can refer to the corresponding description in the above S1004 and will not repeat it here.

[0205] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution order of S1005 and S1006. For example, the embodiment of the present application can execute S1005 first and then S1006, or can execute S1006 first and then S1005, or can execute S1005 and S1006 simultaneously.

[0206] It is understandable that through the above S1005-S1006, the SMF can obtain the first characteristic information from the UPF and the information of the first cell from the AMF. In this way, the SMF can determine the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell based on the information of the first cell, and determine the first scheduling information by combining the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of the other service flows.

[0207] Mode 4: S701 may include S1007-S1009.

[0208] S1007: The UPF sends the identification information of the application corresponding to the first service flow to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the identification information of the application corresponding to the first service flow from the UPF.

[0209] Among them, UPF can be Figure 2 The user plane network element 202 in the UPF can also be Figure 5a or Figure 5b UPF in.

[0210] Optionally, before S1007, the SMF sends first indication information to the UPF, where the first indication information is used to instruct to detect the application.

[0211] Exemplarily, the first indication information may include at least one of the following: an identifier of the application, an address of the application server corresponding to the first business flow, a port identifier of the application server corresponding to the first business flow, or a protocol identifier of the application server corresponding to the first business flow. After receiving the first indication information, the UPF may detect the application. If the UPF detects a data packet corresponding to the application, or if the UPF detects that a data packet of the business flow corresponding to the application has started to be sent, the UPF may send the identification information of the application corresponding to the first business flow to the SMF so that the SMF can determine that the data packet of the business flow corresponding to the application has started to be sent.

[0212] S1008: The SMF obtains first characteristic information of the first service flow according to the identification information of the application.

[0213] In a possible implementation, the SMF stores the correspondence between the application identifier and the first characteristic information of the first service flow. Therefore, after receiving the application identifier, the SMF can obtain the first characteristic information according to the application identifier.

[0214] It can be understood that in mode 4, the identification information of the application can also be replaced with the identification information of the first business flow. That is to say, the UPF can send the identification information of the first business flow to the SMF. The SMF stores the correspondence between the identification of the first business flow and the first characteristic information. After the SMF receives the identification information of the first business flow, it can obtain the first characteristic information based on the identification information of the first business flow and the correspondence between the identification information of the first business flow and the first characteristic information. Accordingly, in the first indication information, the SMF instructs the UPF to detect the data packet corresponding to the first business flow. The first indication information includes the identification information of the first business flow. After detecting the data packet corresponding to the first business flow, the UPF can send the identification information of the first business flow to the SMF.

[0215] S1009: The AMF sends the information of the first cell to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the information of the first cell from the AMF.

[0216] The specific process of S1009 is similar to that of S1004, so you can refer to the corresponding description in the above S1004 and will not repeat it here.

[0217] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution order of S1007, S1008, and S1009. For example, the embodiment of the present application may execute S1007-S1008 first and then execute S1009, or may execute S1009 first and then execute S1007-S1008, or may execute S1007-S1008 and S1009 simultaneously.

[0218] It can be understood that through the above S1007-S1009, the SMF can receive the identification information of the application corresponding to the first service flow from the UPF, obtain the first feature information based on the identification information of the application, and obtain the information of the first cell from the AMF. In this way, the SMF can determine the feature information of other service flows in the first cell based on the information of the first cell, and determine the first scheduling information by combining the first feature information and the feature information of other service flows.

[0219] Among them, the actions of the first terminal, AF, UPF, AMF or SMF in the above S1001-S1009 can be Figure 6 The processor 601 in the communication device 60 shown calls the application code stored in the memory 603 for execution, and the embodiment of the present application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0220] Optional, in Figure 7 In a possible implementation of the method shown, the first terminal or AF may indicate to the SMF that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted. In this case, the SMF can determine the first scheduling information. Specifically, Figure 11 As shown, Figure 7 The method shown also includes S1101.

[0221] S1101: A first terminal or an AF sends second indication information to an SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the second indication information from the first terminal or the AF.

[0222] The first terminal and the AF are described in the foregoing. The second indication information can be used to indicate that the transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted. The transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted, which can also be replaced by the description that the first service flow supports peak-shifting scheduling.

[0223] In a possible implementation manner, before S702, the first terminal or AF sends second indication information to the SMF.

[0224] It can be understood that if the SMF does not receive the second indication information, or the SMF receives indication information that the sending time of the data packet of the first business flow cannot be adjusted, the first terminal or AF can send the data packet of the first business flow according to the expected starting sending time of the data packet of the first business flow mentioned above.

[0225] It is understandable that even if the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow cannot be adjusted, the SMF can also obtain the first characteristic information. In this way, the SMF can subsequently determine the scheduling information of other service flows whose sending time of the data packet can be adjusted based on the first characteristic information.

[0226] Understandably, S1101 can also be Figure 10 The method shown in FIG. 1 is executed, for example, in S1001 or S1003, without limitation. For another example, S1101 may be executed in Figure 10 The method shown is executed before S702.

[0227] It is understandable that, through the above S1101, the SMF can determine whether to determine the first scheduling information based on the instruction of the first terminal or the AF. If the SMF receives the second instruction information, the SMF can determine the first scheduling information. If the SMF does not receive the second instruction information, or the SMF receives an instruction information indicating that the transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow cannot be adjusted, the SMF may not execute S701-S702, or the SMF may not execute S702. In this way, the SMF's computing overhead and signaling overhead can be reduced.

[0228] Optional, in Figure 7 In one possible implementation of the method shown, after the SMF determines the first scheduling information, it can send the first feature information and the first scheduling information to the first RAN device. After the first RAN device receives the first feature information and the first scheduling information, it can configure resources for the first terminal to transmit data packets of the first service flow. Specifically, Figure 11 As shown, Figure 7 The method shown also includes S1102 - S1103 .

[0229] S1102: The SMF sends first feature information and first scheduling information to the first RAN device. Correspondingly, the first RAN device receives the first feature information and first scheduling information from the SMF.

[0230] For the introduction of the first RAN device, reference may be made to the foregoing description.

[0231] In one possible implementation, the SMF sends the first feature information and the first scheduling information to the first RAN device through the AMF.

[0232] In one possible implementation, the SMF sends the first feature information and the first scheduling information to the first RAN device via a protocol data unit (PDU) session modification request. The PDU session modification request includes QoS flow information. The QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to the first service flow. The QoS flow information includes the first feature information and the first scheduling information.

[0233] It is understandable that the first feature information in S1102 may not be sent by the SMF to the first RAN device. For example, for the above-mentioned method 1, the SMF may send the first scheduling information to the first RAN device instead of sending the first feature information to the first RAN device. The first feature information may be sent by the first terminal to the first RAN device.

