Communication method and device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus that can reduce air interface overhead. The method is applied to an access network device or a chip supporting an access network device, and includes: receiving a first data packet from a first core network device, receiving a first message from a terminal device, and sending a first group of sub-data packets to the terminal device based on the first message and the first data packet. The first data packet includes one or more groups of sub-data packets; the first message is used to request the first group of sub-data packets, the first message includes characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets, and the first group of sub-data packets is a group of sub-data packets within the one or more groups of sub-data packets.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Currently, more and more businesses rely on virtual reality (VR) technology. VR technology mainly refers to simulating a virtual environment to give users an immersive feeling of "being there". Specifically, by rendering visual and audio scenes, the visual and audio stimulation of the user in the real world is simulated as much as possible, so that the user can be immersed in the simulated virtual environment. In one example, the user can wear a terminal device such as a head mounted display (HMD), and then the user's field of view is replaced by the simulated visual components in the terminal device. The user can also wear headphones, and then the audio that comes with the headphones is provided to the user. In addition, the user's movements can be tracked, for example, the rotation angle of the user's head HMD can be tracked, so that the simulated visual and audio content can be updated in time, so that the visual and audio content experienced by the user is consistent with the user's movements.

[0003] For example, a user-friendly display (HMD) is a terminal device. Typically, a base station provides panoramic image data to the HMD. The HMD then selects a specific field of view (FOV) from the panoramic image data based on the user's head rotation angle and displays content based on this data. This means that even though the user only needs a portion of the panoramic image data, the base station still needs to send the entire panoramic image data to the HMD, increasing air interface overhead. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus that can reduce air interface overhead during VR services.

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method is performed by an access network device or a module within the access network device. The method is described herein using the access network device as the example. The method includes receiving a first data packet from a first core network device, receiving a first message from a terminal device, and sending a first group of sub-data packets to the terminal device based on the first message and the first data packet. The first data packet includes one or more groups of sub-data packets; the first message is used to request the first group of sub-data packets, the first message includes characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets, and the first group of sub-data packets is one of the one or more groups of sub-data packets.

[0006] In the communication method provided by the present application, the base station no longer sends a panoramic image to the terminal device, but instead sends a sub-data packet corresponding to the portion of the image required by the terminal device in the panoramic image to the terminal device. The amount of data sent by the base station is reduced, thereby reducing the air interface resource consumption of the base station and improving network capacity.

[0007] In one possible design, the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets includes any one or more of the following: viewing angle information of the first group of sub-data packets, an identifier of the first group of sub-data packets, an image type of a frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets, an encoding type of a frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets, an identifier of a frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets, and a frame type of a frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets.

[0008] In one possible design, the first data packet also includes characteristic information of one or more groups of sub-data packets.

[0009] In one possible design, the first group of sub-data packets corresponding to the first characteristic information are carried in a first quality of service QoS flow, and the second group of sub-data packets corresponding to the second characteristic information are carried in a second QoS flow; or, the first group of sub-data packets corresponding to the first characteristic information are carried in a first session, and the first group of sub-data packets corresponding to the second characteristic information are carried in a second session.

[0010] Specifically, the first core network device implicitly indicates the characteristic information of different sub-packets to the access network device. This eliminates the need for the first core network device to encapsulate the characteristic information within the first packet, thereby reducing transmission overhead. Furthermore, the access network device can determine the characteristic information of the sub-packets received on the current QoS flow based on the configured associations, without having to parse the first packet from the first core network device. This reduces the parsing burden on the base station. Consequently, the implementation complexity of both the access network device and the first core network device can be reduced.

[0011] In one possible design, the method also includes: receiving first indication information from a second core network device, the first indication information being used to indicate characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and an identifier of a first QoS flow associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets; or, the first indication information includes the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and an identifier of a first session associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets.

[0012] That is, the second core network device needs to configure multiple QoS flow identifiers and characteristic information associated with each of the multiple QoS flows for the terminal device in advance, so that the terminal device can subsequently identify the characteristic information of sub-data packets on different QoS flows according to the configuration.

[0013] In one possible design, the method further includes: sending characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets to the terminal device. Thus, by displaying the characteristic information carried by the first group of sub-data packets, the access network device can send sub-data packets with different characteristic information through the same logical channel. User equipment (UE) and the base station do not need to manage multiple logical channels, avoiding switching logical channels to receive sub-data packets with different characteristic information.

[0014] In one possible design, the method also includes: sending second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information is used to indicate the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and the identifier of the first logical channel associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets; or, the second indication information includes the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and the identifier of the first data wireless bearer associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets.

[0015] In one possible design, sending the first group of sub-data packets to the terminal device includes: sending the first group of sub-data packets to the terminal device via a first logical channel;

[0016] Or, send the first group of sub-data packets to the terminal device via the first data radio bearer.

[0017] In this way, the access network device does not need to explicitly send feature information to the terminal device, which reduces the air interface overhead of the access network device.

[0018] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, wherein the method is performed by a first core network device or a module within the first core network device. The method is described herein using the first core network device as an example. The method includes determining a first data packet and sending the first data packet to an access network device. The first data packet includes one or more sub-data packets and characteristic information of the one or more sub-data packets.

[0019] In one possible design, the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets includes any one or more of the following: viewing angle information, the identifier of the first group of sub-data packets, the image type of the corresponding frame, the encoding type of the corresponding frame, the identifier of the frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets, and the frame type of the frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets. The first group of sub-data packets is a group of sub-data packets among one or more groups of sub-data packets.

[0020] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, wherein the execution subject of the method is a second core network device or a module in the second core network device, and the method is described here by taking the second core network device as the execution subject as an example. The method includes: determining first indication information; and sending the first indication information to the access network device. The first indication information is used to indicate the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and the identifier of the first quality of service QoS flow associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets; or, the first indication information includes the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and the identifier of the first session associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets.

[0021] In one possible design, the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets includes any one or more of the following: viewing angle information of the first group of sub-data packets, an identifier of the first group of sub-data packets, an image type of a frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets, an encoding type of a frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets, an identifier of a frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets, and a frame type of a frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets.

[0022] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, wherein the method is performed by a terminal device or a module within the terminal device. The method is described herein using the terminal device as the example. The method includes: sending a first message to an access network device, and receiving a first group of sub-data packets from the access network device. The first message is used to request the first group of sub-data packets, and the first message includes characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets.

[0023] In one possible design, the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets includes any one or more of the following: viewing angle information of the first group of sub-data packets, an identifier of the first group of sub-data packets, an image type of a frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets, an encoding type of a frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets, an identifier of a frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets, and a frame type of a frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets.

[0024] In one possible design, the method further includes: receiving characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets from an access network device.

[0025] In one possible design, the method also includes: receiving second indication information from an access network device, the second indication information being used to indicate characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and an identifier of a first logical channel associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets; or, the second indication information includes the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and an identifier of a first data wireless bearer associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets.

[0026] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, wherein the execution subject of the method is a terminal device or a module in the terminal device. The method is described here using the terminal device as the execution subject as an example. The method includes: receiving second indication information from an access network device, and receiving a first group of sub-data packets according to the second indication information. The second indication information is used to indicate the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and the identifier of the first logical channel associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets. Alternatively, the second indication information is used to indicate the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and the identifier of the first data radio bearer associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets.

[0027] In one possible design, the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets includes any one or more of the following: viewing angle information of the first group of sub-data packets, an identifier of the first group of sub-data packets, an image type of a frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets, an encoding type of a frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets, an identifier of a frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets, and a frame type of a frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets.

[0028] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes: a module for executing the aforementioned first aspect and any possible implementation method of the first aspect.

[0029] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes: a module for executing the aforementioned second aspect and any possible implementation method of the second aspect.

[0030] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising: a module for executing the aforementioned third aspect and any possible implementation method of the third aspect.

[0031] In the ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes: a module for executing the aforementioned fourth aspect, any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, and any possible implementation of the fifth aspect.

[0032] In the tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used 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 used to implement the method in the aforementioned first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0033] In the eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, and the processor is used to implement the method in the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0034] In the twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used 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 used to implement the method in the aforementioned third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0035] In the thirteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, and the processor is used to implement the above-mentioned fourth aspect, any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, and the method in any possible implementation of the fifth aspect through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0036] In the fourteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the method in the aforementioned first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect is implemented.

[0037] On the fifteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the method in the aforementioned second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect is implemented.

[0038] In the sixteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the method in the aforementioned third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect is implemented.

[0039] In the seventeenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the method in the aforementioned fourth aspect, any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, and any possible implementation of the fifth aspect is implemented.

[0040] In an eighteenth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed, implements the method in the aforementioned first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0041] In the nineteenth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed, implements the method in the aforementioned second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0042] In the twentieth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed, implements the method in the aforementioned third aspect or any possible implementation manner of the third aspect.

[0043] In the twenty-first aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed, implements the method in the aforementioned fourth aspect, any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, and any possible implementation of the fifth aspect.

[0044] In the twenty-second aspect, a computer program is provided, which includes codes or instructions. When the codes or instructions are executed, the method in the aforementioned first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect is implemented.

[0045] In the twenty-third aspect, a computer program is provided, which includes codes or instructions. When the codes or instructions are executed, the method in the aforementioned second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect is implemented.

[0046] In the twenty-fourth aspect, a computer program is provided, which includes codes or instructions. When the codes or instructions are executed, the method in the aforementioned third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect is implemented.

[0047] In the twenty-fifth aspect, a computer program is provided, which includes codes or instructions. When the codes or instructions are executed, the methods in the aforementioned fourth aspect, any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, and any possible implementation of the fifth aspect are implemented.

