Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The application provides a communication method and device, which can improve data transmission rate and reduce data transmission delay, thereby meeting the high-speed and low-latency requirements of data transmission. The method can be applied to 4G system, 5G system and / or future communication system, such as 6G system. The method comprises: a split protocol layer entity of a terminal device configures a first sequence number (SN) of a split protocol layer in a first split protocol layer data packet and configures a second SN of the split protocol layer in a second split protocol layer data packet. The split protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends the first split protocol layer data packet to a first protocol layer entity corresponding to a first access network device and sends the second split protocol layer data packet to a first protocol layer entity corresponding to a second access network device. The split protocol layer is a protocol layer above a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] To improve data transmission rates, dual connectivity (DC) technology was introduced, which allows core network elements and terminal devices to communicate via primary and secondary network devices to increase data transmission rates.

[0003] Specifically, a separate packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer entity and a primary radio link control protocol (RLC) entity are established in the primary network device, and a secondary RLC entity is established in the secondary network device. Both the primary RLC entity and the secondary RLC entity are associated with the PDCP layer entity in the primary network device.

[0004] Taking the sending of uplink data by a terminal device as an example, the primary network device receives data from the terminal device. The primary network device's PDCP layer entity sends a portion of the data to the primary RLC entity and forwards another portion to the secondary RLC entity via the Xn interface. Thus, the data is transmitted to the core network element through two communication links, which can improve the data transmission rate. However, when the primary network device forwards data to the secondary network device via the Xn interface, it introduces a significant data forwarding latency, failing to meet the requirement for low latency data transmission. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that can improve data transmission rate while reducing data transmission latency, thereby meeting the requirements of high data transmission rate and low latency.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] Firstly, a communication method is provided. This communication method includes: a traffic splitting protocol layer entity of a terminal device configuring a first sequence number (SN) of the traffic splitting protocol layer in a first traffic splitting protocol layer data packet, and configuring a second SN of the traffic splitting protocol layer in a second traffic splitting protocol layer data packet. The traffic splitting protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends the first traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to a first protocol layer entity corresponding to a first access network device, and sends the second traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to a first protocol layer entity corresponding to a second access network device. Wherein, on the terminal device side, the traffic splitting protocol layer is a protocol layer above the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer.

[0008] Based on the communication method described in the first aspect, the terminal device's splitting protocol layer entity sends different data packets to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device, respectively. The terminal device then transmits the data packets to the first and second access network devices via the Uu interface, achieving splitting of data packets for transmission to the core network element. This improves the data transmission rate and avoids forwarding data via the Xn interface, reducing latency during data transmission and thus meeting the requirements for high-speed and low-latency data transmission. Furthermore, the terminal device assigns different sequence numbers (SNs) to different data packets using the splitting protocol layer. The core network element, upon receiving the data packets, can sort them according to the SNs, thereby delivering the data packets to the upper layer in sequence.

[0009] It should be noted that the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device are both located on the terminal device side.

[0010] In one possible design, the traffic splitting protocol layer can be determined based on first configuration information. The first configuration information may include first traffic splitting indication information and / or a first threshold. The first traffic splitting indication information can be used to indicate whether the traffic splitting protocol layer entity supports sending different data packets to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. The first threshold can be used to indicate a threshold value for the amount of data to be sent.

[0011] Thus, when the offloading protocol layer entity is configured to use the offloading function, and the amount of data to be sent is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the terminal device transmits the data packet to the first access network device and the second access network device through the Uu interface, thereby offloading the data packet to the core network element and avoiding forwarding data through the Xn interface. This reduces the latency during data transmission and meets the requirements of high data transmission speed and low latency.

[0012] In one possible design, the first configuration information may include one or more of the following: the offloading protocol layer entity identifier, SN information, first reordering information, first reordering window information, first quality of service (QoS) flow information, first protocol data unit (PDU) session information, and first data radio bearer (DRB) information.

[0013] In one possible design, SN information can be used to indicate the length of the SN in the offloading protocol layer; first reordering information can be used to indicate whether the received offloading protocol layer packets are reordered in ascending order of SN; first reordering window information can be used to indicate the maximum time to wait for lost offloading protocol layer packets; first QoS flow information can be used to indicate the QoS flow identifier corresponding to the offloading protocol layer entity; first PDU session information can be used to indicate the PDU session identifier corresponding to the offloading protocol layer entity; and first DRB information can be used to indicate the DRB identifier corresponding to the offloading protocol layer entity.

[0014] In other words, the split protocol layer entity can have a reordering function, so that when the terminal device is the data receiver, it can deliver the data packets to the upper layer in order. When the split protocol layer entity waits for a lost split protocol layer data packet for a longer time than or equal to the time indicated by the first reordering window information, it can first deliver the received data packet to the upper protocol layer to further improve the data transmission rate.

[0015] In one possible design, the offloading protocol layer entity of the aforementioned terminal device sends a first offloading protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device, and sends a second offloading protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device, which may include:

[0016] The terminal device's traffic splitting protocol layer entity can send a first traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device based on the first QoS flow information, the first PDU session information, or the first DRB information; the terminal device's traffic splitting protocol layer entity can send a second traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device based on the first QoS flow information, the first PDU session information, or the first DRB information.

[0017] In other words, the terminal device can perform differentiated processing on data corresponding to different QoS flows, different PDU sessions, or different DRBs based on the first QoS flow information, the first PDU session information, or the first DRB information, in order to meet the diverse needs of data.

[0018] In one possible design, the offloading protocol layer entity of the terminal device configures the first serial number (SN) of the offloading protocol layer in the first offloading protocol layer data packet and configures the second SN of the offloading protocol layer in the second offloading protocol layer data packet. This can include: the offloading protocol layer entity of the terminal device can configure the first SN of the offloading protocol layer in the first offloading protocol layer data packet and configure the second SN of the offloading protocol layer in the second offloading protocol layer data packet according to the SN information.

[0019] In other words, the terminal device's splitting protocol layer entity can configure different SNs of the splitting protocol layer in different data packets of the splitting protocol layer according to the SN information, so that the receiver can reorder the data packets according to the SN in the data packets and deliver the data packets to the upper layer in order.

[0020] In one possible design, the offloading protocol layer entity of the aforementioned terminal device sends a first offloading protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and a second offloading protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. This may include: when the first offloading indication information is a first value and the amount of data to be sent by the offloading protocol layer entity of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the offloading protocol layer entity of the terminal device may send the first offloading protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and send the second offloading protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device.

[0021] Thus, when the traffic splitting protocol layer entity is configured to enable traffic splitting and the amount of data to be sent is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the traffic splitting protocol layer entity can send different data packets to different first protocol layer entities corresponding to different access network devices. Then, the terminal device sends different data packets to different access network devices through the Uu interface, realizing the traffic splitting of data packets to the core network element. This can improve the data transmission rate, eliminate the need for forwarding through the Xn interface between access network devices, and reduce the latency during data transmission.

[0022] In one possible design, the communication method described in the first aspect may further include: the terminal device may receive a first message, the first message may include first configuration information, and the first message may be used to instruct the terminal device to determine the offloading protocol layer according to the first configuration information.

[0023] In this way, terminal devices can create or configure a traffic splitting protocol layer to send different data packets to different access network devices through the Uu interface, thereby splitting data packets and sending them to core network elements without having to forward them through the Xn interface between access network devices, thus reducing latency during data transmission.

[0024] Secondly, a communication method is provided. This communication method includes: a traffic splitting protocol layer entity of a core network element receiving a first traffic splitting protocol layer data packet and a second traffic splitting protocol layer data packet from a first protocol layer entity. The traffic splitting protocol layer entity of the core network element sends the parsed first traffic splitting protocol layer data packet and the parsed second traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the traffic splitting protocol layer entity, in ascending order of the SNs in the first and second SNs. The first traffic splitting protocol layer data packet includes a first sequence number SN of the traffic splitting protocol layer, and the second traffic splitting protocol layer data packet includes a second SN of the traffic splitting protocol layer. The traffic splitting protocol layer is a protocol layer above the General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol (GTP) protocol layer.

[0025] In one possible design, the communication method described in the second aspect may further include: the core network element can generate first configuration information, which can be used to configure the offloading protocol layer of the terminal device, and the offloading protocol layer of the terminal device corresponds to the offloading protocol layer of the core network element.

[0026] In other words, the configuration information of the offloading protocol layer of the terminal device can be determined by the core network elements, and the offloading protocol layer of the terminal device can be a newly configured or newly created protocol layer.

[0027] In one possible design, the first configuration information may include first traffic splitting indication information and / or a first threshold. The first traffic splitting indication information can be used to indicate whether the traffic splitting protocol layer entity supports sending different data packets to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. The first threshold can be used to indicate a threshold value for the amount of data to be sent.

[0028] In one possible design, the first configuration information may include one or more of the following: the offloading protocol layer entity identifier, SN information, first reordering information, first reordering window information, first quality of service (QoS) flow information, first protocol data unit (PDU) session information, and first data radio bearer (DRB) information.

[0029] In one possible design, SN information can be used to indicate the length of the SN in the offloading protocol layer, and first reordering information can be used to indicate whether the received offloading protocol layer packets are reordered in ascending order of SN. First reordering window information can be used to indicate the maximum time to wait for lost offloading protocol layer packets. First QoS flow information can be used to indicate the QoS flow identifier corresponding to the offloading protocol layer entity, and first PDU session information can be used to indicate the PDU session identifier corresponding to the offloading protocol layer entity. First DRB information can be used to indicate the DRB identifier corresponding to the offloading protocol layer entity.

[0030] In one possible design, the communication method described in the second aspect may further include: the traffic splitting protocol layer entity of the core network element can obtain first reordering information corresponding to the first QoS flow; if the first reordering information is a second value, then the traffic splitting protocol layer entity of the core network element can send the parsed first traffic splitting protocol layer data packet and the parsed second traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the traffic splitting protocol layer entity in an ascending order of SN in the first SN and the second SN. The first QoS flow can be used to transmit the traffic splitting protocol layer data packet.

[0031] In other words, when there is a need for reordering, the traffic splitting protocol layer entity of the core network element can sort the data packets so that they can be delivered to the upper layer in order.

[0032] In one possible design, the communication method described in the second aspect may further include: when the first reordering information is a second value, and the time for the core network element's traffic splitting protocol layer entity to wait for the lost traffic splitting protocol layer data packet is greater than or equal to the first reordering window information, the core network element's traffic splitting protocol layer entity may send the received traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the previous protocol layer entity of the traffic splitting protocol layer entity in an ascending order of SN.

[0033] In other words, when there is a reordering requirement, and the time that the offloading protocol layer entity waits for lost offloading protocol layer data packets is greater than or equal to the duration indicated by the first reordering window information, the offloading protocol layer entity of the core network element can first submit the received data packets to the next protocol layer in order to further improve the data transmission rate.

[0034] In one possible design, the communication method described in the second aspect may further include: a core network element sending a first message. The first message may include first configuration information, which can be used to instruct the terminal device to determine the offloading protocol layer based on the first configuration information.

[0035] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication method described in the second aspect can be referred to in any of the implementations of the communication method described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0036] Thirdly, a communication method is provided. This communication method includes: a first protocol layer entity of a terminal device sending a third and a fourth sub-stream protocol layer data packet to a sub-stream protocol layer entity of the terminal device. The sub-stream protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends the parsed third and fourth sub-stream protocol layer data packets to the protocol layer entity above the sub-stream protocol layer entity in an ascending order of the SNs in the third and fourth sub-stream protocols. The third sub-stream protocol layer data packet includes the third sequence number SN of the sub-stream protocol layer, and the fourth sub-stream protocol layer data packet includes the fourth SN of the sub-stream protocol layer. The sub-stream protocol layer is a protocol layer above the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer.

[0037] Based on the communication method described in the third aspect, the core network element's traffic splitting protocol layer entity sends different data packets to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device, respectively. Then, the core network element transmits the data packets to the first and second access network devices via the Uu interface, achieving traffic splitting and delivery of data packets to the terminal device. This improves the data transmission rate and avoids forwarding data through the Xn interface, reducing latency during data transmission and thus meeting the requirements for high-speed and low-latency data transmission. Furthermore, the core network element assigns different SNs (Signal Numbers) to different data packets using the traffic splitting protocol layer. The terminal device, upon receiving the data packets, can sort the packets according to the SN, thereby delivering the data packets to the upper layer in sequence.

[0038] In one possible design, the traffic splitting protocol layer can be determined based on first configuration information, which may include first traffic splitting indication information and / or a first threshold. The first traffic splitting indication information can be used to indicate whether the traffic splitting protocol layer entity supports sending different data packets to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. The first threshold can be used to indicate a threshold value for the amount of data to be sent.

[0039] Thus, when the offloading protocol layer entity is configured to enable offloading, and the amount of data to be sent is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the terminal device transmits the data packets to the first access network device and the second access network device through the Uu interface, thereby offloading the data packets to the core network element and avoiding forwarding data through the Xn interface. This reduces the latency during data transmission and meets the requirements of high data transmission speed and low latency.

[0040] In one possible design, the first configuration information may include one or more of the following: the offloading protocol layer entity identifier, SN information, first reordering information, first reordering window information, first quality of service (QoS) flow information, first protocol data unit (PDU) session information, and first data radio bearer (DRB) information.

[0041] In one possible design, SN information can be used to indicate the length of the SN in the offloading protocol layer; first reordering information can be used to indicate whether the received offloading protocol layer packets are reordered in ascending order of SN; first reordering window information can be used to indicate the maximum time to wait for lost offloading protocol layer packets; first QoS flow information can be used to indicate the QoS flow identifier corresponding to the offloading protocol layer entity; first PDU session information can be used to indicate the PDU session identifier corresponding to the offloading protocol layer entity; and first DRB information can be used to indicate the DRB identifier corresponding to the offloading protocol layer entity.

[0042] In other words, the split protocol layer entity can have a reordering function, so when the terminal device is the data receiver, it can deliver data packets to the upper layer in order. When the time for the split protocol layer entity to wait for lost split protocol layer data packets is greater than or equal to the time indicated by the first reordering window information, it can first deliver the received data packets to the upper protocol layer to further improve the data transmission rate.

[0043] In one possible design, the first protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends a third and a fourth off-path protocol layer data packet to the off-path protocol layer entity of the terminal device. This may include: the first protocol layer entity of the terminal device sending the third off-path protocol layer data packet to the off-path protocol layer entity based on the first QoS flow information, the first PDU session information, or the first DRB information. The first protocol layer entity of the terminal device also sends the fourth off-path protocol layer data packet to the off-path protocol layer entity based on the first QoS flow information, the first PDU session information, or the first DRB information.

[0044] In other words, the terminal device can perform differentiated processing on data corresponding to different QoS flows, different PDU sessions, or different DRBs based on the first QoS flow information, the first PDU session information, or the first DRB information, in order to meet the diverse needs of data.

[0045] In one possible design, the communication method described in the third aspect may further include: if the first reordering information is the second value, the splitting protocol layer entity of the terminal device may send the parsed third splitting protocol layer data packet and the parsed fourth splitting protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the splitting protocol layer entity in an ascending order of the SNs in the third SN and the fourth SN.

[0046] In other words, when there is a need for reordering, the flow splitting protocol layer entity of the terminal device can sort the data packets so that they can be delivered to the upper layer in order.

[0047] In one possible design, the communication method described in the third aspect may further include: when the first reordering information is the second value, and the time for the terminal device's traffic splitting protocol layer entity to wait for the lost traffic splitting protocol layer data packet is greater than or equal to the first reordering window information, the terminal device's traffic splitting protocol layer entity may send the received traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the previous protocol layer entity in an ascending order of SN.

[0048] In other words, when there is a reordering requirement, and the time that the diversion protocol layer entity waits for lost diversion protocol layer data packets is greater than or equal to the duration indicated by the first reordering window information, the diversion protocol layer entity of the terminal device can first submit the received data packets to the next protocol layer in order to further improve the data transmission rate.

[0049] In one possible design, the communication method described in the third aspect may further include: the terminal device can receive a first message. The first message may include first configuration information, which can be used to instruct the terminal device to determine the offloading protocol layer based on the first configuration information.

[0050] In this way, terminal devices can create or configure a traffic splitting protocol layer to send different data packets to different access network devices through the Uu interface, thereby splitting data packets and sending them to core network elements without having to forward them through the Xn interface between access network devices, thus reducing latency during data transmission.

[0051] Fourthly, a communication method is provided. This communication method includes: a traffic splitting protocol layer entity of a core network element configuring a third sequence number (SN) of the traffic splitting protocol layer in a third traffic splitting protocol layer data packet, and configuring a fourth SN of the traffic splitting protocol layer in a fourth traffic splitting protocol layer data packet. The traffic splitting protocol layer entity of the core network element sends the third traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to a first protocol layer entity corresponding to a first access network device, and sends the fourth traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to a first protocol layer entity corresponding to a second access network device. Wherein, the traffic splitting protocol layer is a protocol layer above the General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol (GTP) protocol layer.

[0052] It should be noted that the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device are both located on the core network element side.

[0053] In one possible design, the communication method described in the fourth aspect may further include: the core network element can generate first configuration information, which can be used to configure the offloading protocol layer of the terminal device, and the offloading protocol layer of the terminal device corresponds to the offloading protocol layer of the core network element.

[0054] In other words, the configuration information of the offloading protocol layer of the terminal device can be determined by the core network elements, and the offloading protocol layer of the terminal device can be a newly configured or newly created protocol layer.

