Communication method and device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a communication method and device, which are used for reducing waiting time delay of retransmission data and out-of-order data during transmission. In the method, a user plane function network element can receive first data and second data. The user plane function network element can determine that the second data is retransmission data of the first data according to the first information. A user plane function network element may send indication information to an access network element. The indication information can be used for indicating that the second data is retransmission data or the indication information can be used for indicating the sending priority of the second data. Based on the scheme, the user plane function network element can determine that the second data is the retransmission data of the first data according to the first information, and send the indication information to the access network element. In this way, the network element of the access network can send the first data and the second data according to the indication information, retransmission data can be sent preferentially, and therefore waiting time delay during data transmission is reduced.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application. The application number of the original application is 202011042985.6, and the original application date is September 28, 2020. The entire contents of the original application are incorporated into this application by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0003] The rapid development of the new media industry has led to a surge in the amount of data in the media industry, which has posed a challenge to network transmission capabilities. For example, emerging media such as ultra-high-definition video, virtual reality (VR) / augmented reality (AR) panoramic video have high requirements for image quality and latency, and a large amount of data will be transmitted in real time. At present, the transmission control protocol (TCP) has been widely used in network transmission due to its reliability.

[0004] However, the order-preserving nature of TCP means that the application layer will only obtain and parse the data with the later sequence numbers after the data packets with the earlier sequence numbers arrive. When packet loss occurs and data is retransmitted, the data packets may be out of order. The out-of-order data packets will cause the client to wait during the data transmission process, increasing the waiting delay, which is reflected in the media service layer as a freeze during the playback process. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and device for reducing the waiting delay of retransmitted data and out-of-order data during transmission.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be executed by a user plane function network element of an embodiment of the present application, or by a chip similar to a user plane function network element. In the method, the user plane function network element may receive first data, and receive second data. The user plane function network element may determine, based on the first information, that the second data is retransmission data of the first data. The user plane function network element may send indication information to an access network network element. The indication information here may be used to indicate that the second data is retransmission data or the indication information may be used to indicate the transmission priority of the second data.

[0007] Based on this solution, the user plane function network element can determine that the second data is the retransmission data of the first data according to the first information, and send indication information to the access network network element. In this way, the access network network element can send the first data and the second data according to the indication information, and can give priority to sending the retransmission data, thereby reducing the waiting delay when transmitting data.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the user plane function network element may receive first information from the application server. The first information may include a data packet sequence number difference threshold. For example, it may include a TCP sequence number difference threshold.

[0009] Based on this solution, the user plane functional network element can determine that the second data is retransmission data of the first data according to the data packet sequence number of the second data and the data packet sequence number difference threshold included in the first information, and send indication information to the access network network element to reduce data transmission delay.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the user plane functional network element may determine that the difference between the packet sequence number of the second data and the packet sequence number of the adjacent data exceeds the aforementioned packet difference threshold. In other words, when the difference between the packet sequence number of the second data and the packet sequence number of the adjacent data exceeds the packet difference threshold, it can be determined that the second data is retransmitted data of the first data. The packet difference threshold may be set based on an empirical value, and this application does not make specific limitations.

[0011] Based on this solution, the user plane functional network element can identify the retransmitted data according to the difference between the data packet sequence number of the second data and the data packet sequence number of the adjacent data, so that the retransmitted data packet can be transmitted preferentially.

[0012] In a possible implementation manner, the user plane function network element may receive first information from the access network element. The first information may be used to indicate a reception response to the first data.

[0013] Based on this solution, after the user plane function network element sends the first data to the access network network element, when receiving a reception response from the access network network element, the user plane function network element can determine that the first data has been received and there is no need to trigger retransmission.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the user plane function network element may determine that the first information does not include a reception response of the first data. For example, if the user plane function network element determines that the data packet sequence number of the second data is the same as the data packet sequence number of the first data, and no reception response of the first data is received, the user plane function network element may determine that the second data is retransmission data of the first data.

[0015] Based on this solution, the user plane function network element can identify the retransmitted data according to the reception response of the first data, and can instruct the access network element to perform priority scheduling and transmit the retransmitted data preferentially through the indication information.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the indication information may be identification information of a first quality of service (QoS) flow, wherein the first data may be sent through a second QoS flow, and the priority of the first QoS flow may be higher than the priority of the second QoS flow.

[0017] Based on this solution, the user plane functional network element can indicate, according to the identification information of the QoS flow, that the second data is transmitted by the first QoS flow with a higher priority, so as to give priority to transmitting the retransmitted data.

[0018] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be executed by an access network element in an embodiment of the present application, or by a chip having a function similar to that of an access network element. In the method, the access network element may receive first data and second data. The access network element may receive indication information from a user plane function element. The indication information may be used to indicate that the second data is retransmission data of the first data. The access network element may determine a transmission priority of the second data based on the indication information.

[0019] Based on this solution, the access network element can determine the sending priority of the second data according to the indication information from the user plane function network element, perform priority scheduling, and transmit the first data and the second data.

[0020] In a possible implementation manner, the access network element may determine, based on the indication information, that the sending priority of the second data is higher than the sending priority of the first data.

[0021] Based on this solution, the access network element can confirm through indication information that the second data has a higher sending priority, thereby performing priority scheduling to preferentially transmit the second data and reducing waiting delay during data transmission.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the access network element may receive second information from the session management function element. The second information may include indication information. Therefore, the access network element may determine that the second data is retransmission data of the first data when the indication information from the user plane function element is the same as the indication information from the session management function element.

[0023] Based on this solution, the access network network element can determine that the second data is the retransmission data of the first data through the indication information from the session management function network element and the indication information from the user plane function network element, thereby performing priority scheduling to transmit the retransmission data first and reducing the waiting delay for data transmission.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the indication information may be identification information of the first QoS flow, the first data may be received through the second QoS flow, and the priority of the first QoS flow is higher than the priority of the second QoS flow.

[0025] Based on this solution, the access network element can implement priority scheduling through the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow with different priorities, and can transmit the second data through the first QoS flow, thereby reducing the transmission delay of the retransmitted data.

[0026] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be executed by a policy control function network element in an embodiment of the present application, or by a chip having a function similar to that of a policy control function network element. In the method, the policy control function network element may receive indication information from an application server. The policy control function network element may generate a first QoS flow and a second QoS flow according to the indication information. The second QoS flow may be used to send the first data, and the first QoS flow may be used to send the second data. The second data here may be retransmission data of the first data. The policy control function network element may send policy information of the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow to the session management function network element. The policy information here may be used to indicate that the priority of the first QoS flow is higher than the priority of the second QoS flow.

