Protocol data unit (PDU) processing method and apparatus

Abstract

The embodiment of the application discloses a protocol data unit (PDU) processing method and device. The method comprises the following steps: receiving quality of service (QoS) information sent by a second network device, the QoS information being associated with a PDU set; and processing the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or a PDU in the PDU set according to the QoS information. The first network device can support QoS processing of a protocol data unit set in a radio access network, can regulate network traffic, avoid and manage network congestion, reduce the packet loss rate, and effectively improve the reliability of system communication.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method and apparatus for processing Protocol Data Units (PDUs). Background Technology

[0002] In current 5G systems, the Quality of Service (QoS) flow is the smallest granularity of QoS distinction within a Protocol Data Unit (PDU), and each data packet in the QoS flow is processed according to the same QoS requirements.

[0003] For Extended Reality (XR) or media services, a set of data packets can be used to carry the payload of a PDU set (e.g., a frame, video clip / texture). At the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, the data packets in the PDU set are decoded or processed as a whole. However, in related technologies, QoS processing of PDU sets is not yet supported in radio access networks, including non-separated or separated architectures (RAN), or in dual connectivity (DC) scenarios. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A first aspect of this application provides a method for processing Protocol Data Units (PDUs), the method being executed by a first network device, the method comprising:

[0005] Receive Quality of Service (QoS) information sent by a second network device, wherein the QoS information is associated with a PDU set;

[0006] Based on the QoS information, the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set associated with the QoS information are processed.

[0007] A second aspect of this application provides a method for processing Protocol Data Units (PDUs), the method being executed by a second network device, the method comprising:

[0008] Send Quality of Service (QoS) information to the first network device, wherein the QoS information is associated with the PDU set;

[0009] The QoS information is used by the first network device to process the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set associated with the QoS information.

[0010] A third aspect of this application provides a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing apparatus, which is applied to a first network device, and the apparatus includes:

[0011] The transceiver unit is used to receive Quality of Service (QoS) information sent by the second network device, wherein the QoS information is associated with the PDU set.

[0012] The processing unit is configured to process the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set associated with the QoS information, based on the QoS information.

[0013] A fourth aspect of this application provides a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing apparatus, which is applied to a second network device, and the apparatus includes:

[0014] A transceiver unit is used to send Quality of Service (QoS) information to a first network device, wherein the QoS information is associated with a PDU set.

[0015] Furthermore, the first network device processes the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set associated with the QoS information based on the QoS information.

[0016] A fifth aspect of this application provides a communication device, the device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, the processor executing the computer program stored in the memory to cause the device to perform the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing method described in the first aspect of the embodiment above.

[0017] A sixth aspect of this application provides a communication device, the device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, the processor executing the computer program stored in the memory to cause the device to perform the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing method described in the second aspect of the application above.

[0018] A seventh aspect of this application provides a communication device including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor. The processor is used to execute the code instructions to cause the device to perform the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing method described in the first aspect of the application.

[0019] An eighth aspect of this application provides a communication device including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor. The processor is used to execute the code instructions to cause the device to perform the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing method described in the second aspect of the application.

[0020] A ninth aspect of this application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions that, when executed, enable the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing method described in the first aspect of this application to be implemented.

[0021] The tenth aspect of this application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions that, when executed, enable the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing method described in the second aspect of the application to be implemented.

[0022] The eleventh aspect of this application provides a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing method described in the first aspect embodiment.

[0023] The twelfth aspect of this application provides a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing method described in the second aspect embodiment.

[0024] This application provides a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing method and apparatus. By receiving Quality of Service (QoS) information sent by a second network device, which is associated with a PDU set, the method processes the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set based on the QoS information. This enables a first network device to support QoS processing of the Protocol Data Unit set in a wireless access network, including non-split architecture, split architecture, or dual-connectivity DC scenarios. This allows for network traffic regulation, prevention and management of network congestion, reduction of packet loss rate, and effective improvement of system communication reliability.

[0025] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the background art, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application or the background art will be described below.

[0027] Figure 1a A schematic diagram of a RAN separation architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 1b A schematic diagram illustrating the mapping relationship between QoS flow and DRB in a dual-connectivity scenario provided in this application embodiment;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a protocol data unit (PDU) processing method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another protocol data unit (PDU) processing device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with those of this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of the embodiments of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0039] The terminology used in the embodiments of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the embodiments of this application. The singular forms “a” and “the” as used in the embodiments of this application and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0040] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used to describe various information in the embodiments of this application, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish information of the same type from each other. For example, without departing from the scope of the embodiments of this application, first information may also be referred to as second information, and similarly, second information may also be referred to as first information. Depending on the context, the words "if" and "suppose" as used herein can be interpreted as "when," "when," or "in response to a determination."

[0041] Embodiments of this application are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0042] To better understand the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing method disclosed in the embodiments of this application, the communication system to which the embodiments of this application are applicable is described below.

[0043] It should be noted that the technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems. For example, Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, fifth-generation mobile communication systems, 5G New Radio systems, or other future new mobile communication systems.

[0044] The first, second, third, and fourth network devices in the various embodiments of this application are all entities on the network side used for transmitting or receiving signals. For example, network device 101 can be an evolved NodeB (eNB), a Transmission Reception Point (TRP), a Next Generation NodeB (gNB) in an NR system, a base station in other future mobile communication systems, or an access node in a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) system. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the network devices. The network devices provided in the embodiments of this application can be composed of a Central Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU). Using a CU-DU structure, the protocol layer of a network device, such as a base station, can be separated. Some protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU.

[0045] The terminal device in the various embodiments of this application is a user-side entity used to receive or transmit signals, such as a mobile phone. The terminal device can also be called a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc. The terminal device can be a car with communication capabilities, a smart car, a mobile phone, an Internet of Things (IoT) terminal, a wearable device, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, a wireless terminal device in a smart home, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal device.

[0046] In current 5G systems, the Quality of Service (QoS) flow is the smallest granularity of QoS distinction within a Protocol Data Unit (PDU), and each data packet in the QoS flow is processed according to the same QoS requirements.

[0047] For Extended Reality (XR) or media services, a set of data packets can be used to carry the payload of a PDU set (e.g., a frame, video clip / texture). At the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, the data packets in a PDU set are decoded or processed as a whole. For example, a frame can only be decoded if all or a certain number of data packets carrying that frame have been successfully transmitted. Therefore, there is an inherent correlation between the packets in a PDU set at the MAC layer.

[0048] However, in related technologies, QoS processing for PDU sets is not yet supported in Radio Access Networks (RANs), including non-split or split architectures, or in dual connectivity (DC) scenarios.

[0049] like Figure 1a As shown, Figure 1a This is a schematic diagram of a RAN separation architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. Specifically, gNB-CU-CP (gNB-Central Unit-Control Plane) is responsible for the functions of the RRC (Radio Resources Control) and PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) control planes; gNB-CU-UP (gNB-Central Unit-User Plane) is responsible for the functions of the GTP-U (GPRS Tunneling Protocol-User Plane), SDAP (Service Data Adaptation Protocol), and PDCP user planes; and gNB-DU (gNB-Distributed Unit) is responsible for the functions of RLC (Radio Link Control), MAC (Medium Access Control), and PHY (Physical Layer).

[0050] In a dual-connectivity scenario, the mapping diagram between QoS flow and DRB (Data Radio Bearer) is as follows: Figure 1b As shown. The terms used are explained below:

[0051] MN: Master Node;

[0052] SN: Secondary node;

[0053] MCG: Master Cell Group;

[0054] SCG: Secondary Cell Group;

[0055] MCG Bearer: Primary Cell Group Bearer;

[0056] SCG Bearer: Auxiliary cell group bearer;

[0057] Split Bearer: Separate bearing.

[0058] It is understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of this application is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0059] The protocol data unit (PDU) processing method and apparatus provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0060] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing method provided in an embodiment of this application. It should be noted that the PDU processing method in this embodiment is executed by a first network device. This method can be executed independently or in conjunction with any other embodiment of this application. Figure 2 As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0061] Step 201: Receive Quality of Service (QoS) information sent by the second network device. This QoS information is associated with the PDU set.

[0062] In this embodiment of the application, the first network device is capable of receiving QoS information sent by the second network device, wherein the QoS information is associated with a set of PDUs to be processed by the first network device. It should be understood that the association between the QoS information and the PDU set indicates a specific correspondence between the QoS information and the PDU set.

[0063] Optionally, the QoS information may correspond to at least one of the following:

[0064] PDU set;

[0065] The type of PDU set;

[0066] PDUs in PDU set;

[0067] The importance or priority of PDU sets;

[0068] QoS flow;

[0069] Sub-QoS flow.

[0070] In other words, each PDU set can correspond to its own QoS information, each type of PDU set can correspond to its own QoS information, each PDU can correspond to its own QoS information, the importance or priority level of each PDU set can correspond to its own QoS information, or each QoS flow or sub-QoS flow can correspond to its own QoS information, and so on.

[0071] In some embodiments of this application, the QoS information is per PDU set, meaning that each PDU set has its own corresponding QoS information. This QoS information can be determined by a second network device based on different PDU sets. After obtaining the QoS information, the first network device can process the PDU set corresponding to the QoS information based on it.

