Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The application provides a communication method and device. The communication method based on the application can determine a target arrival time of a first data packet of a QoS flow, and the waiting time corresponding to the target arrival time is less than or equal to a preset threshold. Therefore, the method based on the application can reduce the queuing delay of the data packet in the access network device or the terminal device. In addition, the process of determining the target arrival time based on the communication method of the application considers the preset requirement of the QoS flow or the preset requirement of the service flow corresponding to the QoS flow. Therefore, the method based on the application can avoid determining the target arrival time through multiple negotiations, thereby saving the signaling overhead, reducing the time consumed for determining the target arrival time, and improving the communication efficiency.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of communication, and more particularly, to a communication method and apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0002] Currently, the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) network and the latency-sensitive network can realize interworking.

[0003] However, in the process of downlink transmission of data packets, the data packets may be cached / queued for a long time at the access network device due to the timing of the arrival of the data packets at the access network device; in the process of uplink transmission of data packets, the data packets may be cached / queued for a long time at the terminal device due to the timing of the arrival of the data packets at the terminal device. Therefore, if the data packets are cached or queued for a long time at the access network device or the terminal device, the requirements of some low-latency services may not be met. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus, which can reduce the queuing latency of data packets at the access network device or the terminal device.

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising:

[0006] The access network device receives information of a plurality of first arrival times of a first data packet in a quality of service (QoS) flow from a session management network element; wherein in the downlink direction, the plurality of first arrival times are a plurality of times of arrival of the first data packet at an entrance of the access network device; in the uplink direction, the plurality of first arrival times are a plurality of times of arrival of the first data packet at an exit of the terminal device; the access network device determines a target arrival time according to the information of the plurality of first arrival times; and the access network device sends the target arrival time.

[0007] According to the method of the present application, the access network device determines the target arrival time according to the information of the plurality of arrival times, which can avoid determining the target arrival time through multiple negotiations, thereby saving signaling overhead, reducing the time consumed for determining the target arrival time, and improving communication efficiency.

[0008] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the plurality of first arrival times correspond to a plurality of second arrival times of the first data packet of a service, the QoS flow corresponds to the service, and the plurality of second arrival times meet preset requirements of the service, the preset requirements including one or more of the following:

[0009] a time interval requirement of the data packet of the service, a sending order requirement of the service, and an arrival time adjustment granularity requirement of the data packet of the service.

[0010] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival time occasion is less than or equal to a preset threshold, wherein in the uplink direction, the waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival time occasion is a waiting time delay at the terminal device; and in the downlink direction, the waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival time occasion is a waiting time delay at the access network device.

[0011] According to the method of the present application, the waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival time occasion is less than or equal to a preset threshold, and therefore, the method of the present application can reduce the queuing delay of data packets at the access network device or the terminal device.

[0012] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the target arrival time occasion is a time occasion with the minimum waiting time delay among the plurality of first arrival time occasions.

[0013] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the plurality of first arrival time occasions include a preferred arrival time occasion and at least one alternative arrival time occasion; the preferred arrival time occasion has a higher priority than the at least one alternative arrival time occasion; and the access network device determines the target arrival time occasion by:

[0014] in a case where the waiting time delay corresponding to the preferred arrival time occasion is less than or equal to a preset threshold, determining the preferred arrival time occasion as the target arrival time occasion; or in a case where the waiting time delay corresponding to the preferred arrival time occasion is greater than the preset threshold, determining the target arrival time occasion according to the at least one alternative arrival time occasion.

[0015] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the at least one alternative arrival time occasion has a priority order, and the access network device determines the target arrival time occasion according to the at least one alternative arrival time occasion by:

[0016] the access network device determines the target arrival time occasion according to the priority order and the at least one alternative arrival time occasion.

[0017] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, in a case where the waiting time delay corresponding to the preferred arrival time occasion is greater than the preset threshold, the target arrival time occasion is a time occasion with the minimum waiting time delay among the at least one alternative arrival time occasion.

[0018] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the information of the plurality of first arrival time occasions is information of arrival time intervals.

[0019] the access network device determines the target arrival time occasion by:

[0020] the access network device determines the target arrival time occasion according to the arrival time intervals.

[0021] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the access network device determines the target arrival time, including:

[0022] The access network device determines the target arrival time according to the air interface scheduling state.

[0023] More details of the communication method provided in the first aspect can be referred to the description of Figure 6 .

[0024] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, including:

[0025] The application function network element determines information of a plurality of arrival times of a first data packet of a service, the plurality of arrival times meeting preset requirements of the service, the preset requirements including one or more of the following: an arrival time interval requirement of a data packet of the service, a sending order requirement of the service, an arrival time adjustment granularity requirement of a data packet of the service; in a downlink direction, the plurality of arrival times are times for a plurality of arrival delay-sensitive network translators (NW-TTs) on a network side of the first data packet; in an uplink direction, the plurality of arrival times are times for a plurality of arrival delay-sensitive network translators (DS-TTs) on a device side of the first data packet; the application function network element sends identification information of the service and the information of the plurality of arrival times; the application function network element receives, from a session management network element, the identification information of the service and a target arrival time; the information of the plurality of arrival times includes the target arrival time; and the application function network element adjusts a sending time of the first data packet according to the target arrival time.

[0026] According to the method of the present application, since the application function network element provides information of a plurality of arrival times meeting preset requirements of a service, the method can avoid determining a target arrival time through multiple negotiations, thereby saving signaling overhead, reducing time consumed for determining the target arrival time, and improving communication efficiency.

[0027] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the waiting delay corresponding to the target arrival time is less than or equal to a preset threshold, where in the uplink direction, the waiting delay corresponding to the target arrival time is a waiting delay at a terminal device; and in the downlink direction, the waiting delay corresponding to the target arrival time is a waiting delay at an access network device.

[0028] According to the method of the present application, the waiting delay corresponding to the target arrival time is less than or equal to a preset threshold, and therefore, the method of the present application can reduce queuing delay of a data packet at an access network device or a terminal device.

[0029] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the plurality of arrival times include a preferred arrival time and at least one alternative arrival time, the preferred arrival time having a higher priority than the at least one alternative arrival time.

[0030] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the at least one alternative arrival timing has a priority order.

[0031] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the information of the multiple arrival timings is information of arrival time intervals.

[0032] More details of the communication method provided by the second aspect can be referred to the description of Figure 6 .

[0033] The third aspect provides a communication method, comprising:

[0034] The session management network element receives preset requirements of the service from the application function network element, the preset requirements comprising one or more of the following: arrival time interval requirements of data packets of the service, sending order requirements of the service, and arrival timing adjustment granularity requirements of data packets of the service; the session management network element receives multiple arrival timings of a first data packet in a quality of service (QoS) flow from an access network device, the service corresponding to the QoS flow; and the session management network element determines a target arrival timing of the first data packet of the QoS flow according to the multiple arrival timings and the preset requirements of the service.

[0035] In the above method, the session management network element determines the target arrival timing based on the preset requirements of the service obtained from the application function network element and the multiple arrival timings obtained from the access network device, and the target arrival timing meets the preset requirements of the service. Therefore, the method provided by the present application can avoid determining the target arrival timing through multiple negotiations, thereby saving signaling overhead, reducing the time consumed for determining the target arrival timing, and improving communication efficiency.

[0036] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the target arrival timing of the first data packet of the QoS flow meets the preset requirements of the QoS flow, and the preset requirements of the QoS flow correspond to the preset requirements of the service.

[0037] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, a waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival timing of the first data packet of the QoS flow is less than or equal to a preset threshold value; in the uplink direction, the waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival timing of the first data packet of the QoS flow is a waiting time delay at the terminal device; and in the downlink direction, the waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival timing of the first data packet of the QoS flow is a waiting time delay at the access network device.

[0038] According to the method of the present application, the waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival timing is less than or equal to the preset threshold value, and therefore, the method of the present application can reduce the queuing time delay of the data packet at the access network device or the terminal device.

[0039] In some implementations of the third aspect, the multiple arrival occasions have a priority order; and the session management network element determines the target arrival occasion of the first data packet of the QoS flow, including:

[0040] The session management network element determines the target arrival occasion of the first data packet of the QoS flow according to the priority order.

[0041] In some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: the session management network element sending the identification information of the service and the target arrival occasion of the first data packet of the service; and the target arrival occasion of the first data packet of the QoS flow corresponds to the target arrival occasion of the first data packet of the service.

[0042] More details of the communication method of the third aspect can be referred to the description of Figure 10 .

[0043] In the fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, including:

[0044] The access network device determines multiple arrival occasions of a first data packet of a quality of service (QoS) flow; in a downlink direction, the multiple arrival occasions are multiple arrival occasions at access network device inlets; in an uplink direction, the multiple arrival occasions are multiple arrival occasions at terminal device outlets; and the access network device sends, to a session management network element, identification of the QoS flow and the multiple arrival occasions.

[0045] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes:

[0046] The access network device receives, from the session management network element, identification of the QoS flow and a preferred arrival occasion of the first data packet of the QoS flow; and the access network device determines the multiple arrival occasions, including:

[0047] In a case where a waiting time delay corresponding to the preferred arrival occasion is greater than a preset threshold, the access network device determines the multiple arrival occasions.

[0048] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, waiting time delays corresponding to the multiple arrival occasions are less than or equal to a preset threshold; in the uplink direction, the waiting time delays corresponding to the multiple arrival occasions are waiting time delays at the terminal device; and in the downlink direction, the waiting time delays corresponding to the multiple arrival occasions are waiting time delays at the access network device.

[0049] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, the access network device determines the multiple arrival occasions, including:

[0050] The access network device determines the multiple arrival occasions according to a state of air interface scheduling.

[0051] In a fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the multiple arrival occasions have a priority order.

[0052] Further details of the communication method of the fourth aspect can be found in the description of Figure 10 .

[0053] In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising:

[0054] The access network device receives preset requirements of a quality of service (QoS) flow from a session management network element, the preset requirements comprising one or more of: an arrival time interval requirement of a data packet of the QoS flow, a sending order requirement of the QoS flow, and an arrival occasion adjustment granularity requirement of the data packet of the QoS flow; the access network device determines a target arrival occasion of a first data packet of the QoS flow, the target arrival occasion satisfying the preset requirements; and the access network device sends the target arrival occasion.

[0055] According to the method of the present application, the target arrival occasion determined by the access network device satisfies the preset requirements, so that the target arrival occasion can be determined through multiple negotiations, thereby saving signaling overhead, reducing the time consumed for determining the target arrival occasion, and improving communication efficiency.

[0056] In a fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the method further comprises:

[0057] The access network device receives a preferred arrival occasion of a first data packet of a QoS flow from a session management network element; wherein, in a downlink direction, the preferred arrival occasion is an occasion at which the data packet is preferred to arrive at an entrance of the access network device; and in an uplink direction, the preferred arrival occasion is an occasion at which the data packet is preferred to arrive at an exit of a terminal device; and the access network device determines a target arrival occasion, comprising:

[0058] In a case where a waiting time delay corresponding to the preferred arrival occasion is greater than a preset threshold, the access network device determines the target arrival occasion, the waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival occasion being less than or equal to the preset threshold; wherein, in the uplink direction, the waiting time delay corresponding to the preferred arrival occasion and the waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival occasion are waiting time delays at the terminal device; and in the downlink direction, the waiting time delay corresponding to the preferred arrival occasion and the waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival occasion are waiting time delays at the access network device.