[0055] In one possible design, the first configuration information may include first traffic splitting indication information and / or a first threshold. The first traffic splitting indication information can be used to indicate whether the traffic splitting protocol layer entity supports sending different data packets to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. The first threshold can be used to indicate a threshold value for the amount of data to be sent.

[0056] In one possible design, the first configuration information may include one or more of the following: the offloading protocol layer entity identifier, SN information, first reordering information, first reordering window information, first quality of service (QoS) flow information, first protocol data unit (PDU) session information, and first data radio bearer (DRB) information.

[0057] In one possible design, SN information can be used to indicate the length of the SN in the offloading protocol layer; first reordering information can be used to indicate whether the received offloading protocol layer packets are reordered in ascending order of SN; first reordering window information can be used to indicate the maximum time to wait for lost offloading protocol layer packets; first QoS flow information can be used to indicate the QoS flow identifier corresponding to the offloading protocol layer entity; first PDU session information can be used to indicate the PDU session identifier corresponding to the offloading protocol layer entity; and first DRB information can be used to indicate the DRB identifier corresponding to the offloading protocol layer entity.

[0058] In one possible design, the traffic splitting protocol layer entity of the core network element configures the third sequence number (SN) of the traffic splitting protocol layer in the third traffic splitting protocol layer data packet and configures the fourth SN of the traffic splitting protocol layer in the fourth traffic splitting protocol layer data packet. This can include: the traffic splitting protocol layer entity of the core network element can configure the third SN of the traffic splitting protocol layer in the third traffic splitting protocol layer data packet and configure the fourth SN of the traffic splitting protocol layer in the fourth traffic splitting protocol layer data packet according to the SN information.

[0059] In other words, the core network element's traffic splitting protocol layer entity can configure different SNs of the traffic splitting protocol layer in different data packets of the traffic splitting protocol layer according to the SN information, so that the receiver can reorder the data packets according to the SN in the data packets, and thus deliver the data packets to the upper layer in order.

[0060] In one possible design, the offloading protocol layer entity of the aforementioned core network element sends a third offloading protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device, and sends a fourth offloading protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device, which may include:

[0061] When the first diversion indication information is the first value, and the amount of data to be sent by the diversion protocol layer entity of the core network element is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the diversion protocol layer entity of the core network element can send the third diversion protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device, and send the fourth diversion protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device.

[0062] Thus, when the offloading protocol layer entity is configured to enable offloading, and the amount of data to be sent is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the core network element transmits the data packets to the first access network device and the second access network device through the Uu interface, thereby offloading the data packets to the terminal device and avoiding forwarding data through the Xn interface. This reduces the latency during data transmission, thus meeting the requirements for high-speed and low-latency data transmission.

[0063] In one possible design, the communication method described in the fourth aspect may further include: a core network element sending a first message. The first message may include first configuration information, which can be used to instruct the terminal device to determine the offloading protocol layer based on the configuration information.

[0064] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication method described in the fourth aspect can be referenced from the technical effects of the communication method described in any implementation of the third aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0065] Fifthly, a communication method is provided. This communication method includes: a sequence protocol layer entity of a terminal device configuring a first sequence number (SN) of the sequence protocol layer in a first sequence protocol layer data packet and configuring a second SN of the sequence protocol layer in a second sequence protocol layer data packet according to first allocation information. The sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends the first sequence protocol layer data packet to a second protocol layer entity corresponding to a first access network device and sends the second sequence protocol layer data packet to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. The first allocation information is used to indicate the allocation criteria for the SNs of the sequence protocol layers corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device, respectively.

[0066] Based on the communication method shown in the fifth aspect, the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends different data packets to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device, respectively. Then, the terminal device transmits the data packets to the first access network device and the second access network device through the Uu interface, realizing the splitting of data packets to the core network element. This can improve the data transmission rate and avoid forwarding data through the Xn interface, thereby reducing the latency during data transmission and meeting the requirements of high data transmission rate and low latency.

[0067] Furthermore, the terminal device assigns different SNs at the sequence protocol layer to different data packets according to the first allocation information. The access network device receives the data packets and assigns different SNs at the rule protocol layer to different data packets according to the second allocation information. Then, the core network element receives the data packets and reorders them according to the SN, which can realize the delivery of data packets to the upper layer in order.

[0068] It should be noted that the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device are both located on the terminal device side.

[0069] In one possible design, the first allocation information may include a first allocation criterion and a second allocation criterion. The first allocation criterion may be the allocation criterion corresponding to the first access network device, and the second allocation criterion may be the allocation criterion corresponding to the second access network device. This ensures that the sequence number protocols (SNs) corresponding to the first and second access network devices are different.

[0070] In one possible design scheme, the first allocation criterion can be to obtain at least one first SN value based on a first initial value and / or a first superposition value, where the first superposition value can be the interval between two adjacent first SN values. The second allocation criterion can be to obtain at least one second SN value based on a second initial value and / or a second superposition value, where the second superposition value can be the interval between two adjacent second SN values. The first initial value and the second initial value are not the same. That is, the first SN value and the second SN value can be determined according to a specific allocation criterion, provided that the first SN value and the second SN value are not the same.

[0071] In another possible design, the first allocation criterion can indicate the value range of the SN (Sequence Protocol Layer) corresponding to the first access network device, and the second allocation criterion can indicate the value range of the SN corresponding to the second access network device. In other words, the first SN value and the second SN value can be determined by specifying the value ranges of the SNs corresponding to the first and second access network devices, respectively.

[0072] In one possible design, the communication method described in the fifth aspect may further include: the terminal device can receive a fourth message from the first access network device. The fourth message can be used to instruct the configuration of the sequence protocol layer, and may include one or more of the following: first allocation information, mapping information, second traffic splitting indication information, a second threshold, second reordering information, and second reordering window information. That is, the terminal device can configure the sequence protocol layer according to the message sent by the first access network device.

[0073] In one possible design, the mapping information can be used to indicate the mapping relationship between the second Quality of Service (QoS) flow and the Data Radio Bearer (DRB). The second traffic splitting indication information can be used to indicate whether the sequence protocol layer entity supports sending different data packets to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. The second threshold can be used to indicate a threshold value for the amount of data to be sent.

[0074] In other words, the second diversion indication information can be used to indicate whether the sequence protocol layer entity supports diverting data packets, and the second threshold can be used to indicate the threshold value of the amount of data that the sequence protocol layer entity will divert. When the sequence protocol layer entity supports diverting data packets, and the amount of data to be sent is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the sequence protocol layer entity can send different data packets to the second protocol layer entities corresponding to different access network devices to improve the data transmission rate.

[0075] In one possible design, the second reordering information can be used to indicate whether the received sequence protocol layer data packets are reordered in ascending order of SN, and the second reordering window information can be used to indicate the maximum time to wait for lost sequence protocol layer data packets.

[0076] Thus, if the second reordering information indicates yes, the data packets can be ordered in ascending order of the serial numbers (SNs) in the sequence protocol layer data packets, ensuring that data packets are delivered to the upper layer in sequence. If the second reordering information indicates yes, and the sequence protocol layer entity waits for lost sequence protocol layer data packets for a time greater than or equal to the duration indicated by the second reordering window information, the sequence protocol layer entity can first deliver the received data packets to the next higher protocol layer in sequence, further improving the data transmission rate.

[0077] In one possible design, the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends a first sequence protocol layer data packet to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device, and sends a second sequence protocol layer data packet to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. This may include: the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device can send the first sequence protocol layer data packet to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device according to the mapping information, and the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device can send the second sequence protocol layer data packet to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device according to the mapping information.

[0078] In this way, data can be offloaded to core network elements, which can improve the data transmission rate and eliminate the need for forwarding through the Xn interface between access network devices, thereby reducing latency during data transmission.

[0079] In one possible design, the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends a first sequence protocol layer data packet to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device, and sends a second sequence protocol layer data packet to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. This may include: when the second diversion indication information is a first value, and the amount of data to be sent by the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a second threshold, the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device may send the first sequence protocol layer data packet to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device, and send a second sequence protocol layer data packet to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device.

[0080] Thus, when the sequence protocol layer entity is configured to enable the diversion function, and the amount of data to be sent is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the terminal device transmits the data packets to the first access network device and the second access network device through the Uu interface, thereby diverting the data packets to the core network element and avoiding forwarding data through the Xn interface. This reduces the latency during data transmission and meets the requirements of high data transmission speed and low latency.

[0081] Sixthly, a communication method is provided. This communication method includes: a rule protocol layer entity of a core network element receiving a first rule protocol layer data packet and a second rule protocol layer data packet. The rule protocol layer entity of the core network element sends the parsed first rule protocol layer data packet and the parsed second rule protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above it, following an ascending order of the SNs in the first and second rule protocol layers. The first rule protocol layer data packet includes a first sequence number SN of the rule protocol layer, and the second rule protocol layer data packet includes a second SN of the rule protocol layer.

[0082] In one possible design, the communication method described in the sixth aspect may further include: the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element can obtain third reordering information corresponding to the second QoS flow. The second QoS flow can be used to transmit rule protocol layer data packets, and the third reordering information can be used to indicate whether the received rule protocol layer data packets should be reordered in ascending order of SN.

[0083] In one possible design, the communication method described in the sixth aspect may further include: if the third sorting information is the second value, then the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element may send the parsed first rule protocol layer data packet and the parsed second rule protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the rule protocol layer entity in an ascending order of the SNs in the first SN and the second SN.

[0084] In other words, when there is a need for reordering, the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element can sort the data packets so that they can be delivered to the upper layer in order.

[0085] In one possible design, the communication method described in the sixth aspect may further include: when the third ordering information is the second value, and the time for the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element to wait for lost rule protocol layer data packets is greater than or equal to the third ordering window information, the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element may send the received rule protocol layer data packets to the previous protocol layer entity in ascending order of SN. The third ordering window information can be used to indicate the maximum time for waiting for lost rule protocol layer data packets.

[0086] In other words, when there is a need for reordering, and the waiting time for lost rule protocol layer data packets is greater than or equal to the duration indicated by the third reordering window information, the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element can first submit the received data packets to the next higher protocol layer in order to further improve the data transmission rate.

[0087] In one possible design, the communication method described in the sixth aspect may further include: a core network element sending a second message to a first access network device. The second message may be used to indicate whether first allocation information has been determined, and the first allocation information may be used to indicate the allocation criteria for the sequence protocol layer SNs corresponding to the first and second access network devices, respectively.

[0088] In other words, core network elements can instruct the first access network device whether to exchange SN allocation criteria with the second access network device, so as to avoid the first access network device and the second access network device assigning the same SN to the first rule protocol layer data packets and the second rule protocol layer data packets.

[0089] In one possible design, the second message may include second protocol data unit (PDU) session information and / or second QoS flow information.

[0090] In one possible design, the second PDU session information can be used to indicate the configuration information of the PDU session. This second PDU session information may include whether the sequence protocol layer entity corresponding to the data radio bearer (DRB) associated with the PDU session has determined the first allocation information with the second access network device. The second QoS flow information can be used to indicate the configuration information of the QoS flow. This second QoS flow information may include whether the sequence protocol layer entity corresponding to the DRB associated with the QoS flow has determined the first allocation information with the second access network device. In other words, core network elements can use the second PDU session information and / or the second QoS flow information to instruct the first access network device whether to negotiate the SN allocation criteria with the second access network device.

[0091] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication method described in the sixth aspect can be referred to in any of the implementations of the communication method described in the fifth aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0092] A seventh aspect provides a communication method. The communication method includes: determining first allocation information and sending a third message to a second access network device. The first allocation information is used to indicate the allocation criteria for sequence numbers (SNs) of the sequence protocol layer corresponding to the first and second access network devices, respectively, and the third message includes the first allocation information.

[0093] Based on the communication method described in the seventh aspect, the first access network device can negotiate first allocation information with the second access network device to ensure that the sequence number protocols (SNs) corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device are different. Thus, when the first access network device and the second access network device send data packets, they can allocate different SNs to the data packets. The data packet receiver can sort the data packets according to the SN, so as to deliver the data packets to the upper layer in order.

[0094] In one possible design, the first allocation information may include a first allocation criterion and a second allocation criterion. The first allocation criterion may be the allocation criterion corresponding to the first access network device, and the second allocation criterion may be the allocation criterion corresponding to the second access network device. This ensures that the sequence number protocols (SNs) corresponding to the first and second access network devices are different.

[0095] In one possible design scheme, the first allocation criterion can be to obtain at least one first SN value based on a first initial value and / or a first superposition value, where the first superposition value can be the interval between two adjacent first SN values. The second allocation criterion can be to obtain at least one second SN value based on a second initial value and / or a second superposition value, where the second superposition value can be the interval between two adjacent second SN values, and the first initial value and the second initial value are not the same. That is, the first SN value and the second SN value can be determined according to a specific allocation criterion, provided that the first SN value and the second SN value are not the same.

[0096] In another possible design, the first allocation criterion can indicate the value range of the SN (Sequence Protocol Layer) corresponding to the first access network device, and the second allocation criterion can indicate the value range of the SN corresponding to the second access network device. In other words, the first SN value and the second SN value can be determined by specifying the value ranges of the SNs corresponding to the first and second access network devices, respectively.

[0097] In one possible design, the communication method described in the seventh aspect may further include: receiving a second message from a core network element. The second message may be used to indicate whether the first allocation information has been determined.

[0098] In other words, the first access network device can interact with the second access network device on the basis of the instructions of the core network element to exchange the SN allocation criteria, so as to avoid the first access network device and the second access network device assigning the same SN to different data packets.

[0099] In one possible design, the second message may include second protocol data unit (PDU) session information and / or second quality of service (QoS) flow information.

[0100] In one possible design, the second PDU session information can be used to indicate the configuration information of the PDU session. The second PDU session information may include whether the sequence protocol layer entity corresponding to the data radio bearer (DRB) associated with the PDU session has determined first allocation information with the second access network device. The second QoS flow information can be used to indicate the configuration information of the QoS flow, and the second QoS flow information may include whether the sequence protocol layer entity corresponding to the DRB associated with the QoS flow has determined first allocation information with the second access network device. That is, the first access network device can determine whether to negotiate the SN allocation criteria with the second access network device based on the second PDU session information and / or the second QoS flow information.

[0101] In one possible design, the communication method described in the seventh aspect may further include sending a fourth message to the terminal device. The fourth message may include one or more of the following: first allocation information, mapping information, second traffic splitting indication information, a second threshold, second reordering information, and second reordering window information. That is, the first access network device may instruct the terminal device to configure the sequence protocol layer.

[0102] In one possible design, the mapping information can be used to indicate the mapping relationship between the second QoS flow and the data radio bearer (DRB). The second diversion indication information can be used to indicate whether the sequence protocol layer entity supports sending different data packets to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. The second threshold can be used to indicate a threshold value for the amount of data to be sent.

[0103] In other words, the second diversion indication information can be used to indicate whether the sequence protocol layer entity supports diverting data packets, and the second threshold can be used to indicate the threshold value of the amount of data that the sequence protocol layer entity will divert. When the sequence protocol layer entity supports diverting data packets, and the amount of data to be sent is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the sequence protocol layer entity can send different data packets to the second protocol layer entities corresponding to different access network devices to improve the data transmission rate.

[0104] In one possible design, the second reordering information can be used to indicate whether the received sequence protocol layer data packets are reordered in ascending order of SN, and the second reordering window information can be used to indicate the maximum time to wait for lost sequence protocol layer data packets.

[0105] Thus, if the second reordering information indicates yes, the data packets can be ordered in ascending order of the serial numbers (SNs) in the sequence protocol layer data packets, ensuring that data packets are delivered to the upper layer in sequence. If the second reordering information indicates yes, and the sequence protocol layer entity waits for lost sequence protocol layer data packets for a time greater than or equal to the duration indicated by the second reordering window information, the sequence protocol layer entity can first deliver the received data packets to the next higher protocol layer in sequence, further improving the data transmission rate.

[0106] In one possible design, the communication method described in the seventh aspect may further include: the second message may include second allocation information, and the first allocation information is determined based on the second allocation information. The second allocation information can be used to indicate the allocation criteria for the sequence number (SN) of the rule protocol layer corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device, respectively. That is, after the first access network device obtains the second allocation information from the core network element, it can determine the allocation criteria for the sequence number protocol layer (SN) corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device, respectively.

[0107] In one possible design, the communication method described in the seventh aspect may further include: determining second allocation information based on the first allocation information. The second allocation information may be used to indicate the allocation criteria for the SNs of the rule protocol layers corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device, respectively.

[0108] In this way, it can be ensured that the SNs of the rule protocol layer corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device are different, so that the data receiver can sort the data packets according to the SNs of the rule protocol layer and deliver the data packets to the upper layer in order.

[0109] Eighthly, a communication method is provided. The communication method includes: a sequence protocol layer entity of a terminal device receiving a third sequence protocol layer data packet and a fourth sequence protocol layer data packet from a second protocol layer entity of the terminal device. The sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends the parsed third sequence protocol layer data packet and the parsed fourth sequence protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity preceding it, in ascending order of the SNs in the third and fourth sequences. The third sequence protocol layer data packet includes a third sequence number SN of the sequence protocol layer, and the fourth sequence protocol layer data packet includes a fourth sequence number SN of the sequence protocol layer.