[0027] Based on this solution, the policy control function network element can generate a first QoS flow and a second QoS flow with different priorities according to the indication information, so as to transmit the first data and the second data through the QoS flows with different priorities, realize priority scheduling, and reduce data transmission delay.

[0028] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be executed by an access network element in an embodiment of the present application, or by a chip having a function similar to that of an access network element. In the method, the access network element may receive first data. The first data may include first indication information, which may be used to indicate the order in which data packets of the first data are sent on the application server side. The access network element may determine the sending priority of the first data based on the first indication information.

[0029] Based on this solution, the access network element can determine the sending priority of the first data according to the sending order of the first data packets on the application server side, thereby performing priority scheduling, sending the first data with different priorities, and reducing data transmission delay.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the access network element may receive second indication information from the session management function element. The second indication information here may instruct the access network element to transmit data according to the priority information.

[0031] Based on this solution, the access network element can perform priority scheduling according to the second indication information, and send the first data in order of priority.

[0032] In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be executed by an application server, or by a chip having a function similar to that of an application server. In the method, the application server may send first data to an access network element through a user plane function network element. The first data may include first indication information. The first indication information here may be a sending order of data packets of the first data at the application server end, and the first indication information may be used to determine a sending priority of the first data.

[0033] Based on this method, the application server can indicate the sending priority of the first data to the access network element through the first indication information, so that the access network element can perform priority scheduling and send the first data in order of priority, thereby reducing data transmission delay.

[0034] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may include various modules / units for executing the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or may also include various modules / units for executing the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or may also include various modules / units for executing the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or may also include various modules / units for executing the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, or may also include various modules / units for executing the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect. For example, a communication unit and a processing unit.

[0035] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, the communication device comprising a processor and a memory. The memory is used to store computer-executable instructions, and when the controller is running, the processor executes the computer-executable instructions in the memory to use the hardware resources in the controller to perform the operation steps of the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or the operation steps of the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or the operation steps of the method in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or the operation steps of the method in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, or the operation steps of the method in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect.

[0036] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which instructions are stored, and when the computer-readable storage medium is run on a computer, the computer executes the methods in the above aspects.

[0037] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product storing instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the methods in the above aspects.

[0038] In addition, the beneficial effects of the sixth to ninth aspects can be compared with the beneficial effects shown in the first to fifth aspects, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 A communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 2 One of the structural diagrams of an access network device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 3 One of the structural diagrams of an access network device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 4 One of the structural diagrams of an access network device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an application scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 6 One of the exemplary flow charts of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 7 One of the exemplary flow charts of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Figure 8 One of the exemplary flow charts of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Fig. 9 One of the exemplary flow charts of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Fig.10 One of the exemplary flow charts of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Fig.11 One of the exemplary flow charts of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of a device with communication function provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Fig.13 A block diagram of a device with communication function provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Below, some terms in the embodiments of the present application are explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0053] 1) Retransmitted data refers to the data sent by the device when it is retransmitted. The retransmitted data can be exactly the same as the data transmitted for the first time, or it can be a different redundant version of the data transmitted for the first time.

[0054] 2) The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application can be used interchangeably. "Multiple" means two or more, and other quantifiers are similar. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist, for example, A and / or B, which can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, for elements (element) in the singular form "a", "an" and "the", unless the context clearly stipulates otherwise, it does not mean "one or only one", but means "one or more than one". For example, "a device" means one or more such devices. Furthermore, at least one (at least one of)..." means one or any combination of subsequent associated objects, for example, "at least one of A, B and C" includes A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC.

[0055] The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is applicable to a possible communication system architecture, which may include a network open function network element, a policy control function network element, a data management network element, an application function network element, an access and mobility management function network element, a session management function network element, a terminal device, an access network device, a user plane function network element and a data network. Figure 1A possible example of the architecture of the communication system is shown, which specifically includes: a network exposure function (NEF) network element, a policy control function network element (PCF) network element, a unified data management (UDM) network element, an application function network element (AF) network element, an AMF network element, a session management function network element (SMF) network element, a UE, an access network (AN) device, a user plane function (UPF) network element and a data network (DN). Among them, the AMF network element and the terminal device can be connected through the N1 interface, the AMF and the AN device can be connected through the N2 interface, the AN device and the UPF can be connected through the N3 interface, the SMF and the UPF can be connected through the N4 interface, and the UPF and the DN can be connected through the N6 interface. The interface name is only an example description, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application are not limited to Figure 1 The communication system shown, Figure 1 The names of the network elements shown in the figure are only used as an example and are not intended to limit the network elements included in the communication system architecture to which the method of the present application is applicable. The functions of each network element or device in the communication system are described in detail below:

[0056] The terminal device, which can also be called user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., is a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users. For example, the terminal device may include a handheld device with wireless connection function, a vehicle-mounted device, etc. At present, the terminal device can be: a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a PDA, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, or a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc. Among them, Figure 2 The terminal device described in the figure is shown as UE, which is only an example and does not limit the terminal device.

[0057] Wireless access networks can be Figure 1The access network (AN) shown in the figure provides wireless access services to the terminal device. The access network device is a device in the communication system that connects the terminal device to the wireless network. The access network device is a node in the wireless access network, which can also be called a base station, or a radio access network (RAN) node (or device). At present, some examples of access network devices are: gNB, transmission reception point (TRP), evolved Node B (evolved Node B, eNB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), base band unit (BBU), or wireless fidelity (Wifi) access point (AP), etc.

[0058] For example, the wireless access network device in the embodiment of the present application can be divided into two parts according to the protocol stack function: a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). A wireless access network device can include a CU and at least one DU. Figure 2As shown. The CU is connected to at least one DU and can be used to manage or control the at least one DU. This structure can disassemble the protocol layer of the wireless access network device in the communication system, wherein some of the protocol layer functions are implemented in the CU, and the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU, and the DU is centrally controlled by the CU. Taking the wireless access network device as gNB as an example, the protocol layer of the gNB includes a radio resource control (RRC) layer, a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, a media access control sublayer (MAC) layer and a physical layer. Among them, exemplarily, the CU can be used to implement the functions of the RRC layer, the SDAP layer and the PDCP layer, and the DU can be used to implement the functions of the RLC layer, the MAC layer and the physical layer. The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the protocol stack included in the CU and the DU. The CU and DU can be connected using the F1 interface, the CU and other wireless access network devices can be connected using the Xn interface, and the CU and 5G core network (5G Core, 5GC) can be connected using the NG interface. Figure 3 shown.

