A communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and device, the method comprising: an AN device sending, to a first communication device, capability information of the AN device, and receiving at least one information. The capability information can indicate a maximum time length of resource scheduling by the AN device. Any received information comprises information indicating a time range, the time range belonging to a value range of a first time interval, and a time length corresponding to the time range being less than or equal to the maximum time length. The first time interval is a transmission interval between every two adjacent data bursts of a first service flow. The AN device determines, according to the at least one information, a first resource for transmitting a data burst of the first service flow. Through the scheme, the AN device can inform the first communication device of the maximum time length, so that the first communication device determines a time range for auxiliary scheduling according to the maximum time length, and the AN device determines a resource for a service flow with a non-fixed period according to the time range, thereby improving the efficiency of resource scheduling.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0002] In a mobile communication system (for example, a 5th generation (5G) communication system), an access network (AN) device can provide corresponding scheduling resources according to the service flow characteristics of a fixed period. For example, for services in time-sensitive communication, a session management function (SMF) can provide time-sensitive communication assistant information (TSCAI) for the AN device, and the AN device determines how to schedule resources according to the period, arrival time and other information in the TSCAI.

[0003] However, the transmission period of the service flow in the vertical industry can be non-fixed, and how to determine the wireless resources for the service flow with a non-fixed period to achieve efficient transmission is a technical problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides a communication method and device to determine resources for service flows with non-fixed periods.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method can be applied in a communication system as shown in the following Figures 1A-1C The method comprises the following steps.

[0006] After the AN device sends the capability information of the AN device to the first communication device, the AN device can receive at least one information. The capability information can indicate the maximum time length of the AN device scheduling resources. Any information in the at least one information contains information for indicating a time range, the time range belongs to the value range of the first time interval, and the time length corresponding to the time range is less than or equal to the maximum time length; the first time interval is the transmission interval between every two adjacent data bursts of the first service flow. The AN device can determine the first resource for transmitting the data burst of the first service flow according to the at least one information.

[0007] Through the method, the AN device can send the capability information of the AN device to the first communication device, and the capability information can indicate the maximum time length of the AN device scheduling resources; in this way, the first communication device can determine the time range for assisting scheduling according to the capability information, and the AN device determines the resources for the service flow with a non-fixed period according to the time range, which can improve the efficiency of resource scheduling.

[0008] In a possible design, the capability information of the AN device includes at least one of the following:

[0009] a maximum duration of the resource scheduled by the AN device;

[0010] uplink and downlink configuration information of the AN device, and information used for indicating a duration corresponding to a resource using the uplink and downlink configuration information.

[0011] By this design, the AN device can flexibly indicate the maximum duration of the resource scheduled by the AN device.

[0012] In a possible design, when a duration corresponding to a value range of the first time interval is less than or equal to the maximum duration of the resource scheduled by the AN device, the time range contained in the at least one information is the value range. At this time, the at least one information can include at least one of the following:

[0013] information used for indicating an upper limit and a lower limit of the first time interval;

[0014] information used for indicating a reference duration, and information used for indicating an offset of the value range relative to the reference duration.

[0015] By this design, when a duration corresponding to a value range of the first time interval is less than or equal to the maximum duration of the resource scheduled by the AN device, the first AN device can schedule resources continuous in time domain corresponding to the value range; at this time, the first communication device can generate one information, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0016] In a possible design, the first information is any of the at least one information, and the time range indicated by the first information is the first time range. The AN device can determine, according to the first time range and the uplink and downlink configuration information of the AN device, a first resource used for transmitting a data burst of the first service flow. The first resource includes at least one first transmission resource, a duration of any first transmission resource is equal to a duration corresponding to the first time range, and a time interval between intermediate resources of every two adjacent first transmission resources is a middle value of the first time range.

[0017] By this design, when scheduling the resource, the AN device not only considers the period of the service flow, but also considers the uplink and downlink configuration, thereby reasonably determining the resource for the first service flow and improving the efficiency of resource scheduling.

[0018] In a possible design, when the first resource is not successfully determined according to the at least one information, the AN device sends a first indication to the session management network element, where the first indication is used for indicating that the first resource is not successfully determined according to the at least one information. After receiving information used for indicating a second time interval from the session management network element, the AN device can determine, according to the second time interval, a second resource used for transmitting a data burst of the first service flow.

[0019] Optionally, before sending the first indication to the session management network element, the AN device can receive a second indication from the session management network element. The second indication is used to instruct the AN device to send the first indication when the AN device fails to determine the first resource according to the at least one information.

[0020] By this design, the AN device can send the first indication to the session management network element, where the first indication is used to indicate that the AN device fails to determine the first resource according to the at least one information, so that the core network device can regulate the first traffic flow and adjust the first traffic flow to a traffic flow that is transmitted in a fixed period in the air interface; then the AN device can determine the resource according to the fixed period, so that the transmission of the non-fixed period traffic flow can be implemented.

[0021] In a possible design, the second information is any of the at least one information, and the first resource includes at least one second transmission resource that is scheduled according to the second information. The AN device can send information indicating a time offset value to the session management network element after determining the time offset value of sending a data burst of the first traffic flow through the at least one second transmission resource. The time offset value is used to represent a difference between a time at which the second communication device can send the data burst of the first traffic flow according to the at least one second transmission resource and a time at which the data burst of the first traffic flow is prepared to be sent.

[0022] By this design, the AN device can send the information indicating the time offset value to the session management network element, so that the core network device can optimize the transmission of the first traffic flow accordingly. For example, if the time offset value is large, resulting in a large transmission delay of the data burst of the first traffic flow, the core network device can regenerate the at least one information, so that the AN device can determine the resource for transmitting the data burst of the first traffic flow again, thereby possibly reducing the time offset value and further possibly reducing the transmission delay of the data burst of the first traffic flow.

[0023] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method can be applied in the communication system as shown in the following Figures 1A-1C The method includes the following steps.

[0024] The first communication device receives capability information from the AN device; wherein the capability information is used to indicate the maximum duration for which the AN device schedules resources. The first communication device also receives information from the application function network element indicating a range of values ​​for a first time interval. The first time interval is the transmission interval between every two adjacent data bursts of the first service flow. The information indicating the range of values ​​for the first time interval may include: information indicating an upper and lower limit of the first time interval; and / or, information indicating a reference duration, and information indicating the offset of the range of values ​​relative to the reference duration. Then, the first communication device may generate at least one piece of information based on the range of values ​​for the first time interval and the capability information of the AN device, and send at least one piece of information to the AN device. Any of the at least one pieces of information indicates a time range falling within the range of values, where the duration of the time range is less than or equal to the maximum duration for which the AN device schedules resources.

[0025] Using this method, for service flows with irregular periods, the first communication device can generate at least one piece of information based on the range of values ​​for the irregular period and the capability information of the AN device. Any one of these pieces of information can indicate a time range falling within that range, where the duration of that time range is less than or equal to the maximum duration for which the AN device can schedule resources. Since the time range indicated by any one of these pieces of information is less than or equal to the maximum duration, the AN device has the capability to schedule resources corresponding to that time range. Therefore, the AN device can determine resources for service flows with irregular periods based on the time range in the at least one piece of information, thereby improving the efficiency of resource scheduling.

[0026] In one possible design, the capability information of the AN device includes at least one of the following:

[0027] The maximum duration for AN device resource scheduling;

[0028] The uplink and downlink configuration information of the AN device, and information used to indicate the duration of the resource using the uplink and downlink configuration information.

[0029] This design allows AN devices to flexibly indicate the maximum duration for which they can schedule resources.

[0030] In one possible design, when the duration corresponding to the range of values ​​of the first time interval is less than or equal to the maximum duration of the AN device scheduling resources, at least one piece of information contains a time range of that range.

[0031] With this design, when the duration corresponding to the range of values ​​of the first time interval is less than or equal to the maximum duration of the AN device's resource scheduling, the first AN device can schedule resources that are continuous in the time domain corresponding to the range of values; at this time, the first communication device only needs to generate one message, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0032] In a possible design, after sending the at least one information to the AN device, the first communication device can receive information indicating a time offset value. The time offset value is used to represent a difference between a time at which the second communication device can send a data burst of the first service flow and a time at which the second communication device prepares to send the data burst of the first service flow. When the time offset value is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first communication device can regenerate the at least one information.

[0033] By this design, when the data burst of the first service flow is transmitted by using the resource scheduled by the AN device, if the time offset value is large, resulting in a large transmission delay of the data burst of the first service flow, the at least one information can be regenerated, so that the AN device re-determines the resource for transmitting the data burst of the first service flow according to the regenerated information, thereby possibly reducing the time offset value and further possibly reducing the transmission delay of the data burst of the first service flow.

[0034] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method can be applied in the communication system as shown in Figures 1A-1C The method includes the following steps.

[0035] The application function network element sends, to the first communication device, information indicating a value range of a first time interval. The first time interval is a transmission interval between each two adjacent data bursts of the first service flow. The information indicating the value range of the first time interval includes: information indicating an upper limit and a lower limit of the first time interval; and / or, information indicating a reference time length, and information indicating an offset of the value range relative to the reference time length. After receiving information indicating a time at which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted, the application function network element can transmit the data burst of the first service flow according to the time at which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted, or instruct a third communication device to transmit the data burst of the first service flow.

[0036] By this method, the application function network element can transmit the data burst of the first service flow according to the time at which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted, or instruct the third communication device to transmit the data burst of the first service flow, so that each data burst of the first service flow arrives at the time at which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted, thereby reducing the transmission delay of the data burst of the first service flow.

[0037] In a possible design, the application function network element can send the data bursts of the first service flow according to the time at which the data bursts of the first service flow are expected to be transmitted and the transmission interval between each two adjacent data bursts in the first service flow, or instruct the third communication device to send the data bursts of the first service flow. Through this design, when the application function network element sends the data bursts of the first service flow or instructs the third communication device to send the data bursts of the first service flow, the application function network element not only considers the time at which the data bursts of the first service flow are expected to be transmitted, but also considers the transmission interval between each two adjacent data bursts in the first service flow, so that the transmission delay of each data burst in the first service flow can be reduced as much as possible.

[0038] In a possible design, the time at which the data bursts of the first service flow are expected to be transmitted includes at least one time range at which the data bursts of the first service flow are expected to be transmitted, or at least one time point at which the data bursts of the first service flow are expected to be transmitted. This design provides various forms of the time at which the data bursts of the first service flow are expected to be transmitted, and can be applied to different scenarios, and is relatively simple to implement.

[0039] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which comprises units for performing the steps in any of the above aspects.

[0040] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which comprises at least one processing element and at least one storage element, wherein the at least one storage element is configured to store programs and data, and the at least one processing element is configured to read and execute the programs and data stored in the storage element, so that the method provided in any of the above aspects is implemented.

[0041] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which comprises an AN device configured to perform the method provided in the first aspect, and a first communication device configured to perform the method provided in the second aspect.

[0042] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which comprises an AN device configured to perform the method provided in the first aspect, a first communication device configured to perform the method provided in the second aspect, and an application function network element configured to perform the method provided in the third aspect.

[0043] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to perform the method provided in any of the above aspects.

[0044] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed on a computer, enables the computer to perform the method provided in any of the above aspects.

[0045] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip for reading a computer program stored in a memory, and executing the method provided in any of the above aspects.

[0046] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, which comprises a processor for supporting a computer device to implement the method provided in any of the above aspects. In a possible design, the chip system further comprises a memory for storing necessary programs and data of the computer device. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0047] The technical effects that can be achieved by any of the above fourth to eleventh aspects can be described with reference to the technical effects that can be achieved by any of the above first or third aspects, and repeated descriptions are omitted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0048] Figure 1A An architecture diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Figure 1B Another architecture diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 1C Still another architecture diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Figure 2 A flowchart of a first communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Figure 3 An application scenario diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Figure 4 A flowchart of a second communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] Figure 5 A flowchart of a third communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] Figure 6 A flowchart of a fourth communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Figure 7 A flowchart of a fifth communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Figure 8 A structure diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Figure 9A structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] The present application provides a communication method and device for determining resources for a service flow with a non-fixed period. The method and device are based on the same technical concept, and the implementation of the device and the method can be referred to each other as the principles for solving the problems are similar, and the repeated parts will not be described herein.

[0060] According to the scheme provided in the embodiments of the present application, the AN device can send the capability information of the AN device to the first communication device, and the capability information can be used to indicate the maximum time length of the resource scheduled by the AN device. The first communication device can determine whether the period range of the first service flow needs to be split according to the relationship between the value range of the non-fixed period (i.e., the value range of the first time interval in the present application) and the maximum time length. When the time length corresponding to the value range of the non-fixed period is greater than the maximum time length, the first communication device splits the value range of the non-fixed period into a plurality of time ranges, and the time length corresponding to each time range is less than or equal to the maximum time length. Then, the first communication device can send at least one information used for assistance scheduling to the AN device, and each information contains a time range. The AN device schedules resources for the first service flow according to the at least one information. According to the scheme, for the service flow with a non-fixed period, the first communication device can generate at least one information according to the value range of the non-fixed period and the capability information of the AN device, and any information in the at least one information can indicate a time range belonging to the value range, and the time length corresponding to the time range is less than or equal to the maximum time length. Since the time range indicated by any information in the at least one information is less than or equal to the maximum time length, the AN device has the capability of scheduling the resources corresponding to the time range, and therefore, the AN device can determine the resources for the service flow with a non-fixed period according to the time range in the at least one information, and the efficiency of resource scheduling can be improved.