[0110] Based on the communication method described in the eighth aspect, the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element sends different data packets to the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device, respectively. Then, the core network element transmits the data packets to the first access network device and the second access network device through the Uu interface, realizing the splitting of data packets to the terminal device. This can improve the data transmission rate and avoid forwarding data through the Xn interface, thereby reducing the latency during data transmission and meeting the requirements of high data transmission rate and low latency.

[0111] Furthermore, the core network element assigns different sequence numbers (SNs) to different data packets according to the second allocation information. The access network device receives the data packets and assigns different sequence numbers (SNs) to different data packets according to the first allocation information. Then, the terminal device receives the data packets and sorts them according to the SNs, which can enable the data packets to be delivered to the upper layer in order.

[0112] In one possible design, the communication method described in aspect eight may further include: the terminal device can receive a fourth message from the first access network device. The fourth message can be used to instruct the configuration of the sequence protocol layer, and may include one or more of the following: first allocation information, mapping information, second traffic splitting indication information, a second threshold, second reordering information, and second reordering window information. That is, the terminal device can configure the sequence protocol layer according to the message sent by the first access network device.

[0113] In one possible design, the first allocation information may include a first allocation criterion and a second allocation criterion. The first allocation criterion may be the allocation criterion corresponding to the first access network device, and the second allocation criterion may be the allocation criterion corresponding to the second access network device. This ensures that the sequence number protocols (SNs) corresponding to the first and second access network devices are different.

[0114] In one possible design scheme, the first allocation criterion can be to obtain at least one first SN value based on a first initial value and / or a first superposition value, where the first superposition value can be the interval between two adjacent first SN values. The second allocation criterion can be to obtain at least one second SN value based on a second initial value and / or a second superposition value, where the second superposition value can be the interval between two adjacent second SN values, and the first initial value and the second initial value are not the same. That is, the first SN value and the second SN value can be determined according to a specific allocation criterion, provided that the first SN value and the second SN value are not the same.

[0115] In another possible design, the first allocation criterion can indicate the value range of the SN (Sequence Protocol Layer) corresponding to the first access network device, and the second allocation criterion can indicate the value range of the SN corresponding to the second access network device. In other words, the first SN value and the second SN value can be determined by specifying the value ranges of the SNs corresponding to the first and second access network devices, respectively.

[0116] In one possible design, the mapping information can be used to indicate the mapping relationship between the second Quality of Service (QoS) flow and the Data Radio Bearer (DRB). The second diversion indication information can be used to indicate whether the sequence protocol layer entity supports sending different data packets to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. The second threshold can be used to indicate a threshold value for the amount of data to be sent.

[0117] In other words, the second diversion indication information can be used to indicate whether the sequence protocol layer entity supports diverting data packets, and the second threshold can be used to indicate the threshold value of the amount of data that the sequence protocol layer entity will divert. When the sequence protocol layer entity supports diverting data packets, and the amount of data to be sent is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the sequence protocol layer entity can send different data packets to the second protocol layer entities corresponding to different access network devices to improve the data transmission rate.

[0118] In one possible design, the second reordering information can be used to indicate whether the received sequence protocol layer data packets are reordered in ascending order of SN, and the second reordering window information can be used to indicate the maximum time to wait for lost sequence protocol layer data packets.

[0119] Thus, if the second reordering information is indicated as "yes," the data packets can be ordered in ascending order of the serial numbers (SNs) in the sequence protocol layer data packets, ensuring that data packets are delivered to the upper layer in sequence. When the second reordering information is indicated as "yes," and the time the sequence protocol layer entity waits for lost sequence protocol layer data packets is greater than or equal to the duration indicated by the second reordering window information, the sequence protocol layer entity can first deliver the received data packets to the next higher protocol layer in sequence, further improving the data transmission rate.

[0120] In one possible design, the communication method described in aspect eight may further include: if the second reordering information is a second value, the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device may send the parsed third sequence protocol layer data packet and the parsed fourth sequence protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the sequence protocol layer entity in ascending order of the SNs in the third and fourth SNs. Thus, when there is a reordering requirement, the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device can sort the data packets to deliver them to the upper layer in sequence.

[0121] In one possible design, the communication method described in the eighth aspect may further include: when the second reordering information is a second value, and the time for the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device to wait for the lost sequence protocol layer data packet is greater than or equal to the second reordering window information, the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device may send the received sequence protocol layer data packet to the previous protocol layer entity in an ascending manner according to the sequence protocol layer SN order.

[0122] Thus, when there is a need for reordering, and the time for waiting for lost sequence protocol layer data packets is greater than or equal to the duration indicated by the second reordering window information, the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device can first submit the received data packets to the previous protocol layer in order, so as to further improve the data transmission rate.

[0123] Ninthly, a communication method is provided. The communication method includes: a rule protocol layer entity of a core network element configuring a third sequence number (SN) of the rule protocol layer in a third rule protocol layer data packet and configuring a fourth SN of the rule protocol layer in a fourth rule protocol layer data packet according to second allocation information. The rule protocol layer entity of the core network element sends the third rule protocol layer data packet to the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and sends the fourth rule protocol layer data packet to the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. The second allocation information is used to indicate the allocation criteria for the SNs of the rule protocol layers corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device, respectively.

[0124] It should be noted that the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device are both located on the core network element side.

[0125] In one possible design, the second allocation information may include a third allocation criterion and a fourth allocation criterion. The third allocation criterion can be the allocation criterion corresponding to the first access network device, and the fourth allocation criterion can be the allocation criterion corresponding to the second access network device. This ensures that the SNs (Signal Numbers) of the rule protocol layer corresponding to the first and second access network devices are different.

[0126] In one possible design, the third allocation criterion can be to obtain at least one first SN value based on a first initial value and / or a first superposition value, where the first superposition value can be the interval between two adjacent first SN values. The fourth allocation criterion can be to obtain at least one second SN value based on a second initial value and / or a second superposition value, where the second superposition value can be the interval between two adjacent second SN values, and the first and second initial values ​​are not the same. That is, the first and second SN values ​​can be determined according to a specific allocation criterion, provided that the first and second SN values ​​are not the same.

[0127] In another possible design, the third allocation criterion can indicate the value range of the SN in the rule protocol layer corresponding to the first access network device, and the fourth allocation criterion can indicate the value range of the SN in the rule protocol layer corresponding to the second access network device. In other words, the first SN value and the second SN value can be determined by specifying the value ranges of the SNs corresponding to the first and second access network devices, respectively.

[0128] In one possible design, the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element sends a third rule protocol layer data packet to the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and a fourth rule protocol layer data packet to the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. This may include: when the third diversion indication information is a first value and the amount of data to be sent by the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element is greater than or equal to a third threshold, the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element may send a third rule protocol layer data packet to the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and a fourth rule protocol layer data packet to the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device.

[0129] Thus, when the rule protocol layer entity is configured to enable the diversion function, and the amount of data to be sent is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the core network element transmits the data packets to the first access network device and the second access network device through the Uu interface, thereby diverting the data packets to the terminal device and avoiding forwarding data through the Xn interface. This reduces the latency during data transmission, thus meeting the requirements of high data transmission rate and low latency.

[0130] In one possible design, the third routing indication information can be used to indicate whether the rule protocol layer entity supports sending different data packets to the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. The third threshold can be used to indicate a threshold value for the amount of data to be sent.

[0131] In other words, the third diversion indication information can be used to indicate whether the rule protocol layer entity supports diverting data packets, and the third threshold can be used to indicate the threshold value of the amount of data that the rule protocol layer entity will divert. When the rule protocol layer entity supports diverting data packets, and the amount of data to be sent is greater than or equal to the third threshold, the rule protocol layer entity can send different data packets to the third protocol layer entities corresponding to different access network devices to improve the data transmission rate.

[0132] In one possible design, the communication method described in aspect nine may further include: a core network element sending a second message to a first access network device. The second message may indicate whether to determine first allocation information, and the first allocation information may indicate the allocation criteria for the sequence number protocol layers (SNs) corresponding to the first and second access network devices, respectively. That is, the core network element may instruct the first access network device whether to exchange SN allocation criteria with the second access network device to avoid assigning the same SN to different data packets by the first and second access network devices.

[0133] In one possible design, the second message may include second protocol data unit (PDU) session information and / or second QoS flow information.

[0134] In one possible design, the second PDU session information can be used to indicate the configuration information of the PDU session. This second PDU session information may include whether the sequence protocol layer entity corresponding to the data radio bearer (DRB) associated with the PDU session has determined the first allocation information with the second access network device. The second QoS flow information can be used to indicate the configuration information of the QoS flow. This second QoS flow information may include whether the sequence protocol layer entity corresponding to the DRB associated with the QoS flow has determined the first allocation information with the second access network device. In other words, the first access network device can determine whether to negotiate the SN allocation criteria with the second access network device based on the second PDU session information and / or the second QoS flow information.

[0135] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication method described in the ninth aspect can be referred to the technical effects of the communication method described in any implementation of the eighth aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0136] A tenth aspect provides a communication device. The communication device includes a module for performing the methods described in any one of the first, third, fifth, or eighth aspects.

[0137] In this application, the communication device described in the tenth aspect can be a terminal device, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be disposed in the terminal device.

[0138] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in the tenth aspect can be referenced from the technical effects of the communication method described in any of the implementations of the first, third, fifth, or eighth aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0139] Eleventh aspect: A communication device is provided. The communication device includes a module for performing the method described in any one of the seventh aspects.

[0140] In this application, the communication device described in the eleventh aspect can be an access network device, or can be a chip (system) or other component or assembly disposed in the access network device.

[0141] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in the eleventh aspect can be referred to the technical effects of the communication method described in any implementation of the seventh aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0142] In a twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a module for performing the methods described in any one of the second, fourth, sixth, or ninth aspects.

[0143] In this application, the communication device described in the twelfth aspect can be a core network element, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be disposed in the core network element.

[0144] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in the twelfth aspect can be referenced from the technical effects of the communication method described in any of the implementations of the second, fourth, sixth, or ninth aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0145] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a processor and a memory coupled together, the processor being configured to control the communication device to implement the method described in any one of the first, third, fifth, or eighth aspects.

[0146] In this application, the communication device described in aspect thirteen can be a terminal device, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be disposed in the terminal device.

[0147] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in the thirteenth aspect can be referenced from the technical effects of the communication method described in any of the implementations of the first, third, fifth, or eighth aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0148] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a processor and a memory coupled together, the processor being configured to control the communication device to implement the method described in any one of the seventh aspects.

[0149] In this application, the communication device described in aspect fourteen can be an access network device, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be disposed in the access network device.

[0150] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in aspect fourteen can be referenced from the technical effects of the communication method described in any implementation of aspect seven, and will not be repeated here.

[0151] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a processor and a memory coupled together, the processor being configured to control the communication device to implement the method described in any one of the second, fourth, sixth, or ninth aspects.

[0152] In this application, the communication device described in aspect fifteen can be a core network element, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be disposed in the core network element.

[0153] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in the fifteenth aspect can be referenced to the technical effects of the communication method described in any of the implementations of the second, fourth, sixth, or ninth aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0154] In a sixteenth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, the processor implementing the method of any one of the first, third, fifth, or eighth aspects via logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0155] In this application, the communication device described in the sixteenth aspect can be a terminal device, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be disposed in the terminal device.

[0156] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in the sixteenth aspect can be referenced from the technical effects of the communication method described in any of the implementations of the first, third, fifth, or eighth aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0157] Seventeenth aspect: A communication device is provided. The communication device includes: a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, the processor being configured to implement the method described in any of the seventh aspects via logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0158] In this application, the communication device described in the seventeenth aspect can be an access network device, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be disposed in the access network device.

[0159] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in the seventeenth aspect can be referenced from the technical effects of the communication method described in any implementation of the seventh aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0160] Eighteenth aspect: A communication device is provided. The communication device includes: a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, the processor being configured to implement the method of any one of the second, fourth, sixth, or ninth aspects via logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0161] In this application, the communication device described in the eighteenth aspect can be a core network element, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be disposed in the core network element.

[0162] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in the eighteenth aspect can be referenced to the technical effects of the communication method described in any of the implementations of the second, fourth, sixth, or ninth aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0163] In a nineteenth aspect, a communication system is provided. The system includes one or more terminal devices and core network elements as described above. Optionally, the communication system may further include one or more access network devices.

[0164] In a twentieth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a communication device, implement the method described in any one of the first, third, fifth, or eighth aspects.

[0165] In a twenty-first aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a communication device, implement the method described in any one of the seventh aspects.

[0166] In a twenty-second aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a communication device, implement the method of any one of the second, fourth, sixth, or ninth aspects.

[0167] In a twenty-third aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product including instructions that, when executed, implement the method of any one of the first, third, fifth, or eighth aspects.

[0168] In a twenty-fourth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product including instructions that, when executed, implement the method described in any one of the seventh aspects.

[0169] In a twenty-fifth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product including instructions that, when executed, implement the method of any one of the second, fourth, sixth, or ninth aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0170] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0171] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the QoS architecture provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0172] Figure 3 Protocol architecture diagram provided for embodiments of this application;

[0173] Figure 4 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 1 ;

[0174] Figure 5Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 ;

[0175] Figure 6 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 3 ;

[0176] Figure 7 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 4 ;

[0177] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 1 ;

[0178] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 . Detailed Implementation

[0179] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0180] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems, such as wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, 4th generation (4G) mobile communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems, such as new radio (NR) systems, and / or future communication systems, such as 6th generation (6G) mobile communication systems, etc.

[0181] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches are also possible.

[0182] In the embodiments of this application, the words "example," "for example," etc., are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design that is described as an "example" in this application should not be construed as being better or more advantageous than other embodiments or design options. Rather, the use of the word "example" is intended to present the concept in a specific manner.

[0183] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0184] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system to which the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application applies. To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, we will first use... Figure 1 The communication system illustrated herein is used as an example to describe in detail the communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application. It should be noted that the solutions in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other mobile communication systems, and the corresponding names can be replaced by the names of the corresponding functions in other mobile communication systems.

[0185] like Figure 1 As shown, the communication system includes core network elements and terminal equipment. Optionally, the communication system may also include access network equipment.

[0186] The aforementioned core network element is a device located on the network side of the communication system, providing network services to terminal devices through access network equipment, or a chip or chip system that can be installed in such equipment. This core network element can also be called a core network device. In the embodiments of this application, the core network element can be an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, a session management function (SMF) entity, or a user plane function (UPF) entity, etc., which are not listed here. The AMF entity can be responsible for the access management and mobility management of the terminal device; the SMF entity can be responsible for session management, such as session establishment for the terminal device; the UPF entity can be a user plane functional entity, mainly responsible for connecting to external networks. It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, entities can also be called network elements or functional entities. For example, an AMF entity can also be called an AMF network element or an AMF functional entity, and an SMF entity can also be called an SMF network element or an SMF functional entity, etc.

[0187] The terminal devices involved in the embodiments of this application can also be referred to as terminals, user equipment (UE), mobile stations, mobile terminals, etc. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality terminal devices, augmented reality terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in autonomous driving, wireless terminals in remote surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal devices. In the embodiments of this application, the device used to implement the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself; it can also be a device that supports the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the terminal device or used in conjunction with the terminal device. In the embodiments of this application, the chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete devices. In the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application, the terminal device is used as an example to describe the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application.

[0188] The access network devices involved in the embodiments of this application include, but are not limited to: access points (APs) (such as home gateways, routers, servers, switches, bridges, etc.) in wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, base stations, evolved Node Bs (eNBs), radio network controllers (RNCs), Node Bs (NBs), base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), home base stations (e.g., home evolved Node Bs, or home Node Bs, HNBs), baseband units (BBUs), wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, or transmission and reception points (TRPs or transmission points, TPs), etc. The access network equipment can also be 5G, such as a gNB, transport point (TRP or TP) in a new radio (NR) system, one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system, or it can be a network node constituting a gNB or transport point, such as a baseband unit (BBU), a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a roadside unit (RSU) with base station functionality. The central unit (CU) can include a control plane (CU-CP) and a user plane (CU-UP). The access network equipment can also be an equipment that includes both a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU).

[0189] It should be noted that the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to or assist in... Figure 1 Communication between any two nodes shown, such as between a terminal device and a core network element, between a terminal device and an access network device, or between an access network device and a core network element.

[0190] It should be understood that Figure 1 This is a simplified diagram for ease of understanding only. The communication system may also include other network devices and / or other terminal devices. Figure 1 It was not drawn in the middle.

[0191] For ease of understanding, the following descriptions of QoS streams, PDU sessions, and DRBs that may be involved in the embodiments of this application are provided.

[0192] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the QoS architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. The terminal device can be... Figure 1 For any of the terminal devices shown, the access network device can be Figure 1 For any of the access network devices shown, the core network element can be... Figure 1 The core network elements shown are exemplified by the UPF.

[0193] Combined Figure 2 A PDU session can contain one NG-U tunnel, which is the channel connecting access network devices and core network elements. A PDU session can contain multiple QoS flows, each with a different QFI. Different PDU sessions may contain the same QFI for their QoS flows. QoS flows are mapped to radio bearers (RBs), where RBs include signaling radio bearers (SRBs) and DRBs. SRBs carry messages, and DRBs carry user plane data. The mapping from QoS flows to radio bearers (RBs) can be one-to-one or many-to-one.

[0194] The protocol architecture provided in the embodiments of this application is described below.

[0195] Figure 3 This is a protocol architecture diagram provided for an embodiment of this application. The core network element can be... Figure 1 The core network elements shown can be used by terminal devices. Figure 1 For any of the terminal devices shown, the access network device can be Figure 1 Any of the access network devices shown. Terminal devices and access network devices can communicate via the Uu interface, and access network devices and core network elements can communicate via the N3 interface.