[0048] In aspect 26, a chip system is provided, comprising a processor and further comprising a memory, configured to implement at least one of the methods described in aspect 1, any possible implementation of aspect 1, aspect 2, any possible implementation of aspect 2, aspect 3, any possible implementation of aspect 3, aspect 4, any possible implementation of aspect 4, and aspect 5, any possible implementation of aspect 5. The chip system may be comprised of a chip alone, or may include a chip and other discrete components.

[0049] In aspect twenty-seven, a communication system is provided, comprising the apparatus described in aspect six or ten, the apparatus described in aspect seven or eleven, the apparatus described in aspect eight or twelfth, and the apparatus described in aspect nine or thirteenth. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the multicast method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the multicast and unicast methods provided in the embodiments of the present application;

[0052] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the communication system architecture provided in the embodiment of this application Figure 1 ;

[0053] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the communication system architecture provided in the embodiment of this application Figure 2 ;

[0054] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0055] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the communication method process provided in the embodiment of this application Figure 1 ;

[0056] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of slicing provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of sharding provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of an image processing method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] Figure 10A Scenario diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0060] Figure 10B Scenario diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application Figure 2 ;

[0061] Figure 10C Scenario diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application Figure 3 ;

[0062] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of a two-layer encoding method flow chart provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] Figure 12A schematic diagram showing characteristic information provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of the interaction between a base station and a terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] Figure 14 Scenario diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application Figure 4 ;

[0066] Figure 15-17 A schematic diagram showing characteristic information provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] Figure 18 Schematic diagram of the communication method process provided in the embodiment of this application Figure 2 ;

[0068] Figure 19 Schematic diagram of the communication method process provided in the embodiment of this application Figure 3 ;

[0069] Figure 20 Schematic diagram of the communication method process provided in the embodiment of this application Figure 4 ;

[0070] Figure 21 A schematic diagram of the structure of the device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0071] Currently, VR services feature high speeds, low latency, and high bandwidth consumption. For example, 4K resolution VR images require a speed of 50 Mbps, a latency of 10 ms, and a packet loss rate of 0.00001. Generally speaking, to provide an immersive experience, when scheduling VR service data, the network can send panoramic image data—that is, 360-degree image data, such as six-sided spherical image data—to the terminal device. The terminal device selects the image data of the desired perspective from the panoramic image data based on the user's perspective and displays it to the user.

[0072] Existing technologies offer two methods for scheduling VR service data. In the first scheduling method, a base station multicasts a high-definition panoramic image to a group of terminals. In the second scheduling method, a base station multicasts a low-definition panoramic image to a group of terminals and unicasts a high-definition image of the desired viewing angle to the same group of terminals.

[0073] Specifically, in the first scheduling method, the user plane function (UPF) network element carries 360-degree panoramic image data through a multicast session and sends this panoramic image data to the base station. To ensure reception quality for the farthest terminal in the multicast group, the base station multicasts the panoramic image data to the terminals in the multicast group using the channel conditions of the farthest terminal in the multicast group. After receiving the panoramic image data, the terminal device selects a portion of the panoramic image data based on information such as the user's perspective and generates a corresponding image for display to the user.

[0074] Take the VR live broadcast of football matches as an example, see Figure 1 , UE1-UE6 within the coverage of the base station all watch the live broadcast of the football match, among which, the user perspective of UE4 and UE5 is perspective 2 (for example, the heads of UE4 and UE5 are all turned towards the goal), the user perspective of UE1 and UE2 is perspective 1 (for example, the heads of users are all turned towards the midfield), and the user perspective of UE3 and UE6 is perspective 3 (for example, the heads of users are all turned towards the front court). Using the first scheduling method, the base station divides the UEs watching the live broadcast of the football match within the coverage area, namely UE1-UE6, into a multicast group, and multicasts the panoramic image data of the football match to this group of UEs. It can be seen that although the user only needs part of the image in the panoramic image, for example, the users of UE4 and UE5 only need the image of perspective 2, or in other words, due to the limitation of the UE's perspective, they can only see the image within the perspective range, but the base station needs to multicast and schedule the entire panoramic image data. The amount of data scheduled by the base station is increased, resulting in large resource consumption.

[0075] Furthermore, to ensure that UE6, the farthest UE in the group, can successfully receive the panoramic image data, the base station multicasts and schedules the panoramic image data based on the channel conditions of UE6. This means that the base station also reserves more resources for the near-end UEs with better channel conditions, resulting in significant resource consumption.

[0076] For details, see Figure 2 In the second scheduling method, to reduce resource overhead, the server sends a low-definition panoramic image to the UPF. The UPF then carries the low-definition panoramic image through a multicast session and sends it to the base station. The base station multicasts the low-definition panoramic image to the terminals in the multicast group based on the channel conditions of the farthest terminal in the multicast group. The terminal device receives the low-definition panoramic image data and selects the low-definition image from the user's perspective based on the user's perspective.

[0077] Furthermore, because low-definition panoramic images lack clarity, to improve the user experience, the server, in addition to providing low-definition panoramic images, also generates high-definition images from the user's perspective based on the terminal device's viewing angle request and sends these high-definition images to the UPF. The UPF carries these high-definition images from the user's perspective over a dedicated session and sends them to the base station. The base station then sends these high-definition images to the terminal device via unicast scheduling. The terminal device can then overlay the high-definition images from the user's perspective onto the low-definition images, resulting in a higher-definition image, which it then displays to the user.

[0078] It's important to note that when a base station performs multicast scheduling, it only needs to copy one copy of the data and multicast it. For example, it forwards one copy of the data to a relay node, which then distributes it to each UE. When a base station performs unicast scheduling, it needs to copy multiple copies of the data and send each copy to the corresponding UE separately.

[0079] As can be seen, the second VR service data scheduling method requires not only multicast scheduling of low-definition panoramic images but also unicast transmission of high-definition images to multiple terminal devices, which consumes a lot of resources. Furthermore, since the UE requests images of the required perspective from the server, the server is far away from the UE, increasing the request latency. This results in a poor user experience for VR services with high data rate requirements.

[0080] To this end, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication system, such as a new radio (NR), or a subsequently evolved communication system (such as a sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication system).

[0081] Taking the application in 5G communication system as an example, Figure 3As shown, a possible communication system architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown. The communication system includes an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a session management function (SMF) network element, a UPF, a unified data management (UDM) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, an authentication server function (AUSF) network element, a network exposure function (NEF) network element, and some network elements not shown, such as a network function repository function (NRF) network element, etc., which are not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0082] Among them, such as Figure 3 As shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the terminal accesses 5GS through the access network device, the terminal communicates with the AMF network element through the next generation network (Next generation, N) 1 interface (referred to as N1), the access network device communicates with the AMF network element through the N2 interface (referred to as N2), the access network device communicates with the UPF network element through the N3 interface (referred to as N3), the AMF network element communicates with the SMF network element through the N11 interface (referred to as N11), the AMF network element communicates with the UDM network element through the N8 interface (referred to as N8), the AMF network element communicates with the AUSF network element through the N12 interface (referred to as N12), the AMF network element communicates with the PCF network element through the N15 interface (referred to as N15), the SMF network element communicates with the PCF network element through the N7 interface (referred to as N7), the SMF network element communicates with the UPF network element through the N4 interface (referred to as N4), the NEF network element communicates with the SMF network element through the N29 interface (referred to as N29), and the UPF network element accesses the data network through the N6 interface (referred to as N6). The data network includes one or more servers to provide data services to users, such as VR services. Optionally, the server uses the N33 interface (not in Figure 3 Optionally, the server communicates with NEF through the N5 interface (not in Figure 3 ) communicates with PCF.

[0083] As follows Figure 3 The functions of each device are shown.

[0084] Among them, the server in the data network is used to provide computing or application (APP) services, and perform encoding, decoding, rendering, etc. of video sources.

[0085] Core network equipment: used to complete the three major functions of registration, connection, and session management. Some core network equipment and their respective functions are introduced below:

[0086] 1. NEF: Used to expose the services and capabilities of the network function (NF) to the application function (AF), and also allows the AF to provide information to the 3GPP network function.

[0087] 2. PCF: performs policy management of billing policies and quality of service (QoS) policies.

[0088] 3. SMF: Completes UE's Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation, UPF selection, billing and QoS policy control and other session management functions.

[0089] 4. UPF: Performs specific data forwarding on the user plane and generates call records based on traffic conditions. It also serves as the anchor point for the data plane.

[0090] An access network device can be any device with wireless transceiver capabilities. It connects terminal devices to the core network. This includes, but is not limited to, base stations (gNodeB or gNB) or transmission reception points (TRPs) in NR, base stations in subsequent 3GPP evolutions, access nodes in WiFi systems, wireless relay nodes, and wireless backhaul nodes. Base stations can be macro base stations, micro base stations, pico base stations, small base stations, relay stations, or balloon base stations. Multiple base stations can support networks using the same or different technologies mentioned above. A base station can include one or more co-located or non-co-located TRPs. Access network devices can also be wireless controllers, centralized units (CUs), and / or distributed units (DUs) in a Cloud Radio Access Network (CRAN) scenario. Access network devices can also be servers, wearable devices, or in-vehicle devices. The following description uses a base station as an example. Multiple access network devices can be base stations of the same or different types. A base station can communicate with a terminal device, or it can communicate with the terminal device through a relay station. A terminal device can communicate with multiple base stations using different technologies. For example, a terminal device can communicate with a base station supporting an LTE network, or with a base station supporting a 5G network, and can also support dual connectivity with a base station on an LTE network and a base station on a 5G network.