[0059] According to the method of the present application, the waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival occasion is less than or equal to the preset threshold, so that the method of the present application can reduce the queuing time delay of the data packet at the access network device or the terminal device.

[0060] Further details of the communication method of the fifth aspect can be found in the description of Figure 14 .

[0061] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising: a transceiver, and a processing unit connected to the transceiver.

[0062] The transceiver is configured to receive, from a session management network element, an identifier of a quality of service (QoS) flow and information of a plurality of arrival instants of a first packet of the QoS flow; wherein in a downlink direction, the plurality of arrival instants are instants of a plurality of arrival access network device entries for the first packet; and in an uplink direction, the plurality of arrival instants are instants of a plurality of arrival terminal device exits for the first packet; the processing unit is configured to determine a target arrival instant according to the information of the plurality of arrival instants; and the transceiver is configured to send the identifier of the QoS flow and the target arrival instant.

[0063] With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, a waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival instant is less than or equal to a preset threshold, wherein in the uplink direction, the waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival instant is a waiting time delay at a terminal device; and in the downlink direction, the waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival instant is a waiting time delay at an access network device.

[0064] With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the target arrival instant is an arrival instant with a minimum waiting time delay among the plurality of arrival instants.

[0065] With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the plurality of arrival instants comprises a preferred arrival instant and at least one alternative arrival instant; a priority of the preferred arrival instant is higher than a priority of the at least one alternative arrival instant; in a case that a waiting time delay corresponding to the preferred arrival instant is less than or equal to a preset threshold, the processing unit is configured to determine the preferred arrival instant as the target arrival instant; or in a case that the waiting time delay corresponding to the preferred arrival instant is greater than the preset threshold, the processing unit is configured to determine the target arrival instant according to the at least one alternative arrival instant.

[0066] With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the at least one alternative arrival instant has a priority order, and the processing unit is configured to determine the target arrival instant according to the priority order and the at least one alternative arrival instant.

[0067] With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, in a case that the waiting time delay corresponding to the preferred arrival instant is greater than the preset threshold, the target arrival instant is an arrival instant with a minimum waiting time delay among the at least one alternative arrival instant.

[0068] With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the information of the plurality of arrival instants is information of an arrival time interval, and the processing unit is configured to determine the target arrival instant according to the arrival time interval.

[0069] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the processing unit is configured to determine the target arrival time based on the air interface scheduling state.

[0070] In a seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising: a transceiver, and a processing unit connected to the transceiver.

[0071] The processing unit is configured to determine information of a plurality of arrival times of a first data packet of a service, the plurality of arrival times satisfying a preset requirement of the service, the preset requirement comprising one or more of: an arrival time interval requirement of a data packet of the service, a sending order requirement of the service, an arrival time adjustment granularity requirement of a data packet of the service; wherein, in a downlink direction, the plurality of arrival times are a plurality of arrival times of a time sensitive network translator (NW-TT) on a network side for the first data packet; in an uplink direction, the plurality of arrival times are a plurality of arrival times of a time sensitive network translator (DS-TT) on a device side for the first data packet; the transceiver is configured to send identification information of the service and the information of the plurality of arrival times; the transceiver is configured to receive the identification information of the service and a target arrival time from a session management network element; wherein, the information of the plurality of arrival times comprises the target arrival time; and the processing unit is configured to adjust a sending time of the first data packet based on the target arrival time.

[0072] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the target arrival time corresponds to a waiting time delay less than or equal to a preset threshold, wherein, in the uplink direction, the target arrival time corresponds to a waiting time delay at a terminal device; in the downlink direction, the target arrival time corresponds to a waiting time delay at an access network device.

[0073] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the plurality of arrival times comprises a preferred arrival time and at least one alternative arrival time, the preferred arrival time having a higher priority than the at least one alternative arrival time.

[0074] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the at least one alternative arrival time has a priority order.

[0075] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the information of the plurality of arrival times is information of an arrival time interval.

[0076] In an eighth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising: a transceiver, and a processing unit connected to the transceiver.

[0077] The transceiver unit is configured to receive preset requirements of the service from an application function network element, the preset requirements including one or more of the following: an arrival time interval requirement of a data packet of the service, a sending order requirement of the service, and an arrival time adjustment granularity requirement of the data packet of the service; the transceiver unit is configured to receive an identification of a quality of service (QoS) flow of an access network device and a plurality of arrival times of a first data packet in the QoS flow, the service corresponding to the QoS flow; and the processing unit is configured to determine a target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow according to the plurality of arrival times and the preset requirements of the service.

[0078] With reference to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow satisfies preset requirements of the QoS flow, the preset requirements of the QoS flow corresponding to the preset requirements of the service.

[0079] With reference to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, a waiting time corresponding to the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow is less than or equal to a preset threshold; in the uplink direction, the waiting time corresponding to the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow is a waiting time at the terminal device; and in the downlink direction, the waiting time corresponding to the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow is a waiting time at the access network device.

[0080] With reference to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the plurality of arrival times have a priority order; and the processing unit is configured to determine the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow according to the priority order.

[0081] With reference to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the transceiver unit is configured to send identification information of the service and the target arrival time of the first data packet of the service; and the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow corresponds to the target arrival time of the first data packet of the service.

[0082] A ninth aspect provides a communication apparatus, including: a transceiver unit, and a processing unit connected to the transceiver unit.

[0083] The processing unit is configured to determine a plurality of arrival times of a first data packet of a quality of service (QoS) flow; in the downlink direction, the plurality of arrival times are a plurality of arrival times at a plurality of access network device entrances; and in the uplink direction, the plurality of arrival times are a plurality of arrival times at a plurality of terminal device exits; and the transceiver unit is configured to send an identification of the QoS flow and the plurality of arrival times to a session management network element.

[0084] In conjunction with the ninth aspect, in some implementations of the ninth aspect, the transceiver unit is used to receive the identifier of the QoS flow and the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow from the session management network element; if the waiting delay corresponding to the preferred arrival time is greater than a preset threshold, the processing unit is used to determine multiple arrival times.

[0085] In conjunction with aspect nine, in some implementations of aspect nine, the waiting delay corresponding to multiple arrival opportunities is less than or equal to a preset threshold; wherein, in the uplink direction, the waiting delay corresponding to multiple arrival opportunities is the waiting delay at the terminal device; and in the downlink direction, the waiting delay corresponding to multiple arrival opportunities is the waiting delay at the access network device.

[0086] In conjunction with the ninth aspect, in some implementations of the ninth aspect, the processing unit is used to determine multiple arrival times based on the air interface scheduling status.

[0087] In conjunction with the ninth aspect, in some implementations of the ninth aspect, multiple arrival times have a priority order.

[0088] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a transceiver unit, and a processing unit connected to the transceiver unit.

[0089] The transceiver unit is used to receive the identifier of the QoS flow and the preset requirements of the QoS flow from the session management network element. The preset requirements include one or more of the following: arrival time interval requirements of the QoS flow data packets, transmission order requirements of the QoS flow, and arrival timing adjustment granularity requirements of the QoS flow data packets; the processing unit is used to determine the target arrival timing of the first data packet of the QoS flow, and the target arrival timing meets the preset requirements; the transceiver unit is used to send the identifier of the QoS flow and the target arrival timing.

[0090] In conjunction with aspect ten, in certain implementations of aspect ten, the transceiver unit is configured to receive the preferred arrival time of the first data packet in the QoS flow from the session management network element; wherein, in the downlink direction, the preferred arrival time is the preferred arrival time at the access network device ingress; in the uplink direction, the preferred arrival time is the preferred arrival time at the terminal device egress; if the waiting delay corresponding to the preferred arrival time is greater than a preset threshold, the processing unit is configured to determine the target arrival time, wherein the waiting delay corresponding to the target arrival time is less than or equal to the preset threshold; wherein, in the uplink direction, the waiting delay corresponding to the preferred arrival time and the waiting delay corresponding to the target arrival time are the waiting delay at the terminal device; in the downlink direction, the waiting delay corresponding to the preferred arrival time and the waiting delay corresponding to the target arrival time are the waiting delay at the access network device.

[0091] In an eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a communication interface and a processor. When the communication device is running, the processor executes a computer program or instructions stored in a memory, so that the communication device performs the method in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the fifth aspect. The memory can be located in the processor, or can be realized by a chip independent of the processor, and the present application does not make a specific limitation thereon.

[0092] In a twelfth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, comprising a computer program. When the computer program is running on a computer, the computer program causes the computer to perform the method in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the fifth aspect.

[0093] In a thirteenth aspect, a chip is provided, wherein the chip is provided with a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to perform the method in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the fifth aspect.

[0094] In a fourteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions). When the computer program is running, the computer program causes a computer to perform the method in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the fifth aspect.

[0095] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising an access network device and a session management network element.

[0096] The access network device is configured to perform the method in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0097] Alternatively, the session management network element is configured to perform the method in any possible implementation manner of the third aspect; and the access network device is configured to perform the method in any possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect.

[0098] Alternatively, the access network device is configured to perform the method in any possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0099] Figure 1 A TSN network model is shown.

[0100] Figure 2 A system architecture to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable is shown.

[0101] Figure 3 A scenario of downlink transmission packets is shown.

[0102] Figure 4 A system architecture to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable is shown.

[0103] Figure 5 A background technical diagram of the present application is shown.

[0104] Figure 6 An example schematic interaction diagram for a method presented herein.

[0105] Figure 7 An example schematic diagram for a related example of the present application.

[0106] Figure 8 An example schematic diagram for a related example of the present application.

[0107] Figure 9 An example schematic diagram for a related example of the present application.

[0108] Figure 10 An example schematic interaction diagram for a method presented herein.

[0109] Figure 11 An example schematic diagram for a related example of the present application.

[0110] Figure 12 An example schematic diagram for a related example of the present application.

[0111] Figure 13 An example schematic diagram for a related example of the present application.

[0112] Figure 14 An example schematic interaction diagram for a method presented herein.

[0113] Figure 15 An example schematic block diagram of a communications device provided herein.

[0114] Figure 16 An example schematic block diagram of a communications device provided herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0115] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example: a global system for mobile communication (GSM) system, a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, a general packet radio service (GPRS), a long term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD), a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, a 5th generation (5G) system or a new radio (NR), a future 6th generation (6G) system, and the like.

[0116] For ease of understanding, first introduce the terms involved in the present application.

[0117] 1. Terminal device

[0118] The terminal device can refer to a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user device. The terminal device can also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device, or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a 5G network, a terminal device in a future 6G network, or a terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0119] 2、Radio access network device

[0120] The radio access network device can be a base transceiver station (BTS) in a GSM system or a CDMA system, a base station (nodeB, NB) in a WCDMA system, an evolved nodeB (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, or the network device can be a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a radio access network (RAN) device in a 5G network, and a radio access network device in a future 6G network, etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited.