[0196] like Figure 3As shown, in top-down order, core network elements and terminal equipment both include the application layer, protocol data unit (PDU) layer, and offloading protocol layer. Core network elements and access network equipment both include the general packet radio service tunnel protocol (GTP) layer, internet protocol (IP) layer, layer 2 (L2), and physical layer (PHY). The GTP protocol layer can be the GTP user plane protocol layer, i.e., the GTP-U protocol layer, and layer 2 is the data link layer between the internet protocol layer and the physical layer. Access network equipment and terminal equipment both include the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer, and L1 protocol layer. Access network equipment also includes a relay layer, which can be used to parse received data packets, address the corresponding SDAP protocol layer entity or GTP protocol layer entity, and send them.

[0197] It should be noted that, Figure 3 This is merely an example of a protocol architecture diagram provided for an embodiment of this application; other protocol layers may also be included in the diagram. The offloading protocol layer for a core network element can be a protocol layer above the GTP protocol layer of the core network element, and the offloading protocol layer for a terminal device can be a protocol layer above the SDAP protocol layer of the terminal device. The offloading protocol layer can be an existing, configured protocol layer; for example, the offloading protocol layer for a core network element can be a PDU protocol layer or an application layer, and the offloading protocol layer for a terminal device can be a PDU protocol layer or an application layer. Alternatively, the offloading protocol layer can be a newly created or established protocol layer; for example, the offloading protocol layer for a core network element can be the protocol layer above the GTP protocol layer (e.g., ...). Figure 3 As shown), or the protocol layer above the PDU protocol layer, the offloading protocol layer of the terminal device can be the protocol layer above the SDAP protocol layer (such as...). Figure 3 (as shown), or the protocol layer above the PDU protocol layer.

[0198] Specifically, protocol layers with the same name between core network elements and access network devices, access network devices and terminal devices, and core network elements and terminal devices can be called peer-to-peer protocol layers or corresponding protocol layers. For example, the GTP layer of a core network element and the GTP layer of an access network device are a pair of peer-to-peer protocol layers; the SDAP protocol layer of an access network device and the SDAP protocol layer of a terminal device are a pair of peer-to-peer protocol layers; and the offloading protocol layer of a core network element and the offloading protocol layer of a terminal device are a pair of peer-to-peer protocol layers. In this pair, the sender's peer-to-peer protocol layer is used to generate and send data, while the receiver's peer-to-peer protocol layer is used to receive and parse the data sent by the sender.

[0199] Figure 4 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 1 . Figure 4 This explanation uses a terminal device as the data sender and a core network element as the data receiver as an example. This communication method is applicable to... Figure 1 Communication between any two nodes shown.

[0200] like Figure 4 As shown, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0201] S401, the flow splitting protocol layer entity of the terminal device configures the first sequence number (SN) of the flow splitting protocol layer in the first flow splitting protocol layer data packet, and configures the second SN of the flow splitting protocol layer in the second flow splitting protocol layer data packet.

[0202] For example, assuming that data packet 1 and data packet 2 are passed to the splitting protocol layer entity in sequence, SN=1 can be configured in the header of data packet 1 to ensure that SNs are stacked sequentially, and SN=2 can be configured in the header of data packet 2.

[0203] It should be noted that this application's embodiments illustrate the allocation of SNs to sequentially received data packets in ascending order of SN. This application does not limit the method of allocating SNs to data packets; for example, SNs can be allocated to sequentially received data packets in descending order of SN, as long as the receiver can sort the data packets.

[0204] It should be noted that the first and second offloading protocol layer data packets are data packets sent by the terminal device as the data sender. The first offloading protocol layer data packet can be referred to as the first data packet of the offloading protocol layer, and the second offloading protocol layer data packet can be referred to as the second data packet of the offloading protocol layer. The first data packet and the second data packet are not the same; the first data packet may include one or more data packets, and the second data packet may also include one or more data packets. The first SN corresponds to the first offloading protocol layer data packet and may include one or more SNs; the second SN corresponds to the second offloading protocol layer data packet and may also include one or more SNs.

[0205] Combination Figure 3 The offloading protocol layer can be a protocol layer above the SDAP layer.

[0206] In some embodiments, the offloading protocol layer may be determined based on the first configuration information. That is, the terminal device may create or configure the offloading protocol layer based on the first configuration information.

[0207] For example, the terminal device can create a new protocol layer based on the first configuration information, called a traffic offloading protocol layer. This application does not limit the name of the newly created protocol layer. Alternatively, the terminal device can configure an existing protocol layer, such as a PDU protocol layer, based on the first configuration information. The configured PDU protocol layer can then be used as a traffic offloading protocol layer.

[0208] In some embodiments, the first configuration information may include first traffic splitting indication information and / or a first threshold.

[0209] The first traffic splitting indication information can be used to indicate whether the traffic splitting protocol layer entity supports sending different data packets to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. In other words, the first traffic splitting indication information can be used to indicate whether the traffic splitting protocol layer entity supports the traffic splitting function.

[0210] For example, the first protocol layer can be the protocol layer following the offloading protocol layer. Figure 3 Taking the protocol architecture diagram shown as an example, the next protocol layer after the traffic splitting protocol layer of the terminal device is the SDAP protocol layer, and the first protocol layer can be the SDAP protocol layer. The SDAP protocol layer can create one or more SDAP protocol layer entities. Assuming the SDAP protocol layer creates a first SDAP protocol layer entity and a second SDAP protocol layer entity, with the first SDAP protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device, then the traffic splitting protocol layer entity can send data packets 0, 1, and 2 to the first SDAP protocol layer entity, and data packets 3 and 4 to the second SDAP protocol layer entity.

[0211] The first threshold can be used to indicate a limit value for the amount of data to be sent. In other words, the first threshold can be used to indicate a limit value for the amount of data that the data splitting protocol layer entity performs.

[0212] For example, if the amount of data to be sent is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the traffic splitting protocol layer entity sends different data packets to the first protocol layer entities corresponding to different access network devices to improve the data transmission rate. Otherwise, the traffic splitting protocol layer entity sends data packets to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to one access network device, which can be a primary access network device or a secondary access network device, and can be pre-configured; this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0213] In some embodiments, the first configuration information may include one or more of the following: a traffic splitting protocol layer entity identifier, a serial number (SN) information, a first reordering information, a first reordering window information, a first quality of service (QoS) flow information, a first PDU session information, and a first DRB information.

[0214] For example, a split protocol layer entity identifier can be used to indicate a split protocol layer entity.

[0215] For example, SN information can be used to indicate the length of the SN. That is, SN information can be used to indicate the maximum length of the SN in the offloading protocol layer. For example, the maximum length of the SN is 5. Or, for another example, the maximum length of the SN is 12.

[0216] For example, the first reordering information can be used to indicate whether the received split protocol layer data packets should be reordered in ascending order of the SN. Specifically, if the first reordering information indicates yes, then after receiving the split protocol layer data packets, the data packets are sorted in ascending order of the SN in the split protocol layer data packets to ensure the requirement of delivering data packets in order; otherwise, the received split protocol layer data packets do not need to be reordered.

[0217] For example, the first reordering window information can be used to indicate the maximum time to wait for lost offloading protocol layer packets.

[0218] For example, if a traffic splitter protocol layer data packet with SN=0 and SN=2 have been received, but a traffic splitter protocol layer data packet with SN=1 has not been received, the traffic splitter protocol layer data packet with SN=1 can be called a lost traffic splitter protocol layer data packet. The first reordering window information can be the maximum time to wait for the traffic splitter protocol layer data packet with SN=1.

[0219] If the waiting time for a packet from the split protocol layer with SN=1 is greater than the first reordering window information (e.g., 2 milliseconds) and the packet has not yet been received, the packet from the split protocol layer with SN=0 and the packet from the split protocol layer with SN=2 can be directly delivered to the previous protocol layer entity of the split protocol layer in ascending order of SN to further improve the data transmission rate.

[0220] For example, the first QoS flow information can be used to indicate the QoS flow identity (QFI) corresponding to the traffic splitting protocol layer entity. Different QoS flows may correspond to different service requirements, different QoS flows may require different processing of data, and different traffic splitting protocol layer entities may have different functions. The first QoS flow information can be used to perform differentiated processing on the data corresponding to different QoS flows.

[0221] For example, if the first QoS flow information indicates that the QFI associated with the first traffic splitting protocol layer entity is 5 and the QFI associated with the second traffic splitting protocol layer entity is 6, then the data packet with QFI 5 is processed by the first traffic splitting protocol layer entity, and the data packet with QFI 6 is processed by the second traffic splitting protocol layer entity.

[0222] For example, the first PDU session information can be used to indicate the PDU session identifier corresponding to the traffic splitting protocol layer entity. Different PDU sessions may have different business requirements, different PDU sessions may require different data processing, and different traffic splitting protocol layer entities may have different functions. The first PDU session information can be used to perform differentiated processing on the data corresponding to different PDU sessions.

[0223] For example, if the first PDU session information indicates that the PDU session identifier associated with the first traffic splitting protocol layer entity is 2 and the PDU session identifier associated with the second traffic splitting protocol layer entity is 3, then the data packets with PDU session identifier 2, or the data packets associated with the SDAP protocol layer (assuming the SDAP protocol layer is the next protocol layer after the traffic splitting protocol layer) of PDU session identifier 2, are processed by the first traffic splitting protocol layer entity, and the data packets with PDU session identifier 3, or the data packets associated with the SDAP protocol layer (assuming the SDAP protocol layer is the next protocol layer after the traffic splitting protocol layer) of PDU session identifier 3, are processed by the second traffic splitting protocol layer entity.

[0224] For example, the first DRB information can be used to indicate the DRB identifier corresponding to the traffic offloading protocol layer entity. Different DRBs may have different business requirements, different DRBs may require different data processing, and different traffic offloading protocol layer entities may have different functions. The first DRB information can be used to differentiate the data corresponding to different DRBs.

[0225] For example, if the first DRB information indicates that the DRB identifier associated with the first diversion protocol layer entity is 2 and the DRB identifier associated with the second diversion protocol layer entity is 3, then the data packet with DRB identifier 2, or the data packet associated with DRB identifier 2, is processed by the first diversion protocol layer entity, and the data packet with DRB identifier 3, or the data packet associated with DRB identifier 3, is processed by the second diversion protocol layer entity.

[0226] In one possible design, S401 may include: the splitting protocol layer entity of the terminal device can configure a first SN of the splitting protocol layer in a first splitting protocol layer data packet and a second SN of the splitting protocol layer in a second splitting protocol layer data packet, based on the SN information. In other words, the splitting protocol layer entity of the terminal device can configure different SNs of the splitting protocol layer in different data packets of the splitting protocol layer based on the SN information, so that the receiver can reorder the data packets according to the SNs in the data packets, thereby delivering the data packets in sequence.

[0227] For example, assuming the SN information indicates that the length of the SN in the splitting protocol layer is 5, the splitting protocol layer of the terminal device can sequentially assign SN=0, SN=1, SN=2, SN=3, and SN=4 to data packets from the upper layer. After assigning SN=4 to a data packet, there are still other data packets that have not been assigned SNs, and SNs can be assigned to the other data packets sequentially starting from SN=0.

[0228] In some embodiments, the communication method provided in this application may further include: core network elements generating first configuration information.

[0229] In some embodiments, the communication method provided in this application may further include: a core network element sending a first message. Correspondingly, an access network device receiving the first message.

[0230] In some embodiments, the communication method provided in this application may further include: an access network device sending a first message. Correspondingly, a terminal device receives the first message. Optionally, the first message may include first configuration information, which may be used to instruct the terminal device to determine the offloading protocol layer based on the first configuration information. Exemplarily, the first message may be a non-access stratum (NAS) message, such as a registration accept message or a PDU session establishment accept message, etc., and this application does not limit the scope of the message.

[0231] S402, the offloading protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends a first offloading protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device, and sends a second offloading protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device.

[0232] It should be noted that in the above S402, the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device are both located on the terminal device side.

[0233] Combination Figure 4 Assuming the SDAP protocol layer of the terminal device is the first protocol layer, the first SDAP protocol layer entity corresponds to the first access network device, and the second SDAP protocol layer entity corresponds to the second access network device, then the offloading protocol layer entity of the terminal device can send offloading protocol layer data packets 0, 1, and 2 to the first SDAP protocol layer entity, and send offloading protocol layer data packets 3, 4, and 5 to the second SDAP protocol layer entity.

[0234] In one possible design, S402 may include: when the first diversion indication information is a first value, and the amount of data to be sent by the diversion protocol layer entity of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the diversion protocol layer entity of the terminal device may send a first diversion protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device, and send a second diversion protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. Optionally, the first threshold is preset. The first value can be "1" or "True".

[0235] In this way, terminal devices can send different data packets to different access network devices through the Uu interface, realizing data packet diversion and transmission to core network elements. This can improve data transmission rate and eliminate the need for forwarding through the Xn interface between access network devices, thereby reducing latency during data transmission.

[0236] In one possible design, S402 may include: the flow splitting protocol layer entity of the terminal device sending a first flow splitting protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device according to the first QoS flow information; and the flow splitting protocol layer entity of the terminal device sending a second flow splitting protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device according to the first QoS flow information.

[0237] For example, if the first QoS flow information indicates that the QFI associated with the first traffic splitting protocol layer entity is 5 and the QFI associated with the second traffic splitting protocol layer entity is 6, then data packets with QFI 5 are processed by the first traffic splitting protocol layer entity and then delivered to the associated next protocol layer entity, such as the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device. Data packets with QFI 6 are processed by the second traffic splitting protocol layer entity and then delivered to the associated next protocol layer entity, such as the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. The functions of different first protocol layer entities may be different, thereby enabling differentiated processing of data.

[0238] In another possible design, S402 may include: the offloading protocol layer entity of the terminal device sending a first offloading protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device according to the first PDU session information; and the offloading protocol layer entity of the terminal device sending a second offloading protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device according to the first PDU session information.

[0239] In another possible design, S402 may include: the flow splitting protocol layer entity of the terminal device sending a first flow splitting protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device according to the first DRB information; and the flow splitting protocol layer entity of the terminal device sending a second flow splitting protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device according to the first DRB information.

[0240] Those skilled in the art should understand that the specific examples of the two possible design schemes described above are similar to the example of the terminal device's traffic splitting protocol layer entity sending traffic splitting protocol layer data packets to the terminal device's first protocol layer entity based on the first QoS flow information, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0241] In some embodiments, after the traffic splitting protocol layer data packets are processed layer by layer from the traffic splitting protocol layer entity to the L1 protocol layer entity, they are sent to the corresponding first access network device or second access network device through the Uu interface, and then sent to the core network element by the first access network device or second access network device. Accordingly, the core network element receives the data packets, parses the data packets layer by layer from the L1 protocol layer entity to the first protocol layer entity, and executes the following S403 and S404.

[0242] S403, the traffic offloading protocol layer entity of the core network element receives the first traffic offloading protocol layer data packet and the second traffic offloading protocol layer data packet from the first protocol layer entity. Correspondingly, the first protocol layer entity of the core network element sends the first traffic offloading protocol layer data packet and the second traffic offloading protocol layer data packet to the traffic offloading protocol layer entity of the core network element.

[0243] Combination Figure 4Taking the GTP protocol layer as an example, after the core network element receives data packets from the first access network device and the second access network device, the L1 protocol layer entity and the GTP protocol layer entity parse the received data packets layer by layer to obtain the first and second offloading protocol layer data packets, and then pass them to the offloading protocol layer entity.

[0244] S404, the core network element's traffic splitting protocol layer entity sends the parsed first traffic splitting protocol layer data packet and the parsed second traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the traffic splitting protocol layer entity in the order of the first SN and the second SN.

[0245] For example, consider a core network element whose upstream protocol layer is the PDU protocol layer. Assume the first traffic splitting protocol layer data packets include data packets 0, 1, and 2, with sequence numbers SN=0, SN=1, and SN=2, respectively. The second traffic splitting protocol layer data packets include data packets 3 and 4, with sequence numbers SN=3 and SN=4, respectively. The core network element can parse these data packets, resulting in data packets 0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, and 4-1, respectively. The core network element can then sort these data packets in ascending order of their sequence numbers (SNs), such as data packets 0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, and 4-1, and transmit them to the PDU protocol layer entity.

[0246] It should be noted that the embodiments of this application do not limit the sorting method of data packets by core network elements. Generally, it is the same as the way the data packet sender assigns a serial number (SN) to the data packet.

[0247] In one possible design, the traffic splitting protocol layer entity of the core network element can obtain the first reordering information corresponding to the first QoS flow.

[0248] For example, the first QoS stream can be used to transmit offloading protocol layer packets.

[0249] For example, the QoS parameters corresponding to the first QoS flow may include the first reordering information corresponding to the first QoS flow. For instance, the QoS parameters corresponding to the first QoS flow may include in-order delivery of data packets, out-of-order delivery of data packets, or no in-order delivery of data packets.

[0250] Specifically, out-of-order packet delivery can be interpreted as passing packets to the next higher protocol layer entity in the order they are received. For example, if the order of receiving packets is: packet 0, packet 2, packet 4, packet 3, and packet 1, the packets are not sorted and are directly passed to the next higher protocol layer entity in the following order: packet 0, packet 2, packet 4, packet 3, and packet 1.