[0059] Exemplarily, the CU in the embodiment of the present application can be further divided into a control plane (CU-control plane, CU-CP) network element and at least one user plane (CU-user plane, CU-UP) network element. Among them, CU-CP can be used for control plane management, and CU-UP can be used for user plane data transmission. The interface between CU-CP and CU-UP can be an E1 port. The interface between CU-CP and DU can be F1-C, which is used for the transmission of control plane signaling. The interface between CU-UP and DU can be F1-U, which is used for user plane data transmission. CU-UP and CU-UP can be connected through the Xn-U port for user plane data transmission. For example, taking gNB as an example, the structure of gNB can be as follows Figure 4 shown.

[0060] The data network, for example Figure 1The data network (DN) shown may be the Internet, an IP Multimedia Service (IMS) network, a regional network (i.e., a local network, such as a mobile edge computing (MEC) network), etc. The data network includes an application server, and the application server provides business services to the terminal device by performing data transmission with the terminal device.

[0061] The core network is used to connect the terminal device to the DN that can realize the service of the terminal device. The functions of each network element in the core network are described below:

[0062] The access and mobility management function network element can be used to manage the access control and mobility of the terminal device. In practical applications, it includes the mobility management function in the mobility management entity (MME) in the network framework of long term evolution (LTE), and adds the access management function, which can be responsible for the registration of the terminal device, mobility management, tracking area update process, reachability detection, selection of session management function network element, mobile state transition management, etc. For example, in 5G, the access and mobility management function network element can be an AMF (access and mobility management function) network element, such as Figure 1 As shown, in future communications, such as 6G, the access and mobility management function network element can still be an AMF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in this application. When the access and mobility management function network element is an AMF network element, the AMF can provide Namf services.

[0063] The session management function network element may be used to be responsible for the session management of the terminal device (including the establishment, modification and release of the session), the selection and reselection of the user plane function network element, the allocation of the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the terminal device, and the control of the quality of service (QoS). For example, in 5G, the session management function network element may be an SMF (session management function) network element, such as Figure 1 As shown, in future communications, such as 6G, the session management function network element may still be an SMF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in this application. When the session management function network element is an SMF network element, the SMF may provide Nsmf services.

[0064] The policy control function network element can be used to be responsible for policy control decisions, provide functions such as service data flow and application detection, gating, QoS and flow-based charging control, etc. For example, in 5G, the policy control function network element can be a PCF (policy control function) network element, such as Figure 1 As shown, in future communications, such as 6G, the policy control function network element may still be a PCF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in this application. When the policy control function network element is a PCF network element, the PCF network element may provide Npcf services.

[0065] The main function of the application function network element is to interact with the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) core network to provide services, to affect service flow routing, access network capability opening, policy control, etc. For example, in 5G, the application function network element can be an AF network element, such as Figure 1 As shown, in future communications, such as 6G, the application function network element may still be an AF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in this application. When the application function network element is an AF network element, the AF network element may provide Naf services.

[0066] The data management network element may be used to manage the subscription data of the terminal device, registration information related to the terminal device, etc. For example, in 5G, the data management network element may be a unified data management network element (UDM), such as Figure 1 As shown, in future communications, such as 6G, the data management network element may still be a UDM network element, or have other names, which are not limited in this application. When the data management network element is a UDM network element, the UDM network element may provide Nudm services.

[0067] The network open function network element can be used to enable 3GPP to securely provide network service capabilities, etc. to a third-party AF (e.g., a service capability server (SCS), an application server (AS), etc.). For example, in 5G, the network open function network element can be a NEF, such as Figure 1 As shown, in future communications, such as 6G, the network open function network element can still be a NEF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in this application. When the network open function network element is a NEF, the NEF can provide Nnef services to other network function network elements.

[0068] The above network elements in the core network can also be called functional entities, which can be network elements implemented on dedicated hardware, software instances running on dedicated hardware, or instances of virtualized functions on an appropriate platform. For example, the above virtualization platform can be a cloud platform.

[0069] It should be noted that Figure 1 The architecture of the communication system shown is not limited to including only the network elements shown in the figure, but may also include other devices not shown in the figure, which will not be listed one by one in this application.

[0070] As the new media industry develops rapidly, the surging data volume in the media industry has posed a challenge to network transmission capabilities. In particular, the emergence of emerging media streams such as ultra-high-definition video and VR panoramic video has repeatedly increased the requirements for data latency. Figure 5 As shown, the current data transmission method is implemented through the TCP protocol. The AS server sends the data to the UPF, and the UPF sends the data to the RAN, and then the RAN sends it to the UE1 for display. Among them, if UE1 can feedback the receiving response of the received data. Among them, the receiving response can represent the TCP sequence number of the received data packet. For example, if UE1 receives data packets 1, 2, 3, 4 sent by AS, then a 3 can be directly replied in the receiving response, indicating the maximum TCP sequence number in the received data, or 1, 2, 3 can be replied in the receiving response, indicating all TCP sequence numbers of the received data. However, since the TCP protocol has the sequence preservation property, that is, the data will have a corresponding TCP sequence number when it is sent, once a certain data is lost and retransmitted, then even if the subsequent data reaches the TCP layer of the receiving end, the subsequent data will not be uploaded to the AS server until the subsequent retransmitted data packet arrives. Therefore, it will cause the client (such as UE1) to wait during the data transmission process, which is reflected in the business layer as a jam during the playback process.

[0071] Based on the above requirements, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method that can optimize the network transmission quality and avoid the additional delay caused by retransmission. It should be understood that the embodiment of the present application is not only applicable to communication systems that transmit data through the TCP protocol, but also to communication systems with order preservation and retransmission reliability characteristics. Figure 6 As shown, it is an exemplary flow chart of the communication method shown from the perspective of device interaction, which may include the following steps.

[0072] Step 601: A user plane function network element receives first data and sends the first data to an access network element.

[0073] The user plane function network element may receive the first data from the application server. The first data may be sent from the application server to the user plane function network element.

[0074] Step 602: The user plane function network element receives the second data, and sends the second data to the access network element.

[0075] Similarly, the user plane function network element may receive the second data from the application server. The second data may be sent from the application server to the user plane function network element.

[0076] Step 603: The user plane functional network element determines, based on the first information, that the second data is retransmission data of the first data.

[0077] The first information here may be information used by the user plane functional network element to determine whether the second data is retransmission data or out-of-order data of the first data. In the following, different situations of the first information are introduced respectively.

[0078] Case 1: The first information includes a data packet sequence number difference threshold.

[0079] The first information may be received from an application server. The data packet sequence number difference threshold here may be set based on an empirical value, and this application does not make any specific limitation.