[0072] In some embodiments of this application, the QoS information is per PDU set type, that is, each PDU set type has its own corresponding QoS information. This QoS information can be determined by a second network device based on different PDU set types. After obtaining the QoS information, the first network device can process the PDU set belonging to the PDU set type corresponding to that QoS information based on the QoS information.

[0073] In some embodiments of this application, the QoS information is per PDU, meaning that each PDU has its own corresponding QoS information. This QoS information can be determined by a second network device based on different PDUs. After obtaining the QoS information, the first network device can process the PDU set containing the PDU corresponding to that QoS information based on the QoS information.

[0074] In some embodiments of this application, the QoS information is per PDU set importance / priority, meaning that PDU sets of different importance or priority have their own corresponding QoS information. This QoS information can be determined by a second network device based on the importance / priority of different PDU sets. After obtaining this QoS information, the first network device can process the PDU sets belonging to the importance / priority corresponding to that QoS information based on the QoS information.

[0075] In some embodiments of this application, the QoS information is per QoS flow, meaning that each QoS flow has its own corresponding QoS information. A QoS flow may include one or more PDU sets. The QoS information can be determined by a second network device based on different QoS flows. After obtaining the QoS information, the first network device can process the PDU set in the QoS flow corresponding to that QoS information based on the QoS information.

[0076] In some embodiments according to this application, the QoS information is per sub-QoS flow, meaning that each sub-QoS flow has its own corresponding QoS information. A QoS flow may include one or more sub-QoS flows, and each sub-QoS flow corresponds to a PDU set. The QoS information may be determined by a second network device based on different sub-QoS flows. After obtaining the QoS information, the first network device can process the PDU set corresponding to the sub-QoS flow corresponding to that QoS information based on the QoS information.

[0077] As an example, this QoS information is a QoS parameter that corresponds to the importance level of the PDU set. This means different QoS parameters can be set for different importance levels of the PDU set. For example, for importance level 0, the corresponding QoS parameters include PSER (e.g., 5%), PSDB (e.g., 10ms), and PSII (e.g., a value of 1). It is understood that the above example is provided only as an illustration and is not intended to limit the QoS parameters in the embodiments of this application. QoS parameters can be flexibly set according to actual application conditions, and this application does not impose specific limitations here. The first network device can process the PDU set with importance level 0 based on this QoS information.

[0078] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, processing the PDU set includes: processing the PDU set, and / or processing the PDUs in the PDU set.

[0079] Optionally, the type of the PDU set can be a frame type (such as an intra-coded frame (I-frame), a forward predictive coded frame (P-frame), etc.), a service type, or other types of PDU sets, etc., which are not limited in this application.

[0080] In the embodiments of this application, the QoS information sent by the second network device to the first network device is transmitted through a user plane protocol and / or a control plane protocol.

[0081] The QoS information transmitted via the user plane protocol is determined based on the QoS measurement results obtained by the second network device performing QoS measurements related to the PDU set; the QoS information transmitted via the control plane protocol can be QoS parameters.

[0082] As one possible implementation, the first network device may be a gNB-DU, the second network device may be a gNB-CU-UP, and the QoS information may be included in the NR user plane protocol frame sent by the gNB-CU-UP (second network device) to the gNB-DU (first network device).

[0083] As another possible implementation, the first network device can be gNB-CU-UP, the second network device can be gNB-DU, and the QoS information can be included in the NR user plane protocol frame sent by gNB-DU (second network device) to gNB-CU-UP (first network device).

[0084] As another possible implementation, the first network device can be gNB-DU, and the second network device can be gNB-CU or gNB-CU-CP. The QoS information can be included in the F1AP (F1 Application Protocol) message sent by gNB-CU or gNB-CU-CP (the second network device) to gNB-DU (the first network device).

[0085] As another possible implementation, the first network device can be gNB-CU or gNB-CU-CP, the second network device can be gNB-DU, and the QoS information can be included in the F1AP message sent by gNB-DU (second network device) to gNB-CU or gNB-CU-CP (first network device).

[0086] As another possible implementation, the first network device can be gNB-CU-UP, the second network device can be gNB-CU-CP, and the QoS information is included in the E1AP (E1 Application Protocol) message sent by gNB-CU-CP (the second network device) to gNB-CU-UP (the first network device).

[0087] As another possible implementation, the first network device may be gNB-CU-CP, the second network device may be gNB-CU-UP, and the QoS information is included in the E1AP message sent by gNB-CU-UP (the second network device) to gNB-CU-CP (the first network device).

[0088] As another possible implementation, the first network device can be a secondary node SN, and the second network device can be a primary node MN. The QoS information can be included in the XnAP (Xn Application Protocol) message sent by MN (second network device) to SN (first network device).

[0089] As another possible implementation, the first network device can be the master node MN, the second network device can be the slave node SN, and the QoS information can be included in the XnAP message sent by the SN (second network device) to the MN (first network device).

[0090] As another possible implementation, the first network device can be the destination base station during the handover process, and the second network device can be the source base station during the handover process. The QoS information is included in the XnAP message (e.g., a handover request message) sent by the source base station (second network device) to the destination base station (first network device).

[0091] As another possible implementation, the first network device can be a base station, and the second network device can be a core network node. The QoS information is included in the NGAP (Next Generation Application Protocol) message or GTP-U packet header sent by the core network node (second network device) to the base station (first network device).

[0092] In some implementations, the QoS message is transmitted via a user plane protocol, and the QoS message is determined based on the QoS measurement results obtained by the second network device performing QoS measurements related to the PDU set.

[0093] Optionally, the QoS measurements associated with this PDU set may include at least one of the following:

[0094] Measurement of time delay;

[0095] Error rate measurement;

[0096] Measurement of PDU set size.

[0097] It is understood that the second network device may also perform other QoS measurements related to the PDU set to obtain the QoS measurement results of the PDU set, so that the first network device can process the PDU set based on the measurement results. This application does not limit the specific QoS measurement content to be performed.

[0098] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first network device may send a QoS measurement request to the second network device, the QoS measurement request including at least one of the following:

[0099] Measurement indication information, which is used to instruct the execution of QoS measurements associated with this PDU set;

[0100] QoS measurement content, which is used to indicate the QoS measurement content associated with this PDU set;

[0101] Reporting instruction information, which instructs the first network device to send the QoS measurement result;

[0102] A first threshold value indicates that the QoS measurement result should be sent to the first network device when a preset condition is met.

[0103] Optionally, the preset condition can be: the QoS measurement result is higher than the first threshold; the preset condition can also be: the QoS measurement result is equal to the first threshold; or the preset condition can also be: the QoS measurement result is lower than the first threshold.

[0104] Optionally, the first threshold value includes at least one of the following:

[0105] A first delay threshold value indicates that when the delay measurement result meets the preset condition, the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device.

[0106] A first error rate threshold, which indicates that when the error rate measurement result meets the preset condition, the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device;

[0107] A first capacity threshold value indicates that the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device when the measurement result of the PDU set size meets the preset condition.

[0108] It is understood that the delay measurement result satisfying the preset condition means that the comparison relationship between the delay measurement result and the first delay threshold value satisfies the preset condition. Optionally, the delay measurement result satisfying the preset condition can be: the delay measurement result is higher than the first delay threshold value; it can also be: the delay measurement result is equal to the first delay threshold value; or it can be: the delay measurement result is lower than the first delay threshold value.

[0109] Similarly, the error rate measurement result satisfying the preset condition means that the comparison relationship between the error rate measurement result and the first error rate threshold value satisfies the preset condition. Optionally, the error rate measurement result satisfying the preset condition can be: the error rate measurement result is higher than the first error rate threshold value; it can also be: the error rate measurement result is equal to the first error rate threshold value; or it can be: the error rate measurement result is lower than the first error rate threshold value.

[0110] The PDU set size measurement result satisfying the preset condition means that the comparison relationship between the PDU set size measurement result and the first capacity threshold value satisfies the preset condition. Optionally, the PDU set size measurement result satisfying the preset condition can be: the PDU set size measurement result is higher than the first capacity threshold value; it can also be: the PDU set size measurement result is equal to the first capacity threshold value; or it can be: the PDU set size measurement result is lower than the first capacity threshold value.

[0111] In some implementations, the QoS measurement result is obtained by the second network device performing a QoS measurement based on the QoS parameters sent by the third network device.

[0112] As one possible implementation, the third network device can be gNB-CU-CP, the second network device can be gNB-CU-UP, and the QoS parameter can be included in the E1AP message.

[0113] As another possible implementation, the third network device can be a core network node (e.g., a UPF (User Plane Function)), and the second network device can be a gNB-CU-UP or a base station (e.g., an NG-RAN node), with the QoS parameters included in the GTP-U header.

[0114] In some implementations, the QoS message is transmitted via a control plane protocol, and the QoS information may be QoS parameters.

[0115] Optionally, the QoS parameter includes error rate information associated with the PDU set and / or latency budget information associated with the PDU set.

[0116] Optionally, the error rate information associated with the PDU set may be the PDU Set Error Rate (PSER), and the delay budget information associated with the PDU set may be the PDU Set Delay Budget (PSDB).

[0117] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, PSER defines an upper limit for the ratio of the number of PDU sets that were not successfully received within a measurement window to the total number of PDU sets sent to the receiver. PSDB defines an upper limit for the transmission delay of a PDU set between the N6 termination point on the UE and UPF, i.e., the time from receiving the first PDU to successfully delivering the last arriving PDU.