[0091] A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities that can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld, wearable or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as ships, etc.); it can also be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, balloons and satellites, etc.). The terminal can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device (such as head-mounted glasses, HMD, etc.), an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a vehicle-mounted terminal device, a wireless terminal in unmanned driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine, a wireless terminal in smart grids, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart cities, a wireless terminal in smart homes, a wearable terminal device, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios. The terminal can sometimes also be referred to as a terminal device, a user equipment (UE, User Equipment), an access terminal device, a vehicle-mounted terminal, an industrial control terminal, a UE unit, a UE station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal device, a mobile device, a UE terminal device, a terminal device, a wireless communication device, a UE agent or a UE device, etc. The terminal can be fixed or mobile.

[0092] It should be noted that the communication system to which the embodiment of the present application is applicable may also include Figure 3 Other devices besides Figure 3 This is only a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture applicable to the embodiment of the present application. Of course, the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to other communication systems, and this embodiment does not make specific limitations on this.

[0093] and, Figure 3 The names of the network elements and the interfaces between the network elements are only examples. In a specific implementation, the names of the network elements and the interfaces between the network elements may be other, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0094] The following describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " represents the meaning of "or." For example, A / B can represent A or B. "And / or" in this document is merely a description of an association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. Furthermore, in the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more than two. Furthermore, to facilitate the clear description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the words "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of the present application to distinguish between identical or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art will understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or order of execution, and that words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily define differences.

[0095] In addition, the network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0096] like Figure 4 As shown, a communication system 30 provided in an embodiment of the present application is provided. The communication system 30 includes a first core network device 301, a second core network device 302, an access network device 303 and a terminal device 304.

[0097] The access network device 303 is configured to receive a first data packet from the first core network device 301 and a first message from the terminal device 304, and send a first group of sub-data packets to the terminal device 304 based on the first message and the first data packet. The first data packet includes one or more groups of sub-data packets; the first message is used to request the first group of sub-data packets, and the first message includes characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets. The first group of sub-data packets is a group of sub-data packets within the one or more groups of sub-data packets.

[0098] Optionally, the first data packet includes characteristic information of one or more groups of sub-data packets.

[0099] The access network device 303 is also used to receive first indication information from the second core network device 302, where the first indication information is used to indicate the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and the identifier of the first QoS flow associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets; or, the first indication information includes the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and the identifier of the first session associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets.

[0100] The access network device 303 is further configured to send characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets to the terminal device.

[0101] The access network device 303 is also used to send a second indication message to the terminal device, where the second indication message is used to indicate the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and the identifier of the first logical channel associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets; or, the second indication message includes the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and the identifier of the first data wireless bearer associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets.

[0102] The first core network device 301 is configured to send a first data packet to the access network device 303 .

[0103] The second core network device 302 is used to send first indication information to the access network device 303.

[0104] The terminal device 304 is configured to receive characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets from the access network device 303 .

[0105] The terminal device 304 is further configured to receive second indication information from the access network device 303 and to receive a first group of sub-data packets from the first logical channel or from the first data radio bearer according to the second indication information.

[0106] Optionally, the first core network device 301, the second core network device 302, the access network device 303 and the terminal device 304 in the embodiment of the present application can communicate directly or through forwarding by other devices. The embodiment of the present application does not make any specific limitations on this.

[0107] Optionally, the communication system provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to Figure 3 The network architecture shown can also be applied to other similar network architectures, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0108] For example, if the communication system provided by the embodiment of the present application is applied to Figure 3 In the network architecture shown, the network element or entity corresponding to the above-mentioned first core network device can be the above-mentioned UPF network element, the network element or entity corresponding to the above-mentioned second core network device can be the above-mentioned SMF network element, and the network element or entity corresponding to the above-mentioned access network device can be the above-mentioned base station and other types of devices.

[0109] Optionally, the first core network device or the second core network device or the access network device or the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a single device, or can be implemented by multiple devices together, or can be a functional module within a device, and the embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this. It is understandable that the above functions can be network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0110] For example, the first core network device or the second core network device or the access network device or the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application can be Figure 5 This is achieved by the communication equipment in. Figure 5 FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 400 includes at least one processor 401 , a memory 403 , and at least one communication interface 404 .

[0111] The processor 401 may be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the present application.

[0112] Each component may include a path for transmitting information between the components.

[0113] The communication interface 404 uses any transceiver or other device for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), etc.

[0114] The memory 403 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory.

[0115] The memory may be, but is not limited to, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, an optical disc storage (including a compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer. The memory may be independent and connected to the processor via a communication line. The memory may also be integrated with the processor.

[0116] The memory 403 is used to store computer-executable instructions for executing the solution of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 401. The processor 401 is used to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 403, thereby implementing the communication method provided in the following embodiments of the present application.

[0117] Optionally, the computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as application code, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0118] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 401 may include one or more CPUs, such as Figure 5 CPU0 and CPU1 in.

[0119] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 400 may include multiple processors, such as Figure 5 4 and 5. The processors 401 and 408 are shown in FIG. Each of these processors may be a single-CPU processor or a multi-CPU processor. A processor herein may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0120] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 400 may further include an output device 405 and an input device 406. The output device 405 communicates with the processor 401 and can display information in a variety of ways. For example, the output device 405 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector. The input device 406 communicates with the processor 401 and can receive user input in a variety of ways. For example, the input device 406 can be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, or a sensor device.

[0121] The communication device 400 can be a general purpose device or a dedicated device. Figure 5 The embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of the communication device 400.

[0122] The following will be combined Figures 1 to 5 The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application is described in detail.

[0123] It should be noted that the message names between network elements or the names of parameters in the messages in the following embodiments of the present application are only examples, and other names may be used in specific implementations. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0124] First, Figure 4 The communication system shown is applied to Figure 3 Take the network architecture shown in the figure as an example. Figure 6 As shown, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application includes the following steps:

[0125] S101. The server sends one or more groups of sub-data packets to the UPF.

[0126] In an embodiment of the present application, the server may divide (or segment) a panoramic image into one or more tiles. Alternatively, the server may divide the panoramic image into one or more slices. Alternatively, the server may divide the panoramic image into at least one tile and at least one slice. Alternatively, the server may divide the panoramic image into one or more slices based on the granularity of the viewing angle. Each viewing angle corresponds to one or more slices. Alternatively, the server may divide the panoramic image into one or more tiles based on the granularity of the viewing angle, and each viewing angle corresponds to one or more tiles. That is, when the server divides the tiles (or slices), the same viewing angle may be divided according to the viewing angle, for example, the pixels corresponding to viewing angle 1 may be divided into tile 1, and the pixels corresponding to viewing angle 2 may be divided into tile 1 and tile 2. Of course, it is also possible not to divide according to the viewing angle.

[0127] Slices and sub-slices do not reference each other and can be decoded independently. A slice error within one frame does not affect the decoding of another slice. A slice error within one frame does not affect the decoding of another slice. A slice error within a frame does not affect the decoding of slices within the same frame. Slices and sub-slices can be combined or used independently.

[0128] That is, a video sequence includes R (R is a positive integer) panoramic image frames, and the server divides the L (L is a positive integer) panoramic image frame in the video sequence into M (M is a non-negative integer) slices and N (N is a non-negative integer) fragments. M and N cannot be 0 at the same time.

[0129] For example, see Figure 7 , is a way of dividing slices. Pixels marked with 1 constitute slice 1, pixels marked with 3 constitute slice 3, and the remaining pixels are pixels of slice 2.

[0130] For example, see Figure 8 , is a way of dividing slices. The image includes slice 1 and slice 2.

[0131] It should be noted that the block division methods of different frames in a video sequence can be the same or different. For example, the first frame can be divided into 2 slices, the second frame can be divided into 3 slices, and the third frame can be divided into 2 slices.

[0132] Furthermore, the sizes of the multiple slices obtained by dividing the panoramic image may be the same or different. Similarly, the sizes of the multiple slices obtained by dividing the panoramic image may be the same or different. Of course, when the panoramic image includes both slices and tiles, the tile size and the slice size may also be the same or different. For example, a slice may include 2 pixels, and a tile may include 2 pixels or 3 pixels.

[0133] See also Figure 9, is an exemplary division method of dividing a panoramic image into N slices. Taking N=4 as an example, Figure 9 After the panoramic image is segmented into four slices, the server performs slice redundancy encoding and other processing on each of the four slices of the panoramic image frame. The processed data corresponding to each of the four slices is then encapsulated into multicast packets. A slice can be encapsulated into a group of sub-packets, and a group of sub-packets can include one or more sub-packets. For example, a slice can be encapsulated into five IP packets.

[0134] like Figure 10A As shown, after the server divides the panoramic image into N slices and respectively encapsulates the N slices into corresponding N groups (i.e., one or more groups) of sub-data packets, the server sends the N groups of sub-data packets corresponding to the N slices to the UPF.

[0135] As a possible implementation, see Figure 10A , the server also indicates the characteristic information of the N groups of sub-data packets to the UPF. Optionally, the server displays the characteristic information of the N groups of sub-data packets to the UPF, that is, sends the characteristic information of the N groups of sub-data packets to the UPF. Exemplarily, the characteristic information is carried in the header or body of the sub-data packet and sent to the UPF together with the sub-data packet. Alternatively, the server implicitly indicates the characteristic information of the N groups of sub-data packets to the UPF. For example, the server sends sub-data packets with different characteristic information to the UPF through different routes. It can be understood that in the implicit indication method, the association relationship between the route and the characteristic information needs to be configured for the UPF, so that the UPF can determine the characteristic information of the sub-data packet received through a certain route based on the association relationship.

[0136] Among them, for a certain group of sub-data packets, the characteristic information of the group of sub-data packets includes any one or more of the following: viewing angle information, the identifier of the group of sub-data packets, the image type corresponding to the group of sub-data packets, the encoding type corresponding to the group of sub-data packets, the identifier of the frame corresponding to the group of sub-data packets, the type of the frame corresponding to the group of sub-data packets, and the image quality (high definition or low definition) of the frame corresponding to the group of sub-data packets.