[0061] In the following, some terms in the embodiments of the present application are explained and described so as to facilitate the understanding of the skilled in the art.

[0062] 1) Communication device, which generally refers to a device with communication function. Exemplarily, the communication device can be, but is not limited to, a terminal device, an AN device, an access point, a core network (CN) device, etc.

[0063] 2) Time unit, generally referring to a unit of time. For example, a time unit can be, but is not limited to, a subframe, a slot, a symbol, a physical slot, or an available slot. Among them, a symbol can be a time-domain symbol (e.g., an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol).

[0064] 3) In the downlink transmission direction, data is sent from the network side (e.g., access network equipment or core network) to the terminal equipment; in the uplink transmission direction, data is sent from the terminal equipment to the network side.

[0065] 4) The "determined resource" in this application can also be replaced with "determined radio resource" or "determined scheduling resource", etc.

[0066] In this application embodiment, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, refers to "singular nouns or plural nouns," that is, "one or more." "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items.

[0067] In addition, it should be understood that in the description of this application, the words "first" and "second" are used only for the purpose of distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, nor should they be construed as indicating or implying order.

[0068] The communication system used in the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0069] Figure 1A This illustration shows a possible communication system architecture to which the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is applicable. For example... Figure 1A As shown, the communication system comprises three parts: terminal equipment (using user equipment (UE) as an example in the figure), a mobile communication system, and a data network (DN). The mobile communication system provides access and connection services to the terminal equipment.

[0070] A terminal device is an entity on the user side capable of receiving and transmitting wireless signals, and needs to access the DN through a mobile communication system. Optionally, the terminal device can act as a relay device for other data collectors or other terminal devices, enabling these devices to conduct service communication with the DN through the mobile communication system.

[0071] In this application, the terminal device can also be referred to as UE, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc. Currently, some examples of terminal devices are: mobile phone, tablet computer, notebook computer, palm computer, vehicle-mounted device, mobile internet device (MID), wearable device, virtual reality (VR) device, augmented reality (AR) device, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self driving, wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, wireless terminal in smart home, etc.

[0072] The mobile communication system can access at least one DN, and the same DN can also be accessed by at least one mobile communication system. The mobile communication system can include both AN and CN.

[0073] The network device deployed in the AN is an AN device, which can be specifically responsible for functions such as wireless access, wireless resource management on the air interface side, quality of service (QoS) management, data compression and encryption, user plane data forwarding, etc.

[0074] An AN device as a node in a wireless access network can also be referred to as a base station, a radio access network (RAN) node (or device), an access point (AP). Currently, some examples of AN devices are: a generation Node B (gNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), an evolved Node B (eNB), a radio network controller (RNC), a Node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (for example, home eNodeB, or home Node B, HNB), or a base band unit (BBU), and the like.

[0075] In addition, in a network structure, the AN device can include a centralized unit (CU) node and a distributed unit (DU) node. This structure splits the protocol layers of the AN device, with some of the protocol layers' functions being centrally controlled by the CU, and the rest of the protocol layers' functions being distributed in the DUs and centrally controlled by the CU.

[0076] The network elements deployed in the CN can be collectively referred to as CN devices. The CN devices can connect terminal devices to different data networks, and perform charging, mobility management, session management, user plane forwarding, and other services. In different mobile communication systems, the names of CN devices with the same functions can be different. However, the embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific names of CN devices with each function. In the following, taking the CN in a 5G mobile communication system as an example, the functions of the main network elements in the CN are introduced in detail. The network elements in the CN of the 5G mobile communication system can be divided into two categories: control plane network elements and user plane network elements.

[0077] The user plane network element includes a user plane function (UPF), which is mainly responsible for packet data forwarding, QoS control, charging information statistics, and the like. The embodiments of the present application can also be used in the following scenario: devices such as field sensors access the core network through the UE and the AN, and perform data transmission in the user plane through the UPF.

[0078] The control plane network element is mainly responsible for service flow interaction, issuing data packet forwarding strategy to the user plane, QoS control strategy, etc. The control plane network element mainly includes: access and mobility management function (AMF), SMF, policy and charging function (PCF), application function (AF), network exposure function (NEF), unified data management (UDM), time sensitive communication and time synchronization function (TSCTSF).

[0079] Among them, the AMF is mainly responsible for access management and mobility management of the UE, for example, responsible for state maintenance of the UE, reachability management of the UE, forwarding of non-mobility management (mobility management, MM) non-access-stratum (NAS) messages, etc.

[0080] The SMF is mainly responsible for session management of the UE, for example, managing establishment and deletion of protocol data unit (PDU) session, maintaining PDU session context and user plane forwarding pipe information, etc.

[0081] The PCF is mainly responsible for policy control, for example, generating and / or managing user, session, QoS flow processing policy, etc.

[0082] The AF is mainly responsible for providing various service services, and can interact with the core network through the NEF, and interact with the policy management framework for policy management, etc.

[0083] The NEF is mainly responsible for providing network capability exposure related framework, authentication and interface, and transferring information between network functions and other network functions in the mobile communication system.

[0084] The UDM is mainly responsible for user subscription context management.

[0085] The TSCTSF is mainly responsible for managing information of one or more clocks of the mobile communication system, and can provide time information of the clock to the outside through its own port, such as directly or indirectly providing time information of the clock to terminal devices, access network devices, core network devices or third-party application function network elements.

[0086] The DN is a network outside the mobile communication system. For example, the DN can be a packet data network (PDN), such as the Internet, an Internet Protocol (IP) multi-media service (IMS) network, a data network dedicated to some application, an Ethernet, an IP local network, and the like, without limitation. The DN can deploy various services, and can provide data and / or voice services for terminal devices.

[0087] Figure 1B An architecture of another possible communication system to which embodiments of the present application can be applied is shown. The system architecture can support time sensitive communication defined in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.1 time sensitive network (TSN) standard. As shown in Figure 1B The communication system includes a TSN bridge and a TSN system.

[0088] The TSN bridge can include a device side of a mobile communication system and a bridge node, and service data packets of the TSN system can be transmitted through the TSN bridge.

[0089] The mobile communication system can include an AMF, an SMF, a PCF, an NEF, a UDM, a TSN AF, a UPF, and an AN device. The device side of the bridge node can include a terminal device. Details of each communication device can be referred to the description of the Figure 1A , and repeated descriptions will not be repeated. Only differences will be described below.

[0090] The TSN AF is an AF for providing TSN service, and can provide parameters of time sensitive communication (TSC) for TSN service, such as a TSC assistant container (TSCAC).

[0091] In addition, a TSN adapter is arranged at a boundary position where the mobile communication system and the TSN are connected, for processing messages related to a point to point (PTP) protocol or TSN service data packets. For example, the TSN adapter can include a network side TSN protocol translation function (NW-TT). The NW-TT can be a device connected to a UPF, or a logical function in the UPF.

[0092] A TSN adapter is also arranged at a boundary position where the device side of the bridge node and the TSN are connected, and the TSN adapter can include a device side TSN translator (DS-TT). The DS-TT can also be referred to as a UE-TT, etc. The DS-TT can be a device connected to a UE, or a logical function in the UE.

[0093] Figure 1C An architecture of another possible communication system to which the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application is applicable is shown. As shown in Figure 1C The communication system includes an end station, a device side, a mobile communication system and a DN. The mobile communication system can include an AMF, an SMF, a PCF, a NEF, a UDM, a TSC TSF, an AF, a UPF and an AN device, and the device side includes an end station. The specific content of each communication device can be referred to the description of the Figure 1A The specific content of each communication device can be referred to the description of the

[0094] A TSN adapter is arranged at a boundary position where the mobile communication system and the TSN are connected, for processing messages related to a point to point (PTP) protocol or TSN service data packets. For example, the TSN adapter can include a network side TSN protocol translation function (NW-TT). The NW-TT can be a device connected to a UPF, or a logical function in the UPF. Figure 1B The specific content of each communication device can be referred to the description of the

[0095] In Figure 1C In the architecture shown in

[0096] Figure 1CThe illustrated architecture can support time synchronization services of Ethernet or IP type PDU sessions based on the IEEE 802.1AS standard or the IEEE 1588 standard. Among them, the DS-TT, the NW-TT and the TSCTSF support functions in the IEEE 802.1AS standard or the IEEE 1588 standard. The TSCTSF can control the DS-TT and the NW-TT.

[0097] It should be understood that, Figures 1A-1C The meanings of the various interface sequence numbers involved in the above description can refer to the meanings defined in the 3GPP standard protocol, which are not limited herein.

[0098] It should be noted that, Figures 1A-1C The communication system illustrated does not constitute a limitation on the communication system to which the embodiments of the present application can be applied. Therefore, the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to various types of communication systems, such as: LTE communication system, 5G communication system, 6G communication system, future communication system, vehicle to everything (V2X), long term evolution-vehicle (LTE-V), vehicle to vehicle (V2V), vehicle networking, machine type communication (MTC), internet of things (IoT), long term evolution-machine to machine (LTE-M), machine to machine (M2M), internet of things, etc. In addition, it should also be noted that the embodiments of the present application do not limit the names of the network elements in the communication system. For example, in different types of communication systems, the network elements can have other names; for example, when multiple network elements are integrated in the same physical device, the physical device can also have other names.

[0099] In order to facilitate the understanding of the present application, the related background art is introduced and explained as follows.

[0100] I. Air interface scheduling mechanism

[0101] 1. Traditional uplink scheduling principle: when uplink data needs to be sent, the terminal device sends a scheduling request (SR) on the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). After receiving the SR, the AN device can send an uplink grant to the terminal device. The terminal device can send uplink data at the position indicated by the uplink grant (i.e. the time-frequency resource indicated by the uplink grant).

[0102] In a conventional uplink scheduling procedure, a terminal device can only send an SR according to a configured period; according to a protocol, the sending period of the SR can reach 80 milliseconds (ms) at most. Therefore, the uplink data transmission through the procedure can have a relatively large delay.

[0103] 2. Uplink pre-scheduling principle

[0104] In order to reduce the uplink delay, an uplink pre-scheduling function is introduced. In the uplink pre-scheduling procedure, an AN device can actively authorize a terminal device; that is, the AN device can pre-configure uplink resources for the terminal device without waiting to receive an SR from the terminal device before performing uplink authorization. Under the uplink pre-scheduling procedure, even if the terminal device does not need to send uplink data, the AN device will still actively authorize the terminal device, and therefore, uplink resources can be wasted; and the AN device can pre-configure the same uplink resources for multiple terminal devices, thereby introducing uplink interference.

[0105] 3. Intelligent pre-configuration principle

[0106] In order to avoid the waste of uplink resources and uplink interference, an intelligent pre-scheduling function is introduced. The function can be triggered by downlink data. Specifically, after an AN device sends downlink data to a terminal device, considering that the terminal device will generate uplink data in response to the feedback of the downlink data, the AN device can actively authorize the terminal to perform uplink within a certain time after sending the downlink data, and allocate uplink resources.

[0107] 4. Uplink grant free principle

[0108] For a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) protocol (for example, a release 15 (R15) protocol) supports grant-free scheduling. An AN device can periodically allocate a grant-free uplink resource for a terminal device; in this way, when the terminal device needs to send uplink data, the uplink data can be sent through the grant-free uplink resource, thereby reducing the transmission delay of the uplink data. Specifically, the AN device can send first radio resource control (RRC) signaling for configuring an uplink grant-free resource to the terminal device; then, the AN device can activate the configured uplink grant-free resource by sending second RRC signaling or downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device. After the uplink grant-free resource is activated, the terminal device can directly send uplink data on the uplink grant-free resource without first sending an SR or a buffer status report (BSR) to the AN device, and can send the uplink data after receiving an uplink grant sent by the AN device, thereby achieving the purpose of shortening the delay.

[0109] 5. Downlink scheduling basic flow:

[0110] The AN device allocates a downlink resource for the terminal device according to the channel state reported by the terminal device, in combination with UE capability information, and sends scheduling information for indicating the allocated downlink resource to the terminal device through a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). The AN device can send downlink data to the terminal device on the downlink resource allocated to the terminal device; the terminal device determines the allocated downlink resource according to the scheduling information received from the PDCCH channel, receives and demodulates the downlink data on the downlink resource.

[0111] 6. Downlink semi-persistent scheduling principle:

[0112] The AN device can send third RRC signaling to the terminal device for configuring periodic downlink resources, and activate the periodic downlink resources by sending PDCCH identified by a configured scheduling radio network temporary identifier (CS-RNTI) to the terminal device. The PDCCH identified by the CS-RNTI can carry information required for scheduling the periodic downlink resources, and indicate that the downlink resources can be multiplexed according to the periodicity defined by radio resource control (RRC), for example, the third RRC signaling. In addition, the configured downlink resources can also be deactivated by the PDCCH identified by the CS-RNTI, that is, the AN device can deactivate the periodic downlink resources by sending the PDCCH identified by the CS-RNTI to the terminal device.

[0113] II. Air interface scheduling procedure

[0114] 1. Applicable to Figure 1C the air interface scheduling procedure in the architecture shown. The procedure includes steps A1-A6.

[0115] A1: The AF sends feature information of a service flow to the TSC TSF through the NEF.