[0121] 3、User plane network element

[0122] The user plane network element can be a user plane function (UPF) network element in a 5G architecture, which can be responsible for processing user messages, such as forwarding, charging, etc. In a future communication system (such as a 6G or other communication system), the user plane network element can still be a UPF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0123] 4、Mobility management network element

[0124] The mobility management network element is responsible for the access and mobility management of UEs in a mobile network. The mobility management network element can be an access and mobility management function (AMF) in a 5G system. The AMF can be responsible for user location update, user registration network, user handover, UE access and mobility management, selection of a session management network element, etc. The AMF can serve as an intermediate network element to transmit session management messages between the UE and the session management network element. In a future communication system (such as a 6G or other communication system), the mobility management network element can still be an AMF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0125] 5、Session management network element

[0126] The session management network element is used to manage user session creation, deletion, and maintenance of session context. For example, in a 5G network, it can be a session management function (SMF) network element. It should be understood that in future communication systems, the session management network element can still be an SMF network element or have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0127] 6. Policy control network element

[0128] The policy control network element can be responsible for policy control decision and flow-based charging control. Specifically, the policy control network element can be responsible for providing policies such as quality of service (QoS) policies, slice selection policies, etc. to mobility management network elements (such as AMF) and session management network elements (such as SMF). For example, in a 5G network, it can be a policy control function (PCF) network element. It should be understood that in future communication systems, the policy control network element can still be a PCF network element or have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0129] 7. Application function network element

[0130] The application function network element is used to provide various service services. For example, in a 5G network, it can be an application function (AF) network element. It should be understood that in future communication systems, the application function network element can still be an AF network element or have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0131] 8. Network exposure network element

[0132] The network exposure network element is responsible for managing all external applications that expose network data to the outside, and ensuring the security of external applications to the 3GPP network. For example, in a 5G network, it can be a network exposure function (NEF) network element. It should be understood that in future communication systems, the network exposure network element can still be an NEF network element or have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0133] In a traditional Ethernet network, when a large number of data packets arrive at a forwarding port at a moment, the forwarding delay is large or the packet is lost, so the traditional Ethernet cannot provide high reliability and transmission delay guaranteed service, and cannot meet the needs of automotive control, industrial internet and other fields. Based on this, the time sensitive network (TSN) application was born. The TSN network can guarantee the reliability of time sensitive business data transmission and the predictable end-to-end transmission delay.

[0134] Figure 1 A TSN network model is shown, which includes a centralized user configuration (CUC) network element, a centralized network configuration (CNC) network element, a TSN terminal (including a talker and a listener), and a TSN bridge. The TSN bridge can also be referred to as a TSN switching node or a TSN node.

[0135] The CUC network element is used to manage TSN terminals (talkers and listeners) and services, is responsible for discovering and managing TSN terminals, obtaining the capabilities of TSN terminals and user requirements, sending the requirements of TSN flows to the CNC, and configuring TSN terminals according to the instructions of the CNC. The CNC network element is responsible for managing the topology of the user plane of the TSN system (including TSN terminals and various TSN switching nodes) and the capability information of various TSN switching nodes, generating an end-to-end forwarding path of a TSN flow according to the requirements of the TSN flow, and issuing scheduling parameters to various TSN switching nodes. Each TSN switching node reports switching node capability information and topology information to the CNC, and forwards data streams based on the scheduling parameters issued by the CNC.

[0136] Figure 2 A system architecture for interworking between a 3GPP network and a TSN network is shown. The 3GPP network includes a device-side TSN translator (DS-TT), a terminal device, a wireless access device, a user plane network element, a network-side TSN translator (NW-TT), a mobility management network element, a session management network element, a policy control network element, and an application function network element. The network elements in the dashed box can collectively serve as a logical TSN bridge. Exemplarily, the network elements in the dashed box can be network elements in a 5G system (5GS). That is, when a 5G network interworks with a TSN network, the 5GS can serve as a TSN bridge, which can be referred to as a 5GS bridge, or can be referred to as a 5GS node.

[0137] In addition, the NW-TT and the user plane network element can be combined (not shown in the figure) or separated.

[0138] The following behaviors are examples, such as Figure 3As shown, after the message is transmitted from the TSN network to the NW-TT, it is sent to the DS-TT through the user plane network element, the radio access network device and the terminal device. The DS-TT sends the message according to the transmission time window (i.e., the gating scheduling parameter) configured by the CNC. In order to ensure that the message can be sent in time, the message needs to arrive at the DS-TT before the preset transmission time and be cached at the DS-TT to the transmission time window. For messages with deterministic delay requirements, the 3GPP network needs to determine the corresponding packet delay budget (PDB) according to the message requirements and ensure that the transmission time between the UE and the UPF is not greater than the PDB. That is, the message will arrive at the DS-TT in advance so as to catch up with the transmission time window configured by the CNC.

[0139] Figure 4 A system architecture of 3GPP network interworking with non-TSN network is shown. The system includes device side TSN network converter, terminal device, radio access device, user plane network element, network side TSN network converter, mobility management network element, session management network element, policy control network element, time sensitive communication time sensitive function network element, network exposure network element and application function network element.

[0140] Among them, the time sensitive communication time sensitive function network element is a newly added network element in the non-TSN scenario, which supports clock synchronization service and enables TSC service in the non-TSN scenario. For example, the network element can be a time sensitive communication and time synchronization function (TSCTSF) network element.

[0141] The functions of the TSCTSF network element include:

[0142] 1: Associate the time synchronization service request from the AF to the AF session.

[0143] 2: Interact with the DS-TT / NW-TT port management information container (PMIC) information / bridge management information container (BMIC) information, manage and control the DS-TT / NW-TT.

[0144] 3: Detect the availability of 5GS bridge (or, referred to as 5GS node) information reported by the PCF.

[0145] 4: Create a time sensitive communication assistance container (TSCAC) according to the service type parameter provided by AF / NEF, and provide it to PCF.

[0146] 5: Determine the 5GS bridge delay according to the UE-DS-TT residence time, and provide it to PCF.

[0147] In addition, in the 3GPP network, in order to guarantee the quality of service of the service end to end, a quality of service flow (QoS flow) based QoS model is proposed. The QoS model supports guarantee bit rate QoS flow (GBR QoS flow) and non-guarantee bit rate QoS flow (Non-GBR QoS flow). The data packets controlled by the same QoS flow can use the same transmission processing method.

[0148] For a UE, one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions can be established with the 3GPP network; one or more QoS flows can be established in each PDU session. Each QoS flow is identified by a QoS flow identifier (QFI). It is generally believed that in the TSN / TSC scenario, the QoS flow is one-to-one corresponding to the service data flow. That is, the SMF will bind the service flow corresponding to the PCC rule (policy of charging and control rule) with TSCAC to a single QoS flow, and other service flows will not be bound to this QoS flow.

[0149] At present, when the 3GPP network interworks with a latency-sensitive network (including a TSN network and a non-TSN latency-sensitive network), the data packets may be cached / queued for a long time at the access network device or the terminal device.

[0150] For the downlink scenario, for example, Figure 5Four slots are shown, each slot includes a scheduling window and a processing window. One scheduling window can be used for uplink or downlink. The processing window is used for processing the traffic packets, corresponding to the processing latency, for example, transmission time interval (TTI) scheduling guard band latency. Packet #1 and packet #2 arrive at the RAN in scheduling window #1, then packet #1 and packet #2 can be sent at the earliest in scheduling window #2. Packet #3 arrives at the RAN in the processing window, then packet #3 can be sent at the earliest in scheduling window #4. That is, because the arrival time of packet #1 to packet #3 at the RAN is different, the queuing latency of packet #1 to packet #3 at the RAN is also different. Among them, the queuing latency of packet #1 at the RAN is less than 1 slot, the queuing latency of packet #2 at the RAN is one processing window, and the queuing latency of packet #3 at the RAN is greater than 2 slots. The typical duration of one slot of the RAN is 125us, and for some services with relatively high latency requirements, it is necessary to avoid too long queuing latency.

[0151] For the uplink scenario, the data packets can also be cached / queued at the UE for a long time.

[0152] To solve this problem, the scheduling coordinator (for example, SMF) can obtain air interface scheduling information from the RAN and obtain the latency requirement of the service from the AF; further, the scheduling coordinator adjusts the sending time of the service packet according to the air interface scheduling information and the latency requirement of the service, so that the sending time of the service packet can fall in the nearest slot as much as possible, avoiding long waiting time.

[0153] To optimize the above scheme, the present application provides a communication method for further reducing the queuing latency of data packets at the access network device or the terminal device.

[0154] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings in the TSN scenario. It should be understood that for non-TSN scenarios, the AF in the embodiments of the present application can be replaced by a TSCTSF network element.

[0155] Figure 6 A method provided by the present application is shown, the method includes:

[0156] S601, the AF determines the information of a plurality of arrival times of the first data packet of the service #1.

[0157] In the present application, the first data packet of the service #1 can be the first data packet of the service #1, and the first data packet of the service #2 can be the first data packet of the service #2, which will not be described below.

[0158] The information of the arrival time of one data packet can be a burst arrival time (BAT) of the one data packet. That is, the AF can determine multiple BATs for the first data packet of service #1.

[0159] The multiple arrival times satisfy the preset requirement of service #1, in other words, the AF can determine the information of the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of service #1 according to the preset requirement of service #1. The preset requirement of service #1 includes but is not limited to one or more of the following:

[0160] The arrival time interval requirement of the data packet of service #1, the sending order requirement of service #1, the arrival time adjustment granularity requirement of the data packet of service #1.

[0161] As a manner, the preset requirement of service #1 can be pre-configured into the AF. Exemplarily, the preset requirement of service #1 can be configured to the AF by a controller (for example, a CNC network element) of the TSN network.

[0162] As another manner, the preset requirement of service #1 can also be determined by the AF itself. For example, the AF determines that service #1 is a response service of service #2, and then the AF determines that the sending order of service #1 is after that of service #2.

[0163] Exemplarily, in the uplink direction, the arrival time interval requirement of the data packet of service #1 is the time interval requirement of the data packet arriving at the DS-TT; in the downlink direction, the arrival time interval requirement of the data packet of service #1 is the time interval requirement of the data packet arriving at the NW-TT.

[0164] Exemplarily, the sending order of service #1 can be an absolute sending order, for example, an absolute order of service #1 can be represented by a parameter A. For example, there are two services (denoted as service #1 and service #2), the parameter A of service #1 is 1, and the parameter A of service #2 is 2, so the sending order of service #1 is before that of service #2. The sending order of service #1 can also be a relative sending order, for example, service #1 is sent before service #2.

[0165] Exemplarily, the arrival time adjustment granularity of the data packet of service #1 can be in the order of microseconds, or in the order of milliseconds.

[0166] The preset requirement of service #1 is not described again below.

[0167] In addition, in the downlink direction, the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of service #1 are multiple arrival times of the NW-TT; in the uplink direction, the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of service #1 are multiple arrival times of the DS-TT.

[0168] The following describes ways for the AF to determine the information of multiple arrival times of the first data packet of service #1 through several examples.