[0234] Optionally, after S1102, the first RAN device may send first scheduling information to the first terminal. For example, the first RAN device may send the first scheduling information to the first terminal when sending the following information about the first resource to the first terminal. If the first service flow is an uplink service flow, that is, the first service flow is a service flow sent by the first terminal, then after receiving the first scheduling information, the first terminal may send data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. For example, after receiving the first scheduling information, the first terminal may send the first scheduling information to the application layer of the first terminal. The application layer of the first terminal is the application layer corresponding to the first service flow. After receiving the first scheduling information, the application layer of the first terminal may send data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. Alternatively, if the first service flow is a downlink service flow, that is, the first service flow is a service flow received by the first terminal, then after receiving the first scheduling information, the first terminal may send the first scheduling information to the application server corresponding to the first terminal. After receiving the first scheduling information, the application server may send data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. It can be understood that if the first scheduling information indicates at least one time interval, the first terminal can also determine the first time interval in the at least one time interval (the first time interval is included in at least one time interval) and send information about the first time interval to the application server. The first terminal can also determine one or more specific times in the at least one time interval and send the one or more specific times to the application server.

[0235] In the embodiment of the present application, the AF and the application server can be the same network element or device or different network elements or devices, without limitation.

[0236] S1103: The first RAN device configures a first resource for the first terminal.

[0237] The first resource may be used to transmit data packets of a first service flow. The first resource may be a resource corresponding to a QoS flow. The first resource may include at least one of the following resources: a time domain resource, a frequency domain resource, or a spatial domain resource.

[0238] Optionally, after S1103, the first RAN device sends a response message to the SMF. The response message may be used to indicate that the first resource configuration is completed.

[0239] Understandably, S1102-S1103 can also be Figure 10 For example, S1102-S1103 can be performed in the method shown in Figure 10 The method shown is executed after S702.

[0240] It can be understood that through the above S1102-S1103, after determining the first scheduling information, the SMF can send the first feature information and the first scheduling information to the first RAN device, so that the first RAN device reserves resources for the QoS flow according to the first feature information and the first scheduling information.

[0241] Optional, in Figure 7 In a possible implementation of the method shown, after the SMF determines the first scheduling information, it can send the first scheduling information to the first terminal, so that the first terminal sends the first scheduling information to the AF corresponding to the application corresponding to the first service flow, or so that the first terminal sends the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. Figure 11 As shown, Figure 7 The method shown also includes S1104.

[0242] S1104: The SMF sends first scheduling information to the first terminal. Correspondingly, the first terminal receives the first scheduling information from the SMF.

[0243] In a possible implementation manner, the SMF sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal through a non-access stratum (NAS) message.

[0244] A possible implementation method is that if the SMF obtains the first characteristic information through the above method 1, the SMF determines the first scheduling information and sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal.

[0245] Optionally, if the first service flow is an uplink service flow, after S1104, the first terminal may send data packets for the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. For example, the first terminal may send the first scheduling information to an application layer of the first terminal. The application layer of the first terminal is the application layer corresponding to the first service flow. After receiving the first scheduling information, the application layer of the first terminal may send data packets for the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.

[0246] Optionally, if the first service flow is a downlink service flow, after S1104, the first terminal may send first scheduling information to the application server corresponding to the first terminal. After receiving the first scheduling information, the application server may send data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. It is understood that if the first scheduling information indicates at least one time interval, the first terminal may also determine the first time interval within the at least one time interval and send information about the first time interval to the application server. The first terminal may also determine one or more specific times within the at least one time interval and send the one or more specific times to the application server.

[0247] Understandably, S1104 can also be Figure 10 For example, S1104 can be performed in the method shown in Figure 10 The method shown is executed after S702.

[0248] It is understandable that if the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application includes both S1102-S1103 and S1104, then S1102-S1103 may be performed before S1104, may be performed after S1104, or may be performed simultaneously with S1104. In addition, if in S1102-S1103, the first RAN sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal, then the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application may not include S1104.

[0249] Optional, in Figure 7 In a possible implementation of the method shown, after the SMF determines the first scheduling information, it can send the first scheduling information to the AF, so that the AF sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal, or so that the AF sends the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. Figure 11 As shown, Figure 7 The method shown also includes S1105.

[0250] S1105: The SMF sends the first scheduling information to the AF. Correspondingly, the AF receives the first scheduling information from the SMF.

[0251] In a possible implementation, the SMF may directly send the first scheduling information to the AF. The SMF may also send the first scheduling information to the AF through the PCF or NEF.

[0252] A possible implementation method is that if the SMF obtains the first characteristic information through the above method 2, the SMF determines the first scheduling information and sends the first scheduling information to the AF.

[0253] In an embodiment of the present application, after S1105, when the AF and the application server are the same network element or device, the operations performed by the AF are different from those when the AF and the application server are different network elements or devices. If the AF and the application server are the same network element or device, then after S1105, the AF may send data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, or the AF network element may send the first scheduling information to the first terminal. If the AF and the application server are different network elements or devices, then after S1105, the AF may send the first scheduling information to the application server. After receiving the first scheduling information, the application server may send data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, or send the first scheduling information to the first terminal. Specifically, please refer to the introduction of the following two examples.

[0254] As an example, when the AF and the application server are the same network element or device, if the first service flow is a downlink service flow, then after S1105, the AF can send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. If the first service flow is an uplink service flow, then after S1105, the AF can send the first scheduling information to the first terminal. After the first terminal receives the first scheduling information, it can send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. It can be understood that if the first scheduling information indicates at least one time interval, the AF can also determine the first time interval in the at least one time interval and send the information of the first time interval to the first terminal. The AF can also determine one or more specific times in the at least one time interval and send the one or more specific times to the first terminal.

[0255] As another example, when the AF and the application server are different network elements or devices, if the first service flow is a downlink service flow, then after S1105, the AF may send first scheduling information to the application server. After receiving the first scheduling information, the application server may send data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. If the first service flow is an uplink service flow, then after S1105, the AF may send the first scheduling information to the application server. After receiving the first scheduling information, the application server may send the first scheduling information to the first terminal. After receiving the first scheduling information, the first terminal may send data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. It is understandable that if the first scheduling information indicates at least one time interval, the application server may also determine the first time interval in the at least one time interval and send information about the first time interval to the first terminal. The application server may also determine one or more specific times in the at least one time interval and send the one or more specific times to the first terminal.

[0256] Understandably, S1105 can also be used in Figure 10 For example, S1105 can be performed in the method shown in Figure 10 The method shown is executed after S702.

[0257] It is understandable that in the embodiment of the present application, after the SMF determines the first scheduling information, it can send the first scheduling information to the first terminal and the AF respectively. The SMF can also send the first scheduling information to the first terminal, and then send the first scheduling information to the AF through the first terminal. The SMF can also send the first scheduling information to the AF, and then send the first scheduling information to the first terminal through the AF. It should be understood that if the first service flow is an uplink service flow, the SMF or the first terminal may not send the first scheduling information to the AF, and if the first service flow is a downlink service flow, the SMF or the AF may not send the first scheduling information to the first terminal.

[0258] Optional, in Figure 7 In a possible implementation of the method shown, the first terminal has been or is about to be handed over from the first cell of the first RAN device to the second cell, and the SMF can obtain information about the second cell and determine the next sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell based on the first feature information and feature information of other service flows in the second cell. Specifically, Figure 11 As shown, Figure 7 The method shown also includes S1106-S1107.

[0259] S1106: SMF obtains information of the second cell.