[0080] In one example, the user plane function network element may determine whether the difference between the data packet sequence number of the second data and the data packet sequence number of the adjacent data, and the data packet sequence number difference threshold, is greater than or equal to the data packet sequence number difference threshold. If yes, the user plane function network element may determine that the second data is retransmission data of the first data, and if not, the user plane function network element may determine that the second data is not retransmission data of the first data.

[0081] In another example, the user plane functional network element can determine whether the second data is out-of-order data based on the difference between the packet sequence number of the second data and the packet sequence number of the adjacent data, and the packet sequence number difference threshold. For example, if the difference between the packet sequence number of the second data and the packet sequence number of the adjacent data is greater than or equal to the packet sequence number difference threshold, the second data is out-of-order data. Among them, out-of-order data may refer to data whose packet sequence number is much larger than or much smaller than the packet sequence number of the adjacent data. For example, the user plane functional network element received packet sequence numbers 2, 18, and 3, respectively. It can be seen that the packet sequence number 18 is much larger than the adjacent data sequence numbers 2 and 3, so the data with packet sequence number 18 can be considered as out-of-order data.

[0082] Case 2: The first information includes a reception response of the first data.

[0083] The first information here may be received from the access network element. After the user plane function element sends the first data to the access network element, if the access network element receives the first data, the access network element may send a reception response of the first data to the user plane function element. The user plane function element may record the reception response and the first data corresponding to the reception response.

[0084] In one example, the user plane function network element may record the data packet sequence number of the sent first data and the data packet sequence number of the first data corresponding to the received reception response. The user plane function network element may determine whether the reception response of the first data is received according to the record.

[0085] In another example, the user plane function network element may record the packet sequence number of the sent first data. If the user plane function network element receives a reception response to the first data, it may determine the packet sequence number of the first data corresponding to the reception response and delete it from the recorded packet sequence numbers. The user plane function network element may determine which first data reception responses have not been received based on the remaining packet sequence numbers in the record.

[0086] The user plane function network element may identify whether the second data is retransmission data of the first data according to the reception response of the first data. For example, if the data packet sequence number of the second data received by the user plane function network element is the same as the data packet sequence number of the first data, and the first information does not include the reception response of the first data, the user plane function network element may determine that the second data is the reception response of the first data.

[0087] For example, the user plane function network element receives first data with data packet sequence numbers of 1, 2, and 3 respectively. The user plane function network element can send the first data with data packet sequence numbers of 1, 2, and 3 to the access network network element respectively. After receiving the aforementioned three first data, the terminal user can send a reception response of the first data to the user plane function network element. The user plane function network element receives a reception response of the first data with data packet sequence numbers of 1 and 3 from the access network network element. The user plane function network element also receives second data with data packet sequence number 2, but the first information does not include a reception response of the first data with data packet sequence number 2. Therefore, the user plane function network element can determine that the second data with data packet sequence number 2 is the retransmission data of the first data with data packet sequence number 2.

[0088] Step 604: The user plane function network element sends first indication information to the access network element.

[0089] The first indication information here may indicate that the second data is retransmission data, or may indicate the sending priority of the second data. For example, when determining that the second data is retransmission data, the user plane function network element may send the first indication information that the second data is retransmission data to the access network network element, or send the first indication information with the highest sending priority of the second data to the access network network element. Exemplarily, the first indication information may be an identifier, which may be used to indicate that the second data is retransmission data or the identifier may indicate the sending priority of the second data.

[0090] Optionally, the first indication information may indicate that the second data is out-of-order data. And the first indication information may also indicate that when the second data is out-of-order data, the data packet sequence number of the second data is less than the data packet sequence number of the adjacent data, or when the second data is out-of-order data, the data packet sequence number of the second data is greater than the data packet sequence number of the adjacent data. If the data packet sequence number of the second data is less than the data packet sequence number of the adjacent data, the second data needs to be sent first. If the data packet sequence number of the second data is greater than the data packet sequence number of the adjacent data, the first data needs to be sent first.

[0091] In one example, the indication of the sending priority of the second data can be implemented through the QoS flow identification information. For example, the first indication information can be the identification information of the first QoS flow. At this time, the first data can be sent through the second QoS flow, and the second data can be sent through the first QoS flow. The priority of the first QoS flow here is higher than the priority of the second QoS flow. The user plane function network element can send the first indication information to the access network network element to indicate that the QoS flow of the second data is the first QoS flow. When the access network network element receives the identification information of the first QoS flow as the first indication information, it can send the second data through the first QoS flow and send the first data through the second QoS flow. Specifically, the access network network element maps the data of different QoS flows to the corresponding data radio bearer (DRB, Data Radio Bearer) and sends it to the user side.

[0092] It should also be noted that the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow here are generated by the policy control function network element. Among them, the policy control function network element can receive the second indication information from the application server. The policy control function network element can generate a first QoS flow and a second QoS with different priorities based on the second indication information. Among them, the priority of the first QoS flow can be higher than the priority of the second QoS flow. It should be understood that the policy control function network element can generate two QoS flows, or three QoS flows, or multiple QoS flows, and this application does not make specific limitations. The priorities of the multiple QoS flows generated by the policy control function network element are different.

[0093] In the embodiment of the present application, the user plane function network element can carry the first indication information in the GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) layer of the data packet of the second data, specifically the GTP-U layer. Since the GTP layer is a layer that the access network element can identify, the access network element can identify the first indication information in the GTP layer.

[0094] Optionally, in this embodiment, the access network element determines the sending priority of the second data according to the first indication information.

[0095] The access network element may determine, based on the indication information, that the sending priority of the second data is higher than the sending priority of the first data. At this time, the access network element may perform priority scheduling and preferentially transmit the second data. Alternatively, the access network element may determine, based on the indication information, that the sending priority of the second data is lower than the sending priority of the first data. At this time, the access network element may perform priority scheduling and preferentially transmit the first data.

[0096] For example, when the first indication information indicates that the second data is retransmission data of the first data, the access network element can determine that the sending priority of the second data is higher than the sending priority of the first data, and the access network element can perform priority scheduling to preferentially transmit the second data.

[0097] In one example, the access network network element may determine that the second data is out-of-order data based on the first indication information. At this time, the access network network element may determine the sending priority of the second data based on the first indication information. For example, the first indication information may indicate that the second data is out-of-order data, and the data packet sequence number of the second data is less than the data packet sequence number of the adjacent data. At this time, the access network network element may determine that the sending priority of the second data is higher than the sending priority of the first data. For another example, the first indication information may indicate that the second data is out-of-order data, and the data packet sequence number of the second data is greater than the data packet sequence number of the adjacent data. At this time, the access network network element may determine that the sending priority of the second data is lower than the sending priority of the first data.