[0116] The service flow can be a TSC flow. The feature information of the service flow can include at least one of the following: a transmission period of a data burst of the service flow, a transmission direction of the service flow (i.e., a flow direction of the service flow), and a burst arrival time of the service flow. Each data burst can include one or more service data packets. The transmission period is the time interval between every two adjacent data bursts of the service flow.

[0117] A2: The TSC TSF generates a TSC AC according to the feature information of the service flow. The TSC AC contains the above feature information. The specific content of the TSC AC can be seen in Table 1.

[0118] Table 1

[0119]

[0120] A3: The TSC TSF sends the TSC AC to the SMF through the PCF. The TSC AC can be used for IP type or Ethernet type PDU session.

[0121] Optionally, after receiving the TSC AC, the PCF can forward it as part of the Policy Control and Charging (PCC) rules to the SMF.

[0122] A4: The SMF binds the PCC rule containing the TSCAC to a QoS flow and derives a TSCAI for the QoS flow according to the TSCAC. The TSCAI contains the transmission period described above. The specific content of the TSCAI can be seen in Table 2.

[0123] Table 2

[0124]

[0125] A5: The SMF sends the derived TSCAI to the AN device.

[0126] A6: The AN device schedules resources according to the TSCAI.

[0127] The AN device can perform uplink grant-free scheduling or downlink semi-persistent scheduling according to the TSCAI. The resources scheduled by the AN device can include multiple transmission resources, and the interval between every two adjacent transmission resources in the multiple transmission resources is the period in the TACAI.

[0128] 2, applied to Figure 1B the air interface scheduling process in the architecture shown. The process includes steps B1-B5.

[0129] B1: The TSN AF generates a TSCAC according to the characteristic information of the service flow. The TSCAC contains the transmission period in the characteristic information of the service flow. The specific content of the TSCAC can be seen in Table 1.

[0130] B2: The TSN AF sends the TSCAC to the SMF through the PCF.

[0131] Optionally, after receiving the TSCAC, the PCF can forward it as part of the PCC rule to the SMF.

[0132] B3: The SMF binds the PCC rule containing the TSCAC to a QoS flow and derives a TSCAI for the QoS flow according to the TSCAC.

[0133] The TSCAI contains the transmission period described above. The specific content of the TSCAI can be seen in Table 2.

[0134] B4: The SMF sends the derived TSCAI to the AN device.

[0135] B5: The AN device schedules resources according to the TSCAI.

[0136] The specific content of B5 can be referred to A6, which will not be described here.

[0137] Through the procedures in 1 and 2, the SMF can provide the AN device with the TSCAI. The TSCAI corresponds to a QoS flow and can be used to provide assistance information to describe the characteristics of the QoS flow. The transmission direction of the QoS flow can be a downlink direction and / or an uplink direction. In this way, the AN device can more effectively schedule resources for a service flow with a fixed period according to the periodicity parameter in the TSCAI through configured grant, semi-static scheduling or dynamic grant.

[0138] 3. A service flow with a non-fixed period (or a variable period).

[0139] Currently, the transmission period of some service flows (for example, TSC flows) is not fixed. For example, in the following scenarios in the vertical field, the transmission period of a service flow can not be fixed, that is, the transmission interval between every two adjacent data bursts of the service flow can not be fixed:

[0140] (1) Mobile robot (for example, a mobile robot used for video operation remote controller);

[0141] (2) Mobile control panel used for remotely controlling assembly robot or milling machine (the transmission period is 4-8 ms);

[0142] (3) Mobile control panel used for remotely controlling mobile crane, mobile pump or fixed gantry crane;

[0143] (4) Factory asset management;

[0144] (5) Process automation used for closed loop control.

[0145] Among them, in scenarios (1)-(4), the transmission interval between every two adjacent data bursts of the service flow can deviate by ±25%; in scenario (5), the transmission interval between every two adjacent data bursts of the service flow can deviate by ±5%.

[0146] It should be noted that the above TSC flow has the characteristic that the period fluctuates within a certain range, but the above scenarios belong to periodic deterministic communication defined by 3GPP.

[0147] How to determine the scheduling resources for the service flow with a non-fixed period is a problem to be solved by the present application.

[0148] The scheme provided by the present application will be described below in combination with the drawings.

[0149] The present application embodiment provides a communication method, which can be applied to Figures 1A-1C the communication system shown in the figure. The following refers to Figure 2The flowchart shown takes the SMF as the session management network element and the AF as the application function network element as examples to specifically describe the flow of the method.

[0150] S201: The AN device sends capability information of the AN device to the first communication device. The capability information can be used to indicate the maximum duration of the resource scheduled by the AN device; in other words, the capability information can be used to indicate the maximum duration of the continuous resource in the time domain that can be scheduled by the AN device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the capability information of the AN device from the AN device.

[0151] The first communication device can be an SMF, a TSC TSF, or a TSN AF. When the first communication device is a TSC TSF or a TSN AF, the AN device can send the capability information of the AN device to the TSC TSF or the TSN AF through the SMF. Optionally, the SMF can send the capability information of the AN device to the first communication device after analyzing the capability information of the AN device from the AN device; or the capability information of the AN device can be directly transmitted.

[0152] Optionally, the maximum duration can include: the maximum duration of the continuous uplink resource scheduled by the AN device, and / or the maximum duration of the continuous downlink resource scheduled by the AN device.

[0153] The continuous uplink resource scheduled by the AN device can be the continuous uplink resource scheduled by the AN device in the primary cell, or the continuous uplink resource scheduled by the AN device in all cells. For example, when the continuous uplink resource scheduled by the AN device is the continuous uplink resource scheduled by the AN device in all cells, if the uplink resource scheduled by the AN device in the primary cell is the resource corresponding to time slot 1 and time slot 2, and the uplink resource scheduled by the AN device in the secondary cell is the resource corresponding to time slot 3 and time slot 6, then the continuous uplink resource scheduled by the AN device is the resource corresponding to time slot 1-time slot 3.

[0154] The continuous downlink resource scheduled by the AN device can be the continuous downlink resource scheduled by the AN device in the primary cell, or the continuous downlink resource scheduled by the AN device in all cells. For example, when the continuous downlink resource scheduled by the AN device is the continuous downlink resource scheduled by the AN device in all cells, if the downlink resource scheduled by the AN device in the primary cell is the resource corresponding to time slot 7 and time slot 8, and the downlink resource scheduled by the AN device in the secondary cell is the resource corresponding to time slot 4 and time slot 9, then the continuous downlink resource scheduled by the AN device is the resource corresponding to time slot 7-time slot 9.

[0155] Optionally, the capability information of the AN device includes at least one of the following:

[0156] 1. The maximum duration of the resource scheduled by the AN device.

[0157] In some possible manners, the capability information can directly indicate the maximum time length of the continuous resources scheduled by the AN device. For example, the capability information is uplink 1 millisecond (ms), indicating that the maximum time length of the continuous uplink resources scheduled by the AN device is 1 ms. For another example, the capability information is downlink 2 ms, indicating that the maximum time length of the continuous downlink resources scheduled by the AN device is 2 ms.

[0158] In some other possible manners, the capability information can also indirectly indicate the maximum time length of the continuous resources scheduled by the AN device. For example, when the first field of the capability information takes a first value, it indicates that the maximum time length of the continuous uplink resources scheduled by the AN device is 1 ms. For another example, when the second field of the capability information takes a second value, it indicates that the maximum time length of the continuous downlink resources scheduled by the AN device is 2 ms.

[0159] 2. The uplink and downlink configuration information of the AN device and the information used to indicate the time length corresponding to the resources using the uplink and downlink configuration information.

[0160] In some possible manners, the uplink and downlink configuration information can directly indicate the uplink and downlink configuration of the AN device. For example, the uplink and downlink configuration information is UUDDDUUDDD, where U represents an uplink time slot and D represents a downlink time slot. The time length corresponding to the radio frame using the uplink and downlink configuration information is 10 ms. Here, taking sub-carrier space (SCS) = 30 kilohertz (KHz) as an example, 1 radio frame = 20 time slots, that is, each time slot is 0.5 ms. In this way, the maximum time length of the continuous uplink resources scheduled by the AN device is 1 ms, and the maximum time length of the continuous downlink resources scheduled by the AN device is 1.5 ms. Other SCSs can also be taken as examples, and the time length of each time slot is different, which can be 1 ms, 0.5 ms, 0.25 ms, 0.125 ms, and the like, which are not listed one by one.

[0161] In some other possible manners, the uplink and downlink configuration information can indirectly indicate the uplink and downlink configuration of the AN device. For example, when the uplink and downlink configuration information is a third value, the corresponding uplink and downlink configuration is UUDDDUUDDD.

[0162] In addition, the information used to indicate the time length corresponding to the resources using the uplink and downlink configuration information can directly indicate the time length or indirectly indicate the time length, which is not limited in this application.

[0163] In S201, the capability information of the AN device can be carried in an existing message (for example, a registration request) or a new message, which is not limited in this application.

[0164] S202: The AF sends information indicating a value range of the first time interval to the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the information indicating the value range of the first time interval from the AF.

[0165] When the first communication device is a TSC TSF or a TSN AF, the AF can directly send the information indicating the value range of the first time interval to the TSC TSF or the TSN AF, or send the information indicating the value range of the first time interval to the TSC TSF or the TSN AF through the NEF. When the first communication device is an SMF, the AF can send the information indicating the value range of the first time interval to the SMF through the TSC TSF or the TSN AF. The information indicating the value range of the first time interval can be carried in an existing message (for example, at least one of the QoS and TSC assistance creation message (Ntsctsf_QoSandTSCAssistance_Create), PCF policy authorization update request, session management (SM) policy control update, etc.), or a new message, which is not limited in the present application.

[0166] The first time interval is the transmission interval between every two adjacent data bursts of the first service flow; in other words, the first time interval is the transmission period of the first service flow. In this way, the value range of the first time interval is the value range of the transmission period of the first service flow; that is, the transmission period of the first service flow is a non-fixed period or a variable period. In addition, the first service flow can be a TSC flow.

[0167] Optionally, the information indicating the value range of the first time interval can include at least one of the following:

[0168] 1. Information indicating the upper limit and the lower limit of the first time interval. For example, the upper limit of the first time interval is 5 ms, and the lower limit of the first time interval is 3 ms, indicating that the value range of the first time interval is 3 ms-5 ms.

[0169] 2. Information indicating a reference duration, and information indicating an offset of the value range relative to the reference duration. The offset of the value range relative to the reference duration can be an absolute value or a relative value. For example, the reference duration is 4 ms, and the offset of the value range relative to the reference duration is ±1 ms, indicating that the value range of the first time interval is 3 ms-5 ms. For another example, the reference duration is 4 ms, and the offset of the value range relative to the reference duration is ±25%, indicating that the value range of the first time interval is 3 ms-5 ms.

[0170] Through the method, the value range of the first time interval, i.e., the period range of the first service flow, can be flexibly indicated.

[0171] Optionally, in S202, the AF can further send, to the first communication device, information used for indicating a transmission direction of the first service flow, so as to indicate whether the transmission direction of the first service flow is an uplink direction or a downlink direction. The information used for indicating the transmission direction of the first service flow and the information used for indicating the value range of the first time interval can be carried in the same message or in different messages.

[0172] In addition, the execution order of S201 and S202 is not limited in the present application.

[0173] S203: The first communication device generates at least one information according to the value range of the first time interval and the capability information of the AN device. The capability information is used for indicating a maximum time length of resource scheduling of the AN device, and the specific content can be referred to S201. Any information in the at least one information can be used for indicating a time range belonging to the value range of the first time interval, and the time length corresponding to the time range is less than or equal to the maximum time length of resource scheduling of the AN device.

[0174] The at least one information can be at least one TSCAC, and the time range is a range indicated by a period parameter in the TSCAC. Alternatively, the at least one information can be at least one TSCAI, and the time range is a range indicated by a period parameter in the TSCAI.

[0175] In some possible manners, when the time length corresponding to the value range of the first time interval is less than or equal to the maximum time length of resource scheduling of the AN device, the time range is the value range of the first time interval. For example, the value range of the first time interval is 3ms-5ms, and the time length corresponding to the value range is 2ms. If the maximum time length is 2ms, the at least one information is one information, and the one information indicates the time range of 3ms-5ms. It should be understood that when the time length corresponding to the value range of the first time interval is less than or equal to the maximum time length, the first AN device can schedule resources in a time domain corresponding to the value range continuously. At this time, the first communication device generates one information, so that the signaling overhead can be saved.

[0176] In another possible mode, when the time length corresponding to the value range of the first time interval is greater than the maximum time length of the resource scheduled by the AN device, the union of the time ranges indicated by the at least one information is the value range of the first time interval. For example, the value range of the first time interval is 3ms-5ms, and the time length corresponding to the value range is 2ms; if the maximum time length is 1ms, the at least one information can include information 1 and information 2, the time range indicated by the information 1 is 3ms-4ms, and the time range indicated by the information 2 is 4ms-5ms. In this way, when the time length corresponding to the value range of the first time interval is greater than the maximum time length, the first communication device can split the value range of the first time interval into a plurality of time ranges, and generate an information corresponding to the scheduling capability of the AN device for each time range, so as to obtain a plurality of information, so that the AN device can successfully schedule the resource according to the plurality of information.