[0169] Example 1:

[0170] The arrival time interval of the data packet of service #1 is [A, B]. Exemplarily, the CNC network element can configure the arrival time interval to the AF.

[0171] As one way, the AF determines the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of service #1 according to the arrival time interval, i.e., the arrival time interval [A, B] includes the multiple arrival times.

[0172] As another way, the AF determines the information of the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of service #1 as an arrival time interval [a, b], which is a subset of the arrival time interval [A, B].

[0173] As another way, the AF determines the information of the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of service #1 as multiple arrival time intervals (e.g., [a1, b1], [a2, b2] and [a3, b3]), which are all subsets of the arrival time interval [A, B]. Optionally, the multiple arrival time intervals can have a priority order.

[0174] Example 2:

[0175] The sending order of service #1 is before that of service #2.

[0176] As one way, if the multiple arrival times of the first data packet in service #2 are 4s, 5s and 6s, in order to meet the sending order requirement of service #1, the multiple arrival times of the first data packet in service #1 can be 1s, 2s and 3s.

[0177] As another way, if the arrival time interval of the first data packet in service #2 is [4s, 6s], in order to meet the sending order requirement of service #1, the arrival time interval of the first data packet in service #1 can be [1s, 3s].

[0178] Example 3:

[0179] If the arrival time adjustment granularity of the data packet of service #1 is in the order of microseconds, the time offset between the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of service #1 is also in the order of microseconds.

[0180] If the arrival time adjustment granularity of the data packet of service #1 is in the order of milliseconds, the time offset between the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of service #1 is also in the order of milliseconds.

[0181] For example, the multiple arrival occasions can be a set of arrival occasions following the rule of an arithmetic progression, e.g., the multiple arrival occasions are 5ms, 10ms, 15ms and 20ms, i.e., the time offset between two adjacent arrival occasions is 5ms.

[0182] The above examples can be combined with each other, i.e., the AF can determine the information of the multiple arrival occasions in combination with the above examples.

[0183] For example, the multiple arrival occasions can include a preferred arrival occasion and at least one alternative arrival occasion, the preferred arrival occasion has a higher priority than the at least one alternative arrival occasion. For example, the at least one alternative arrival occasion has the same priority. For example, the at least one alternative arrival occasion can also have a priority order.

[0184] As one way, the priority of each arrival occasion can be explicitly indicated by adding a new parameter (denoted as parameter #A). As another way, the priority of each arrival occasion can be implicitly indicated by the arrangement order of the multiple arrival occasions. For example, the arrival occasion with a higher arrangement order has a higher priority than the arrival occasion with a lower arrangement order.

[0185] For example, the multiple arrival occasions can include one arrival occasion and multiple time offsets relative to the one arrival occasion.

[0186] For example, the one arrival occasion is 1s, and the multiple time offsets are a backward offset of 2ms, a backward offset of 4ms and a backward offset of 6ms.

[0187] For example, the multiple arrival occasions can be multiple time offsets.

[0188] For example, the multiple time offsets are a backward offset of 2ms, a backward offset of 4ms and a backward offset of 6ms. Subsequently, in the downlink direction, the RAN can select the optimal time offset from the multiple time offsets according to the time when the first data packet arrives at the RAN and feed back; in the uplink direction, the RAN can select the optimal time offset from the multiple time offsets according to the time when the first data packet arrives at the UE and feed back.

[0189] In summary, the information of the multiple arrival occasions of the first data packet of the service #1 can be multiple absolute time instants, or can also be one absolute time instant and multiple offsets relative to the absolute time instant, or can also be multiple offsets, or can also be one or more time intervals capable of reflecting the multiple arrival occasions.

[0190] S602, the AF sends the identification information of the service #1 and the information of the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of the service #1 to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the identification information of the service #1 and the information of the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of the service #1.

[0191] Exemplarily, the AF can send a TSCAC to the SMF, and the TSCAC includes the information of the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of the service #1. It should be understood that the information of the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of the service #1 can be carried in one or more TSCACs, which is not limited.

[0192] Exemplarily, the identification information of the service #1 can be a service ID, or can also be five-tuple information, or can also be an application ID (App ID).

[0193] Exemplarily, the AF can directly send the information to the SMF; or the AF can send the information to the PCF, and the PCF sends the information to the SMF, which is not limited.

[0194] S603, the SMF determines the multiple arrival times of the first data packet in the QoS flow #1 according to the information of the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of the service #1.

[0195] For example, the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 can be the first data packet of the QoS flow #1, and the first data packet of the QoS flow #2 can be the first data packet of the QoS flow #2, which will not be described below. It should be understood that the service #1 corresponds to the QoS flow #1.

[0196] Exemplarily, the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 can be understood as the first data packet of the service #1 on the QoS flow #1.

[0197] Exemplarily, the first data packet of the service #1 and the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 are both the first data packet of the burst.

[0198] In addition, if multiple services have the same arrival time, the multiple services can also be bound to the same QoS flow. For example, the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of the service #1 are time #1, time #2 and time #3, and the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of the service #2 are also time #1, time #2 and time #3, then the service #1 and the service #2 can be bound to the QoS flow #1.

[0199] If multiple services have different arrival occasions, for example, multiple arrival occasions of the first data packet of service #1 are occasion #1, occasion #2 and occasion #3, and multiple arrival occasions of the first data packet of service #2 are also occasion #4, occasion #5 and occasion #6, then different service flows are bound to different QoS flows.

[0200] Wherein, in the uplink direction, multiple arrival occasions of the first data packet in the QoS flow #1 are multiple occasions of arrival at the UE egress; in the downlink direction, multiple arrival occasions of the first data packet in the QoS flow #1 are multiple occasions of arrival at the RAN ingress.

[0201] For the convenience of description, multiple arrival occasions of the first data packet of service #1 are recorded as multiple arrival occasions #A, and multiple arrival occasions of the first data packet in the QoS flow #1 are recorded as multiple arrival occasions #a. It should be understood that multiple arrival occasions #A and multiple arrival occasions #a are one-to-one correspondence, for example, arrival occasion #A1 corresponds to arrival occasion #a1.

[0202] The following behavior example, SMF can obtain the latest time offset measurement value and cumulative rate ratio from the UPF, and correct multiple arrival occasions #A in the TSC AC according to the latest time offset measurement value and cumulative rate ratio (this correction process is an optional step), take arrival occasion #A1 in multiple arrival occasions #A as an example, the corrected arrival occasion #A1 can be recorded as arrival occasion #A1*. Arrival occasion #a1 can be set as the sum of arrival occasion #A1* and core network packet delay budget (CN PDB), which represents the time (which can be accurate time or the latest possible time) of the first data packet of the data burst arriving at the AN. It should be understood that if the above correction is not performed, arrival occasion #a1 can be set as the sum of arrival occasion #A1 and CN PDB.

[0203] Wherein, the time offset measurement value is the time offset between the 3GPP network time (for example, 5GS time) and the external time (for example, TSN network time). The cumulative rate ratio is the cumulative rate ratio between the 3GPP network time (for example, 5GS time) and the external time (for example, TSN network time). The time offset measurement value and the cumulative rate ratio are not described again below.

[0204] The SMF can obtain the latest time offset measurement value and the cumulative rate ratio from the UPF, and correct the multiple arrival times #A in the TSC AC according to the latest time offset measurement value and the cumulative rate ratio (the correction process is an optional step). Taking the arrival time #A1 in the multiple arrival times #A as an example, the corrected arrival time #A1 can be denoted as arrival time #A1*. The arrival time #a1 can be set as the sum of the arrival time #A1* and the UE-DS-TT residence time, indicating the time (which can be an accurate time or a latest possible time) at which the first data packet of the data burst arrives at the UE egress. It should be understood that if the above correction is not performed, the arrival time #a1 can be set as the sum of the arrival time #A1 and the UE-DS-TT residence time.

[0205] The UE-DS-TT residence time is the time required for data packet transmission between the UE and the DS-TT. The UE-DS-TT residence time can be provided by the UE to the network device in the PDU session establishment process. For example, the UE-DS-TT residence time can be the same for uplink and downlink, and is applicable to all QoS flows.

[0206] In addition, in another possible implementation, the SMF can also determine the multiple arrival times of the first data packet in the QoS flow #1 according to the local configuration information. For example, if the UE does not provide the UE-DS-TT residence time, the SMF can determine the multiple arrival times of the first data packet in the QoS flow #1 according to the local configuration information. The local configuration information includes the configured UE-DS-TT residence time.

[0207] The cumulative rate ratio is an optional parameter in the above correction process.

[0208] In addition, if the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of the service #1 are multiple offsets, the SMF can correct the multiple offsets according to the latest time offset measurement value and / or the cumulative rate ratio obtained from the UPF (the correction process is an optional step).

[0209] For example, if the information of the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of the service #1 is BAT1, BAT2 and BAT3, the multiple arrival times of the first data packet in the QoS flow #1 are BAT1*, BAT2* and BAT3*. BAT1 to BAT3 correspond to BAT1* to BAT3* respectively, and details are not described herein.

[0210] For example, if the information of the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of service #1 is BAT1 and multiple offsets (e.g., offset1, offset2 and offset3) relative to BAT1, the multiple arrival times of the first data packet in QoS flow #1 are BAT1* and multiple offsets (e.g., offset1, offset2 and offset3) relative to the BAT1*.

[0211] For example, if the information of the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of service #1 is a time interval [a, b], the information of the multiple arrival times of the first data packet in QoS flow #1 is a time interval [a*, b*]. Wherein, a corresponds to a* and b corresponds to b*.

[0212] For example, if the information of the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of service #1 is multiple offsets (e.g., offset1, offset2 and offset3), the information of the multiple arrival times of the first data packet in QoS flow #1 is also multiple offsets (e.g., offset1, offset2 and offset3).

[0213] For example, if the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of service #1 are multiple absolute time instants, the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of the corresponding QoS flow #1 can also be one absolute time instant and multiple offsets relative to the one absolute time instant. Conversely, if the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of service #1 are one absolute time instant and multiple offsets relative to the one absolute time instant, the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of the corresponding QoS flow #1 can also be multiple absolute time instants.

[0214] In summary, the information of the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of QoS flow #1 can be multiple absolute time instants, one absolute time instant and multiple offsets relative to the absolute time instant, one or more time intervals, or multiple offsets.

[0215] It should be understood that if the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of service #1 have a priority order, the multiple arrival times of the first data packet in QoS flow #1 have the same priority order.

[0216] S604, the SMF sends the identifier of QoS flow #1 and the information of the multiple arrival times of the first data packet in QoS flow #1 to the RAN. Accordingly, the RAN receives the identifier of QoS flow #1 and the information of the multiple arrival times of the first data packet in QoS flow #1.

[0217] Since the multiple arrival occasions of the first data packet in the service #1 satisfy the preset requirement of the service #1, the multiple arrival occasions of the first data packet in the QoS flow #1 also satisfy the preset requirement of the service #1.

[0218] Exemplarily, the SMF can send time sensitive communication assistance information (TSCAI) to the RAN, and the TSCAI includes information of the multiple arrival occasions of the first data packet in the QoS flow #1. It should be understood that the information of the multiple arrival occasions of the first data packet in the QoS flow #1 can be carried in one or more TSCAI, which is not limited.