[0251] In other words, core network elements can obtain the first reordering information from the QoS parameters corresponding to the first QoS flow. When the QoS parameters corresponding to the first QoS flow include in-order delivery of data packets, it means that the received data packets need to be ordered; when the QoS parameters corresponding to the first QoS flow do not include in-order delivery of data packets, or include out-of-order delivery of data packets, it means that the received data packets do not need to be ordered.

[0252] In some embodiments, if the first reordering information is the second value, the traffic splitting protocol layer entity of the core network element can send the parsed first traffic splitting protocol layer data packet and the parsed second traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the traffic splitting protocol layer entity in an ascending order of the SN in the first SN and the second SN.

[0253] For example, the second value can indicate that the received data packets are reordered in ascending order of the SN. For instance, the second value can be a binary "1", or other values ​​that can indicate that the received data packets are reordered in ascending order of the SN.

[0254] For example, when the QoS parameters corresponding to the first QoS flow include ordered delivery of data packets, the core network element can sort the received data packets in ascending order of SN, such as data packet 0, data packet 1, data packet 2, data packet 3, and data packet 4, and pass them to the next protocol layer entity (such as the PDU protocol layer entity).

[0255] In other words, the core network element can determine whether the first QoS flow requires in-order delivery of data packets. If so, it will sort the received data packets in ascending order of SN and pass them to the next protocol layer entity to ensure the requirement of in-order delivery.

[0256] In some embodiments, when the first reordering information is the second value, and the time for the core network element's traffic splitting protocol layer entity to wait for the lost traffic splitting protocol layer data packet is greater than or equal to the first reordering window information, the core network element's traffic splitting protocol layer entity can send the received traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the previous protocol layer entity in an ascending order of SN.

[0257] For example, if the traffic splitting protocol layer entity of a core network element has received data packet 0 with SN 0 and data packet 2 with SN 2, but has not received data packet 1 with SN 1, it can wait for data packet 1. If the waiting time for data packet 1 is greater than the first reordering window information (e.g., 2 milliseconds), and data packet 1 has still not been received, data packets 0 and 2 can be directly delivered to the upper protocol layer entity of the traffic splitting protocol layer in ascending order of SN to further improve the data transmission rate.

[0258] Optionally, the offloading protocol layer entity of the core network element receives the lost offloading protocol layer data packet and sends the lost offloading protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the offloading protocol layer entity.

[0259] In other words, after the core network element's offloading protocol layer entity transmits the received offloading protocol layer data packets to the protocol layer entity above the offloading protocol layer entity, if it receives a lost offloading protocol layer data packet, it can transmit the lost offloading protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the offloading protocol layer entity to complete the data transmission.

[0260] It should be noted that the lost traffic splitting protocol layer data packets may include one or more data packets. When multiple data packets are included, they may be sorted in ascending order of SN, or they may not be sorted. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0261] based on Figure 4 The communication method shown involves the terminal device's splitting protocol layer entity sending different data packets to the first protocol layer entities corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device, respectively. The terminal device then transmits these data packets to the first and second access network devices via the Uu interface, achieving data packet splitting and delivery to the core network element. This improves data transmission rate and avoids forwarding data via the Xn interface, reducing latency and meeting the requirements for high-speed and low-latency data transmission. Furthermore, the terminal device assigns different sequence numbers (SNs) to different data packets using the splitting protocol layer. The core network element, upon receiving the data packets, can sort them according to the SNs, thus delivering the data packets to the upper layer in sequence.

[0262] Figure 5 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 . Figure 5 This paper illustrates the method using a core network element as the data sender and a terminal device as the data receiver as an example. This communication method is applicable to... Figure 1 Communication between any two nodes shown.

[0263] like Figure 5 As shown, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0264] S501, the core network element's traffic splitting protocol layer entity configures the third SN of the traffic splitting protocol layer in the third traffic splitting protocol layer data packet, and configures the fourth SN of the traffic splitting protocol layer in the fourth traffic splitting protocol layer data packet.

[0265] It should be noted that the third and fourth traffic splitting protocol layer data packets are data packets sent by core network elements as data senders. The third traffic splitting protocol layer data packet can be referred to as the third data packet of the traffic splitting protocol layer, and the fourth traffic splitting protocol layer data packet can be referred to as the fourth data packet of the traffic splitting protocol layer. The third and fourth data packets are not the same; the third data packet may include one or more data packets, and the fourth data packet may also include one or more data packets. The third SN corresponds to the first traffic splitting protocol layer data packet, and the fourth SN may include one or more SNs. The third SN corresponds to the second traffic splitting protocol layer data packet, and the fourth SN may include one or more SNs.

[0266] For specific implementation details of the traffic offloading protocol layer for core network elements, please refer to the above. Figure 3 The explanation will not be repeated here.

[0267] In one possible design, the communication method provided in this application embodiment may include: core network elements generating first configuration information.

[0268] For example, the first configuration information may include one or more of the following: first traffic splitting indication information, first threshold, traffic splitting protocol layer entity identifier, SN information, first reordering information, first reordering window information, first QoS flow information, first PDU session information, and first DRB information. The specific implementation of the first configuration information can be referred to in S401 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0269] In one possible design, the above S501 may include: the core network element's traffic splitting protocol layer entity configuring the third SN of the traffic splitting protocol layer in the third traffic splitting protocol layer data packet according to the SN information, and configuring the fourth SN of the traffic splitting protocol layer in the fourth traffic splitting protocol layer data packet.

[0270] In other words, the core network element's traffic splitting protocol layer entity can configure different SNs in different data packets of the traffic splitting protocol layer according to the SN information, so that the receiver can reorder the data packets according to the SN in the data packets and deliver the data packets in order.

[0271] For a specific example, please refer to the example in S401 above, where the terminal device's traffic splitting protocol layer entity configures the traffic splitting protocol layer's SN in the traffic splitting protocol layer data packet based on the SN information. It will not be repeated here.

[0272] In some embodiments, the communication method provided in this application may further include: a core network element sending a first message. Correspondingly, an access network device receiving the first message.

[0273] Optionally, the first message may include first configuration information, which can be used to instruct the terminal device to determine the offloading protocol layer based on the configuration information.

[0274] The specific implementation of the first message can be found in S401 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0275] S502, the core network element's traffic splitting protocol layer entity sends a third traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device, and sends a fourth traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device.

[0276] It should be noted that in the above S502, the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device are both located on the core network element side.

[0277] The specific example is similar to the example in S402 where the terminal device's traffic splitting protocol layer entity sends different traffic splitting protocol layer data packets to different access network devices, so it will not be repeated here.

[0278] In one possible design, S502 may include: when the first diversion indication information is a first value, and the amount of data to be sent by the diversion protocol layer entity of the core network element is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the diversion protocol layer entity of the core network element may send a third diversion protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device, and send a fourth diversion protocol layer data packet to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. The first value is as described in S402 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0279] In other words, when the traffic splitting protocol layer entity is configured to enable traffic splitting and the amount of data to be sent is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the traffic splitting protocol layer entity can send different data packets to different first protocol layer entities corresponding to different access network devices. Then, the core network element sends different data packets to different access network devices through the N3 interface, realizing the traffic splitting of data packets to the terminal device. This can improve the data transmission rate, eliminate the need for forwarding through the Xn interface between access network devices, and reduce the latency during data transmission.

[0280] In some embodiments, after the traffic splitting protocol layer data packets are processed layer by layer from the traffic splitting protocol layer entity to the L1 protocol layer entity, they are sent to the corresponding first access network device or second access network device through the Uu interface, and then sent to the terminal device by the first access network device or second access network device. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the data packets, parses the data packets layer by layer from the L1 protocol layer entity to the first protocol layer entity, and executes the following S503 and S504.

[0281] S503, the first protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends a third and a fourth off-path protocol layer data packet to the off-path protocol layer entity of the terminal device. Correspondingly, the off-path protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends the third and fourth off-path protocol layer data packets to the first protocol layer entity of the terminal device.

[0282] Combination Figure 4 Taking the SDAP protocol layer as an example, after the terminal device receives data packets from the first access network device and the second access network device, the L1 protocol layer entity and the SDAP protocol layer entity parse the received data packets layer by layer to obtain the third and fourth off-flow protocol layer data packets, and then pass them to the off-flow protocol layer entity.

[0283] The offloading protocol layer of the terminal device can be determined based on the first configuration information. The specific implementation of the first configuration information can be referred to in S401 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0284] In one possible design, S503 may include: the first protocol layer entity of the terminal device sending a third traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the traffic splitting protocol layer entity of the terminal device according to the first QoS flow information; and the first protocol layer entity of the terminal device sending a fourth traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the traffic splitting protocol layer entity of the terminal device according to the first QoS flow information.

[0285] It should be noted that, in this embodiment of the application, the first protocol layer entity that sends the third traffic splitting protocol layer data packet and the first protocol layer entity that sends the fourth traffic splitting protocol layer data packet can be different first protocol layer entities, such as the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device.

[0286] The specific implementation method of the first QoS flow information can be referred to in S401 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0287] For example, if the first QoS flow information indicates that the QFI associated with the first traffic splitting protocol layer entity is 5 and the QFI associated with the second traffic splitting protocol layer entity is 6, then data packets with QFI 5 are processed by the first protocol layer entity and then delivered to the associated first traffic splitting protocol layer entity. Data packets with QFI 6 are processed by the first protocol layer entity and then delivered to the associated second traffic splitting protocol layer entity. The functions of different traffic splitting protocol layer entities may be different, thereby enabling differentiated processing of data.

[0288] In another possible design, the above S503 may include: the first protocol layer entity of the terminal device sending a third off-line protocol layer data packet to the off-line protocol layer entity of the terminal device according to the first PDU session information; and the first protocol layer entity of the terminal device sending a fourth off-line protocol layer data packet to the off-line protocol layer entity of the terminal device according to the first PDU session information.

[0289] The specific implementation of the first PDU session information can be found in S401 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0290] The specific example is similar to how the first protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends a traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the traffic splitting protocol layer entity of the terminal device based on the first QoS flow information, and will not be described in detail here.

[0291] In another possible design, S503 may include: the first protocol layer entity of the terminal device sending a third off-line protocol layer data packet to the off-line protocol layer entity of the terminal device according to the first DRB information; and the first protocol layer entity of the terminal device sending a fourth off-line protocol layer data packet to the off-line protocol layer entity of the terminal device according to the first DRB information.

[0292] The specific implementation method of the first DRB information can be referred to in S401 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0293] The specific example is similar to how the first protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends a traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the traffic splitting protocol layer entity of the terminal device based on the first QoS flow information, and will not be described in detail here.

[0294] In some embodiments, the communication method provided in this application may further include: an access network device sending a first message. Correspondingly, a terminal device receiving the first message.

[0295] The specific implementation of the first message can be found in S401 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0296] S504, the terminal device's traffic splitting protocol layer entity sends the parsed third traffic splitting protocol layer data packet and the parsed fourth traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the traffic splitting protocol layer entity in the order of the SN in the third SN and the fourth SN.

[0297] For example, the protocol layer above the traffic offloading protocol layer of the terminal device can be the PDU protocol layer. The terminal device can sort the data packets in ascending order of SN and pass them to the PDU protocol layer entity. The specific implementation is similar to that in S404 above, where the protocol layer above the traffic offloading protocol layer of the core network element is the PDU protocol layer, and the core network element sorts the data packets in ascending order of SN and passes them to the PDU protocol layer entity. It will not be described again here.

[0298] It should be noted that the embodiments of this application do not limit the sorting method of data packets by the terminal device. Generally, it is the same as the way the data packet sender assigns a serial number (SN) to the data packet.

[0299] In some embodiments, if the first reordering information is the second value, the splitting protocol layer entity of the terminal device can send the parsed third splitting protocol layer data packet and the parsed fourth splitting protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the splitting protocol layer entity in an ascending order of the SNs in the third and fourth SNs.

[0300] The second value is referenced in S404 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0301] Thus, if there is a need to deliver data packets in order, the terminal device can sort the received data packets in ascending order of SN and pass them to the next protocol layer entity to ensure the need for delivery in order.

[0302] In some embodiments, when the first reordering information is the second value, and the time that the terminal device's traffic splitting protocol layer entity waits for the lost traffic splitting protocol layer data packet is greater than or equal to the first reordering window information, the terminal device's traffic splitting protocol layer entity can send the received traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the previous protocol layer entity in an ascending order of SN.

[0303] Specific examples are the same as those corresponding to the core network element side in S404 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0304] Optionally, the offloading protocol layer entity of the terminal device receives the lost offloading protocol layer data packet and sends the lost offloading protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the offloading protocol layer entity.

[0305] In other words, after the terminal device's offloading protocol layer entity transmits the received offloading protocol layer data packets to the protocol layer entity above it, if it receives a lost offloading protocol layer data packet, it can transmit the lost offloading protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above it for data transmission.

[0306] based on Figure 5 The communication method shown involves the core network element's traffic splitting protocol layer entity sending different data packets to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device, respectively. The core network element then transmits these data packets to the first and second access network devices via the Uu interface, achieving traffic splitting and delivery to the terminal device. This improves data transmission rate and avoids forwarding data via the Xn interface, reducing latency during data transmission and thus meeting the requirements for high-speed and low-latency data transmission. Furthermore, the core network element assigns different SNs (Signal Numbers) to different data packets using the traffic splitting protocol layer. The terminal device, upon receiving the data packets, can then sort them according to the SN, enabling sequential delivery of data packets to the upper layer.

[0307] Figure 6 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 3 . Figure 6 This paper illustrates the method using a terminal device as the data sender and a core network element as the data receiver as an example. This communication method is applicable to... Figure 1 Communication between any two nodes shown.

[0308] like Figure 6 As shown, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0309] S601, the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device configures the first SN of the sequence protocol layer in the first sequence protocol layer data packet and configures the second SN of the sequence protocol layer in the second sequence protocol layer data packet according to the first allocation information.

[0310] For example, assuming that data packet 1 and data packet 2 are passed to the sequence protocol layer entity in sequence, SN=1 can be configured in the header of data packet 1 to ensure that SNs are superimposed in sequence, and SN=2 can be configured in the header of data packet 2.

[0311] It should be noted that the first sequence layer data packet and the second sequence layer data packet are data packets sent by the terminal device as the data sender. The first sequence layer data packet can be referred to as the first data packet of the sequence layer, and the second sequence layer data packet can be referred to as the second data packet of the sequence layer. The first data packet and the second data packet are not the same; the first data packet may include one or more data packets, and the second data packet may include one or more data packets. The first serial number (SN) of the sequence layer corresponds to the first sequence layer data packet, and the first SN of the sequence layer may include one or more serial numbers (SNs). The second serial number (SN) of the sequence layer corresponds to the second sequence layer data packet, and the second SN of the sequence layer may include one or more serial numbers (SNs).

[0312] It should be noted that, Figure 6 The protocol architecture corresponding to the communication method shown can be referenced. Figure 4 And the corresponding description in S401 above may not include Figure 4 The offloading protocol layer shown here will not be described in detail here.

[0313] Combination Figure 4 The sequence protocol layer of the terminal device can be either the configured SDAP protocol layer or the configured PDCP protocol layer. This application embodiment uses the SDAP protocol layer as the sequence protocol layer of the terminal device as an example for illustration.

[0314] For example, the first allocation information can be used to indicate the allocation criteria of the sequence protocol layer SNs corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device, respectively.

[0315] In other words, the terminal device can assign a serial number (SN) to the data packet based on the first allocation information, so that the data packet receiver can reorder the data packet according to the SN and deliver the data packet in order.

[0316] For example, the first allocation information may include a first allocation criterion and a second allocation criterion.

[0317] The first allocation criterion can be the allocation criterion corresponding to the first access network device, and the second allocation criterion can be the allocation criterion corresponding to the second access network device. That is, the first allocation criterion can be the allocation criterion corresponding to the sequence protocol layer of the first access network device, and the second allocation criterion can be the allocation criterion corresponding to the sequence protocol layer of the second access network device.

[0318] In some embodiments, the first allocation criterion may be to obtain at least one first SN value based on a first initial value and / or a first superposition value, and the second allocation criterion may be to obtain at least one second SN value based on a second initial value and / or a second superposition value.

[0319] Optionally, the first superposition value is the interval between two adjacent first SN values. The second superposition value is the interval between two adjacent second SN values. The first initial value and the second initial value are not the same, and the first superposition value and the second superposition value can be the same or different.

[0320] For example, assuming the maximum length of the SN is 5, the first initial value is 0, and the first superposition value is 2, then at least one first SN value can include 0, 0+2=2, and 2+2=4. Assuming the second initial value is 1 and the second superposition value is 2, then at least one second SN value can include 1 and 1+2=3.

[0321] For example, assuming the maximum length of the SN is 5, the first initial value is 0, and the first superposition value is 3, then at least one first SN value can include 0, 0+3=3. Assuming the second initial value is 1, and the second superposition value is 1 and 2, first superimposing 1 to obtain a second SN value, then superimposing 2 to obtain the next second SN value, then at least one second SN value can include 1, 1+1=2, 2+2=4.

[0322] In this way, the first allocation information can be determined based on the traffic volume of the first access network device and the second access network device, thereby meeting the service transmission requirements.

[0323] It should be noted that the values ​​of the first SN value and the second SN value in the above example can be interchanged, or the first SN value and the second SN value can be calculated in other ways. This application does not limit the specific values ​​of the first SN value and the second SN value, as long as the first SN value and the second SN value are different.