[0118] It is understood that the error rate information and the delay budget information can also be other measurement parameters, and the QoS parameter can also include other parameters (such as PDU Set Integrated Indication (PSII) etc.) to enable the first network device to support the processing of PDU sets. This application does not limit the content of the QoS parameter.

[0119] It should be noted that PSII is used to indicate whether the application layer needs all PDUs in the PDU set when using the PDU set.

[0120] Step 202: Based on the QoS information, process the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set.

[0121] In this embodiment of the application, the first network device is able to process the PDU set associated with the received QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set.

[0122] In this embodiment of the application, the processing of the PDU set and / or PDUs by the first network device includes: scheduling and / or configuring resources for them.

[0123] In some implementations, the first network device can receive and process a PDU sent by the fourth network device. The PDU belongs to the set of PDUs associated with the QoS information.

[0124] Optionally, the PDU sent by the fourth network device includes first indication information, which can be used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0125] The type of this PDU set;

[0126] The sequence number of the PDU within this PDU set;

[0127] The end marker of this PDU set.

[0128] As one possible implementation, the first network device may be a gNB-DU, the fourth network device may be a gNB-CU-UP, and the PDU may be included in the NR user plane protocol frame sent by the gNB-CU-UP to the gNB-DU.

[0129] As another possible implementation, the first network device can be a corresponding node, and the fourth network device can be a PDCP host node. The PDU can be included in the NR user plane protocol frame sent by the PDCP host node to the corresponding node. Specifically, the user plane protocol frame can be a downlink user data frame. Here, the corresponding node refers to the node that interacts with the node carrying PDCP for flow control.

[0130] It should be noted that, in the various embodiments of this application, the first network device and the fourth network device are nodes with user plane functions, capable of transmitting and processing PDU data packets; the second network device performing relevant QoS measurements can be a node with user plane functions or a node with control plane functions; the second network device and the third network device sending QoS parameters are nodes with control plane functions. In some embodiments, the third network device and the fourth network device can be the same node, while in other embodiments they can be different nodes.

[0131] In summary, by receiving QoS information sent by the second network device, which is associated with a PDU set, and processing the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within that PDU set, the first network device can support QoS processing of the Protocol Data Unit set in the wireless access network, including non-split architecture, split architecture, or dual-connectivity DC scenarios. This enables the first network device to regulate network traffic, avoid and manage network congestion, reduce packet loss rate, effectively improve the reliability of system communication, and enhance user experience.

[0132] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing method provided in an embodiment of this application. It should be noted that the PDU processing method in this embodiment is executed by a first network device. This method can be executed independently or in conjunction with any other embodiment of this application. Figure 3 As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0133] Step 301: Receive QoS information sent by the second network device. The QoS information is determined based on the QoS measurement results obtained by the second network device performing QoS measurements related to the PDU set.

[0134] In this embodiment, the first network device can receive QoS information sent by the second network device. This QoS information is determined by the second network device based on QoS measurement results, which are obtained by the second network device performing QoS measurements related to the PDU set. The QoS information is associated with the PDU set. In some implementations, the QoS information may be the QoS measurement results.

[0135] Optionally, the QoS information may correspond to at least one of the following:

[0136] PDU set;

[0137] The type of PDU set;

[0138] PDUs in PDU set;

[0139] The importance or priority of PDU sets;

[0140] QoS flow;

[0141] Sub-QoS flow.

[0142] In other words, each PDU set can correspond to its own QoS information, each type of PDU set can correspond to its own QoS information, each PDU can correspond to its own QoS information, the importance or priority level of each PDU set can correspond to its own QoS information, or each QoS flow or sub-QoS flow can correspond to its own QoS information, and so on.

[0143] In some embodiments of this application, the QoS information is per PDU set, meaning that each PDU set has its own corresponding QoS information. This QoS information can be determined by a second network device based on different PDU sets. After obtaining the QoS information, the first network device can process the PDU set corresponding to the QoS information based on it.

[0144] In some embodiments of this application, the QoS information is per PDU set type, that is, each PDU set type has its own corresponding QoS information. This QoS information can be determined by a second network device based on different PDU set types. After obtaining the QoS information, the first network device can process the PDU set belonging to the PDU set type corresponding to that QoS information based on the QoS information.

[0145] In some embodiments of this application, the QoS information is per PDU, meaning that each PDU has its own corresponding QoS information. This QoS information can be determined by a second network device based on different PDUs. After obtaining the QoS information, the first network device can process the PDU set containing the PDU corresponding to that QoS information based on the QoS information.

[0146] In some embodiments of this application, the QoS information is per PDU set importance / priority, meaning that PDU sets of different importance or priority have their own corresponding QoS information. This QoS information can be determined by a second network device based on the importance / priority of different PDU sets. After obtaining this QoS information, the first network device can process the PDU sets belonging to the importance / priority corresponding to that QoS information based on the QoS information.

[0147] In some embodiments of this application, the QoS information is per QoS flow, meaning that each QoS flow has its own corresponding QoS information. A QoS flow may include one or more PDU sets. The QoS information can be determined by a second network device based on different QoS flows. After obtaining the QoS information, the first network device can process the PDU set in the QoS flow corresponding to that QoS information based on the QoS information.

[0148] In some embodiments according to this application, the QoS information is per sub-QoS flow, meaning that each sub-QoS flow has its own corresponding QoS information. A QoS flow may include one or more sub-QoS flows, and each sub-QoS flow corresponds to a PDU set. The QoS information may be determined by a second network device based on different sub-QoS flows. After obtaining the QoS information, the first network device can process the PDU set corresponding to the sub-QoS flow corresponding to that QoS information based on the QoS information.

[0149] As an example, the QoS information is a QoS parameter that corresponds to the importance level of the PDU set (PDU set Importance). This means different QoS parameters can be set for different importance levels of the PDU set. For example, for importance level 0 (PDU set Importance 0), the corresponding QoS parameters include PSER (e.g., 5%), PSDB (e.g., 10ms), and PSII (e.g., a value of 1). It is understood that the above example is provided only as an example and is not intended to limit the QoS parameters in the embodiments of this application. QoS parameters can be flexibly set according to actual application conditions, and this application does not impose specific limitations here. The first network device can process the PDU set of importance level 0 according to the QoS information. It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, processing the PDU set includes: processing the PDU set itself, and / or processing the PDUs within the PDU set.

[0150] Optionally, the type of the PDU set can be a frame type (such as an intra-coded frame (I-frame), a forward predictive coded frame (P-frame), etc.), a service type, or other types of PDU sets, etc., which are not limited in this application.

[0151] Optionally, the QoS measurements associated with this PDU set may include at least one of the following:

[0152] Measurement of time delay;

[0153] Error rate measurement;

[0154] Measurement of PDU set size.

[0155] It is understood that the second network device may also perform other QoS measurements related to the PDU set to obtain the QoS measurement results of the PDU set, so that the first network device can process the PDU set based on the measurement results. This application does not limit the specific QoS measurement content to be performed.

[0156] In some implementations, the second network device performs a latency measurement, and the QoS measurement result may be the remaining latency budget, which can be used to indicate the remaining time for the PDU set or the PDU transmission.

[0157] In some implementations, the second network device performs a latency measurement, and the QoS measurement result may be a latency budget indication that can be used to indicate the relationship between the remaining time of the PDU set or the PDU transmission and a preset threshold (e.g., it can be used to indicate whether the remaining time is higher than the preset threshold, lower than the preset threshold, not lower than the preset threshold, or not higher than the preset threshold, etc.).

[0158] In some implementations, the second network device performs an error rate measurement, which can be the error rate of the PDU set transmission.

[0159] In some implementations, the second network device performs an error rate measurement. The QoS measurement result can be error rate indication information, which can be used to indicate the relationship between the error rate of the PDU set transmission and a preset threshold value (e.g., it can be used to indicate that the error rate is higher than the preset threshold value, or lower than the preset threshold value, or not lower than the preset threshold value, or not higher than the preset threshold value, etc.).

[0160] In some implementations, the second network device performs a measurement of the PDU set size, and the QoS measurement result can be the size of the PDU set.

[0161] In some implementations, the second network device performs a measurement of the PDU set size. The QoS measurement result can be an indication of the PDU set size, which can be used to indicate the relationship between the PDU set size and a preset threshold value (e.g., it can be used to indicate that the error rate is higher than the preset threshold value, lower than the preset threshold value, not lower than the preset threshold value, or not higher than the preset threshold value, etc.).

[0162] It should be noted that the size of the PDU set can refer to the sum of the sizes of all the PDUs included in the PDU set; or it can refer to the sum of the sizes of the PDUs from the first received PDU to the currently received PDU.

[0163] It is understood that in the above embodiments, the preset threshold value can be set to different values ​​according to different implementation methods and specific application scenarios, and this application does not limit it here.

[0164] Furthermore, the QoS information can be included in the DL USER DATA frame, or it can be included in the DL DATA DELIVERY STATUS frame.

[0165] In some implementations, the QoS measurement result is obtained by the second network device performing QoS measurements related to the PDU set based on the QoS parameters sent by the third network device.

[0166] As one possible implementation, the third network device can be gNB-CU-CP, the second network device can be gNB-CU-UP, and the QoS parameter can be included in the E1AP message.