[0260] The information of the second cell can be used to identify the second cell. The second cell can be a cell of the first RAN device or not. For example, the second cell can be a cell of a second RAN device that is different from the first RAN device. The second RAN device can be Figure 2 The access network device 205 in.

[0261] For example, if the second cell is a cell of the first RAN device, the first RAN device may send information about the second cell to the SMF, and accordingly, the SMF may receive information about the second cell from the first RAN device. For example, the first RAN device sends information about the second cell to the SMF via the AMF, and accordingly, the SMF receives information about the second cell from the first RAN device via the AMF.

[0262] For example, if the second cell is a cell of a second RAN device, the second RAN device may send information about the second cell to the SMF, and accordingly, the SMF may receive information about the second cell from the second RAN device. For example, the second RAN device sends information about the second cell to the SMF via the AMF, and accordingly, the SMF receives information about the second cell from the second RAN device via the AMF.

[0263] Exemplarily, the SMF may also subscribe to the AMF for the cell information accessed by the first terminal. When the cell accessed by the first terminal changes (for example, after the cell accessed by the first terminal is switched from the first cell to the second cell), the AMF may send the information of the cell most recently accessed by the first terminal (for example, information of the second cell) to the SMF.

[0264] S1107: The SMF determines second scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell.

[0265] Among them, other service flows in the second cell may be other service flows in the second cell except for the first service flow. That is to say, after the SMF obtains the information of the second cell, it can obtain the characteristic information of other service flows transmitted through the second cell based on the information of the second cell, and determine the second scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell. Among them, other service flows in the second cell include a third service flow. The third service flow is different from the first service flow. The third service flow may be a service flow of the first terminal, or it may be a service flow of other terminals connected to the second cell in addition to the first terminal. The data packets of the third service flow have started to be sent or have not yet started to be sent.

[0266] In this embodiment of the present application, the third characteristic information of the third service flow can be used to indicate the bandwidth and period of the third service flow, and the transmission time of at least one data packet of the third service flow. The third characteristic information can enable the SMF to recover the transmission pattern of the data packets of the third service flow. In other words, the third characteristic information can at least enable the SMF to recover the transmission pattern of larger frames in the third service flow.

[0267] In one possible implementation, the third characteristic information is obtained by the SMF before S1107. The process of the SMF obtaining the third characteristic information is similar to the process of the SMF obtaining the first characteristic information. Please refer to the above introduction of the SMF obtaining the first characteristic information, which will not be repeated here.

[0268] In an embodiment of the present application, the second scheduling information may be used to determine the next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell. For example, the second scheduling information may include the next transmission time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow, or the second scheduling information may indicate at least one time interval, and the next transmission time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow may be within the time interval, or the second scheduling information may indicate an adjustment time for the transmission time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow, for example, delaying the transmission of the at least one data packet of the first service flow by 10ms.

[0269] Optionally, the second scheduling information may further include a coding rate and / or a modulation order. If the first service flow has a high reliability requirement, the SMF may determine a lower coding rate or a lower modulation order.

[0270] It is understandable that the process by which the SMF determines the second scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell is similar to the process by which the SMF determines the first scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell. Therefore, the introduction to S1107 can refer to the corresponding description in S702 above and is not repeated here.

[0271] It will be appreciated that after S1107, the SMF may send the second scheduling information to the first RAN device, the second RAN device, the first terminal, or the AF. For this process, reference may be made to the corresponding descriptions in S1102-S1103, S1104, or S1105 above. It should be noted that the SMF sending the second scheduling information to the second RAN device may cause the second RAN device to reserve resources for the first terminal. This process may occur after the first terminal has been handed over to the second cell, or before the first terminal has been handed over to the second cell.

[0272] Exemplarily, in the switching process based on the Xn interface, the second RAN device can send the information of the second cell to the SMF through the AMF in the path switch request, and the SMF can send the second scheduling information to the second RAN device through the AMF in the response message of the switching request.

[0273] For example, during an N2-based handover, the SMF can obtain information about the second cell from the first RAN device (via the AMF) and send the second scheduling information to the second RAN device (via the AMF) in a handover request message. In this way, during the handover preparation phase, the second RAN device can reserve resources for the first terminal based on the second scheduling information, allowing the first terminal to receive or send data packets of the first service flow in a timely manner based on the reserved resources.

[0274] Alternatively, if the first terminal has not yet switched to the second cell, the SMF may send second scheduling information to the first RAN device. Subsequently, the first RAN device may send the second scheduling information to the second RAN device so that the second RAN device can reserve resources for the first terminal. For example, before preparing for handover, the first RAN device first sends information about the second cell to the SMF and receives the second scheduling information from the SMF. The handover information sent by the first RAN device to the second RAN device includes the second scheduling information. It is understandable that if the first RAN device has already reserved resources for the first terminal based on the first scheduling information before receiving the second scheduling information, the first RAN device may re-reserve resources for the first terminal based on the second scheduling information after receiving the second scheduling information.

[0275] In addition to the above method, the SMF may also send the second scheduling information to the second RAN device through an update message after the cell handover is completed, without limitation.

[0276] In one possible implementation, if the second cell is a cell of the first RAN device, the SMF may send the second scheduling information to the first RAN device via an update message. It is understood that if the first RAN device has already reserved resources for the first terminal based on the first scheduling information before receiving the second scheduling information, the first RAN device may re-reserve resources for the first terminal based on the second scheduling information after receiving the second scheduling information.

[0277] It can be understood that in the above S1106-S1107, when the first terminal has been or is about to be switched from the first cell of the first RAN device to the second cell, the SMF can obtain the information of the second cell and determine the next sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell based on the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell, so that the data packets of the service flow in the second cell can be sent in a staggered manner, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing the data packet loss rate and data transmission delay, and improving user experience.

[0278] The actions of the first terminal, AF, SMF or first RAN device in the above S1101-S1107 can be performed by Figure 6 The processor 601 in the communication device 60 shown calls the application code stored in the memory 603 for execution, and the embodiment of the present application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0279] above Figure 10-11 The method shown is a communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application, taking the first network side device as SMF as an example. The following takes the first network side device as PCF as an example to describe the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application in detail. Figure 12-13 As can be understood, Figure 12 and Figure 13 In the method shown, the PCF may also be replaced by the NEF or the first network element.

[0280] like Figure 12 As shown, in Figure 7 In a possible implementation of the method shown, the PCF may obtain the first characteristic information and the information of the first cell by at least one of the following methods 5 to 7. Of course, the method is not limited to these three methods.

[0281] Mode 5: S701 may include S1201 and S1202.

[0282] S1201: The AF sends first feature information to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the first feature information from the AF.

[0283] Among them, AF can be the AF of the application corresponding to the first service flow. For example, AF is Figure 3 304 in the application network element. AF can also be Figure 5a or Figure 5b AF in.

[0284] Optionally, when the data packet of the first service flow is about to start being sent, the AF sends the first feature information to the PCF.

[0285] Optionally, the AF may further send an identifier of the first terminal to the PCF, so that the PCF determines that the first feature information is feature information of the first service flow of the first terminal. The identifier of the first terminal may be an IP address of the first terminal, a generic public subscription identifier (GPSI) of the first terminal, or a user identity identifier (SUPI) of the first terminal.