[0324] Optionally, the first SN can be at least one first SN value. For example, if at least one first SN value includes 0, 2, and 4, then the first SN includes 0, 2, and 4. The second SN can be at least one second SN value. For example, if at least one second SN value includes 1 and 3, then the second SN includes 1 and 3.

[0325] In other embodiments, the first allocation criterion may indicate the range of values ​​for the SN of the sequence protocol layer corresponding to the first access network device, and the second allocation criterion may indicate the range of values ​​for the SN of the sequence protocol layer corresponding to the second access network device.

[0326] For example, assuming the maximum length of SN is 5, the first allocation criterion can indicate that the value range of SN is 0 to 2, and the second allocation criterion can indicate that the value range of SN is 3 to 4.

[0327] For example, assuming the maximum length is 12, the first allocation criterion can indicate that the value range of SN is 0 to 4 or 10 to 11, and the second allocation criterion can indicate that the value range of SN is 5 to 9.

[0328] In other words, by specifying the value range of the SN corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device respectively, we can avoid the first access network device and the second access network device assigning the same SN to different data packets, thereby ensuring that data packets are delivered in order.

[0329] Optionally, the first SN can be obtained according to a first allocation criterion. Assuming the value range of the SN of the sequence protocol layer corresponding to the first access network device is 0 to 2, the first SN can include 0, 1, and 2. The second SN can be obtained according to a second allocation criterion. Assuming the value range of the SN of the sequence protocol layer corresponding to the second access network device is 3 to 4, the first SN can include 3 and 4.

[0330] In one possible design, the first access network device can send a fourth message to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the fourth message from the first access network device.

[0331] Optionally, the fourth message can be used to indicate the configuration of the sequence protocol layer. That is, the first access network device can instruct the terminal device to configure the SDAP protocol layer or the PDCP protocol layer through the fourth message. The configured SDAP protocol layer or the configured PDCP protocol layer can be referred to as the sequence protocol layer.

[0332] Optionally, the fourth message may include one or more of the following: first allocation information, mapping information, second diversion indication information, second threshold, SN information, second reordering information, and second reordering window information.

[0333] For example, mapping information can be used to indicate the mapping relationship between a second QoS flow and a DRB.

[0334] For example, the second QoS flow may include one or more QoS flows. Taking a second QoS flow comprising QoS flows with QFI 7 and QFI 8 as an example, the second QoS flow corresponds to data packets with QFI 7 and data packets with QFI 8. The data packets with QFI 7 are associated with DRB1, and the data packets with QFI 8 are associated with DRB2. Therefore, the terminal device can transmit data packets with QFI 7 through the access network device associated with DRB1, and transmit data packets with QFI 8 through the access network device associated with DRB2.

[0335] For example, the second diversion indication information can be used to indicate whether the sequence protocol layer entity supports sending different data packets to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. In other words, the second diversion indication information can be used to indicate whether the sequence protocol layer entity supports diverting data packets.

[0336] For example, the second protocol layer is the protocol layer following the sequence protocol layer. Figure 3 Taking the protocol architecture diagram shown as an example, the next protocol layer after the sequence protocol layer of the terminal device (assuming the sequence protocol layer is the SDAP protocol layer) is the PDCP protocol layer. The second protocol layer can be the PDCP protocol layer, and the entity of the second protocol layer can be the PDCP protocol layer entity.

[0337] Specifically, the PDCP protocol layer can create one or more PDCP protocol layer entities, and each PDCP protocol layer entity can correspond one-to-one with an access network device. Assuming the PDCP protocol layer creates a first PDCP protocol layer entity and a second PDCP protocol layer entity, with the first PDCP protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the second PDCP protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device, then the sequence protocol layer entity can send data packets 0, 1, and 2 to the first PDCP protocol layer entity, and data packets 3 and 4 to the second PDCP protocol layer entity.

[0338] Optionally, the second diversion indication information can be used to indicate whether the sequence protocol layer entity supports sending different data packets to at least two second protocol layer entities corresponding to at least two access network devices.

[0339] For example, the second threshold can be used to indicate a threshold value for the amount of data to be sent. That is, the second threshold can be used to indicate a threshold value for the amount of data that the sequence protocol layer entity will de-stream.

[0340] For example, if the amount of data to be sent is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the sequence protocol layer entity sends different data packets to the second protocol layer entities corresponding to different access network devices to improve the data transmission rate. Otherwise, the sequence protocol layer entity sends data packets to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to one access network device, which can be a primary access network device or a secondary access network device, and can be pre-configured; this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0341] For example, SN information can be used to indicate the length of the SN. That is, SN information can be used to indicate the maximum length of the SN at the sequence protocol layer. For example, the maximum length of the SN is 5. Or, for another example, the maximum length of the SN is 12.

[0342] For example, the second reordering information can be used to indicate whether the received sequence protocol layer data packets are reordered in ascending order of the SN.

[0343] Specifically, if the second reordering information indicates yes, then after receiving the sequence protocol layer data packet, the data packet is sorted according to the order of the SN in the sequence protocol layer data packet to ensure the requirement of delivering data packets in order; otherwise, the received sequence protocol layer data packet does not need to be reordered.

[0344] For example, the second reordering window information can be used to indicate the maximum time to wait for lost sequence protocol layer packets.

[0345] For example, if a sequence protocol layer data packet with SN=0 and a sequence protocol layer data packet with SN=2 have been received, but a sequence protocol layer data packet with SN=1 has not been received, the sequence protocol layer data packet with SN=1 can be called a lost sequence protocol layer data packet. The second reordering window information can be the maximum time to wait for the sequence protocol layer data packet with SN=1.

[0346] If the waiting time for a sequence protocol layer data packet with SN=1 is greater than the second reordering window information (e.g., 2 milliseconds) and the data packet has not yet been received, the sequence protocol layer data packets with SN=0 and SN=2 can be directly delivered to the previous protocol layer entity in the order of increasing SN to further improve the data transmission rate.

[0347] In one possible design, the above S601 may include: the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device configuring the first SN of the sequence protocol layer in the first sequence protocol layer data packet and configuring the second SN of the sequence protocol layer in the second sequence protocol layer data packet according to the first allocation information and SN information.

[0348] For example, assuming the SN information indicates that the length of the SN in the sequence protocol layer is 5, the sequence protocol layer of the terminal device can sequentially assign SN=0, SN=1, SN=2, SN=3, and SN=4 to data packets from the upper layer. After assigning SN=4 to a data packet, there are still other data packets that have not been assigned SNs, and SNs can be assigned to the other data packets sequentially starting from SN=0.

[0349] S602, the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends a first sequence protocol layer data packet to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device, and sends a second sequence protocol layer data packet to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device.

[0350] It should be noted that in the above S602, the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device are both located on the terminal device side.

[0351] Combination Figure 4Assuming the PDCP protocol layer of the terminal device is the second protocol layer, the first PDCP protocol layer entity corresponds to the first access network device, and the second PDCP protocol layer entity corresponds to the second access network device, then the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device can send sequence protocol layer data packets 0, 1, and 2 to the first PDCP protocol layer entity, and send sequence protocol layer data packets 3, 4, and 5 to the second PDCP protocol layer entity.

[0352] In some embodiments, S602 may include: when the second diversion indication information is a first value, and the amount of data to be sent by the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a second threshold, the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device may send a first sequence protocol layer data packet to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device, and send a second sequence protocol layer data packet to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. The first value is the same as described in S402 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0353] In other words, when the sequence protocol layer entity is configured to enable the diversion function, and the amount of data to be sent is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the sequence protocol layer entity can send different data packets to different second protocol layer entities corresponding to different access network devices. Then, the terminal device sends different data packets to different access network devices through the Uu interface, realizing the diversion of data packets to the core network element. This can improve the data transmission rate, eliminate the need for forwarding through the Xn interface between access network devices, and reduce the latency during data transmission.

[0354] In one possible design, S602 may include: the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device sending a first sequence protocol layer data packet to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device according to the mapping information; and the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device sending a second sequence protocol layer data packet to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device according to the mapping information.

[0355] For example, assuming the second QoS flow corresponds to packets with QFI 7 and QFI 8, the packets with QFI 7 are associated with DRB1, and the packets with QFI 8 are associated with DRB2. DRB1 is associated with the first access network device, and DRB2 is associated with the second access network device. Then, the terminal device can transmit packets with QFI 7 through the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device, and transmit packets with QFI 8 through the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. This allows for data offloading to core network elements, improving data transmission rates, and eliminating the need for forwarding through the Xn interface between access network devices, thereby reducing latency during data transmission.

[0356] In one possible design, the sequence protocol layer data packet can be processed layer by layer from the sequence protocol layer entity to the L1 protocol layer entity before being sent to the corresponding first access network device or second access network device via the Uu interface. Accordingly, the first access network device receives the data packet, parses it layer by layer from the L1 protocol layer entity to the second protocol layer entity, and performs steps one through three as described below. The second access network device, after receiving the data packet, performs similar functions to the first access network device, referring to steps one through three below, which will not be repeated here.

[0357] Step 1: The sequence protocol layer entity of the first access network device receives the first sequence protocol layer data packet from the second protocol layer entity of the first access network device.

[0358] Specifically, the sequence protocol layer of the first access network device corresponds to the sequence protocol layer of the terminal device, the second protocol layer of the first access network device corresponds to the second protocol layer of the terminal device, and the data packet of the first sequence protocol layer includes the first SN of the sequence protocol layer.

[0359] Step 2: The rule protocol layer entity of the first access network device configures the first SN of the rule protocol layer in the first rule protocol layer data packet according to the second allocation information.

[0360] For example, the second allocation information can be used to indicate the allocation criteria of the SNs of the rule protocol layer corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device, respectively.

[0361] In other words, the first access network device can assign a serial number (SN) to the data packet based on the second allocation information, so that the data packet receiver can reorder the data packet according to the SN and deliver the data packet in order.

[0362] For example, the second allocation information may include a third allocation criterion and a fourth allocation criterion.

[0363] The third allocation criterion can be the allocation criterion corresponding to the first access network device, and the fourth allocation criterion can be the allocation criterion corresponding to the second access network device.

[0364] In some embodiments, the third allocation criterion may be to obtain at least one first SN value based on a first initial value and / or a first superposition value, and the fourth allocation criterion may be to obtain at least one second SN value based on a second initial value and / or a second superposition value.

[0365] Optionally, the first superposition value is the interval between two adjacent first SN values, and the second superposition value is the interval between two adjacent second SN values. The first initial value and the second initial value are different, and the first superposition value and the second superposition value can be the same or different. For specific examples of the first initial value, the first superposition value, the first SN value, the first initial value, the first superposition value, and the second SN value, please refer to S601 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0366] Optionally, the first SN can be at least one first SN value. For example, if at least one first SN value includes 0, 2, and 4, then the first SN can include 0, 2, and 4.

[0367] In other embodiments, the third allocation criterion may indicate the range of values ​​for the SN of the rule protocol layer corresponding to the first access network device, and the fourth allocation criterion may indicate the range of values ​​for the SN of the rule protocol layer corresponding to the second access network device.

[0368] For example, assuming the maximum length of SN is 5, the third allocation criterion can indicate that the value range of SN is 0 to 2, and the fourth allocation criterion can indicate that the value range of SN is 3 to 4.

[0369] By using the above method, we can avoid assigning the same SN to different data packets by the first access network device and the second access network device, thereby ensuring that data packets are delivered in order.

[0370] Optionally, the first SN can be obtained according to the third allocation criterion. Assuming that the value range of the SN of the rule protocol layer corresponding to the first access network device is 0 to 2, then the first SN includes 0, 1, and 2.

[0371] Optionally, the first access network device can obtain the first SN in the first sequence protocol layer data packet. During the process of the first access network device sending the data packet to the core network element, it can sequentially assign the rule protocol layer SN to the data packet according to the SN of the sequence protocol layer.

[0372] For example, suppose the first sequence protocol layer data packets include data packets 0, 1, and 2, and data packets 0, 1, and 2 respectively include SN=0, SN=1, and SN=2 of the sequence protocol layer. The SNs of the rule protocol layer of the first access network device are SN=2, SN=3, and SN=4 in sequence. During the process of the first access network device forwarding data packets to the terminal device, the rule protocol layer entity of the first access network device can assign SN=2, SN=3, and SN=4 to data packets 0, 1, and 2 in sequence.

[0373] Step 3: The first access network device processes the first rule protocol layer data packets layer by layer through the second protocol layer entity to the L1 protocol layer entity, and then sends them to the core network element. The core network element receives the data packets, parses them layer by layer through the L1 protocol layer entity to the second protocol layer entity, and executes S603 and S604 as described below.

[0374] S603, the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element receives the first rule protocol layer data packet and the second rule protocol layer data packet.

[0375] Accordingly, the second protocol layer entity of the core network element sends the first rule protocol layer data packet and the second rule protocol layer data packet to the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element.

[0376] Combination Figure 4 Taking the IP protocol layer as an example, after the core network element receives data packets from the first access network device and the second access network device, the L1 protocol layer entity and the IP protocol layer entity parse the received data packets layer by layer to obtain the first rule protocol layer data packets and the second rule protocol layer data packets, and then pass them to the rule protocol layer entity.

[0377] For example, the first rule protocol layer data packet may include a first SN of the rule protocol layer, and the second rule protocol layer data packet may include a second SN of the rule protocol layer. The first SN and the second SN of the rule protocol layer may be assigned by the first access network device and the second access network device in steps two and five above, respectively.

[0378] For example, the first rule protocol layer data packets include data packets 0, 1, and 2, with sequence numbers SN=0, SN=1, and SN=2, respectively. The second rule protocol layer data packets include data packets 3 and 4, with sequence numbers SN=3 and SN=4, respectively.

[0379] In some embodiments, a core network element may send a second message to a first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device may receive the second message from the core network element. Optionally, the second message may be used to indicate whether to determine first allocation information. That is, the core network element may instruct the first access network device whether to exchange SN allocation criteria with the second access network device to avoid the first access network device and the second access network device assigning the same SN to the first rule protocol layer data packet and the second rule protocol layer data packet.

[0380] The specific implementation method of the first allocation information can be referred to in S601 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0381] Optionally, the second message may include second PDU session information and / or second QoS flow information.

[0382] For example, the second PDU session information can be used to indicate the configuration information of the PDU session. The second PDU session information may include whether the sequence protocol layer entity corresponding to the DRB associated with the PDU session determines the first allocation information with the second access network device.

[0383] For example, the second QoS flow information can be used to indicate the configuration information of the QoS flow. The second QoS flow information may include whether the sequence protocol layer entity corresponding to the DRB associated with the QoS flow determines the first allocation information with the second access network device.

[0384] In other words, core network elements can use the second PDU session information and / or the second QoS flow information to instruct the first access network device whether to negotiate the SN allocation criteria with the second access network device.

[0385] In one possible design, the communication method provided in this application embodiment may further include: a first access network device determining first allocation information. That is, the first access network device can determine the allocation criteria for the sequence protocol layer (SN) corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device, respectively.

[0386] Optionally, the first access network device may send a third message to the second access network device.

[0387] For example, the third message may include first allocation information. That is, the first access network device may send the first allocation information to the second access network device.

[0388] It should be noted that the first access network device and the second access network device can negotiate and determine the SN allocation criteria using other methods. For example, the first access network device can determine the SN allocation criteria for its corresponding sequence protocol layer and send these criteria to the second access network device. The second access network device can then determine its own SN allocation criteria for its corresponding sequence protocol layer based on these criteria. Alternatively, after receiving these criteria, the second access network device can send a suggested SN allocation criteria to the first access network device to ensure that the SNs for the sequence protocol layers corresponding to the first and second access network devices are different.

[0389] In some embodiments, the first access network device may determine the second allocation information based on the first allocation information.

[0390] For example, suppose the first allocation criterion in the first allocation information, i.e., the allocation criterion for the SN of the sequence protocol layer corresponding to the first access network device, is: a first initial value of 0, a first superposition value of 2, and at least one first SN value including 0, 0+2=2, and 2+2=4. The second allocation criterion in the first allocation information, the allocation criterion for the SN of the sequence protocol layer corresponding to the second access network device, is: a second initial value of 1, a second superposition value of 2, and at least one second SN value including 1 and 1+2=3. The third allocation criterion can follow the same rules as the first allocation criterion, and the fourth allocation criterion can follow the same rules as the second allocation criterion. For example, the third allocation criterion is: a first initial value of 0, a first superposition value of 2, and at least one first SN value including 0, 0+2=2, and 2+2=4. The fourth allocation criterion is: a second initial value of 1, a second superposition value of 2, and at least one second SN value including 1 and 1+2=3.

[0391] For example, suppose the first allocation criterion indicates that the value range of SN is 0 to 2, and the second allocation criterion indicates that the value range of SN is 3 to 4. The third allocation criterion may follow the same rules as the first allocation criterion, and the fourth allocation criterion may follow the same rules as the second allocation criterion. The third allocation criterion indicates that the value range of SN is 0 to 2, and the fourth allocation criterion indicates that the value range of SN is 3 to 4.

[0392] It should be noted that the value of SN in the third allocation criterion may be different from the value of SN in the first allocation criterion, and the value of SN in the fourth allocation criterion may be different from the value of SN in the second allocation criterion. For example, the value of SN in the first allocation criterion may be 0, 2, or 3, while the value of SN in the third allocation criterion may be 2, 3, or 4.