[0167] As another possible implementation, the third network device can be a core network node (e.g., a UPF), and the second network device can be a gNB-CU-UP or a base station (e.g., an NG-RAN node), with the QoS parameters included in the GTP-U header.

[0168] Optionally, the QoS parameter includes error rate information associated with the PDU set and / or latency budget information associated with the PDU set.

[0169] Optionally, the error rate information associated with the PDU set may be the PDU set error rate (PSER), and the latency budget information associated with the PDU set may be the PDU set latency budget (PSDB).

[0170] It is understood that the error rate information and the delay budget information can also be other measurement parameters, and the QoS parameter can also include other parameters (such as PDU set integration indicator PSII, etc.) so that the first network device can support processing of PDU sets. This application does not limit the content included in the QoS parameter.

[0171] Optionally, the QoS parameter may also correspond to any of the following information: PDU set; type of PDU set; PDU; importance or priority of PDU set; QoS flow; sub-QoS flow.

[0172] In some implementations, the first network device may also send a QoS measurement request to the second network device.

[0173] Step 302: Based on the QoS information, process the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set.

[0174] In this embodiment of the application, the first network device is able to process the PDU set associated with the received QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set.

[0175] In this embodiment of the application, the processing of the PDU set and / or PDUs by the first network device includes: scheduling and / or configuring resources for them.

[0176] In some implementations, the first network device can receive and process a PDU sent by the fourth network device. The PDU belongs to the set of PDUs associated with the QoS information.

[0177] Optionally, the PDU sent by the fourth network device includes first indication information, which can be used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0178] The type of this PDU set;

[0179] The sequence number of the PDU within this PDU set;

[0180] The end marker of this PDU set.

[0181] In summary, by receiving QoS information sent by the second network device, which is determined based on the QoS measurement results obtained by the second network device performing QoS measurements related to the PDU set, and processing the PDU set and / or the PDUs within the PDU set associated with the QoS information according to the QoS information, the first network device can support QoS processing of the Protocol Data Unit set in the wireless access network, including non-split architecture or split architecture, or in the scenario of dual-connectivity DC. This enables the first network device to regulate network traffic, avoid and manage network congestion, reduce packet loss rate, effectively improve the reliability of system communication, and enhance user experience.

[0182] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing method provided in an embodiment of this application. It should be noted that the PDU processing method in this embodiment is executed by a first network device. This method can be executed independently or in conjunction with any other embodiment of this application. Figure 4 As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0183] Step 401: Send a QoS measurement request to the second network device.

[0184] In this embodiment of the application, the first network device may send a QoS measurement request to the second network device.

[0185] The QoS measurement request includes at least one of the following:

[0186] Measurement indication information, which is used to instruct the execution of QoS measurements associated with this PDU set;

[0187] QoS measurement content, which is used to indicate the QoS measurement content associated with this PDU set;

[0188] Reporting instruction information, which instructs the first network device to send the QoS measurement result;

[0189] A first threshold value indicates that the QoS measurement result should be sent to the first network device when a preset condition is met.

[0190] Optionally, the measurement indication information can be a polling bit (e.g., a value of 1 indicates a request for measurement, or a value of 0 indicates a request for measurement, etc.).

[0191] Optionally, the measurement indication information may be included in at least one of the following: UL USER DATA (uplink user data) frame; DL DATA DELIVERY STATUS (downlink data delivery status) frame; ASSISTANCEINFORMATION DATA (auxiliary information data) frame.

[0192] Optionally, the QoS measurement content includes at least one of the following:

[0193] Request the second network device to measure latency-related information for the PDU set;

[0194] Request the second network device to measure the error rate information of the PDU set;

[0195] The request is made to the second network device to measure information related to the size of the PDU set.

[0196] Optionally, the preset condition can be: the QoS measurement result is higher than the first threshold; the preset condition can also be: the QoS measurement result is equal to the first threshold; or the preset condition can also be: the QoS measurement result is lower than the first threshold.

[0197] Optionally, the first threshold value includes at least one of the following:

[0198] A first delay threshold value indicates that the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device when the delay measurement result meets a preset condition;

[0199] A first error rate threshold, which indicates that the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device when the error rate measurement result meets a preset condition;

[0200] A first capacity threshold value indicates that the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device when the measurement result of the PDU set size meets a preset condition.

[0201] It is understood that the delay measurement result satisfying the preset condition means that the comparison relationship between the delay measurement result and the first delay threshold value satisfies the preset condition. Optionally, the delay measurement result satisfying the preset condition can be: the delay measurement result is higher than the first delay threshold value; it can also be: the delay measurement result is equal to the first delay threshold value; or it can be: the delay measurement result is lower than the first delay threshold value.

[0202] Similarly, the error rate measurement result satisfying the preset condition means that the comparison relationship between the error rate measurement result and the first error rate threshold value satisfies the preset condition. Optionally, the error rate measurement result satisfying the preset condition can be: the error rate measurement result is higher than the first error rate threshold value; it can also be: the error rate measurement result is equal to the first error rate threshold value; or it can be: the error rate measurement result is lower than the first error rate threshold value.

[0203] The PDU set size measurement result satisfying the preset condition means that the comparison relationship between the PDU set size measurement result and the first capacity threshold value satisfies the preset condition. Optionally, the PDU set size measurement result satisfying the preset condition can be: the PDU set size measurement result is higher than the first capacity threshold value; it can also be: the PDU set size measurement result is equal to the first capacity threshold value; or it can be: the PDU set size measurement result is lower than the first capacity threshold value.

[0204] Optionally, the first delay threshold can be PSDB, and the first error rate threshold can be PSER.

[0205] Optionally, the first threshold value can correspond to a PDU set or a PDU set type. That is, each PDU set can have its own first threshold value, or each PDU set type can have its own first threshold value, and so on.

[0206] Optionally, the type of the PDU set can be a frame type (such as an intra-coded frame (I-frame), a forward predictive coded frame (P-frame), etc.), a service type, or other types of PDU sets, etc., which are not limited in this application.

[0207] Step 402: Receive QoS information sent by the second network device. The QoS information is determined based on the QoS measurement results obtained by the second network device performing QoS measurements related to the PDU set.

[0208] In this embodiment, the first network device can receive QoS information sent by the second network device. This QoS information is determined by the second network device based on QoS measurement results, which are obtained by the second network device performing QoS measurements related to the PDU set. The QoS information is associated with the PDU set. In some implementations, the QoS information may be the QoS measurement results.

[0209] Optionally, the QoS information may correspond to at least one of the following:

[0210] PDU set;

[0211] The type of PDU set;

[0212] PDUs in PDU set;

[0213] The importance or priority of PDU sets;

[0214] QoS flow;

[0215] Sub-QoS flow.

[0216] In other words, each PDU set can correspond to its own QoS information, each type of PDU set can correspond to its own QoS information, each PDU can correspond to its own QoS information, the importance or priority level of each PDU set can correspond to its own QoS information, or each QoS flow or sub-QoS flow can correspond to its own QoS information, and so on.

[0217] In some implementations, each QoS flow may correspond to its own QoS information, that is, the QoS information is per QoS flow, where a QoS flow may include multiple PDU sets.

[0218] In some implementations, each sub-QoS flow can correspond to its own QoS information, that is, the QoS information is per sub-QoS flow. In this case, a QoS flow may include multiple sub-QoS flows, and each sub-QoS flow corresponds to a set of PDUs.

[0219] Optionally, the QoS measurements associated with this PDU set may include at least one of the following:

[0220] Measurement of time delay;

[0221] Error rate measurement;

[0222] Measurement of PDU set size.

[0223] It is understood that the second network device may also perform other QoS measurements related to the PDU set to obtain the QoS measurement results of the PDU set, so that the first network device can process the PDU set based on the measurement results. This application does not limit the specific QoS measurement content to be performed.

[0224] In some implementations, the second network device performs a latency measurement, and the QoS measurement result may be the remaining latency budget, which can be used to indicate the remaining time for the PDU set or the PDU transmission.

[0225] In some implementations, the second network device performs a latency measurement, and the QoS measurement result may be a latency budget indication that can be used to indicate the relationship between the remaining time of the PDU set or the PDU transmission and a preset threshold (e.g., it can be used to indicate whether the remaining time is higher than the preset threshold, lower than the preset threshold, not lower than the preset threshold, or not higher than the preset threshold, etc.).

[0226] In some implementations, the second network device performs an error rate measurement, which can be the error rate of the PDU set transmission.

[0227] In some implementations, the second network device performs an error rate measurement. The QoS measurement result can be error rate indication information, which can be used to indicate the relationship between the error rate of the PDU set transmission and a preset threshold value (e.g., it can be used to indicate that the error rate is higher than the preset threshold value, or lower than the preset threshold value, or not lower than the preset threshold value, or not higher than the preset threshold value, etc.).

[0228] In some implementations, the second network device performs a measurement of the PDU set size, and the QoS measurement result can be the size of the PDU set.

[0229] In some implementations, the second network device performs a measurement of the PDU set size. The QoS measurement result can be an indication of the PDU set size, which can be used to indicate the relationship between the PDU set size and a preset threshold value (e.g., it can be used to indicate that the error rate is higher than the preset threshold value, lower than the preset threshold value, not lower than the preset threshold value, or not higher than the preset threshold value, etc.).