[0177] Optionally, when generating the at least one information, the first communication device can also consider the transmission direction of the first service flow, and generate the at least one information according to the transmission direction of the first service flow, the value range of the first time interval, and the maximum time length corresponding to the transmission direction.

[0178] In some possible modes, when the time length corresponding to the value range of the first time interval is less than or equal to the maximum time length of the resource scheduled by the AN device in the transmission direction of the first service flow, the time range is the value range of the first time interval. For example, the transmission direction of the first service flow is the downlink direction; the value range of the first time interval is 3ms-5ms, and the time length corresponding to the value range is 2ms; the maximum time length of the AN device in the downlink direction is 2ms. At this time, the at least one information can be one information, and the time range indicated by the one information is 3ms-5ms.

[0179] In another possible mode, when the time length corresponding to the value range of the first time interval is greater than the maximum time length of the resource scheduled by the AN device in the transmission direction of the first service flow, the union of the time ranges indicated by the at least one information is the value range of the first time interval. For example, the transmission direction of the first service flow is the uplink direction; the value range of the first time interval is 3ms-5ms, and the time length corresponding to the value range is 2ms; the maximum time length of the AN device in the uplink direction is 1ms, and the at least one information can include information 1 and information 2, the time range indicated by the information 1 is 3ms-4ms, and the time range indicated by the information 2 is 4ms-5ms.

[0180] S204: The first communication device sends the at least one information to the AN device. Correspondingly, the AN device receives the at least one information from the first communication device.

[0181] When the first communication device is the TSCTSF or the TSN AF, the TSCTSF or the TSN AF can send the at least one information to the AN device through the SMF. For example, the TSCTSF or the TSN AF can send the at least one information to the AN device through the SMF in one of the following manners.

[0182] In some possible manners, the TSCTSF or the TSN AF sends the at least one information to the SMF, and the SMF forwards the received at least one information to the AN device.

[0183] In another possible manner, after the TSCTSF or the TSN AF sends the at least one information to the SMF, the SMF obtains one or more information corresponding to the at least one information, and any information in the one or more information indicates the same time range as the corresponding information in the at least one information. For example, the at least one information is at least one TSC AC; the one or more information is one or more TSC AI; and any TSC AI indicates the same time range as the corresponding TSC AC.

[0184] In some possible manners, the first communication device can send the at least one information to the AN device through an existing message (for example, a message in a PCF policy authorization update request and SM policy control update and / or session modification process), or send the at least one information to the AN device through a new message.

[0185] When the first communication device is the SMF, the SMF can send the at least one information to the AN device through an existing message (for example, a message in a session modification process), or send the at least one information to the AN device through a new message.

[0186] S205: The AN device determines, according to the at least one information, a first resource for transmitting a data burst of the first service flow.

[0187] The following takes the at least one information as the first information as an example to illustrate S205.

[0188] The first information is any of the at least one information, and the time range indicated by the first information is a first time range. The first resource includes at least one first transmission resource, a time length of any first transmission resource is equal to a time length corresponding to the first time range, and a time interval between intermediate resources of every two adjacent first transmission resources is a middle value of the first time range. That is, the AN device can schedule a resource in a time window corresponding to the time range as the first resource. For example, the time range indicated by the first information is 3ms-5ms, and the first resource determined by the AN device can include a resource at 3ms-5ms and a resource at (3+4*n)ms-(5+4*n)ms. Wherein, n is a positive integer.

[0189] Optionally, taking the first information as an example, the AN device can further determine the first resource for transmitting the data burst of the first service flow according to the first time range and uplink-downlink configuration information of the AN device. For example, the time range indicated by the first information is 2ms-3ms, the uplink-downlink configuration of the AN device is UUDDDUUDDD, the transmission direction of the first service flow is uplink, and the first resource determined by the AN device can include uplink resources at 0ms-1ms and uplink resources at (0+2.5*o)ms-(1+2.5*o)ms. Wherein, o is a positive integer. For another example, the time range indicated by the first information is 2ms-3ms, the uplink-downlink configuration of the AN device is UUDDDUUDDD, the transmission direction of the first service flow is downlink, and the first resource determined by the AN device can include downlink resources at 1ms-2ms and downlink resources at (1+2.5*m)ms-(2+2.5*m)ms. Wherein, m is a positive integer. Through this method, when scheduling the resource, the AN device not only considers the period of the service flow, but also considers the uplink-downlink configuration, so that the resource for the first service flow can be reasonably determined, and the efficiency of resource scheduling can be improved.

[0190] In addition, taking the first information as an example, the AN device can further determine the first resource for transmitting the data burst of the first service flow according to the first time range and an arrival time of the data burst of the first service flow. For example, the time at which the data burst of the first service flow arrives at the second communication device is x ms, the time length occupied by the first time range is 2ms, and the first resource includes resources at xms-(x+2)ms and resources at (x+T*p)ms-(x+T*p)ms. Wherein, T is an average value of the first time range, for example, when the first time range is 3ms-5ms, T is 4; p is a positive integer, and x is a non-negative number. Through this method, when scheduling the resource, the AN device not only considers the period of the service flow, but also considers the arrival time of the data burst, so that the transmission delay of the data burst can be reduced.

[0191] Optionally, if the AN device fails to determine the first resource according to the at least one information in S205, the method further comprises steps C1-C4:

[0192] C1: The AN device can send a first indication to the SMF, where the first indication is used to indicate that the AN device fails to determine the first resource according to the at least one information.

[0193] The first indication can be a message or a signal element in a message. Specifically, when the first indication is a signal element, the first indication can reuse an existing signal element in a message or be a new signal element in a message. For example, the signal element can be a fourth field, and when the fourth field takes a fourth value, it can indicate that the AN device fails to determine the first resource according to the at least one information.

[0194] Optionally, before step C1, the SMF can send a second indication to the AN device, and correspondingly, the AN device can receive the second indication from the SMF. The second indication can be used to instruct the AN device to send the first indication when the AN device fails to determine the first resource according to the at least one information.

[0195] The second indication can be a message or a signal element in a message. Specifically, when the second indication is a signal element, the second indication can reuse an existing signal element in a message or be a new signal element in a message. For example, the signal element can be a fifth field, and when the fifth field takes a fifth value, it can indicate that the AN device sends the first indication when the AN device fails to determine the first resource according to the at least one information.

[0196] The SMF can generate the second indication by itself or obtain the second indication from other devices (e.g., TSC TSF or TSN AF).

[0197] C2: The SMF regulates the first traffic flow, and adjusts the transmission interval of each two adjacent data bursts of the first traffic flow to a fixed time interval (i.e., a second time interval).

[0198] The second time interval can be a value in the value range of the first time interval, such as the upper limit of the value range of the first time interval, the lower limit of the value range of the first time interval, the average value of the value range of the first time interval, or a reference time length of the value range of the first time interval.

[0199] Optionally, when the transmission direction of the first service flow is a downlink direction, the SMF can instruct the UPF to transmit the data burst of the first service flow according to the second time interval. When the transmission direction of the first service flow is an uplink direction, the SMF can instruct the terminal device or the input output (IO) device to transmit the data burst of the first service flow according to the second time interval. In this way, when the data burst of the first service flow arrives at the air interface (for example, the egress of the UE or the ingress of the AN device), it can become a periodic service flow.

[0200] C3: The SMF sends information for indicating the second time interval to the AN device; correspondingly, the AN device receives the information for indicating the second time interval from the SMF.

[0201] The information for indicating the second time interval can be carried in an existing message (for example, a message in a session modification process) or a new message.

[0202] C4: The AN device determines a second resource for transmitting the data burst of the first service flow according to the second time interval.

[0203] Optionally, the second resource includes a plurality of third transmission resources, and the interval between every two adjacent third transmission resources is the second time interval.

[0204] Optionally, in step C2, the first service flow can also be regulated by the TSCTSF or the TSN AF, that is, the transmission interval of every two adjacent data bursts of the first service flow is adjusted to a fixed time interval (that is, the second time interval). At this time, before step C2, the SMF can send the first indication to the TSCTSF or the TSN AF; in step C3, the TSCTSF or the TSN AF can send the information for indicating the second time interval to the AN device through the SMF.

[0205] Through the method, when the AN device fails to successfully determine the first resource according to the at least one information, the SMF, the TSCTSF or the TSN AF can regulate the first service flow to adjust the first service flow to a service flow that is transmitted according to a fixed period in the air interface; then the AN device can determine the resource according to the fixed period, so that the transmission of the non-fixed period service flow can be realized.

[0206] Optionally, the second information is any one of the one or more information, and the first resource includes at least one second transmission resource scheduled according to the second information; the above method further includes:

[0207] D1: The AN device determines a time offset value for sending the data burst of the first service flow through the at least one second transmission resource.

[0208] The time offset value can represent a difference between a time at which the second communication device can send the data burst of the first traffic flow according to the at least one second transmission resource and a time at which the data burst of the first traffic flow is prepared to be sent. When the transmission direction of the first traffic flow is an uplink direction, the second communication device can be a terminal device; when the transmission direction of the first traffic flow is a downlink direction, the second communication device can be an AN device. The time at which the data burst of the first traffic flow is prepared to be sent can be a time at which the second communication device generates the data burst of the first traffic flow or receives the data burst of the first traffic flow; the time at which the data burst of the first traffic flow is received can be a time at which a first data burst of the first traffic flow is received, or a time at which a last data burst of the first traffic flow is received, or a time at which a first data packet of a data burst (e.g., the first data burst or the last data burst) of the first traffic flow is received, or a time at which a last data packet of a data burst (e.g., the first data burst or the last data burst) of the first traffic flow is received. The AN device can measure the time at which the data burst of the first traffic flow is received by itself, or can determine the time at which the data burst of the first traffic flow is received by a parameter (e.g., a burst arrival time (BAT)) from an AF. The time at which the second communication device can send the data burst of the first traffic flow according to the at least one second transmission resource can be a time corresponding to the second transmission resource closest to the time at which the data burst of the first traffic flow is prepared to be sent. In this way, the time offset value can be a value or a time window.

[0209] For example, the second communication device receives the data burst of the first traffic flow at 5 ms, and the first resource includes uplink resources at 3 ms-4 ms and uplink resources at (3+T*p) ms-(4+T*p) ms; when T=3, the second communication device can send the data burst of the first traffic flow at 6 ms, and the time offset value is 6-5=1 ms.

[0210] For example, the second communication device receives the data burst of the first traffic flow at 5 ms, and the first resource includes uplink resources at 3 ms-4 ms and uplink resources at (3+T*p) ms-(4+T*p) ms; when T=3, the second communication device can send the data burst of the first traffic flow at 6 ms-7 ms, and the time offset value is 1 ms-2 ms.

[0211] Optionally, the present application does not limit the order between step D1 and the determination of the first resource by the AN device. The AN device can perform step D1 after determining the first resource; or the AN device can perform step D1 before determining the first resource.

[0212] D2: The AN device sends information indicating the time offset value to the SMF.

[0213] The information indicating the time offset value can be carried in an existing message (for example, a message in the session modification procedure, for example, an N2 message and a PDU session update SM context in the session modification procedure) or a new message.

[0214] D3: The SMF can send the information indicating the time offset value to the TSC TSF or the TSN AF. When the time offset value is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the TSC TSF or the TSN AF can regenerate at least one information, that is, re-execute S203.

[0215] The SMF can send the information indicating the time offset value to the TSC TSF or the TSN AF through an existing message (for example, a message in the session modification procedure) or a new message.

[0216] The first threshold can be pre-set or obtained by the TSC TSF or the TSN AF from other devices (for example, an AF).

[0217] Through the method, when the data burst of the first service flow is transmitted through the resource scheduled by the AN device, if the time offset value is large, resulting in a large transmission delay of the data burst of the first service flow, at least one information can be regenerated so that the AN device re-determines the resource for transmitting the data burst of the first service flow, so as to possibly reduce the time offset value and further possibly reduce the transmission delay of the data burst of the first service flow.

[0218] Optionally, after S205, the above method further includes:

[0219] E1: The AN device sends information indicating a time at which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted to the AF. Correspondingly, the AF receives the information indicating the time at which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted.

[0220] The time at which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted can include at least one of the following:

[0221] 1. At least one time range in which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted: the at least one time range can be a time range corresponding to the first resource. For example, the first resource includes uplink resources at 3ms-4ms and uplink resources at (3+T*p)ms-(4+T*p)ms, and the at least one time range can include 3ms-4ms and (3+T*p)ms-(4+T*p)ms.

[0222] 2. At least one time point in which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted: the at least one time point can be a time point in a time range corresponding to the first resource. For example, the first resource includes uplink resources at 3ms-4ms and uplink resources at (3+T*p)ms-(4+T*p)ms, and the at least one time point can include 3ms and (3+T*p)ms.

[0223] Optionally, the time in which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted can be an absolute time or a relative time relative to a reference time point, and the present application does not make any limitation in this regard.

[0224] In addition, the AN device can send, to the AF, information indicating the time in which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted, through a control plane network element (for example, the first communication device) in sequence, or through a user plane network element. The control plane network element and / or the user plane network element can directly forward the information indicating the time in which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted, or can process the information indicating the time in which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted and then forward the processed information. For example, when the mobile communication system and the AF do not belong to the same time system, the control plane network element (for example, the SMF) or the user plane network element can convert the information indicating the time in which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted from the time of the mobile communication system to the time of the AF, and then send the converted time to the AF.