[0286] S1202: The SMF sends information about the first cell to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the information about the first cell from the SMF.

[0287] Among them, SMF can be Figure 3 The session management network element 301 in SMF can also be Figure 5a or Figure 5b The SMF in the PCF. The SMF can obtain the information of the first cell through any of the above methods 1 to 4, and send the information of the first cell to the PCF.

[0288] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution order of S1201 and S1202. For example, the embodiment of the present application can execute S1201 first and then S1202, or can execute S1202 first and then S1201, or can execute S1201 and S1202 simultaneously.

[0289] It is understandable that, through the above S1201-S1202, the PCF can obtain the first characteristic information from the AF and the information of the first cell from the SMF. In this way, the PCF can determine the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell based on the information of the first cell, and determine the first scheduling information by combining the first characteristic information with the characteristic information of the other service flows.

[0290] Mode 6: S701 may include S1203 and S1204.

[0291] S1203: The AF sends the first feature information to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the first feature information from the AF.

[0292] The specific process of S1203 is similar to that of S1201, so you can refer to the corresponding description in the above S1201 and will not repeat it here.

[0293] S1204: The AMF sends the information about the first cell to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the information about the first cell from the AMF.

[0294] Among them, AMF can be Figure 5a or Figure 5b AMF in.

[0295] As an example, if in S1203, the AF sends the IP address of the first terminal to the PCF, the PCF can obtain the SUPI of the first terminal based on the IP address of the first terminal, and obtain the information of the AMF serving the first terminal from the unified data management (UDM) based on the SUPI of the first terminal. Subsequently, the PCF can send a request message to the AMF to request to obtain the information of the cell currently accessed by the first terminal, that is, the information of the first cell. If in S1203, the AF sends the SUPI of the first terminal to the PCF, the PCF can obtain the information of the AMF serving the first terminal from the UDM based on the SUPI of the first terminal. Subsequently, the PCF can send a request message to the AMF to request to obtain the information of the cell currently accessed by the first terminal, that is, the information of the first cell.

[0296] As another example, the PCF may subscribe to the AMF for information about the cell accessed by the first terminal. When the cell accessed by the first terminal changes, the AMF may send information about the cell most recently accessed by the first terminal to the PCF. For example, after the first terminal switches from another cell to the first cell, the AMF sends information about the first cell to the PCF.

[0297] It is understandable that, in the case where the PCF requests the AMF for information about the cell currently accessed by the first terminal, the embodiment of the present application may first execute S1203 and then execute S1204. In the case where the PCF subscribes to the AMF for information about the cell accessed by the first terminal, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution order of S1203 and S1204. For example, the embodiment of the present application may first execute S1203 and then execute S1204, or may first execute S1204 and then execute S1203, or may execute S1203 and S1204 simultaneously.

[0298] It is understandable that through the above S1203-S1204, the PCF can obtain the first characteristic information from the AF and the information of the first cell from the AMF. In this way, the PCF can determine the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell based on the information of the first cell, and determine the first scheduling information by combining the first characteristic information with the characteristic information of the other service flows.

[0299] Mode 7: S701 may include S1205.

[0300] S1205: The SMF sends the first feature information and the information of the first cell to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the first feature information and the information of the first cell from the SMF.

[0301] Among them, SMF can be Figure 3 The session management network element 301 in SMF can also be Figure 5a or Figure 5b The SMF in the PCF. The SMF can obtain the first feature information and the information of the first cell through any of the above methods 1 to 4, and send the first feature information and the information of the first cell to the PCF.

[0302] It is understandable that the SMF may send the first feature information and the first cell information to the PCF through different messages, or may include the first feature information and the first cell information in one message and send it to the PCF. The first feature information and / or the first cell information may be included in the information of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first service flow.

[0303] It can be understood that the SMF can obtain the first characteristic information and the information of the first cell through the methods described in Methods 1 to 4.

[0304] It is understandable that, through the above S1205, the PCF can obtain the first characteristic information and the information of the first cell from the SMF. In this way, the PCF can determine the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell based on the information of the first cell, and determine the first scheduling information by combining the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of the other service flows.

[0305] Among them, the AF, SMF, AMF or PCF actions in the above S1201-S1205 can be Figure 6 The processor 601 in the communication device 60 shown calls the application code stored in the memory 603 for execution, and the embodiment of the present application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0306] Optional, in Figure 7 In a possible implementation of the method shown, after the PCF determines the first scheduling information, it can send the first scheduling information to the SMF, so that the SMF sends the first scheduling information to the first RAN device, and / or the first terminal, and / or the AF. Specifically, Figure 13 As shown, Figure 7 The method shown also includes S1301.

[0307] S1301: The PCF sends first scheduling information to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the first scheduling information from the PCF.

[0308] In a possible implementation, the first scheduling information may be included in a policy and charging control (PCC) rule and sent to the SMF.

[0309] In one possible implementation, after S1301, the SMF may send the first scheduling information to the first RAN device, the first terminal, or the AF. For details, reference may be made to the corresponding descriptions in S1102-S1103, S1104, or S1105 above, which will not be repeated here. In the embodiment of the present application, in addition to sending the first scheduling information to the AF via the SMF, the PCF may also send the first scheduling information directly to the AF without limitation.

[0310] Understandably, S1301 can also be Figure 12 For example, S1301 can be performed in the method shown in Figure 12 The method shown is executed after S702.

[0311] The SMF or PCF action in S1301 can be performed by Figure 6 The processor 601 in the communication device 60 shown calls the application code stored in the memory 603 for execution, and the embodiment of the present application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0312] It can be understood that the PCF may also directly send the first scheduling information to the AF.

[0313] Optional, in Figure 7 In a possible implementation of the method shown, the SMF or AF may indicate to the PCF that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted. In this case, the PCF can determine the first scheduling information. Specifically, Figure 13 As shown, Figure 7 The method shown also includes S1302.

[0314] S1302: The SMF or AF sends third indication information to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the third indication information from the SMF or AF.

[0315] The introduction of SMF or AF can refer to the above. The third indication information can be used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted. The sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted, which can also be replaced by the description that the first service flow supports peak-shifting scheduling.

[0316] In a possible implementation manner, before S702, the SMF or AF sends third indication information to the PCF.

[0317] It can be understood that if the PCF does not receive the third indication information, or the PCF receives indication information that the sending time of the data packet of the first business flow cannot be adjusted, the first terminal or AF can send the data packet of the first business flow according to the expected starting sending time of the data packet of the first business flow described above.

[0318] It is understandable that even if the transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow cannot be adjusted, the PCF can still obtain the first characteristic information. In this way, the second network-side device can subsequently determine the scheduling information of the service flow whose transmission time of the data packet can be adjusted based on the first characteristic information.

[0319] Understandably, S1302 can also be Figure 12 For example, S1302 can be performed in the method shown in Figure 12 The method shown is executed before S702.