[0230] It should be noted that the size of the PDU set can refer to the sum of the sizes of all the PDUs included in the PDU set; or it can refer to the sum of the sizes of the PDUs from the first received PDU to the currently received PDU.

[0231] It is understood that in the above embodiments, the preset threshold value can be set to different values ​​according to different implementation methods and specific application scenarios, and this application does not limit it here.

[0232] Furthermore, the QoS information can be included in the DL USER DATA frame, or it can be included in the DL DATA DELIVERY STATUS frame.

[0233] In some implementations, the QoS measurement result is obtained by the second network device performing QoS measurements related to the PDU set based on the QoS parameters sent by the third network device.

[0234] As one possible implementation, the third network device can be gNB-CU-CP, the second network device can be gNB-CU-UP, and the QoS parameter can be included in the E1AP message.

[0235] As another possible implementation, the third network device can be a core network node (e.g., a UPF), and the second network device can be a gNB-CU-UP or a base station (e.g., an NG-RAN node), with the QoS parameters included in the GTP-U header.

[0236] Optionally, the QoS parameter includes error rate information associated with the PDU set and / or latency budget information associated with the PDU set.

[0237] Optionally, the error rate information associated with the PDU set may be the PDU set error rate (PSER), and the latency budget information associated with the PDU set may be the PDU set latency budget (PSDB).

[0238] It is understood that the error rate information and the delay budget information can also be other measurement parameters, and the QoS parameter can also include other parameters (such as PDU set integration indicator PSII, etc.) so that the first network device can support processing of PDU sets. This application does not limit the content included in the QoS parameter.

[0239] Optionally, the QoS parameter may also correspond to any of the following information: PDU set; type of PDU set; PDU; importance or priority of PDU set; QoS flow; sub-QoS flow.

[0240] Step 403: Based on the QoS information, process the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set.

[0241] In this embodiment of the application, the first network device is able to process the PDU set associated with the received QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set.

[0242] In this embodiment of the application, the processing of the PDU set and / or PDUs by the first network device includes: scheduling and / or configuring resources for them.

[0243] In some implementations, the first network device can receive and process a PDU sent by the fourth network device. The PDU belongs to the set of PDUs associated with the QoS information.

[0244] Optionally, the PDU sent by the fourth network device includes first indication information, which can be used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0245] The type of this PDU set;

[0246] The sequence number of the PDU within this PDU set;

[0247] The end marker of this PDU set.

[0248] In summary, by sending a QoS measurement request to the second network device and receiving QoS information from the second network device, which is determined based on the QoS measurement results obtained by the second network device performing QoS measurements related to the PDU set, the first network device can process the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set according to the QoS information. This enables the first network device to support QoS processing of Protocol Data Unit sets in the wireless access network, including non-split architecture, split architecture, or dual-connectivity DC scenarios. It can also regulate network traffic, avoid and manage network congestion, reduce packet loss rate, effectively improve the reliability of system communication, and enhance user experience.

[0249] Please see Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing method provided in an embodiment of this application. It should be noted that the PDU processing method in this embodiment is executed by a first network device. This method can be executed independently or in conjunction with any other embodiment of this application. Figure 5 As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0250] Step 501: Receive Quality of Service (QoS) information sent by the second network device. This QoS information is a QoS parameter.

[0251] In this embodiment of the application, the first network device is able to receive QoS information sent by the second network device, wherein the QoS information is a QoS parameter, and the QoS parameter is associated with the PDU set to be processed by the first network device.

[0252] Optionally, the QoS parameter may correspond to at least one of the following:

[0253] PDU set;

[0254] The type of PDU set;

[0255] PDUs in PDU set;

[0256] The importance or priority of PDU sets;

[0257] QoS flow;

[0258] Sub-QoS flow.

[0259] In other words, each PDU set can correspond to its own QoS parameters, each type of PDU set can correspond to its own QoS parameters, each PDU can correspond to its own QoS parameters, the importance or priority level of each PDU set can correspond to its own QoS parameters, or each QoS flow or sub-QoS flow can correspond to its own QoS parameters, and so on.

[0260] In some implementations, each QoS flow may correspond to its own QoS information, that is, the QoS information is per QoS flow, where a QoS flow may include multiple PDU sets.

[0261] In some implementations, each sub-QoS flow can correspond to its own QoS information, that is, the QoS information is per sub-QoS flow. In this case, a QoS flow may include multiple sub-QoS flows, and each sub-QoS flow corresponds to a set of PDUs.

[0262] Optionally, the type of the PDU set can be a frame type (such as an intra-coded frame (I-frame), a forward predictive coded frame (P-frame), etc.), a service type, or other types of PDU sets, etc., which are not limited in this application.

[0263] Optionally, the QoS parameter includes error rate information associated with the PDU set and / or latency budget information associated with the PDU set.

[0264] Optionally, the error rate information associated with the PDU set may be the PDU set error rate (PSER), and the latency budget information associated with the PDU set may be the PDU set latency budget (PSDB).

[0265] It is understood that the error rate information and the delay budget information can also be other measurement parameters, and the QoS parameter can also include other parameters (such as PDU set integration indicator PSII, etc.) so that the first network device can support processing of PDU sets. This application does not limit the content included in the QoS parameter.

[0266] It should be noted that PSII is used to indicate whether the application layer needs all PDUs in the PDU set when using the PDU set.

[0267] As an example, this QoS parameter corresponds to the importance level of the PDU set, meaning different QoS parameters can be set for different importance levels of PDU sets. For instance, for importance level 0 (PDUset Importance 0), the corresponding QoS parameters include PSER (e.g., 5%), PSDB (e.g., 10ms), and PSII (e.g., a value of 1). It is understood that the above example is provided only as an illustration and is not intended to limit the QoS parameters in the embodiments of this application. QoS parameters can be flexibly set according to actual application conditions, and this application does not impose specific limitations here.

[0268] Step 502: Based on the QoS information, process the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set.

[0269] In this embodiment of the application, the first network device is able to process the PDU set associated with the received QoS parameter and / or the PDUs within the PDU set.

[0270] In this embodiment of the application, the processing of the PDU set and / or PDUs by the first network device includes: scheduling and / or configuring resources for them.

[0271] In some implementations, the first network device is capable of receiving and processing a PDU sent by the fourth network device. The PDU belongs to the set of PDUs associated with the QoS parameter.

[0272] Optionally, the PDU sent by the fourth network device includes first indication information, which can be used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0273] The type of this PDU set;

[0274] The sequence number of the PDU within this PDU set;

[0275] The end marker of this PDU set.

[0276] In summary, by receiving QoS information sent by the second network device (QoS information being QoS parameters), and processing the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within that PDU set, the first network device can support QoS processing of Protocol Data Unit sets in the wireless access network, including non-split architecture, split architecture, or dual-connectivity DC scenarios. This enables the first network device to regulate network traffic, avoid and manage network congestion, reduce packet loss rate, effectively improve the reliability of system communication, and enhance user experience.

[0277] Please see Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing method provided in an embodiment of this application. It should be noted that the PDU processing method in this embodiment is executed by a second network device. This method can be executed independently or in conjunction with any other embodiment of this application. Figure 6 As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0278] Step 601: Send Quality of Service (QoS) information to the first network device. The QoS information is associated with a PDU set. The QoS information is used by the first network device to process the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs in the PDU set.

[0279] In this embodiment, the second network device can send QoS information to the first network device, wherein the QoS information is associated with a set of PDUs to be processed by the first network device. The first network device can process the set of PDUs associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within that set of PDUs according to the QoS information.

[0280] Optionally, the QoS information may correspond to at least one of the following:

[0281] PDU set;

[0282] The type of PDU set;

[0283] PDUs in PDU set;

[0284] The importance or priority of PDU sets;

[0285] QoS flow;

[0286] Sub-QoS flow.

[0287] In other words, each PDU set can correspond to its own QoS information, each type of PDU set can correspond to its own QoS information, each PDU can correspond to its own QoS information, the importance or priority level of each PDU set can correspond to its own QoS information, or each QoS flow or sub-QoS flow can correspond to its own QoS information, and so on.

[0288] In some implementations, each QoS flow may correspond to its own QoS information, that is, the QoS information is per QoS flow, where a QoS flow may include multiple PDU sets.

[0289] In some implementations, each sub-QoS flow can correspond to its own QoS information, that is, the QoS information is per sub-QoS flow. In this case, a QoS flow may include multiple sub-QoS flows, and each sub-QoS flow corresponds to a set of PDUs.

[0290] Optionally, the type of the PDU set can be a frame type (such as an intra-coded frame (I-frame), a forward predictive coded frame (P-frame), etc.), a service type, or other types of PDU sets, etc., which are not limited in this application.

[0291] In the embodiments of this application, the QoS information sent by the second network device to the first network device is transmitted through a user plane protocol and / or a control plane protocol.

[0292] The QoS information transmitted via the user plane protocol is determined based on the QoS measurement results obtained by the second network device performing QoS measurements related to the PDU set; the QoS information transmitted via the control plane protocol can be QoS parameters.

[0293] As one possible implementation, the first network device may be a gNB-DU, the second network device may be a gNB-CU-UP, and the QoS information may be included in the NR user plane protocol frame sent by the gNB-CU-UP (second network device) to the gNB-DU (first network device).