[0098] It should also be noted that the access network element may receive second information from the session management function element, and the second information includes the first indication information. Therefore, when the access network element determines that the first indication information from the session management function element is the same as the first indication information from the user plane function element, it considers that the second data is retransmission data or out-of-order data. At this time, the access network element may perform priority scheduling according to the first indication information.

[0099] Below, through Figure 7 A method for transmitting first data and second data when the first information includes a data packet difference threshold is introduced. Figure 7It is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method shown from the perspective of device interaction, which may include the following steps.

[0100] Step 701: The application server sends instruction information to the policy control function network element.

[0101] For example, the application server sends indication information to the policy control function network element through an AF request message. Optionally, the AF request message may also carry a data packet sequence number difference threshold. The data packet sequence number may be a TCP sequence number, and the data packet sequence number difference threshold may be a TCP sequence number difference threshold. The indication information may include flow description information, which is used by the policy control function network element to determine that the service corresponding to the flow description information needs to be scheduled with priority.

[0102] Step 702: The terminal device initiates a protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment process, and the terminal device sends a PDU session establishment message to the session management function network element.

[0103] Optionally, if the terminal device has established a PDU session with the session management function network element, then in step 701, the terminal device may send a PDU Session Modification Request message to the session management function network element to initiate a PDU session modification process.

[0104] Specifically, the UE sends a PDU session establishment / modification request message to the access and mobility management network element. After the access and mobility management function network element selects the session management function network element, the session related information from the UE is sent to the session management function network element through the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext / UpdateSMContext service.

[0105] Step 703: The session management function network element initiates session management policy association establishment to the policy control function network element.

[0106] Optionally, if the terminal device initiates a PDU session modification process in step 702, then in step 703, the session management function network element may initiate a session management policy association modification process to the policy control function network element.

[0107] Optionally, in the session management policy association establishment / modification process, the policy control function network element sends the difference threshold and the first indication information to the session management function network element.

[0108] Step 704: The session management function network element sends the data packet sequence number difference threshold and the first indication information to the user plane function network element.

[0109] The first indication information here may be indication information used to indicate that the second data is retransmission data of the first data, or may be indication information used to indicate a transmission priority of the second data.

[0110] Step 705: The session management function network element puts the first indication information into the N2SM information and sends it to the access network element through the access and mobility management function network element.

[0111] Specifically, the session management function network element sends the N2SM information to the mobility management function network element side through the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer service, and the mobility management function network element informs the access network element side through the N2PDU Session process. Optionally, the session management function network element can also put the second indication information into the N2SM information.

[0112] Step 706: Complete the remaining PDU session establishment process.

[0113] Alternatively, the PDU session modification process may be completed in step 706 .

[0114] Step 707: The user plane functional network element determines the difference between the data packet sequence number of the second data and the data packet sequence number of the adjacent data.

[0115] If the user plane functional network element determines that the difference between the data packet sequence number of the second data and the data packet sequence number of the adjacent data exceeds the data packet sequence number difference threshold, the second data may be considered to be retransmitted data or out-of-order data.

[0116] Step 708: The user plane function network element sends the retransmitted or out-of-order data packet carrying the first indication information to the access network element.

[0117] The user plane function network element may carry the first indication information in the GTP layer of the data packet of the second data and send it to the access network network element. The first indication information may indicate whether the second data is retransmission data or out-of-order data, or the priority of the second data.

[0118] Step 709: The access network element performs priority scheduling according to the first indication information.

[0119] The specific method for the access network element to perform priority scheduling according to the first indication information can be found in Figure 6 The description in the method embodiment shown will not be repeated here.

[0120] Below, through Figure 8 A method for transmitting first data and second data when the first information includes a reception response of the first data is introduced. Figure 8It is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method shown from the perspective of device interaction, which may include the following steps.

[0121] Step 801: The application server sends first indication information to a policy control function network element through an AF request message.

[0122] Optionally, the indication information may include flow description information, which is used by the policy control function network element to determine that the service corresponding to the flow description information needs to be scheduled with priority.

[0123] Step 802: The terminal device initiates a PDU session establishment process, and the terminal device sends a PDUsession establishment message to the session management function network element.

[0124] Optionally, if the terminal device has established a PDU session with the session management function network element, the terminal device may send a PDU Session Modification Request message to the session management function network element in step 801 to initiate a PDU session modification process.

[0125] Specifically, the UE sends a PDU session establishment / modification request message to the access and mobility management network element. After the access and mobility management function network element selects the session management function network element, the session related information from the UE is sent to the session management function network element through the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext / UpdateSMContext service.

[0126] Step 803: The session management function network element initiates session management policy association establishment to the policy control function network element.

[0127] Optionally, if the terminal device initiates a PDU session modification process in step 802, then in step 803, the session management function network element may initiate a session management policy association modification process to the policy control function network element.

[0128] Optionally, in the session management policy association establishment / modification process, the policy control function network element sends the first indication information to the session management function network element.

[0129] Step 804: The session management function network element sends the first indication information to the user plane function network element.

[0130] The first indication information here may be indication information used to indicate that the second data is retransmission data of the first data, or may be indication information used to indicate a transmission priority of the second data.

[0131] Step 805: The session management function network element carries the first indication information in the N2SM information and sends it to the access network element through the access and mobility management function network element.

[0132] Specifically, the session management function network element sends the N2SM information to the mobility management function network element side through the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer service, and the mobility management function network element informs the access network element side through the N2PDU Session process. Optionally, the session management function network element can also put the second indication information into the N2SM information.

[0133] Step 806: Complete the remaining PDU session establishment process.

[0134] Alternatively, in step 806, the PDU session modification process may be completed.

[0135] Step 807: The user plane function network element records the data packet sequence number of the first data sent by the application server.

[0136] Step 808: The user plane functional network element receives a reception response of the first data, and deletes the data packet sequence number of the first data corresponding to the reception response from the record.

[0137] Optionally, the user plane functional network element may detect an ACK sequence number in a data packet header carried in the uplink data. Specifically, taking the TCP protocol as an example, the TCP header message includes an ACK sequence number, which may indicate that the data packet of the sent first data has been received.

[0138] Step 809: the user plane function network element determines that the data packet sequence number of the second data has been saved in the record, and then the user plane function network element sends the second data carrying the first indication information to the access network element.

[0139] Optionally, the user plane function network element may carry the first indication information in the GTP layer of the data packet of the second data, and send it to the access network network element.