[0137] The viewing angle information may be the viewing angle of the fragment (or slice) corresponding to the group of sub-packets, or the index of the viewing angle of the fragment (or slice) corresponding to the group of sub-packets. For example, the index of the viewing angle 0-90 degrees is set to 1 (corresponding to binary 01), the index of the viewing angle 90-180 degrees is set to 2 (binary 10), the index of the viewing angle 180-270 degrees is set to 3, and the index of the viewing angle 270-360 degrees is set to 4. For example, Figure 9 As shown, the viewing angle information of sub-data packet group 1 can be 0-90 degrees, or index values ​​of viewing angles 0-90 degrees.

[0138] The identifier of the group of sub-data packets may be, but is not limited to, the serial number of the fragment (or slice) corresponding to the group of sub-data packets. Figure 9 As shown, sub-data packet group 1 corresponds to fragment 1, and the identifier of sub-data packet group 1 can be the identifier of fragment 1, such as the number of fragment 1.

[0139] The image type corresponding to the group of sub-data packets refers to the image type of the fragment (or slice) corresponding to the group of sub-data packets. The image type of the fragment (or slice) includes a foreground image and a background image.

[0140] The encoding type corresponding to this group of sub-packets refers to the encoding type of the fragment (or slice) corresponding to this group of sub-packets. The encoding type can be single-layer encoding, two-layer encoding, or other encoding. Single-layer encoding refers to non-layered encoding. Two-layer encoding refers to base layer encoding and enhancement layer encoding.

[0141] A video encoder that supports two-layer coding can encode a video sequence into a base layer stream and one or more enhancement layer streams. The base layer stream can be independently decoded to reveal the basic video content, but the image quality is lower. The enhancement layer stream is used to improve the image quality. The coding of the enhancement layer can refer to the base layer.

[0142] like Figure 11 , the basic layer module and enhancement layer module of the source encoder in the server. The basic layer module includes a down-sampling submodule, an encoding pipeline submodule, a coding decision submodule, and an up-sampling submodule. The enhancement layer module includes a coding pipeline submodule and a coding decision submodule. The process of encoding a frame of image to generate a two-layer code stream is as follows: a frame of image (including one or more slices (or slices)) is input into the basic layer module and the enhancement layer module respectively. Among them, the data input into the basic layer module is output as the code stream data of the basic layer after passing through the down-sampling submodule, the encoding pipeline submodule, and the coding decision submodule in the basic layer module.

[0143] The other data processed by the coding decision module is sent to the upsampling submodule, which upsamples the data. This upsampled data is then input into the coding decision submodule in the enhancement layer module. The coding decision submodule then merges the coded data of the base layer with the coded data of the enhancement layer and outputs the bitstream data for the enhancement layer. Therefore, the output data of the enhancement layer is related to the data of the base layer, that is, there is a reference relationship: the enhancement layer references the base layer.

[0144] In this way, layered encoding is performed on a frame of image, and two data streams can be output, namely the base layer data stream and the enhancement layer data stream.

[0145] The identifier of the frame corresponding to the group of sub-packets can be the sequence number of the frame corresponding to the group of sub-packets (for example, the sequence number of the current frame is 1, and the sequence number of the next frame is 2) or the frame inversion information of the corresponding frame (for example, the frame inversion information of the previous frame is 1, the frame inversion information of the current frame is 0, the frame inversion information of the next frame is 1, and the frame inversion information of the next frame is 0) or other information. It can be understood that if the sub-packets corresponding to the two frames of panoramic images overlap and reach the base station, then it is necessary to carry the frame number information corresponding to the sub-packets so that the base station can perceive the frames of the sub-packets to avoid disorder. For example, Figure 9 As shown, sub-data packet groups 1-4 all correspond to the panoramic image frame. The identifier of the frame corresponding to sub-data packet group 1 is the identifier of the panoramic image frame, for example, the sequence number of the panoramic image frame in the entire video sequence. Similarly, the identifier corresponding to sub-data packet group 2 is the sequence number of the panoramic image frame in the entire video sequence.

[0146] For a certain group of sub-data packets, the characteristic information can also be the type of frames corresponding to the group of sub-data packets. Typically, frames in a video sequence include I-frames and P-frames. Optionally, frames in a video sequence also include B-frames. The frame type corresponding to a group of sub-data packets can be I-frames, P-frames, or B-frames. I-frames can be independently decoded without referencing other video frames. P-frames are inter-frame predictive coded frames, representing the difference between the current frame and the previous key frame (or P-frame). Therefore, during decoding, the difference defined by the current frame is superimposed on the previously cached frame (i.e., the previous frame) to generate the final image. In addition, P-frames can be divided into large P-frames and small P-frames. The encoding side encodes small P-frames with reference to large P-frames, and the decoding side decodes small P-frames with reference to large P-frames. No frame on the encoding side is encoded with reference to small P-frames, and no frame on the decoding side is decoded without reference to small P-frames. B-frames are bidirectional difference frames, meaning they record the difference between the current frame and the preceding and following frames. In other words, to decode a B-frame, not only must the cached frame before it be obtained, but also the frame after it be decoded. The final image is obtained by superimposing the data of the preceding and following frames with the current frame. B-frames typically have a higher compression ratio. As a possible implementation, the first frame in a video sequence is an I-frame.

[0147] For example, Figure 9 As shown, sub-packet groups 1-4 correspond to Figure 9 The panoramic image of the frame shown, then the type of the frame corresponding to the sub-packet group 1 is as follows Figure 9 The frame type of the panoramic image shown (such as I frame).

[0148] For example, as shown in Table 1, Figure 9 The characteristic information of a group of sub-data packets corresponding to fragment 1 is shown as follows:

[0149] Table 1-1 Feature information

[0150]

[0151] S102. UPF sends a first data packet to the base station.

[0152] Correspondingly, the base station receives the first data packet from the UPF. Optionally, the base station stores the first data packet so as to subsequently schedule sub-data packets in the first data packet to the terminal device according to a request of the terminal device.

[0153] The first data packet includes one or more sub-data packets. A sub-data packet includes one or more sub-data packets. In an embodiment of the present application, the first data packet is a data packet corresponding to a panoramic image. The data packet corresponding to the panoramic image includes one or more sub-data packets. For example, a frame of a panoramic image with a resolution of 4K corresponds to approximately fifty IP packets (i.e., sub-data packets).

[0154] After UPF receives N groups of sub-packets from the server and obtains the characteristic information corresponding to each of the N groups of sub-packets, see Figure 10A , UPF sends a first data packet to the base station, the first data packet includes Figure 10A The N groups (i.e., one or more groups) of sub-data packets shown are provided, and the characteristic information of the N groups of sub-data packets is indicated to the base station so that the base station can perceive the characteristic information of the N groups of sub-data packets and send the sub-data packets required by the terminal device to the terminal device based on the characteristic information of the N groups of sub-data packets.

[0155] In the embodiment of the present application, the UPF may explicitly or implicitly indicate the characteristic information of the N groups of sub-data packets to the base station. The following describes these two ways of indicating characteristic information.

[0156] In some embodiments, the UPF indicates to the base station the characteristic information of one or more groups of sub-data packets. Specifically, the characteristic information is carried in the first data packet. In other words, the first data packet includes the characteristic information of one or more groups of sub-data packets. For example, see Figure 10A As shown, the first data packet sent by the UPF to the base station carries characteristic information. Figure 12 As shown, the first data packet sent by the UPF to the base station is encapsulated with characteristic information.

[0157] In some other embodiments, the UPF implicitly indicates the characteristic information of one or more groups of sub-packets to the base station. As a possible implementation, the UPF carries sub-packets with different characteristic information through different QoS flows. For example, see Figure 10B, UPF transmits sub-data packets to the base station through QoS flow 1 and QoS flow 2, where QoS flow 1 transmits a group of sub-data packets corresponding to feature information 1 (such as Figure 9 A group of sub-packets corresponding to the 0-90 degree slice 1 shown in FIG), a group of sub-packets of QoS flow 2 transmitting characteristic information 2 (such as Figure 9 A group of sub-data packets corresponding to the fragment 2 shown).

[0158] As can be seen, when the UPF implicitly indicates feature information to the base station, the UPF does not need to encapsulate the feature information in the first data packet. This reduces transmission overhead. Furthermore, the base station can determine the feature information of the sub-packets received in the current QoS flow based on the configured associations without parsing the first data packet from the UPF, reducing the base station's parsing burden. Consequently, this reduces the implementation complexity of the base station and the UPF.

[0159] It can be understood that in this way of indicating characteristic information, it is necessary to configure the QoS flow and the characteristic information of the sub-packets associated with the QoS flow for the base station. This configuration can be completed by the SMF. As a possible implementation method, the base station receives a first indication information from the SMF, and the first indication information is used to indicate the characteristic information of the first group of sub-packets and the identifier of the first QoS flow associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-packets; or, the first indication information includes the characteristic information of the first group of sub-packets and the identifier of the first session associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-packets. The specific configuration method will be given in the following embodiments. In this way, when the base station receives a sub-packet from a certain QoS flow, the base station can determine the characteristic information of the sub-packet transmitted on the QoS flow based on the association between the configured QoS flow and the characteristic information. Still with Figure 10B For example, the base station receives corresponding sub-packets from QoS flow 1 and QoS flow 2 respectively. Taking the reception of a group of sub-packets through QoS flow 1 as an example, the base station can determine that the sub-packets received through QoS flow 1 are sub-packets with characteristic information 1 according to the above configuration.

[0160] The relationship between QoS flows, packet data unit (PDU) sessions, and radio bearers (RBs) is as follows: A PDU session can contain at least one QoS flow. Multiple flows in a session can be mapped to the same radio bearer or to different radio bearers. However, multiple QoS flows in different PDU sessions cannot be mapped to the same radio bearer.