[0320] It will be appreciated that, through S1302 above, the PCF can determine whether to determine the first scheduling information based on the instruction from the SMF or AF. If the PCF receives the third instruction, it can determine the first scheduling information. If the PCF does not receive the third instruction, or if the PCF receives an instruction indicating that the transmission time of the data packets of the first service flow cannot be adjusted, the PCF may not perform S701-S702, or may not perform S702. This reduces the PCF's computational and signaling overhead.

[0321] Among them, the action of SMF, AF or PCF in the above S1302 can be Figure 6 The processor 601 in the communication device 60 shown calls the application code stored in the memory 603 for execution, and the embodiment of the present application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0322] Optional, in Figure 7 In one possible implementation of the method shown, the first terminal has been or is about to be handed over from the first cell of the first RAN device to the second cell, and the PCF can obtain information about the second cell and determine the next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell. Specifically, Figure 13 As shown, Figure 7 The method shown also includes S1303-S1304.

[0323] S1303: The PCF obtains information about the second cell.

[0324] The information of the second cell can be used to identify the second cell. The second cell can be a cell of the first RAN device or not. For example, the second cell can be a cell of a second RAN device that is different from the first RAN device. The second RAN device can be Figure 3 The access network device 306 in.

[0325] In one possible implementation, the SMF obtains the information of the second cell through the method described in S1106 and sends the information of the second cell to the PCF.

[0326] In another possible implementation, the AMF sends the information of the second cell to the PCF. For example, the PCF can subscribe to the information of the cell accessed by the first terminal from the AMF. When the cell accessed by the first terminal changes (for example, after the cell accessed by the first terminal is switched from the first cell to the second cell), the AMF can send the information of the cell most recently accessed by the first terminal (for example, the information of the second cell) to the PCF.

[0327] S1304: The PCF determines second scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell.

[0328] In the embodiment of the present application, the process of S1304 is similar to the process of S1107. Therefore, the introduction of S1304 can refer to the corresponding description of S1107 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0329] It is understandable that after S1304, the PCF may send the second scheduling information to the SMF so that the SMF sends the second scheduling information to the first RAN device, the second RAN device, the first terminal or the AF. The PCF may also send the second scheduling information directly to the AF.

[0330] It can be understood that through the above S1303-S1304, when the first terminal has been or is about to be switched from the first cell of the first RAN device to the second cell, the PCF can obtain the information of the second cell, and determine the next sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell based on the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell, so that the data packets of the service flow in the second cell can be sent in a staggered manner, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing the data packet loss rate and data transmission delay, and improving user experience.

[0331] Among them, the SMF or PCF action in the above S1303-S1304 can be Figure 6 The processor 601 in the communication device 60 shown calls the application code stored in the memory 603 for execution, and the embodiment of the present application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0332] above Figure 7 ,as well as Figure 10-13 In the illustrated method, the device that determines the first scheduling information is a first network-side device. In specific applications, the device that determines the first scheduling information may also be a RAN device. The following describes the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, taking the first RAN device as an example of the device that determines the first scheduling information.

[0333] like Figure 14 As shown, another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes S1401-S1403.

[0334] S1401: The SMF sends first feature information of a first QoS flow to a first RAN device. Correspondingly, the first RAN device receives the first feature information of the first QoS flow from the SMF.

[0335] Among them, SMF can be Figure 4 The session management network element 401 in SMF can also be Figure 5a or Figure 5b The first RAN device may be Figure 4 The first RAN device may also be an access network device 402. Figure 5a or Figure 5b The first QoS flow may be a QoS flow corresponding to the first service flow. The first service flow may be a service flow of the first terminal. The first characteristic information may be used to indicate the bandwidth and period of the first service flow. In other words, the first characteristic information may indicate the transmission pattern of data packets of the first service flow, or the first characteristic information may at least enable the first RAN device to restore the transmission pattern of larger frames in the first service flow. For a detailed introduction to the first characteristic information, please refer to the corresponding description in S701 above and will not be repeated here. In this embodiment, QoS flow and service flow may be interchangeable.

[0336] In one possible implementation, the SMF obtains the first characteristic information through any of the above-mentioned methods 1 to 4, or the SMF may obtain the first characteristic information according to the PCC rule. After obtaining the first characteristic information, the SMF maps the first service flow to the first QoS flow and sends the first characteristic information to the first RAN device.

[0337] In a possible implementation, the SMF sends a PDU session modification request to the first RAN device, where the PDU session modification request includes first feature information of the first QoS flow.

[0338] S1402: The first RAN device determines first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows.

[0339] The "other QoS flows" are QoS flows other than the first QoS flow in the first cell of the first RAN device. The "other QoS flows" include a second QoS flow. The second QoS flow is different from the first QoS flow. The second QoS flow may be a QoS flow corresponding to a second service flow. The second service flow may be a service flow for the first terminal or a service flow for other terminals connected to the first cell, other than the first terminal. Data packets for the second service flow may have been sent or have not yet been sent.

[0340] The second characteristic information of the second QoS flow can be used to indicate the bandwidth and period of the second QoS flow, as well as the transmission time of at least one data packet of the second service flow. The second characteristic information can enable the first RAN device to restore the transmission pattern of the data packets of the second service flow. In other words, the second characteristic information can at least enable the first RAN device to restore the transmission pattern of the larger frames in the second service flow.

[0341] In one possible implementation, the second characteristic information is obtained by the first RAN device before S1402. The process of the first RAN device obtaining the second characteristic information is similar to the process of the first RAN device obtaining the first characteristic information. Please refer to the above description of the first RAN device obtaining the first characteristic information, and no further details will be given.

[0342] In this embodiment of the present application, the first scheduling information is used to determine the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. For a detailed description of the first scheduling information and the specific process by which the first RAN device determines the first scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows, please refer to the corresponding description in S702 above and will not be repeated here.

[0343] S1403: The first RAN device sends first scheduling information to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the first scheduling information from the first RAN device.

[0344] In one possible implementation, the first RAN device sends first scheduling information to the AMF. After receiving the first scheduling information, the AMF sends the first scheduling information to the SMF.

[0345] In a possible implementation, after receiving the first scheduling information, the SMF may send the first scheduling information to the first terminal and / or the AF. For details, refer to S1104 and S1105 above.

[0346] In a possible implementation, after determining the first scheduling information, the first RAN device may configure the first resource for the first terminal according to the first scheduling information. For details, please refer to the corresponding description in S1103 above.

[0347] In a possible implementation, after determining the first scheduling information, the first RAN device may send the first scheduling information to the first terminal. For details, please refer to the corresponding description in S1102 above.

[0348] based on Figure 14In the method shown, after the first RAN device receives the first characteristic information of the first QoS flow, it can determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in combination with the characteristic information of other QoS flows in the first cell except the first QoS flow, so that the data packets of the QoS flow in the first cell can be sent at off-peak times, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing the data packet loss rate and data transmission delay, and improving user experience. In addition, compared with the method of determining the first scheduling information by the first network side device, Figure 14 The method shown does not require obtaining the information of the first cell, thus saving signaling overhead.

[0349] Optional, in Figure 14 In one possible implementation of the method shown, the SMF may indicate to the first RAN device that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted. In this case, the first RAN device may determine the first scheduling information. Specifically, Figure 14 The method shown also includes S1404.