[0219] Exemplarily, the TSCAI can further include periodic information (interval between two adjacent burst start times) and direction information (uplink direction or downlink direction) of the QoS flow #1.

[0220] S605, the RAN determines a target arrival occasion of the first data packet in the QoS flow #1 according to the information of the multiple arrival occasions of the first data packet in the QoS flow #1.

[0221] Exemplarily, the target arrival occasion of the first data packet in the QoS flow #1 corresponds to a waiting time delay less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0222] For example, the preset threshold can be n slots, and n is a positive integer. Wherein, the value of n can be determined according to the uplink and downlink slot ratio, for example, if the uplink and downlink slot ratio is 1:2, n can be set to 1.

[0223] For another example, the preset threshold can be the processing time delay of the RAN, which should be understood as the processing time delay can be for the downlink direction or for the uplink direction. As shown in the following table, the processing time delay can be the time length of a processing window. Figure 5

[0224] Regarding the preset threshold, the following will not be repeated.

[0225] Wherein, in the uplink direction, the waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival occasion of the first data packet in the QoS flow #1 is the waiting time delay of the UE; in the downlink direction, the waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival occasion of the first data packet in the QoS flow #1 is the waiting time delay of the RAN.

[0226] As a way, the RAN can determine available slots according to air interface state (or referred to as radio scheduling information). Further, the RAN determines the target arrival occasion of the first data packet in the QoS flow #1 according to the available slots.

[0227] Wherein, the air interface state includes one or more of the following:​

[0228] TTI start time, slot length, uplink / downlink slot ratio, RAN node TTI guard length. As for the air interface state, the following is not repeated.

[0229] Exemplarily, the following behavior example assumes that the downlink scheduling window of the RAN can be represented as (T10, T20), (T11, T21), …, (T1 n-1 , T2 n-1 ), (T1 n , T2 n ), (T1 n+1 , T2 n+1 )…, and the RAN determines the downlink scheduling window (T1 n-1 , T2 n-1 ), (T1 n , T2 n ), (T1 n+1 , T2 n+1 ) of the RAN according to the air interface state. Further, if the time instance #A in the multiple arrival time instances is located in the available downlink scheduling window, the time instance #A can be the target arrival time instance; if the time instance #B in the multiple arrival time instances is not located in the available downlink scheduling window, the time instance #B is not the target arrival time instance.

[0230] Exemplarily, in the case that the information of the multiple arrival time instances is the time interval [a, b], the RAN can determine the target arrival time instance according to the available downlink scheduling window in the interval [a, b]. For example, if the downlink scheduling window (T1 n-1 , T2 n-1 ) is available and located within the time interval [a, b], the target arrival time instance can be determined in (T1 n-1 , T2 n-1 ); if the downlink scheduling window (T1 n-1 , T2 n-1 ) is not available even if it is located within the time interval [a, b], the target arrival time instance is not determined in (T1 n-1 , T2 n-1 ).

[0231] In addition, multiple QoS flows can collide (or conflict) at the RAN. If there are multiple data packets that need to be scheduled in one slot, but due to the limited resources of the RAN, the limited resources can not be sufficient to schedule all the data packets, so some data packets can be adjusted to other slots for scheduling.

[0232] For example, in QoS flow #1, the first data packet has multiple arrival times: time #1, time #2, and time #3. The available downlink scheduling windows are window #1, window #2, and window #3. Time #1 is located in window #1, time #2 in window #2, and time #3 in window #3. Since the RAN needs to schedule multiple other data packets in window #1 and has no resources to schedule the first data packet, time #1 is not the target arrival time. The target arrival time can be further determined from time #2 and time #3.

[0233] The following examples illustrate how the RAN determines the arrival time of the first data packet in QoS flow #1:

[0234] Example 1:

[0235] The RAN determines one or more arrival times of the first data packet of QoS flow #1 that fall within an available slot from among multiple arrival times. The RAN can select one of these arrival times for feedback (i.e., the target arrival time). Specifically, the RAN determines the waiting delay corresponding to each of the multiple arrival times located within an available slot, and determines the target arrival time of the first data packet of QoS flow #1 as the arrival time with the minimum waiting delay. In implementation, the criterion can be that the waiting delay corresponding to the target arrival time is less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0236] The following is an example, assuming the preset threshold is 1 slot, such as Figure 7 As shown, the arrival times of the first data packet in the available slots are t1 and t2, where t1 is in scheduling window #1 and t2 is in the processing window. If the first data packet arrives at the RAN at t1, the RAN can send the first data packet as early as scheduling window #2 (e.g., t1* in scheduling window #2), and the waiting delay corresponding to t1 is less than one slot. If the first data packet arrives at the RAN at t2, since scheduling window #3 belongs to the uplink slot, the first data packet can be sent as early as scheduling window #4 (e.g., t2* in scheduling window #4), and the waiting delay corresponding to t2 is greater than one slot. That is, the waiting delay corresponding to t2 is greater than the waiting delay corresponding to t1. Therefore, the target arrival time of the first data packet is t1.

[0237] Example 2:

[0238] The first data packet of QoS flow #1 has multiple arrival times, including a preferred arrival time and at least one alternative arrival time; the preferred arrival time has a higher priority than the at least one alternative arrival time.

[0239] In a case that the waiting delay corresponding to the preferred arrival time is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the access network device determines the preferred arrival time as the target arrival time; or in a case that the waiting delay corresponding to the preferred arrival time is greater than the preset threshold, the access network device determines the target arrival time from the at least one alternative arrival time.

[0240] As a manner, if the at least one alternative arrival time has a priority order, the access network device determines the target arrival time according to the priority order.

[0241] As another manner, if the at least one alternative arrival time does not have a priority order, the RAN determines the waiting delay corresponding to each of the at least one alternative arrival time, and determines the target arrival time as the alternative arrival time with the minimum waiting delay among the at least one alternative arrival time.

[0242] The following behavior example assumes that the preset threshold is 1 slot, as shown in Figure 8 the preferred arrival time is t1, and the alternative arrival times are t2, t3 and t4. As analyzed in Example 1, the waiting delay corresponding to t1 is greater than 1 slot, i.e., the preferred arrival time does not meet the requirement. Therefore, the target arrival time can be determined from the alternative arrival times. It should be understood that Figure 8 t1 to t4 in correspond to t1* to t4*, respectively. Among the alternative arrival times, the waiting delay corresponding to t2 is less than 1 slot, the waiting delay corresponding to t3 is greater than 1 slot, and the waiting delay corresponding to t4 is less than 1 slot. Therefore, the target arrival time can be determined from t2 and t4. As a manner, if the priority of t2 is higher than the priority of t4, the target arrival time is t2. As another manner, if the waiting delay corresponding to t2 is less than the waiting delay corresponding to t4, the target arrival time is t2.

[0243] Example 3:

[0244] If the information of the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 is the arrival time interval information, the RAN determines the target arrival time according to the arrival time interval.

[0245] The following behavior example, as shown in Figure 9 the arrival time interval is [a, b], and since the downlink slot #1 and the downlink slot #2 are located in the interval [a, b], the target arrival time can be determined in the downlink slot #1 and the downlink slot #2. Further, if the downlink slot #1 is an available slot, the target arrival time can be determined in the downlink slot #1 (e.g., the scheduling window #1 of the downlink slot #1); if the downlink slot #2 is not an available slot, the target arrival time is not determined in the downlink slot #2.

[0246] S606, the RAN sends the identification of the QoS flow #1 and the target arrival time of the first packet in the QoS flow #1 to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives the identification of the QoS flow #1 and the target arrival time of the first packet in the QoS flow #1.

[0247] Exemplarily, the RAN can send a TSCAI to the SMF, in which the TSCAI includes the target arrival time of the first packet in the QoS flow #1.

[0248] S607, the SMF determines the target arrival time of the first packet of the service #1 according to the target arrival time of the first packet in the QoS flow #1.

[0249] It should be understood that the information about the multiple arrival times of the first packet of the service #1 received by the SMF in S602 includes the target arrival time of the first packet of the service #1.

[0250] Wherein, in the uplink direction, the target arrival time of the first packet in the QoS flow #1 is the time determined by the RAN for the packet to arrive at the egress of the UE; in the downlink direction, the target arrival time of the first packet in the QoS flow #1 is the time determined by the RAN for the packet to arrive at the ingress of the RAN.

[0251] For the convenience of description, the target arrival time of the first packet in the QoS flow #1 is denoted as target arrival time #m, and the target arrival time of the first packet of the service #1 is denoted as target arrival time #M.

[0252] In the following behavior example, the SMF can obtain the latest time offset measurement value and cumulative rate ratio from the UPF, and correct the target arrival time #m according to the latest time offset measurement value and cumulative rate ratio (this correction process is an optional step), and the corrected target arrival time #m can be denoted as target arrival time #m*. The target arrival time #M can be set as the target arrival time #m* minus the value of the CN PDB, which represents the time (which can be an accurate time or a latest possible time) at which the first packet of the data burst arrives at the (ingress) of the UPF (NW-TT). It should be understood that if the above correction is not performed, the target arrival time #M can be set as the target arrival time #m minus the value of the CN PDB.

[0253] According to the above behavior example, the SMF can obtain the latest time offset measurement value and the accumulated rate ratio from the UPF, and correct the target arrival time #m according to the latest time offset measurement value and the accumulated rate ratio (the correction process is an optional step). The corrected target arrival time #m can be recorded as target arrival time #m*. The target arrival time #M can be set as the value of the target arrival time #m* minus the UE-DS-TT residence time, representing the time (which can be an accurate time or a latest possible time) at which the first data packet of the data burst arrives at the DS-TT (the ingress port). It should be understood that if the above correction is not performed, the target arrival time #M can be set as the value of the target arrival time #m minus the UE-DS-TT residence time.

[0254] In addition, in another possible implementation, the SMF can also determine the target arrival time of the first data packet of service #1 according to the local configuration information. For example, if the UE does not provide the UE-DS-TT residence time, the SMF can determine the target arrival time of the first data packet of service #1 according to the local configuration information. The local configuration information includes the configured UE-DS-TT residence time.

[0255] The accumulated rate ratio is an optional parameter in the above correction process.

[0256] In addition, if the target arrival time of the first data packet in the QoS flow #1 is an offset, the SMF can correct the offset according to the latest time offset measurement value and / or the accumulated rate ratio obtained from the UPF (the correction process is an optional step).

[0257] S608, the SMF sends the identification information of service #1 and the target arrival time of the first data packet of service #1 to the AF. Correspondingly, the AF receives the identification information of service #1 and the target arrival time of the first data packet of service #1.

[0258] Exemplarily, the SMF can send to the AF through the PCF.

[0259] Exemplarily, the SMF can send to the AF a TSCAC, which includes the target arrival time of the first data packet of service #1.

[0260] S609, the AF adjusts the sending time of the first data packet of service #1 according to the target arrival time of the first data packet of service #1.

[0261] Exemplarily, the sending time of other data packets of service #1 can be determined according to the sending time of the first data packet of service #1.