[0161] As another possible implementation, the UPF implicitly indicates the characteristic information to the base station by using sub-packets carrying different characteristic information in different sessions. That is, the first group of sub-packets corresponding to the first characteristic information is carried in the first session, and the first group of sub-packets corresponding to the second characteristic information is carried in the second session. Similarly, in this indication method, the base station must be configured with the characteristic information of the sub-packets and the identifier of the associated session. The specific configuration method is described below.

[0162] Thus, when the base station receives a group of sub-data packets through a certain session, it can determine the characteristic information of the group of sub-data packets transmitted on the session based on the association between the session and the characteristic information. Figure 10C , the UPF carries a group of sub-data packets corresponding to feature information 1 through session 1, and carries a group of sub-data packets corresponding to feature information 2 through session 2. Accordingly, after receiving a group of sub-data packets from session 1, the base station can determine that the feature information of the group of sub-data packets received through session 1 is feature information 1 based on the configured association relationship between the session and the feature information.

[0163] S103. The terminal device sends a first message to the base station.

[0164] Correspondingly, the base station receives the first message from the terminal device.

[0165] Optionally, the first message may be physical layer signaling, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, PDCP signaling or MAC layer signaling.

[0166] The first message is used to request a first group of sub-data packets, and the first message includes characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets. The first group of sub-data packets is a group of sub-data packets in the one or more groups of sub-data packets (ie, the first data packets).

[0167] Taking the first message being physical layer signaling as an example, the first message may be, but is not limited to, the following message:

[0168] Acknowledgement message (ACK), negative acknowledgement message (NACK), channel quality indication (CQI), scheduling request (SR).

[0169] In some embodiments, the first message includes an indication field. The indication field of the first message is used to indicate characteristic information corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets. Specifically, the indication field of the first message is used to indicate the characteristic information, which can be a direct indication or an indirect indication of the characteristic information.

[0170] The direct indication may be that the indication field of the first message includes the characteristic information. For example, the terminal device sends an ACK to the base station, and the ACK carries an indication field, and the indication field includes the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets.

[0171] An indirect indication may mean that the indication field of the first message does not directly carry the feature information, but rather that the first message is associated with the feature information. In this way, after receiving the first message, the terminal device can infer the associated feature information based on the received first message. For example, the first message may be an SR. Specifically, the base station configures the feature information associated with resources for the terminal device. For example, resource 1 is associated with feature information 1, and resource 2 is associated with feature information 2. Subsequently, when the terminal device requests a sub-data packet associated with multiple feature information, it sends an SR to the base station via the corresponding resource. The SR may carry a sequence, which is associated with the resource. This sequence is also associated with the feature information. For example, sequence 1 is associated with resource 1 and feature information 1, and sequence 2 is associated with resource 2 and feature information 2. SRs sent by the terminal device to the base station via different resources may include different sequences. For example, the SR sent to the base station via resource 1 carries sequence 1, and the SR sent to the base station via resource 2 carries sequence 2. It can be seen that the indication field in the SR (or the fields in the SR) does not explicitly carry feature information.

[0172] In this way, the base station can determine the sub-packet corresponding to the feature information requested by the terminal device based on the resource from which the SR is received. For example, if the SR is received from resource 1, the base station determines that the sub-packet corresponds to the feature information 1 requested by the terminal device. If the SR is received from resource 2, the base station determines that the sub-packet corresponds to the feature information 2 requested by the terminal device. Here, the SR is associated with the feature information, that is, SRs sent via different resources are used to request sub-packets of different feature information.

[0173] The terminal device receives resource configuration information of a scheduling request from the base station, where the resource configuration information of a scheduling request is used to request a group of sub-data packets of characteristic information.

[0174] Taking the first message as the PDCP layer control PDU signaling as an example, as shown in Table 1-2 below, the PDCP layer control PDU signaling includes the header of the PDCP protocol data unit (PDU) and the payload of the PDCP PDU, wherein the field in the PDCP PDU header indicates that the subsequent payload carries characteristic information.

[0175] Table 1-2

[0176]

[0177] Taking the first message as MAC layer signaling as an example, the MAC signaling includes a MAC subheader and a MAC control element (MAC CE). Typically, the logical channel identity (LCID) of the subheader is used to distinguish the type of payload (MAC CE is a type of payload). In the implementation of this application, a field in the MAC subheader is used to carry the logical channel identity, indicating that the MAC CE following the subheader is feature information. The field in the MAC CE carries feature information.

[0178] The characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets includes any one or more of the following: viewing angle information, an identifier of the first group of sub-data packets, an image type, an encoding type, an identifier of a frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets, and a type of the frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets. The identifier of the first group of sub-data packets may be a fragment or slice identifier corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets.

[0179] For example, the terminal 1 sends a first message to the base station. The first message is used to request Figure 9 For sub-packet group 1 (corresponding to slice 1) among the multiple sub-packet groups shown, the first message includes characteristic information of sub-packet group 1. For example, the message includes one or more of the following characteristic information: {viewing angle information: 0-90 degrees; sequence number of slice 1 corresponding to sub-packet group 1; image type of the frame corresponding to sub-packet group 1: background image; encoding type of slice 1 corresponding to sub-packet group 1: two-layer encoding; sequence number of the frame corresponding to sub-packet group 1 in the video sequence; type of the frame corresponding to sub-packet group 1: I-frame}.

[0180] S104. The base station sends a first group of sub-data packets to the terminal device according to the first message and the first data packet.

[0181] In some embodiments, the base station may process the first data packet through the protocol entity included therein to obtain a first group of sub-data packets, and send the first group of sub-data packets to the terminal device. Figure 13 The figure shows the protocol entities included in the base station and terminal device, as well as the interactions between the base station and terminal device. The radio link control (RLC) protocol entity and the media access control (MAC) protocol entity can exchange information via a logical channel (LCH). As a possible implementation, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) entity and the data radio bearer (DRB).

[0182] The MAC protocol entity passes the first group of sub-packets to the physical (PHY) layer protocol entity, and the PHY layer entity sends the first group of sub-packets to the PHY layer entity of the terminal device. After receiving the first group of sub-packets, the terminal device then passes the first group of sub-packets to different layer protocol entities for processing. The present embodiment does not limit the number of protocol entities at each layer, the number of LCHs, the number of DRBs, etc.

[0183] For example, see Figure 10A or Figure 10B or Figure 10C After receiving the first message from terminal 1 (the first message is used to request the first group of sub-data packets, and the first message includes the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets), the base station parses the first message to obtain the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets (for example, the viewing angle is 0-90 degrees). After receiving the first data packet from the UPF, the base station can sequentially Figure 13 The service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) entity, PDCP entity, RLC protocol entity, and MAC protocol entity shown are processed so as to find the first group of sub-packets corresponding to the viewing angle of 0-90 degrees in the first data packet based on the first data packet (including one or more groups of sub-packets) and the characteristic information of one or more groups of sub-packets. Specifically, if the UPF implicitly indicates the characteristic information to the base station, the protocol entity of the base station determines the first group of sub-packets in the first data packet based on the association between the QoS flow identifier and the characteristic information. For example, QoS flow identifier 1 is associated with characteristic information 1 of the first group of sub-packets, and QoS flow identifier 2 is associated with characteristic information 2 of the second group of sub-packets. Then, when the base station receives a sub-packet on the QoS flow identified as 2, it determines that the group of sub-packets is the first group of sub-packets. Alternatively, the base station determines the first group of sub-packets in the first data packet based on the association between the session identifier and the characteristic information. If the UPF explicitly indicates the characteristic information to the base station, the protocol entity of the base station can determine the first group of sub-packets by parsing the first data packet.

[0184] After determining the first group of sub-data packets required by the terminal device, the base station sends the first group of sub-data packets to the terminal device.

[0185] In some embodiments, when the first messages of multiple terminal devices include the same characteristic information, the base station can treat the multiple terminal devices as a multicast group and multicast one or more sub-data packets corresponding to the characteristic information to the terminal devices in the multicast group. Figure 14As shown in FIG, assuming that the panoramic image of the I frame is layered encoded to obtain the base layer code stream data and the enhancement layer code stream data. Taking the base station sending the enhancement layer code stream data as an example, assuming that UE1 and UE2 need the slices of view 1, and UE3 and UE4 need the slices of view 2.

[0186] According to existing technologies, the base station encapsulates the enhancement layer stream data corresponding to all slices in the panoramic image into one or more sub-data packets and multicasts these sub-data packets to UE1-UE4. That is, each UE receives multiple sub-data packets corresponding to slices 1-5. Furthermore, the base station performs multicast scheduling based on the channel conditions of the UE farthest from the base station among UE-UE4.

[0187] According to the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, UE1 and UE2 both need slices of view 1, that is, they need Figure 14 In the example above, if UE1 and UE2 need fragments 1 and 2, the base station treats UE1 and UE2 as a multicast group and schedules fragments 1 and 2 to them based on the channel conditions of the farthest UE among them. Similarly, UE3 and UE4 both need fragments from perspective 2, namely fragments 2 and 3. Therefore, the base station treats UE3 and UE4 as a multicast group and schedules fragments 2 and 3 to them based on the channel conditions of the farthest UE among them. This is equivalent to re-dividing UE1-UE4 into groups and multicasting different data to different groups.

[0188] In this way, on the one hand, the base station does not need to schedule all the slices corresponding to the enhancement layer, that is, slice 1 to slice 5, which reduces the air interface overhead. On the other hand, the base station does not need to schedule slice 1, slice 2, slice 3, and slice 4 according to the channel conditions of the farthest UE among UE1, UE2, UE3, and UE4, further saving air interface overhead. On the other hand, no user is interested in perspective 3, so the base station does not need to schedule the slices of perspective 3. In other words, the base station can determine the minimum granularity of the required scheduling data, that is, perceive the image required by the user, and use the image required by the user as the minimum scheduling granularity, thereby further reducing the air interface overhead. Accordingly, the amount of data received by the terminal device is reduced, which in turn can reduce the processing burden of the terminal device.