[0350] S1404: The SMF sends first indication information to the first RAN device. Correspondingly, the first RAN device receives the first indication information from the SMF.

[0351] The first indication information may be used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted. The sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted, which can also be replaced by the description that the first service flow supports peak-shifting scheduling.

[0352] In a possible implementation, before S1402, the SMF sends the first indication information to the first RAN device. For example, the SMF sends the first indication information in S1401.

[0353] It can be understood that if the first RAN device does not receive the first indication information, or the first RAN device receives indication information that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow cannot be adjusted, the first terminal or AF can send the data packet of the first service flow according to the expected starting sending time of the data packet of the first service flow mentioned above, that is, the first RAN device does not determine the first scheduling information.

[0354] It is understandable that even if the transmission time of the data packets of the first service flow cannot be adjusted, the first RAN device can still obtain the first characteristic information. In this way, the first RAN device can subsequently determine the scheduling information of the service flow whose transmission time of the data packets can be adjusted based on the first characteristic information.

[0355] It is understood that, through the above S1404, the first RAN device can determine whether to determine the first scheduling information based on the first indication information. If the first RAN device receives the first indication information, the first RAN device can determine the first scheduling information. If the first RAN device does not receive the first indication information, or if the first RAN device receives indication information indicating that the transmission time of the data packets of the first service flow cannot be adjusted, the first RAN device may not perform S1401-S1403, or the first RAN device may not perform S1402-S1403. In this way, the computing overhead and signaling overhead of the first RAN device can be reduced.

[0356] Optional, in Figure 14 In one possible implementation of the method shown, a first terminal has been or is about to be handed over from a first cell of a first RAN device to a second cell of the first RAN device. The first RAN device can determine the next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell based on the first feature information and feature information of other QoS flows in the second cell. Specifically, Figure 14 The method shown also includes S1405.

[0357] S1405: The first RAN device determines second scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows in the second cell.

[0358] In the embodiment of the present application, the process of S1405 is similar to the process of S1402. Therefore, the introduction of S1405 can refer to the corresponding description of S1402 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0359] It is understood that after S1405, the first RAN device may send the second scheduling information to the SMF, so that the SMF sends the second scheduling information to the first RAN device, the first terminal, or the AF. The first RAN device may also send the second scheduling information to the first terminal. It is understood that when the transmission time of the first service flow needs to be adjusted, the first RAN device sends the second scheduling information to the SMF or the first terminal.

[0360] It can be understood that through the above S1405, when the first terminal has been or is about to be switched from the first cell of the first RAN device to the second cell of the first RAN device, the first RAN device can determine the next sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell based on the first feature information and the feature information of other QoS flows in the second cell, so that the data packets of the QoS flow in the second cell can be sent in a staggered manner, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing the data packet loss rate and data transmission delay, and improving user experience.

[0361] Optional, in Figure 14In one possible implementation of the method shown, a first terminal has been or is about to be handed over from a first cell of a first RAN device to a third cell of a second RAN device. The first RAN device or SMF may send first feature information to the second RAN device, so that the second RAN device can determine the next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the third cell based on the first feature information and feature information of other QoS flows in the third cell. Specifically, Figure 14 The method shown also includes S1406-S1407.

[0362] S1406: The first RAN device or SMF sends the first feature information to the second RAN device.

[0363] The second RAN device may be Figure 4 The access network device 405 in.

[0364] In one possible implementation, a first RAN device sends a handover request message to a second RAN device. The handover request message includes the first feature information. For example, the first feature information is included in a transparent container sent by the first RAN device to the second RAN device. Alternatively, in another possible implementation, an SMF sends the first feature information to the second RAN device. For example, during an N2 handover preparation process, the SMF sends the first feature information to the second RAN device.

[0365] S1407: The second RAN device determines third scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows in the third cell.

[0366] In the embodiment of the present application, the process of S1407 is similar to the process of S1402. Therefore, the introduction of S1407 can refer to the corresponding description of S1402 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0367] In one possible implementation, the second RAN device may send third scheduling information to the first RAN device so that the first RAN device sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal. The third scheduling information sent by the first RAN device to the first terminal may be included in a handover command message.

[0368] In one possible implementation, the second RAN device may send the third scheduling information to the SMF, so that the SMF sends the third scheduling information to the first RAN device, the first terminal, or the AF. For example, the third scheduling information sent by the second RAN device to the SMF may be included in a path switch request.

[0369] In one possible implementation, the second RAN device may also directly send the third scheduling information to the first terminal, so that the first terminal can send the uplink data packets of the first service flow according to the third scheduling information, or the first terminal may send the third scheduling information to the AF to adjust the downlink transmission time of the first service flow. For example, the second RAN device may send the third scheduling information to the first terminal after the first terminal accesses the third downlink zone.

[0370] In one possible implementation, after S1407, the second RAN device may configure a second resource for the first terminal based on the third scheduling information. The second resource may be used to transmit data packets of the first service flow. The second resource may be a resource corresponding to the first QoS flow. The second resource may include at least one of the following resources: a time domain resource, a frequency domain resource, or a spatial domain resource.

[0371] In one possible implementation, before S1407 , the second RAN device may receive second indication information from the first RAN device or the SMF, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

[0372] It can be understood that through the above S1406-S1407, when the first terminal has been or is about to be switched from the first cell of the first RAN device to the third cell of the second RAN device, the second RAN device can obtain the first characteristic information from the first RAN device or SMF, and determine the next sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the third cell based on the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other QoS flows in the third cell, so that the data packets of the QoS flow in the third cell can be sent in a staggered manner, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing the data packet loss rate and data transmission delay, and improving user experience.

[0373] The actions of the SMF, the first RAN device or the second RAN device in the above S1401-S1407 can be performed by Figure 6 The processor 601 in the communication device 60 shown calls the application code stored in the memory 603 for execution, and the embodiment of the present application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0374] It can be understood that in each of the above embodiments, the methods and / or steps implemented by the first network side device can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the first network side device; the methods and / or steps implemented by the first access network device can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the first access network device; the methods and / or steps implemented by the first terminal can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the first terminal; the methods and / or steps implemented by the application network element can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the application network element; the methods and / or steps implemented by the user plane network element can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the user plane network element.

[0375] The above mainly introduces the solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application from the perspective of interaction between various network elements. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present application also provide a communication device. The communication device can be the first network-side device in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above first network-side device, or a component that can be used for the first network-side device; or the communication device can be the first RAN device in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above first RAN device, or a component that can be used for the first RAN device; or the communication device can be the first terminal in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above first terminal, or a component that can be used for the first terminal; or the communication device can be the application network element in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above application network element, or a component that can be used for the application network element. It will be understood that in order to implement the above functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily appreciate that, in combination with the various exemplary units and algorithm steps described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or in a hardware-driven manner by computer software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians 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.

[0376] Figure 15 1 shows a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 150. The communication device 150 includes a transceiver module 1501 and a processing module 1502. The transceiver module 1501, also called a transceiver unit, is used to implement transceiver functions, and can be, for example, a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface.