[0393] In other embodiments, the second message may include second allocation information. That is, unlike the first access network device determining the second allocation information based on the first allocation information, the second allocation information may be sent by the core network element to the first access network device.

[0394] In some embodiments, the first access network device may send second allocation information to the second access network device. Correspondingly, the second access network device may receive the second allocation information from the first access network device. That is, after obtaining the second allocation information, the first access network device may send it to other access network devices, so that different access network devices can allocate different SNs to different data packets. The data packet receiver can reorder the data packets according to the SN, enabling in-order delivery of data packets.

[0395] In other embodiments, the core network element can send second allocation information to the second access network device. Correspondingly, the second access network device can receive the second allocation information from the core network element. That is, the second access network device can obtain the second allocation information from the core network element.

[0396] In one possible design, the first access network device can determine the first allocation information based on the second allocation information. That is, after obtaining the second allocation information from the core network element, the first access network device can determine the allocation criteria for the sequence protocol layer (SN) corresponding to both the first and second access network devices. The specific implementation is similar to the above-described method where the first access network device can determine the second allocation information based on the first allocation information, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0397] S604, the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element sends the parsed first rule protocol layer data packet and the parsed second rule protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the rule protocol layer entity in the order of the first SN and the second SN of the rule protocol layer.

[0398] For example, consider a core network element whose rule protocol layer is preceded by a PDU protocol layer. Assume the first rule protocol layer data packets include data packets 0, 1, and 2, with sequence numbers SN=0, SN=1, and SN=2, respectively. The second rule protocol layer data packets include data packets 3 and 4, with sequence numbers SN=3 and SN=4, respectively. The core network element can parse these data packets, resulting in data packets 0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, and 4-1, respectively. The core network element can then sort these data packets in ascending order of their sequence numbers (SNs), such as data packets 0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, and 4-1, and transmit them to the PDU protocol layer entity.

[0399] In one possible design, the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element can obtain the third ordering information corresponding to the second service quality (QoS) flow.

[0400] For example, the second QoS stream can be used to transmit rule protocol layer packets.

[0401] For example, the QoS parameters corresponding to the second QoS flow may include third-ordering information corresponding to the second QoS flow. For instance, the QoS parameters corresponding to the second QoS flow may include in-order delivery of data packets, out-of-order delivery of data packets, or no in-order delivery of data packets.

[0402] For a detailed explanation of out-of-order data packet delivery, please refer to S404 above; it will not be repeated here.

[0403] For example, third-order information can be used to indicate whether received rule protocol layer packets are reordered in ascending order of SN.

[0404] Specifically, if the third sorting information indicates yes, then after receiving the rule protocol layer data packet, the data packet is sorted according to the order of the SN in the rule protocol layer data packet, which can ensure the requirement of delivering data packets in order. Otherwise, the received rule protocol layer data packets do not need to be sorted.

[0405] In other words, core network elements can obtain third-ordering information from the QoS parameters corresponding to the second QoS flow. When the QoS parameters corresponding to the second QoS flow include in-order delivery of data packets, it means that the received data packets need to be ordered; when the QoS parameters corresponding to the second QoS flow do not include in-order delivery of data packets, or include out-of-order delivery of data packets, it means that the received data packets do not need to be ordered.

[0406] In some embodiments, if the third sorting information is the second value, the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element can send the parsed first rule protocol layer data packet and the parsed second rule protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the rule protocol layer entity in ascending order of the first SN and the second SN. The second value is as described in S404 above and will not be repeated here.

[0407] For example, when the QoS parameters corresponding to the second QoS flow include ordered delivery of data packets, the core network element can sort the received data packets in ascending order of SN, such as data packet 0, data packet 1, data packet 2, data packet 3, and data packet 4, and pass them to the next protocol layer entity (such as the PDU protocol layer entity).

[0408] In other words, the core network element can determine whether the second QoS flow requires in-order delivery of data packets. If so, it will sort the received data packets in ascending order of SN and pass them to the next protocol layer entity to ensure the requirement of in-order delivery.

[0409] In some embodiments, when the third sorting information is the second value, and the time that the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element waits for the lost rule protocol layer data packet is greater than or equal to the third sorting window information, the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element can send the received rule protocol layer data packet to the previous protocol layer entity in an ascending order of SN.

[0410] For example, third-order window information can be used to indicate the maximum time to wait for lost rule protocol layer packets.

[0411] For example, if the rule protocol layer entity of a core network element has received data packet 0 with SN 0 and data packet 2 with SN 2, but has not received data packet 1 with SN 1, it can wait for data packet 1. If the waiting time for data packet 1 is greater than the third sorting window information (e.g., 2 milliseconds), and data packet 1 has still not been received, data packets 0 and 2 can be directly delivered to the upper protocol layer entity of the rule protocol layer in ascending order of SN to further improve the data transmission rate.

[0412] Optionally, the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element receives the lost rule protocol layer data packet and sends the lost rule protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the rule protocol layer entity.

[0413] In other words, after the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element has received the rule protocol layer data packet, it can pass the received rule protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the rule protocol layer entity. If it receives a lost rule protocol layer data packet, it can pass the lost rule protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the rule protocol layer entity to complete the data transmission.

[0414] It should be noted that the lost completion data packet may include one or more data packets. When multiple data packets are included, they may be sorted in ascending order of SN, or they may not be sorted. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0415] based on Figure 6 The communication method shown involves the terminal device's sequence protocol layer entity sending different data packets to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device, respectively. The terminal device then transmits the data packets to the first and second access network devices via the Uu interface, thereby achieving data packet splitting and transmission to the core network element. This can improve the data transmission rate and avoid forwarding data through the Xn interface, thus reducing latency during data transmission and meeting the requirements for high-speed and low-latency data transmission.

[0416] Furthermore, the terminal device assigns different SNs at the sequence protocol layer to different data packets according to the first allocation information. The access network device receives the data packets and assigns different SNs at the rule protocol layer to different data packets according to the second allocation information. Then, the core network element receives the data packets and sorts them according to the SN, which can realize the sequential delivery of data packets to the upper layer.

[0417] Figure 7 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 4 . Figure 7 This paper illustrates the method using a core network element as the data sender and a terminal device as the data receiver as an example. This communication method is applicable to... Figure 1 Communication between any two nodes shown.

[0418] like Figure 7 As shown, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0419] S701, the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element configures the third SN of the rule protocol layer in the third rule protocol layer data packet according to the second allocation information, and configures the fourth SN of the rule protocol layer in the fourth rule protocol layer data packet.

[0420] For example, assuming that data packet 1 and data packet 2 are passed to the rule protocol layer entity in sequence, SN=1 can be configured in the header of data packet 1 to ensure that SNs are stacked sequentially, and SN=2 can be configured in the header of data packet 2.

[0421] It should be noted that the third and fourth rule protocol layer data packets are data packets sent by core network elements as data senders. The third rule protocol layer data packet can be referred to as the third data packet of the rule protocol layer, and the fourth rule protocol layer data packet can be referred to as the fourth data packet of the rule protocol layer. The third and fourth data packets are not the same; the third data packet may include one or more data packets, and the fourth data packet may also include one or more data packets. The third SN corresponds to the first rule protocol layer data packet, and the fourth SN may include one or more SNs. The third SN corresponds to the second rule protocol layer data packet, and the fourth SN may include one or more SNs.

[0422] Combination Figure 4 The rule protocol layer of the core network element can be the GTP protocol layer.

[0423] For example, the second allocation information can be used to indicate the allocation criteria for the SNs of the rule protocol layer corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device, respectively. For a specific implementation of the second allocation information, please refer to step two above.

[0424] In some embodiments, the core network element may send a second message to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device may receive the second message from the core network element. Specific implementation details can be found in S603 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0425] In one possible design, the communication method provided in this application embodiment may further include: core network elements generating second allocation information.

[0426] Optionally, the second message may include second allocation information. That is, the core network element may send the second allocation information to the first access network device so that the first access network device can allocate a serial number (SN) for the data packets when transmitting data packets to the core network element.

[0427] Optionally, the core network element can send second allocation information to the second access network device. This allows the second access network device's core network element to assign a serial number (SN) to data packets based on the second allocation information when transmitting data packets, preventing the first and second access network devices from assigning the same SN to different data packets.

[0428] Alternatively, the first access network device may send the second allocation information to the second access network device.

[0429] In one possible design, the above S701 may include: the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element configuring the third SN of the rule protocol layer in the third rule protocol layer data packet and configuring the fourth SN of the rule protocol layer in the fourth rule protocol layer data packet according to the second allocation information and SN information.

[0430] In other words, the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element can configure different SNs in different data packets of the rule protocol layer according to the SN information, so that the receiver can reorder the data packets according to the SN in the data packets and deliver the data packets in order.

[0431] For example, assuming the SN information indicates that the length of the SN in the rule protocol layer is 5, the rule protocol layer of the core network element can sequentially assign SN=0, SN=1, SN=2, SN=3, and SN=4 to data packets. After assigning SN=4 to a data packet, there are still other data packets that have not been assigned SNs, and SNs can be assigned to the other data packets sequentially starting from SN=0.

[0432] S702, the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element sends a third rule protocol layer data packet to the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device, and sends a fourth rule protocol layer data packet to the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device.

[0433] It should be noted that in the above S702, the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device are both located on the core network element side.

[0434] Combination Figure 4Assuming that the IP protocol layer of the core network element is the third protocol layer of the core network element, the first IP protocol layer entity corresponds to the first access network device, and the second IP protocol layer entity corresponds to the second access network device, then the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element can send rule protocol layer data packets 0, 1, and 2 to the first IP protocol layer entity, and send rule protocol layer data packets 3, 4, and 5 to the second IP protocol layer entity.

[0435] In one possible design, S701 may include: when the third diversion indication information is a first value, and the amount of data to be sent by the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element is greater than or equal to a third threshold, the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element may send a third rule protocol layer data packet to the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device, and send a fourth rule protocol layer data packet to the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. The first value is as described in S402 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0436] For example, the third routing indication information can be used to indicate whether the rule protocol layer entity supports sending different data packets to the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device.

[0437] In other words, the third diversion indication information can be used to indicate whether the rule protocol layer entity supports diversion of data packets.

[0438] For example, the third protocol layer is the protocol layer below the rules protocol layer. Figure 3 Taking the protocol architecture diagram shown as an example, the next protocol layer after the rule protocol layer (GTP protocol layer) of the core network element is the IP protocol layer, the third protocol layer can be the IP protocol layer, and the third protocol layer entity can be the IP protocol layer entity.

[0439] Specifically, the IP protocol layer can create one or more IP protocol layer entities, and each IP protocol layer entity can correspond one-to-one with an access network device. Assume the IP protocol layer creates a first IP protocol layer entity and a second IP protocol layer entity, with the first IP protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the second IP protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. Then, the rule protocol layer entity can send data packets 0, 1, and 2 to the first IP protocol layer entity, and data packets 3 and 4 to the second IP protocol layer entity.

[0440] Optionally, the third routing indication information can be used to indicate whether the rule protocol layer entity supports sending different data packets to at least two third protocol layer entities corresponding to at least two access network devices.

[0441] For example, the third threshold can be used to indicate a threshold value for the amount of data to be sent. That is, the third threshold can be used to indicate a threshold value for the amount of data that the rule protocol layer entity will split.

[0442] For example, if the amount of data to be sent is greater than or equal to the third threshold, the rule protocol layer entity sends different data packets to the third protocol layer entities corresponding to different access network devices to improve the data transmission rate. Otherwise, the rule protocol layer entity sends data packets to the third protocol layer entity corresponding to one access network device, which can be a primary access network device or a secondary access network device, and can be pre-configured; this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0443] In other words, when the rule protocol layer entity is configured to enable the traffic splitting function, and the amount of data to be sent is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the rule protocol layer entity can send different data packets to different third protocol layer entities corresponding to different access network devices. Then, the core network element sends different data packets to different access network devices through the N3 interface, realizing the traffic splitting of data packets to the terminal device. This can improve the data transmission rate, eliminate the need for forwarding through the Xn interface between access network devices, and reduce the latency during data transmission.

[0444] In one possible design, the rule protocol layer data packet can be processed layer by layer from the rule protocol layer entity to the L1 protocol layer entity, and then sent to the corresponding first access network device or second access network device through the Uu interface. Accordingly, the first access network device receives the data packet, parses it layer by layer from the L1 protocol layer entity to the third protocol layer entity, and executes steps four through six below. The second access network device, after receiving the data packet, can perform similar functions to the first access network device, as described in steps four through six below, which will not be repeated here.

[0445] Step four: The rule protocol layer entity of the first access network device receives the third rule protocol layer data packet from the third protocol layer entity of the first access network device.

[0446] Specifically, the rule protocol layer of the first access network device corresponds to the rule protocol layer of the core network element, the third protocol layer of the first access network device corresponds to the third protocol layer of the core network element, and the data packets of the third rule protocol layer include the third SN of the rule protocol layer.

[0447] Step 5: The sequence protocol layer entity of the first access network device configures the third SN of the sequence protocol layer in the third sequence protocol layer data packet according to the first allocation information.

[0448] The specific implementation method of the first allocation information can be referred to in S601 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0449] In other words, the first access network device can assign a serial number (SN) to the data packet based on the first allocation information, so that the data packet receiver can reorder the data packet according to the SN and deliver the data packet in order.

[0450] Optionally, the third SN can be at least one first SN value. For example, if at least one first SN value includes 0, 2, and 4, then the third SN can include 0, 2, and 4.

[0451] Optionally, the third SN can be obtained according to the first allocation criterion. Assuming that the value range of the SN of the sequence protocol layer corresponding to the first access network device is 0 to 2, then the third SN includes 0, 1, and 2.

[0452] For example, suppose the third rule protocol layer data packets include data packet 0, data packet 1, and data packet 2, and data packets 0, 1, and 2 respectively include rule protocol layer SN=0, SN=1, and SN=2. The sequence protocol layer SNs of the first access network device are SN=2, SN=3, and SN=4 in sequence. During the process of the first access network device forwarding data packets to the terminal device, the sequence protocol layer entity of the first access network device can assign SN=2, SN=3, and SN=4 to data packets 0, 1, and 2 in sequence.

[0453] Step six: The first access network device processes the third sequence protocol layer data packets layer by layer through the second protocol layer entity to the L1 protocol layer entity, and sends them to the terminal device. The terminal device receives the data packets, parses the data packets layer by layer through the L1 protocol layer entity to the second protocol layer entity, and executes the following S703 and S704.

[0454] S703, the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device receives the third sequence protocol layer data packet and the fourth sequence protocol layer data packet from the second protocol layer entity of the terminal device.

[0455] Accordingly, the second protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends the third sequence protocol layer data packet and the fourth sequence protocol layer data packet to the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device.

[0456] Combination Figure 4 Taking the PDCP protocol layer as an example, after the terminal device receives data packets from the first access network device and the second access network device, the L1 protocol layer entity and the PDCP protocol layer entity parse the received data packets layer by layer to obtain the third sequence protocol layer data packets and the fourth sequence protocol layer data packets, and then pass them to the sequence protocol layer entity.

[0457] For example, a third sequence protocol layer data packet may include a third sequence protocol layer SN, and a fourth sequence protocol layer data packet may include a fourth sequence protocol layer SN. The third and fourth sequence protocol layer SNs may be assigned to the data packets by the core network elements in S701 above.

[0458] For example, the third sequence layer data packets include data packets 0, 1, and 2, with sequence numbers SN=0, SN=1, and SN=2, respectively. The fourth sequence layer data packets include data packets 3 and 4, with sequence numbers SN=3 and SN=4, respectively.

[0459] In one possible design, the communication method provided in this application embodiment may further include: a terminal device receiving a fourth message from a first access network device.

[0460] The specific implementation of the fourth message can be found in S601 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0461] S704, the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends the parsed third sequence protocol layer data packet and the parsed fourth sequence protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the sequence protocol layer entity in the order of the SN in the third SN and the fourth SN.

[0462] For example, the protocol layer above the sequence protocol layer of the terminal device can be the PDU protocol layer. The terminal device can sort the data packets in ascending order of SN and pass them to the PDU protocol layer entity. A specific example is similar to that in S604 above, where the protocol layer above the traffic splitting protocol layer of the core network element is the PDU protocol layer, and the core network element sorts the data packets in ascending order of SN and passes them to the PDU protocol layer entity; further details will not be repeated here.

[0463] It should be noted that the embodiments of this application do not limit the sorting method of data packets by the terminal device. Generally, it is the same as the way the data packet sender assigns a serial number (SN) to the data packet.

[0464] In some embodiments, if the second reordering information is a second value, the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device can send the parsed third sequence protocol layer data packet and the parsed fourth sequence protocol layer data packet to the previous sequence protocol layer entity in an ascending order of the SNs in the third and fourth SNs. The second value is as described in S404 above and will not be repeated here.

[0465] Thus, if there is a need to deliver data packets in order, the terminal device can sort the received data packets in ascending order of SN and pass them to the next protocol layer entity to ensure the need for delivery in order.

[0466] In some embodiments, when the second reordering information is a second value, and the time the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device waits for the lost sequence protocol layer data packet is greater than or equal to the second reordering window information, the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device can send the received sequence protocol layer data packet to the previous protocol layer entity in an ascending manner according to the sequence protocol layer SN order.

[0467] For example, if the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device has received data packet 0 with SN 0 and data packet 2 with SN 2, but has not received data packet 1 with SN 1, it can wait for data packet 1. If the waiting time for data packet 1 is greater than the second reordering window information (e.g., 2 milliseconds), and data packet 1 has still not been received, data packets 0 and 2 can be directly delivered to the previous protocol layer entity of the sequence protocol layer in ascending order of SN to further improve the data transmission rate.