[0225] The information indicating the time in which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted can be carried in an existing message (for example, a message in a PDU session process) or a new message, and the present application does not make any limitation in this regard.

[0226] E2: The AF sends the data burst of the first service flow according to the time in which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted, or instructs a third communication device to send the data burst of the first service flow. The third communication device can be an IO device.

[0227] When the transmission direction of the first service flow is the downlink direction, the AF can send the data burst of the first service flow according to the transmission delay between the AF and the AN device, and according to the time at which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted. For example, when the transmission delay between the AF and the AN device is 2 ms, and the time at which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted includes 4 ms-6 ms, (4+T*p) ms-(6+T*p) ms, the AF can send the data burst of the first service flow between 2 ms-4 ms; in this way, the data burst of the first service flow can arrive at the AN device between 4 ms-6 ms, so that the data burst of the first service flow can be transmitted within the time at which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted, and the transmission delay of the data burst of the first service flow is reduced.

[0228] When the transmission direction of the first service flow is the uplink direction, the AF can instruct the third communication device to send the data burst of the first service flow according to the transmission delay between the AF and the third communication device, the transmission delay between the third communication device and the terminal device, and the time at which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted. For example, when the transmission delay between the AF and the third communication device is 3 ms, the transmission delay between the third communication device and the terminal device is 1 ms, and the time at which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted includes 3 ms-4 ms, (3+T*p) ms-(4+T*p) ms, the AF can instruct the third communication device to send the data burst of the first service flow between 2 ms-3 ms; in this way, when T=3, the data burst of the first service flow can arrive at the terminal device between 6 ms-7 ms, so that the data burst of the first service flow can be transmitted within the time at which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted, and the transmission delay of the data burst of the first service flow is reduced.

[0229] Optionally, step E2 further includes:

[0230] The AF sends the data burst of the first service flow, or instructs the third communication device to send the data burst of the first service flow, according to the time at which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted, and the transmission interval between each two adjacent data bursts in the first service flow, so that each data burst of the first service flow arrives at the air interface at a time that belongs to the time at which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted.

[0231] For example, the transmission direction of the first service flow is downlink, and the transmission delay between the AF and AN devices is 2ms. The expected transmission time of the first service flow data burst includes: 4ms-6ms, (4+T*p)ms-(6+T*p)ms. The time interval between adjacent data bursts of the first service flow is: 2ms, 4ms, 2ms, 4ms, 2ms, 4ms. When T=3, the AF can send the first service flow data burst at 4ms, 6ms, 10ms, 12ms, 16ms, etc. In this way, the first service flow data burst can arrive at the AN device at 6ms, 8ms, 12ms, 14ms, 18ms, thus transmitting the first service flow data burst within the expected transmission time and reducing the transmission delay of the first service flow data burst.

[0232] For example, the transmission direction of the first service flow is uplink. The transmission delay between the AF and the third communication device is 3ms, and the transmission delay between the third communication device and the terminal device is 1ms. The expected transmission time of the first service flow data burst includes: 3ms-4ms and (3+T*p)ms-(4+T*p)ms. When T=3, the AF can instruct the third communication device to send the first service flow data burst at 0ms, 2.5ms, 6ms, 8.5ms, and 12ms. In this way, the first service flow data burst can reach the terminal device at 4ms, 6.5ms, 10ms, 12.5ms, and 16ms, thereby transmitting the first service flow data burst within the expected transmission time and reducing the transmission delay of the first service flow data burst.

[0233] pass Figure 2 The method shown allows a first communication device to generate at least one piece of information based on the range of values ​​for the non-fixed period and the capability information of the AN device for a service flow with an irregular period. Any of the at least one pieces of information can indicate a time range that falls within the range of values, and the duration of the time range is less than or equal to the maximum duration of the AN device's resource scheduling indicated by the capability information. In this way, the AN device can determine resources for the non-fixed period service flow based on the time range in the at least one piece of information, thereby improving the efficiency of resource scheduling.

[0234] Figure 3 This application provides a mobile communication system application. Figure 2 The diagram illustrates an example of the communication method. The following section combines... Figure 3 ,illustrate Figure 2 The method shown is in Figure 3 The application in the application scenario shown.

[0235] The AN device sends capability information of the AN device to the TSCTSF, the capability information being used to indicate a maximum time length of the AN device scheduling resources. The AF sends characteristic information of the first service flow to the TSCTSF, the characteristic information can include information used to indicate a value range of the first time interval (i.e., a transmission period of the first service flow). The TSCTSF generates at least one TSCAC according to the value range of the first time interval and the capability information of the AN device, any TSCAC containing a time range belonging to the value range; the time range corresponding to a time length less than or equal to the maximum time length of the AN device scheduling resources. Then, the TSCTSF sends the at least one TSCAC to the SMF. The SMF generates at least one TSCAI corresponding to the at least one TSCAC after generating the at least one TSCAI, and sends the at least one TSCAI to the AN device. Any TSCAI contains a time range belonging to the value range. The AN device determines resources for transmitting a data burst of the first service flow according to the at least one TSCAI received.

[0236] Through the method, for a service flow with a non-fixed period, the TSCTSF can generate at least one TSCAC according to a value range of the non-fixed period and capability information of the AN device, any TSCAC being able to indicate a time range belonging to the value range, the time range corresponding to a time length less than or equal to a maximum time length; in this way, the AN device can determine resources for the service flow with the non-fixed period according to a TSCAI corresponding to the at least one TSCAC, thereby improving the efficiency of resource scheduling.

[0237] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which can be applied to Figures 1A-1C a communication system as shown in FIG. 1. The flow of the method will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart as shown in FIG. 2, taking the AF as an application function network element as an example. Figure 4

[0238] S401: The AF sends information used to indicate a value range of a first time interval to a first communication device. The first time interval is a transmission interval between every two adjacent data bursts of a first service flow. The information used to indicate the value range of the first time interval can include: information used to indicate an upper limit and a lower limit of the first time interval; and / or information used to indicate a reference time length, and information used to indicate an offset of the value range relative to the reference time length.

[0239] The specific content of S401 can be referred to S202, which will not be described here.

[0240] S402: The AF receives information used to indicate a time at which a data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted.

[0241] ​S403: The AF transmits the data burst of the first service flow according to the time during which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted, or instructs the third communication device to transmit the data burst of the first service flow.

[0242] The specific content of S402-S403 can refer to steps E1-E2, which are not described here again.

[0243] Through the method, the AF can transmit the data burst of the first service flow according to the time during which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted, or instruct the third communication device to transmit the data burst of the first service flow, so that the time at which each data burst of the first service flow arrives the air interface belongs to the time during which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted, thereby reducing the transmission delay of the data burst of the first service flow.

[0244] The embodiment of the application provides a communication method, which can be applied to Figures 1A-1C a communication system as shown in the figure. The method shows Figure 2 or Figure 3 a possible implementation manner of the method shown in the figure. Next, referring to the flow chart shown in the figure, taking the session management network element as the SMF, the application function network element as the AF, and the first communication device as the TSC TSF as an example, the flow of the method is specifically described. Figure 5

[0245] S501: The AN device sends the capability information of the AN device to the TSC TSF, and the capability information is used to indicate the maximum time length of the scheduling resource of the AN device.

[0246] The AN device can send the capability information to the TSC TSF through the SMF, and the specific content can refer to S201, which is not described here again.

[0247] S502: The AF sends the feature information of the first service flow to the TSC TSF.

[0248] The feature information can include at least one of the following: information used to indicate the value range of the first time interval, information used to indicate the transmission direction of the first service flow, and information used to indicate the capability of the AF to adjust the transmission time of the data burst of the first service flow (i.e., AF adaptation capability indication).

[0249] The first time interval is the transmission interval between every two adjacent data bursts of the first service flow, and the specific content of the value range of the first time interval can refer to S202, which is not described here again.

[0250] ​Optionally, the AF can send the feature information to the TSCTSF through the NEF. For example, the AF can send an AF-SESSION with QoS to the NEF, and the NEF sends a Ntsctsf_QoSandTSCAssistance_Create message to the TSCTSF, both the AF-SESSION with QoS and the Ntsctsf_QoSandTSCAssistance_Create message containing the feature information.

[0251] S503: The TSCTSF generates at least one TSCAC according to the value range of the first time interval and the capability information of the AN device. The generation manner can refer to S203, and the repeated parts will not be described herein.

[0252] Any TSCAC can contain at least one of the following: a time range within the value range, a first feedback indication, and information for indicating the transmission direction of the first service flow. The first feedback indication is used to indicate whether the AN device feeds back the first resource determined according to at least one TSCAI corresponding to the at least one TSCAC, that is, to indicate the result of the AN device's assistance scheduling.

[0253] For example (hereinafter referred to as Example 1), the value range of the first time interval is 3ms-5ms, the transmission direction of the first service flow is the uplink direction, and the maximum duration of the continuous uplink resource scheduled by the AN device is 1ms. The TSCTSF generates TSCAC1 and TSCAC2, TSCAC1 contains time range 1: 3ms-4ms, and TSCAC2 contains time range 2: 4ms-5ms.

[0254] For another example, the value range of the first time interval is 3ms-5ms, the transmission direction of the first service flow is the downlink direction, and the maximum duration of the continuous downlink resource scheduled by the AN device is 2ms. The TSCTSF generates TSCAC3, and TSCAC3 contains time range 3: 3ms-5ms.

[0255] Further, the TSCTSF can divide the value range of the first time interval into one or more time ranges according to a period step, each time range being contained in a TSCAC. For example, after determining a period step less than or equal to a maximum time length, the TSCTSF can divide the value range of the first time interval into one or more time ranges, each time range corresponding to a time length less than or equal to the period step. The maximum time length is the maximum time length of the resource scheduled by the AN device indicated by the capability information. For example, the value range of the first time interval is 3ms-5ms, the transmission direction of the first service flow is the uplink direction, and the maximum time length of the continuous uplink resource scheduled by the AN device is 1ms. After determining the period compensation as 0.5ms, the TSCTSF can generate TSCAC4-TSCAC7; wherein, TSCAC4 contains time range 4: 3ms-3.5ms, TSCAC5 contains time range 5: 3.5ms-4ms, TSCAC6 contains time range 6: 4ms-4.5ms, and TSCAC7 contains time range 7: 4.5ms-5ms.

[0256] S504: The TSCTSF sends at least one TSCAC to the SMF.

[0257] For example, the TSCTSF sends a PCF policy authorization update request (Npcf_PolicyAuthorization Update request) to the PCF, the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization Update request containing at least one TSCAC; the PCF contains each TSCAC in a corresponding PCC rule to obtain at least one PCC rule, wherein the at least one PCC rule and the at least one TSCAC are in one-to-one correspondence; and then the PCF sends an SM policy control update notification (Npcf_SMPolicyControl Update request) to the SMF, the Npcf_SMPolicyControl Update request containing at least one PCC rule.

[0258] S505: After deriving at least one TSCAI, the SMF sends at least one TSCAI to the AN device.

[0259] The SMF can derive the at least one TSCAI by binding each PCC rule containing a TSCAC to a corresponding QoS flow. In this way, the at least one PCC rule is bound in one-to-one correspondence with the at least one QoS flow, that is, the at least one TSCAC is in one-to-one correspondence with the at least one QoS flow. Then, the SMF can derive the at least one TSCAI in one-to-one correspondence with the at least one QoS flow according to the at least one TSCAC.

[0260] Any TSCAI can contain at least one of the following: a time range belonging to a value range, a first feedback indication, and information for indicating a transmission direction of the first service flow.

[0261] For example, on the basis of example 1, the at least one TSCAI includes TSCAI1 and TSCAI2, TSCAI1 contains a time range 1 of 3ms-4ms, and TSCAI2 contains a time range 2 of 4ms-5ms.

[0262] In addition, the SMF can send the at least one TSCAI to the AN device through the AMF. For example, the SMF can send a PDU session modification request to the AN device through the AMF, and the PDU session modification request contains the at least one TSCAI.

[0263] S506: The AN device determines a first resource for transmitting a data burst of the first service flow according to each TACAI in the at least one TACAI. For specific content, please refer to S205, which will not be repeated here.

[0264] S507: The AN device sends a second feedback indication to the SMF, which can be used to indicate whether the AN device successfully determines the first resource according to the at least one TSCAI.

[0265] The AN device can send the second feedback indication to the SMF through the AMF. For example, the AN device sends an N2 message to the AMF, and the AMF sends a PDU session update SM context to the SMF; wherein the N2 message and the PDU session update SM context contain the second feedback indication.

[0266] S508: If the second feedback indication is used to indicate that the AN device has not successfully determined the first resource according to the at least one TSCAI, the SMF can regulate the first service flow, that is, adjust the transmission interval of every two adjacent data bursts of the first service flow to a fixed time interval (i.e., a second time interval).

[0267] The specific content of S508 can refer to step C2, which will not be repeated here.

[0268] S509: The SMF sends the updated TSCAI to the AN device. The updated TSCAI contains the second time interval.

[0269] The way in which the SMF sends the updated TSCAI to the AN device can refer to S505, which will not be repeated here.

[0270] S507-S509 are optional steps. For example, when any TSCAC and any TSCAI include the first feedback indication, S507-S509 can be executed; when neither the at least one TSCAC nor the at least one TSCAI contains the first feedback indication, S507-S509 can not be executed.