[0377] In one implementation, taking the communication device 150 as the first network-side device in the above method embodiment as an example:

[0378] The transceiver module 1501 is used to obtain the first characteristic information of the first service flow and the information of the first cell accessed by the first terminal, the first service flow is the service flow of the first terminal, the first characteristic information is used to indicate the bandwidth and period of the first service flow, and the information of the first cell is used to identify the first cell. Figure 7 , the transceiver module 1501 can be used to execute S701.

[0379] The processing module 1502 is further configured to determine first scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows, wherein the other service flows are service flows in the first cell other than the first service flow, and the other service flows include a second service flow, wherein the second characteristic information of the second service flow is used to indicate the bandwidth, period, and transmission time of at least one data packet of the second service flow, and the first scheduling information is used to determine the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. Figure 7 , the processing module 1502 can be used to execute S702.

[0380] Optionally, the processing module 1502 is specifically configured to receive the first characteristic information from the first terminal through the transceiver module 1501 ; or, the processing module 1502 is specifically configured to receive the first characteristic information from the application network element through the transceiver module 1501 .

[0381] Optionally, the processing module 1502 is specifically configured to receive first feature information from a user plane network element through the transceiver module 1501 .

[0382] Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is configured to send first indication information to a user plane network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate first characteristic information for detecting a first service flow.

[0383] Optionally, the processing module 1502 is specifically used to receive identification information of an application corresponding to the first service flow from the user plane network element through the transceiver module 1501; the processing module 1502 is also specifically used to obtain first feature information based on the identification information of the application.

[0384] Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further used to send first indication information to the user plane network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate the detection application, and the first service flow is the service flow of the application.

[0385] Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further used to receive second indication information from the first terminal or the application network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

[0386] Optionally, the processing module 1502 is specifically configured to receive the first feature information from the application network element through the transceiver module 1501 .

[0387] Optionally, the processing module 1502 is specifically used to receive information about the first cell from the session management network element through the transceiver module 1501; or, optionally, the processing module 1502 is specifically used to receive information about the first cell from the mobility management network element through the transceiver module 1501.

[0388] Optionally, the processing module 1502 is specifically configured to receive the first feature information and the information of the first cell from the session management network element through the transceiver module 1501 .

[0389] Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to send the first scheduling information to the session management network element, so that the session management network element sends the first scheduling information to the first access network device and / or the first terminal.

[0390] Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to receive third indication information from a session management network element or an application network element, where the third indication information is configured to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

[0391] In another implementation, taking the communication apparatus 150 as the first RAN device in the above method embodiment as an example:

[0392] The transceiver module 1501 is configured to receive first characteristic information of a first QoS flow, wherein the first QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to a first service flow, and the first service flow is a service flow of a first terminal, and the first characteristic information is used to indicate the bandwidth and period of the first service flow. Figure 14 The transceiver module 1501 may be configured to execute S1401.

[0393] Processing module 1502 is used to determine first scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows, where the other QoS flows are QoS flows other than the first QoS flow in the first cell of the first access network device, and the other QoS flows include a second QoS flow, which is a QoS flow corresponding to the second service flow, and the second characteristic information of the second QoS flow is used to indicate the bandwidth and period of the second QoS flow and the sending time of at least one data packet of the second service flow, and the first scheduling information is used to determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. Exemplarily, in combination Figure 14 , the processing module 1502 can be used to execute S1402.

[0394] The transceiver module 1501 is further configured to send the first scheduling information to the session management network element. Figure 14 , the transceiver module 1501 can be used to execute S1403.

[0395] Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to receive first indication information from a session management network element, where the first indication information is configured to indicate that a sending time of a data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

[0396] Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to receive first feature information from the second access network device or the session management network element when the first terminal switches from the second access network device to the first access network device.

[0397] Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further used to receive second indication information from a second access device or a session management network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

[0398] In another implementation, taking the communication device 150 as the first terminal in the above method embodiment as an example:

[0399] Processing module 1502 is used to obtain first scheduling information, the first scheduling information is used to determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow, the first business flow is the business flow of the first terminal, the first scheduling information is determined based on the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other business flows, the first characteristic information is used to indicate the bandwidth and period of the first business flow, the other business flows are business flows other than the first business flow in the first cell accessed by the first terminal, the other business flows include the second business flow, the second characteristic information of the second business flow is used to indicate the bandwidth, period and sending time of at least one data packet of the second business flow. Exemplarily, combined with Figure 11 , the processing module 1502 can be used to execute S1104.

[0400] The transceiver module 1501 is used to send data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information; or, the transceiver module 1501 is used to send the first scheduling information to the application network element corresponding to the first service flow.

[0401] Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to send the first characteristic information to a session management network element.

[0402] Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to send second indication information to the session management network element or to the application network element, where the second indication information is configured to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

[0403] In another implementation, taking the communication device 150 as an application network element in the above method embodiment as an example:

[0404] Processing module 1502 is used to obtain first scheduling information, the first scheduling information is used to determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow, the first business flow is the business flow of the first terminal, the first scheduling information is determined based on the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other business flows, the first characteristic information is used to indicate the bandwidth and period of the first business flow, the other business flows are business flows other than the first business flow in the first cell accessed by the first terminal, the other business flows include the second business flow, the second characteristic information of the second business flow is used to indicate the bandwidth, period and sending time of at least one data packet of the second business flow. Exemplarily, combined with Figure 11 , the processing module 1502 can be used to execute S1105.

[0405] The transceiver module 1501 is used to send the first scheduling information to the first terminal; or, the transceiver module 1501 is used to send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.

[0406] The transceiver module 1501 is further configured to send the first characteristic information to the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network open network element or the first network element.

[0407] The transceiver module 1501 is further used to send second indication information to the session management network element, policy control network element, network open network element or first network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

[0408] Among them, all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module and will not be repeated here.

[0409] In this embodiment, the communication device 150 is presented in the form of various functional modules divided in an integrated manner. Here, "module" can refer to a specific ASIC, circuit, processor and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuit, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions. In a simple embodiment, those skilled in the art can imagine that the communication device 150 can be used. Figure 6 The form of the communication device 60 is shown.

[0410] for example, Figure 6 The processor 601 in the communication device 60 shown can call the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 603 to enable the communication device 60 to execute the communication method in the above method embodiment.

[0411] Specifically, Figure 15 The functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 1501 and the processing module 1502 can be realized by Figure 6The processor 601 in the communication device 60 shown calls the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 603 to implement. Or, Figure 15 The function / implementation process of the processing module 1502 can be achieved by Figure 6 The processor 601 in the communication device 60 shown calls the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 603 to implement, Figure 15 The function / implementation process of the transceiver module 1501 can be achieved by Figure 6 It is implemented by the communication interface 604 in the communication device 60 shown in FIG.

[0412] Since the communication device 150 provided in this embodiment can execute the above communication method, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0413] It should be noted that one or more of the above modules or units can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of the two. When any of the above modules or units is implemented by software, the software exists in the form of computer program instructions and is stored in a memory, and a processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flow. The processor can be built into an SoC (system on chip) or an ASIC, or it can be an independent semiconductor chip. In addition to the core used to execute software instructions to perform calculations or processing within the processor, it can further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a PLD (programmable logic device), or a logic circuit that implements dedicated logic operations.