[0140] Step 810: The access network element performs priority scheduling according to the first indication information.

[0141] The specific method for the access network element to perform priority scheduling according to the first indication information can be found in Figure 6 The description in the method embodiment shown will not be repeated here.

[0142] Below, through Fig. 9 A method for transmitting first data and second data through QoS flows with different priorities is introduced. Fig. 9It is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method shown from the perspective of device interaction, which may include the following steps.

[0143] Step 901: The application server sends indication information to the policy control function network element through an AF request message.

[0144] Specifically, AF may send it to PCF through NEF, and AF sends it to NEF through Nnef_ServiceParameter_Create / Update service. Then NEF triggers Nudr_DM_Notify service by storing, updating or deleting the content in UDR, thereby notifying PCF and completing the interaction between AF and PCF.

[0145] Optionally, the AF request message here may also carry a data packet sequence number difference threshold. The data packet sequence number may be a TCP sequence number, and the data packet sequence number difference threshold may be a TCP sequence number difference threshold. The indication information may be used to trigger the policy control function network element to generate QoS flows of different priorities. The AF request message may also carry flow description information, and the flow description information here may be used by the policy control function network element to determine the specific service of the QoS flow that needs to be generated.

[0146] Step 902: The terminal device initiates a PDU session establishment process, and the terminal device sends a PDUsession establishment message to the session management function network element.

[0147] Optionally, if the terminal device has established a PDU session, then in step 902, the terminal device may send a PDU Session Modification Request message to the session management function network element to initiate a PDU session modification process.

[0148] Specifically, the UE sends a PDU session establishment / modification request message to the access and mobility management network element. After the access and mobility management function network element selects the session management function network element, the session related information from the UE is sent to the session management function network element through the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext / UpdateSMContext service.

[0149] Step 903: The session management function network element initiates session management policy association establishment to the policy control function network element.

[0150] Optionally, if the terminal device initiates a PDU session modification process in step 902, then in step 903, the session management function network element may initiate a session management policy association modification process to the policy control function network element.

[0151] Step 904: The policy control function network element generates a first PDU session related policy corresponding to the first QoS flow and a second PDU session related policy corresponding to the second QoS flow according to the indication information.

[0152] Here, the priority of the first QoS flow may be higher than the priority of the second QoS flow.

[0153] Step 905: The policy control function network element sends the policy information of the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow to the session management function network element.

[0154] The policy information may indicate that the priority of the first QoS flow is higher than the priority of the second QoS flow. Optionally, the policy control function network element may send the first PDU session related policy, the second PDU session related policy and the data packet sequence number difference threshold to the session management function network element.

[0155] Step 906: The session management function network element generates relevant information of the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow according to the policy information, including specific QoS parameters and a QoS flow identifier QFI.

[0156] Steps 907-908 can be as follows Figure 7 Steps 704 and 705 are the same as shown, or steps 907 and 908 can be as shown. Figure 8 Steps 804 to 805 are shown to be the same.

[0157] Step 909: The user plane functional network element determines that the second data is retransmission data of the first data.

[0158] In step 909, the user plane function network element can Figure 7 Step 705 shown, or Figure 8 Steps 805 to 807 shown determine that the second data is retransmission data of the first data.

[0159] Step 910: The user plane functional network element maps the second data to the first QoS flow, and maps the first data to the second QoS flow.

[0160] Step 911: The access network element sends the second data in the first QoS flow to the terminal device through the data radio bearer (DRB) corresponding to the first QoS flow, and sends the first data in the second QoS flow to the terminal device through the DRB corresponding to the second QoS flow.

[0161] The present application embodiment also provides another communication method. Fig.10 , is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method shown from the perspective of device interaction, which may include the following steps.

[0162] Step 1001: An application server sends first data to an access network element through a user plane function network element.

[0163] The first data here includes first indication information, and the first indication information can be used to indicate the order in which the data packets of the first data are sent on the application server. The first indication information can be a data packet sequence number or identification information that identifies the data packet sequence number. For example, the first indication information can be a TCP sequence number or identification information that identifies the order in which the application server sends data.

[0164] Optionally, the user plane function network element may add the first indication information to the GTP layer of the first data and send it to the access network element. Alternatively, the user plane function network element may map the first indication information to new indication information and add it to the GTP layer of the first data.

[0165] Step 1002: The access network element determines the sending priority of the first data according to the first indication information or new indication information included in the first data.

[0166] The access network element may determine the priority of the first data according to the order in which the first data packets are sent on the application server. For example, the first data sent first on the application server has a higher priority, and the first data sent later has a lower priority.

[0167] In one example, the priority of the first data can be determined according to the data packet sequence number identified by the first indication information. The smaller the data packet sequence number, the higher the priority of the first data. Therefore, the access network element can send the first data according to the order of the data packet sequence number from small to large. The data packet sequence number much smaller than the adjacent data can be processed with high priority, and the data packet sequence number much larger than the adjacent data can be processed with low priority.

[0168] For example, the access network element receives first data with data packet numbers 2, 3, 4, 19, 22, 6, and 8, respectively. The access network element can preferentially send first data with data packet numbers 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8. However, the first data with data packet numbers 19 and 22 are out-of-order data, and the data packet numbers are much smaller than the data packet numbers of adjacent data, so they can be sent with delay.

[0169] It should also be noted that the access network element may receive second indication information from the session management function element. The second indication information may be used to instruct the access network element to transmit data according to the transmission priority information. After receiving the second indication information, the access network element may perform priority scheduling according to the first indication information.

[0170] Below, through Fig.11A data transmission method is introduced when first indication information indicates the sending order of data packets of first data on an application server side. Fig.11 It is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method shown from the perspective of device interaction, which may include the following steps.

[0171] Step 1101: The application server sends indication information to the policy control function network element through an AF request message.

[0172] Optionally, the AF request message here may also carry identification information of the data packet sequence number. The identification information may be the identification of the data packet sequence number, or may be a mapping of the identification of the data packet sequence number. The indication information may include flow description information, which is used for the policy control function network element to determine that the service corresponding to the flow description information needs to be scheduled with priority.

[0173] Step 1102: The terminal device initiates a PDU session establishment process, and the terminal device sends a PDU session establishment message to the session management function network element.

[0174] Optionally, if the terminal device has established a PDU session with the session management function network element, the terminal device may send a modification request message to the session management function network element in step 1101 to initiate a PDU session modification process.

[0175] Step 1103: The session management function network element initiates session management policy association establishment to the policy control function network element.

[0176] Optionally, if the terminal device initiates a PDU session modification process in step 1101, then in step 1102, the session management function network element may initiate a session management policy modification process to the policy control function network element.