[0271] Optionally, in S508, the SMF can be replaced by the TSCTSF. At this time, before S508, the SMF can send the second feedback indication to the TSCTSF, for example, the SMF sends the SM policy control update request (Npcf_SMPolicyControl Update request) to the PCF, and the PCF sends the PCF policy authorization update notification (Npcf PolicyAuthorization Update notify) to the TSCTSF; the Npcf_SMPolicyControl Update request and the Npcf PolicyAuthorization Update notify contain the second feedback indication. After S508, the TSCTSF can send the updated TSCAC (containing the second time interval) to the SMF, and the SMF generates the updated TSCAI (containing the second time interval) corresponding to the updated TSCAC.

[0272] Optionally, if in S506, the AN device successfully determines the first resource for transmitting the data burst of the first service flow, the method can further include S510-S513, and / or S514-S516.

[0273] S510: The AN device determines a time offset value for sending the data burst of the first service flow according to the first resource. The determination method can refer to step D1, which will not be repeated here.

[0274] S511: The AN device sends information for indicating the time offset value to the SMF.

[0275] The specific content of S511 can refer to step D2, which will not be repeated here.

[0276] In addition, the AN device sends information indicating the time offset value to the SMF in the manner of sending the second feedback indication in S507, which will not be described herein.

[0277] In addition, the present application does not limit the execution order of S511 and S507; the second feedback indication and the information indicating the time offset value can be carried in the same message or in different messages.

[0278] S512: When the time offset value is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the SMF can regenerate at least one TSCAI. Any TSCAI can correspond to one QoS flow.

[0279] For example, TSCAI1 contains time range 1: 3ms-4ms, and TSCAI2 contains time range 2: 4ms-5ms. When the time offset value corresponding to the resource scheduled according to TSCAI1 is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the SMF can regenerate TSCAI3, TSCAI4 and TSCAI2; wherein TSCAI3 contains time range 3: 3ms-3.5ms, TSCAI4 contains time range 4: 3.5ms-4ms, and TSCAI2 contains time range 2: 4ms-5ms.

[0280] S513: The SMF sends the regenerated at least one TSCAI to the AN device. Then, the AN device can perform step S506.

[0281] Optionally, in S512, the SMF can be replaced by a TSCTSF, and the TSCAI can be replaced by a TSCAC. At this time, before S512, the SMF can send information indicating the time offset value to the TSCTSF, for example, the SMF sends Npcf_SMPolicyControl Update request to the PCF, and the PCF sends Npcf PolicyAuthorization Updatenotify to the TSCTSF; Npcf_SMPolicyControl Update request and Npcf PolicyAuthorization Updatenotify contain information indicating the time offset value. After S512, the TSCTSF sends the regenerated at least one TSCAC to the SMF; the SMF regenerates at least one TSCAI corresponding to the regenerated at least one TSCAC.

[0282] S514: The AN device determines the time offset value of the data burst of the first service flow transmitted according to the first resource or the time expected to transmit the data burst of the first service flow (hereinafter referred to as the expected time).

[0283] The AN device can determine the time offset value in the manner of step D1. The specific content of the expected time can refer to step E1, which will not be repeated here.

[0284] S515: The AN device sends the first time information to the AF.

[0285] The first time information includes information indicating the time offset value or information indicating the expected time.

[0286] The AN device can send the first time information to the TSCTSF, and then the TSCTSF sends the first time information to the AF. For example, the AN device sends the first time information to the TSCTSF in the same manner as sending the second feedback indication. Then, the TSCTSF can send the first time information to the AF directly or through the NEF.

[0287] Optionally, when the first time information includes information indicating the time offset value, the AN device can also send packet indication information to the AF. The packet indication information can be used to indicate the data packet in the data burst to which the time offset value is directed, that is, to indicate which data packet in the data burst is used to calculate the time offset value. The packet indication information and the information indicating the time offset value can be carried in the same message or in different messages.

[0288] S516: The AF sends the data burst of the first service flow according to the first time information.

[0289] The specific content of the AF sending the data burst of the first service flow according to the expected time can refer to step E2, which will not be repeated here. Optionally, the AF can start sending the data burst of the first service flow according to the expected time from the data burst indicated by the packet indication information.

[0290] The AF can adjust the sending time of the data burst of the first service flow according to the time offset value to reduce the time offset value. For example, when the time offset value is greater than a second threshold, the AF can delay the sending time of the data burst of the first service flow by k time units, where k time units are less than the time offset value, and k is a positive integer. For another example, when the time offset value is less than a third threshold, the AF can not adjust the sending time of the data burst of the first service flow.

[0291] Optionally, the AF can also adjust the sending time of the data burst of the first service flow according to the time offset value and the packet indication information. For example, when the packet indication information indicates that the time offset value is calculated through the first data packet in the data burst, the AF can adjust the sending time of the first data packet of the data burst of the first service flow according to the time offset value. For another example, when the packet indication information indicates that the time offset value is calculated through the last data packet in the data burst, the AF can adjust the sending time of the last data packet of the data burst of the first service flow according to the time offset value.

[0292] Through the method, the TSCTSF can determine whether to adjust the characteristic information of the service flow with non-fixed period transmission according to the scheduling capability of the AN device; when the value range of the non-fixed period exceeds the scheduling capability of the AN device, that is, the time length corresponding to the value range of the non-fixed period is greater than the maximum time length of the AN device scheduling resources, the TSCTSF can split the value range into multiple time ranges; in this way, when performing authorized scheduling and semi-static scheduling, the AN device can determine resources for the service flow with non-fixed period transmission according to each time range, so as to improve the efficiency of the AN device scheduling resources, reduce the air interface delay, and improve the network transmission efficiency.

[0293] In addition, through the method, when the AF indicates that the AF has the capability of adjusting the sending time of the data burst of the first service flow, but the value range of the non-fixed period exceeds the scheduling capability of the AN device, the TSCTSF and the like first communication device split the value range into multiple time ranges, and re-determine at least one information (for example, at least one TSCAC) for AN device assisted scheduling according to the time ranges. In this way, the AF does not need to adjust the sending time of the data burst of the first service flow, and the air interface delay of the data burst of the first service flow can also be reduced, and the network transmission efficiency is improved.

[0294] The embodiment of the application provides another communication method, which can be applied to Figures 1A-1C the communication system shown in FIG. 1. The flow of the method will be specifically described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, taking the SMF as the session management network element, the AF as the application function network element, and the TSCTSF as the first communication device. Figure 6

[0295] S601: The AF sends the characteristic information of the first service flow to the TSCTSF.

[0296] The specific content of S601 can be referred to S502, which will not be described here.

[0297] S602: The TSCTSF sends the TSCAC to the SMF after determining the TSCAC.

[0298] ​The TSCAC can include at least one of the following: a value range of the first time interval, the first feedback indication, and information indicating a transmission direction of the first service flow. The specific content of the value range of the first time interval can refer to S202; the first feedback indication is used to indicate whether the AN device successfully feeds back the first resource determined according to the TSCAI corresponding to the TSCAC, that is, to indicate the result of the AN device assisting in scheduling.

[0299] In addition, the manner in which the TSCTSF sends the TSCAC to the SMF can refer to S504, which will not be repeated here.

[0300] S603: After the SMF derives the TSCAI, the SMF sends the TSCAI to the AN device through a message in a PDU session modification process.

[0301] The TSCAI can include at least one of the following: a value range of the first time interval, the first feedback indication, and information indicating a transmission direction of the first service flow.

[0302] In addition, the manner in which the SMF derives the TSCAI can refer to S505, which will not be repeated here.

[0303] S604: The AN device determines the first resource for transmitting the data burst of the first service flow according to the TSCAI.

[0304] The specific content of S604 can refer to S205, and the repeated parts will not be repeated here.

[0305] Optionally, the AN device can also determine the first resource for transmitting the data burst of the first service flow according to the TSCAI and the arrival time of the data burst of the first service flow. For example, the period parameter in the TSCAI includes: a period of Tms, and an offset range of ±1ms; the arrival time of the first data burst of the first service flow is t±1ms, that is, the earliest is t-1ms, and the latest is t+1ms, and the first resource determined by the AN device can include: resources at [(t-1)~(t+1)]ms, resources at [(t-1)+T*p~(t+1)+T*p]ms. Wherein, T is a positive number, p is a positive integer, and t is a positive number.

[0306] The AN device can obtain the arrival time of the data burst of the first service flow by one of the following methods.

[0307] Method 1: The AN device can obtain the arrival time of the data burst of the first service flow from the AF. For example, the AF can send the arrival time of the data burst of the first service flow to the AN device through the messages or information in S601-S603.

[0308] Option 2: The AN device can obtain the arrival time of the data burst of the first service flow from a second communication device that transmits the data burst of the first service flow. The specific content of the second communication device can refer to step D1, which will not be repeated here.

[0309] S605: The AN device sends a second feedback indication to the SMF, which can be used to indicate whether the AN device successfully determines the first resource according to the TSCAI.

[0310] S606: If the second feedback indication is used to indicate that the AN device does not successfully determine the first resource according to the TSCAI, the SMF can regulate the first service flow, i.e., adjust the transmission interval of every two adjacent data bursts of the first service flow to a fixed time interval (i.e., a second time interval).

[0311] S607: The SMF sends an updated TSCAI to the AN device. The updated TSCAI contains the second time interval.

[0312] The specific content of S605-S607 can refer to S507-S509, which will not be repeated here.

[0313] Optionally, in S606, the SMF can be replaced by a TSCTSF. At this time, before S606, the SMF can send the second feedback indication to the TSCTSF, for example, the SMF sends an SM policy control update request (Npcf_SMPolicyControl Update request) to the PCF, the PCF sends a PCF policy authorization update notification (Npcf PolicyAuthorization Update notify) to the TSCTSF, and the Npcf_SMPolicyControl Update request and the Npcf PolicyAuthorization Update notify contain the second feedback indication. After S606, the TSCTSF sends the updated TSCAC (containing the second time interval) to the SMF, and the SMF generates an updated TSCAI corresponding to the updated TSCAC.

[0314] Optionally, if in S604, the AN device successfully determines the first resource for transmitting the data burst of the first service flow, the method can further include S608-S611.

[0315] S608: The AN device determines a time offset value for transmitting the data burst of the first service flow according to the first resource or an expected time of transmitting the data burst of the first service flow (hereinafter referred to as expected time).

[0316] S609: The AN device sends the first time information to the AF.

[0317] The first time information includes information indicating a time offset value or information indicating an expected time.

[0318] S610: The AF sends a data burst of the first service flow according to the first time information.

[0319] The specific content of S608-S610 can refer to S514-S516, which will not be described here.

[0320] S611: After updating the feature information of the first service flow, the AF can send the updated feature information to the TSCTSF, that is, re-executes S602 and the subsequent steps, so that the AN device performs auxiliary scheduling.

[0321] Through the method, the AF can provide feature information of a service flow with an unfixed period, the AN device performs scheduling according to the unfixed period (for example, performs downlink semi-static scheduling or uplink grant-free scheduling), determines resources in a time window corresponding to the unfixed period for the first service flow, and thus the transmission delay of the data burst of the service flow with the unfixed period can be reduced.

[0322] Moreover, the AN device can feed back the time offset value or the expected time to the AF, so that the AF adjusts the sending time of the data burst of the service flow, and thus the transmission delay of the data burst of the service flow with the unfixed period can be reduced.

[0323] In addition, when the AN device cannot perform scheduling according to the unfixed period, the AN device can send a second feedback indication to a control plane network element (for example, an SMF or a TSCTSF); then, the TSCTSF can rectify the service flow into a service flow with a fixed period, and provides the AN device with parameters including the fixed period, so that the AN device performs auxiliary scheduling, and thus the network transmission efficiency can be improved.

[0324] Embodiments of the present application provide another communication method, which can be applied to Figures 1A-1C the communication system shown in FIG. 1. The flowchart shown in FIG. 2 will be referred to below to specifically describe the flow of the method, taking the session management network element as an SMF, the application function network element as an AF, and the first communication device as a TSCTSF as examples. Figure 7

[0325] S701: The AF sends feature information of a first service flow to a TSCTSF.

[0326] The feature information can include at least one of the following: information indicating a value range of a third time interval, an arrival time of a first data burst of the first service flow, and information indicating a transmission direction of the first service flow.

[0327] ​The third time interval is a transmission interval between the first data burst and the second data burst of the first service flow. The first data burst and the second data burst can be adjacent data bursts or can not be adjacent data bursts. The information for indicating the value range of the third time interval can include at least one of the following:

[0328] 1. Information for indicating an upper limit and a lower limit of the third time interval. For example, the upper limit of the third time interval is 5 ms, and the lower limit of the third time interval is 3 ms, indicating that the value range of the third time interval is 3 ms-5 ms.

[0329] 2. Information for indicating a reference duration, and information for indicating an offset of the value range of the third time interval relative to the reference duration. The offset of the value range of the third time interval relative to the reference duration can be an absolute value or a relative value. For example, the reference duration is 4 ms, and the offset of the value range of the third time interval relative to the reference duration is ±1 ms, indicating that the value range of the third time interval is 3 ms-5 ms. For another example, the reference duration is 4 ms, and the offset of the value range of the third time interval relative to the reference duration is ±25%, indicating that the value range of the third time interval is 3 ms-5 ms.