[0294] As another possible implementation, the first network device can be gNB-CU-UP, the second network device can be gNB-DU, and the QoS information can be included in the NR user plane protocol frame sent by gNB-DU (second network device) to gNB-CU-UP (first network device).

[0295] As another possible implementation, the first network device can be gNB-DU, and the second network device can be gNB-CU or gNB-CU-CP. The QoS information can be included in the F1AP message sent by gNB-CU or gNB-CU-CP (the second network device) to gNB-DU (the first network device).

[0296] As another possible implementation, the first network device may be gNB-CU-UP, the second network device may be gNB-CU-CP, and the QoS information is included in the E1AP message sent by gNB-CU-CP (the second network device) to gNB-CU-UP (the first network device).

[0297] As another possible implementation, the first network device can be a secondary node SN, the second network device can be a primary node MN, and the QoS information can be included in the XnAP message sent by the MN (second network device) to the SN (first network device).

[0298] As another possible implementation, the first network device can be the master node MN, the second network device can be the slave node SN, and the QoS information can be included in the XnAP message sent by the SN (second network device) to the MN (first network device).

[0299] As another possible implementation, the first network device can be the destination base station during the handover process, and the second network device can be the source base station during the handover process. The QoS information is included in the XnAP message (e.g., a handover request message) sent by the source base station (second network device) to the destination base station (first network device).

[0300] As another possible implementation, the first network device can be a base station, and the second network device can be a core network node. The QoS information is included in the NGAP message or GTP-U packet header sent by the core network node (second network device) to the base station (first network device).

[0301] In some implementations, the QoS message is transmitted via a user plane protocol, and the QoS message is determined based on the QoS measurement results obtained by the second network device performing QoS measurements related to the PDU set.

[0302] Optionally, the QoS measurements associated with this PDU set may include at least one of the following:

[0303] Measurement of time delay;

[0304] Error rate measurement;

[0305] Measurement of PDU set size.

[0306] It is understood that the second network device may also perform other QoS measurements related to the PDU set to obtain the QoS measurement results of the PDU set, so that the first network device can process the PDU set based on the measurement results. This application does not limit the specific QoS measurement content to be performed.

[0307] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the second network device may receive a QoS measurement request sent by the first network device, the QoS measurement request including at least one of the following:

[0308] Measurement indication information, which is used to instruct the execution of QoS measurements associated with this PDU set;

[0309] QoS measurement content, which is used to indicate the QoS measurement content associated with this PDU set;

[0310] Reporting instruction information, which instructs the first network device to send the QoS measurement result;

[0311] A first threshold value indicates that the QoS measurement result should be sent to the first network device when a preset condition is met.

[0312] Optionally, the preset condition can be: the QoS measurement result is higher than the first threshold; the preset condition can also be: the QoS measurement result is equal to the first threshold; or the preset condition can also be: the QoS measurement result is lower than the first threshold.

[0313] Optionally, the first threshold value includes at least one of the following:

[0314] A first delay threshold value indicates that the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device when the delay measurement result meets a preset condition;

[0315] A first error rate threshold, which indicates that the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device when the error rate measurement result meets a preset condition;

[0316] A first capacity threshold value indicates that the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device when the measurement result of the PDU set size meets a preset condition.

[0317] It is understood that the delay measurement result satisfying the preset condition means that the comparison relationship between the delay measurement result and the first delay threshold value satisfies the preset condition. Optionally, the delay measurement result satisfying the preset condition can be: the delay measurement result is higher than the first delay threshold value; it can also be: the delay measurement result is equal to the first delay threshold value; or it can be: the delay measurement result is lower than the first delay threshold value.

[0318] Similarly, the error rate measurement result satisfying the preset condition means that the comparison relationship between the error rate measurement result and the first error rate threshold value satisfies the preset condition. Optionally, the error rate measurement result satisfying the preset condition can be: the error rate measurement result is higher than the first error rate threshold value; it can also be: the error rate measurement result is equal to the first error rate threshold value; or it can be: the error rate measurement result is lower than the first error rate threshold value.

[0319] The PDU set size measurement result satisfying the preset condition means that the comparison relationship between the PDU set size measurement result and the first capacity threshold value satisfies the preset condition. Optionally, the PDU set size measurement result satisfying the preset condition can be: the PDU set size measurement result is higher than the first capacity threshold value; it can also be: the PDU set size measurement result is equal to the first capacity threshold value; or it can be: the PDU set size measurement result is lower than the first capacity threshold value.

[0320] In some implementations, the second network device may also receive QoS parameters sent by the third network device and perform QoS measurements related to the PDU set based on the QoS parameters. That is, the QoS measurement result is obtained by the second network device performing QoS measurements based on the QoS parameters sent by the third network device.

[0321] As one possible implementation, the third network device can be gNB-CU-CP, the second network device can be gNB-CU-UP, and the QoS parameter can be included in the E1AP message.

[0322] As another possible implementation, the third network device can be a core network node (e.g., a UPF), and the second network device can be a gNB-CU-UP or a base station (e.g., an NG-RAN node), with the QoS parameters included in the GTP-U header.

[0323] In some implementations, the QoS message is transmitted via a control plane protocol, and the QoS information may be QoS parameters.

[0324] Optionally, the QoS parameter includes error rate information associated with the PDU set and / or latency budget information associated with the PDU set.

[0325] Optionally, the error rate information associated with the PDU set may be the PDU Set Error Rate (PSER), and the delay budget information associated with the PDU set may be the PDU Set Delay Budget (PSDB).

[0326] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, PSER defines an upper limit for the ratio of the number of PDU sets that were not successfully received within a measurement window to the total number of PDU sets sent to the receiver. PSDB defines an upper limit for the transmission delay of a PDU set between the N6 termination point on the UE and UPF, i.e., the time from receiving the first PDU to successfully delivering the last arriving PDU.

[0327] It is understood that the error rate information and the delay budget information can also be other measurement parameters, and the QoS parameter can also include other parameters (such as PDU Set Integrated Indication (PSII) etc.) to enable the first network device to support the processing of PDU sets. This application does not limit the content of the QoS parameter.

[0328] It should be noted that PSII is used to indicate whether the application layer needs all PDUs in the PDU set when using the PDU set.

[0329] In summary, by sending Quality of Service (QoS) information to the first network device, which is associated with a PDU set, the first network device processes the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within that PDU set. This enables the first network device to support QoS processing of Protocol Data Unit sets in the wireless access network, including non-split or split architectures, or in dual-connectivity DC scenarios. This allows for network traffic regulation, prevention and management of network congestion, reduction of packet loss rate, and effectively improved system communication reliability and user experience.

[0330] Corresponding to the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing methods provided in the above embodiments, this application also provides a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing apparatus. Since the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing apparatus provided in this application corresponds to the methods provided in the above embodiments, the implementation methods of the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing methods are also applicable to the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing apparatus provided in the following embodiments, and will not be described in detail in the following embodiments.

[0331] Please see Figure 7, Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0332] like Figure 7 As shown, the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing device 700 includes: a transceiver unit 710 and a processing unit 720, wherein:

[0333] The transceiver unit 710 is used to receive QoS information sent by the second network device, wherein the QoS information is associated with the PDU set;

[0334] The processing unit 720 is configured to process the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set associated with the QoS information according to the QoS information.

[0335] Optionally, the QoS information is transmitted via user plane protocols and / or control plane protocols.

[0336] Optionally, the QoS information is transmitted via a user plane protocol, and the QoS information is determined based on the QoS measurement results obtained by the second network device performing QoS measurements related to the PDU set.

[0337] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is further configured to: send a QoS measurement request to the second network device;

[0338] The QoS measurement request includes at least one of the following:

[0339] Measurement indication information, which is used to instruct the execution of QoS measurements associated with this PDU set;

[0340] QoS measurement content, which is used to indicate the QoS measurement content associated with this PDU set;

[0341] Reporting instruction information, which instructs the first network device to send the QoS measurement result;

[0342] A first threshold value indicates that the QoS measurement result should be sent to the first network device when a preset condition is met.

[0343] Optionally, the first threshold value includes at least one of the following:

[0344] A first delay threshold value indicates that when the delay measurement result meets the preset condition, the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device.

[0345] A first error rate threshold, which indicates that the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device when the error rate measurement result meets the preset condition;

[0346] A first capacity threshold value indicates that the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device when the measurement result of the PDU set size meets the preset condition.

[0347] Optionally, the QoS measurement result is obtained by the second network device performing QoS measurement based on the QoS parameters sent by the third network device.

[0348] Optionally, the QoS information is transmitted via a control plane protocol, and the QoS information is a QoS parameter.

[0349] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is further configured to: receive a PDU sent by a fourth network device, the PDU belonging to the PDU set.

[0350] Optionally, the PDU includes first indication information, which indicates at least one of the following:

[0351] The type of this PDU set;

[0352] The sequence number of the PDU within this PDU set;

[0353] The end marker of this PDU set.

[0354] Optionally, the QoS parameter includes error rate information associated with the PDU set and / or latency budget information associated with the PDU set.

[0355] Optionally, the QoS information corresponds to at least one of the following:

[0356] PDU set;

[0357] The type of PDU set;

[0358] PDUs in PDU set;

[0359] The importance or priority of PDU sets;

[0360] QoS flow;

[0361] Sub-QoS flow.