[0262] According to the method of the present application, the information of the multiple arrival occasions of the first data packet of the service determined by the AF satisfies the preset requirement of the service, further, the RAN determines a target arrival occasion according to the information of the multiple arrival occasions, the waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival occasion is less than or equal to the preset threshold, and further, the AF adjusts the sending time of the first data packet based on the target arrival occasion. Therefore, the method of the present application can reduce the queuing time delay of the first data packet in the RAN or the UE.

[0263] On the other hand, if the AF provides only one arrival occasion each time, multiple negotiations between the AF, the UPF, the RAN and the scheduling coordinator (for example, the SMF) may be needed to determine a suitable target arrival occasion. In contrast, in the present application, since the AF provides multiple arrival occasions, multiple negotiations between the AF, the RAN and the scheduling coordinator can be avoided, thereby saving the signaling overhead, reducing the time consumed for determining the target arrival occasion, and improving the communication efficiency.

[0264] In addition, the RAN can also report its capability information to the SMF. Further, the SMF reports the capability information of the RAN to the PCF. The capability information of the RAN includes one or more of the following:

[0265] Whether the RAN has the capability of cross-layer scheduling optimization, whether it has the capability of multi-level adjustment, and the duplex mode (for example, time division duplex and frequency division duplex) adopted by the RAN.

[0266] Exemplarily, in S602, the AF sends the TSCAC to the PCF, and if the PCF determines that the RAN adopts time division duplex, the PCF further sends the TSCAC to the SMF; if the PCF determines that the RAN does not adopt time division duplex, the PCF does not send the TSCAC to the SMF.

[0267] Exemplarily, in S604, if the SMF determines that the RAN adopts time division duplex, the SMF further sends the TSCAI to the RAN; if the SMF determines that the RAN does not adopt time division duplex, the SMF does not send the TSCAI to the RAN.

[0268] Figure 10 A method provided by the present application is shown, which comprises:

[0269] S1001, the AF sends the identifier of the service #1 and the preset requirement of the service #1 to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the identifier of the service #1 and the preset requirement of the service #1.

[0270] Exemplarily, the AF further sends the preferred arrival occasion of the first data packet of the service #1 to the SMF.

[0271] It should be understood that, in the downlink direction, the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of service #1 is the preferred time of arrival at NW-TT; in the uplink direction, the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of service #1 is the preferred time of arrival at DS-TT.

[0272] The preset requirement about service #1 can refer to the description of S601.

[0273] Exemplarily, the AF can send the information directly to the SMF; or, the AF can also send the information to the PCF, and the PCF sends the information to the SMF, without limitation.

[0274] Exemplarily, the AF can send a TSCAC to the SMF, and the TSCAC includes the preset requirement of service #1. Exemplarily, the TSCAC also includes the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of service #1.

[0275] S1002, the SMF determines the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of QoS flow #1 according to the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of service #1.

[0276] This step is an optional step.

[0277] It should be understood that, in the downlink direction, the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of QoS flow #1 is the preferred time of arrival at the RAN entrance; in the uplink direction, the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of QoS flow #1 is the preferred time of arrival at the UE exit.

[0278] For the convenience of description, the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of service #1 is denoted as preferred arrival time #N, and the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of QoS flow #1 is denoted as preferred arrival time #n.

[0279] The following behavior example, the SMF can obtain the latest time offset measurement value and cumulative rate ratio from the UPF, and correct the preferred arrival time #N according to the latest time offset measurement value and cumulative rate ratio (this correction process is an optional step), and the corrected preferred arrival time #N can be denoted as preferred arrival time #N*. The preferred arrival time #n can be set as the sum of the preferred arrival time #N* and the CN PDB. It should be understood that, if the above correction process is not performed, the preferred arrival time #n can be set as the sum of the preferred arrival time #N and the CN PDB.

[0280] The SMF can obtain the latest time offset measurement value and the accumulated rate ratio from the UPF, and correct the preferred arrival time #N according to the latest time offset measurement value and the accumulated rate ratio (this correction process is an optional step), and the corrected preferred arrival time #N can be denoted as preferred arrival time #N*. The preferred arrival time #n can be set as the sum of the preferred arrival time #N* and the UE-DS-TT residence time. It should be understood that if the above-mentioned correction process is not performed, the preferred arrival time #n can be set as the sum of the preferred arrival time #N and the UE-DS-TT residence time.

[0281] In addition, the accumulated rate ratio is an optional parameter in the above-mentioned correction process.

[0282] S1003, the SMF sends the identifier of the QoS flow #1 and the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 to the RAN. Accordingly, the RAN receives the identifier of the QoS flow #1 and the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1.

[0283] The preferred arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 is optional.

[0284] Exemplarily, the SMF can send the TSCAI to the RAN, and the TSCAI includes the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1.

[0285] S1004, the RAN determines multiple arrival times of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1.

[0286] That is, as one way, the SMF can first determine a preferred arrival time through S1002 and inform the RAN through S1003, and in the case that the waiting time delay corresponding to the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 is greater than the preset threshold, the RAN determines multiple arrival times of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1.

[0287] In another possible implementation, the SMF can not perform the above-mentioned S1002. Accordingly, the information sent through S1003 does not include the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1, and the RAN can determine multiple arrival times of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 by itself. Exemplarily, the SMF can send indication information #A to the RAN in S1003, and the indication information #A indicates that the RAN performs the action of S1004. Exemplarily, the RAN can also determine the network slice corresponding to the QoS flow #1 according to the identifier of the QoS flow #1; if the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of the service in the network slice need to be determined in the RAN, the SMF performs the action of S1004.

[0288] For example, the waiting delay corresponding to multiple arrival times of the first data packet of QoS flow #1 is less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0289] In one approach, the RAN can determine the available slots based on the air interface status. Further, the RAN determines multiple arrival times for the first packet of QoS flow #1 based on the available slots.

[0290] The RAN determines the available slots based on the air interface status, as described in S605.

[0291] For example, such as Figure 11 As shown, the RAN determines the available slots as downlink slot #1, downlink slot #2, and uplink slot. If the RAN has a pre-configured threshold of 1 slot, then the RAN determines t1 and t2 in scheduling window #1 of downlink slot #1, and determines t3 and t4 in scheduling window #3 of uplink slot. The waiting delays corresponding to t1 to t4 are all less than 1 slot.

[0292] S1005, the RAN sends the identifier of QoS flow #1 and multiple arrival times of the first data packet of QoS flow #1 to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the identifier of QoS flow #1 and multiple arrival times of the first data packet of QoS flow #1.

[0293] For example, the arrival times of the first packet of QoS flow #1 have a priority order.

[0294] In one approach, the priority of each of the multiple arrival times of the first data packet in QoS flow #1 can be explicitly indicated by adding a parameter (denoted as parameter #B). That is, the RAN can also send parameter #B to the SMF.

[0295] Alternatively, the priority of each arrival time can be implicitly indicated by the order in which the first packet of QoS flow #1 arrives.

[0296] For example, the RAN can send a TSCAI to the SMF, which includes multiple arrival times of the first packet of QoS flow #1.

[0297] S1006, SMF determines the target arrival time of the first data packet of QoS flow #1 based on multiple arrival times of the first data packet of QoS flow #1.

[0298] In one approach, SMF can determine the preset requirements of QoS flow #1 based on the preset requirements of service #1.

[0299] Exemplarily, the arrival time interval requirement of the data packet of the service #1 is interval [A, B], and the SMF determines that the arrival time interval requirement of the data packet of the QoS flow #1 is interval [C, D].

[0300] In the following behavior example, the SMF can obtain the latest time offset measurement value and the cumulative rate ratio from the UPF, and correct the value A according to the latest time offset measurement value and the cumulative rate ratio (this correction process is an optional step), and the corrected value A can be denoted as value A*. The value C can be set as the sum of the value A* and the CN PDB. It should be understood that if the above correction is not performed, the value C can be set as the sum of the value A and the CN PDB.

[0301] In the above behavior example, the SMF can obtain the latest time offset measurement value and the cumulative rate ratio from the UPF, and correct the value A according to the latest time offset measurement value and the cumulative rate ratio (this correction process is an optional step), and the corrected value A can be denoted as value A*. The value C can be set as the sum of the value A* and the UE-DS-TT residence time. It should be understood that if the above correction is not performed, the value C can be set as the sum of the value A and the UE-DS-TT residence time.

[0302] In addition, the cumulative rate ratio is an optional parameter in the above correction process.

[0303] The relationship between the value B and the value D is similar to that between the value A and the value C, and will not be described again.

[0304] It should be understood that in the uplink direction, the interval [A, B] is the interval of arrival at the DS-TT, and the interval [C, D] is the interval of arrival at the UE exit; in the downlink direction, the interval [A, B] is the interval of arrival at the NW-TT, and the interval [C, D] is the interval of arrival at the RAN entrance.

[0305] Exemplarily, the sending order of the service #1 is before the service #2, and the SMF determines that the sending order of the QoS flow #1 is before the QoS flow #2. Wherein, the service #2 corresponds to the QoS flow #2.

[0306] Exemplarily, the arrival time adjustment granularity of the data packet of the service #1 is microsecond level, and the SMF determines that the arrival time adjustment granularity of the data packet of the QoS flow #1 is also microsecond level.

[0307] Wherein, the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 meets the preset requirement of the QoS flow #1, and the waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 is less than or equal to the preset threshold value.

[0308] The following examples are used to introduce the way in which the SMF determines the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1.

[0309] Example 1:

[0310] The following behaviors are examples, such as Figure 12 As shown, the arrival time interval of the data packets in QoS flow #1 is required to be the interval [a, b].

[0311] As one approach, the arrival times of the first data packet of QoS flow #1 are t1, t2, t3, t4, t5, and t6. Since t6 is not in the interval [a, b], the SMF determines the target arrival time of the first data packet of QoS flow #1 from t1 to t5. If the preset threshold is 1 slot, the SMF can determine, based on the air interface status information obtained from the RAN (e.g., uplink / downlink slot allocation information), that the waiting delays corresponding to t3 to t5 are all greater than 1 slot. In this case, the SMF determines the target arrival time of the first data packet of QoS flow #1 from t1 and t2. For example, if the priority of t1 is higher than the priority of t2, then the target arrival time of the first data packet of QoS flow #1 is t1.

[0312] Alternatively, in S1004, the waiting delay corresponding to the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of QoS flow #1 determined by the RAN is less than or equal to a preset threshold. For example, if the multiple arrival times of the first data packet of QoS flow #1 are t1, t2, and t6, and t6 is not in the interval [a, b], then the SMF determines the target arrival time of the first data packet of QoS flow #1 from t1 and t2. Exemplarily, if the priority of t1 is higher than the priority of t2, then the target arrival time of the first data packet of QoS flow #1 is t1.

[0313] Example 2:

[0314] The following behaviors are examples, such as Figure 13 As shown, the arrival times of the first data packet of QoS flow #1 are t1 and t3, and the arrival time of the first data packet of QoS flow #2 is t2. It is required that the sending order of QoS flow #1 is before the sending order of QoS flow #2.

[0315] It should be understood that Figure 13 In this context, t1 to t3 correspond to t1* to t3* respectively.

[0316] Since t1* is before t2* and t3* is after t2*, the target arrives at time t1, not t3.