[0330] In addition, the arrival time of the first data burst of the first service flow can be a BAT of the first data burst, for indicating a time at which the first data burst arrives at the second communication device. When the transmission direction of the first service flow is an uplink direction, the second communication device can be a UE; when the transmission direction of the first service flow is a downlink direction, the second communication device can be an AN device. The information for indicating the transmission direction of the first service flow can directly or indirectly indicate that the transmission direction of the first service flow is the uplink direction or the downlink direction.

[0331] Optionally, the manner in which the AF sends the characteristic information of the first service flow to the TSCTSF can refer to S502, which will not be described here again.

[0332] S702: The TSCTSF sends the TSCAC to the SMF after determining the TSCAC.

[0333] The TSCAC includes at least one of the following: the value range of the third time interval in the characteristic information, the arrival time of the first data burst of the first service flow, the first feedback indication, and the information for indicating the transmission direction of the first service flow. The specific content of the first feedback indication can refer to S602, which will not be described here again.

[0334] In addition, the manner in which the TSCTSF sends the TSCAC to the SMF can refer to S504, which will not be described here again.

[0335] S703: After deriving the TSCAI, the SMF sends the TSCAI to the AN device through a message in a PDU session modification procedure.

[0336] The TSCAI comprises at least one of: a value range of the third time interval, an arrival time of the first data burst of the first service flow, the first feedback indication, and information indicating a transmission direction of the first service flow.

[0337] In addition, the manner in which the SMF derives the TSCAI can refer to S505, which will not be described here.

[0338] S704: The AN device determines, according to the TSCAI, a first resource for transmitting a second data burst of the first service flow.

[0339] The AN device can determine a possible time range (i.e., a time window) of arrival of the second data burst at the second communication device according to the value range of the third time interval and the arrival time of the first data burst of the first service flow, and reserve resources corresponding to the time window for the second data burst. For example, the arrival time of the first data burst of the first service flow is T0 ms, and the value range of the third time interval is 3 ms-5 ms (assuming a period of 4 ms, a lower limit of 3 ms, and an upper limit of 5 ms); at this time, the first resource can include resources at (T0+3) ms-(T0+5) ms, where T0 is a positive number.

[0340] Optionally, when determining the first resource for transmitting the second data burst, the AN device can also consider uplink and downlink configurations. The AN device can determine a possible time range (i.e., a time window) of arrival of the second data burst at the second communication device according to the value range of the third time interval and the arrival time of the first data burst of the first service flow, and reserve resources within the time window that are consistent with the transmission direction of the first service flow for the second data burst. For example, the arrival time of the first data burst of the first service flow is 3 ms, the value range of the third time interval is 3 ms-5 ms, the transmission direction of the first service flow is the downlink direction, and the uplink and downlink configuration information indicates that the resources at 7 ms-9 ms are downlink resources; at this time, the first resource can include the resources at 7 ms-9 ms.

[0341] S705: The AN device sends a second feedback indication to the SMF, which can be used to indicate whether the AN device successfully determines the first resource according to the TSCAI.

[0342] S706: If the second feedback indication indicates that the AN device has not successfully determined the first resource according to the TSCAI, the SMF can regulate the first service flow and adjust the transmission interval between the first data burst and the second data burst to a fixed time interval (i.e., a fourth time interval).

[0343] The fourth time interval can be a value in a value range of the third time interval, for example, an upper limit of the value range of the third time interval, a lower limit of the value range of the third time interval, an average value of the value range of the third time interval, or a reference time length of the value range of the third time interval.

[0344] S707: The SMF sends an updated TSCAI to the AN device. The updated TSCAI contains the fourth time interval.

[0345] The specific content of S705-S707 can refer to S507-S509, which will not be repeated here.

[0346] Optionally, in S706, the SMF can be replaced by a TSCTSF. Before S706, the SMF can send a second feedback indication to the TSCTSF, for example, the SMF sends an SM policy control update request (Npcf_SMPolicyControl Update request) to the PCF, and the PCF sends a PCF policy authorization update notification (Npcf PolicyAuthorization Update notify) to the TSCTSF. The Npcf_SMPolicyControl Update request and the Npcf PolicyAuthorization Update notify contain the second feedback indication. After S706, the TSCTSF sends an updated TSCAC (containing the fourth time interval) to the SMF, and the SMF can generate an updated TSCAI corresponding to the updated TSCAC.

[0347] Through the method, the AN device can determine the arrival time of another data burst according to the value range of the transmission interval between two data bursts and the arrival time of one data burst, so as to dynamically determine resources matching the arrival time of the data burst for another data burst, thereby reducing the transmission time of the data burst in the air interface.

[0348] Based on the same inventive concept as the method embodiment, the embodiment of the application determines the arrival time of another data burst according to the value range of the transmission interval between two data bursts and the arrival time of one data burst, so as to dynamically determine resources matching the arrival time of the data burst for another data burst, thereby reducing the transmission time of the data burst in the air interface. Figures 2 to 7 Based on the same inventive concept as the method embodiment, the embodiment of the application determines the arrival time of another data burst according to the value range of the transmission interval between two data bursts and the arrival time of one data burst, so as to dynamically determine resources matching the arrival time of the data burst for another data burst, thereby reducing the transmission time of the data burst in the air interface. Figure 8 A communication device is provided, which can be used to perform the functions of the related steps in the above method embodiments. The functions can be implemented by hardware, or by software or hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. The structure of the communication device is shown in Figure 8 The communication device 800 can be applied to Figure 1A or Figure 1CThe AN device, TSCTSF, SMF, or AF in the communication system shown, or the communication device 800 can be applied to Figure 1B The communication system shown includes an AN device, TSN AF, or SMF, and can implement the communication methods provided in the embodiments and examples of this application. The functions of each unit in the communication device 800 are described below.

[0349] The communication unit 801 is used to receive and send data.

[0350] The communication unit 801 can be implemented through a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, and an input / output interface. The communication device 800 can connect to a network cable or electrical cable through this communication unit, thereby establishing a physical connection with other devices.

[0351] The processing unit 802 can be used to support the communication device 800 in performing the processing actions in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 802 can be implemented using a processor. For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0352] In one embodiment, the communication device 800 is applied to Figure 2 or Figure 5 The AN device shown in this embodiment of the application is illustrated below. The specific functions of the processing unit 802 in this embodiment are described below.

[0353] The processing unit 802 is used for:

[0354] The AN device's capability information is sent to the first communication device through the communication unit 801. The capability information is used to indicate the maximum duration for the AN device to schedule resources.

[0355] At least one piece of information is received through communication unit 801; wherein, any one of the at least one pieces of information contains information for indicating a time range, the time range being within the range of values ​​of a first time interval, and the duration corresponding to the time range being less than or equal to the maximum duration; the first time interval is the transmission interval between every two adjacent data bursts of the first service flow.

[0356] determine, according to the at least one information, a first resource for transmitting the data burst of the first service flow.

[0357] Optionally, the capability information comprises at least one of:

[0358] a maximum time length;

[0359] uplink and downlink configuration information of the AN device, and information for indicating a time length corresponding to a resource using the uplink and downlink configuration information.

[0360] Optionally, when a time length corresponding to the value range is less than or equal to the maximum time length, the time range is the value range, and the at least one information comprises at least one of:

[0361] information for indicating an upper limit and a lower limit of the first time interval;

[0362] information for indicating a reference time length, and information for indicating an offset of the value range relative to the reference time length.

[0363] Optionally, the first information is any of the at least one information, the time range indicated by the first information is the first time range, and the processing unit 802 is specifically configured to:

[0364] determine, according to the first time range and the uplink and downlink configuration information of the AN device, a first resource for transmitting the data burst of the first service flow;

[0365] wherein the first resource comprises: at least one first transmission resource; a time length of any first transmission resource is equal to a time length corresponding to the first time range, and a time interval between intermediate resources of every two adjacent first transmission resources is a middle value of the first time range.

[0366] Optionally, the processing unit 802 is further configured to:

[0367] when the first resource is not successfully determined according to the at least one information, send, by the communication unit 801, a first indication to the session management network element, the first indication being used for indicating that the first resource is not successfully determined according to the at least one information;

[0368] receive, by the communication unit 801, information for indicating a second time interval from the session management network element;

[0369] determine, according to the second time interval, a second resource for transmitting the data burst of the first service flow.

[0370] Optionally, the processing unit 802 is further configured to: before sending the first indication to the session management network element, receive a second indication from the session management network element through the communication unit 801, the second indication being used to instruct the AN device to send the first indication when the first resource is not successfully determined according to the at least one information.

[0371] Optionally, the second information is any of the at least one information, and the first resource comprises at least one second transmission resource scheduled according to the second information; the processing unit 802 is further configured to:

[0372] determine a time offset value of sending the data burst of the first service flow through the at least one second transmission resource; wherein the time offset value is used to represent a difference between a time at which the second communication device can send the data burst of the first service flow according to the at least one second transmission resource and a time at which the data burst of the first service flow is prepared to be sent;

[0373] send information indicating the time offset value to the session management network element through the communication unit 801.

[0374] In an embodiment, the communication apparatus 800 is applied to the first communication device in the embodiments of the application shown in Figure 2 、 Figure 4 or Figure 5 The specific functions of the processing unit 802 in the embodiment will be introduced below.

[0375] The processing unit 802 is configured to:

[0376] receive the capability information of the AN device through the communication unit 801, the capability information being used to indicate a maximum time length of the AN device scheduling resources;

[0377] receive information indicating a value range of the first time interval from the application function network element through the communication unit 801, the first time interval being a transmission interval between every two adjacent data bursts of the first service flow; the information indicating the value range of the first time interval comprises: information indicating an upper limit and a lower limit of the first time interval; and / or, information indicating a reference time length, and information indicating an offset of the value range relative to the reference time length;

[0378] generate the at least one information according to the value range and the capability information; wherein any of the at least one information is used to indicate a time range belonging to the value range, and a time length corresponding to the time range is less than or equal to the maximum time length;

[0379] send the at least one information to the AN device through the communication unit 801.

[0380] Optionally, the capability information comprises at least one of the following:

[0381] maximum time length;

[0382] uplink and downlink configuration information of the AN device, and information indicating a time length corresponding to a resource using the uplink and downlink configuration information.

[0383] Optionally, when the time length corresponding to the value range is less than or equal to the maximum time length, the time range is the value range.

[0384] Optionally, the processing unit 802 is further configured to:

[0385] receive, by the communication unit 801, information indicating a time offset value, wherein the time offset value is used to represent a difference between a time at which the second communication device can send a data burst of the first service flow and a time at which the second communication device prepares to send the data burst of the first service flow;

[0386] When the time offset value is greater than or equal to a first threshold value, the at least one information is regenerated.

[0387] In an embodiment, the communication apparatus 800 is applied to the AF in the embodiments of the application shown in Figure 2 、 Figure 4 or Figure 5 The specific functions of the processing unit 802 in this embodiment will be introduced below.

[0388] The processing unit 802 is configured to:

[0389] send, by the communication unit 801, information indicating a value range of a first time interval to the first communication device, wherein the first time interval is a transmission interval between every two adjacent data bursts of the first service flow; the information indicating the value range of the first time interval comprises information indicating an upper limit and a lower limit of the first time interval; and / or information indicating a reference time length and information indicating an offset of the value range relative to the reference time length;

[0390] receive, by the communication unit 801, information indicating a time at which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted;

[0391] According to the time at which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted, the communication unit 801 transmits the data burst of the first service flow, or the communication unit 801 instructs a third communication device to transmit the data burst of the first service flow.

[0392] Optionally, the processing unit 802 is specifically configured to: send, by the communication unit 801, the data burst of the first service flow according to the time at which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted and the transmission interval between each two adjacent data bursts in the first service flow, or instruct a third communication device to send, by the communication unit 801, the data burst of the first service flow.

[0393] Optionally, the time at which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted includes at least one time range at which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted or at least one time point at which the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted.

[0394] It should be noted that the division of the modules in the above embodiments of the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical function division. Actual implementation can have another division manner. In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in one processing unit, or can be physically separated, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

[0395] When the integrated unit is realized in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the present application essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or the whole or part 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.) or a processor to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The foregoing 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.

[0396] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication device, which can be used to execute the related steps in the above method embodiments. The communication device can be applied to the AN device, the TSC TSF, the SMF or the AF in the communication system shown in Figure 9 or the communication system shown in Figure 1A or the communication system shown in Figure 1C The communication device can be applied to the AN device, the TSN AF or the SMF in the communication system shown in Figure 1B , and can implement the communication method provided by the above embodiments and examples of the present application, and has the functions of the communication apparatus shown in Figure 8 . For details, refer toFigure 9 As shown, the communication device 900 includes a communication module 901, a processor 902, and a memory 903. The communication module 901, the processor 902, and the memory 903 are interconnected.

[0397] Optionally, the communication module 901, the processor 902, and the memory 903 are interconnected via a bus 904. The bus 904 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Figure 9 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0398] The communication module 901 is used to receive and send data, enabling communication and interaction with other devices. For example, the communication module 901 can be implemented through a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, or an input / output interface.