[0177] Step 1104: The session management function network element sends the second indication information to the access network element through the access and mobility management function network element.

[0178] The second indication information here can be used to instruct the access network element to transmit data according to the priority information. Optionally, the session management function element can send identification information of the data packet sequence number to the access network element and the user plane function element, so that the user plane function element and the access network element can transmit the first data according to the identification information.

[0179] Step 1105: Complete the remaining PDU session establishment process.

[0180] Alternatively, the PDU session modification process may be completed in step 1104 .

[0181] Step 1106: The user plane function network element carries the data packet sequence number or identification information of the data packet sequence number in the first data, and sends it to the access network network element.

[0182] Among them, the user plane function network element can carry the data packet sequence number or the identification information of the data packet sequence number in the GTP layer of the first data and send it to the access network network element.

[0183] Step 1107: The access network element performs priority scheduling according to the data packet sequence number or identification information of the data packet sequence number.

[0184] The access network element may send the first data in the order of data packet sequence numbers from small to large, or in the order of data packet sequence numbers identified by the identification information from small to large. If the data packet sequence number of a first data is smaller than the data packet sequence number of the adjacent data, and the difference exceeds the preset difference threshold, the first data may be processed with high priority, that is, it may be sent first. If the data packet identifier of a first data is greater than the data packet sequence number of the adjacent data, and the difference exceeds the preset difference threshold, the first data may be processed with low priority, that is, it may be sent with delay.

[0185] Based on the same technical concept as the above communication method, Fig.10 As shown, a device 1200 with communication function is provided. The device 1200 can execute each step in the above method performed by the user plane function network element, the access network network element, the policy control function network element or the application server. In order to avoid repetition, it is not described in detail here. The device 1200 includes: a communication unit 1210, a processing unit 1220, and optionally, a storage unit 1230; the processing unit 1220 can be connected to the storage unit 1230 and the communication unit 1210 respectively, and the storage unit 1230 can also be connected to the communication unit 1210. Among them, the processing unit 1220 can be integrated with the storage unit 1230.

[0186] The storage unit 1230 is used to store computer programs;

[0187] For example, when the device 1200 executes each step executed by the user plane function network element, the communication unit 1210 is used to receive the first data; the communication unit 1210 is also used to receive the second data. The processing unit 1220 is used to determine that the second data is the retransmission data of the first data according to the first information. The communication unit 1210 is also used to send the first indication information to the access network element. The description of the first data, the second data and the first indication information can be found in Figures 6 to 11 Related description in the method embodiment shown.

[0188] In one design, the communication unit 1210 is further used to receive the first information from an application server, where the first information includes a data packet sequence number difference threshold.

[0189] In one design, the processing unit 1220 is specifically configured to determine whether a difference between a data packet sequence number of the second data and a data packet sequence number of adjacent data exceeds a data packet sequence number difference threshold.

[0190] In one design, the communication unit is further configured to receive the first information from the access network element, where the first information is used to indicate a reception response to the first data.

[0191] In one design, when the processing unit 1220 determines, based on the first information, that the second information is retransmission data of the first data, the processing unit 1220 is specifically used to: determine that the first information does not include a reception response to the first data.

[0192] Exemplarily, when the apparatus 1200 executes each step executed by the access network element, the communication unit 1210 is used to receive the first data; the communication unit 1210 is also used to receive the second data. The communication unit 1210 is also used to receive indication information from the user plane function network element; the processing unit 1220 is used to determine the sending priority of the second data according to the indication information. The description of the first data, the second data and the indication information can be found in Figures 6 to 11 The relevant description in the method embodiment shown will not be repeated here.

[0193] In one design, when the processing unit 1220 determines the sending priority of the second data according to the indication information, it is specifically used to: determine, according to the indication information, that the sending priority of the second data is higher than the sending priority of the first data.

[0194] In one design, the communication unit 1210 is further configured to send first information to the user plane function network element, where the first information is used to indicate a reception response to the first data. The description of the first information can be found in Figures 6 to 11 Related description in the method embodiment shown.

[0195] In one design, the communication unit 1210 is further configured to receive second information from a session management function network element, where the second information includes the indication information. A description of the second information can be found in Figures 6 to 11 Related description in the method embodiment shown.

[0196] Exemplarily, when the device 1200 executes each step executed by the policy control function network element, the communication unit 1210 is used to receive indication information from the application server; the processing unit 1220 is used to generate a first quality of service QoS flow and a second QoS flow according to the indication information. The communication unit 1210 is also used to send policy information of the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow to the session management function network element. The description of the indication information, the first QoS flow, the second QoS flow, and the policy information can be found in Figures 6 to 11 The relevant description is shown.

[0197] Exemplarily, when the device 1200 executes each step executed by the access network element, the communication unit 1210 is used to receive first data, and the first data includes first indication information; the processing unit 1220 is used to determine the sending priority of the first data according to the first indication information. The description of the first data and the first indication information can be found in Figures 6 to 11 Related description in the method embodiment shown.

[0198] In one design, the communication unit 1210 is further configured to receive second indication information from a session management function network element. The description of the second indication information can be found in Figures 6 to 11 Related description in the method embodiment shown.

[0199] Exemplarily, when the device 1200 executes each step executed by the application server, the processing unit 1220 is used to use the communication unit 1210 to send the first data to the access network element through the user plane function network element, and the first data includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate the order in which the data packets of the first data are sent in the device. The description of the first data and the first indication information can be found in Figures 6 to 11 The relevant description in the method embodiment shown will not be repeated here.

[0200] The above device may also be a chip, wherein the communication unit may be an input / output circuit or interface of the chip, and the processing unit may be a logic circuit, which may process the data to be processed according to the steps described in the above method to obtain the processed data. The output circuit / interface is used to output the processed data.

[0201] like Fig.13The device 1300 with communication function provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown, which is used to implement the functions of the user plane function network element, the access network network element, the policy control function network element and the application server in the above method. The device 14300 can be a user plane function network element, an access network network element, a policy control function network element and an application server, or a chip similar to a user plane function network element, an access network network element, a policy control function network element and an application server, or a device that can be used in combination with a user plane function network element, an access network network element, a policy control function network element and an application server.

[0202] The device 1300 includes at least one processor 1320, which is used to implement the functions of the user plane function network element, the access network network element, the policy control function network element and the application server in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application. The device 1300 may also include a communication interface 1310. In the embodiment of the present application, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module or other type of communication interface, which is used to communicate with other devices through a transmission medium. For example, the communication interface 1310 is used in the device 1300 to communicate with other devices. The processor 1320 can complete the following Fig.12 The functions of the processing unit 1220 shown in FIG. 1 and the communication interface 1310 can be implemented as follows: Fig.12 The functionality of the communication unit 1210 is shown.