[0189] In some embodiments, for a group of terminals (including multiple terminal devices) requesting the same sub-data packet, the group of terminal devices may be within the coverage of the same beam or within the coverage of different beams. In some examples, if the group of terminal devices is within the coverage of the same beam, the base station multicasts the scheduled sub-data packets to the group of terminal devices according to the channel conditions of the farthest terminal device under the beam. For example, terminal devices 1 to 6 all request sub-data packet group 1 and sub-data packet group 2, and terminal devices 1 to 6 are all within the coverage of beam 1. Among the terminal devices in the group, terminal device 6 is the farthest from the base station. Then, the base station sends sub-data packet group 1 and sub-data packet group 2 to terminal devices 1 to terminal devices 6 on beam 1 according to the channel conditions of terminal device 6.

[0190] In other examples, if the group of terminal devices is respectively within the coverage range of multiple beams, the base station sends sub-data packets according to the channel conditions of the farthest terminal device within the coverage range of each beam. For example, terminal devices 1-6 all request sub-data packet group 1 and sub-data packet group 2, and terminal devices 1 and 2 are both within the coverage range of beam 1, terminal devices 5 and 4 are both within the coverage range of beam 2, and terminal devices 3 and 6 are both within the coverage range of beam 3. Among them, among terminal devices 1 and 2, terminal device 2 is farther from the base station, among terminal devices 4 and 5, terminal device 5 is farther from the base station, and among terminal devices 3 and 6, terminal device 6 is farther from the base station. Then, the base station sends sub-data packet group 1 and sub-data packet group 2 to terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 on beam 1 according to the channel conditions of terminal device 2, sends sub-data packet group 1 and sub-data packet group 2 to terminal device 4 and terminal device 5 on beam 2 according to the channel conditions of terminal device 5, and multicasts sub-data packet group 1 and sub-data packet group 2 to terminal device 3 and terminal device 6 through beam 3 according to the channel conditions of terminal device 6.

[0191] In some embodiments, if the base station detects that a terminal device has requested a sub-packet of required feature information for the first time, the base station may obtain the sub-packet of required feature information from an I frame. Otherwise, the user obtains the sub-packet of required feature information from a P frame. The base station may not schedule sub-packets of unrequested feature information.

[0192] It should be noted that the feature information requested by the terminal device from the base station may be the same as or different from the feature information indicated by the UPF to the base station. For example, a terminal device requests slices for view 1 from the base station, and the UPF indicates the view angles of all slices to the base station. The base station can then search for the slice corresponding to view 1 among all slices and send the sub-data packet corresponding to that slice to the terminal device. For another example, a terminal device requests slices for view 1 from the base station, and the UPF indicates the identifiers of all slices to the base station. Based on the correspondence between view 1 and the slice identifiers, the base station can determine the slice required by the terminal device and send the sub-data packet corresponding to that slice to the terminal device. As one possible implementation, the correspondence between view angles and slice identifiers is configured to the UE by a core network device (such as an AMF, SMF, UPF, etc.) or a server or network management device. Of course, this correspondence can also be set locally by the UE. As one possible implementation, the correspondence between view angles and slice identifiers is configured to the base station by a core network device (such as an AMF, SMF, UPF, etc.) or a server or network management device. Of course, this correspondence can also be preset by the base station.

[0193] For another example, the terminal device requests the fragment identifier (or slice identifier) ​​corresponding to view 1 from the base station, and the UPF indicates the view of all fragments to the base station. The base station determines the data required by the terminal device from the data received from the UPF based on the fragment identifier (or slice identifier) ​​request information of the terminal device.

[0194] It should be noted that the technical solution is mainly described using sharding as an example in the embodiments of the present application, and the sharding in the text can also be replaced by slicing.

[0195] Compared to the prior art in which a base station multicasts a panoramic image to multiple terminals in a multicast group, resulting in a waste of resources, the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is that the base station receives a first data packet (corresponding to a panoramic image) from the UPF and schedules the minimum granularity of the data according to the request of the terminal device. Specifically, the base station can determine the characteristic information of the sub-data packet required by the terminal device based on the first message from the terminal device, and then determine the data to be sent to the terminal device, that is, send the sub-data packet required by the terminal device to the terminal device. It can be seen that the base station no longer sends a panoramic image to the terminal device, but instead sends the sub-data packet corresponding to the portion of the panoramic image required by the terminal device to the terminal device. The amount of data sent by the base station is reduced, thereby reducing the air interface resource consumption of the base station and improving network capacity.

[0196] Moreover, compared with the method in which the terminal device requests a sub-data packet of corresponding feature information from the server, which results in a longer delay, in the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device requests a sub-data packet of corresponding feature information from a base station closer to it, which results in a shorter delay and can improve communication efficiency.

[0197] In other embodiments, the base station may further indicate characteristic information of the sub-data packet to the terminal device. Specifically, the characteristic information may be indicated explicitly or implicitly.

[0198] As a possible implementation method, the display indication method can be specifically implemented as follows: the base station sends the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets to the terminal device. For example, the base station sends the following to the terminal device: Figure 9 The sub-data packet group 1 shown is sent, and the characteristic information of the sub-data packet group 1 is sent to the terminal device.

[0199] Optionally, a field is added to the MAC subheader or PDCP subheader corresponding to the sub-data packet to carry feature information.

[0200] For example, Figure 15 As shown, a MAC PDU contains multiple MAC sub-PDUs. Taking the structure of MAC sub-PDU1 as an example, MAC sub-PDU1 includes MAC sub-header 1 and MAC service data unit (SDU) 1. MAC sub-header 1 includes logical channel identifier 1 and feature information 1. Feature information 1 in MAC sub-header 1 indicates that the sub-data packet in MAC SDU1 has this feature. For example, if feature information 1 in MAC sub-header 1 is a viewing angle of 0-90 degrees, then sub-data packet 1 in MAC SDU1 is the sub-data packet corresponding to the viewing angle of 0-90 degrees.

[0201] Alternatively, the feature information may be carried in the downlink control information (DCI) of the PDCCH, in a field in the MAC CE, or in the payload field following the PDCP subheader. This approach can reduce overhead compared to carrying the feature information in every data packet.

[0202] As a possible implementation, a MAC PDU includes multiple MAC sub-PDUs, and one of the multiple MAC sub-PDUs includes a MAC CE, which includes characteristic information for indicating that the sub-data packets of the MAC SDUs included in all the MAC sub-PDUs after the MAC sub-PDU have the characteristic. Figure 16 As shown, MAC sub-PDU1 includes MAC CE, a field of which carries feature information 1, then, Figure 16 As shown, sub-data packet 1 carried by MAC sub-PDU2 and sub-data packet 2 carried by MAC sub-PDU3 both have the characteristics indicated by the characteristic information 1 .

[0203] As another possible implementation, a MAC PDU contains multiple MAC sub-PDUs, wherein the MAC CE of one MAC sub-PDU is used to indicate the feature information corresponding to the sub-data packets in each MAC sub-PDU in the MAC PDU. Figure 17 As shown, the MAC CE includes a characteristic indication field, and each bit in the characteristic indication field is associated with a characteristic information i, wherein the value of the bit is 1, indicating the existence of characteristic information i, that is, indicating the existence of a sub-packet corresponding to the characteristic information i, and the value of the bit is 0, indicating the absence of characteristic information i, that is, indicating the absence of a sub-packet corresponding to the characteristic information i. The MAC CE also includes a "characteristically associated MAC sub-PDU" field, which indicates the specific payload of the sub-packet associated with the characteristic information, that is, indicating the MAC sub-PDU used to carry the sub-packet associated with characteristic information 1, and the MAC sub-PDU used to carry the sub-packet associated with characteristic information 2. In this way, the UE can determine the characteristic information of the sub-packets in different MAC SDUs based on the information in the MAC CE.

[0204] Still combined Figure 13 For example, after the base station processes the first data packet through the SDAP protocol entity, PDCP protocol entity, RLC protocol entity, and MAC protocol entity to obtain one or more groups of sub-data packets, the PHY protocol entity sends the sub-data packet requested by the terminal device to the terminal device and displays the characteristic information indicating the sub-data packet. The display indication method can be Figure 15 or Figure 16 or Figure 17 The corresponding instruction method.

[0205] It should be noted that the sub-data packets mentioned in the embodiments of the present application carry characteristic information, which means that the characteristic information is sent to the terminal device together with the sub-data packets, not that the characteristic information is encapsulated in the sub-data packets.

[0206] In the method for displaying the characteristic information, the base station can send sub-packets with different characteristics through different logical channels, or can send sub-packets with different characteristics through the same logical channel. When the base station sends sub-packets with different characteristics through the same logical channel, neither the UE nor the base station needs to manage multiple logical channels, avoiding switching logical channels to receive sub-packets with different characteristics. Alternatively, when sub-packets with different characteristics are sent through the same data radio bearer, neither the UE nor the base station needs to manage multiple data radio bearers, avoiding switching data radio bearers to receive sub-packets with different characteristics.

[0207] As a possible implementation, the implicit indication method can be specifically implemented as follows: the base station sends sub-data packets containing different characteristic information to the terminal device via different LCHs. For example, the base station sends a first group of sub-data packets containing first characteristic information to the terminal device via a first logical channel. The base station sends a second group of sub-data packets containing the first characteristic information to the terminal device via a second logical channel. The first logical channel and the second logical channel are different. The first characteristic information and the second characteristic information are different.