[0399] The processor 902 can be used to support the communication device 900 in performing the processing actions in the above method embodiments. When the communication device 900 is used to implement the above method embodiments, the processor 902 can also be used to implement the functions of the processing unit 802. The processor 902 can be a CPU, or other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0400] In one embodiment, the communication device 900 is applied to Figure 2 or Figure 5 The AN device shown in this embodiment of the application. The processor 902 is specifically used for:

[0401] The AN device's capability information is sent to the first communication device via the communication module 901. The capability information is used to indicate the maximum duration for the AN device to schedule resources.

[0402] At least one piece of information is received through the communication module 901; wherein, any one of the at least one pieces of information contains information for indicating a time range, the time range being within the range of values ​​of a first time interval, and the duration corresponding to the time range being less than or equal to the maximum duration; the first time interval is the transmission interval between every two adjacent data bursts of the first service flow.

[0403] determine, according to at least one information, a first resource for transmitting a data burst of the first service flow.

[0404] In an implementation, the communication device 900 is applied to the first communication device in the embodiments of the application shown in Figure 2 、 Figure 4 or Figure 5 . The processor 902 is specifically configured to:

[0405] receive, by the communication module 901, capability information of an access network (AN) device, the capability information being used to indicate a maximum time length of resource scheduling by the AN device;

[0406] receive, by the communication module 901, information indicating a value range of a first time interval from an application function (AF) network element, the first time interval being a transmission interval between every two adjacent data bursts of the first service flow; the information indicating the value range of the first time interval comprises: information indicating an upper limit and a lower limit of the first time interval; and / or, information indicating a reference time length, and information indicating an offset of the value range relative to the reference time length;

[0407] generate at least one information according to the value range and the capability information; wherein any information in the at least one information is used to indicate a time range belonging to the value range, and a time length corresponding to the time range is less than or equal to the maximum time length;

[0408] transmit, by the communication module 901, the at least one information to the AN device.

[0409] In an implementation, the communication device 900 is applied to the AF in the embodiments of the application shown in Figure 2 、 Figure 4 or Figure 5 . The processor 902 is specifically configured to:

[0410] transmit, by the communication module 901, information indicating a value range of a first time interval to a first communication device; wherein the first time interval is a transmission interval between every two adjacent data bursts of a first service flow; the information indicating the value range of the first time interval comprises: information indicating an upper limit and a lower limit of the first time interval; and / or, information indicating a reference time length, and information indicating an offset of the value range relative to the reference time length;

[0411] receive, by the communication module 901, information indicating a time at which a data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted;

[0412] According to a time when the data burst of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted, the data burst of the first service flow is transmitted by the communication module 901, or the data burst of the first service flow is instructed to be transmitted by the third communication device by the communication module 901.

[0413] The specific functions of the processor 902 can refer to the descriptions in the communication method provided by the embodiments and examples of the present application, and Figure 8 The specific functions of the communication device 800 in the embodiments of the present application are described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0414] The memory 903 is used to store program instructions and data, etc. Specifically, the program instructions can include program codes, and the program codes include computer operation instructions. The memory 903 can include RAM, and can also include non-volatile memory such as at least one disk memory. The processor 902 executes the program instructions stored in the memory 903, and uses the data stored in the memory 903 to realize the above functions, thereby realizing the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0415] It can be understood that the memory 903 in the embodiments of the present application Figure 9 The memory 903 in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. The non-volatile memory can be ROM, Programmable ROM (PROM), Erasable PROM (EPROM), Electrically EPROM (EEPROM) or flash memory. The volatile memory can be RAM, which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM can be used, such as Static RAM (SRAM), Dynamic RAM (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), Enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM) and Direct Rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the system and method described herein is intended to include but not limited to these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0416] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method provided by the above embodiments.

[0417] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer readable storage medium, which stores a computer program, and the computer program, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method provided by the above embodiments.

[0418] The storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

[0419] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a chip for reading a computer program stored in a memory, and implementing the method provided by the above embodiments.

[0420] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application provide a chip system, which comprises a processor for supporting a computer device to implement the functions related to the devices in the above embodiments. In a possible design, the chip system further comprises a memory for storing the necessary programs and data of the computer device. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0421] To sum up, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, apparatus and device, in which, after the AN device sends the capability information of the AN device to the first communication device, the AN device can receive at least one information. The capability information can indicate the maximum time length of the resource scheduled by the AN device. Any received information contains information for indicating a time range, and the time range belongs to the value range of the first time interval, and the time length corresponding to the time range is less than or equal to the maximum time length. The first time interval is the transmission interval between every two adjacent data bursts of the first service flow. The AN device determines the first resource for transmitting the data bursts of the first service flow according to the at least one information. Through the scheme, the AN device can inform the first communication device of the maximum time length, so that the first communication device determines the time range for assisting the scheduling according to the maximum time length, and the AN device determines the resource for the service flow with non-fixed period according to the time range, thereby improving the efficiency of resource scheduling.

[0422] In each embodiment of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions in different embodiments are consistent and can be referred to each other if there is no special description and logical conflict, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0423] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present application can be readily used as a method, apparatus such as a system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present application can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present application can take the form of a computer program product on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, etc.) embodying computer readable program code.

[0424] The present application is described in reference to the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams according to the methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products of the present application. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams block or blocks.

[0425] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer- readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function specified in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams block or blocks.

[0426] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams block or blocks.

[0427] Obviously, various modifications and changes can be made to the present application by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, it is intended that the present application embrace all such modifications and changes and, accordingly, the application is not to be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein.

Claims

1. A communication method applied to an access network (AN) device, characterized in that, include: Send the capability information of the AN device to the first communication device, wherein the capability information is used to indicate the maximum duration for which the AN device schedules resources; Receive at least one piece of information; wherein any one of the at least one pieces of information contains information for indicating a time range, the time range being within the range of values ​​of a first time interval, and the duration corresponding to the time range being less than or equal to the maximum duration; the first time interval is the transmission interval between every two adjacent data bursts of the first service flow; Based on the at least one piece of information, a first resource for transmitting the data burst of the first service flow is determined.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The capability information includes at least one of the following: The maximum duration; The uplink and downlink configuration information of the AN device, and information used to indicate the duration of the resource using the uplink and downlink configuration information.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, When the duration corresponding to the value range is less than or equal to the maximum duration, the time range is the value range, and the at least one piece of information includes at least one of the following: Information used to indicate the upper and lower limits of the first time interval; Information used to indicate the reference duration, and information used to indicate the offset of the value range relative to the reference duration.

4. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Based on the at least one piece of information, determining a first resource for transmitting the data burst of the first service flow includes: The first information is any one of the at least one pieces of information, the time range indicated by the first information is a first time range, and a first resource for transmitting the data burst of the first service flow is determined based on the first time range and the uplink and downlink configuration information of the AN device. The first resource includes: at least one first transmission resource; the duration of any first transmission resource is equal to the duration corresponding to the first time range, and the time interval between the intermediate resources of any two adjacent first transmission resources is the median value of the first time range.

5. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the first resource is not successfully determined based on the at least one piece of information, a first indication is sent to the session management network element, the first indication being used to indicate that the first resource was not successfully determined based on the at least one piece of information; Receive information from the session management network element indicating a second time interval; Based on the second time interval, a second resource is determined for transmitting the data burst of the first service flow.

6. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, Before sending the first instruction to the session management network element, the method further includes: The second instruction is received from the session management network element, which instructs the AN device to send the first instruction if it fails to determine the first resource based on the at least one piece of information.

7. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second information is any one of the at least one pieces of information, and the first resource includes at least one second transmission resource scheduled according to the second information; the method further includes: Determine a time offset value for transmitting the data burst of the first service stream through the at least one second transmission resource; wherein the time offset value is used to represent the difference between the time when the second communication device is able to transmit the data burst of the first service stream according to the at least one second transmission resource and the time when it is ready to transmit the data burst of the first service stream; Send information indicating the time offset value to the session management network element.

8. A communication method applied to a first communication device, characterized in that, include: Receive capability information from the access network (AN) device, wherein the capability information is used to indicate the maximum duration for the AN device to schedule resources; Receive information from the application function network element indicating the range of values ​​for a first time interval, wherein the first time interval is the transmission interval between every two adjacent data bursts of the first service flow. The information used to indicate the range of values ​​for the first time interval includes: information indicating the upper and lower limits of the first time interval; and / or, information indicating the reference duration, and information indicating the offset of the value range relative to the reference duration; Based on the value range and the capability information, at least one piece of information is generated; wherein, any one of the at least one pieces of information is used to indicate a time range that belongs to the value range, and the duration corresponding to the time range is less than or equal to the maximum duration; The at least one piece of information is sent to the AN device, the at least one piece of information being used by the AN device to determine a first resource for transmitting a data burst of the first service flow.

9. The method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The capability information includes at least one of the following: The maximum duration; The uplink and downlink configuration information of the AN device, and information used to indicate the duration of the resource using the uplink and downlink configuration information.

10. The method as described in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, When the duration corresponding to the value range is less than or equal to the maximum duration, the time range is the value range.

11. The method as described in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, After sending the at least one piece of information to the AN device, the method further includes: Receive information indicating a time offset value; wherein the time offset value is used to represent the difference between the moment when the second communication device is able to send the data burst of the first service stream and the moment when it is ready to send the data burst of the first service stream; When the time offset value is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the at least one piece of information is regenerated.

12. A communication device applied to an access network (AN) device, characterized in that, include: The communication unit is used to receive and send data; Processing unit, for The AN device's capability information is sent to the first communication device through the communication unit, and the capability information is used to indicate the maximum duration for which the AN device schedules resources. At least one piece of information is received through the communication unit; wherein any one of the at least one pieces of information includes information for indicating a time range, the time range being within the range of values ​​of a first time interval, and the duration corresponding to the time range being less than or equal to the maximum duration; the first time interval is the transmission interval between every two adjacent data bursts of the first service flow; Based on the at least one piece of information, a first resource for transmitting the data burst of the first service flow is determined.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that, The capability information includes at least one of the following: The maximum duration; The uplink and downlink configuration information of the AN device, and information used to indicate the duration of the resource using the uplink and downlink configuration information.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, When the duration corresponding to the value range is less than or equal to the maximum duration, the time range is the value range, and the at least one piece of information includes at least one of the following: Information used to indicate the upper and lower limits of the first time interval; Information used to indicate the reference duration, and information used to indicate the offset of the value range relative to the reference duration.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The first information is any one of the at least one pieces of information, the time range indicated by the first information is a first time range, and the processing unit is specifically used for: Based on the first time range and the uplink / downlink configuration information of the AN device, a first resource for transmitting the data burst of the first service flow is determined; The first resource includes: at least one first transmission resource; the duration of any first transmission resource is equal to the duration corresponding to the first time range, and the time interval between the intermediate resources of any two adjacent first transmission resources is the median value of the first time range.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The processing unit is also used for: When the first resource is not successfully determined based on the at least one piece of information, a first indication is sent to the session management network element through the communication unit. The first indication is used to indicate that the first resource was not successfully determined based on the at least one piece of information. The communication unit receives information from the session management network element indicating a second time interval; Based on the second time interval, a second resource is determined for transmitting the data burst of the first service flow.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that, The processing unit is further configured to: before sending the first instruction to the session management network element... The communication unit receives a second instruction from the session management network element, the second instruction being used to instruct the AN device to send the first instruction when it fails to successfully determine the first resource based on the at least one piece of information.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The second information is any one of the at least one pieces of information, and the first resource includes at least one second transmission resource scheduled according to the second information; the processing unit is further configured to: Determine a time offset value for transmitting the data burst of the first service stream through the at least one second transmission resource; wherein the time offset value is used to represent the difference between the time when the second communication device is able to transmit the data burst of the first service stream according to the at least one second transmission resource and the time when it is ready to transmit the data burst of the first service stream; The communication unit sends information indicating the time offset value to the session management network element.

19. A communication device, applied to a first communication equipment, characterized in that, include: The communication unit is used to receive and send data; Processing unit, used for: The communication unit receives capability information of the access network (AN) device, and the capability information is used to indicate the maximum duration for the AN device to schedule resources. The communication unit receives information from the application function network element indicating the range of values ​​for a first time interval, where the first time interval is the transmission interval between every two adjacent data bursts of the first service flow. The information used to indicate the range of values ​​for the first time interval includes: information indicating the upper and lower limits of the first time interval; and / or, information indicating the reference duration, and information indicating the offset of the value range relative to the reference duration; Based on the value range and the capability information, at least one piece of information is generated; wherein, any one of the at least one pieces of information is used to indicate a time range that belongs to the value range, and the duration corresponding to the time range is less than or equal to the maximum duration; The communication unit sends at least one piece of information to the AN device, the at least one piece of information being used by the AN device to determine a first resource for transmitting a data burst of the first service flow.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that, The capability information includes at least one of the following: The maximum duration; The uplink and downlink configuration information of the AN device, and information used to indicate the duration of the resource using the uplink and downlink configuration information.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, When the duration corresponding to the value range is less than or equal to the maximum duration, the time range is the value range.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, The processing unit is further configured to: after sending the at least one piece of information to the AN device The communication unit receives information indicating a time offset value; wherein the time offset value represents the difference between the moment when the second communication device is able to send the data burst of the first service stream and the moment when it is ready to send the data burst of the first service stream. When the time offset value is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the at least one piece of information is regenerated.

23. A communication system, characterized in that, include: An access network (AN) device, used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-7; A first communication device is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 8-11.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in any one of claims 1-11.

25. A chip, characterized in that, The chip includes a processor for performing the method according to any one of claims 1-11.

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