[0203] The device 1300 may also include at least one memory 1330 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 1330 is coupled to the processor 1320. The coupling in the embodiment of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which may be electrical, mechanical or other forms, and is used for information exchange between devices, units or modules. The processor 1320 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1330. The processor 1320 may execute program instructions stored in the memory 1330. At least one of the at least one memory may be included in the processor.

[0204] The specific connection medium between the communication interface 1310, the processor 1320 and the memory 1330 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. Fig.13 The memory 1330, the processor 1320 and the communication interface 1310 are connected via a bus 1340. Fig.13 The connections between the other components are shown in bold lines, which are only for illustration and are not intended to be limiting. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Fig.13 Only one thick line is used in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0205] As another form of this embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which instructions are stored. When the instructions are executed, the method on the user plane function network element side, the access network network element side, the policy control function network element side or the application server side in the above method embodiment is executed.

[0206] As another form of this embodiment, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed, executes the method on the user plane function network element side, the access network network element side, the policy control function network element side or the application server side in the above method embodiment.

[0207] As another form of this embodiment, a communication system is provided, which may include the above-mentioned at least one first user plane function network element, at least one access network network element, at least one policy control function network element and at least one application server.

[0208] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of the present invention may be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc.

[0209] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present invention may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct memory bus random access memory (Direct Rambus RAM, DR RAM).

[0210] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) is integrated in the processor.

[0211] It should be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0212] It should be understood that in various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0213] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example 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 performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0214] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0215] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0216] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0217] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0218] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application can be essentially or partly embodied in the form of a software product that contributes to the prior art. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0219] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The user plane function network element sends first data to the access network element; The user plane function network element sends second data to the access network element; The user plane function network element determines, according to the first information, that the second data is retransmission data of the first data; The user plane function network element sends first indication information to the access network network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the second data is retransmission data or the first indication information is used to indicate a sending priority of the second data.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: The user plane function network element receives the first information from the application server, where the first information includes a data packet sequence number difference threshold.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The user plane function network element determines, according to the first information, that the second data is retransmission data of the first data, including: The user plane functional network element determines that a difference between a data packet sequence number of the second data and a data packet sequence number of adjacent data exceeds the data packet sequence number difference threshold.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: The user plane function network element receives the first information from the access network element, where the first information is used to indicate a reception response to the first data.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The user plane function network element determines, according to the first information, that the second data is retransmission data of the first data, including: The user plane functional network element determines that the first information does not include a reception response of the first data.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The first indication information is identification information of a first quality of service QoS flow, the first data is sent through a second QoS flow, and the priority of the first QoS flow is higher than the priority of the second QoS flow.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The first indication information is used to indicate the sending priority of the second data, including: The user plane function network element determines the first indication information according to whether the second data is retransmission data of the first data.

8. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The access network element receives the first data; The access network element receives second data; The access network element receives first indication information from the user plane function network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the second data is retransmission data of the first data or to indicate a sending priority of the second data; The access network element performs priority scheduling according to the first indication information.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: The access network element determines, according to the first indication information, that a sending priority of the second data is higher than a sending priority of the first data.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The access network element performing priority scheduling according to the first indication information includes: The access network element preferentially transmits the second data.

11. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: Also includes: The access network element sends first information to the user plane function element, where the first information is used to indicate a reception response to the first data.

12. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: Also includes: The access network element receives second information from a session management function network element, where the second information includes the first indication information.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that: The first indication information is identification information of a first quality of service QoS flow, the first data is sent through a second QoS flow, and the priority of the first QoS flow is higher than the priority of the second QoS flow.

14. A communication device, characterized in that: include: Processing unit and communication unit The communication unit is used to send first data to a sending access network element; The communication unit is further configured to send second data to the access network element; The processing unit is used to determine, according to the first information, that the second information is retransmission data of the first data; The communication unit is further used to send indication information to the access network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that the second data is retransmission data or the indication information is used to indicate a sending priority of the second data.

15. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that: The communication unit is further configured to receive the first information from an application server, where the first information includes a data packet sequence number difference threshold.

16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that When the processing unit determines, according to the first information, that the second information is retransmission data of the first data, the processing unit is specifically configured to: It is determined that a difference between a data packet sequence number of the second data and a data packet sequence number of adjacent data exceeds the data packet sequence number difference threshold.

17. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that: The communication unit is further configured to receive the first information from the access network element, where the first information is used to indicate a reception response to the first data.

18. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that When the processing unit determines, according to the first information, that the second information is retransmission data of the first data, the processing unit is specifically configured to: Determine that the first information does not include a response to receiving the first data.

19. The device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that: The indication information is identification information of a first quality of service QoS flow, the first data is sent through a second QoS flow, and the priority of the first QoS flow is higher than the priority of the second QoS flow.

20. The device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that: The first indication information, used by the processing unit to indicate the sending priority of the second data, includes: determining the first indication information according to whether the second data is retransmission data of the first data.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a communication unit and a processing unit; The communication unit is used to receive first data; The communication unit is also used to receive second data; The communication unit is further used to receive indication information from a user plane function network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that the second data is retransmission data of the first data or to indicate a sending priority of the second data; The processing unit is used for performing priority scheduling according to the indication information.

22. The device according to claim 21, characterized in that When the processing unit determines the sending priority of the second data according to the indication information, it is specifically used to: According to the indication information, it is determined that the sending priority of the second data is higher than the sending priority of the first data.

23. The device according to claim 21 or 11, characterized in that The communication unit is also used for: Sending first information to the user plane function network element, where the first information is used to indicate a reception response to the first data.

24. The device according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that: The communication unit is also used for: Second information is received from a session management function network element, where the second information includes the indication information.

25. The device according to any one of claims 21 to 24, characterized in that: The indication information is identification information of a first quality of service QoS flow, the first data is sent through a second QoS flow, and the priority of the first QoS flow is higher than the priority of the second QoS flow.

26. The device according to any one of claims 21 to 25, characterized in that: The processing unit performs priority scheduling according to the first indication information, specifically for: the processing unit gives priority to transmitting the second data.

27. A communication device, characterized in that: include: at least one processor coupled to at least one memory, The at least one processor is used to execute the computer program or instructions stored in the at least one memory, so that any method of claims 1-7 is executed or any method of claims 8-13 is executed.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, and when the computer-executable instructions are called by a computer, the computer executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 13.

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