[0208] It can be understood that in this implicit indication characteristic information method, the terminal device needs to be configured with a logical channel identifier and the characteristic information corresponding to the logical channel identifier. Specifically, the base station sends a second indication information to the terminal device, and the second indication information is used to indicate the characteristic information of one or more groups of sub-data packets and the logical channel identifier associated with the characteristic information of one or more groups of sub-data packets. Exemplarily, the second indication information is used to indicate the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and the identifier of the first logical channel associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets, and to indicate the characteristic information of the second group of sub-data packets and the identifier of the second logical channel associated with the characteristic information of the second group of sub-data packets.

[0209] For example, as shown in Table 2 below, a possible form of the second indication information is shown.

[0210] Table 2 Second indication information

[0211] Logical channel identifier Feature Information 1 Viewing angle 0-90 degrees 2 Viewing angle 90-180 degrees

[0212] For another example, the following Table 3 shows another possible form of the second indication information.

[0213] Table 3 Second indication information

[0214]

[0215] Exemplary, continue to combine Figure 14 The base station sends sub-data packets with different characteristic information through different LCHs. For example, the base station sends a group of sub-data packets corresponding to characteristic information 1 through LCH1, a group of sub-data packets corresponding to characteristic information 2 through LCH2, and a group of sub-data packets corresponding to characteristic information 3 through LCH3.

[0216] Alternatively, as another possible implementation, the base station implicitly indicates the characteristic information of the sub-packets to the terminal device. This can also be implemented as follows: the base station sends sub-packets containing different characteristic information to the terminal device via different DRBs. In this way, when the terminal device receives a sub-packet from a data radio bearer, it can determine the characteristic information corresponding to the sub-packet. For example, the base station sends a first group of sub-packets to the terminal device via a first data radio bearer and sends a second group of sub-packets to the terminal device via a second data radio bearer.

[0217] It can be understood that the base station needs to configure the characteristic information of one or more groups of sub-data packets and the identifier of the wireless data bearer associated with each of the one or more groups of sub-data packets for the terminal device. As a possible implementation method. The base station sends second indication information to the terminal device, and the second indication information includes the characteristic information of one or more groups of sub-data packets and the identifier of the wireless data bearer associated with each of the one or more groups of sub-data packets. Exemplarily, the second indication information is used to indicate the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and the identifier of the first data wireless bearer associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets, and to indicate the characteristic information of the second group of sub-data packets and the identifier of the second data wireless bearer associated with the characteristic information of the second group of sub-data packets.

[0218] Table 4 Second indication information

[0219] DRB logo Feature Information 1 Viewing angle 0-90 degrees 2 Viewing angle 90-180 degrees

[0220] For another example, the following Table 5 shows another possible form of the second indication information.

[0221] Table 5 Second indication information

[0222]

[0223] For example, continue to refer to Figure 14 The base station sends sub-data packets with different characteristic information through different DRBs. For example, a group of sub-data packets corresponding to characteristic information 1 is sent through DRB1, a group of sub-data packets corresponding to characteristic information 2 is sent through DRB2, and a group of sub-data packets corresponding to characteristic information 3 is sent through DRB3.

[0224] In other embodiments, the UPF does not indicate characteristic information of one or more groups of sub-data packets to the base station, but instead indicates to the base station the identifier of the terminal device requesting one or more groups of sub-data packets.

[0225] The embodiment of the present application also provides a method for establishing a session. The method for establishing a session is Figure 6 The basis of the corresponding technical solution. Figure 18 As shown, the session establishment method includes:

[0226] S201. SMF sends a PDU session resource setup request (PDU SESSION RESOURCE SETUP REQUEST) message to the base station.

[0227] Correspondingly, the base station receives a PDU session resource establishment request message from the SMF.

[0228] The session resource establishment request message may be used to request the base station to establish a multicast PDU session. The PDU session resource establishment request message includes QoS parameters of the QoS flow. The QoS parameters include but are not limited to a Quality of Service (QoS) flow identity (QFI) and a QoS profile.

[0229] The QoS parameters also include first indication information, which is used to indicate the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and the identifier of the first QoS flow associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets; or, the first indication information includes the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and the identifier of the first session associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets.

[0230] As a possible implementation method, the SMF sends a session resource establishment request to the base station via the AMF.

[0231] In some embodiments, the session resource establishment request message is used to request the base station to establish a PDU session. That is, a PDU session is established for the current multicast service. The session includes one or more QoS flows. In the case where the session includes multiple QoS flows, the SMF can indicate the characteristic information associated with the multiple QoS flows to the base station through the first indication information. In this way, when the base station establishes the multiple QoS flows, it can obtain the characteristic information associated with each QoS flow. In addition, after the UPF sends sub-data packets with different characteristic information to the base station through different QoS flows, the base station can obtain the characteristic information of the sub-data packets received on different QoS flows.

[0232] For example, as shown in Table 6 below, a possible form of the first indication information is shown.

[0233] Table 6 First indication information

[0234] QoS flow identification Feature Information 1 Viewing angle 0-90 degrees 2 Viewing angle 90-180 degrees

[0235] For another example, the following Table 7 shows another possible form of the first indication information.

[0236] Table 7 First indication information

[0237]

[0238] In other embodiments, the session resource establishment request message is used to request the base station to establish multiple PDU sessions. The SMF may indicate to the base station the feature information associated with each of the multiple sessions through the first indication information. In this way, when the base station establishes the multiple sessions, it can obtain the feature information associated with each session. Furthermore, after the UPF sends sub-packets containing different feature information to the base station through different sessions, the base station can obtain the sub-packets corresponding to specific feature information on a specific session. For example, the base station can obtain the sub-packets corresponding to feature information 2 on session 2.

[0239] For example, as shown in Table 8 below, a possible form of the first indication information is shown.

[0240] Table 8 First indication information

[0241] Session ID Feature Information 1 Viewing angle 0-90 degrees 2 Viewing angle 90-180 degrees

[0242] For another example, the following Table 9 shows another possible form of the first indication information.

[0243] Table 9 First indication information

[0244]

[0245] S202. The base station sends DRB parameters to the terminal device according to the PDU session resource establishment request message.

[0246] Specifically, the base station configures the DRB parameters according to the QoS parameters in the PDU session resource establishment request message, and sends an RRC reconfiguration (RRC RECONFIGURATION) message to the terminal device. The RRC reconfiguration message includes (or carries) the DRB parameters (ie, the second indication information).

[0247] Optionally, the DRB parameters include PDCP and SDAP configurations.

[0248] Optionally, the DRB parameters include a correspondence between a multicast service identifier, a logical channel identifier, a multicast session identifier, and a Group Radio Network Temporary Identity (G-RNTI) for multicast scheduling.

[0249] In some embodiments, the DRB parameters may optionally include one or more logical channel identifiers and characteristic information associated with each of the one or more logical channel identifiers. That is, the second indication information in the above embodiment may be a DRB parameter. In this way, the base station sends sub-data packets containing different characteristic information via different logical channels.

[0250] In other embodiments, the DRB parameters may also include one or more DRB identifiers and characteristic information associated with each of the one or more DRB identifiers. That is, the second indication information in the above embodiment may be a DRB parameter. In this way, the base station sends sub-data packets with different characteristic information through different DRBs.

[0251] S203. The terminal device sends an RRC reconfiguration complete (RRC RECONFIGURATION COMPLETE) message to the base station.

[0252] Specifically, the terminal device is configured according to the DRB parameters and sends an RRC reconfiguration completion message to the base station.

[0253] S204. The base station sends a PDU session resource establishment response (PDU SESSION RESOURCE SETUPRESPONSE) message to the SMF.

[0254] As a possible implementation method, the base station sends a PDU session resource establishment response to the SMF through the AMF.

[0255] After the multicast session is established, the UPF can transmit data to the terminal device through the multicast session.

[0256] In other embodiments, the SMF may also configure one or more feature information and the QoS flow identifier corresponding to each feature information to the UPF. As a possible implementation method, the SMF sends a packet detection rule (PDR) to the UPF. The PDR is used to indicate one or more feature information and the QoS flow identifier corresponding to each feature information. The UPF filters the data of the corresponding feature into the corresponding QoS flow based on the packet filtering rule of the feature information.

[0257] Alternatively, the SMF may configure one or more feature information and the session identifier corresponding to each feature information to the UPF. As a possible implementation method, the SMF sends a forwarding action rule (FAR) to the UPF. The FAR is used to indicate one or more feature information and the session identifier corresponding to each feature information. The UPF filters the data of the corresponding feature into the corresponding session based on the forwarding action rule of the feature information.

[0258] The present application also provides a communication method that can reduce the processing burden of a terminal. The method requires first configuring a terminal device with multiple logical channel identifiers and feature information associated with each of the multiple logical channel identifiers. The specific configuration method has been described in the above embodiment.

[0259] See also Figure 19 , the communication method comprises:

[0260] S301. UPF sends a first data packet to a base station.

[0261] A first data packet is received from a first core network device, where the first data packet includes one or more groups of sub-data packets; each of the one or more groups of sub-data packets has corresponding characteristic information.

[0262] S302. The base station sends a first group of sub-data packets to the terminal device through a first logical channel, and sends a second group of sub-data packets to the terminal device through a second logical channel.

[0263] The first group of sub-data packets corresponds to first characteristic information. The second group of sub-data packets corresponds to second characteristic information. The first characteristic information is different from the second characteristic information. The first logical channel is different from the second logical channel.

[0264] S303. The terminal device receives the required first group of sub-data packets from the base station through the first logical channel according to the multiple logical channel identifiers and the characteristic information associated with the multiple logical channel identifiers.

[0265] Exemplarily, taking the case where a terminal device requests a sub-data packet of a certain perspective, the terminal device receives the sub-data packet of the perspective on a logical channel associated with the perspective according to the required perspective.

[0266] pass Figure 19 In this technical solution, the terminal device does not need to send a first message to the base station requesting the first set of sub-data packets. Instead, it can flexibly determine the configuration for reception (such as the LCH for reception) based on current needs, preventing the base station from receiving redundant data. This reduces the complexity and latency of data reception processing on the terminal device, thereby reducing energy consumption. This also avoids wasting cache resources.