[0414] When the above modules or units are implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of a CPU, a microprocessor, a digital signal processing (DSP) chip, a microcontroller unit (MCU), an artificial intelligence processor, an ASIC, a SoC, an FPGA, a PLD, a dedicated digital circuit, a hardware accelerator or a non-integrated discrete device, which can run the necessary software or not rely on the software to execute the above method flow.

[0415] Optionally, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, comprising: at least one processor and an interface, wherein the at least one processor is coupled to a memory via the interface, and when the at least one processor executes a computer program or instruction in the memory, the method in any of the above method embodiments is executed. In one possible implementation, the communication device also includes a memory. Optionally, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0416] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0417] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, in the process of implementing the claimed application, those skilled in the art can understand and implement other changes to the disclosed embodiments by reviewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple situations. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. Certain measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0418] Although the present application has been described with reference to specific features and embodiments thereof, it is apparent that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings are merely illustrative of the present application as defined by the appended claims and are deemed to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present application. Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, the present application is intended to include such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A communication method, applied to a first network side device, characterized in that: The method comprises: Obtaining first feature information of a first service flow and information of a first cell accessed by a first terminal, where the first service flow is a service flow of the first terminal, the first feature information is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the first service flow, and the information of the first cell is used to identify the first cell; The first scheduling information is determined based on the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other business flows, where the other business flows are business flows in the first cell other than the first business flow, and the other business flows include a second business flow. The second characteristic information of the second business flow is used to indicate the bandwidth, period and sending time of at least one data packet of the second business flow, and the first scheduling information is used to determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that If the data packets of the first service flow have not started to be sent, the first scheduling information is used to determine the start sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow; or, If the data packets of the first service flow have started to be sent, the first scheduling information is used to determine the next sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that If the data packets of the first service flow have started to be sent, the first characteristic information is also used to indicate the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first network side device is a session management network element.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The obtaining of the first characteristic information includes: receiving the first feature information from the first terminal; or, Receive the first feature information from an application network element.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The obtaining of the first characteristic information includes: Receive the first feature information from a user plane network element.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send first indication information to the user plane network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate first characteristic information for detecting the first service flow.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The first indication information includes configuration information of a detection window, where the configuration information of the detection window is used to configure a detection window, and the detection window is used by the user plane network element to detect the first characteristic information.

9. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The obtaining of the first characteristic information includes: Receiving identification information of an application corresponding to the first service flow from a user plane network element; The first feature information is acquired according to the identification information of the application.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: First indication information is sent to the user plane network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate a detection application, and the first service flow is a service flow of the application.

11. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive second indication information from the first terminal or application network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

12. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first scheduling information is sent to a first access network device, where the first scheduling information is used by the first access network device to configure resources for transmitting data packets of the first service flow.

13. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first scheduling information is sent to the first terminal so that the first terminal sends the first scheduling information to the application network element corresponding to the application corresponding to the first service flow, or so that the first terminal sends the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first network side device is a policy control network element, a network open network element or a first network element.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The obtaining of the first characteristic information includes: Receive the first feature information from an application network element.

16. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The acquiring the information of the first cell includes: receiving information about the first cell from a session management network element; or, Receive information about the first cell from a mobility management network element.

17. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The acquiring the first characteristic information of the first service flow and the information of the first cell accessed by the first terminal includes: Receive the first feature information and the first cell information from a session management network element.

18. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first scheduling information is sent to a session management network element, so that the session management network element sends the first scheduling information to the first access network device and / or the first terminal.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein The method further comprises: Receive third indication information from a session management network element or an application network element, where the third indication information is used to indicate that a sending time of a data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

20. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, 5-13, 15-19, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first scheduling information is sent to an application network element so that the application network element sends data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, or so that the application network element sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal.

21. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, 5-13, 15-19, characterized in that The first terminal has been switched to or is about to be switched to a second cell, and the method further includes: acquiring information of a second cell, where the information of the second cell is used to identify the second cell; The second scheduling information is determined based on the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other business flows in the second cell, the other business flows in the second cell include a third business flow, the third characteristic information of the third business flow is used to indicate the bandwidth, period and sending time of at least one data packet of the third business flow, and the second scheduling information is used to determine the next sending time of at least one data packet of the first business flow in the second cell.

22. A communication method, applied to a first access network device, characterized in that: The method comprises: Receiving first feature information of a first quality of service (QoS) flow, where the first QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to a first service flow, the first service flow is a service flow of a first terminal, and the first feature information is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the first service flow; determining first scheduling information based on the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows, where the other QoS flows are QoS flows other than the first QoS flow in the first cell of the first access network device, the other QoS flows including a second QoS flow, the second QoS flow being a QoS flow corresponding to a second service flow, the second characteristic information of the second QoS flow being used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the second QoS flow and a sending time of at least one data packet of the second service flow, and the first scheduling information being used to determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow; Send the first scheduling information to a session management network element.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that If the data packets of the first service flow have not started to be sent, the first scheduling information is used to determine the start sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow; or, If the data packets of the first service flow have started to be sent, the first scheduling information is used to determine the next sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein If the data packets of the first service flow have started to be sent, The first characteristic information is also used to indicate the sending time of at least one data packet in the first service flow.

25. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that The first feature information is received from the session management network element, where the first feature information is obtained by the session management network element from a user plane network element, or the first feature information is obtained according to a policy and charging control rule.

26. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that The method further comprises: First indication information is received from the session management network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate that a sending time of a data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

27. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that When the first terminal switches from the second access network device to the first access network device, the first feature information is received from the second access network device or the session management network element.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first scheduling information is sent to the second access network device so that the second access network device sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal.

29. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive second indication information from the second access device or the session management network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

30. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 29.

31. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system includes: a session management network element and a first access network device, The session management network element is configured to send first feature information of a first quality of service QoS flow to the first access network device, where the first QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to a first service flow, the first service flow is a service flow of the first terminal, and the first feature information is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the first service flow; The first access network device is configured to receive the first feature information from the session management network element, determine first scheduling information based on the first feature information and feature information of other QoS flows, and send the first scheduling information to the session management network element; wherein the other QoS flows are QoS flows other than the first QoS flow in the first cell of the first access network device, the other QoS flows include a second QoS flow, the second QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to a second service flow, the second feature information of the second QoS flow is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the second QoS flow, and a sending time of at least one data packet of the second service flow, and the first scheduling information is used to determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow; The session management network element is further configured to receive the first scheduling information from the first access network device.

32. The communication system according to claim 31, wherein: The communication system further includes a user plane network element, The session management network element is further configured to send first indication information to the user plane network element, where the first indication information is used to instruct detection of first feature information of the first service flow; the user plane network element, configured to receive the first indication information from the session management network element, detect the first characteristic information, and send the first characteristic information to the session management network element; The session management network element is further configured to receive the first feature information from the user plane network element.

33. The communication system according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that The session management network element is further used to send first indication information to the first access network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.

34. The communication system according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that The communication system further includes an application network element, The session management network element is further configured to send the first scheduling information to the application network element; The application network element is configured to receive the first scheduling information from the session management network element, and send data packets of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.

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