[0317] In addition, as another manner, the SMF can also not determine the preset requirement of the QoS flow #1. Specifically, the SMF can determine a plurality of arrival times of the first data packet of the service #1 according to a plurality of arrival times of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1, and further determine a target arrival time of the first data packet of the service #1 from the plurality of arrival times of the first data packet of the service #1, which needs to meet the preset requirement of the service #1.

[0318] Example 3:

[0319] The arrival time adjustment granularity of the data packet of the QoS flow #1 is microsecond level.

[0320] The plurality of arrival times of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 is one absolute time and a plurality of offsets (for example, offset #1, offset #2 and offset #3) relative to the absolute time. Exemplarily, the offset #1 is 2 microseconds backward offset, the offset #2 is 4 microseconds backward offset, and the offset #3 is 2 nanoseconds backward offset. Since the adjustment granularity is microsecond level, the SMF determines the target arrival time from the one absolute time and the offset #1 and the offset #2.

[0321] The above several examples can be combined with each other, that is, the SMF can determine the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 in combination with the above several manners.

[0322] S1007, the SMF determines the target arrival time of the first data packet of the service #1 according to the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1.

[0323] S1008, the SMF sends the identification of the service #1 and the target arrival time of the first data packet of the service #1 to the AF. Correspondingly, the AF receives the identification of the service #1 and the target arrival time of the first data packet of the service #1.

[0324] Exemplarily, the SMF can send the TSCAC to the AF, and the TSCAC includes the target arrival time of the first data packet of the service #1.

[0325] S1009, the AF adjusts the sending time of the first data packet of the service #1 according to the target arrival time of the first data packet of the service #1.

[0326] The above S1007 to S1009 can refer to the description in S607 to S609 in Figure 6

[0327] ​According to the method of the present application, the SMF determines a target arrival time based on the preset requirement of the service obtained from the AF and the multiple arrival times obtained from the RAN, the target arrival time meeting the preset requirement of the service, the waiting time corresponding to the target arrival time being less than or equal to the preset threshold, and the AF further adjusts the sending time of the data packet based on the target arrival time. Therefore, the method of the present application can reduce the queuing delay of the data packet in the RAN or the UE.

[0328] On the other hand, if the AF provides only one arrival time each time, multiple negotiations between the AF, the RAN, and the scheduling coordinator (for example, the SMF) may be needed to determine a suitable target arrival time. In contrast, in the present application, since the AF provides the preset requirement of the service and the RAN provides multiple arrival times, multiple negotiations between the AF, the UPF, the RAN, and the scheduling coordinator can be avoided, thereby saving signaling overhead, reducing the time consumed for determining the target arrival time, and improving communication efficiency.

[0329] Figure 14 A method provided by the present application is shown, which comprises:

[0330] S1401, the AF sends the identifier of the service #1 and the preset requirement of the service #1 to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the identifier of the service #1 and the preset requirement of the service #1.

[0331] The preset requirement of the service #1 includes but is not limited to one or more of the following:

[0332] The arrival time interval requirement of the data packet of the service #1, the sending order requirement of the service #1, and the arrival time adjustment granularity requirement of the data packet of the service #1.

[0333] Exemplarily, the AF further sends the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of the service #1 to the SMF.

[0334] It should be understood that in the downlink direction, the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of the service #1 is the preferred arrival time of the NW-TT; in the uplink direction, the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of the service #1 is the preferred arrival time of the DS-TT.

[0335] The preset requirement of the service #1 can refer to the description of S601.

[0336] Exemplarily, the AF can directly send the information to the SMF; or, the AF can also send the information to the PCF, and the PCF sends the information to the SMF, without limitation.

[0337] Exemplarily, the AF can send a TSC AC to the SMF, where the TSC AC includes the preset requirement of the service #1. Exemplarily, the TSC AC also includes the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of the service #1.

[0338] S1402, the SMF determines the preset requirement of the QoS flow #1 according to the preset requirement of the service #1.

[0339] Exemplarily, the SMF can also determine the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 according to the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of the service #1. The process can refer to the description of S1002.

[0340] Wherein, the SMF determines the preset requirement of the QoS flow #1 according to the preset requirement of the service #1 can refer to the description in S1006.

[0341] S1403, the SMF sends the identifier of the QoS flow #1 and the preset requirement of the QoS flow #1 to the RAN. Correspondingly, the RAN receives the identifier of the QoS flow #1 and the preset requirement of the QoS flow #1.

[0342] Exemplarily, the SMF can also send the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 to the RAN.

[0343] Exemplarily, the SMF can send a TSC AI to the RAN, where the TSC AI includes the preset requirement of the QoS flow #1. Exemplarily, the TSC AI also includes the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1.

[0344] S1404, the RAN determines the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1. Wherein, the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 meets the preset requirement of the QoS flow #1.

[0345] As a way, in S1403, the SMF sends the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 to the RAN, in the case that the waiting delay corresponding to the preferred time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 is greater than the preset threshold, the RAN needs to continue to determine the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1.

[0346] As another way, the SMF does not send the preferred arrival timing of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 to the RAN in S1403, and the SMF can send the indication information #B to the RAN in S1403, which indicates the RAN to perform the action in S1404; or the RAN can also determine the network slice corresponding to the QoS flow #1 according to the identifier of the QoS flow #1, and if the target arrival timing of the first data packet of the service in the network slice is preconfigured in the RAN, the SMF performs the action in S1404.

[0347] The target arrival timing of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 corresponds to a waiting time delay less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0348] As a way, the RAN can determine the available slot according to the air interface state. Further, the RAN determines the target arrival timing of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 according to the available slot.

[0349] The following describes the way in which the RAN determines the target arrival timing of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 through several examples.

[0350] Example 1:

[0351] The arrival time interval of the data packet of the QoS flow #1 is interval [a, b], and the RAN determines the target arrival timing of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 according to the interval [a, b] and the available slot.

[0352] The target arrival timing corresponds to a waiting time delay less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0353] Example 2:

[0354] The sending order of the QoS flow #1 is before the QoS flow #2, and the RAN determines the target arrival timing of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 according to the sending order of the QoS flow #1 and the QoS flow #2 and the available slot.

[0355] The target arrival timing corresponds to a waiting time delay less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0356] It should be understood that the sending order of the QoS flow can be an absolute order, which can be represented by a parameter (for example, parameter B). For example, the parameter B of the QoS flow #1 is 1, and the parameter B of the QoS flow #2 is 2, and the sending order of the QoS flow #1 is before the sending order of the QoS flow #2.

[0357] The sending order of the QoS flow can also be a relative order.

[0358] Example 3:

[0359] The arrival time adjustment granularity of the data packet of the QoS flow #1 is in the order of microseconds, and the RAN determines the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 according to the adjustment granularity and available slots. For example, the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 is the time obtained by adjusting the preferred arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 backward by 2 microseconds; the RAN does not determine the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 based on a coarser time adjustment granularity (for example, in the order of milliseconds) or a finer time adjustment granularity (for example, in the order of nanoseconds).

[0360] The above several examples can be combined with each other, that is, the RAN can combine the above several ways to determine the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1.

[0361] S1405, the RAN sends the identifier of the QoS flow #1 and the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1 to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the identifier of the QoS flow #1 and the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1.

[0362] For example, the RAN can send the TSCAI to the SMF, and the TSCAI includes the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1.

[0363] S1406, the SMF determines the target arrival time of the first data packet of the service #1 according to the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1.

[0364] S1407, the SMF sends the identifier of the service #1 and the target arrival time of the first data packet of the service #1 to the AF. Correspondingly, the AF receives the identifier of the service #1 and the target arrival time of the first data packet of the service #1.

[0365] For example, the SMF can send the TSCAC to the AF, and the TSCAC includes the target arrival time of the first data packet of the service #1.

[0366] S1408, the AF adjusts the sending time of the first data packet of the service #1 according to the target arrival time of the first data packet.

[0367] The above S1406 to S1408 can refer to the description in S607 to S609 in Figure 6

[0368] ​According to the method, the RAN acquires the preset requirement of the QoS flow, and determines a target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow, the target arrival time meeting the preset requirement of the QoS flow, and a waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival time being less than or equal to the preset threshold. Further, the AF adjusts a sending time of the first data packet based on the target arrival time. Therefore, the method can reduce the queuing time delay of the first data packet at the RAN or the UE.

[0369] On the other hand, if the AF provides only one arrival time each time, multiple negotiations between the AF, the RAN, and a scheduling coordinator (for example, the SMF) can be required to determine a suitable target arrival time. In contrast, in the present application, the RAN determines the target arrival time by taking into account the preset requirement of the QoS flow, which can avoid multiple negotiations between the AF, the UPF, the RAN, and the scheduling coordinator, thereby saving signaling overhead, reducing the time consumed for determining the target arrival time, and improving communication efficiency.

[0370] The scheme of the above embodiment determines the target arrival time of the first data packet of the service #1 according to the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow #1, and further adjusts the sending time of the first data packet of the service according to the target arrival time of the first data packet of the service #1, thereby achieving the effect of reducing the queuing time delay of the first data packet at the RAN or the UE. Alternatively, as another way, the effect of reducing the queuing time delay of the first data packet at the RAN or the UE can also be achieved by adjusting other parameters (for example, a periodicity parameter) in the TSCAI / TSCAC.

[0371] According to the foregoing method, Figure 15 A communication apparatus is provided for the embodiments of the present application, and the communication apparatus includes a transceiver 1501 and a processing unit 1502.

[0372] The transceiver 1501 can be configured to implement corresponding information transceiving functions. The transceiver 1501 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit. The processing unit 1502 can be configured to perform processing operations.

[0373] By way of example, the apparatus further includes a storage unit, which can be configured to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 1502 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit, so that the apparatus implements the actions of the apparatus in the foregoing various method embodiments.

[0374] As the first implementation manner, the apparatus can be the RAN network element in the foregoing embodiments, or can be a component (such as a chip) of the RAN network element. The transceiver unit is configured to implement S604 and S606, or is configured to implement S1003 and S1005, or is configured to implement S1403 and S1405. The processing unit is configured to implement S605, or is configured to implement S1004, or is configured to implement S1404.

[0375] As the second implementation manner, the apparatus can be the SMF network element in the foregoing embodiments, or can be a component (such as a chip) of the SMF network element. The transceiver unit is configured to implement S602, S604, S606 and S608, or is configured to implement S1001, S1003, S1005 and S1008, or is configured to implement S1401, S1403, S1405 and S1407. The processing unit is configured to implement S603 and S607, or is configured to implement S1002, S1006 and S1007, or is configured to implement S1402 and S1406.

[0376] As the third implementation manner, the apparatus can be the AF network element or the TSCTSF network element in the foregoing embodiments, or can be a component (such as a chip) of the AF network element or the TSCTSF network element. The transceiver unit is configured to implement S602 and S608, or is configured to implement S1001 and S1008, or is configured to implement S1401 and S1407. The processing unit is configured to implement S601 and S609, or is configured to implement S1009, or is configured to implement S1408.

[0377] It should be understood that the specific process in which each unit executes the corresponding steps is described in detail in the foregoing method embodiments, and thus is not described herein again for the sake of brevity.