[0267] The embodiment of the present application also provides a communication method that can reduce the processing burden of the terminal. The method requires first configuring multiple DRB identifiers and characteristic information associated with each of the multiple DRB identifiers to the terminal device. The specific configuration method has been described in the above implementation.

[0268] See also Figure 20 , the communication method comprises:

[0269] S401. UPF sends a first data packet to a base station.

[0270] A first data packet is received from a first core network device, where the first data packet includes one or more groups of sub-data packets; each of the one or more groups of sub-data packets has corresponding characteristic information.

[0271] S402. The base station sends a first group of sub-data packets to the terminal device through the first DRB, and sends a second group of sub-data packets to the terminal device through the second DRB.

[0272] The first group of sub-data packets corresponds to first characteristic information. The second group of sub-data packets corresponds to second characteristic information. The first characteristic information is different from the second characteristic information. The first DRB is different from the second DRB.

[0273] S403. The terminal device receives the required first group of sub-data packets from the base station through the first DRB according to multiple DRB identifiers and the characteristic information associated with each of the multiple DRB identifiers.

[0274] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present application do not limit the execution order of the various method steps. Figure 6 For example, step S101 may be performed first, and then step S103. Alternatively, step S103 may be performed first, and then step S101.

[0275] The above mainly introduces the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of the interaction between various network elements. It can be understood that in order to implement the above functions, the above-mentioned terminal, session management network element or network device includes a hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in a hardware or computer software-driven hardware manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0276] The embodiment of the present application can divide the terminal device, access network device, first core network device or second core network device into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above-mentioned integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0277] For example, when the functional modules are divided in an integrated manner, Figure 21A schematic structural diagram of a device 90 is shown. The device 90 may be the access network device in the above embodiment, or a component supporting the access network device function in the above embodiment, such as a chip or circuit within the access network device. Alternatively, the device 90 may be the terminal device in the above embodiment, or a component supporting the terminal device function in the above embodiment, such as a chip or circuit within the terminal device. Alternatively, the device 90 may be the UPF network element in the above embodiment, or a component supporting the UPF function in the above embodiment, such as a chip or circuit within the UPF. Alternatively, the device 90 may be the SMF in the above embodiment, or a component supporting the SMF function in the above embodiment, such as a chip or circuit within the SMF. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0278] Taking the apparatus 90 as the access network device in the above embodiment as an example, the apparatus 90 includes: a transceiver module 901 .

[0279] The transceiver module 901 is used to receive a first data packet from a first core network device, where the first data packet includes one or more groups of sub-data packets; receive a first message from a terminal device, where the first message is used to request a first group of sub-data packets, where the first message includes characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets, and the first group of sub-data packets is a group of sub-data packets in one or more groups of sub-data packets; and send the first group of sub-data packets to the terminal device based on the first message and the first data packet.

[0280] Optionally, the device 90 further includes a processing module 903 for controlling the operation of the device 90. For example, for controlling the transceiver module to complete transceiver transmission. Optionally, the device further includes a storage module 902 for storing data or instructions of the device 90. For example, for storing the first data packet.

[0281] Taking the apparatus 90 as the first core network device in the above embodiment as an example, the apparatus 90 includes: a transceiver module 901 and a processing module 903 .

[0282] The processing module 903 is used to determine a first data packet, which includes one or more groups of sub-data packets and characteristic information of one or more groups of sub-data packets; the transceiver module 901 is used to send the first data packet to the access network device.

[0283] Optionally, the device further includes a storage module 902, configured to store data or instructions of the device 90. For example, the first data packet is stored.

[0284] Taking the apparatus 90 as the second core network device in the above embodiment as an example, the apparatus 90 includes: a transceiver module 901 and a processing module 903 .

[0285] The processing module 903 is used to determine a first data packet, which includes one or more groups of sub-data packets and characteristic information of one or more groups of sub-data packets; the transceiver module 901 is used to send the first data packet to the access network device.

[0286] Optionally, the device further includes a storage module 902, configured to store data or instructions of the device 90. For example, the first indication information is stored.

[0287] Taking the apparatus 90 as the terminal device in the above embodiment as an example, the apparatus 90 includes: a transceiver module 901 .

[0288] The transceiver module 901 is configured to send a first message to an access network device, the first message being used to request a first group of sub-data packets, the first message including characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets; and receive the first group of sub-data packets from the access network device.

[0289] Optionally, the apparatus 90 further includes a processing module 903 for controlling the operation of the apparatus 90. For example, the processing module 903 is used to control the transceiver module 901 to complete transceiver transmission. Optionally, the apparatus further includes a storage module 902 for storing data or instructions of the apparatus 90. For example, the storage module 902 is used to store the first group of sub-data packets.

[0290] Among them, all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module and will not be repeated here.

[0291] In this embodiment, the apparatus 90 is presented in the form of functional modules divided in an integrated manner. The modules herein may refer to specific ASICs, circuits, processors and memories that execute one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuits, and / or other devices that can provide the aforementioned functions.

[0292] In a simple embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the device 90 may be implemented as Figure 5 The form shown.

[0293] for example, Figure 5 The processor 401 and / or the processor 408 in the apparatus 90 may call the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 403 to enable the apparatus 90 to execute the communication method in the above method embodiment.

[0294] Specifically, the function / implementation process of the transceiver module 901 can be Figure 5 The communication interface 404 in the storage module 902 can be realized by Figure 5 The function / implementation process of the processing module 903 can be realized by Figure 5 It is implemented by the processor 401 and / or the processor 408 in the embodiment.

[0295] Optionally, when the apparatus 90 is a chip or a circuit, the memory 403 may be a storage unit within the chip or circuit, such as a register, a cache, etc. Of course, when the apparatus 90 is a device, the memory 403 may be a storage unit within the device that is located outside the chip, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0296] Since the device provided in the embodiment of the present application can be used to execute the above-mentioned communication method, the technical effects that can be obtained can be referred to the above-mentioned method embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0297] Optionally, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting a communication device in implementing the above-mentioned communication method. In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory. The memory is used to store program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. Of course, the memory may not be included in the chip system. The chip system may be composed of a chip or may include a chip and other discrete devices, and this embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this.

[0298] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function according to the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from a website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that contains one or more media that can be integrated. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0299] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, in the process of implementing the claimed application, those skilled in the art may understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments by reviewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple situations. A single processor or other unit may implement several functions listed in the claims. Certain measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0300] Although the present application has been described with reference to specific features and embodiments thereof, it is apparent that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings are merely illustrative of the present application as defined by the appended claims and are deemed to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present application. Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, the present application is intended to include such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applied to an access network device or a chip in the access network device, and the method includes: receiving a first data packet from a first core network device, where the first data packet includes one or more groups of sub-data packets; receiving a first message from a terminal device, the first message being used to request a first group of sub-data packets, the first message including characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets, the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets including: a frame type of a frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets and / or a coding type of a frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets, the first group of sub-data packets being a group of sub-data packets among the one or more groups of sub-data packets; The first group of sub-data packets is sent to the terminal device according to the first message and the first data packet.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein: The characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets also includes any one or more of the following: viewing angle information of the first group of sub-data packets, identification of the first group of sub-data packets, image type of the frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets, and identification of the frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets.

3. The communication method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first data packet further includes characteristic information of the one or more groups of sub-data packets.

4. The communication method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first group of sub-data packets corresponding to the first characteristic information are carried in a first quality of service QoS flow, and the second group of sub-data packets corresponding to the second characteristic information are carried in a second QoS flow; or, the first group of sub-data packets corresponding to the first characteristic information are carried in a first session, and the first group of sub-data packets corresponding to the second characteristic information are carried in a second session.

5. The communication method according to claim 4, wherein: The method also includes: receiving first indication information from a second core network device, the first indication information being used to indicate characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and an identifier of a first QoS flow associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets; or, the first indication information including the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and an identifier of a first session associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets.

6. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 2 and 5, characterized in that: The method further includes: sending characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets to the terminal device.

7. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 2 and 5, characterized in that: The method also includes: sending second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information is used to indicate the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and the identifier of the first logical channel associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets; or, the second indication information includes the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and the identifier of the first data wireless bearer associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets.

8. The communication method according to claim 7, wherein: The sending the first group of sub-data packets to the terminal device comprises: sending the first group of sub-data packets to the terminal device through the first logical channel; Or, sending the first group of sub-data packets to the terminal device via the first data radio bearer.

9. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a terminal device or a chip in the terminal device, and the method includes: Sending a first message to an access network device, where the first message is used to request a first group of sub-data packets, the first message including characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets, where the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets includes: a frame type of a frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets, and / or a coding type of a frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets; The first group of sub-data packets is received from the access network device, where the first group of sub-data packets is included in a first data packet, and the first data packet is a data packet received by the access network device from a first core network device.

10. The communication method according to claim 9, wherein: The characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets also includes any one or more of the following: viewing angle information of the first group of sub-data packets, identification of the first group of sub-data packets, image type of the frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets, and identification of the frame corresponding to the first group of sub-data packets.

11. The communication method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: The method further includes: receiving characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets from the access network device.

12. The communication method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: The method also includes: receiving second indication information from the access network device, the second indication information being used to indicate the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and the identifier of the first logical channel associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets; or, the second indication information including the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets and the identifier of the first data radio bearer associated with the characteristic information of the first group of sub-data packets.

13. A communication device, characterized in that: The apparatus comprises means for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

14. A communication device, characterized in that: The apparatus comprises means for performing the method according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

15. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by the communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or the method according to any one of claims 9 to 12 is implemented.

16. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises instructions which, when executed, implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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