[0468] Optionally, the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device receives the lost sequence protocol layer data packet and sends the lost sequence protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the sequence protocol layer entity.

[0469] In other words, after the terminal device's sequence protocol layer entity transmits the received sequence protocol layer data packets to the previous protocol layer entity, if it receives a lost sequence protocol layer data packet, it can transmit the lost sequence protocol layer data packet to the previous protocol layer entity for data transmission.

[0470] It should be noted that the lost sequence protocol layer data packets may include one or more data packets. When multiple data packets are included, they may be sorted in ascending order of SN, or they may not be sorted. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0471] based on Figure 7 The communication method shown involves the core network element's rule protocol layer entity sending different data packets to the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the third protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device, respectively. Then, the core network element transmits the data packets to the first and second access network devices through the Uu interface, realizing data packet diversion and transmission to the terminal device. This can improve the data transmission rate and avoid forwarding data through the Xn interface, thereby reducing the latency during data transmission and meeting the requirements of high data transmission rate and low latency.

[0472] Furthermore, the core network element assigns different sequence numbers (SNs) to different data packets according to the second allocation information. The access network device receives the data packets and assigns different sequence numbers (SNs) to different data packets according to the first allocation information. Then, the terminal device receives the data packets and sorts them according to the SNs, which can enable the data packets to be delivered to the upper layer in order.

[0473] It is understood that, in order to achieve the functions in the above embodiments, the core network elements, access network devices, and terminal devices include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to perform each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and method steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Whether a function is executed in hardware, software, or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0474] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 1 .

[0475] In one possible implementation, the communication device 800 can be a terminal device capable of implementing... Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 ,or Figure 7 The terminal device side method in the method embodiment shown; the communication device 800 can also be a device that can support the terminal device to implement the method, and the communication device 800 can be installed in the terminal device or used in conjunction with the terminal device.

[0476] In another possible implementation, the communication device 800 can be a core network element, capable of implementing... Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 ,or Figure 7 The method embodiment shown is a core network element-side method; the communication device 800 can also be a device that supports the core network element in implementing the method, and the communication device 800 can be installed in the core network element or used in conjunction with the core network element.

[0477] In another possible implementation, the communication device 800 can be an access network device capable of achieving... Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 ,or Figure 7The method embodiment shown is a method on the first access network device or the second access network device side; the communication device 800 can also be a device that can support the first access network device or the second access network device to implement the method. The communication device 800 can be installed in the first access network device or the second access network device, or used in conjunction with the first access network device or the second access network device.

[0478] The communication device 800 can be a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module. The communication device 800 can be implemented using a chip system. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. The communication device 800 includes a processing module 810 and a communication module 820. The processing module 810 can generate a signal to be transmitted and can transmit the signal using the communication module 820. The processing module 810 can receive signals using the communication module 820 and process the received signals. The processing module 810 and the communication module 820 are coupled.

[0479] The coupling in this application embodiment is an indirect coupling or connection between devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The coupling can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0480] In the embodiments of this application, the communication module may be a circuit, module, bus, interface, transceiver, pin, or other device that can realize the function of transmitting and receiving. The embodiments of this application do not impose any restrictions.

[0481] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 .

[0482] In one possible implementation, the communication device 900 may be a terminal device capable of implementing the terminal device-side method provided in the embodiments of this application; the communication device 900 may also be a device capable of supporting the terminal device to implement the method, such as a chip system, and the communication device 900 may be installed in the terminal device or used in conjunction with the terminal device.

[0483] In another possible implementation, the communication device 900 may be an access network device capable of implementing the network-side method provided in the embodiments of this application; the communication device 900 may also be a device capable of supporting the access network device to implement the method, such as a chip system, and the communication device 900 may be installed in the access network device or used in conjunction with the access network device.

[0484] In another possible implementation, the communication device 900 may be a core network element capable of implementing the network-side method provided in the embodiments of this application; the communication device 900 may also be a device capable of supporting the core network element to implement the method, such as a chip system, and the communication device 900 may be installed in the core network element or used in conjunction with the core network element.

[0485] like Figure 9 As shown, the communication device 900 includes a processor 910 and an interface circuit 920. The processor 910 and the interface circuit 920 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 920 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 900 may also include a memory 930 for storing instructions that can be executed by the processor 910, storing input data required by the processor 910 to execute instructions, and / or storing data generated after the processor 910 executes instructions.

[0486] When the communication device 900 is used to achieve Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 ,or Figure 7 In the method shown, the processor 910 is used to perform the functions of the processing module 810, and the interface circuit 920 is used to perform the functions of the communication module 820.

[0487] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a terminal device, the terminal device chip implements the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The terminal device chip receives information from other modules (such as an RF module or antenna) in the terminal device, the information being sent to the terminal device by the network device; or, the terminal device chip sends information to other modules (such as an RF module or antenna) in the terminal device, the information being sent to the network device by the terminal device.

[0488] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to an access network device, the access network device chip implements the functions of the access network device in the above method embodiments. The access network device chip receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, which is sent to the access network device by the terminal device or core network elements; or, the access network device chip sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the access network device, which is sent to the terminal device or core network elements by the access network device.

[0489] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a network device, the network device chip implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The network device chip receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, which is information sent from the terminal device to the network device; or, the network device chip sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, which is information sent from the network device to the terminal device.

[0490] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or it can be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0491] In embodiments of this application, the processor may be a random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), register, hard disk, portable hard disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium may reside in an ASIC. Furthermore, the ASIC may reside in a core network element, access network device, or terminal device. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium may exist as discrete components in a core network element, access network device, or terminal device.

[0492] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a core network element, an access network device, a terminal device, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted through the computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a DVD; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive (SSD).

[0493] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0494] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The core network element's traffic splitting protocol layer entity receives a first traffic splitting protocol layer data packet and a second traffic splitting protocol layer data packet from a first protocol layer entity; wherein, the first traffic splitting protocol layer data packet includes a first sequence number (SN) of the traffic splitting protocol layer, and the second traffic splitting protocol layer data packet includes a second SN of the traffic splitting protocol layer, and the traffic splitting protocol layer is a protocol layer above the General Packet Tunneling Protocol (GTP) protocol layer; wherein, there is a lost traffic splitting protocol layer data packet between the first traffic splitting protocol layer data packet and the second traffic splitting protocol layer data packet, the lost traffic splitting protocol layer data packet includes a lost sequence number (SN), the first SN, the lost sequence number (SN), and the second SN constitute a continuously increasing sequence number sequence, and the first SN and the second SN are non-consecutive sequence numbers; The core network element's traffic splitting protocol layer entity obtains the first reordering information corresponding to the first QoS flow; wherein, the first QoS flow is used to transmit the traffic splitting protocol layer data packets; wherein, the first reordering information is used to indicate whether to reorder the received traffic splitting protocol layer data packets in ascending order of the SN. When the first reordering information is the second value, and the time for the core network element's traffic splitting protocol layer entity to wait for lost traffic splitting protocol layer data packets is greater than or equal to the first reordering window information, the core network element's traffic splitting protocol layer entity sends the received traffic splitting protocol layer data packets to the previous protocol layer entity in ascending order of the SN; wherein, the first reordering window information is used to indicate the maximum time for waiting for lost traffic splitting protocol layer data packets. When the first sorting information is not the second value, and the time that the core network element's traffic splitting protocol layer entity waits for the lost traffic splitting protocol layer data packet is greater than or equal to the first sorting window information, the core network element's traffic splitting protocol layer entity sends the received traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the traffic splitting protocol layer entity.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The core network element generates first configuration information, which is used to configure the offloading protocol layer of the terminal device. The offloading protocol layer of the terminal device corresponds to the offloading protocol layer of the core network element.

3. The communication method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first configuration information includes first traffic splitting indication information and / or a first threshold. The first traffic splitting indication information is used to indicate whether the traffic splitting protocol layer entity supports sending different data packets to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. The first threshold is used to indicate a threshold value for the amount of data to be sent.

4. The communication method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first configuration information also includes one or more of the following: first service quality (QoS) flow information, first protocol data unit (PDU) session information, and first data radio bearer (DRB) information.

5. The communication method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first QoS flow information is used to indicate the QoS flow identifier corresponding to the traffic splitting protocol layer entity, the first PDU session information is used to indicate the PDU session identifier corresponding to the traffic splitting protocol layer entity, and the first DRB information is used to indicate the DRB identifier corresponding to the traffic splitting protocol layer entity.

6. The communication method according to any one of claims 2-5, characterized in that, Also includes: The core network element sends a first message; wherein the first message includes the first configuration information, and the first message is used to instruct the terminal device to determine the traffic offloading protocol layer according to the first configuration information.

7. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The first protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends a third and a fourth off-promotion protocol layer data packet to the off-promotion protocol layer entity of the terminal device. The third off-promotion protocol layer data packet includes a third sequence number (SN) of the off-promotion protocol layer, and the fourth off-promotion protocol layer data packet includes a fourth SN of the off-promotion protocol layer. The off-promotion protocol layer is a protocol layer above the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer, and is determined based on first configuration information. The first configuration information includes one or more of the following: first Quality of Service (QoS) flow information, first Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session information, and first Data Radio Bearer (DRB) information. There is a lost off-promotion protocol layer data packet between the third and fourth off-promotion protocol layer data packets. The lost off-promotion protocol layer data packet includes a lost sequence number (SN). The third SN, the lost sequence number (SN), and the fourth SN constitute a continuously increasing sequence number sequence. The third SN and the fourth SN are two non-consecutive sequence numbers. When the first reordering information is the second value, and the time the terminal device's traffic splitting protocol layer entity waits for lost traffic splitting protocol layer data packets is greater than or equal to the first reordering window information, the terminal device's traffic splitting protocol layer entity sends the received traffic splitting protocol layer data packets to the previous protocol layer entity in ascending order of the SN; wherein, the first reordering information is used to indicate whether the received traffic splitting protocol layer data packets are reordered in ascending order of the SN; the first reordering window information is used to indicate the maximum time for waiting for lost traffic splitting protocol layer data packets. When the first reordering information is not the second value, and the time that the terminal device's traffic splitting protocol layer entity waits for the lost traffic splitting protocol layer data packet is greater than or equal to the first reordering window information, the terminal device's traffic splitting protocol layer entity sends the received traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the traffic splitting protocol layer entity.

8. The communication method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first configuration information also includes first traffic splitting indication information and / or first threshold. The first traffic splitting indication information is used to indicate whether the traffic splitting protocol layer entity supports sending different data packets to the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the first protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device. The first threshold is used to indicate a threshold value for the amount of data to be sent.

9. The communication method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first QoS flow information is used to indicate the QoS flow identifier corresponding to the traffic splitting protocol layer entity, the first PDU session information is used to indicate the PDU session identifier corresponding to the traffic splitting protocol layer entity, and the first DRB information is used to indicate the DRB identifier corresponding to the traffic splitting protocol layer entity.

10. The communication method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends a third and a fourth traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the traffic splitting protocol layer entity of the terminal device, including: The first protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends the third traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the traffic splitting protocol layer entity of the terminal device according to the first QoS flow information, the first PDU session information, or the first DRB information. The first protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends the fourth traffic splitting protocol layer data packet to the traffic splitting protocol layer entity of the terminal device according to the first QoS flow information, the first PDU session information, or the first DRB information.

11. The communication method according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that, Also includes: The terminal device receives a first message; wherein the first message includes the first configuration information, and the first message is used to instruct the terminal device to determine the traffic splitting protocol layer according to the first configuration information.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The core network element's rule protocol layer entity receives a first rule protocol layer data packet and a second rule protocol layer data packet; wherein, the first rule protocol layer data packet includes a first sequence number (SN) of the rule protocol layer, and the second rule protocol layer data packet includes a second SN of the rule protocol layer; the core network element's rule protocol layer entity sends the parsed first rule protocol layer data packet and the parsed second rule protocol layer data packet to the previous protocol layer entity in an ascending order of the SNs in the first and second rule protocol layer data packets; wherein, there is a lost rule protocol layer data packet between the first and second rule protocol layer data packets, the lost rule protocol layer data packet includes a lost sequence number (SN), the first SN, the lost sequence number (SN), and the second SN constitute a continuously ascending sequence number sequence, and the first SN and the second SN are two non-consecutive sequence numbers; The rule protocol layer entity of the core network element obtains the third reordering information corresponding to the second QoS flow; wherein, the second QoS flow is used to transmit the rule protocol layer data packets, and the third reordering information is used to indicate whether the received rule protocol layer data packets are reordered in ascending order of the SN. When the third sorting information is the second value, and the time that the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element waits for lost rule protocol layer data packets is greater than or equal to the third sorting window information, the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element sends the received rule protocol layer data packets to the protocol layer entity above it in ascending order of the SN; wherein, the third sorting window information is used to indicate the maximum time for waiting for lost rule protocol layer data packets. When the third sorting information is not the second value, and the time that the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element waits for the lost rule protocol layer data packet is greater than or equal to the first sorting window information, the rule protocol layer entity of the core network element sends the received diversion protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the rule protocol layer entity.

13. The communication method according to claim 12, characterized in that, Also includes: The core network element sends a second message to the first access network device; wherein the second message is used to indicate whether to determine the first allocation information, and the first allocation information is used to indicate the allocation criteria of the sequence protocol layer SN corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device respectively.

14. The communication method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The second message includes second protocol data unit (PDU) session information and / or second QoS flow information; The second PDU session information is used to indicate the configuration information of the PDU session. The second PDU session information includes whether the sequence protocol layer entity corresponding to the data radio bearer (DRB) associated with the PDU session has determined the first allocation information with the second access network device. The second QoS flow information is used to indicate the configuration information of the QoS flow. The second QoS flow information includes whether the sequence protocol layer entity corresponding to the DRB associated with the QoS flow has determined the first allocation information with the second access network device.

15. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device receives a third sequence protocol layer data packet and a fourth sequence protocol layer data packet from the second protocol layer entity of the terminal device; wherein, the third sequence protocol layer data packet includes the third sequence number SN of the sequence protocol layer, and the fourth sequence protocol layer data packet includes the fourth SN of the sequence protocol layer; The terminal device's sequence protocol layer entity sends parsed third sequence protocol layer data packets and parsed fourth sequence protocol layer data packets to the previous sequence protocol layer entity in an ascending order of the third and fourth sequence protocol layer data packets; wherein, there is a lost sequence protocol layer data packet between the third and fourth sequence protocol layer data packets, the lost sequence protocol layer data packet includes a lost sequence number SN, the third SN, the lost sequence number SN, and the fourth SN constitute a continuously ascending sequence number sequence, and the third SN and the fourth SN are two non-consecutive sequence numbers; The terminal device receives a fourth message from the first access network device; wherein the fourth message is used to instruct the configuration of the sequence protocol layer, and the fourth message includes one or more of the following: first allocation information, second traffic splitting instruction information, second threshold, second reordering information, and second reordering window information; The second reordering information is used to indicate whether the received sequence protocol layer data packets are reordered in ascending order of the SN, and the second reordering window information is used to indicate the maximum time to wait for lost sequence protocol layer data packets. When the second reordering information is the second value, and the time that the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device waits for the lost sequence protocol layer data packet is greater than or equal to the second reordering window information, the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends the received sequence protocol layer data packet to the previous protocol layer entity in the order of increasing sequence protocol layer SN. When the second reordering information is not the second value, and the time that the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device waits for the lost sequence protocol layer data packet is greater than or equal to the first reordering window information, the sequence protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends the received diversion protocol layer data packet to the protocol layer entity above the sequence protocol layer entity.

16. The communication method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first allocation information includes a first allocation criterion and a second allocation criterion; wherein, the first allocation criterion is the allocation criterion corresponding to the first access network device, and the second allocation criterion is the allocation criterion corresponding to the second access network device.

17. The communication method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first allocation criterion is to obtain at least one first SN value based on a first initial value and / or a first superposition value, wherein the first superposition value is the interval between two adjacent first SN values. The second allocation criterion is to obtain at least one second SN value based on a second initial value and / or a second superposition value, wherein the second superposition value is the interval between two adjacent second SN values. The first initial value and the second initial value are not the same.

18. The communication method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first allocation criterion indicates the range of values ​​for the SN of the sequence protocol layer corresponding to the first access network device, and the second allocation criterion indicates the range of values ​​for the SN of the sequence protocol layer corresponding to the second access network device.

19. The communication method according to any one of claims 16-18, characterized in that, The second diversion indication information is used to indicate whether the sequence protocol layer entity supports sending different data packets to the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the first access network device and the second protocol layer entity corresponding to the second access network device, and the second threshold is used to indicate the threshold value of the amount of data to be sent.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 7 to 11, or claims 15 to 19.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, or claims 12 to 14.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and a memory, the processor and the memory being coupled, the processor being used to control the device to implement the method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, or claims 15 to 19.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and a memory, the processor and the memory being coupled, the processor being used to control the device to implement the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 or 12 to 14.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices besides the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices besides the communication device. The processor is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 7 to 11 or claims 15 to 19 through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices besides the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices besides the communication device. The processor is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 or claims 12 to 14 through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 7 to 11 or 15 to 19.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 or 12 to 14.

28. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes instructions that, when executed, implement the method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11 or 15 to 19.

29. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes instructions that, when executed, implement the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 or 12 to 14.

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