[0362] Optionally, the processing unit 720 is specifically used for:

[0363] Schedule the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within that PDU set; and / or,

[0364] Configure resources for the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set.

[0365] The Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing device in this embodiment can receive Quality of Service (QoS) information sent by a second network device. This QoS information is associated with a PDU set. Based on the QoS information, the device processes the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set. This enables the first network device to support QoS processing of the Protocol Data Unit set in a wireless access network, including non-split architecture, split architecture, or dual-connectivity DC scenarios. This allows the device to regulate network traffic, avoid and manage network congestion, reduce packet loss rate, effectively improve the reliability of system communication, and enhance user experience.

[0366] Please see Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0367] like Figure 8 As shown, the protocol data unit (PDU) processing device 800 includes: a transceiver unit 810, wherein:

[0368] The transceiver unit 810 is configured to send Quality of Service (QoS) information to a first network device, wherein the QoS information is associated with a PDU set; and wherein the first network device processes the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set associated with the QoS information based on the QoS information.

[0369] Optionally, the QoS information is transmitted via user plane protocols and / or control plane protocols.

[0370] Optionally, the QoS information is transmitted via a user plane protocol, and the QoS information is determined based on the QoS measurement results obtained by the second network device performing QoS measurements related to the PDU set.

[0371] Optionally, the transceiver unit 810 is further configured to: receive a QoS measurement request sent by the first network device;

[0372] The QoS measurement request includes at least one of the following:

[0373] Measurement indication information, which is used to instruct the execution of QoS measurements associated with this PDU set;

[0374] QoS measurement content, which is used to indicate the content of QoS measurements performed in relation to the PDU set;

[0375] Reporting instruction information, which instructs the first network device to send the QoS measurement result;

[0376] A first threshold value is used to indicate when the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device when a preset condition is met.

[0377] Optionally, the first threshold value includes at least one of the following:

[0378] A first delay threshold value indicates that when the delay measurement result meets the preset condition, the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device.

[0379] A first error rate threshold, which indicates that the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device when the error rate measurement result meets the preset condition;

[0380] A first capacity threshold value indicates that the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device when the measurement result of the PDU set size meets the preset condition.

[0381] Optionally, the QoS measurement result is obtained by the second network device performing QoS measurement based on the QoS parameters sent by the third network device.

[0382] Optionally, the QoS information is transmitted via a control plane protocol, and the QoS information is a QoS parameter.

[0383] Optionally, the QoS parameter includes error rate information associated with the PDU set and / or latency budget information associated with the PDU set.

[0384] Optionally, the QoS information corresponds to at least one of the following:

[0385] PDU set;

[0386] The type of PDU set;

[0387] PDUs in PDU set;

[0388] The importance or priority of PDU sets;

[0389] QoS flow;

[0390] Sub-QoS flow.

[0391] The Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing device in this embodiment can send Quality of Service (QoS) information to a first network device. This QoS information is associated with a PDU set. The QoS information is used by the first network device to process the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set. This enables the first network device to support QoS processing of the Protocol Data Unit set in a wireless access network, including non-split architecture, split architecture, or dual-connectivity DC scenarios. It can regulate network traffic, avoid and manage network congestion, reduce packet loss rate, effectively improve the reliability of system communication, and enhance user experience.

[0392] To implement the above embodiments, this application also proposes a communication device, including: a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory to cause the device to perform... Figures 2 to 5 The method shown in the embodiment.

[0393] To implement the above embodiments, this application also proposes a communication device, including: a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory to cause the device to perform... Figure 6 The method shown in the embodiment.

[0394] To implement the above embodiments, this application also proposes a communication device, including: a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor, and the processor is used to execute the code instructions to perform... Figures 2 to 5 The method shown in the embodiment.

[0395] To implement the above embodiments, this application also proposes a communication device, including: a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor, and the processor is used to execute the code instructions to perform... Figure 6 The method shown in the embodiment.

[0396] Please see Figure 9 , Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing device provided in this embodiment. The PDU processing device 900 can be a network device, a terminal device, a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the implementation of the above methods in a network device, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the implementation of the above methods in a terminal device. This device can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; please refer to the description in the above method embodiments for details.

[0397] The Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing device 900 may include one or more processors 901. The processor 901 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control the PDU processing device (e.g., a base station, baseband chip, terminal equipment, terminal equipment chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute computer programs, and process data from the computer programs.

[0398] Optionally, the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing apparatus 900 may further include one or more memories 902, on which a computer program 903 may be stored. The processor 901 executes the computer program 903 to cause the PDU processing apparatus 900 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. The computer program 903 may be embedded in the processor 901, in which case the processor 901 may be implemented in hardware.

[0399] Optionally, the memory 902 may also store data. The protocol data unit (PDU) processing device 900 and the memory 902 can be configured separately or integrated together.

[0400] Optionally, the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing device 900 may further include a transceiver 905 and an antenna 906. The transceiver 905, also known as a transceiver unit, transceiver, or transceiver circuit, is used to implement transceiver functions. The transceiver 905 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver, also known as a receiver circuit, is used to implement a receiving function; the transmitter, also known as a transmitter or transmitting circuit, is used to implement a transmitting function.

[0401] Optionally, the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing apparatus 900 may further include one or more interface circuits 907. The interface circuits 907 are used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor 901. The processor 901 executes the code instructions to cause the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing apparatus 900 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0402] In one implementation, the processor 901 may include a transceiver for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The aforementioned transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit can be used for reading and writing code / data, or it can be used for transmitting or relaying signals.

[0403] In one implementation, the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing device 900 may include circuitry capable of performing the transmission, reception, or communication functions described in the aforementioned method embodiments. The processor and transceiver described in this disclosure can be implemented on integrated circuits (ICs), analog ICs, radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), mixed-signal ICs, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), printed circuit boards (PCBs), electronic devices, etc. The processor and transceiver can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS), n-metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS), positive-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS), bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon-germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0404] The Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing device described in the above embodiments can be a network device or a terminal device, but the scope of the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing device described in this disclosure is not limited to this, and the structure of the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing device can be unrestricted. Figures 7-8 The limitations. The Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing device can be a standalone device or part of a larger device. For example, the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing device can be:

[0405] (1) Independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem;

[0406] (2) A collection of one or more ICs, optionally including storage components for storing data and computer programs;

[0407] (3) ASIC, such as modem;

[0408] (4) Modules that can be embedded in other devices;

[0409] (5) Receivers, terminal equipment, smart terminal equipment, cellular phones, wireless equipment, handheld devices, mobile units, vehicle-mounted equipment, network equipment, cloud equipment, artificial intelligence equipment, etc.

[0410] (6) Others, etc.

[0411] For cases where the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing device can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 10 The diagram shows the structure of the chip. Figure 10 The chip shown includes a processor 1001 and an interface 1002. There can be one or more processors 1001, and multiple interfaces 1002.

[0412] Regarding the case where the chip is used to implement the functions of the first network device in the embodiments of this disclosure:

[0413] Interface 1002 is used for code instructions and their transmission to the processor;

[0414] Processor 1001 is used to run code instructions to perform, such as Figures 2 to 5 The method.

[0415] Regarding the case where the chip is used to implement the functions of the second network device in the embodiments of this disclosure:

[0416] Interface 1002 is used for code instructions and their transmission to the processor;

[0417] Processor 1001 is used to run code instructions to perform, such as Figure 6 The method.

[0418] Optionally, the chip also includes a memory 1003 for storing necessary computer programs and data.

[0419] Those skilled in the art will also understand that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. Whether such functionality is implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and the overall system design requirements. Those skilled in the art can implement the functionality using various methods for each specific application, but such implementation should not be construed as exceeding the scope of protection of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0420] This disclosure also provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned... Figures 7-8 In the embodiments, the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing device is a network device; alternatively, the system includes the aforementioned... Figure 9 The embodiment describes a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing device as a network device.

[0421] This disclosure also provides a readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a computer, implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0422] This disclosure also provides a computer program product that, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0423] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When a computer program is loaded and executed on a computer, it generates, in whole or in part, the flow or function according to the embodiments of this disclosure. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, a computer program can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., high-density digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0424] Those skilled in the art will understand that the various numerical designations such as "first," "second," etc., used in this disclosure are merely for the convenience of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor do they indicate the order of events.

[0425] At least one of the features described in this disclosure can also be described as one or more, and multiple features can be two, three, four or more, and this disclosure does not impose any limitations. In the embodiments of this disclosure, for a technical feature, the technical features in that technical feature are distinguished by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D", etc., and there is no sequential order or size order among the technical features described by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D".

[0426] The correspondences shown in the tables of this disclosure can be configured or predefined. The values ​​of the information in each table are merely examples and can be configured to other values; this disclosure is not limiting. When configuring the correspondences between information and parameters, it is not necessarily required to configure all the correspondences shown in each table. For example, the correspondences shown in some rows of the tables in this disclosure may not be configured. Furthermore, appropriate modifications and adjustments can be made based on the above tables, such as splitting, merging, etc. The names of the parameters shown in the headers of the above tables can also use other names that the communication device can understand, and the values ​​or representations of the parameters can also be other values ​​or representations that the communication device can understand. In the implementation of the above tables, other data structures can also be used, such as arrays, queues, containers, stacks, linear lists, pointers, linked lists, trees, graphs, structures, classes, heaps, hash tables, or hash tables, etc.