[0378] It should also be understood that the apparatus herein is embodied in the form of functional units. The term "unit" herein can refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (for example, a shared processor, a dedicated processor or a group processor and the like) and a memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, a combination of logical circuit and / or other suitable components supporting the described functions. In an alternative example, those skilled in the art can understand that the apparatus can be specifically the first network element in the foregoing embodiments, and can be configured to execute the processes and / or steps corresponding to the first network element in the foregoing method embodiments, or the apparatus can be specifically the network management network element in the foregoing embodiments, and can be configured to execute the processes and / or steps corresponding to the network management network element in the foregoing method embodiments, and thus is not described herein again for the sake of brevity.

[0379] The communication device has functions of implementing corresponding steps performed by the device in the method. The functions can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions; for example, the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transceiver (for example, the transmitting unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as the processing unit, can be replaced by a processor, which respectively performs the transceiving operations and related processing operations in each method embodiment.

[0380] In addition, the transceiver unit 1501 can also be a transceiver circuit (for example, can include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing unit can be a processing circuit.

[0381] It should be noted that, Figure 15 The device in the method embodiment can be a device, a chip, or a chip system, such as a system on chip (SoC). The transceiver unit can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface, and the processing unit can be a processor or a microprocessor integrated on the chip or an integrated circuit. In this regard, no limitation is made.

[0382] The embodiments of the present application also provide a communication device, as shown in Figure 16 The communication device includes a processor 1601 and a communication interface 1602. The processor 1601 is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in a memory 1603, or read data stored in the memory 1603, to perform the method in the method embodiments. The processor 1601 is one or more processors. The communication interface 1602 is configured to receive and / or send signals. For example, the processor 1601 is configured to control the communication interface 1602 to receive and / or send signals.

[0383] For example, as shown in Figure 16 The communication device further includes the memory 1603, which is configured to store computer programs or instructions and / or data. The memory 1603 can be integrated with the processor 1601, or can be separately arranged. The memory 1603 is one or more memories.

[0384] Exemplarily, the processor 1601, the communication interface 1602, and the memory 1603 are connected with each other through a bus 1604; the bus 1604 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The above bus 1604 can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Figure 16 Only one thick line is used in the figure to represent the bus, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0385] For example, the processor 1601 is configured to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 1603 to implement the related operations of the RAN network element, the SMF network element, or the AF network element in each method embodiment described above.

[0386] As the first implementation manner, the device can be the RAN network element in the foregoing embodiments, or a component (such as a chip) of the RAN network element. The communication interface is configured to implement S604 and S606; or implement S1003 and S1005; or implement S1403 and S1405. The processor is configured to implement S605; or implement S1004; or implement S1404.

[0387] As the second implementation manner, the device can be the SMF network element in the foregoing embodiments, or a component (such as a chip) of the SMF network element. The communication interface is configured to implement S602, S604, S606, and S608; or implement S1001, S1003, S1005, and S1008; or implement S1401, S1403, S1405, and S1407. The processor is configured to implement S603 and S607; or implement S1002, S1006, and S1007; or implement S1402 and S1406.

[0388] As the third implementation manner, the device can be the AF network element or the TSCTSF network element in the foregoing embodiments, or a component (such as a chip) of the AF network element or the TSCTSF network element. The communication interface is configured to implement S602 and S608; or implement S1001 and S1008; or implement S1401 and S1407. The processor is configured to implement S601 and S609; or implement S1009; or implement S1408.

[0389] It should be appreciated that a processor (e.g., the processor 1601) mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), or a combination thereof. The processor can further include a hardware chip. The hardware chip can be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a combination thereof. The PLD can be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof.

[0390] It should also be understood that a memory (e.g., the memory 1603) mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically EPROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM) used as an external cache.

[0391] Those skilled in the art can appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. A person skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0392] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of the description, the specific working processes of the above-described system, device and unit can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0393] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device and method can be implemented in other manners. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and there can be another division manner for the actual implementation, for example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections between different units, or the among different units, can be indirect couplings or communication connections through some interfaces, devices or units, and can be in electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0394] The units described as separated components can or can not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units can or can not be physical units, i.e., can be located in one place, or can be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purposes of the embodiments of the present application.

[0395] In addition, each functional unit in the embodiments of the present application can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically as a separate unit, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit.

[0396] If the functions are implemented in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the present application essentially or the parts of the technical solutions that make contributions to the prior art, or the parts of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium, and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods of the embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

[0397] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: an access network device receiving information of a first arrival time interval of a first data packet in a quality of service (QoS) flow from a session management network element; wherein, in a downlink direction, the first arrival time interval is a time interval for the first data packet to arrive at an entrance of the access network device; and in an uplink direction, the first arrival time interval is a time interval for the first data packet to arrive at an exit of a terminal device; the access network device determining a target arrival time according to the information of the first arrival time interval; the access network device sending the target arrival time to an application function network element, the target arrival time being used for adjusting a sending time of the first data packet.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the first arrival time interval corresponds to a second arrival time interval of a first data packet of a service, the QoS flow corresponding to the service, and the second arrival time interval meeting preset requirements of the service, the preset requirements comprising one or more of: a requirement of an arrival time interval of a data packet of the service, a requirement of a sending order of the service, and a requirement of an arrival time adjustment granularity of a data packet of the service.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein: a waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival time is less than or equal to a preset threshold, wherein, in the uplink direction, the waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival time is a waiting time delay at the terminal device; and in the downlink direction, the waiting time delay corresponding to the target arrival time is a waiting time delay at the access network device.

4. The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein: the target arrival time is a time with a minimum waiting time delay in the first arrival time interval.

5. The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein: the first arrival time interval comprises a preferred arrival time and at least one alternative arrival time, the preferred arrival time having a higher priority than the at least one alternative arrival time; the access network device determining the target arrival time comprises: in a case where a waiting time delay corresponding to the preferred arrival time is less than or equal to a preset threshold, the access network device determining the preferred arrival time as the target arrival time; or in a case where the waiting time delay corresponding to the preferred arrival time is greater than the preset threshold, the access network device determining the target arrival time according to the at least one alternative arrival time.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein: the at least one alternative arrival time has a priority order, and the access network device determining the target arrival time according to the at least one alternative arrival time comprises: the access network device determining the target arrival time according to the priority order and the at least one alternative arrival time.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein: in the case where the waiting time delay corresponding to the preferred arrival time is greater than the preset threshold, the target arrival time is a time with a minimum waiting time delay in the at least one alternative arrival time. ​ ​ 8. The method of any of claims 1-7, wherein the access network device determines the target arrival time, comprising: determining the target arrival time according to a radio scheduling state.

9. The method of any of claims 1-8, wherein the target arrival time is a time offset. comprising: an application function network element determines information of an arrival time interval of a first data packet of a service, the arrival time interval satisfying a preset requirement of the service, the preset requirement comprising one or more of:

10. A communication method characterized by comprising: an arrival time interval requirement of a data packet of the service, a sending order requirement of the service, an arrival time adjustment granularity requirement of a data packet of the service; wherein, in a downlink direction, the arrival time interval is a time interval for the first data packet to arrive at a latency sensitive network translator (NW-TT) on a network side; in an uplink direction, the arrival time interval is a time interval for the first data packet to arrive at a latency sensitive network translator (DS-TT) on a device side; the application function network element sends identification information of the service and the information of the arrival time interval; the application function network element receives, from a session management network element, identification information of the service and a target arrival time; wherein the arrival time interval includes the target arrival time; the application function network element adjusts a sending time of the first data packet according to the target arrival time.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein a waiting latency corresponding to the target arrival time is less than or equal to a preset threshold, wherein, in an uplink direction, the waiting latency corresponding to the target arrival time is a waiting latency at a terminal device; in a downlink direction, the waiting latency corresponding to the target arrival time is a waiting latency at an access network device.

12. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein the arrival time interval includes a preferred arrival time and at least one alternative arrival time, the preferred arrival time having a higher priority than the at least one alternative arrival time.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one alternative arrival time has a priority order. comprising: a session management network element receives, from an application function network element, a preset requirement of a service, the preset requirement of the service comprising one or more of: an arrival time interval requirement of a data packet of the service, a sending order requirement of the service, an arrival time adjustment granularity requirement of a data packet of the service; the session management network element receives, from an access network device, a plurality of arrival times of a first data packet in a quality of service (QoS) flow, the service corresponding to the QoS flow; the session management network element determines a target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow according to the plurality of arrival times and the preset requirement of the service; and 14. A communication method, comprising: the session management network element sends the target arrival time to the application function network element. ​ ​ ​ ​ The session management network element sends identification information of the service and a target arrival time of the first data packet of the service to an application function network element, wherein the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow corresponds to the target arrival time of the first data packet of the service, and the target arrival time is used for adjusting the sending time of the first data packet.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow meets preset requirements of the QoS flow, and the preset requirements of the QoS flow correspond to preset requirements of the service.

16. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein, the waiting time corresponding to the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow is less than or equal to a preset threshold; in the uplink direction, the waiting time corresponding to the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow is a waiting time at a terminal device; and in the downlink direction, the waiting time corresponding to the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow is a waiting time at the access network device.

17. The method of any one of claims 14-16, wherein, the multiple arrival times have a priority order; the session management network element determines the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow by: the session management network element determines the target arrival time of the first data packet of the QoS flow according to the priority order.

18. A method of communication, comprising: including: An access network device receives preset requirements of a quality of service (QoS) flow from a session management network element, the preset requirements including one or more of: arrival time interval requirements of data packets of the QoS flow, sending order requirements of the QoS flow, and arrival time adjustment granularity requirements of data packets of the QoS flow; The access network device determines a target arrival time of a first data packet of the QoS flow, the target arrival time meeting the preset requirements; The access network device sends the target arrival time to an application function network element, the target arrival time being used for adjusting the sending time of the first data packet.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The method further includes: The access network device receives a preferred arrival time of a first data packet in the QoS flow from the session management network element; in the downlink direction, the preferred arrival time is a time at which the first data packet is preferably arrived at an entrance of the access network device; and in the uplink direction, the preferred arrival time is a time at which the first data packet is preferably arrived at an exit of a terminal device; The access network device determines the target arrival time by: In a case where a waiting time corresponding to the preferred arrival time is greater than a preset threshold, the access network device determines the target arrival time, the waiting time corresponding to the target arrival time being less than or equal to the preset threshold. Wherein, in the uplink direction, the waiting delay corresponding to the preferred arrival time and the waiting delay corresponding to the target arrival time are waiting delays at the terminal device; in the downlink direction, the waiting delay corresponding to the preferred arrival time and the waiting delay corresponding to the target arrival time are waiting delays at the access network device.

20. A communications device, characterized by A unit for performing the method of any of claims 1-19.

21. A communications device, comprising: Comprising: A communication interface and a processor for executing computer programs or instructions, so that the communication device performs the method as claimed in any of claims 1-19.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer program or instructions, when running on a computer, make the computer perform the method as claimed in any of claims 1-19.

23. A computer program product, characterised in that, Instructions, when running on a computer, make the computer perform the method as claimed in any of claims 1-19.

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