[0427] The predefined terms in this disclosure can be understood as defined, predefined, stored, pre-stored, pre-negotiated, pre-configured, solidified, or pre-burned.

[0428] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this disclosure.

[0429] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0430] It should be understood that the various forms of processes shown above can be used to reorder, add, or delete steps. For example, the steps described in the embodiments of this disclosure can be executed in parallel, sequentially, or in different orders, as long as the desired result of the technical solution disclosed in this invention can be achieved, and this is not limited herein.

[0431] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this invention should be included within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A method for processing Protocol Data Units (PDUs), characterized in that, The method is performed by a first network device, and the method includes: The system receives Quality of Service (QoS) information sent by a second network device through a control plane protocol. The QoS information corresponds to a QoS flow, with each QoS flow corresponding to one QoS information. A QoS flow includes one or more Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sets, and the QoS information is the QoS parameter of the PDU set. The user plane protocol receives a PDU sent by a fourth network device, wherein the PDU belongs to the PDU set; the PDU includes first indication information, which indicates at least one of the following: the type of the PDU set; the sequence number of the PDU in the PDU set; and the end marker of the PDU set. Based on the QoS information, process the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set associated with the QoS information; Wherein, the first network device is a next-generation base station distributed unit (gNB-DU), the second network device is a next-generation base station centralized unit (gNB-CU), and the fourth network device is a next-generation base station centralized unit user plane (gNB-CU-UP); or... The first network device is a next-generation base station centralized unit control plane (gNB-CU-CP), and the second network device is a gNB-CU-UP; or... The first network device is gNB-DU, the second network device is gNB-CU-CP, and the fourth network device is gNB-CU-UP; or... The first network device is the destination base station during the handover process, and the second network device is the source base station during the handover process; or, The first network device is the secondary node SN, and the second network device is the primary node MN.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The QoS information is transmitted via a user plane protocol, and the QoS information is determined based on the QoS measurement results obtained by the second network device performing QoS measurements related to the PDU set.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a QoS measurement request to the second network device; The QoS measurement request includes at least one of the following: Measurement indication information, wherein the measurement indication information is used to indicate the execution of QoS measurements related to the PDU set; QoS measurement content, which is used to indicate the QoS measurement content associated with the PDU set; Reporting instruction information, wherein the reporting instruction information is used to instruct the first network device to send the QoS measurement results; A first threshold value indicates that the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device when a preset condition is met.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first threshold value includes at least one of the following: A first delay threshold value indicates that when the delay measurement result meets the preset condition, the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device. A first error rate threshold, wherein the first error rate threshold indicates that the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device when the error rate measurement result meets the preset condition; A first capacity threshold, wherein the first capacity threshold indicates that the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device when the measurement result of the PDU set size meets the preset condition.

5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The QoS measurement result is obtained by the second network device performing QoS measurement based on the QoS parameters sent by the third network device.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that, The QoS parameters include error rate information associated with the PDU set and / or latency budget information associated with the PDU set.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The QoS information also corresponds to at least one of the following: The type of PDU set; PDUs in PDU set; The importance or priority of PDU sets; Sub-QoS flow.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The processing of the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set associated with the QoS information includes: Schedule the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set; and / or, Configure resources for the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set.

9. A method for processing Protocol Data Units (PDUs), characterized in that, The method is performed by a second network device, and the method includes: Quality of Service (QoS) information is sent to the first network device through a control plane protocol. The QoS information corresponds to a QoS flow, and each QoS flow corresponds to one QoS information. A QoS flow includes one or more Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sets, and the QoS information is the QoS parameters of the PDU set. The QoS information is used by the first network device to process the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set associated with the QoS information. The PDU is sent to the first network device by the fourth network device via a user plane protocol, wherein the PDU belongs to the PDU set; the PDU includes first indication information, which is used to indicate at least one of the following: the type of the PDU set; the sequence number of the PDU in the PDU set; and the end marker of the PDU set; Wherein, the first network device is a next-generation base station distributed unit (gNB-DU), the second network device is a next-generation base station centralized unit (gNB-CU), and the fourth network device is a next-generation base station centralized unit user plane (gNB-CU-UP); or... The first network device is a next-generation base station centralized unit control plane (gNB-CU-CP), and the second network device is a next-generation base station centralized unit user plane (gNB-CU-UP); or... The first network device is gNB-DU, the second network device is gNB-CU-CP, and the fourth network device is gNB-CU-UP; or... The first network device is the destination base station during the handover process, and the second network device is the source base station during the handover process; or, The first network device is the secondary node SN, and the second network device is the primary node MN.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The QoS information is transmitted via a user plane protocol, and the QoS information is determined based on the QoS measurement results obtained by the second network device performing QoS measurements related to the PDU set.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the QoS measurement request sent by the first network device; The QoS measurement request includes at least one of the following: Measurement indication information, wherein the measurement indication information is used to indicate the execution of QoS measurements related to the PDU set; QoS measurement content, which is used to indicate the content of QoS measurements performed in relation to the PDU set; Reporting instruction information, wherein the reporting instruction information is used to instruct the first network device to send the QoS measurement results; A first threshold value indicates that the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device when a preset condition is met.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first threshold value includes at least one of the following: A first delay threshold value indicates that when the delay measurement result meets the preset condition, the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device. A first error rate threshold, wherein the first error rate threshold indicates that the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device when the error rate measurement result meets the preset condition; A first capacity threshold, wherein the first capacity threshold indicates that the QoS measurement result is sent to the first network device when the measurement result of the PDU set size meets the preset condition.

13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The QoS measurement result is obtained by the second network device performing QoS measurement based on the QoS parameters sent by the third network device.

14. The method according to claim 9 or 13, characterized in that, The QoS parameters include error rate information associated with the PDU set and / or latency budget information associated with the PDU set.

15. The method according to any one of claims 9-14, characterized in that, The QoS information also corresponds to at least one of the following: The type of PDU set; PDUs in PDU set; The importance or priority of PDU sets; Sub-QoS flow.

16. A Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing apparatus, characterized in that, The device is applied to a first network device, and the device includes: The transceiver unit is used to receive QoS information sent by the second network device through the control plane protocol. The QoS information corresponds to a QoS flow, and each QoS flow corresponds to one QoS information. A QoS flow includes one or more PDU sets, and the QoS information is the QoS parameters of the PDU set. The transceiver unit is further configured to receive a PDU sent by a fourth network device via a user plane protocol, wherein the PDU belongs to the PDU set; the PDU includes first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate at least one of the following: the type of the PDU set; the sequence number of the PDU within the PDU set; and the end marker of the PDU set; The processing unit is configured to process the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set according to the QoS information. Wherein, the first network device is a next-generation base station distributed unit (gNB-DU), the second network device is a next-generation base station centralized unit (gNB-CU), and the fourth network device is a next-generation base station centralized unit user plane (gNB-CU-UP); or... The first network device is a next-generation base station centralized unit control plane (gNB-CU-CP), and the second network device is a gNB-CU-UP; or... The first network device is gNB-DU, the second network device is gNB-CU-CP, and the fourth network device is gNB-CU-UP; or... The first network device is the destination base station during the handover process, and the second network device is the source base station during the handover process; or, The first network device is the secondary node SN, and the second network device is the primary node MN.

17. A Protocol Data Unit (PDU) processing apparatus, characterized in that, The device is applied to a second network device, and the device includes: The transceiver unit is used to send Quality of Service (QoS) information to the first network device through a control plane protocol. The QoS information corresponds to a QoS flow, and each QoS flow corresponds to one QoS information. A QoS flow includes one or more PDU sets, and the QoS information is the QoS parameters of the PDU set. Furthermore, the first network device processes the PDU set associated with the QoS information and / or the PDUs within the PDU set according to the QoS information; The PDU is sent to the first network device by the fourth network device via a user plane protocol, wherein the PDU belongs to the PDU set; the PDU includes first indication information, which is used to indicate at least one of the following: the type of the PDU set; the sequence number of the PDU in the PDU set; and the end marker of the PDU set; Wherein, the first network device is a next-generation base station distributed unit (gNB-DU), the second network device is a next-generation base station centralized unit (gNB-CU), and the fourth network device is a next-generation base station centralized unit user plane (gNB-CU-UP); or... The first network device is a next-generation base station centralized unit control plane (gNB-CU-CP), and the second network device is a next-generation base station centralized unit user plane (gNB-CU-UP); or... The first network device is gNB-DU, the second network device is gNB-CU-CP, and the fourth network device is gNB-CU-UP; or... The first network device is the destination base station during the handover process, and the second network device is the source base station during the handover process; or, The first network device is the secondary node SN, and the second network device is the primary node MN.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, the processor executing the computer program stored in the memory to cause the device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, the processor executing the computer program stored in the memory to cause the device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 15.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, include: Processor and interface circuitry; The interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor; The processor is configured to run the code instructions to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, include: Processor and interface circuitry; The interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor; The processor is configured to run the code instructions to perform the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 15.

22. A computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions that, when executed, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 to be implemented.

23. A computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions that, when executed, cause the method of any one of claims 9 to 15 to be implemented.

24. A communication system, characterized in that, The system includes: A first network device is configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8; A second network device is configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 15.

Images